Music Performance

At Upper Room Christian School we have a robust music program as well plenty of opportunity for our students to perform. We have a Chapel service once a week, several shows and even opportunities outside of the school.

Our band and choir minister for the holidays at senior citizen centers as well as hospitals and we love to be able to bless those that can't come out for a show or service. Our teachers teach our students how to perform and minister as well as teaching them  how to be excellent on their instrument or in their vocals. We teach music theory and composition.

Our band and choir has been featured on MSG Varsity and our students have also competed in the NYSMA competitions. Mr. Holder and Ms. Flynn do a great job each year of replacing students that graduate with incoming students and maintain a viable band and choir from year to year. Some students go on to major in music in College and some have even received substantial scholarships to schools like Boston College, Berkley and Five Towns.
Grace and Peace,
Ed

Picture Day

Today is picture day! Upper Room Christian School uses "Lifetouch" as our photographers for our picture days. We have three per year. The first is for the whole school's ID's and yearbook photos. The second is in November and is just for our seniors. And the third is in April where we do spring shots out of uniform.

Each year our students publish a yearbook and we include their random shots which are taken throughout the year as well as the professional shots taken by Lifetouch. These photos serve as cherished keepsakes of their years here at Upper Room and are a source of memories, laughs and even tears for years to come. I usually look at the yearbooks once a year and it brings back fond memories of the years and students gone by and is a source of encouragement for years to come.

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Trips

This is a picture of last year's publications class on their trip to Pulse Magazine. Each year we take the students on several educational trips to enhance their learning experience and give them a first hand look at their topic of study.

Yesterday our international students went with several other seniors, advisers, staff and chaperons to NYC to see the Statue of Liberty and to take a walking tour of lower Manhattan and the financial district. They went by luxury bus from the school to the ferry that took them to the Statue of Liberty where the students were able to climb up the spiral staircase before it closes for renovations next month.

Today our digital imaging class is in Manhattan at the Jacob Javits center for the largest Photography Exposition in the world! There they will meet manufacturers, professional photographers and journalists while attending several mini classes on photography and layout design.

Trips are an important part of a student's learning and we here at Upper Room Christian School are fortunate to have so many wonderful resources within a few miles of the school!

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Unity

One of the best things about Upper Room Christian School is that there is no barriers of race or color. God teaches us in His Word that we are all family through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ! Here at the school we have students from all nationalities studying, eating and playing together.

God has given us a genuine love and care for each other and has broken down the walls of separation based on color, nationality or culture. We accept and embrace our diversity and see it as a tremendous advantage as we become a global community that is represented right here in our school.

It's fun to watch students from Spain communicating with students from China communicating with students from Jamaica and all of the other countries represented here. The Bible says, "Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity....there the Lord commands the blessing"! Our students are learning how to function in a global community and loving it!!

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Space

Looking at this picture reminded me of all of the space we have for our students here at Upper Room Christian School! Not only do we have a state of the art regulation baseball field and parking for hundreds of cars but we also have other ample play spaces like the one shown in today's picture.

The students love coming out for gym or for recess and the teachers love to use the grounds for science lessons and other learning experiences like time capsules, rocket demonstrations and even a visit from a professional race car driver!

We are blessed to be on several acres of land that is easy to get to yet rural enough to be safe from the hustle and bustle of city life. All this and just 45 miles from NYC! Speaking of which the high school trip to the city is Wednesday and they are looking forward to seeing the Statue of Liberty up close and personal as well as a walking tour of lower Manhattan and the financial district.

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Fire Prevention

A fire prevention/fire safety class was held for our elementary department by our very own volunteer fireman and 5th grade teacher Mr.Reiersen! The students loved his demonstration and learned how to help prevent house fires and what to do if they are in a house fire.

Mr. Reiersen's Sayville Fire Department also supplied each student with a coloring book to help re-enforce the lesson learned. Students learn by what they see and also by what they hear but they learn the most by what they do so a hands on class like the one Mr. Reiersen did is the best way for them to learn this important and potentially life saving lesson.

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Security

While Upper Room Christian School is one of the safest schools on Long Island we are glad to have staff like Mrs. Rielly keeping our hallways clear and safe. The kids love her and nothing escapes her watchful eyes. We also have Mrs. Gregg and 24 closed circuit digital camera's recording 24/7.

Our students come from good homes in over 14 different school districts and they come to be in a safe and loving environment where they don't have to be worried about drugs, gangs or violence. We are large enough to provide our students with all of the athletic and social opportunities of a bigger school yet small enough to give personalized attention where no one "slips between the cracks".

We also have a closed campus. Students arrive at 8am and leave at 3pm. We provide advanced placement and college level courses as well as several electives for our Juniors and Seniors so their day is full. We have our hot lunch program catered so the students don't have to leave and we don't have to be concerned with them getting back to school safely.

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Chess

Chess has always had a place at Upper Room Christian School. Several years ago we even had a formal club that competed throughout Long Island through the United States Chess Federation and all of our players played timed games by the USCF rulebook.

We've played at St. Joseph's, Adelphi and Hoefstra Universities. But it seems that the place we like to play the most is in the lunchroom. During any lunch period you can see boards set up and students playing as they eat their lunch.

Chess is an excellent game as well as an excellent teaching tool. It requires critical thinking and concentration. There is no luck involved at all. Students learn the all important skill of asking "what if" throughout the game. They see cause and effect. They concentrate deeply and are not taught to make a good move but taught to make the best move. That's why it's called, "The Game of Kings".

Diversity

One of the things that makes Upper Room Christian School great is its diversity. Not only do we have I-20 students from all over the world, we also have sudents in grades K-12. While we seperate the Elementary, Middle and High Schools for most of the day, students still see each other in the halls as we change classes, have electives and at our weekly chapel services.

The students develop such a bond between each other! The High School students love opportunities to become Teachers Assistants for the lower grades and actually help the younger  students with their studies. The younger students look up to their older counterparts and love to say hello in the hall or cheer for their teams during their games.

The diversity in age also gives the school more of a "family" feel. Students that don't have older or younger siblings now feel like they do and we all feel part of a big extended family. The school becomes more of a learning community that models Christian family life and we live, learn and grow together in love, respect and appreciation of each other!

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Dialogue

Part of the reason that there is such an interest by other countries to come to America to study is because of our teaching style. This is an eleventh grade American History class being taught by Mr. Anthony Passalacqua. Mr. Passalacqua has a Master's degree in education with an emphasis in History. In classes like this, the need to discuss and reason is critical. The real need in education today is the need to foster critical thinking skills so that we can learn how to take bits of information and use them together to solve problems and find better ways of doing things.
Students are taught how to reason....how to think critically....and how to communicate their thoughts in conversation as well as on paper. Coach Pass (also our Varsity Baseball Headcoach) has several debates each year as well as several elections that give opportunity to the students to both understand historically what factors have shaped our history and also the chance to see how it works in action through these simulated debates and elections.
Critical thinking is the reason that other countries are desiring an American education and here at Upper Room Christian School that is what we put the highest educational emphasis on.
Grace and Peace,
Ed

We know how to party!

Each year we have our gala senior banquet at the beautiful Venetian Shores Catering Hall in Lindenhurst. It's right off the water so the sunsets are gorgeous and the breeze is wonderful. It has a gazebo for taking outdoor shots and overlooks the Great South Bay.

Inside the air-conditioners are cranked up because the DJ has his rig set up and the music is about to flow. The food is great and the service is excellent. All of the students arrive in formal wear and it is such a change seeing them like that when you are so used to them in their school uniforms.

The night starts off slow as the guests arrive and take pictures while enjoying the cocktail hour. Delicious fruity concoctions are poured over the hum of the blenders and everyone settles in for a great night. Once dinner is served the music kicks in and the dance floor begins to populate. The students come ready to celebrate the conclusion of 12 years of education and are looking forward to college.

At the end of the night we crown the homecoming King and Queen who were voted for by the student body weeks before. Time for a few more dances, coffee and cake and many students then continue with their after-party arrangements off site. It's a night to remember forever!

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Lunchtime!

School is not just about learning how to read, write and do math. School is also about learning how to relate to people of different ages, backgrounds, social status, race and cultures. Here at Upper Room Christian School we put an emphasis on building strong relationships between the students and the staff. We are a family and the school has a family atmosphere.

At lunch students bring food from home, order hot lunch from our hot lunch program or just buy something from the vending machines. What's most important is that they relax and relate. The relationships forged here usually go on for years and in some cases, even for life.

Life is about our relationships. Our relationship with God. Our relationship with our family. Our relationship with our friends. And our relationship to our community. School needs to be a place where we can learn to better stregnthen and enrich these relationships because in reality....they are all that really matters!

Grace and Peace,
Ed

PSATs

Well, it's that time again! The first round of PSATs have begun. Our students and students from all over Long Island are in the Upper Room Christian School gym taking one of the most important tests they will ever take.

At Upper Room we take these exams very seriously and as a result have had many of our students accepted to top tier Colleges and Universities around the country and some with sizable scholarships! We have become a registered PSAT Administration site and do the exams here twice a year. Students come from other schools on Long Island to take the Fall exams especially if their high school's schedule is such that they are unable to take it in their home school.

It's nice to host these other students and nice to have guests in the house! It's also great to work for a place like Upper Room that has a vision not only for our students but for the community as well.
To God be the Glory!
Ed

Soccer!!

Coach  ABRAHAM CHHAB has taken over as the Head Varsity Soccer Coach for Upper Room Christian School! These are his credentials:

Masters in sports science from the University of Montpellier

Former Member of the olympic camp squad of Los Angeles track team.

Research in sports science.

Former regional director of coaching and player development for Major League Soccer.

Highly and nationally certified by US soccer federation.

Holds the Brazilian Professional Soccer Coaching License from la confederacion brazilira de futbol professionel (CBF)-

Holds the French Professional Soccer Coaching License.

FIFA Certified

Coach Abraham has worked with many top notch soccer clubs, camps and clinics all over the world! We believe that God will use coach Abraham working with our students from around the world as they seek to improve their soccer knowledge and skills. We are glad to welcome him on staff here at Upper Room as we continue to press for excellence in Spirit, Soul and Body.

Columbus Day

No picture today! I couldn't find a suitable one. When I was a kid growing up in Bensonhurst Brooklyn the Italians decided to change the name of Columbus Day to Italian American Unity Day. They just decided to glom (my word...to take without asking) a holiday and call it theirs! Don't get me wrong....I'm an Italian American with grandparents from Italy but taking a holiday, changing it's name and then calling it yours.....Really!

However, this day reminds me of all of the immigrants that came the US looking for a better life for themselves and their families. My grandparents came through Ellis Island and settled in Brooklyn. They brought some of Italy over with them with their language, food and customs. I enjoy the culture to this day and like going into the Salumeria's (Italian Deli) and speaking the few words of Italian I know to the counter men.

Upper Room Christian School is fortunate to host almost 20 students from around the world! They come from China, Korea, Haiti, Jamaica, Dominican Republic Spain and others! They apply for an I20 Educational Visa, find a host home and study at our school from September till June. It is a great experience for them as well as for the school and host homes! Diversity is what makes America great, diversity is why I love New York so much diversity is a small snapshot of Heaven! E Pluribus Unim. Out of the many, one. The vision of God the Father, His Son Jesus, our American forefathers and Upper Room Christian School is that we would be one in Christ.....unity with diversity!
Happy Columbus Day!
Ed

Chapel

At Upper Room Christian School we have a chapel service once a week for two periods. It is a time for us to come together as a school to worship and hear from God together. Each week students rehearse that week's songs and we feature a different speaker or guest each week.

The past three weeks have been a series about wisdom presented by our Headmaster and one of the founders of the school Pastor Samuel Hashim. He discussed the importance that wisdom plays in life from both the scripture and from real life experiences. His goal was to put a new found hunger for wisdom and it's pursuit and how to use our time, talent and resources wisely to get their maximum benefit and purpose for our lives.

While chapel is for our students we also allow past students, graduates, neighbors, friends or relatives to come and be blessed by the worship and the teaching. Many students say that their lives were forever changed in one of these services and that things they learned or experienced in chapel have stayed with them throughout the years!

Grace and Peace,
Ed

Change for Change

We are so excited to be back to school! Part of the excitement is the opportunity the school gives each student for community service. In the picture above URCS graduate Lauren Barnes (a senior at the time) is shown with sister Cathy Smith, a few of her children and a News 12 reporter at the Children of Hope mission in Wyandanch. Lauren was spearheading a mentoring program between the school and the mission.

For one of our projects this year we are partnering with Cablevision's Charity Champions program to raise money to help feed those in need. We call it "Change for Change". Each student brings in loose change or an item of non-perishable food to be distributed to over 1,000 needy people from all over the Long Island area.

Surely the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts and hallways and we have a great desire to reach out to our community with love and support. We are always looking for creative ways to help those in our communities that have a need.

Aaron's Appendectomy

Today's picture is one of Aaron Mylott a graduate of Upper Room Christian School mixing sound for us in one of our weekly chapel services. It's great to have the students play such an important role in our weekly chapels from lights to sound from singing to playing an instrument to preaching. The students do it all and are trained in every area of interest.
Well last night Aaron was having some pain in his abdomen and at about 3:30 this morning he was rushed in for an appendectomy! With the age we're in he was facebooking jokes right up until when they rolled him into surgery and his last words were, "see you on the other side". Well I'm sure his Mom didn't go for the joke but i really do believe that in times of major distress and possible danger those that know their God have a grace and peace knowing that they are in His hand always and His love will always see them through.
I'm waiting for Aaron to get out of surgery soon and wonder what his first words out will be. He always had a great sense of humor!
Grace and Peace,
Ed

School Facebook Page

So today I opened an official Facebook page for the school and used our Logo for the page picture. Founded in Biblical principles in 1981 the school's foundation is in the Word of God as revealed through the Bible and the life, death and resurecction of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Next we see the flame symbolizing the firery presence of God in the heart of each believer and as a young student, we are growing up in Christ in Spirit, Soul and Body with a commitment to the spririt in man and it's development, the importance of academic excellence and the importance of physical growth and health. All within a safe and caring enviornment where love, peace, grace and respect is the rule and it is present in our hearts and hallways!
Gotta put a "Facebook like" button on this blog!

7th Annual Hempstead Day

Upper Room Christian School was represented again at this year's annual Hempstead Day. The event is hosted by H.E.V.N. (Helping End Violence Now). There are resource tables for the community, free food and a basketball tournament. Several county legislators come out to show their support and the event features several guest speakers and a gospel concert.

Our varsity boys took second place for the tournament and a great time was had by all in attendance!

Grace and Peace,
Ed