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Now You’re Talking my Language

Children are put into elementary school to be educated on different subjects including math, science, history, art, and many more. These subjects are almost always taught in one language only: English.  However, where do the other languages come into play?

 We have found that the first dual language program in the United States was created in 1962 located in Miami, Florida. Since then, only 800 elementary schools have been created with a dual language program. It is important for students to learn another language besides English for various reasons. We have found that children who learn a second language advance intellectually on many different spectrums including problem solving, multi-tasking, and attention span. Learning another language besides English will also help children as they get older and become adults. We have found that learning another language is easier to teach as a child rather than as an adult.

A child’s brain can be compared to as a sponge, it soaks in the information given to them. We have found that children learn and absorb information in an unconscious state of mind, they are learning and do not even know it. Teenagers and adults however consciously learn information given to them. For adults, this makes it harder because when learning new information, it can often get lost or disassociated. We have learned that babies who are often taught two languages, can learn both of the languages quicker and easier than it takes most babies to learn even one. Bilingual babies are often talking by the age of 1 and can recite around 50 words by 18 months. Studies show that between birth and age 7 is the best time to learn a new language, this is often known as “the window of opportunity.” Although adults can learn a second language, it may take longer and be a lot more difficult to grasp. Adults already have so much information stored inside their brains, that learning a whole new language may be not as simple, versus a baby/child who have not been taught very much besides how to speak.

Although parents often teach their child their native language besides English, it is also important that their schools are able to offer teaching students another language. We have found that by learning a second language, it helps children’s brains grow. By learning a second language, children are able to focus better and be able to solve different problems. While learning a new language as a child, it expands their brain and helps them learn and grasp information easier than most. Studies show children who study a foreign language perform better in their native language rather than children who are not bi-lingual. Children often start reading earlier and are better at correcting and identifying grammatically incorrect sentences. This shows that elementary students who are taught a second language, develop and perform better than most student’s who only learn one language, which will also help them in the long run as they get older. Studies show that high school students who attended a dual language elementary school excel more than most other students who only learned English growing up. Students who know 2 languages performed better on their SAT and ACT’s on both the English and mathematics section. While being able to know a second language, it will only benefit children in the long run, as they become adults.

Studies show that many jobs often look for people who know a second language, therefor being Bi-lingual can broaden many different career options. Some of these careers may include health care, social work, national security, business, language education, and many more. This can also result in going to different countries and learning more about their second language. While being bi-lingual and getting a good job, this also means more money for those who speak another language. Studies show that there is a 2% salary increase for American college students who speak a second language versus those who don’t. This increase depends on the language. For example, students or adults who can peak German can get a job that offers over $100,000 a year. This is all for learning and understanding another language which was taught at a young age.

Although it may take years for some dual-language programs to start in schools, it is important more people are aware of how important it is for children to learn a second language. It helps them in both education and personal situations. The first step in starting dual language programs is getting the finances and permission from the DOE. From there we can gather information about children development and becoming bi-lingual as a child and finding a school who is interested, you can then gather a meeting with teachers, principals, parents, and PTA and introduce the idea. You then work together as a team to gather what you need and what language shall be taught at that school. From there you slowly but surly start programming in the school and test the program and how it would work. Supporting the program is essentially important by the community, since it is them and their children who will be affected by this.  

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Do You Know

An Event About Toxic Relationships

CSI is helping students learn more about the signs of a toxic relationship, and how to get out of one.

Many individuals around the country are unaware of the signs and seriousness of toxic relationships. It is important to know the signs in order to stay safe physically and mentally.

CSI’s Health and Wellness Center is hosting an event named “Did You Know the Signs?” an event that helps people become aware of the signs when it comes to being in a bad or toxic relationship. The event will also compare television relationships, whether they are actually “couple goals”, or just bad influences.

According to healthscope.com, a toxic relationship is a relationship characterized by behaviors on the part of the toxic partner that are emotionally and, not infrequently, physically damaging to their partner.

“It’s important that college students are aware of what the signs of being in a toxic relationship are,” says Barbara, one of the hosts of “Did You Know the Signs.” Many students are unaware of what being in a toxic relationship can be like, and television plays a big role in that.”

Many different shows including Friends, Boy Meets World, One Tree Hill and many more impact students view on what a “good” relationship should be like. Some of them may look like healthy relationships, however it is in fact the complete opposite.

Rachel and Ross from the tv show Friends have an interesting relationship throughout the 10-season series. In the beginning it seemed like a well tamed relationship, however Ross being upset and jealous about her friendship with a fellow co-worker is something that can be a sign of a toxic relationship.

“There are many signs that people may not even know about,” says Annie, another host of the event at CSI. “Unfortunately, many people fail to realize that which ends up hurting them in the long run.”

Toxic relationships can not only be someone hurting another physically, but also mentally.

According to loveisrepsect.com, one in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner. 57% of college students say it is difficult to identify abuse, and 58% say they don’t know how to help anyone who experiences being in a toxic relationship.

“Overall the event will help students be more aware of the signs of toxic relationships,” Barbara says. “We will go over what those signs may be as well as showing how television and media can affect a person’s relationship.

Some of the signs can include being controlled, gaslighting(when a person manipulates another individual, making that person question their sanity), disrespect, verbal and physical abuse, using sex as a form of manipulation, and even bullying. CSI’s Health and Wellness Center strongly advise anyone who is in or knows a person in a toxic relationship to reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline to get help for themselves or others. By calling 1800-799-7233 you can help save yourself, and others around you one step at a time.

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Country Drivin’

Forgotten Borough Car Lovers Never Forget Car Meet Tuesdays 

Country Donuts is where local car lovers on Staten Island go to talk and show off their prized possessions.

Staten Island is often looked at as the “Forgotten Borough” or one of the least liked boroughs in New York. However, many people who do not live in the borough aren’t aware of what beautiful and colorful life Staten Island can bring.

Although it is not known for much, Staten Island does in fact have some events that many people hold close to their heart. One of these being the weekly mar meets which are held at Country Donuts off Richmond Avenue.

Once Spring hits, the car people slowly but surely come out from their cave and out on the streets. Every Tuesday night at around 8 P.M., people from all over the island come to the parking lot to show off their cars, while also giving and receiving information on how to make their car “faster” or “prettier.”

On average, there can be anywhere between 35-50 people who come to these car meets, between the age group of 18-30. Most, if not all these people are men, considering cars are not what many Staten Island women are interested in.

Each car lover has their own story on how or why they started getting into cars, whether it was because of movies or magazines, or even some parents and grandparents who have old fashioned cars so rare you would never find another one like it.

One thing all these car lovers share is that they all started from the bottom and some have even spent thousands to make their car as unique as possible.

Alex Kuruvilla, who owns a 2016 Nissan 370z admits he has spent over 10k on his car. “It started off as a plain silver car, but now it has so much character and pizzazz to it, I know I spent a lot of money, but it’s totally been worth it.” Alex states.

One major car part that is often brought up on during the car meets is a spark plug, which is a 5-8-inch car piece that can easily make the car go faster. Many of the people who attend the car meets often spoke about brands like Denso and NGK, which are very popular in the car culture.

Genesis Chua, who owns a Corvette C7 focuses mainly on the exterior of his car. He admits he does not know how much he has spent on his car, but knows it is a lot.

“Yea I want my car to be fast and sound nice, but I also want to make sure my car is the prettiest one on the block,” Genesis states. “The whole outside of my car is made of carbon fiber, it grabs a lot of people’s attention and often people ask me for advice and take pictures, however they have no idea how much money I have event spent on all of it.

Although cars are the main topic of discussion at these car meets, many of the people who participate share that they have met many different people who have became good friends to them. They clearly have a lot in common which often helps friendships blossom.

“Whenever I tell people about my car, they always think the worst, like I’m racing down the expressway hitting 120, but that’s not the case at all,” Alex states. “It’s more of an art than anything, and I’m just glad I have friends who actually understand me and understand that cars isn’t all about racing.”

Christian Posada, who owns a 2008 Infiniti G35 has just recently started getting into cars and attending the weekly car meets. “Since I’m still new to this whole car thing, it’s really cool to see other cars similar to mine and to learn more about how I can make my own car better, everyone is also super cool and has accepted me right away even though my cars are nowhere near as nice as theirs,” he states.  

Country Donuts is more of a landmark rather than a meet up spot to the car community. It holds a special place to each one of their hearts and is a safe place for most.

It is a place where proud individuals can show of their work and show how proud they are of it, and the community hopes that more people participate in the fun.

“We’re more of a family honestly,” Genesis states. “One big happy car family.”

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Mixing Alcohol and Drugs with Death

No One Knew About “If They Would Have Known” event. 

Empty seats fill up a room in 1C where CSI’s Health and Wellness department hosted a movie event, warning students about mixing alcohol and prescribed medication. 

Many people across the United States mix alcohol and prescribed drugs, not fully understanding the consequences that come along with it.

CSI’s Health and Wellness Services located in 1C, focus’ on students maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Whether it is birth control consultations or information on weight loss, the Health and Wellness Center is a safe place where students can come and be guided to a healthy life.

One major issue that the Health and Wellness center focuses on, is Alcohol and Drug prevention. Being fully aware about the world around them, the Health and Wellness Services speak to students about the risks of alcohol and drugs.

On March 19, the Health and Wellness Services hosted an event called “If They Would Have Known.” According to their flier and CSI event website, the event was an hour-long movie about a college student passing away after consuming prescribed medication and alcohol.

The flier also states there would be giveaways and the CSI event website states there would be free snacks.

The event took place in the Bijou Lounge, where they often play movies for students. However, while walking into the lounge, there was not a single soul or snack was in site besides the coordinator of the event, Jamie Rufano.

“We have competition day with the people downstairs,” Jamie states. “There’s some dumpling event going on and that’s where everyone probably is.”

Before the event could start, there were technical issues with the DVD player, forcing the event to move from the Bijou lounge, into a room down the hall where many conferences are held.

Once the film was set up, Jamie waits for more students to arrive but not a single student shows up. She knew this would happen, considering she is competing with dumplings right below her.

“We showed this film last semester in the Green Dolphin Lounge and we had over 100 kids show up,” Jamie states. “Not a single person left with dry eyes.”

 Fliers and free pens lay across the table as well as a questionnaire that the students can take anonymously. The questionnaire asks questions about how much alcohol the student may consume on a weekly basis, while also giving information at the bottom of each question about safe drinking.

The film is shown although there were no students who attended the event. Although the flier said the film would be an hour, the film was only about 30 minutes which ended things rather quickly.

The film spoke about Clay Saper, a 20-year-old college student who mixed alcohol with Xanax and sadly passed away due to overdose. The film shows friends and family of Clay, speaking about his death and how greatly it had affected them.

The film seemed to be inspirational to students, however no one seemed too interested on learning about the affects of mixing alcohol and drugs.

Halfway though the film, more members of the Health and Wellness center attend the event including Batool Shirazi, a senior who volunteers at the center.

“It’s super important that more people know about this, it’s really important,” Batool states.

Once the film was over, words and questions were quickly exchanged as the room quickly clears out.

As you walk down the stairs, you can hear all the students attending the dumpling event, putting the “If They Would Have Known” event to shame.

“Not a lot of people care about this event because they say to themselves ‘I know not to drink and mix drugs, it’s common sense,’ yet those same people will still do it,” Jamie says. “A lot of people don’t know how serious this is or even how often it happens, but it’s up to us to spread the word and inform more people about this.”

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Arrangements for Love

College Student Deals with Unimaginable Stress 24/7.  

As a college student at CSI, Fatjona Klobucista deals with everyday problems, the difference between her and other students? A huge rock and an intimidating family.

“All of my friends always complain about how stressed they are with their school work and part time jobs, I wish they would take a walk in my shoes to see what stress really is.”

Fatjona was born and raised on Staten Island, being a first generation American. Both her parents were born in Albania and came to America to live a better life and achieve the American Dream.

Fatjona is studying to be a teacher at CSI and is graduating in 2 years. She also works 2 jobs, one at Trader Joes and the other at Archie Jacobson.

Fatjona deals with normal, day to day college student issues, whether it is getting in her assignments on time, or being so broke she only could afford the dollar menu.

“I give Fatjona a lot of credit for working 2 jobs and going to school, it shows she can handle a lot and how strong she is,” Fatjona’s mother Paqize Klobucista states.

Not only does Fatjona have to deal with her 2 jobs and going to school fulltime, she is also in the midst of planning her wedding that is being taken place next Summer.

When she was only 17 and in High School, she was introduced to her now Fiancé, Rilind Rusi, who has been the light of her life ever since. “When I first saw Rilind I thought he was so cute, and now we’re engaged 3 years later!” Fatjona explains.

Fatjona explains that since she is Albanian weddings are traditionally arranged by the parents. Fatjona’s father was very close to Rilind’s dad, which is how the two met.

“Usually when people are being arranged, someone always ends up unhappy because they are not happy with who they are with, I got really lucky with Rilind,” Fatjona explains. She also explains that when they met they were inseparable, and still are to this day.

Once Fatjona and Rilind were engaged, a lot of things changed for the couple. Being that they are both only 20 years old, a lot of stress was put on their shoulders, especially Fatjona.

Fatjona now had to deal with everything that comes with being engaged to an Albanian man, one of them “serving” to his family. “Whenever his family is around, I have to dress up in heels and a dress, put make up on, and cater to them,” Fatjona explains.

When Fatjona serves Rilind’s family, she walks around dressed up and brings them a variety of drinks and food. It can become a hassle, but also extremely nerve-racking.

“When I serve Rilind’s family, they always sit and observe me, waiting for me to mess up,” Fatjona explains. “They watch me and take mental notes because they want to make sure I am worthy of marrying into their family.”  

Fatjona explains that she does hate dressing up in order to please her in-laws, but she is willing to do what she has to in order to be with Rillind. “I hate when I have to serve, I hate putting on make up and dressing up just to make other people happy… I feel like I am some exhibit in a zoo!”

Despite everything she has to go through, Fatjona knows that what she is doing is going to be worth it in the long run. All the stress from school and work, to having to cater to her in-laws and worry about being judged or criticized.

“Fatjona is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I appreciate all that she goes through and what she has to offer,” her fiancé Rilind states. “I understand completely everything she has on her plate right now which makes me appreciate her even more.”

The couple explains that their wedding will be held once Fatjona is finished with school, so they have less to worry about, they both are excited to plan for their special day.

The couple still remain strong despite the stress that comes along with their culture as well as the stress Fatjona has to go through outside of the relationship. “If me and Rilind were American, I would literally marry him tomorrow,” Fatjona states.

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Transparent

Newly Transgender is Fed Up with the Hate the World Gives

Staten Islander John Varriano is a 22-year-old newly transgender male who had no idea how hard this change would be, physically and emotionally. He now deals with being judged and disciplined by the world around him.

Being transgender in the world today can be difficult, due to people being judgmental and not accepting.

“I wasn’t happy or comfortable in the body that I was in, John says.” “I knew something wasn’t right, and I needed to change.”

Once born Jill, John always felt that something was off. He didn’t feel like he was truly being himself and was always questioning his motives.

Johns parents raised him as any parent would raise their daughter. He wore dresses, had long hair that was always styled, and had every Barbie Doll you can imagine.

Deep down, John knew this wasn’t right, but he kept his feelings a secret, scared of what his parents might think. He was always raised to believe a girl should be into girl things, and same for boys.

“Whenever they weren’t around was when I felt best. I was able to express myself, dress up in my brothers’ clothes, watch wrestling, and play with the older boys outside. It was such a relief.”

As time progressed and John went to high school he began to have crushes on girls rather than guys, and still did not really understand why. He soon learned about the term “Transgender” and felt this is the category he fell under, he felt as though he was a man living in a woman’s body, but still kept his feelings a secret, afraid of what his parents may think.

“I was super unhappy throughout high school, and no one even knew. No one knew how I felt, I didn’t even know how or why I felt this way myself.”

John soon started to express himself more both physically and emotionally with the world around him. Not wanting anyone knowing he felt as though he was a man, he came out as Bi-Sexual, saving himself from being possibly made fun of.

He continued to label himself as Bi-Sexual for many years, but finally decided one day in 2017 that it was time for him to finally be happy and express himself. He cut all his hair off and began seeing a gender therapist to figure out exactly what he was feeling.

“Everything John was doing was so sudden,” his mother Stacy says. “One day he just comes home with a buzzcut and says he is transgender, I was confused at first, but I still loved him no matter what.”

 John begins to take testosterone and begins the process of getting his top surgery, which he successfully goes on December 17, 2018. He finally feels as though he can express himself and is finally comfortable in his own skin.

Although he was finally happy, he did not know what to expect from society, and only got negative feedback and energy. At work, where he works in a deli, he is always called the wrong pronoun by customers, and talked about by coworkers.

“A lot of people at work didn’t really accept Jill now being John,” his co-worker Jocelyn Colon says. “No one really wanted to talk or be around him, or made fun of him for transitioning, it’s 2019 people just need to grow up.”

The worst was during school, where professors and students constantly call him his old name Jill and would do it to get under his skin. Once they saw it bothered him, they made it more of a bigger deal, rather than apologizing or asking what he rather be called.  

“It is getting so bad that I want to drop out, but I want to make my parents proud and stay in school to become successful,” John states. “I have already gone through so much and I know I can get through this, it is just really hard, and I wish more people understood.”

John continues to go to therapy and group therapy, to express his feelings to people who have gone through the same thing. He is worried about other people going through what he has gone through, possibly going through something much worse.

“I want to try and make a difference, or maybe even a role model for kids who are going through what I went through,” John states. “Everyone deserves to be happy, and comfortable with who they are, whether you are young, old, male, female, even if you are the color blue, as long as you are happy that is all that matters.”

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Yo Soy Americana

20-Year-Old Girl Speaks on Living in the U.S. Illegally

Laura was born in Colombia 20 years ago. At age 5, she got a Visa to come to America, to live a better life than where she was in Colombia.

Colombia can be known as one of the worst countries in Latin America, which is why so many people leave to come to America. There are many illegal activities that take place, including drugs, theft, and murders.

“Me and my mom needed a better life than what we had in Colombia,” Laura States. “She didn’t want to raise me in such a terrible place, so she did what she had to do.”

Laura was born in Cali Colombia in 1998. Although it is not as colorful and diverse as Colombia’s capital Bogota, it is still the third highest populated city in Colombia, with over 2 million people living there.

Laura’s mother, Martha, knew from the moment that she was pregnant that she did not want to raise her daughter in such terrible living conditions, although it is where she was born and raised, and she turned out perfectly fine. Laura’s father did not want anything to do with Laura or her mother, leaving them on their own.

“I didn’t want Laura seeing the things that I saw, the things I have experienced,” her mother states. “I knew somehow, someway we needed to leave.”

Martha decided to start the Visa process and was granted 2 years to come and visit the United States. Her and Laura packed as much as they could and made their way to America to live what they thought would be the “American Dream.”

Laura states she does not remember much from when she moved to America at the age of 5. She does remember however, coming here with barely anything and leaving many of their belongings behind.

The mother and daughter flew into Alabama where Martha’s sister lived, raising her 2 children with her white husband. It was stated that she married a white man to stay in the United States.

Martha got a job in a local clinic, where she made enough money to come to New York 2 years later, here is where Laura’s life really began, as she was now living in the United States Illegally.

“I didn’t understand the whole legal and illegal thing until I was about 13 and my mom explained it to me,” Laura states. “She explained she did it, so we can have a better life since we only had each other.”

Living life was not always easy for Laura, considering she constantly had to walk on eggshells, to protect her and her mother’s safety. She could not get sick or hurt enough to end up in a hospital otherwise people would find out, she was not able to get her license, she could not attend college, and much more.  

Once Donald Trump became president and stated he wanted all illegal immigrants out of the country is when Laura and her mother really started to worry. They did not know what could possibly happen to them next.

Laura did speak about one time when her and her boyfriend got pulled over by a cop, and she did think she was going to be kicked out of the country. The two were pulled over for speeding, and when the cop asked to see Laura’s ID, he speculated something was up.

He pulled Laura out of the car and made her sit with her hands behind her back and pretended to make a phone call to ICE. The whole thing was to scare Laura, but it will haunt her for the rest of her life.

“I was so scared for her that night, I don’t know what I would have done,” says her boyfriend. “I don’t know what I would have done if I were to lose her.”

Laura lives every day in fear, wondering if ICE will one day will come into her off the books job looking for her. However, she continues to live her life the best she can, knowing it can soon come to an end.

“I just hope that one day, I can live a normal life where I don’t have to literally be scared for my life,” Laura states. 

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Family Matters

Young Student Gets a Job to Care for Sick Mother 

Yoselyn Ramos was 17 when her mother became ill and her father fled the country. Yoselyn had no choice but to get a job to take care of her family.

Being a college student is hard enough, especially if you must become the breadwinner of the household, getting a job to make ends meet for yourself and the rest of your family.  

“I had to take on both roles of the mother and father in my house,” Yocelyn says. “I never would have imagined my life would turn out this way.”

July 2015 was the worst moment in Yocelyn’s life changed drastically. Her mother was diagnosed with cancer in her brain with a tumor the size of a golf ball.

           Yocelyn was heartbroken, not knowing what the future held. Her mother was sick, and she didn’t know how to handle it.

           Her mother began chemo quickly after she was diagnosed with the disease. Yocelyn began to realize that things may be okay after all, after doctors told her time and time again that she would be okay.

           A few weeks after her mother began her chemo her father suddenly vanished and fled to Mexico, leaving Yocelyn alone to take care of her sick mother.

           “I couldn’t believe he just left his family like that,” Yocelyn says. “It all felt like a dream, there was no way my dad would leave me.”

Yocelyn’s and her mother’s life slowly started going downhill, her mother slowly became depressed from both her disease and her husband leaving her, while Yoselyn had to hide her emotions to be strong for her mother. “It was definitely the hardest thing I have ever gone through, even to this day,” says Yocelyn.

 Reality soon hit, and it became much harder, especially for Yoselyn. Bills started piling up, life wasn’t becoming much easier at all with no help from anyone.

Yoselyn decided she needed to do something to ease her mind and help her forget everything that was going on at home. She decided to join ROTC, a program they held at her high school in Fort Hamilton, which helps students specifically experience something outside of their academic studies. The program really helps students stay in line and gives them many opportunities for the real world.

While the program helped Yoselyn clear her mind, she knew it was not enough and she had to do more to help her mom, considering it is now the only person she has left. She decided at 16 to find herself a job, although deep down she knew it would be hard being that she was so young.

           Yoselyn eventually walked passed a local deli, Bagel Schmagel on 3rd Avenue and saw the big “Help Wanted” sign in the window and decided to walk in. When asked if she knew anything about coffee machines, she quickly said yes even though she did not know a single thing, but she was desperate for a job and needed to help her mom somehow.

           Yoselyn was hired quickly which made her YouTube different coffee machines and how to use them. She was only getting paid 7 dollars an hour, but she knew that even very little can help a lot.  

           Yoselyn still continues to work there years later and makes a lot more money which helps her mom out a lot. “Yoselyn is my biggest blessing,” her mother Leti Perez says. “We both have come such a long way, and she has done nothing but help and support me… she is very strong.”

           Yoselyn’s uncle Simon Perez, who is now living with Yoselyn and her mother helps out as much as he can also. “I need to be there for my family,” he says. Yoselyn had to grow up very fast and she has grown into such an amazing woman.”

           Till this day Yoselyn helps and supports her mother out as much as she can. Although being a fulltime college student and working can be tiring, she knows she can not stop. “My mom means everything to me and even though we I have gone through so much, I will still continue to be strong for her,” Yocelyn states.