Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy

Dear Parents/Guardians: There are no words that would make sense of the incomprehensible horror of Friday’s school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. Our hearts go out to the families who have experienced such devastating loss. However, we want to assure you that our school takes your children’s safety very seriously. In fact, it is our number one priority! This past school year, the NYC Department of Education instituted a General Response Protocol (GRP) for all schools, as described in a letter we backpacked home early last week. The GRP is used across the country as a way of standardizing our response to disasters and other dangerous events. Our staff receives ongoing training in these protocols so that we can react to any emergency that may arise. We also have a Building Response Team (BRT) that has received certification in emergency preparedness from FEMA. We will continue to drill and practice to make sure that our students and staff can react with automaticity. With that said, there are things that we can do to make our building safer:  We must be vigilant in ensuring that all doors remain closed. Sometimes people exit the building without going past our wonderful security agents. If you see a door open, please SHUT IT. All staff members will be reminded as well.  Please don’t be angry when the Safety Agents ask to see your I.D. It is their responsibility to make sure that all visitors are properly screened. Each visitor should receive a VISITOR’S PASS label, and wear it.  If you have not done so already, register to receive NOTIFY NYC alerts. You can register at notifynyc.gov or call 311 to receive telephone updates in times of emergency.  Please update all important information on your children’s blue cards. We will not release a child to someone who comes to pick up a student if their name does not appear on the all-important blue card. I know that some parents have been annoyed with our overzealousness in this regard. Again, we take your children’s safety very seriously. We do want to let you know that members of our school’s Crisis Intervention Team are available to speak to you or your child if these services are needed. Our mental health staff (school psychologist, social workers, guidance counselor) is trained to deal with these situations. Please reach out to us if you need to avail yourself or your children of these services. We sent out an e-mail on Friday night to Class Parents with resources for parents for dealing with traumatic events in school (attached for your reference). We also posted these resources on the school’s blog: http://holliswoodschool.blogspot.com Lastly, we would like to say that during these troubling times, the Holliswood School community will do what it always does when there is a crisis. We will band together to support each other through these traumatic and devastating times. We will find strength in each other.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Tragedy in Connecticut School

Dear School Community: What happened in Connecticut is absolutely horrific. At this time, I am so saddened to hear about all of the events that took place. We will review our GRP protocols with our staff next week and hold a Building Response Team Meeting on Monday. In the meantime, please use the following guide for any questions your children may have about this tragedy. A parent/guardian letter will be issued next week and backpacked home. For your information, in the month of December, we have had three safety assemblies, including one with the Office of Emergency Management. **Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers **High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears. **1. Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately. **2. Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient. Children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings. **3. Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate. • Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day. • Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools. • Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs. **4. Review safety procedures. This should include procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk. **5. Observe children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of mental health professional if you are at all concerned. **6. Limit television viewing of these events. Limit television viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood. **7. Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed. Suggested Points to Emphasize When Talking to Children • Schools are safe places. School staff work with parents and public safety providers (local police and fire departments, emergency responders, hospitals, etc.) to keep you safe. • The school building is safe because … (cite specific school procedures). • We all play a role in the school safety. Be observant and let an adult know if you see or hear something that makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous or frightened. • There is a difference between reporting, tattling or gossiping. You can provide important information that may prevent harm either directly or anonymously by telling a trusted adult what you know or hear. • Don’t dwell on the worst possibilities. Although there is no absolute guarantee that something bad will never happen, it is important to understand the difference between the possibility of something happening and the probability that it will affect our school. • Senseless violence is hard for everyone to understand. Doing things that you enjoy, sticking to your normal routine, and being with friends and family help make us feel better and keep us from worrying about the event. • Sometimes people do bad things that hurt others. They may be unable to handle their anger, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or suffering from mental illness. Adults (parents, teachers, police officers, doctors, faith leaders) work very hard to get those people help and keep them from hurting others. It is important for all of us to know how to get help if we feel really upset or angry and to stay away from drugs and alcohol. • Stay away from guns and other weapons. Tell an adult if you know someone has a gun. Access to guns is one of the leading risk factors for deadly violence. • Violence is never a solution to personal problems. Students can be part of the positive solution by participating in anti-violence programs at school, learning conflict mediation skills, and seeking help from an adult if they or a peer is struggling with anger, depression, or other emotions they cannot control.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Support our Barnes and Noble Book Fair

Dear Parents/Guardians, We are proud to announce that the P.S./I.S. 178 Barnes & Noble Bookfair will be taking place at the Fresh Meadows location on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 from 5-7 P.M. You will also have an opportunity to support us by shopping online from Tuesday, December 4, 2012 through Sunday, December 9, 2012. A percentage of your purchase made through www.bn.com/bookfairs will be contributed to our Bookfair. Here’s how: • Be sure to use the web address above (www.bn.com/bookfairs) to do your online shopping. • When you’ve finished selecting your purchases, click on your cart and begin the check-out process. On the payment page, there will be a section at the bottom that states Check Here If This Is a Bookfair Order. When you check the box, type in our bookfair ID number 10927846 in the required entry field. • If you already have a BN.com account with a default payment method, you will only see a Checkout Summary screen. To add the Bookfair ID to the payment page, you will need to click on the Change button on the right-hand side of the Payment Section. This will take you back to the payment page, where you can enter our bookfair ID number 10927846. • After placing your order, you can log back into your Order Summary Confirmation to check to see if the Bookfair ID number is listed on your order (10927846). If it is, everything was done correctly! • If you do not see a Bookfair ID number (10927846), or if you realize that you placed your order without using our Bookfair ID number, please call Customer Service at 800-962-6177 as soon as possible. Provide your order number and our Bookfair ID number, and the representative will manually add your order to our Bookfair sales total. • Please note that the purchase of some items such as gift cards, textbooks, magazines, etc. is excluded from Bookfair sales totals. For more information, check the FAQs on the www.bn.com/bookfairs home page. Please feel free to forward this email to any family and friends who would like to support our Bookfair as well. Thanks again for supporting our Bookfair! Sincerely, Anthony Rizzo Assistant Principal, IA

Monday, November 19, 2012

New Instructional Days Added due to Hurricane Sandy

As per the Chancellor: Following the loss of instructional days due to Hurricane Sandy, all schools will hold full-day sessions from Wednesday, February 20, through Friday, February 22, which were previously scheduled as part of mid-winter recess. Elementary schools, intermediate/junior high schools, and D75 schools will hold a full-day session on Tuesday, June 4, which was previously scheduled as a shortened clerical day for these schools. A parent/guardian letter explaining the changes from the Chancellor will be sent home tomorrow.

Friday, November 9, 2012

HURRICANE RELIEF FUNDRAISER AT PS/IS 178Q

Dear Parents/Guardians/Staff: As we are aware, Hurricane Sandy had a massive impact on the state of New York and the rest of the North East. We are deeply saddened to learn about the tragic losses, and the losses of people’s homes and belongings, and we would like to participate in a fundraising effort. As a school community, we would like to make a monetary contribution to the American Red Cross, which provides immediate relief to those in need. We would be grateful for your assistance in donating items for a snack sale (i.e. fruit snacks, individually wrapped cupcakes, juice boxes, sun chips, water bottles etc.). If you are interested in participating, please begin bringing the snack items on Tuesday, November 13, 2012. Students can bring the items to the office and mark the item, “Hurricane Sandy Snack Sale.” Our Student Council will hold the sale on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 during Parent-Teacher Conferences from 1:00-3:00 PM behind the gym and will continue during all three recess periods on November 15th. We will sell any remaining snacks during subsequent days. All proceeds from the snack sale will benefit Hurricane Sandy Relief. The funds will be deposited into the School’s General Funds account and we will issue a check to the American Red Cross and specify ‘Hurricane Sandy Relief.’ Alternatively, you can visit www.redcross.org, www.nyc.gov/fund or call 311 to donate independently. The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is also managing a collection of donations, which will be distributed to relief organizations related to Hurricane Sandy. Thank you for all of your efforts.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Welcome Back

Dear Parents/Guardians: Welcome back to school! We hope that you and your loved ones are safe and in the process of transitioning back into normal routines in your lives. This was an unprecedented weather event for New York, and it impacted our community greatly. All New York City Public Schools were closed the week of October 29th – November 2nd, and as you are aware, we were one of only 65 schools that were closed on Monday, November 5th due to a power outage at our school. We thank you for your ability to stay abreast on the communication from the school and the NYC Department of Education website. In addition to the Mayor’s “Robo Call” to every student’s home, our school communicated via School Messenger, the School Blog (http://holliswoodschool.blogspot.com) and through Class Parents. I thank all of you who were able to assist in our efforts to reach every home. We understand that many families were without power or a land line. It is important to provide the school with your most current telephone numbers and email addresses so that we can make sure that you receive all the communication regarding school closures or delayed openings. You can also call 311 to find out specific information about our school. During the time of the school closure, many students were probably seeking instructional supports and guidance. The following link includes grade packets that your children can complete at home in the event that school is closed: http://schools.nyc.gov/Academics/learnathome. You may wish to print out the resources on this website and create a grade-specific binder for your children at home. Mr. Rizzo and I will be meeting with our Student Council this week to discuss a fundraiser to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. We will keep you updated on our progress. As your children transition back into class today, our guidance counselors and teachers will be sharing thoughts and facilitating conversations regarding the impact of the hurricane, and we will work with any student who needs one-on-one support. Thank you for your ongoing support and best wishes to all of you. Sincerely, Jennifer C. Ambert, Principal

Monday, November 5, 2012

PS/IS 178 re-opens on Wednesday, November 7th.

SCHOOL RE-OPENS ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH. We are thrilled to report that power and heat have been restored at PS/IS 178, so we will be open to students on Wednesday, November 7th. As a reminder, the building is closed for students for Election Day tomorrow. Thank you for all your patience and cooperation during this trying time. We look forward to greeting your children on Wednesday.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

SCHOOL IS CLOSED MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012 AND TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012

SCHOOL IS CLOSED MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012 AND TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012. Due to a power outage, PS/IS 178Q will remain closed to students on Monday, November 5, 2012. The school will remain closed to students on Election Day on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. If the school has power on Wednesday, we expect to re-open on Wednesday, November 7, 2012. However, please stay tuned to the School Blog: http://holliswoodschool.blogspot.com and the NYCDOE website: www.nyc.gov/schools for the latest updates. Please also listen to School Messenger updates, your local news, or call 311. Thank you for your cooperation.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Update on PS/IS 178's Condition - Post "Sandy"

Dear Holliswood School Community: First and foremost, I hope that all of you and your families are safe and well. I have heard from some of you about the down trees and down wires in your neighborhoods, the lack of heat and power for days, and I truly sympathize with everything you have had to deal with. It was a tragic event where lives were lost. I have been at 178 since Tuesday every day checking in on the status of the school and yesterday, we had a key meeting with school staff to identify contingency plans to greet students on Monday. As of now, the school only has partial power. The city is aware of our long list of concerns, and ConEd is currently working on our school to have us ready before Monday. I received an email last night from the Chancellor stating, "All principals should expect their schools will have power on Monday. Principals and parents will be notified Sunday afternoon if their schools do not have power. Schools that do not have power will remain closed to students until Wednesday, November 7. Staff may be asked to return to their schools for Election Day PD on Tuesday, November 6 if power is restored." I will give you an update as soon as I find out whether we have full power at the school - prior to Sunday evening. If we do have to close due to lack of power, we will communicate via School Messenger, School Blog, class parents, local news, postings on the door and through 311. However, we are optimistic since internet was restored at our building yesterday. I will be in touch. Thank you and best regards.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Post "Hurricane Sandy"

Due to the Hurricane, I was unable to access the internet to update the School Blog on Wednesday, and as you are already aware, NYC public schools will remain closed to students Friday, 11/2/2012. While the Mayor has announced that schools will reopen on Monday, please stay tuned to the School's Blog in the event that there is a different announcement that is made. Please also stay tuned to your local news channels and call 311 to find out additional information. Thank you.

Monday, October 29, 2012

School closed on Tuesday, 10/30/12

School will be closed Tuesday, 10/30/12, due to the Hurricane. Please be safe. See details in the message below for further updates. The PTA Jubilee will be re-scheduled.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

No School Monday, 10/29/2012

In anticipation of Hurricane Sandy, the Mayor has announced that all NYC Public Schools will be closed on Monday, 10/29/2012. Please stay tuned to your latest local news channels, visit www.nyc.gov/schools or call 311. In addition, you may also sign up for NOTIFY NYC by going online to www.nyc.gov/notifynyc. Once you sign up, you will receive all announcements regarding weather, traffic, school closures. We hope that everyone is safe. Thank you.

Friday, September 7, 2012

WELCOME BACK AND CONGRATULATIONS!

Dear Families, Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year! This school year marks my fifth year as your principal. I am honored to be part of a community where parents, families, students, teachers and staff members are invested in the success and growth of the school. At the Holliswood School, students are enthusiastic about their learning and make strides to become critical thinkers and good citizens. The Holliswood School offers your child an excellent education. We work arduously to ensure that education is engaging and stimulating. Every student here has the opportunity to reach his/her full potential. The Holliswood School promotes an environment that encourages open communication among all constituents where every member is a proactive participant in moving the school forward. You are encouraged to take an active part in your child’s education. Great News: We are delighted that the construction in our playground has been completed. We have a completely renovated school yard, which the students will enjoy during recess, P.E. and during after school programs. We are also pleased to announce that our school has been recognized as a New York State Education Department Reward School. The Department identified 250 schools in 164 districts as Reward Schools. Only 55 NYC Public Schools received this reward, including 178. Reward Schools are either schools that have made the most progress or schools that have the highest achievement in the state and do not have significant gaps in student achievement that are not being closed. Schools will be awarded up to a maximum of $150,000 each year for two years and up to $300,000 for the entire grant period. Additionally, we received a new technology grant for $50,000 from Council Member Weprin, which we will use to purchase Smart Boards, laptops and iPads. We are so thrilled to have received these grants and awards, which are attributed to the focused work of our school community. Reminders: We would like to remind you of some informative websites for parents/guardians in order to view ongoing important information and to enhance communication: www.nyc.gov/schools [The NYCDOE website provides excellent resources for families, such as the Common Core Learning Standards, and information about state and city initiatives taking place in our school]. http://holliswoodschool.blogspot.com/ [This website is used as a forum to post important dates and upcoming school-wide events]. I welcome you to a brand new school year, envisioned with hope and in anticipation of endless possibilities. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or the school. I would like to remind you about our upcoming Meet the Teacher Night on Wednesday, September 12th from 5:30-7:00 PM. On that evening, a PTA meeting will immediately follow at 7:00 PM in our auditorium. I look forward to seeing you at this important event.

Monday, July 30, 2012

PS/IS 178Q will be closed during the summer. Staff members will not be here. Our first day of school will be Thursday, September 6, 2012. Please continue to check our school blog: http://holliswoodschool.blogspot.com and the NYCDOE website (www.nyc.gov/schools) for any updates about school. Our summer school information is PS 46Q (Elementary Site) and MS 172Q (Middle School Site). If you wish to find out about our partner community-based organizations, their contact information is as follows: Samuel Field Y in Little Neck, NY 718-225-6750 For direct/specific questions regarding the Y @ 178, the program will be held at the Queens High School of Teaching this summer. Program Director Dominick Menno can be reached at 646-772-3879 or via e-mail: DMenno@sfy.org. The Queens High School of Teaching is located at 74-20 Commonwealth Boulevard, Bellerose, NY 11426. Kuei Luck Educational Center 195-05 69th Ave, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 Tel 718-679-9908 x810 fax 718-736-8588 www.kueiluck.com Program Director of 178's program: Lily Kwok

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Sam Field Y Summer Camp

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

Thursday, April 26, 2012

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

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Special Education Phase II

Dear Parents/Guardians:

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

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

Monday, March 19, 2012

PLAYGROUND CONSTRUCTION/NEW DISMISSAL SITES FOR FIRST AND FOURTH GRADES

March 19, 2012

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Further to our September 2011 PTA meeting and our ongoing conversations about the upcoming playground renovation, we are pleased to inform you that the small raised playground (where the monkey bars are) will begin deconstruction later this week (Wednesday through Friday).

During this period, we will revise our first grade and fourth grade dismissal locations as follows:

-first grade students will be dismissed adjacent to the lower playground (currently, second and third grade students dismiss at this location). This dismissal site is right outside of the cafeteria.
-fourth grade students will dismiss at the Avon Road exit on Avon Road (currently, fifth graders dismiss at this location).

These dismissal sites will remain in effect beginning this Wednesday, March 21, 2012 until further notice.

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

Thank you.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Principal's Update From PTA Meeting

Academic Update
• For the 2011-2012 school year, we have focused on strengthening students’ abilities in mathematical reasoning and constructing viable arguments, and in literacy, the focus is on improving students’ written analysis to informational texts. All of our professional development has focused on the Common Core Learning Standards and making our curriculum more rigorous. Please continue to reinforce skills at home. Mrs. Corley will hold monthly workshops focused on academic topics. Please also ask your child’s teacher about specific information that is pertinent to your child’s grade. For additional support, please do not hesitate to contact our school’s literacy coach, Julia Kucharski and our math coach, Janet Marmo.
• Every two months, you have been receiving a copy of our school’s curriculum calendar. In your child’s classroom, you should also receive notes and updates from your child’s teacher. Please do not wait until Parent Teacher Conferences to initiate contact with your child’s teachers. Thank you.

After School Programs Update
• In lieu of a Saturday ELA Program, after school math and ELA programs have been offered to grades 3-8 for five weeks, ending prior to the ELA and Math exams in April. Students who did not meet standards last year or who are in danger of not meeting standards for this year have been invited to the program.

Events Update
• Parent Teacher Conferences take place March 13th from 1-3 PM and 5:30-8 PM. That date is scheduled as a half day of school. Dismissal will be at 11:30 AM for grades 1-8 and 11:15 AM for PK and K.
• Middle School Career Day has been scheduled for the morning of March 21st. If any parent is interested in coming in as a presenter, please contact Ms. Peters.
• Our Arts Benefit Concert will take place on March 22nd at 6 PM
• The PreK program does not take place on Friday, March 23rd.
• Family volleyball night takes place on March 28th at 6 PM.

Testing Update
• Acuity exams will take place on March 5,6,and 8,9 for grades 3-8. These formative, periodic assessments are used to inform educators of the skills necessary to teach each student. The school reviews the item analysis reports to see students’ strengths and areas in need of improvement in ELA and math.
• The dates for the New York State ELA and Math assessment have changed. The grades 3–8 ELA exams will be administered April 17–19 and the math exams will take place April 25–27.

Monday, February 6, 2012

RESPECT FOR ALL (RFA)WEEK

RESPECT FOR ALL (RFA)WEEK

February 6, 2012

Dear Parents/Guardians:

The NYC Department of Education has designated February 13-17 as Respect For All Week in all NYC public schools. During this week, schools will have opportunities to highlight and build upon ongoing diversity programs and curriculum-based instruction. Schools will also have opportunities to embark upon new initiatives that promote respect for diversity and engage students in meaningful lessons and/or other activities that focus on preventing bias-based harassment, intimidation and/or bullying.

For the week of February 13th, we have coordinated the following activities:

• 2/13 – NYPD Safety Assembly (grades 5-8) – Respect for All
• 2/13 – School Safety Committee – Mid-year Meeting/Reflection
• 2/14 @ 7:30 AM – Staff Breakfast – Mid-year Reflection
• 2/14 @ 8:30 AM – Parent Workshop with Parent Coordinator Corley
• 2/14 - 100th Day of School Activities (in every classroom) in connection with RFA
• 2/16 @ 6 PM – The Middle School Red Carpet Dance
• 2/16 @ 9:00 AM (PK-4); 12:50 PM (GRADES 5-8) - Respect for All - Student of the Month Assemblies
• 2/17 – Class 3-105 China Celebration
• All Week – Advisory Lessons regarding diversity and Respect & Public Address Announcements regarding the Virtue of the Week - RESPECT

We hope you will be able to participate in the parent activities named above.

Speech and Language Parent Workshop

Ms. Simon, Ms. Newman and Ms. Corley had a terrific turnout at their parent workshop last Friday on speech and language. The workshop focused on phonemic awareness, voice strategies, language development, and other components of language and literacy, and the teachers offered parents with ideas for practicing at home. The teachers also introduced the thinking maps and four square graphic organizer to parents as tools for organizing students’ thoughts during prewriting.

If you would like materials from that parent workshop, please contact Ms. Corley.

MARCH PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

MARCH PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

January 31, 2012

Dear Parents/Guardians:

You are cordially invited to our Parent-Teacher Conferences. Both afternoon and evening conferences will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Conferences are scheduled for 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the afternoon and 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the evening. During these times, you will have the opportunity to confer with your child’s teacher about his/her academic and social progress. Please feel free to bring an English Language translator with you to the conference. We will also have translators available.

Elementary Families will receive scheduled appointment times. Please complete the tear-off (distributed) to indicate your availability. The teachers will send you a reply. Middle School Families will meet with individual teachers through a sign-up sheet, which will be posted outside classrooms during conference hours. This will enable you to meet with the various teachers who instruct your child in a timely manner.

Reminder: Due to Parent-Teacher Conference on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 13, 2012, students will be dismissed at 11:30 AM. Please make sure to make arrangements to have your child picked up at 11:30 AM that day. Pre-K and Kindergarten students will be dismissed at 11:15 AM. If your child rides a bus home from school, please arrange that there is a responsible adult at the bus stop. Please sign the tear-off and return it to your child’s teacher by February 16, 2012.

All PS/IS 178 After-School Programs will be cancelled on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. The Samuel Field Y and Kuei Luck Programs will also be cancelled.

• Elementary report cards (Grades K-5 only) will be distributed on March 8, 2012 via backpack.
• Middle School report cards will be distributed on February 3, 2012 via backpack.

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

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Procedures on Days with Citywide Emergency Conditions or on Major Storm Days

Procedures on Days with Citywide Emergency Conditions or on Major Storm Days

Dear Parent/Guardian:

This letter explains the procedures we follow on a day with citywide emergency conditions or a major storm day. The Chancellor will make an announcement to all public schools in the city on whether to close schools or delay their opening. This announcement is made in consultation with other City officials. All authorized delayed openings will result in the regular starting time being two hours later (Please note that, in addition to this two hour delay, the morning or afternoon extra 37.5 minute session for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation, will be cancelled, as well as all field trips, all adult and continuing education activities, and all after-school activities – see below.)

By 6:00 a.m., the decision is announced on the 311 Information Line, on the Department of Education website Home Page (which can be accessed at http://schools.nyc.gov) and on the following radio stations in the city: WINS (1010 AM), WCBS (880 AM), WABC (770 AM), WLIB (1190 AM), WADO (1280 AM), WBLS (107.5 FM), WNYE (91.5 FM), as well as the following television stations: WCBS (Channel 2), WNBC (Channel 4), WNYW (Fox Channel 5), WABC (Channel 7), Univision Channel 41, and "NY 1" (Channel 1 on Time Warner Cable television). Major radio news stations, such as WINS (1010 AM) and WCBS (880 AM), should be listened to on portable radios in the event of a major blackout.

The school telephone number is: ¬718-464-5763. The regular school hours (including the extra 37.5 minute sessions for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation) are: 8:00 AM-2:57.5 PM. Without the extended day session (Thursdays and Fridays), school hours are 8:00 AM-2:20 PM. If there is an authorized delayed school opening, the school hours will be: 10:00 AM – 2:20 PM. Our Parent Coordinator can be reached at pcorley3@schools.nyc.gov or
347-563-4409.

When there is an authorized citywide school closing or delayed school opening, the following will be cancelled unless the Chancellor makes an announcement to the contrary: all field trips, all extra 37.5 minute sessions for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation at the start or at the end of the regular school day, all after-school programs (including Community-Based Organization after-school programs on public school sites), all after-school program transportation (including transportation to after-school programs at Community-Based Organization sites), all Adult and Continuing Education classes, all Young Adult Borough Centers, and all evening GED programs.

When there is an authorized citywide delayed school opening, school buses will run, but their arrival times will be delayed by two hours. In addition, buses will not be available for any start or end of day extra 37.5 minute sessions for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation (since these sessions will be cancelled). Morning prekindergarten programs within public schools will also be cancelled.

It is expected that when there is a delayed opening, all end of day extra sessions will be cancelled. As a result, all students will be dismissed at the regular time for students not attending the extra 37.5 minute session for small group instruction, tutoring or test preparation. However, if citywide emergency conditions or a storm worsen, the Chancellor may have to announce an early dismissal. The Chancellor will notify bus services of the earlier dismissal schedule.

You should have plans in place with a relative, friend or neighbor in case your child is released early and you will not be at home to care for him or her. Your child should know of your plans. Please note that you must have listed that relative, friend or neighbor on the school’s “BLUE EMERGENCY CONTACT CARD” because schools are not authorized to release pupils to persons not listed on that card. You may also identify on the card a person or persons who should not have access to your child, as well as indicate the actions you would like the school to take if none of your listed contacts can be reached. The school will follow your recommendations as much as possible. It is important that you make certain that the card is up-to-date. If your child takes a school bus, school staff will remain in school with the bused children until buses arrive for dismissal or until your child is picked up.

If you have a child with a disability, you should use your discretion in deciding whether to send him or her to school when there is a delayed opening. If your child has medical or other health issues requiring nursing or other services during the school day, including services requiring a nurse or paraprofessional to ride on the bus, you should consider not sending your child to school. Please be reminded that your child will not be picked up if a nurse or paraprofessional who is required to ride with him or her is not aboard the school bus.

Again, contact the 311 Information Line, access the NYCDOE website Home Page at http://schools.nyc.gov, and listen to the radio or television stations listed above for information.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Updates

Parent Involvement
• Thank you to all the parents for assisting with picture day re-take.

After School Programs Update
• Gr. 6-8: CHAMPS began on January 9th. We have volleyball (M/W 3:00-4:30 PM – Coach Efthimiades) and Rugby (Tues. 3:00-4:30 & Fridays 2:20-3:20 – Coach Sanchez).
• Debate Team began last Wednesday with Ms. Pipinias. It takes place every Wednesday.
• In lieu of a Saturday ELA Program, we will hold after school programs for preparation in math and ELA, beginning the week of March 5th. This program will be by invitation only.

Events Update
• The spelling bee took place last Thursday. George Stefanakis was our winner, and Andrew Ortiz was our runner up. Both students will proceed to the borough wide competition next week.
• Congratulations to Max Gallagher for winning the Council Member for a Day Essay Contest, sponsored by Council Member Mark Weprin. Max will spend the day with Mr. Weprin at City Hall next week.
• A student council swearing in ceremony took place today for the new student council. Senator Avella was our special guest.
• There will be a MS dance next month (Feb 16th). It’s our annual snowflake dance, sponsored by student council.

Academic Update
• In January, as you know, each student in grades PK-8 will take part in NYCDOE performance tasks. Each of these tasks measure a student’s readiness as part of the Common Core Learning Standards.
• We will no longer hold a staff development day on Wednesday, February 15, 2012. While parents voted positively for this day last month, teachers did not vote. All the grading and identification of learning goals will be done through grade and department conferences instead.

Testing Update
• The dates for the ELA and Math assessment have changed. The grades 3–8 ELA exams will be administered April 17–19 and the math exams will take place April 25–27.

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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