March 19, 2012
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Further to our September 2011 PTA meeting and our ongoing conversations about the upcoming playground renovation, we are pleased to inform you that the small raised playground (where the monkey bars are) will begin deconstruction later this week (Wednesday through Friday).
During this period, we will revise our first grade and fourth grade dismissal locations as follows:
-first grade students will be dismissed adjacent to the lower playground (currently, second and third grade students dismiss at this location). This dismissal site is right outside of the cafeteria.
-fourth grade students will dismiss at the Avon Road exit on Avon Road (currently, fifth graders dismiss at this location).
These dismissal sites will remain in effect beginning this Wednesday, March 21, 2012 until further notice.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Thank you.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Principal's Update From PTA Meeting
Academic Update
• For the 2011-2012 school year, we have focused on strengthening students’ abilities in mathematical reasoning and constructing viable arguments, and in literacy, the focus is on improving students’ written analysis to informational texts. All of our professional development has focused on the Common Core Learning Standards and making our curriculum more rigorous. Please continue to reinforce skills at home. Mrs. Corley will hold monthly workshops focused on academic topics. Please also ask your child’s teacher about specific information that is pertinent to your child’s grade. For additional support, please do not hesitate to contact our school’s literacy coach, Julia Kucharski and our math coach, Janet Marmo.
• Every two months, you have been receiving a copy of our school’s curriculum calendar. In your child’s classroom, you should also receive notes and updates from your child’s teacher. Please do not wait until Parent Teacher Conferences to initiate contact with your child’s teachers. Thank you.
After School Programs Update
• In lieu of a Saturday ELA Program, after school math and ELA programs have been offered to grades 3-8 for five weeks, ending prior to the ELA and Math exams in April. Students who did not meet standards last year or who are in danger of not meeting standards for this year have been invited to the program.
Events Update
• Parent Teacher Conferences take place March 13th from 1-3 PM and 5:30-8 PM. That date is scheduled as a half day of school. Dismissal will be at 11:30 AM for grades 1-8 and 11:15 AM for PK and K.
• Middle School Career Day has been scheduled for the morning of March 21st. If any parent is interested in coming in as a presenter, please contact Ms. Peters.
• Our Arts Benefit Concert will take place on March 22nd at 6 PM
• The PreK program does not take place on Friday, March 23rd.
• Family volleyball night takes place on March 28th at 6 PM.
Testing Update
• Acuity exams will take place on March 5,6,and 8,9 for grades 3-8. These formative, periodic assessments are used to inform educators of the skills necessary to teach each student. The school reviews the item analysis reports to see students’ strengths and areas in need of improvement in ELA and math.
• The dates for the New York State ELA and Math assessment have changed. The grades 3–8 ELA exams will be administered April 17–19 and the math exams will take place April 25–27.
• For the 2011-2012 school year, we have focused on strengthening students’ abilities in mathematical reasoning and constructing viable arguments, and in literacy, the focus is on improving students’ written analysis to informational texts. All of our professional development has focused on the Common Core Learning Standards and making our curriculum more rigorous. Please continue to reinforce skills at home. Mrs. Corley will hold monthly workshops focused on academic topics. Please also ask your child’s teacher about specific information that is pertinent to your child’s grade. For additional support, please do not hesitate to contact our school’s literacy coach, Julia Kucharski and our math coach, Janet Marmo.
• Every two months, you have been receiving a copy of our school’s curriculum calendar. In your child’s classroom, you should also receive notes and updates from your child’s teacher. Please do not wait until Parent Teacher Conferences to initiate contact with your child’s teachers. Thank you.
After School Programs Update
• In lieu of a Saturday ELA Program, after school math and ELA programs have been offered to grades 3-8 for five weeks, ending prior to the ELA and Math exams in April. Students who did not meet standards last year or who are in danger of not meeting standards for this year have been invited to the program.
Events Update
• Parent Teacher Conferences take place March 13th from 1-3 PM and 5:30-8 PM. That date is scheduled as a half day of school. Dismissal will be at 11:30 AM for grades 1-8 and 11:15 AM for PK and K.
• Middle School Career Day has been scheduled for the morning of March 21st. If any parent is interested in coming in as a presenter, please contact Ms. Peters.
• Our Arts Benefit Concert will take place on March 22nd at 6 PM
• The PreK program does not take place on Friday, March 23rd.
• Family volleyball night takes place on March 28th at 6 PM.
Testing Update
• Acuity exams will take place on March 5,6,and 8,9 for grades 3-8. These formative, periodic assessments are used to inform educators of the skills necessary to teach each student. The school reviews the item analysis reports to see students’ strengths and areas in need of improvement in ELA and math.
• The dates for the New York State ELA and Math assessment have changed. The grades 3–8 ELA exams will be administered April 17–19 and the math exams will take place April 25–27.
Monday, February 6, 2012
RESPECT FOR ALL (RFA)WEEK
RESPECT FOR ALL (RFA)WEEK
February 6, 2012
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The NYC Department of Education has designated February 13-17 as Respect For All Week in all NYC public schools. During this week, schools will have opportunities to highlight and build upon ongoing diversity programs and curriculum-based instruction. Schools will also have opportunities to embark upon new initiatives that promote respect for diversity and engage students in meaningful lessons and/or other activities that focus on preventing bias-based harassment, intimidation and/or bullying.
For the week of February 13th, we have coordinated the following activities:
• 2/13 – NYPD Safety Assembly (grades 5-8) – Respect for All
• 2/13 – School Safety Committee – Mid-year Meeting/Reflection
• 2/14 @ 7:30 AM – Staff Breakfast – Mid-year Reflection
• 2/14 @ 8:30 AM – Parent Workshop with Parent Coordinator Corley
• 2/14 - 100th Day of School Activities (in every classroom) in connection with RFA
• 2/16 @ 6 PM – The Middle School Red Carpet Dance
• 2/16 @ 9:00 AM (PK-4); 12:50 PM (GRADES 5-8) - Respect for All - Student of the Month Assemblies
• 2/17 – Class 3-105 China Celebration
• All Week – Advisory Lessons regarding diversity and Respect & Public Address Announcements regarding the Virtue of the Week - RESPECT
We hope you will be able to participate in the parent activities named above.
February 6, 2012
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The NYC Department of Education has designated February 13-17 as Respect For All Week in all NYC public schools. During this week, schools will have opportunities to highlight and build upon ongoing diversity programs and curriculum-based instruction. Schools will also have opportunities to embark upon new initiatives that promote respect for diversity and engage students in meaningful lessons and/or other activities that focus on preventing bias-based harassment, intimidation and/or bullying.
For the week of February 13th, we have coordinated the following activities:
• 2/13 – NYPD Safety Assembly (grades 5-8) – Respect for All
• 2/13 – School Safety Committee – Mid-year Meeting/Reflection
• 2/14 @ 7:30 AM – Staff Breakfast – Mid-year Reflection
• 2/14 @ 8:30 AM – Parent Workshop with Parent Coordinator Corley
• 2/14 - 100th Day of School Activities (in every classroom) in connection with RFA
• 2/16 @ 6 PM – The Middle School Red Carpet Dance
• 2/16 @ 9:00 AM (PK-4); 12:50 PM (GRADES 5-8) - Respect for All - Student of the Month Assemblies
• 2/17 – Class 3-105 China Celebration
• All Week – Advisory Lessons regarding diversity and Respect & Public Address Announcements regarding the Virtue of the Week - RESPECT
We hope you will be able to participate in the parent activities named above.
Speech and Language Parent Workshop
Ms. Simon, Ms. Newman and Ms. Corley had a terrific turnout at their parent workshop last Friday on speech and language. The workshop focused on phonemic awareness, voice strategies, language development, and other components of language and literacy, and the teachers offered parents with ideas for practicing at home. The teachers also introduced the thinking maps and four square graphic organizer to parents as tools for organizing students’ thoughts during prewriting.
If you would like materials from that parent workshop, please contact Ms. Corley.
If you would like materials from that parent workshop, please contact Ms. Corley.
MARCH PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
MARCH PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
January 31, 2012
Dear Parents/Guardians:
You are cordially invited to our Parent-Teacher Conferences. Both afternoon and evening conferences will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Conferences are scheduled for 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the afternoon and 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the evening. During these times, you will have the opportunity to confer with your child’s teacher about his/her academic and social progress. Please feel free to bring an English Language translator with you to the conference. We will also have translators available.
Elementary Families will receive scheduled appointment times. Please complete the tear-off (distributed) to indicate your availability. The teachers will send you a reply. Middle School Families will meet with individual teachers through a sign-up sheet, which will be posted outside classrooms during conference hours. This will enable you to meet with the various teachers who instruct your child in a timely manner.
Reminder: Due to Parent-Teacher Conference on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 13, 2012, students will be dismissed at 11:30 AM. Please make sure to make arrangements to have your child picked up at 11:30 AM that day. Pre-K and Kindergarten students will be dismissed at 11:15 AM. If your child rides a bus home from school, please arrange that there is a responsible adult at the bus stop. Please sign the tear-off and return it to your child’s teacher by February 16, 2012.
All PS/IS 178 After-School Programs will be cancelled on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. The Samuel Field Y and Kuei Luck Programs will also be cancelled.
• Elementary report cards (Grades K-5 only) will be distributed on March 8, 2012 via backpack.
• Middle School report cards will be distributed on February 3, 2012 via backpack.
Thank you for your cooperation. I look forward to seeing you.
January 31, 2012
Dear Parents/Guardians:
You are cordially invited to our Parent-Teacher Conferences. Both afternoon and evening conferences will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Conferences are scheduled for 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the afternoon and 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the evening. During these times, you will have the opportunity to confer with your child’s teacher about his/her academic and social progress. Please feel free to bring an English Language translator with you to the conference. We will also have translators available.
Elementary Families will receive scheduled appointment times. Please complete the tear-off (distributed) to indicate your availability. The teachers will send you a reply. Middle School Families will meet with individual teachers through a sign-up sheet, which will be posted outside classrooms during conference hours. This will enable you to meet with the various teachers who instruct your child in a timely manner.
Reminder: Due to Parent-Teacher Conference on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 13, 2012, students will be dismissed at 11:30 AM. Please make sure to make arrangements to have your child picked up at 11:30 AM that day. Pre-K and Kindergarten students will be dismissed at 11:15 AM. If your child rides a bus home from school, please arrange that there is a responsible adult at the bus stop. Please sign the tear-off and return it to your child’s teacher by February 16, 2012.
All PS/IS 178 After-School Programs will be cancelled on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. The Samuel Field Y and Kuei Luck Programs will also be cancelled.
• Elementary report cards (Grades K-5 only) will be distributed on March 8, 2012 via backpack.
• Middle School report cards will be distributed on February 3, 2012 via backpack.
Thank you for your cooperation. I look forward to seeing you.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Procedures on Days with Citywide Emergency Conditions or on Major Storm Days
Procedures on Days with Citywide Emergency Conditions or on Major Storm Days
Dear Parent/Guardian:
This letter explains the procedures we follow on a day with citywide emergency conditions or a major storm day. The Chancellor will make an announcement to all public schools in the city on whether to close schools or delay their opening. This announcement is made in consultation with other City officials. All authorized delayed openings will result in the regular starting time being two hours later (Please note that, in addition to this two hour delay, the morning or afternoon extra 37.5 minute session for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation, will be cancelled, as well as all field trips, all adult and continuing education activities, and all after-school activities – see below.)
By 6:00 a.m., the decision is announced on the 311 Information Line, on the Department of Education website Home Page (which can be accessed at http://schools.nyc.gov) and on the following radio stations in the city: WINS (1010 AM), WCBS (880 AM), WABC (770 AM), WLIB (1190 AM), WADO (1280 AM), WBLS (107.5 FM), WNYE (91.5 FM), as well as the following television stations: WCBS (Channel 2), WNBC (Channel 4), WNYW (Fox Channel 5), WABC (Channel 7), Univision Channel 41, and "NY 1" (Channel 1 on Time Warner Cable television). Major radio news stations, such as WINS (1010 AM) and WCBS (880 AM), should be listened to on portable radios in the event of a major blackout.
The school telephone number is: ¬718-464-5763. The regular school hours (including the extra 37.5 minute sessions for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation) are: 8:00 AM-2:57.5 PM. Without the extended day session (Thursdays and Fridays), school hours are 8:00 AM-2:20 PM. If there is an authorized delayed school opening, the school hours will be: 10:00 AM – 2:20 PM. Our Parent Coordinator can be reached at pcorley3@schools.nyc.gov or
347-563-4409.
When there is an authorized citywide school closing or delayed school opening, the following will be cancelled unless the Chancellor makes an announcement to the contrary: all field trips, all extra 37.5 minute sessions for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation at the start or at the end of the regular school day, all after-school programs (including Community-Based Organization after-school programs on public school sites), all after-school program transportation (including transportation to after-school programs at Community-Based Organization sites), all Adult and Continuing Education classes, all Young Adult Borough Centers, and all evening GED programs.
When there is an authorized citywide delayed school opening, school buses will run, but their arrival times will be delayed by two hours. In addition, buses will not be available for any start or end of day extra 37.5 minute sessions for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation (since these sessions will be cancelled). Morning prekindergarten programs within public schools will also be cancelled.
It is expected that when there is a delayed opening, all end of day extra sessions will be cancelled. As a result, all students will be dismissed at the regular time for students not attending the extra 37.5 minute session for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation. However, if citywide emergency conditions or a storm worsen, the Chancellor may have to announce an early dismissal. The Chancellor will notify bus services of the earlier dismissal schedule.
You should have plans in place with a relative, friend or neighbor in case your child is released early and you will not be at home to care for him or her. Your child should know of your plans. Please note that you must have listed that relative, friend or neighbor on the school’s “BLUE EMERGENCY CONTACT CARD” because schools are not authorized to release pupils to persons not listed on that card. You may also identify on the card a person or persons who should not have access to your child, as well as indicate the actions you would like the school to take if none of your listed contacts can be reached. The school will follow your recommendations as much as possible. It is important that you make certain that the card is up-to-date. If your child takes a school bus, school staff will remain in school with the bused children until buses arrive for dismissal or until your child is picked up.
If you have a child with a disability, you should use your discretion in deciding whether to send him or her to school when there is a delayed opening. If your child has medical or other health issues requiring nursing or other services during the school day, including services requiring a nurse or paraprofessional to ride on the bus, you should consider not sending your child to school. Please be reminded that your child will not be picked up if a nurse or paraprofessional who is required to ride with him or her is not aboard the school bus.
Again, contact the 311 Information Line, access the NYCDOE website Home Page at http://schools.nyc.gov, and listen to the radio or television stations listed above for information.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Dear Parent/Guardian:
This letter explains the procedures we follow on a day with citywide emergency conditions or a major storm day. The Chancellor will make an announcement to all public schools in the city on whether to close schools or delay their opening. This announcement is made in consultation with other City officials. All authorized delayed openings will result in the regular starting time being two hours later (Please note that, in addition to this two hour delay, the morning or afternoon extra 37.5 minute session for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation, will be cancelled, as well as all field trips, all adult and continuing education activities, and all after-school activities – see below.)
By 6:00 a.m., the decision is announced on the 311 Information Line, on the Department of Education website Home Page (which can be accessed at http://schools.nyc.gov) and on the following radio stations in the city: WINS (1010 AM), WCBS (880 AM), WABC (770 AM), WLIB (1190 AM), WADO (1280 AM), WBLS (107.5 FM), WNYE (91.5 FM), as well as the following television stations: WCBS (Channel 2), WNBC (Channel 4), WNYW (Fox Channel 5), WABC (Channel 7), Univision Channel 41, and "NY 1" (Channel 1 on Time Warner Cable television). Major radio news stations, such as WINS (1010 AM) and WCBS (880 AM), should be listened to on portable radios in the event of a major blackout.
The school telephone number is: ¬718-464-5763. The regular school hours (including the extra 37.5 minute sessions for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation) are: 8:00 AM-2:57.5 PM. Without the extended day session (Thursdays and Fridays), school hours are 8:00 AM-2:20 PM. If there is an authorized delayed school opening, the school hours will be: 10:00 AM – 2:20 PM. Our Parent Coordinator can be reached at pcorley3@schools.nyc.gov or
347-563-4409.
When there is an authorized citywide school closing or delayed school opening, the following will be cancelled unless the Chancellor makes an announcement to the contrary: all field trips, all extra 37.5 minute sessions for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation at the start or at the end of the regular school day, all after-school programs (including Community-Based Organization after-school programs on public school sites), all after-school program transportation (including transportation to after-school programs at Community-Based Organization sites), all Adult and Continuing Education classes, all Young Adult Borough Centers, and all evening GED programs.
When there is an authorized citywide delayed school opening, school buses will run, but their arrival times will be delayed by two hours. In addition, buses will not be available for any start or end of day extra 37.5 minute sessions for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation (since these sessions will be cancelled). Morning prekindergarten programs within public schools will also be cancelled.
It is expected that when there is a delayed opening, all end of day extra sessions will be cancelled. As a result, all students will be dismissed at the regular time for students not attending the extra 37.5 minute session for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation. However, if citywide emergency conditions or a storm worsen, the Chancellor may have to announce an early dismissal. The Chancellor will notify bus services of the earlier dismissal schedule.
You should have plans in place with a relative, friend or neighbor in case your child is released early and you will not be at home to care for him or her. Your child should know of your plans. Please note that you must have listed that relative, friend or neighbor on the school’s “BLUE EMERGENCY CONTACT CARD” because schools are not authorized to release pupils to persons not listed on that card. You may also identify on the card a person or persons who should not have access to your child, as well as indicate the actions you would like the school to take if none of your listed contacts can be reached. The school will follow your recommendations as much as possible. It is important that you make certain that the card is up-to-date. If your child takes a school bus, school staff will remain in school with the bused children until buses arrive for dismissal or until your child is picked up.
If you have a child with a disability, you should use your discretion in deciding whether to send him or her to school when there is a delayed opening. If your child has medical or other health issues requiring nursing or other services during the school day, including services requiring a nurse or paraprofessional to ride on the bus, you should consider not sending your child to school. Please be reminded that your child will not be picked up if a nurse or paraprofessional who is required to ride with him or her is not aboard the school bus.
Again, contact the 311 Information Line, access the NYCDOE website Home Page at http://schools.nyc.gov, and listen to the radio or television stations listed above for information.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Updates
Parent Involvement
• Thank you to all the parents for assisting with picture day re-take.
After School Programs Update
• Gr. 6-8: CHAMPS began on January 9th. We have volleyball (M/W 3:00-4:30 PM – Coach Efthimiades) and Rugby (Tues. 3:00-4:30 & Fridays 2:20-3:20 – Coach Sanchez).
• Debate Team began last Wednesday with Ms. Pipinias. It takes place every Wednesday.
• In lieu of a Saturday ELA Program, we will hold after school programs for preparation in math and ELA, beginning the week of March 5th. This program will be by invitation only.
Events Update
• The spelling bee took place last Thursday. George Stefanakis was our winner, and Andrew Ortiz was our runner up. Both students will proceed to the borough wide competition next week.
• Congratulations to Max Gallagher for winning the Council Member for a Day Essay Contest, sponsored by Council Member Mark Weprin. Max will spend the day with Mr. Weprin at City Hall next week.
• A student council swearing in ceremony took place today for the new student council. Senator Avella was our special guest.
• There will be a MS dance next month (Feb 16th). It’s our annual snowflake dance, sponsored by student council.
Academic Update
• In January, as you know, each student in grades PK-8 will take part in NYCDOE performance tasks. Each of these tasks measure a student’s readiness as part of the Common Core Learning Standards.
• We will no longer hold a staff development day on Wednesday, February 15, 2012. While parents voted positively for this day last month, teachers did not vote. All the grading and identification of learning goals will be done through grade and department conferences instead.
Testing Update
• The dates for the ELA and Math assessment have changed. The grades 3–8 ELA exams will be administered April 17–19 and the math exams will take place April 25–27.
• Thank you to all the parents for assisting with picture day re-take.
After School Programs Update
• Gr. 6-8: CHAMPS began on January 9th. We have volleyball (M/W 3:00-4:30 PM – Coach Efthimiades) and Rugby (Tues. 3:00-4:30 & Fridays 2:20-3:20 – Coach Sanchez).
• Debate Team began last Wednesday with Ms. Pipinias. It takes place every Wednesday.
• In lieu of a Saturday ELA Program, we will hold after school programs for preparation in math and ELA, beginning the week of March 5th. This program will be by invitation only.
Events Update
• The spelling bee took place last Thursday. George Stefanakis was our winner, and Andrew Ortiz was our runner up. Both students will proceed to the borough wide competition next week.
• Congratulations to Max Gallagher for winning the Council Member for a Day Essay Contest, sponsored by Council Member Mark Weprin. Max will spend the day with Mr. Weprin at City Hall next week.
• A student council swearing in ceremony took place today for the new student council. Senator Avella was our special guest.
• There will be a MS dance next month (Feb 16th). It’s our annual snowflake dance, sponsored by student council.
Academic Update
• In January, as you know, each student in grades PK-8 will take part in NYCDOE performance tasks. Each of these tasks measure a student’s readiness as part of the Common Core Learning Standards.
• We will no longer hold a staff development day on Wednesday, February 15, 2012. While parents voted positively for this day last month, teachers did not vote. All the grading and identification of learning goals will be done through grade and department conferences instead.
Testing Update
• The dates for the ELA and Math assessment have changed. The grades 3–8 ELA exams will be administered April 17–19 and the math exams will take place April 25–27.
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About Parent Coordinator Phyllis Corley
Corley's Corner
Parents and Staff turn out for Corley's Ladies' Night at Strike Long Island (November 2008)
Mrs. Corley gets ready to read at the Barnes and Noble Fundraiser Event
Parents and Staff participate in Corley's Cupcake Creations Parent Workshop
Our Student Council Gives Back!
2009 Student Council President Chrysalis Terrado and her cabinet pose in front of dozens of toys donated by Holliswood families for our annual toy drive (December 2008)
Holliswood in the News
Upcoming School Closings and Half Days
Monthly Events
