| Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| 411 Pearl Street New York City, New York, United States |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Public High School |
| Motto | Loco B in Res
Putting the B In Business |
| Established | 1976 (35 years of operation as of 2011) |
| School board | New York City Public Schools |
| School district | 2 (Geographic and Administrative) |
| School number | M520 |
| Principal | Andrea Lewis, Ph.D (I.A.)[1][2] |
| Faculty | 400 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Number of students | 2,589 |
| Color(s) | Red and yellow |
| Athletics | PSAL |
| Mascot | Flash [3] |
| Nickname | Bergtraum; MBHS; Murry B |
| Newspaper | 'The Bergtraum Voice' |
| Yearbook | 'The Montague' |
The Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers is a public secondary school in New York City. It is located in Lower Manhattan, adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge and City Hall. Bergtraum offers business-oriented courses to prepare students for careers in marketing, tourism, finance, human resources, information systems, economics, computer science, law, and secretarial fields. The school also combines its business curriculum with an academic program that gears towards preparation for college. In recent years, the school has been integrating more humanities and liberal arts courses to enrichen the school's cirriculum.[4]
Murry Bergtraum High School was one of the first business themed high schools in New York City, and inclusively, the United States. It has two sister schools that share its business theme: Norman Thomas High School (previously known as Central Commercial High School) and the High School of Economics and Finance. Out of the three schools, Murry Bergtraum is the largest of all the business high schools in this category and in the city due to its large, diverse business programs and course offerings.
Students in virtual enterprise classes have formed two companies in insurance and publishing. Other students get retail experience in a school store funded by Ronald Lauder, head of Estée Lauder. The goal of former Principal Grace Julian was to have every student have a mentor from a corporation such as Estée Lauder for at least part of their high school career. Students and alumni often refer to themselves as "Bergtraumites."
It remains as one of the few large high schools in New York City as a result of Michael Bloomberg's small-school restructuring projects.[5] It was also exempted from chancellor Joel Klein's citywide uniform curriculum initiated in 2003.
The History of Murry Bergtraum High School dates back to the Thanksgiving of 1916, the birthdate of Murry Bergtraum. Murry Bergtraum High School was established in 1975, in memory of Murry Bergtraum, a former President of the New York City Board of Education who passed away in 1974. Bergtraum joined the Board of Education on May 20, 1969. He was then elected Vice President of the Board of Education from July 1, 1970 to June 30, 1971. His widow Edith Katz Bergtraum, a public school teacher, was also politically active and a member of her local school board for 19 years. After her death in 1994, an elementary school in Queens (PS 165 in District 25) was renamed in her memory. The name "Bergtraum" originates from the German language. In the English language, it translates to "mountain dream."[6]
Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers was still under construction in 1975 while the first class of freshmen were attending classes at Pace University awaiting the completion of the new high school. While at the Pace campus, an art instructor held a school logo contest. Many designs were submitted by the students. Ultimately the winner chosen by the staff was a student named Norberto Feliciano. The winning school emblem is circular in design with a triangle in the center that represents the schools aerial view shape. The name of the school is within double circles, and the school initials placed within the triangle. Olive brances were placed within the logo as a sign of peace as also seen in the flag of the United Nations. The logo is used on letter heads, notebooks, t-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, team uniforms, and other school-branded items.
Bergtraum was the first academic comprehensive high school with business majors in New York City and one of the first in the United States. It was supported by the Downtown Lower Manhattan Association to prepare young people to enter the world of work and college.[7]
Historically, there has been an average of over 3,000 students at Bergtraum during a given year, and it has been ranked as a "School of Excellence" by U.S. News & World Report since 1999.[8][9] It is well known for its girls' basketball team, having won thirteen consecutive PSAL championships as of 2011.[10] Bergtraum offers majors in business that attracts students from all boroughs; receiving an average of 15,000 to 20,000 applications every year, making it one of the most popular schools in the city of New York. As an educational option school, it takes in students from alln academic levels.[11]
The school population is structured as follows:
Bergtraum has also been known for its unusual triangular shape, which leads to only half of the school building having windows. The exterior sides of the building have windows, while the interior portion of the building does not. Despite the design of the building, it stays very warm in the winter and very cool during the summer because of its centralized air-conditioning system.
As of spring 2007, the school would follow a 1-8 schedule, eliminating the 3-10 and leaving very few students with a 2-9 schedule.
As of September 2009, the school began to decrease its enrollment numbers to alleviate the overcrowding rate the school faced. The school's enrollment has dropped significantly from September, 2005 in which it had roughly 3,000 students enrolled. As of July 2009, that number has gone down to 2,589.
In its thirty-year history, Bergtraum has only had five principals, each of them female: Dr. Barbara Christen. Elsie Chan, Grace Julian, Barbara Esmilla who retired in June 2010 and Dr. Andrea D. Lewis.
Bergtraum has eight business majors, and also allows students to take Career and Technical Education examinations, such as the Microsoft Office Specialist examination.[12] In the accounting major, students who take the Advanced Accounting course can take an exam to obtain Certified Public Accountant qualifications.[13] Bergtraum requires its students have a minimum of 12 business credits upon graduation.
Murry Bergtraum provides its students with what is called "dual preparation". Working in close collaboration with colleges, businesses and industries, Bergtraum offers an academic program which is integrated with skills, knowledge and career preparation. Students at Bergtraum may also be eligible for state-approved and industry-sponsored career and technical education endorsements.
Murry Bergtraum's facilities include:
A. Three Gymnasiums. Two are on the same floor, but offer different electives. This two-in-one gym was constructed to accommodate freshmen and sophomores. The third gym, for juniors, is located on the sixth floor, and focuses on cardiovascular exercise and dance.[14]
B. Two functioning laboratories for science. All biology, chemistry, physics, and marine biology laboratories are done in these two rooms.
C. A library. The Bergtraum library hosts internet service, as well as books, references, and career resources.
D. Computer laboratories. These rooms were once typewriting rooms; the old outlets on the floor mark the school's history.
Murry Bergtraum has 2,589 students and a diverse student body. Historically, Bergtraum's programs have catered to minority students, and the trend has not changed much since the school's opening.[15] The ethnic composition is as follows:[16]
Bergtraum has had more females than males in previous years. As of the 2009-2010 school year, 50.83% of Bergtraum students are female and 49.17% of Bergtraum students are male.
The building hosts students with special needs such as mental or physical disabilities, or hearing impairment. Students who use a wheelchair can sometimes be seen throughout the building.
The school is only one out of two in Lower Manhattan that also gives admittance to English as a Second Language (ESL) students. Out of the 3,000-plus students, 11.97% are ESL students.
Bergtraum has more business courses with more majors than all of the Manhattan Business-themed high schools combined. Bergtraum and Norman Thomas High School are the only schools in Manhattan that allow students to concentrate with one major. Students not only choose the business area they wish to concentrate on, but students also face academic rigor in their regular New York State mandated education requirements. Students are allowed to have the standard 65 passing grade, but are encouraged to have an 80+ average. In an interview in Bergtraum's newspaper, The Bergtraum Voice, Claire Panazzolo, an Ex-Assistant Principal of Business, stated that she "wanted Bergtraum to be the Stuyvesant of business".
The graduating class of 2006 was accepted to 85 different colleges and universities across the country, including schools of Ivy League caliber. Popular colleges and universities include: University at Albany, Binghamton University, Hunter College, Baruch College, Stony Brook University, Syracuse University and the University of Hartford.
Bergtraum students acquire the skills to work in a business-like atmosphere. Bergtraum is divided into 8 houses, each house representing a specific major. Students in each house, or department, study in their major for their 4 years in high school. In addition, each student must obtain a minimum of 44-50 credits in order to graduate, regardless of house. In each department, all students are mandated to take a keyboarding/business career exploration course for one year, or two semesters/terms.
Majors at Bergtraum were once known and categorized by "Houses". However, as the school began its year of reformation, these houses were renamed to "Academies" as of September 2006. Students of the Graduating Class of 2009 will be the last graduating class to be known and categorized by individual "Houses". These new academies would have directors that would oversee the academic and social activity of students.
At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy E" Students.
In the Finance major, students are introduced to accounting, business introduction, business analysis, law and computer applications, college level accounting, taxation, and financial investments.
The director of the Institute of Economics and Finance is currently Jared Vitolo.
At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy A" Students.
In the Accounting major, students learn basic to complex accounting. This program mocks the previous stenography major that taught all types of stenography such as Gregg Stenography, Alpha Stenography, etc.
The director of the Accounting Academy is currently Barbara Cortez.
At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy H" Students.
In the Administrative Assistant Technology major, students are introduced to Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certifications in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access programs, notetaking (Shorthand), business English, internet, business analysis, and business protocols.
The director of the Academy of Human Resources Management is currently Renato da Silva.
At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy F" Students.
In the Information Systems major, students are introduced to MOS certifications in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access programs, integrated computer applications, and desktop publishing.
The director of the Information Systems Academy is currently Anita Bonner.
At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy W" Students.
In the Travel and Tourism major, students are introduced to geography, computer systems, job shadowing, paid summer internships, and participate in the virtual enterprise program. This course is tied with the previous "L House" in order to make room for "Academy G"
As of September 2010, the director of this academy is Ms. Ammatuna.
At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy C" Students.
In the Computer Science major, students are introduced to QBasic, C++, HTML, Javascript, web page design, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access, desktop publishing, computer graphics.
The director of the Computer Science Institute is currently Anna Kavrakis.
At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy L" Students.
In the Legal Studies major, students are introduced to business law, trial procedures, general law, basic law of contracts, real estate law, urban planning, constitutional law, and participate in courthouse visits.
The director of the Legal Studies Academy is currently Renato Da Silva.
At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "Academy M" Students.
In the Marketing major, students are introduced to the principles of marketing and advertising, retailing, insurance, business law, business computer operations, sports marketing, and participate in the Estée Lauder retail academy. This major is tied along with the previous L and M houses. Both houses now contain the same conjunct courses.
The director of the Marketing Academy is currently Mark Malkonian.
At Bergtraum, students in this major are known as "I, O, or Z Academy" Students.
Students in this house must follow procedures according to their respective major, however their classes are taught differently from regular education students.
The director of these departments currently is Tessa Austin
Murry Bergtraum High School students face the same requirements as all students in New York City do. A minimum of 50-54 credits is required to graduate from Bergtraum, however, most of the students graduate with as many as 60 credits. Students are required to study [17][18][19]:
Murry Bergtraum High School, along with other high schools of the Lower Manhattan area were the first schools evacuated when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Although Bergtraum is located in the Lower East Side section of Manhattan, the school administration ordered an immediate evacuation of the building. The building was evacuated in three minutes. It was the first high school in New York City that had successful evacuation of students.
The school was labeled as a "Ground Zero" school (by the NYFD)--students were relocated to the High School of Art and Design in Upper Manhattan. The Bergtraum administration were unhappy with the relocation and appealed it, and their building was re-opened and students resumed their studies within a few days.
Bergtraum began to face new ideas of reform during the Spring Term of the 2005-2006 academic school year. Due to certain measures to improve not only performance, but also student morale, new measures and new plans began to be introduced by the Principal, and the School Leadership Team. Certain reforms include:
A. The attempt to restore the Bergtraum building after 31 years of establishment.
B. A sharp decrease in the amount of students admitted into the school. Incoming freshmen classes averaged to about 900 to 1000 students. As of August 2007[update], that number is down to approximately 800. The school currently faces a 131% overcrowding rate—that is, there are 36% more students than the building was designed to accommodate.
C. The introduction of a new dress code to bring a more professional environment to the school. Students now follow a mandatory "dress for success" every Wednesday. The school uniform policy has been discontinued.
Bergtraum offers many courses to its students, including:
Advanced Placement courses, which are eligible for college credit, include Calculus AB, English Language and English Literature, Environmental Science, Accounting, United States History, and World History.
Bergtraum has many elective courses for students to take that tend to be more advanced in their curriculum and more rigorous in their nature:
The school has its own song that is, by tradition, sung at the commencement exercises every June. The song was composed by retired music teacher, J.A. Negri. Negri retired in 2007 after many years of working as a music teacher at the school.[21]
Bergtraum has many sponsors, especially in the corporate field, including:[22]
Bergtraum has many activities for students to participate in. Such activities include the Student Government/Union, Senior Council, Council For Unity, internships on and off site, and more. Academic teams and groups include Math Team, Mock Trial, Moot Court and the National Honor Society. Other clubs include: The Black Student Union, Salsa Club, Chinese Christian Society, Christian Society, Ambassadors Club, Model UN, Chinese Talent Society, West Indian Club, The Political Action Committee and the Asian Club.
The school participates in the Public Schools Athletic League. The Bergtraum Lady Blazers are the second best girls' basketball team in the entire country, and the reigning thirteen-time city champion. Bergtraum also has other sports teams, including basketball, bowling, cross country, handball, tennis, indoor and outdoor track, volleyball, softball, baseball, and soccer.
Besides being ranked "A School Of Excellence" by U.S. News & World Report, Bergtraum has won countless awards in the sports area, The Kurt Thomas Investment Challenge, the ThinkQuest Awards, and the Lincoln-Douglas Debates.
ThinkQuest NYC Award winning teams, led by Ms. D'Amato, Ms Ashley & Tony Cai:
Dress for Success days are a long-time tradition started in business high schools. This provides the opportunity for students, including those of Bergtraum; to dress in business attire. The original philosophy was to have students dress appropriately for school, but over the span of 31 years, business collaboratives expressed interest in hiring students fresh out of high school. Meaning that "Dress for Success" at Bergtraum was also created to prepare students for the demands of the workforce, and in turn, students are approached and offered internships with business collaboratives or with alumni who run their own businesses.
As of August 2007, the Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers has made dressing for success a mandatory event.