Our DPAC debaters took part in a tournament last weekend in the Bronx. Our students headed out bright and early at 6:30am. Mr. Beattie our kids and once again they were some of the top performers. We’d like to give a special shoutout to 8th graders Melissa Jimenez and Melvin Morla who went undefeated for the day. They also both won top speaker awards! Make sure to celebrate all of our debaters when you see them around school.
On Saturday, October 1st, PS/MS 161 hosted the first NYC Urban Debate League tournament of the year. The tournament was a Manhattan middle school invitational and welcomed more than 200 students from 15 schools. We had an awesome season opener! Students debated abolishing the Electoral College, condemning Big Pharmaceutical Companies and adopting a New York City school dress code. Our team took home 1st place overall and there were strong performances by all of our students. Way to go to our team and coach Tyler Beattie!
On Thursday, September 22nd, DPAC families were invited in for a chance to meet 161 staff and to find out what students will be learning this year. Families were also provided the chance to go book shopping in our cafeteria and many kids walked away happy. Thanks to Ms. Salute for helping our students bring home the joy of reading!
On September 13th, our school hosted special visitors that included Apple CEO Tim Cook. The team from Apple visited three of our classrooms to see some of the things possible when students are connected to technology in the classroom. ABC’s Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts also stopped by to see what our students were up to and to interview Tim Cook about the role that technology can play in education. It was a wonderful moment for PSMS 161 to shine.
This past weekend, 16 members of the 161 Debate Team represented our school at the 2016 NYC City Championships, hosted at the Institute for Collaborative Education.
Very proud to share that the team of 7th graders Nelson Sanchez, Dashaun Conde and 8th graderHerbert Espinal advanced to the semi-finals of Varsity Middle School Parliamentary Debate, making them one of the top 4 middle school teams in the city! Dashaun and Herbert also earned top speaker awards.
The team of 7th graders Melvin Morla, Justin Cordero and 8th grader Willmer Rosario advanced to the quarter-finals in Varsity Debate. And… Willmer took the 1st place individual speaker award, making him the City Champion speaker for 2016!
In Congressional Debate, 7th grader Melissa Jimenez advanced to the final session, and earned 7th place overall!
In Novice Debate, congrats to 7th grader Jamaly Collado who earned a top speaker award.
Congrats to the rest of our City Championship team: 8th grader Gregory Carter, 7th graders Kevin Fabian, Yunior Crisostomo and Rashaun Jones, and 6th graders Jeniyah Martinez, Isaiah Santana, Nyomi Russo and Sean Correa.
SPECIAL THANKS TO…
Mr. Denson for joining us and judging!
Our alum Katherine Rosas for volunteering at the tournament!
Parents of Dashaun Conde, Melissa Jimenez, Isaiah Santana, Justin Cordero for joining us!
