School Phone Line

Our school phone line is currently not working. You may call our backup phone line: 718-464-5765 and dial '0' for the operator.

Verizon is expected to repair the phone line today.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Teacher Blogs

Please be sure to check out Ms. Ehrentreu's blog: http://guest.portaportal.com/ms.ehrentreu

as well as other PS/IS 178 teacher blogs at http://guest.portaportal.com/ps.is178q

Our Portaportal Page also includes fantastic educational resources.

ThinkQuest

Dear Parents/Guardians of ThinkQuest Students:

Please be advised that the ThinkQuest After School Program will not be in session on December 23, 2009. ThinkQuest will resume in the new year.

Have a terrific holiday!

Thank you for all your support and dedication.

Title I Meeting

Please join us for our Title I Meeting tonight in the library at 6:30 PM. The PTA meeting will immediately follow. We will discuss the CEP, Parent Compact and Title I Allocation. We will also introduce the members of the PTA parent sub-committee.

Please view the NYCDOE website for regular updates.

Barnes and Noble Fundraiser Reminder

As you know, our Barnes and Noble Fundraiser began yesterday, December 7, 2009 and will continue through 10:00 p.m. on December 8, 2009. Tonight, our faculty will be reading aloud to the students and their families at the Fresh Meadows store on Union Turnpike from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. If you are unable to make it to the Fresh Meadows store, you can visit any location and make purchases that will contribute to our school's total sales. Please remember to give the cashier the voucher that your child was given or mention that you want to contribute the P.S. / I.S. 178 Fundraiser. If you are at another location, be sure to mention promotion code 10056174.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you there!

Barnes and Noble Night

We have scheduled our fourth annual Barnes and Noble Fundraiser. The fundraiser will begin on Monday, December 7, 2009 and end Tuesday night, December 8, 2009 at the Fresh Meadows store on Union Turnpike. This in-store event was extremely successful last year because so many of you supported the school. Therefore, a generous percentage of the total sales was shared with the school. The school earned close to $1,000.00.

To further motivate the students to take part in this year’s event, our staff has volunteered their time on Tuesday night to read aloud to the students. For the coffee/tea and sweet enthusiasts, the store has pledged to also include purchases made in the café when factoring our school totals.

Please present the voucher that was given to your child on November 30, 2009 when you are making your final purchase so the school can benefit from your generosity. If you do not have the voucher, please tell the cashier that you would like your purchase to be applied to the P.S. / I.S. 178 fundraiser. Please come, do some holiday shopping and share in what promises to be a truly enjoyable event.

We look forward to seeing you there!

C.H.A.M.P.S. Program - Important Notice

Dear Families of Students Participating in the C.H.A.M.P.S. Program,

As you are aware, the Fall season of the C.H.A.M.P.S. after-school sports program will end on Friday, December 4, 2009. Beginning Monday, December 7, 2009, your child will be dismissed at his/her regular dismissal time. Information about the C.H.A.M.P.S. Winter season will be distributed at the end of the month.

Thank you.

Errors on December Calendar

Please be advised of the following corrections for the December school calendar:

• Our fax number is (718) 464-5766
• First day back to school for 2010 is January 4, 2010
• Math Team will not meet on December 7th after school

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by these errors.

Thank you.

H1N1 Vaccination - 2nd Dose

H1N1 Vaccination


December 2, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians of Students in Grades Pre-K to 5:

Please find below a letter from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene concerning the second dose of the H1N1 vaccine. If your child has received an initial dose of the H1N1 vaccine, and is less than 10 years old, a second dose of the vaccine will help ensure that he/she is fully protected against the H1N1 virus. Students must wait at least 21 days before receiving a second dose of the vaccine.

Please read the letter carefully and follow the instructions in the third paragraph if you wish to have your child vaccinated for the second dose. All of the information should be brought to my attention.

If you have any questions, please call the medical office.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
Jessy Warren, School Nurse

____________________________________________________
December 1, 2009

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Thank you for participating in New York City’s school-based H1N1 vaccination program. If your child has received an initial dose of the H1N1 vaccine, and is less than 10 years old, a second dose of vaccine will help ensure that he or she is fully protected against the H1N1 virus. The second dose should be administered at least 21 days after the first dose.

As part of the City’s school vaccination program, the Health Department is preparing to offer second doses of vaccine to all students who received a first dose. Students who received vaccinations in their school, through a weekend clinic, or through a private health care provider are eligible for a second dose.

If you have submitted a consent form and your child has received the first dose outside of school, please contact your child’s school. The school’s H1N1 designee will need to receive the following information, either over the phone or in writing:
• Student’s full name (first, middle, last)
• Student’s date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy for example 12/04/2002)
• Student’s sex (male or female)
• Teacher and grade (for example, Ms. Smith, 1st grade)
• Date your child received his or her first dose of H1N1 vaccine
• Type of vaccine received (shot or nasal spray)

This information is needed to ensure that children nine years old and younger wait at least 21 days before receiving a second dose of the vaccine. If your child is not eligible to receive the second dose in school, you will be notified.

If your child has already received the second dose, or you no longer want your child to receive a vaccination in school, you should contact your school’s H1N1 designee to withdraw your consent for your child to be vaccinated.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
Jane R. Zucker, MD, MSc
Assistant Commissioner
Bureau of Immunization
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

High School Admissions

Please visit the following link from the NYCDOE website:

http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/High/default.htm

For more information regarding the HS admissions process, please call our Guidance Office: 718-464-5763, ext. 2532.

Middle School Dance

Tonight is our first Middle School Dance for the School Year

There will be refreshments and a DJ. The dance takes place from 6-8 PM. Entrance is through Avon Road. Tickets are still on sale for $3 each at the Parent Coordinator's Office. Students must submit signed permission slips to purchase a ticket.

H1N1 Vaccinations

H1N1 Vaccinations

November 19, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Please be advised that our first in-house vaccination period for H1N1 at the Holliswood School has come to a close. The Department of Health will administer a second dose of the vaccine to students who are under ten years old at least 21 days after the first dose. The second dose will be available only to students who received their first doses as part of the in-school vaccination program. Students under ten years old who receive their first doses at a weekend point of distribution (POD) will not be eligible to receive their second doses as part of the in-school day program.

If you are still interested in having your child receive the H1N1 vaccination, please provide the signed consent form to a weekend point of distribution site. Please visit www.nyc.gov/flu to download a copy of the vaccination booklet, which includes the consent form. Please find below the locations and upcoming schedule* for weekend vaccination POD sites in Queens:

Queens
POD Site Location Dates and Hours of Operation
I.S. 125 Thomas J. McCann Woodside (Q125) 46-02 47th Avenue
Saturday, November 21, 9:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, November 22, 9:00am-5:00pm
I.S. 210 Elizabeth Blackwell (Q210) 93-11 101st Avenue
Saturday, December 5, 9:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, December 6, 9:00am-5:00pm
I.S. 25 Adrien Block (Q025) 34-65 192nd Street
Saturday, December 12, 9:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, December 13, 9:00am-5:00pm

If you have any questions, please visit www.nyc.gov/flu or you may contact our Parent Coordinator.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,


Jennifer C. Ambert
Principal


*please visit www.nyc.gov/flu for any changes to this schedule

PARENT-RUN STOP AND DROP

PARENT-RUN STOP AND DROP

November 12, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Further to the PTA/Safety Committee letter of September 21, 2009 regarding the Parent-Run Stop and Drop, a PTA sponsored function, there continues to be safety concerns. In agreement with the PTA, we would like to notify all families that, effective November 13, 2009, the Parent-Run Stop and Drop will no longer continue. We appreciate the parent volunteers who have generously contributed their time and effort to aid parents throughout the years.

In addition to the letter of September 21, 2009, our school sent letters throughout last year regarding following traffic laws, such as no U-turning, no double-parking and to drive slowly in a school zone. We have been in touch with the 107th Police Precinct requesting the presence of additional traffic agents during peak times such as morning arrival (7:30-8:00 AM) and dismissal (2:15-3:00 PM). Our Safety Administrator, Donna Brailsford, has visited the school several times, met with our Safety Committee, and liaised with the Police Precinct as well. The Police Precinct has issued several tickets to those who have violated safety laws. Safety concerns have been discussed at our School Leadership Team Meetings, Safety Meetings and PTA Meetings on an ongoing basis. Our local politicians are also aware of the situation.

With all of the interventions noted above, unfortunately, there was an accident on November 12, 2009 involving two cars. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

At this time, we would like to remind parents that all students can come into our building as early as 7:30 AM to receive breakfast or to wait for school to begin. Our Avon Road doors close at 8:11 AM. If any student arrives after 8:02 AM, that student is given a late pass. Students enter through Radnor Road after the Avon Road doors close or as early as 8:00 AM. There is plenty of street parking surrounding our school building. We encourage parents/guardians to park their cars and walk students to the entrance of the school building. There is a crossing guard stationed at the corner of 188th Street and Avon Road, where there is a legal crosswalk. There is a second legal crosswalk at 188th Street and Radnor Road. Please be advised that the speed bumps surrounding our school building are not legalized crosswalks.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Music Residency/Recorder Program

November 13, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians of Students in Grades 2 and 3:

We are pleased to inform you that, beginning November 18, 2009, students in grades two and three will participate in a music residency/recorder program with teachers from 144 Music and Arts. Students will be supervised and assisted by their classroom teachers as well.
In planning musical activities and residencies, 144 Music and Arts offer workshops that are age appropriate. The recorder is the precursor to the family of Woodwinds and Brass. According to the NYC Blueprint for the Arts, by grade 3, students should begin reading musical notation and may begin playing pitched instruments such as the recorder or song flute. 144 Music and Arts has aligned this course with the suggestions made in the Blueprint, as an introduction that provides the basic skills needed to play an instrument. The recorder is considered for teaching notation as preparation for the orchestral winds. The reading of music teaches focus and discipline. Learning fingering supports dexterity. Children will begin by reading and playing word rhythm patterns. Students will move on to combining song with instrumental accompaniment. Further exploration of musical expression and tempo help them to develop sequences of sound and patterns. Playing and performing songs creates a level of self-confidence. Students will be given the opportunity to increase skills, vocabulary and make connections to the cultural factors that influence world music. The residency will culminate with a performance. Originally designed for the younger student, certain pieces in the repertoire are quite challenging and therefore the recorder is an introduction to the concert band program.
The cost for each recorder is $2.00. Please enclose $2.00 in an envelope, with your child’s name and class number, and return it to your child’s classroom teacher by November 17th. Checks may be made payable to PS/IS 178 The Holliswood School.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

Sincerely,
Phyllis Corley, Parent Coordinator

HONOR ROLLS – ACADEMIC & ATTENDANCE

HONOR ROLLS – ACADEMIC & ATTENDANCE
Honor Rolls will be displayed outside of the Main Office.

ATTENDANCE
All students are eligible.

Principal’s Attendance Honor Roll
Criteria: A student must achieve perfect attendance for the entire year, with no record of lateness.

Attendance Honor Roll
Criteria: A student must achieve perfect attendance, with no record of lateness, for the marking period.

ACADEMICS [Grades 3-5]
Students in grades 3-5 are eligible.

Principal’s Academic Honor Roll
Criteria: A student must achieve a level 4 in reading, writing, and mathematics, and a level 3 in all other subjects.

Academic Honor Roll
Criteria: A student must achieve a level 4 in reading and at least a level 3 in other areas.

ACADEMICS [Grades 6-8]
Students in grades 6-8 are eligible.

Principal’s Academic Honor Roll
Criteria: 95% average, S in behavior.

Academic Honor Roll
Criteria: 85% average, S in behavior.

SAVE THE DATE - THE HOLIDAY CONCERT

The Holiday Concert
Monday, December 14th, 2009
6:00 PM
(New Date and Time)

Featuring performances by
The Elementary Chorus (The Young People’s Chorus, Grades 3-5)
The Middle School Chorus (The Young People’s Chorus, Grades 6-8)
The Sixth Grade Concert Band
The Seventh and Eighth Grade Band (Wind Ensemble)
Second and Third Grade Recorder Ensembles (TBA)

Performance attire: White top, black bottoms

Please enter through Avon Road

Fall Rugby Tournament at Randall's Island

Congratulations to our Elementary Flag Rugby Teams for a successful showing at the 2009 Fall Rugby Tournament, held at Randall's Island on Saturday, November 7th, through Play Rugby USA. Twenty-two of our students turned out, as well as numerous families and Coach Jesse Sanchez.

We'll be back in the Spring for the 2010 Mayor's Cup!

Title I Parent Meeting

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Our school has been designated as a Title 1 school, which brings additional funding to the services and programs of our school. This federal funding is provided to our school under the No Child Left Behind Act. Along with the funding are guidelines that must be followed in allowing parents access to information about the Title 1 programs and services provided with continued opportunities for dialogue. It is the responsibility of the parents to meet to select a Title 1 Parent Leadership Structure.

Therefore, I have scheduled a Title 1 Parent Meeting on November 17, 2009 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

A representative from the District Office will guide us through the process and familiarize us with the important objectives that must be followed as per the Title 1 Parent Involvement Guidelines in developing our comprehensive educational plans for academic success and enhanced parent involvement.

At this meeting, parents will decide on a Title 1 Parent Leadership Structure (forming a Parent Advisory Council or a subcommittee of the school’s Parent Teacher Association) to ensure that Title 1 parents are well represented at the school and district level. If the Parent Advisory Council is chosen as the parent leadership structure, then an election will take place for officers of the Council.

Because parents are so important for children’s success, your voice is extremely important. Please make every effort to join us so we may begin our discussion on how we can work together as partners in education.

I look forward to seeing you at this meeting.

Safety

November 2, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians:

This notice is to remind you of the importance of taking steps to keep your child safe when he or she is involved in outdoor activities, including traveling to and from school.

The following are some safety tips that we hope you will share with your children:
• Students should never go home with strangers.
• Students should never talk to strangers.
• Students should not take things from strangers.
• If students are approached by strangers and are still near the school, they should be
encouraged to return to the school and immediately inform a staff member.
• Young students should be escorted to and from school.
• Older children should be encouraged to walk/travel to school in groups whenever
possible.

The teachers at our school will also remind students of the importance of not responding to strangers and
actions each child should take if approached by a stranger, including reporting it to responsible adults.

In addition, over the course of the school year, we may receive notification under the New York State Sex Offender Registration Act from the New York City Police Department that a registered sex offender has moved into the region where our school is located. Copies of all the notifications we receive will be kept
accessible to parents in the Parent Coordinator’s Office as well as the main office. You can also find information about registered sex offenders on the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services website, located at http://www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us or by calling 1-800-262-3257, or through the subdirectory of level three (high risk) registered sex offenders maintained at the NYPD, One Police Plaza, Room 110 C, New York, New York. The website can also be accessed through the Department of Education’s website, www.nyc.gov/schools, through the Office of School Intervention and Development home page. Finally, if our school is located in the same zip code where the sex offender resides, we will provide copies of the notification to all parents of children in our school.

These procedures are part of our continuing effort to provide a safe environment for all children in this
school. Additionally, we have scheduled a safety assembly for our students on November 19, 2009. This assembly will be provided through a grant given by the Department of Transportation in collaboration with the Department of Education.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

HALF DAY LUNCH SCHEDULE

HALF DAY LUNCH SCHEDULE

Distributed on: October 19, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Please be advised that all students are eligible to receive lunch on half days. During half days, we will follow the lunch periods listed below. Our first half day of the school year is Tuesday, November 10, 2009. On this day, dismissal will be 11:30 AM.

Due to the abbreviated lunch period, there will be no recess. Students will proceed directly to the cafeteria for lunch with their teachers and return to class following their lunch unless specified below.

10:10 - 10:30: Grades 6-8

10:35 - 11:00: Grades Pre-K, K, 1, 4

11:05 - 11:30: Grades 2, 3, 5 (dismisses from lunch to regular dismissal sites)

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you.

Rugby Scrimmages and Tournament

There will be a rugby scrimmage this Sunday, 11/1, from 12 - 2 PM at Chelsea Waterside Park.

Flyers will be distributed today regarding the Randall's Island Tournament on November 7th (from 12-4 PM).

Here are the details:
When – Saturday, November 7, 2009.
Times – 12 to 4pm (Arrive by 11am)
Where – Randall’ s Island, Field 75
Cost – FREE
Other – bring athletic apparel, warm clothing, water bottle & snacks. Equipment provided by PRUSA.

For more information & to RSVP:
Christian Mayo
Christian.Mayo@playrugbyusa.com
212-563-3250

If you don't receive a flyer, please let Mr. Sanchez know.

Thank you.

H1N1 Update

Update from NYCDOE Website (www.nyc.gov/schools):

Health experts say vaccination is the best way to protect children against H1N1 and to prevent the spread of the virus. This letter contains important updates about how schools are working to keep students healthy during flu season, including important information about our free and voluntary vaccination program for all children.

Elementary schools with fewer than 400 students and a school nurse will begin offering H1N1 vaccines on Wednesday, October 28. Larger elementary schools will phase-in starting Wednesday, November 4. Middle and high school students can receive the vaccine beginning in early November at various weekend locations throughout the five boroughs. Updated dates and locations for middle and high school vaccinations will be available at schools and online as more information becomes available. Elementary school students who miss the vaccine offered in school can also get the vaccine at weekend clinics. Please continue to check www.nyc.gov/flu for the latest information.

Parents must complete consent forms for their children to receive a vaccination. Schools will send home consent forms and they are also available here along with other important information. Parents should complete and return these forms to school as soon as possible to ensure that their children receive the vaccine.

If you have questions and/or concerns about H1N1, please visit www.nyc.gov/flu or contact your physician.

All community members—adults and children alike—should remember to take basic precautions against the flu, like washing hands regularly and covering coughs. Working together, we can keep our students safe and healthy this flu season.

Halloween Safety Tips

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Saturday, October 31, 2009 is Halloween. Traditionally, Halloween is a time of fun and excitement. However, we need to take precautions in order to have a safe Halloween experience.

Below, we have listed some helpful guidelines to consider, as children go out Trick or Treating.

1. Go Trick or Treating in a group with a responsible adult.
2. Wear a costume that is fireproof and can be seen when it is dark.
3. Do not eat any unwrapped candy or fruit.
4. Parents should inspect all treats before permitting children to eat them.
5. Only go Trick or Treating to friends and neighbors. Do not knock on
strangers' doors.
6. Do not go Trick or Treating late in the evening.
7. Do not play any tricks that can hurt anyone or that can damage property.

We would like to inform families that we are going to have our first school spirit day – “CRAZY HAT DAY” on October 30th, in which students may create their own unique hats and wear them in school. However, students should not wear costumes or masks to school this day. Additionally, students may not have any paint on their faces.

On the evening of October 29th, the PTA has sponsored a Pumpkin/Fall Festival in which children may wear costumes.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Universal Pre-Kindergarten in NYC DOE Schools

Pre-Kindergarten Registration Deadline
Elementary schools / Deadline: October 30

There are still seats available for four-year-old children in Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) programs throughout the five boroughs. The deadline to register students is October 30. Families can visit the DOE’s Web site to find programs that may have available seats.

Flag Rugby Teams

Please be advised that upcoming weekend scrimmages and tournaments for Play Rugby USA will be rain or shine.

UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION

UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Please be advised that the ongoing construction taking place on school premises at 3:30 PM each day will impact the use of the school yard after school. In the coming days to weeks, the contractor will position a construction lift in the large school yard. A fence will separate the construction lift from the rest of the school yard. Please supervise your children when they are in our school yard after school. We would also recommend that when students are playing in the raised small playground (monkey bars), they should be supervised by adults at all times.

Please be advised that students who are playing on school grounds after school hours are not supervised by Holliswood School staff unless they are participants of one of our after school programs. The school yard is used for our CHAMPS after school sports program and our elementary flag rugby team. Additionally, the Samuel Field Y Program uses the school yard and has counselors supervising the children during those times. If your child is in middle school, we would suggest that your child proceed directly home if unsupervised by an adult.

When there is construction in our school yard, we will schedule indoor recess. A separate letter to Middle School parents will be issued regarding the location of the CHAMPS program during the construction period (Cunningham Park or indoors).

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us or the school’s parent coordinator, Mrs. Corley.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,


Jennifer Ambert, Principal

Patrick Klocek, Assistant Principal

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences - November 10th

Dear Parents/Guardians:

You are cordially invited to our Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences. Both afternoon and evening conferences will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. 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 below 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, November 10, 2009, 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. 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 below and return it to your child’s teacher by Friday, October 30, 2009.

All PS/IS 178 After-School Programs will be cancelled on November 10, 2009. The Samuel Field Y Program will also be cancelled.

Elementary report cards will be distributed on November 5, 2009 via backpack.
Middle School report cards will be distributed on November 9, 2009 via backpack.

Information regarding Open School Week (week of November 16-November 20) will be distributed shortly.

Thank you for your cooperation. I look forward to seeing you.

NYS Grade 5 Social Studies Assessment

***NYS Grade 5 Social Studies Exam***

October 13, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians of Grade 5 Students:

As you know, the Grade 5 NYS Social Studies Exam will be administered on November 16, 2009 – November 17, 2009. With the support of our parents and guardians, our teachers and students have been working tirelessly to prepare for this exam and we know that all of our children will perform brilliantly. We ask that you review the tips below to help your children to prepare for the exam:

1. Make sure your children go to bed early and that they have enough rest. Be sure to get them to school on time the next day, as latecomers may not be permitted to take the exam.
2. Please be sure that your children eat a light, healthy breakfast.
3. Dress them for success. Children should wear comfortable clothes.
4. Please make sure the children are prepared. Our students need to show up to school with #2 pencils, erasers, and other materials specified by their teachers.
5. Tell them to be positive: Expect to do well. Reassure them and tell them to relax. Let them know it is okay to take a short break. They can pause briefly when they need to break the tension. Teach them to close their eyes and practice head rolls or other relaxing exercise.
6. Remind them to avoid distractions and to concentrate only on their own exam.

To provide you with more information, we would like to invite you to our Grade 5 NYS Social Studies Exam Workshop with Mrs. LaPenta, one of our fifth grade teachers, and Mrs. Corley, our Parent Coordinator, on October 21, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. in our library. We have invited grade four parents as well.

As always, thank you for your continued cooperation and support.

Sincerely,



Jennifer Ambert
Principal

Patrick Klocek
Assistant Principal

Mayor's Flu Fighters Program

Please visit: http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/?front_door=true
to read about the Mayor's Flu Fighters Program.

Information booklets about H1N1 and vaccinations for elementary students will be released in the coming weeks. Please stay tuned.

Thank you.

Highlights

On 10/2, Mrs. Corley facilitated a parent workshop on ARIS Parent Link. If you missed that workshop, please inform Mrs. Corley and she will provide you with information.

On 10/4, the Elementary Flag Rugby teams played their first scrimmage at Chelsea Waterside Park. Congratulations to them for doing a terrific job. Their next scrimmage will take place on 10/18/09 at the same park.

On 10/7, some students in grades 3-8 auditioned for Young People's Chorus (YPC) of New York City. Conductor Amy Kotsonis was pleased with all of the students who auditioned. Letters will be distribued shortly to inform parents of the outcome. If your child missed the audition, he/she may audition on October 23, 2009 during the chorus' first rehearsal. He/she must bring a signed permission slip to audition. Returning chorus students (from last year) will receive a letter as well. Parents/guardians should sign this letter if they intend on having their child continue participation.

On 10/7, during indoor recess, Mr. Klocek and I spoke to the Middle School students (a follow up discussion to our September 29th recess presentation). We articulated our observations regarding lining up and transitioning from classes. We emphasized safety regulations and that our school has ten grades, which includes younger students. Students were reflective and discussed their thoughts for improvement as well.

On 10/8, students in Grade 8 participated in a Guidance Assembly with Guidance Counselors Peters and Feigelson on the High School Application process. Parents who need more information should contact the Guidance Office. We encourage Grade 6 and 7 parents to reach out to the Guidance Office as well. A guidance newsletter was distributed earlier this month.

On 10/9, Middle School students participated in a CHAMPS Assembly. Mr. Klocek reviewed the policies regarding missing CHAMPS sessions, dismissal, and the team contracts that must be signed.

On 10/13, the Big Apple Fundraiser orders are due. We are grateful for any support.

Upcoming Events
- SCHOOL WILL NOT BE IN SESSION on 10/12 due to Columbus Day
-Girl Scout Registration (Parent-run) will be held on 10/13 at 6 PM; PTA Meeting will follow at 7 PM
-Specialized HS Prep Course begins on Tuesday, 10/13
-CHAMPS begins on Wednesday on 10/14
-Family Volleyball Night will take place on 10/15 (Parents vs. Faculty Game)

Elementary Flag Rugby Program (with Play Rugby USA)

As you know, this Sunday, 10/4/09, our elementary flag rugby teams (A and B) will play in their first scrimmage at Chelsea Waterside Park (West 23rd Street and 11th Avenue). The scrimmage will take place from 12-2 PM. However, players are asked to arrive at 11:45 AM.

Transportation is not arranged by the school. Parents/Guardians are responsible for their children during weekend scrimmages.

If there is inclement weather, please call Christian Mayo (Play Rugby USA Director) at 212-563-3250 or 347-575-2938.

If you have any questions, please call Mr. Sanchez (Co-Coach of the Rugby Teams at 178). The Play Rugby USA Coach for 178 is Coach Elliott.

Thank you.

NEWS FROM ARTSONIA

NEWS FROM ARTSONIA:

Great News! Sabrina338, from PS/IS 178 Holliswood School, has been selected as a finalist for this week's "Artist of the Week" award for the 4th-6th age group. The finalist who receives the most online votes between now and Saturday, October 3 will be selected as our "Artist of the Week." To view the finalists and cast your vote, simply click on the link below. Voting is limited to one vote per computer per day for each age group!
http://www.artsonia.com/aotw/vote/0/6162174
The "Artist of the Week" will be featured on the Artsonia homepage and will receive a commemorative plaque from Artsonia. In addition, Blick Art Materials has generously donated $100 gift certificates to the winning teachers and $50 to the winning artists. All fan club members from Holliswood School have just been sent an email inviting them to vote, but we encourage you to personally spread the word at school, making sure all your students cast their votes right away!

Hispanic Heritage Month

During the month of October, we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Each official class teacher will receive the books of the month, The House on Mango Street (grades 4-8) and Hairs/Pelitos (grades PK-3) by Sandra Cisneros. We hope the students enjoy them. Teachers will implement structured read alouds for these books and students will prepare responses to literature.

Teachers and staff have selected books around the theme of celebrating diversity for the entire year.

You are invited to try out for the Elementary Flag Rugby Teams

This year, there will be a fourth grade team of 15 players
and a fifth grade team of 15 players - beginning September 29th.
We are partnering with Play Rugby USA Inc., an excellent organization
dedicated to promoting athleticism and positive character.
Fourth graders will meet every Tuesday after school (3:00-4:30 PM) for 8 sessions.
Fifth graders will meet every Thursday after school (3:00-4:30 PM) for 8 sessions.
Participants should expect to attend three weekend scrimmages
throughout NYC with their parents, as well as a culminating tournament in November.
There is also an invitational tournament, the Annual Mayor’s Cup, in June.
Try outs for both teams will take place on September 24th - from 3:00 - 4:00 PM in the gymnasium.
The program is open to male and female students.

Students must wear sneakers and physical education attire. Please return the tear-off (indicating parental consent) to Mr. Sanchez by September 24th at 8:30 AM.

Samuel Field Y After School Program

SAMUEL FIELD Y
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

September 15, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians of Students in Grades K-5,

Thank you again for a smooth opening week of school!

We would like to take this opportunity to provide you with contact information for the Samuel Field Y After School Program. As you are aware, Samuel Field Y is a community-based organization (CBO), selected by the New York City Department of Education’s Office of School and Youth Development (OSYD) to coordinate and provide an after school program at select locations. PS/IS 178Q is one of those locations. Please be advised that the Samuel Field Y Out of School Time (OST) Program is operated under the overall direction of David Slotnick. The field director for this program at 178 is Dominick Menno. All questions, concerns and complaints should be addressed to the Sam Field Y directly. We are experiencing a high call volume in our main office with regard to this program. Therefore, we are providing you with the following contact information for the Samuel Field Y Organization:

Samuel Field Y: 58-20 Little Neck PkwyLittle Neck, NY 11362(718) 225-6750Email: SFY@SFY.ORG
David Slotnick, LMSW, Program Director, (718)225-6750 Email: DSlotnick@sfy.org

Dominick Menno, Director of PS/IS 178 Sam Field Y After School Program: (646) 772-3879
Email: dmenno@sfy.org

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

8th Grade Parent Workshop on HS Admission Process and Meet the Teacher Night

Please join Guidance Counselors Ms. Peters and Mr. Feigelson for an Eighth Grade Parent Workshop regarding the High School Admission Process on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 5:45 PM in the library. A workshop for seventh grade parents will be scheduled later in the year.
Middle School Meet the Teacher Night will follow at 6:45 PM. A letter was sent home to all families regarding Meet the Teacher Night today. Please notify Mr. Klocek if you did not receive that letter.

Meet the Teacher Night for Elementary Families will take place on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 from 6:45 - 8:00 PM. The first PTA meeting will immediately follow in the auditorium.

We look forward to seeing you at these important events.

New Letter from the Chancellor and Health Commissioner regarding H1N1

Dear Parents/Guardians:

You will receive a copy of the Chancellor's most recent letter regarding H1N1 in your child's backpack tomorrow. To read the letter, please click on the following link:

http://schools.nyc.gov/Home/Spotlight/jkh1n1.htm

You may also visit www.nyc.gov/flu for more information. We will keep you abreast of all information regarding H1N1 as we receive it.

Many thanks.

Progress Report for 2008-2009 School Year

WELCOME BACK AND CONGRATULATIONS!

September 2009

Dear Families,

Welcome back! A new school year presents opportunities for various beginnings—new classes, new faces, new teachers. As we open a new school year, we look forward to an exciting year filled with hope and vast potential.

We are pleased to report that we have achieved a score of A on our school’s 2008-2009 Progress Report. We are very proud of this accomplishment. A copy of the progress report is available online at www.nyc.gov/schools. During the 2007-2008 school year, 178 received a B and a cumulative score of 57.3 points. During 2008-2009, we improved by 26.5 points, a tremendous feat. This achievement is not only attributed to our hard-working and dedicated staff, but to the work of all the families and students. Our collaborative efforts make it possible to attain these achievements. Our school theme for 2009-2010 continues with maximizing the potential of each child and enhancing overall communication.

This year, we will focus our efforts on the processes that promote high achievement: evaluating what we have, determining what we can do to improve, and identifying what we need to make those improvements. We will communicate with parents regularly on the practices that will support each student’s growth.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school. You may contact our Parent Coordinator, Phyllis Corley, and our Assistant Principal, Patrick Klocek. The following sources of communication are frequently used to keep the school community abreast of information:

http://holliswoodschool.blogspot.com/
[This website is used as a forum to post important dates and upcoming school-wide events].

http://guest.portaportal.com/ps.is178q
[This website includes important online resources (including Acuity and ARIS) to help you become more familiar with the curriculum. We will continue to update it].

www.nyc.gov/schools
[The NYCDOE website includes the statewide/citywide testing and school closing calendars, as well as all current NYC public school information].

www.arisparentlink.org
[This website is used to view your child’s data.]

School Messenger Phone System
[This system sends automated greetings to families regarding upcoming deadlines and events. Please update your home telephone number regularly at the main office.]

You will receive information about our upcoming Meet the Teacher Night for Elementary School (Sept. 22nd) and Middle School (Sept. 17th), as well as September’s PTA meeting (9/22 @ 8 PM) shortly.

I look forward to another successful school year.

Sincerely,


Jennifer C. Ambert
Principal

NEW DISMISSAL LOCATIONS

NEW DISMISSAL LOCATIONS

· Effective September 2009, all Kindergarten classes will dismiss from west Radnor Road (near 189th street). The Pre-K class will dismiss directly from the new classroom (room 101) by the small school yard. These are permanent dismissal locations.
· All Middle School students continue to dismiss from the east Radnor Road exit (near 190th street).

Temporary Dismissal Locations
Due to construction, the small school yard will be closed for much of the 2009-2010 school year. Therefore, the dismissal locations will be as follows:

Grades 1 & 4 dismisses from the gymnasium (where the monkey bars are). Parents/Guardians should greet students adjacent to this area and have the playground clear, so that classes can dismiss smoothly.

Grades 2 -3 dismisses from the cafeteria and convenes in the area where the benches are (lower playground). Parents/Guardians should greet students adjacent to this area and have the bench area clear, so that classes can dismiss smoothly.

Grade 5 dismisses from Avon Road. Parents/Guardians should wait for students by the Avon Road exit.

As always, it is important to update your child’s blue emergency card regularly so that school staff members are aware of who can pick your child up from school daily.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Annual School Calendar

In June, the NYC Department of Education made modifications to the school calendar. To access the revised calendar, please click on the link above. This calendar can also be accessed online at the NYCDOE website: www.nyc.gov/schools.

New Statewide Testing Schedule for 2009-2010

Dear Families,

As you may be aware, the New York State Education Dept. modified the testing schedule for the 2009-2010 school year. Please visit the revised testing calendar for 2009-2010 by clicking on the link above or http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/schedules/2010/3-8schedule-090721.pdf and please save the date(s).

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Summer Hours

Our school will be closed during the summer.

• If you have any questions regarding Pre-K enrollment, please call 212-374-4948.
• If you would like to speak to the Parent Coordinator, Phyllis Corley, please call 347-563-4409.
• Registration will now take place on September 3rd, between 9 AM and 2 PM
• Our first day of school is September 9, 2009. Regular school hours are 8:00-2:20 Monday through Friday. Extended Day hours are 8:00-2:57 Monday through Thursday.
• For information regarding the Samuel Field YWHA After School and Summer Program, please contact the Director, David Slotnick, at 718-225-6750.

Specialized High School Admission Test

The Specialized High School Admission Test has been scheduled for November 7 and 8, 2009 for 8th graders. Students with IEPs or 504 accommodations may take the exam on November 14th. Special permission and/or make up exams have been scheduled for November 22.

For tutoring services, try Kaplan Services: http://www.kaptest.com/shsat
While we do not endorse this particular program, we recommend that all students begin preparing as early as possible for the specialized high school admission test. We hope to continue with our after school SHSAT Prep courses in the Fall.

Many thanks.

First Day of School - September 9, 2009

NEW OPENING DAY OF SCHOOL – SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

Dear Holliswood School Community:

On June 25, 2009, the New York City Department of Education announced that all students will now return to school on Wednesday, September 9, 2009, not September 8th. Please be advised that every correspondence that was sent regarding the opening day of school will have to be corrected. We are not going to re-copy all of those letters with the new starting date. This notice informs you that school will officially begin on September 9, 2009, despite previous correspondence. Please mark your calendars and revise the calendar that was sent one week ago. Only teachers will report to school on September 8, 2009 for planning purposes (not students).

Additionally, please be advised that all of our teachers completed the report cards on June 15, 2009. Therefore, the date on the report card should also be corrected to read September 9, 2009. The last day of school for students has now been moved to Monday, June 28, 2010.
Please stay tuned to the NYC Department of Education website: www.nyc.gov/schools and our school blog (address above) for updates over the summer.

Thank you

To the Holliswood School Community:

This year, we have had many wonderful memories. From our first annual arts benefit to the spring concert and talent show, we have been thrilled to have such a supportive community of families, dedicated to promoting the growth of every student in our school.

Our strong parent involvement stems from the work that the Parent-Teacher Association has done. The PTA has recruited dozens of families to act as parent volunteers. Thank you to all of you who committed your time and energy to our school.

This year, our New York State English Language Arts (ELA), Math and Social Studies scores improved. This is not only attributed to our faculty, but to the tremendous work that you do with your children. We are pleased that our first graduating eighth grade class will attend such prestigious high schools as Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, Townsend Harris, High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College, Queens High School for the Sciences at York College, Bayside, Cardozo and Francis Lewis.

Thank you for everything you do to make our school community truly unique and special. We look forward to beginning another terrific school year this September.

Sincerely,

Jennifer C. Ambert
Principal

Patrick Klocek
Asst. Principal

Message from the Yearbook Committee (Freitas, Roder, Siegler)

June 23, 2009

To the Holliswood School Community:Due to publishing difficulties expressed by the publishing company, students who have not yet received a yearbook will receive one in September.

We anticipate that the yearbooks will be shipped to us in late July. If you would like to pick up the yearbook prior to September, you may call Parent Coordinator Corley at (347) 563-4409 to see if the yearbooks have been shipped and to make arrangements for pick up.

We apologize for the inconvenience. If you have any questions, please contact the Yearbook Committee (Ms. Freitas, Mr. Roder and Ms. Siegler).

Thank you.

Yearbook Committee

End-of-School-Year Celebration at Riverbank State Park

End-of-School-Year Celebration at Riverbank State Park
All schools / Event: June 27

The Office for Family Engagement and Advocacy and the Public Schools Athletic League invite all families to an afternoon of fun, games, and workshops at Riverbank State Park on June 27 starting at 11 a.m. to celebrate a successful school year and kick off the summer. For additional information, visit OFEA’s Web site.

High School Admissions

Summer High School Admissions Workshops
Middle schools / Events: June - August

The Office of Student Enrollment will be hosting information sessions on Tuesday nights this summer to help parents and students learn about the various types of high schools in New York City. Students who will be in 8th grade this September are encouraged to attend with their families so they can make informed decisions when they apply to high school. Please work with your guidance counselor to make students and families at your school aware of these opportunities. The first workshop is Tuesday, June 30. You can find a complete schedule and a flyer about the workshops (in English and other languages) on the DOE Web site.

ARIS Parent Link

During the last two weeks, you should have received an envelope containing information regarding the ARIS Parent Link (www.arisparentlink.org). As you are aware, ARIS is an innovative website designed to communicate student performance and expectations to all families and students. Parent Coordinator Corley and I will conduct a parent workshop on how to use the ARIS Parent Link in the computer lab this Friday, 6/12 at 8:30 AM.

If you would like to attend, please let Mrs. Corley know at pcorley3@schools.nyc.gov. Please bring your username and password. Your passwords are unique and we do not have a duplicate list of your passwords.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday.

Exciting News!

Mayor's Cup
On Saturday, June 6, 2009, the 178 Flag Rugby team played flawlessly with tremendous teamwork and heart at the 6th annual Mayor’s Cup tournament at Columbia University. Due to Mr. Sanchez's coaching, our team made the middle school semi-finals (among all schools - private and public). Students expressed an unprecedented sense of pride from their performance. One of our students, Jacob Molina, also won the ‘Spirit of Rugby’ Award among all of the students who participated. Thank you, Mr. Sanchez, and congratulations. It was a wonderful event. Hopefully, we can expand our rugby program to the elementary levels some day.

All of the students who walked onto the field at Columbia did so with maturity and truly grasped the essence of sportsmanship. I'm sure the Play Rugby USA website will post pictures shortly: http://playrugbyusa.com/

ThinkQuest NYC
Congratulations, Mr. Masi and our 5th Grade Technology Team for making the ThinkQuest NYC semi-finals! Only 35 teams in New York City reached this level this year. This is a tremendous honor - especially due to the fact that this is 178's first year of entry. Congratulations to all the fifth grade teams, technology teachers and 5th grade teachers for participating in the creation of the ThinkQuest websites! As you know, this program was originally under the umbrella of the Title 2D initiative. It is absolutely a Renzulli-inspired project-based learning experience, where students research a high level interest topic, write, illustrate, animate and design their website from scratch while working in a group. This is an 8-month project and well-worth the investment. 5th grade scores greatly increased in all state tests (Math, ELA and SS) this year, including making yearly progress and sustaining the performance of level 4s. The website will be on the web shortly. The link is as follows: http://www.tqnyc.org/2009/06/01/semi-finalists-announced/

Young People's Chorus Concert at the 92nd Street Y

This morning at 11 AM, the students involved in our grades 3-8 chorus (part of Young People's Chorus of New York City (YPC)) will perform at the 92nd Street Y.

Following the performance, the YPC will broadcast their performance online. The Young People's Chorus website is www.ypc.org.

For more information regarding upcoming performances, please visit:
http://ypc.org/news/#6thSatConcert

Congratulations, Chorus students!

Softball Game Cancelled

The family/faculty softball game has been cancelled in anticipation of inclement weather. We will reschedule in June.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Inside Schools Review

We are pleased to report that we have achieved "Noteworthy" status according to Insideschools.org. A reporter from Inside Schools visited us in January 2009. To read the full review of PS/IS 178, please click on the link above.

Spring Concert, Family Softball Game and other Upcoming Events

SPRING CONCERT
The Spring Concert will take place tomorrow, 5/20 at 6:00 PM. Performers include Grades K-1 Chorus, Grades 3-8 Chorus, the middle school bands and the debut of the 4th and 5th grade bands. Avon Road doors will open at 5:45 PM for seating. Performers may enter at 5:30 PM through Radnor Road.

FIELD DAY (GRADES 3-5)
May 22, 2009 - Cunningham Park
At this time, we are asking all parents interested in participating to contact Mr. Sanchez at the school. Thank you!

NO SCHOOL - MEMORIAL DAY -May 25th

FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT - May 26th
Please join our literacy coach, Ms. Julia Kucharski, as she leads the discussion on how to choose a "just right book" for your child. Summer reading lists will also be distributed. Ms. Kucharski and Parent Coordinator Corley will show samples and characteristics of leveled texts.

FAMILY SOFTBALL GAME
The game has been moved to May 27th from 4:00- 5:00 PM at our schoolyard. We welcome all players with previous experience playing organized softball.

YOUNG PEOPLE'S CHORUS CONCERT AT THE 92ND STREET Y
Our Grades 3-8 chorus will perform at the 92nd Street Y next Thursday, May 28th at 11 AM

Latest News on Swine Flu

Latest News on Swine Flu from the NYC Dept. of Education Website (www.nyc.gov/schools):

http://schools.nyc.gov/Home/Spotlight/swine.htm

ELA Results

Dear Holliswood School Family:

We are pleased to report that our 2009 New York State English Language Arts Assessment scores have arrived.

91.5% of students in Grades 3 through 8 met or exceeded the standards.

The 2008-2009 results have significantly improved from the 2007-2008 school year. For instance, in the 2007-2008 school year, 85% of students met or exceeded the standards. Therefore, our overall school results have increased by nearly seven percent.

Other highlights include:

11% increase in Grade 4
13% increase in Grade 5
14% increase in Grade 6

We attribute our success on this assessment to many factors, including our decision to modify our units of study in English Language Arts; our work on data-driven instruction; providing professional development support to the teachers in Balanced Literacy and creating a Literacy Coach position; extending the work in the area of differentiated instruction; the increase in parent involvement; and the teachers challenging all learners to make progress and hone their skills.

We will release the individual student results to families when print-outs arrive from the state.

Thank you for your support and dedication towards making the Holliswood School a wonderful place for all students to excel. Congratulations!

Upcoming Events

Circus Performance
On May 6th at 10 AM, the students who participated in the CASA Big Apple Circus After School Program will perform in the auditorium.

ThinkQuest Technology Show - May 6th
Come experience all the buzz about the fifth grade websites. As you know, this year, our fifth grade students experienced the thrill of designing, illustrating, animating and writing a website from scratch. On Wednesday night at 5:30, our students will present their group websites in the library.

PK-2 Fun Day - Friday, May 8th

Science Fair - May 12th (5-7 PM)

Spring Concert - May 20th
Our spring concert, featuring the debut of our 4th and 5th grade bands, will be held on May 20th at 6 PM. The concert will also include the middle school band and Young People's Chorus. All performers are asked to wear a white dress shirt and black bottoms. More information will follow.

Grades 3-5 - Field Day - May 22nd

NO SCHOOL - MAY 25TH (Memorial Day)

Family Softball Game - re-scheduled to May 27th

Please be advised that the Family Softball Game, originally scheduled for May 7, 2009, has been re-scheduled to Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 5 PM in anticipation of inclement weather. More information will be posted on our school blog and will follow shortly. Thank you.

Latest News

Please stay tuned to www.nyc.gov/schools for the latest news concerning Swine Flu.

A letter was distributed to all students today to articulate the steps we are taking at the Holliswood School. There are no cases of Swine Flu at the Holliswood School. Please contact your child's teacher if you do not receive that letter.

Thank you.

Swine Influenza (Swine Flu) - Information for Families

Dear Families:

As you may already be aware, there have been several cases of Swine Influenza (Swine Flu) confirmed in a non-public school in Queens. The New York City Department of Education has been working closely with the Department of Health and Mental Health regarding guidance for the situation. Please see below a Question and Answer document, which was circulated to all principals regarding Swine Influenza.

It is very important to be alert to this situation, but to remain calm. We will keep you advised as more information becomes available.

Thank you.

FAQs - Information on Swine Influenza

What is swine influenza?


Swine flu is a respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that regularly cause outbreaks in pigs. There have been reports of serious illness and deaths due to swine flu in Mexico, but the recently confirmed cases in the United States have been mild.
What are the symptoms of swine influenza?


Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, lethargy, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.

If parents ask whether it is safe for their child to attend school, what should I say?
So far only one school, St. Francis Preparatory in Queens, is closed. There is no reason for anyone else to keep healthy children at home. If a child has fever or a respiratory illness they should be kept home from school until they have recovered.
Is swine influenza treatable?


Yes. Antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms). It is particularly important for people who have severe illness and for those with underlying illness (such as diabetes, heart, or lung disease) to be treated.
How does swine influenza spread?


Swine flu viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human-to-human transmission is also possible, and appears to be occurring with this outbreak. Spread is mainly through coughing or sneezing. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can I protect myself from swine influenza?
Here are the best ways to avoid getting or spreading swine influenza:
Encourage all people to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick, limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.
These are the same protections as those for seasonal flu and many other respiratory infections.
What should I do if a student is sick?
The student should be evaluated by the nurse. If the nurse believes that the student may have influenza, the child should be separated from other students and sent home. The student should not take the school bus. Students with symptoms of flu should not return to school until they have been symptom-free for 1 to 2 days.
What should I do if a school employee has flu symptoms?
The person should go home and not return to school until 1-2 days after they become symptom free.

Latest News from the DOE Website

Welcome back families!

Spotlight from the NYCDOE Website (www.nyc.gov/schools):

Take the 2009 NYC School Survey

Don't miss your chance to tell your school what it's doing well and what it could do better. Find out more about this year's Learning Environment Survey and take the survey online by April 24.

Vote For Your Local Parent Representatives

Beginning today, all parents of a child in a NYC Public School can vote online for local parent representatives on Community and Citywide Education Councils. For more information, visit the election website or call 1-877-NYC-VOTE.

Middle School Film Festival 2009: My Life, My Lens

Seventh and eighth graders are encouraged to submit stories inspired by their lives for the Middle School Film Festival. More than 200 applicants will be chosen to produce their own short films during a summer film camp at the New York Film Academy.

School-Wide Program School Vote

Dear Families:

Yesterday, the PTA distributed a communication to all parents regarding an upcoming meeting. As you may already know, PS/IS 178Q has been selected to receive expanded Federal Stimulus Funds for the 2009-2010 school year. Therefore, we would like to invite you to discuss what this means and vote on becoming a School-Wide Program School.

The meeting will take place this Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 8:15 AM, in the library. Please join us.

As a reminder, the Learning Environment Surveys are due to the DOE by April 24th.

Many thanks.

Announcements/Updates

Updates on Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Enrollment

Pre-Kindergarten

The last day for families to submit pre-kindergarten applications is Friday, April 3. Families can submit an application by mail or online. Translated versions of the application are also available online.

Kindergarten

Parents who receive a kindergarten assignment must visit their assigned school with their child to accept the offer and pre-register by Monday, April 20.

First Annual Arts Benefit

Our first annual arts benefit concert generated a terrific turnout. We raised over $300 on contributions, which will be allocated towards our arts programs next year. Thank you to all for your support. The arts benefit concert showcased all of our performing arts programs, including our residencies with Young People's Chorus, Dancing Classrooms and 144 Music and Arts. The Holliswood Middle School Band and the entire second grade performed as well. It was a wonderful evening.

Spring Fundraiser

This Friday, students will be receiving catalogs for Mother's Day and Spring items. We would be grateful for all of your support in this endeavor.

ELA and MATH Instructionally Targeted Assessments (ITAs)

As you know, one of our school-wide goals this year is to enhance the level of data-driven instruction. This Thursday and Friday, students in grades 3-8 will take their second round of ITAs. The school uses these assessments to inform instruction and target students' areas in need of improvement.

Parent Workshop on 8th Grade SS Exit Project

This Friday at 8:15 AM, Mrs. Corley, our parent coordinator, and eighth grade Social Studies teacher, Mr. Roder, will host a parent workshop on the expectations of the eighth grade social studies exit project, which is a graduation requirement. Please join us.

SAVE THE DATES

On April 28th, Ms. Nugent, English Department Leader, will host the Middle School Poetry Night at Barnes and Noble on Union Turnpike. The event will take place from 5-7 PM.

Family Math Night - April 30th

Our Spring Concert will take place on May 20th, from 6-8 PM. Due to the auditorium space, we will sell tickets for this event beginning May 1.

Our 3-5 and 6-8 Chorus (part of the Young People's Chorus of NYC) will perform on May 28th at the 92nd Street Y - tentative time is 11:00 AM. Details will follow (http://www.ypc.org/).

Inquiry Team Update

Inquiry Team I is expected to launch Phase III on their research and work on vocabulary in May. Students have demonstrated progress on vocabulary. Inquiry Team II is currently studying patterns in student writing and identifying a particular sub-skill to focus on. Sixth Grade Teacher, Ms. Freitas, has been added to Team 2.

Calendar Correction

The Kids for Coltrane Concert and Assembly will not take place next week, as indicated, TBA, on the calendar. The concert date will be announced.

Emergency Blue Cards

Please remember to update your emergency blue cards when revising contact information. Additionally, no one is allowed into the building without a valid NYS picture identification card, such as a Driver's or Non-driver's license.

Spring Break

Spring Break will commence on Thursday, April 9th and end on Friday, April 17th. Students will return to school on Monday, April 20th. All after school programs on April 8th will remain in effect. Have a restful vacation.

Please call the school if you have any questions. Thank you.

New York State 4th Grade Science Assessment Workshop

Dear Families of Grade 4 Students:

On Friday, March 27th, at 8:15 AM, our Science Teacher, Mrs. Gomes, will conduct a parent workshop to familiarize parents with the components of the NYS Fourth Grade Science Assessment. The workshop will take place in our library.

We look forward to seeing you there.

First Annual Arts Benefit Concert

You are cordially invited to attend

The Holliswood School’s First Annual
Arts Benefit Concert

Thursday, March 26, 2009
6:00 P.M.
The Holliswood School Auditorium
(Please use Avon Road entrance)

Featuring Performances by:

144 Music and Arts Chorus (Grades K-1)
The Holliswood Middle School Band
Second Grade Ballroom Dancers (Class 2-105)
Dancing Classrooms: Fifth Grade Rainbow Team
The Young People’s Chorus (Grades 3-5 and 6-8)

We look forward to seeing you there!

Performers should arrive at 5:30 PM (Radnor Road)
Suggested Donation: $3.00

Exciting Middle School Events

Lincoln Center Concert

As some of you may know, our Middle School Chorus (part of the Young People's Chorus of NYC Satellite Schools Program) performed at the Rose Hall at Lincoln Center last Wednesday evening. Our students dazzled the audience, which was full of hundreds of patrons and fans of all genres of music. The chorus performed alongside professional musicians, such as the B52s and Andrea McArdle. At first, some of our students did not realize the magnitude of their appearance at Lincoln Center, but later acknowledged that it was a unique and unforgettable experience. For more information and pictures regarding that concert, please be sure to visit www.ypc.org.

Please be sure to support all of our arts programs, including our choristers, on March 26th, 2009 for our first annual arts benefit (6-8 PM). Thank you.

Middle School Dance

Last Thursday, we had our first Middle School Dance. The Student Council selected the theme, Journey to the '80s. Students came dressed in their best 1980s-inspired attire and danced to a variety of music. Thank you to all the parent, student and faculty volunteers who sponsored and participated in this event. We look forward to moments when we can celebrate our accomplishments.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Dear Parents/Guardians:

You are cordially invited to our Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences. Both afternoon and evening conferences will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2009. 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 you in my letter of February 11th 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 Thursday, March 19, 2009, 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. If your child rides a bus home from school, please arrange for a responsible adult to wait at the bus stop.

Elementary School report cards will be distributed on Thursday, March 12th.

All PS/IS 178 After-School Programs will be cancelled on March 19, 2009.

Thank you for your cooperation. I look forward to seeing you.

Yours Truly,

Jennifer Ambert
Principal

Learning Environment Survey Launch

Dear Families,

We will be receiving Learning Environment Surveys during the next few weeks. We are asking 178 families to complete the survey during parent/teacher conferences on March 19.
On that day, while you are waiting for your appointment, please take a few minutes to fill out the survey and return it to the GREEN BOX (on the first floor near Agent Nizam’s desk) or to the GREEN BOX (on the second floor near Mrs. Corley’s office).

Surveys are available in various languages and may also be completed on-line at www.nyc.gov/schools/surveys. You must have your green envelope, which includes your individual serial ID, in order to log on. We will also create a link on our portaportal page to assist you.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Corley, Parent Coordinator, at 718-464-5763 or pcorley3@schools.nyc.gov

Thank you for your participation.

Snow Day

Dear Families,

It is Monday, March 2nd: all NYC public schools will be closed today, as per Chancellor Klein. School will re-open tomorrow, March 3rd. Due to today's school closing, students in grades 3-5 will take the NYS Math Assessment beginning Wednesday, March 4th through March 6th. The fourth grade will take day 3 of the assessment on Friday, March 6th.

If you have additional questions, please call 311.

Thank you.

School Closings/Delayed Opening

Dear Families:

In the event of a school closure or delayed opening due to inclement weather, all local news channels will broadcast this information (CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, NY 1 etc.). Since our school is part of the New York City Department of Education, we follow their guidelines for all school closures and delayed openings.

In addition to local news channels, you can also visit the following websites:
http://www.ny1.com/
http://www.1010wins.com/

or you can listen to 1010 WINS on the radio.

If a delayed opening is announced, the Chancellor will cancel all extended day sessions, after school programs, and trips. Our school will follow the schedule below for delayed opening:

8:00 AM to 2:57.5 PM becomes 10:00 AM-2:20 PM (General Ed Programs)
8:00 AM to 2:50 PM becomes 10:00 AM-2:50 PM (Special Ed Programs)

If you have any questions, please call 311 or Parent Coordinator Corley.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Specialized High School Admission Test Results

Dear Families:

After reviewing our Specialized High Schools Admissions Data, the Holliswood School proudly reports:

- 39% of our 8th graders applied to specialized high schools (excluding LaGuardia HS)
- 33% of the students who applied were offered a seat at a specialized high school (Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, etc.).

We are very excited about these results. We are in the process of reviewing and compiling our other HS admissions data.

Thank you.

Jennifer Ambert, Principal

Please also view the NYCDOE Announcement of February 5, 2009 regarding citywide performance below:

Source: www.nyc.gov/schools
NYCDOE Website

Chancellor Announces Specialized High School Admissions Results
02/05/2009
Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein today announced that 6,106 students received an offer to attend one of the City’s nine specialized high schools beginning in September 2009. Offers to eight of the schools are based on the results of a competitive admissions exam taken by approximately 29,000 students this year. Last year, 5,991 students received offers, and approximately 28,000 students took the exam.
The specialized high schools that admit students based on the results of the admissions exam are Bronx High School of Science; the Brooklyn Latin School; Brooklyn Technical High School; the High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City College; the High School of American Studies at Lehman College; Queens High School for the Sciences at York College; Staten Island Technical High School; and Stuyvesant High School. Admission to Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts is based on an audition and a review of academic records.
“Students who earned admission to one of our specialized high schools today should be proud of their remarkable accomplishment,” Chancellor Klein said. “I congratulate every student who received an offer and all the students who took on the challenge of applying.”
This year, 5,404 students received an offer to a specialized school based on their exam scores, compared to 5,391 students last year. A total of 2,306 students received an offer to their top-ranked specialized school, compared to 2,286 students last year. Students applying to LaGuardia may receive an offer to more than one program at the school, as well as an offer to one of the other specialized high schools. In all, 1,041 students received 1,167 offers to the programs at LaGuardia this year, compared to 936 students who received 1,035 offers last year.
Students began receiving notification of their offers today. The deadline to accept an offer is February 26. Students who do not accept their offer by February 26 will forfeit their place and be entered into the main round of the high school admissions process. Students who do not receive an offer are automatically entered into the main round. Results of the main round will be announced in late March.

Fifth Grade Parent/Faculty Roundtable Session

Dear Fifth Grade Families:

Please join us on Tuesday, February 10 at 5:45 PM in the library for an intimate roundtable discussion about middle school.

Speakers include myself, Mr. Klocek, Mrs. Corley, Mr. Feigelson, Ms. Peters, and MS parents and students.

Refreshments will be served.

We hope you will be able to join us.

Many thanks.

Eighth Grade Trips and Activities

Dear Eighth Grade Parents:

In case you missed Mrs. Corley's Parent Workshop on 8th Grade Trips/Activities (held last Thursday night), the information is below:

2009 8th Grade Events

Senior Trip: Club Getaway
Kent, Connecticut (Approximately 90 Minutes from NYC)
www.clubgetaway.com
Overnight Trip: Wednesday, June 10 through Thursday, June 11
Cost is $145.00 per student including transportation and meals
Ø Deposit of $50.00 is due February 24, 2009
Ø Second Payment of $50.00 is due March 17, 2009
Ø Final Payment of $45.00 is due April 7, 2009

8th Graduation Ceremony is Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Senior Package required for all Graduates: Cost per student - $32.00.
Ø Payment of $32.00 due by May 5, 2009

Senior Dance: The INN at New Hyde Park
214 Jericho Tpke. New Hyde Park, NY 11040
www.innatnhp.com
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009 Time: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Cost is $42.00 per student. Families MUST provide transportation to and from the dance.
Ø Payment of $42.00 due by June 9, 2009

*Checks for above should be made out to PS/IS 178Q*
Total Expense…………………………… 219.00

OPTIONAL - Senior Ring
Cost: $45.00 Sterling silver ring - $75.00 Sterling silver ring with 16k gold overlay
To see more information about graduation items visit REED at www.reedring.com
All checks for rings should be made out to Reed Ring Corp.

Data Inquiry Team Update

Dear Holliswood School Community:

In November, our Data Inquiry Team discussed the work that we are researching to strengthen vocabulary, which included citing the work of Robert Marzano and Isabelle Beck. In December, I wrote a letter to all the families and our school community about the type of work we are conducting. In that letter, I introduced the members of our first inquiry team, Ms. Abramowitz Imperatore, Ms. Ganeles, Ms. Kienle, Mr. Klocek and I. I also outlined the structure of the work.

The team is currently in the middle of the second phase of Data Inquiry. We are currently working with students in small groups to evaluate the effectiveness of various strategies to teach vocabulary. The vocabulary sub-skills we are focusing on include context clues, synonyms and antonyms, as well as usage of Tier 2 words (which was last year's focus). We will launch the best practices from our team's work during Phase III in the Spring.

In November, we launched our "Word of the Week" initiative school-wide to increase students' utilization of Tier 2 words. As you may be aware, if students can articulate the word of the week in its appropriate context, students can earn a 'positive paw' for his/her classroom. Every week, during morning announcements, a new word is introduced. Since November, the students have been increasing their repertoire of new Tier 2 words and we are ecstatic to see the students heighten their awareness of elevating their oral language abilities.

Please encourage your child/student to continuously speak in complete sentences and substitute Tier I words (such as 'nice') to a more sophisticated Tier 2 word, such as 'lovely' or 'wonderful.'

In January, we launched a second Inquiry Team, which includes Ms. Puglisi (reading specialist) and Ms. Kucharski (literacy coach). We are currently reviewing data to identify our focus skill.

Over the next few weeks, we will continue to keep you posted on the work of the Inquiry Teams. As you know, fostering a professional learning community is embedded in our goal of strengthening the learning environment.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you.

School-wide Events

Dear Families and Staff Members:

We would like to thank you for all of your hard work preparing for the Chinese New Year Celebration on January 30th.

Throughout the day, students enjoyed learning all about China from the projects displayed by the third graders, as well as the artifacts arranged by the PTA. Students also commented on the activities that were available to them, such as badminton, practice with chopsticks, and tasting the delicious food. Events such as, the Chinese New Year celebration, strengthen the home-school connection, which is one of our school-wide goals this year. On January 20th, Assemblyman Weprin swore in our newest Student Council. Afterwards, Mr. Weprin gave an inspirational speech, discussing perseverance and determination. Later that day, our auditorium was filled with our entire student population to witness the live broadcast of President Obama's Inauguration. It was a historic moment and our students were truly grateful to experience the event. Following the Inauguration, I led a discussion about President Obama's speech and students had opportunities to provide their insights about our nation's future. Teachers continued discussions in their classrooms and many students wrote letters to congratulate the president. It was a remarkable day.

Please read the article in the Queens Courier about our Swearing-In Ceremony: http://queenscourier.com/articles/2009/02/03/news/regional/northeast/news04.txt

Thank you for your continued support.

Messages from the DOE Website

To the Holliswood Community:

Please read the message contained in the link below from Chancellor Klein regarding State Funding for next year's budget for schools:

http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/mediarelations/NewsandSpeeches/2008-2009/20090128_budget_testimony.htm

We will continue to keep you updated on this important matter during PTA meetings and through our blog.

Thank you.


Family Support Workshops
All schools / Events: January, February

The DOE is hosting Family Support Workshops in each borough. At the workshops, families can learn about resources in their community from a number of city agencies. The remaining workshops will be held in Staten Island (January 29), Manhattan (February 3), and Queens (February 5). For a full schedule of workshops and flyers (in English and other languages) with more details about them, visit http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/OFEA/default.htm.

Quality Review

Dear Holliswood School Family,

Our school Quality Review will take place next Tuesday and Wednesday (February 3-4). As you are aware, every school in NYC receives a periodic Quality Review. Two reviewers (one NYCDOE employee and one reviewer from Cambridge) will assess the school.

Following the review, we will share preliminary findings. To access last year's Quality Review report, please click on the link below:
http://schools.nyc.gov/OA/SchoolReports/2007-08/QR_Q178.pdf

There are major changes to the Quality Review scoring rubric this year. There is no longer a rating of Outstanding. The highest rating a school can achieve is a "Well-developed." Members of the SLT received copies of the Quality Review rubric. A rubric is also available online at
http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/FAC7910E-AAD5-4EBA-BB25-06291134348F/44694/QRRubricFINAL2.pdf

For the last two years, the Holliswood School received the second highest rating. In the 2006-2007 school year, the school received a "Proficient" (the year in which 'Well-Developed' was the highest) and as you know, last year, the school received a "Well-Developed" when "Outstanding" was the highest score.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, Mr. Klocek or Mrs. Corley. Thank you.

Letter to Middle School Families - Engrade

Dear Middle School Families:

A letter was distributed on Tuesday to assess the school community's overall opinion of the Engrade website. Please call Mrs. Corley if you did not receive that letter.

If you have received the letter, please ask your child to give the tear-off portion to their official class teacher or Mrs. Corley.

Thank you.

Kindergarten Admissions for 2009-2010 School Year

From the NYC DOE website:

Kindergarten Admissions for September 2009

Families should apply in person by March 2 at every school they are interested in having their child attend, including their zoned school. Schools will send assignment offers to families in mid-March. Families who receive an assignment must visit the school by April 13 to accept the offer and pre-register their child. To be eligible for Kindergarten, children must turn five years old by December 31, 2009 and be residents of New York City by the time they pre-register. Families must show the following documentation when they apply to a school:

Proof of residence. Any two of the following documents:
A residential utility bill (gas or electric) in the resident's name and dated within the last 60 days;
Documentation or letter on letterhead from a federal, state, or local government agency indicating the resident's name and address and dated within the last 60 days;
An original lease agreement, deed, or mortgage statement for the residence;
A current property tax bill for the residence;
A water bill for the residence dated within the last 60 days;
Official payroll documentation from an employer dated within the last 60 days, such as a form submitted for tax withholding purposes or payroll receipt (a letter on the employer's letterhead will not be accepted);
Child’s birth certificate or passport;
Name of any siblings who will attend the school to which the child is applying in 2009-10 (grades 1-5)

Please call Ms. Garelick at 718-464-5763 for additional information about K admissions at the Holliswood School. You can also call Mrs. Corley. Thank you.

For Pre-K Enrollment Questions, click here http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/PreK/default.htm
Thank you.

Upcoming Events, Revised Dates & Other Announcements

Greetings Families!

We would like you to be advised of the following upcoming events and revised dates:

ANNOUNCEMENT - Math Saturday Program will begin on January 24, 2009 (Select students). It will not begin on 1/17/09 as indicated on the calendar.

• Student Council Swearing In Ceremony, with special guest, Assemblyman Mark Weprin - 1/20/09 at 9:00 AM
• President-elect Barack Obama's Inauguration - 1/20/09 at 12:00 PM (School-wide event) Students have been asked to wear red, white and blue
• Middle School ELA (1/21/09-1/23/09)
• February 6, 2009 - Parent Workshop on NYS Math Assessments (Grades 3-8)

If you have any questions, please contact us at the school. Thank you.

Students Can Apply for Free Summer Arts Institute

Students Can Apply for Free Summer Arts Institute
Deadline: February 27

Students entering grades 8-12 in September can apply to attend the Summer Arts Institute, a free, four-week intensive arts program held at Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan in July. Seven tracks of study are offered: dance, drama, vocal music, instrumental music, photography, film, and visual arts. Students may apply to and audition for only one discipline. The program is designed for students at an intermediate or advanced level of study in their chosen art form. An experienced staff of teachers and artists will guide students in developing their skills and creativity as they prepare for their next level of study.

Admission to the program is by application and competitive audition. For more information and an application, visit http://schools.nyc.gov/offices/teachlearn/arts/summerarts.html. The application deadline is February 27.

Family Basketball Night

FAMILY BASKETBALL NIGHT

Dear Families:

Please join us on Thursday, January 15th, from 6-8 PM, for Family Basketball Night.

The first hour will consist of basketball drills and activities designed for students and parents (all ages are welcome)!

The last hour will consist of a Faculty versus Parents Basketball Game.

Please enter through Avon Road.

See you then.