Wednesday, January 28, 2009

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.

Monday, January 26, 2009

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.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

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.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

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.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

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.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

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.

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.















Monthly Events

Every month, you will receive a calendar of our monthly events.