Honor School’s Ag Program

Senate Resolution No. 4299 BY: Senator STAVISKY HONORING John Bowne High School upon the occasion of receiving CTE Model Program Recognition for its outstanding Agriculture Program WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose exemplary programs and accomplishment clearly demonstrate an enduring pursuit of excellence in the education of the youth of the Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor John Bowne High School upon the occasion of receiving CTE Model Program Recognition for its outstanding Agriculture Program; and WHEREAS, Located in Flushing, New York, John Bowne High School is the only school in New York City with a working 3.8-acre farm, and one of the two schools in the city which have a four-year agriculture program; and WHEREAS, Currently, over 600 students take part in this exemplary program which is staffed with nine experienced agriculture teachers; the program has developed a rigorous curriculum, business partnerships, and built state-of-the-art facilities in order to prepare the next generation of agriculturalists; and WHEREAS, Faculty and administrators have diligently worked to secure several articulation agreements, work-based learning experiences, and created a detailed and complete student work assessment; and WHEREAS, Initially known as the Newtown Aggies, the Agriculture Program at John Bowne High School was established in 1917, after returning soldiers from World War I expressed an interest in learning more about agriculture; and WHEREAS, Freshman and sophomore students take classes in both plant and animal sciences, allowing them to make an educated decision at the conclusion of their sophomore year as to whether they want to major in plant science or animal science for their junior and senior years; and WHEREAS, The Program's four-acre land laboratory consists of a poultry house, large animal barn, exotic animal laboratory, greenhouse, and orchard and field crops, providing students an interdisciplinary nurturing environment to succeed; and WHEREAS, Through hands-on learning experiences and classroom instruction, students acquire a well-balanced education; during their first summer of enrollment, they work at the school's land laboratory where they master various tasks such as caring for the orchard and nursery crops; and WHEREAS, The students also tend to their own garden plots; each student is assigned a 15-foot by 15-foot plot of land on which to raise a vegetable and flower garden; students keep the produce and plants they have grown, and count their harvest as earnings towards FFA awards; and WHEREAS, During the school's second and oldest summer program, the New York State Department of Labor, Farm Cadet Program, helps place students on numerous dairy, horse, goat and vegetable farms throughout the state; each student lives and works with the farm family for the summer; and WHEREAS, Finally, during their third summer, students work at veterinary hospitals, florist shops, nurseries, garden centers, pet shops, zoos and aquariums in New York City; and WHEREAS, Many graduates of the Program go on to agricultural and technical colleges, Cornell University and many out-of-state institutions throughout the northeast before establishing themselves in agricultural professions including veterinarians, landscape architects, teachers, florists, animal laboratory technicians and other related professions; and WHEREAS, Through the Agriculture Program at John Bowne High School,

92% of students passed the Regents or an approved substitution exam, 98% of students passed a technical assessment, and 78% of students received a technical endorsement on their diploma; and WHEREAS, CTE Model Program Recognition is awarded to schools which have demonstrated strong leadership; a clear vision and sense of mission that is shared by all connected with the school; high quality teaching; a challenging, up-to-date curriculum; policies and practices that ensure a safe environment conducive to learning; and evidence that the school helps all students achieve high standards; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Principal Dr. Howard Kwait, and Assistant Principal of Ag and Business Steve Perry, the Agriculture Program at John Bowne High School has continually demonstrated an impressive dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for the quality of educational programs and opportunities offered for the benefit of its faculty and students as well as for the entire community; and WHEREAS, CTE Model Program Recognition stands as a resolute testimony to the Agriculture Program at John Bowne High School's standards of excellence, its uncompromising values, unparalleled dedication, and the special teamwork of its family of students, parents, teachers and administrators, who share common goals and uncommon expectations; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor John Bowne High School upon the occasion of receiving CTE Model Program Recognition for its outstanding Agriculture Program; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. Howard Kwait, Principal, and Steve Perry, Assistant Principal, John Bowne High School.