Friday, March 20, 2009

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

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

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.

Monday, March 9, 2009

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

Thursday, March 5, 2009

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.

Monday, March 2, 2009

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.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

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.

About Parent Coordinator Phyllis Corley

My name is Phyllis Louise Lattimer-Corley. I am married and have one son.

I was the educational director of a day care center in Nassau County for sixteen years prior to the birth of my son. I planned to be a stay-at- home mom for five years until my son went to kindergarten. Well, that didn’t happen! I got involved in his elementary school, PS 178, first as a class parent, then in the library, and later became PTA president for three years.

When my son moved on to middle school at MS 74, I again took on the role of PTA president for two years. Gee, I guess I wasn’t really staying at home. My son, James is now a freshman at Binghamton University. I am fortunate to be writing this blog, as I enter my sixth year as parent coordinator of my son’s wonderful alma mater.

Welcome to our school family. I am looking forward to an exciting school year. There are so many fantastic activities that have been planned for both you and your child. I encourage all parents to be partners in your child’s school.
Ø Attend Parent Teacher Conferences
Ø Go to PTA Meetings
Ø Participate in Parent Workshops
Ø Volunteer to help at school events.

I am here to assist you in any way that I can. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or just stop by for a cup of coffee.

Phyllis Corley,
Parent Coordinator

Corley's Corner

Corley's Corner
Parents and Staff turn out for Corley's Ladies' Night at Strike Long Island (November 2008)

Mrs. Corley gets ready to read at the Barnes and Noble Fundraiser Event

Parents and Staff participate in Corley's Cupcake Creations Parent Workshop


Our Student Council Gives Back!

Our Student Council Gives Back!
2009 Student Council President Chrysalis Terrado and her cabinet pose in front of dozens of toys donated by Holliswood families for our annual toy drive (December 2008)

Upcoming School Closings and Half Days


To view the official NYC Dept. of Education 2013-2014 School Calendar, visit


http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/D45BBFC5-BB4E-4C6B-ACE7-F7E15D8AA1BE/0/20132014SchoolYearCalendar.pdf

It is also anticipated that we will add half days for professional development for our faculty during the 2013-2014 school year (subject to UFT and PTA approval). An announcement will be made.



In the event of an emergency closing or delayed opening due to weather, please call 311 or watch your local news channels. When NYC public schools are closed, our school will be closed.















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