Sam Field Y Summer Camp

The Y Summer Camp has been moved to Queens High School of Teaching this summer. This was decided by the NYCDOE /DYCD. Thanks.

April 23, 2012 Dear Parent or Guardian: HIV/AIDS is one of the most serious health problems Americans have ever faced. It has no cure, and education is the only way we can help our students protect themselves from the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Between now and June, your child’s teacher will conduct a few lessons about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The New York State Education Department and the New York City Department of Education have mandated that HIV/AIDS education be provided for all students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. This mandate states that HIV/AIDS instruction must be age-appropriate and address the nature of the disease, the methods of transmission, and methods of prevention. Lessons focus on developing an understanding of communicable diseases, ways to live a healthy life, and how to identify community resources that can help enhance the quality of life. State Regulations require that all students attend lessons on the nature of the disease and methods of transmission. However, parents or legal guardians have the right to ask that their child not participate in the lessons dealing with methods of prevention. These lessons are labeled “Prevention.” Parents or legal guardians must make a written request that their child not receive such instruction, and assure that the pupil will receive such instruction at home. [See tear-off below and please return]. An HIV/AIDS advisory council composed of Panel on Educational Policy members, community representatives, parents, teachers, and supervisors has thoroughly reviewed and approved the curriculum and related materials to be used. The curriculum has also been reviewed and approved by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Encourage your child to speak with you about HIV/AIDS. You might wish to point out newspaper or magazine articles about HIV/AIDS issues that you can discuss together. Doing so can help you reinforce your child's awareness of how HIV is transmitted, and present opportunities for you and your child to discuss how abstaining from sexual intercourse and alcohol and other drug use is the most appropriate and effective way for children to protect their health and their futures. We welcome your involvement at school. Speak to your child's teacher, parent coordinator, or me about how you can support HIV/AIDS lessons. If you have any questions regarding this program or would like to review HIV/AIDS curriculum materials, please visit the New York City Department of Education website for a comprehensive description of the curriculum: http://schools.nyc.gov/Academics/FitnessandHealth/StandardsCurriculum/HIVAIDScurriculum and please do not hesitate to call. Sincerely, Jennifer C. Ambert Principal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parents/Guardians, please check one and sign: _____ My child may participate in the HIV/AIDS lessons at 178. _____ My child may not participate in HIV/AIDS lessons at 178. My child will learn about HIV/AIDS at home. Parent/Guardian’s Signature_______________________________ Student’s Name __________________________ Class ___________ Please return the tear off to your child’s teacher by April 30, 2012. MS Teachers, return tear off to Mr. Sanchez. Thank you.

Special Education Phase II

Dear Parents/Guardians:

During the Community District Education Council 26 (CDEC) Townhall Meeting in February, Chancellor Walcott discussed the Special Education Phase II reform, which will be implemented across all NYC public schools in September. Many community members requested follow-up. Therefore, the CDEC has invited Lauren Katzman, Executive Director of Special Education, to address the CDEC on April 16, 2012 at 7:00 PM, at MS 67.

We hope you will be able to attend this meeting. The invitation from CDEC was backpacked home today.

PLAYGROUND CONSTRUCTION/NEW DISMISSAL SITES FOR FIRST AND FOURTH GRADES

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.

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.

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.

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.