Holliswood School Blog

RESPECT FOR ALL (RFA)WEEK

2012-02-06T09:51:00.000-05:00

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

2012-02-06T09:50:00.002-05:00

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

2012-02-06T09:49:00.000-05:00

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.

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

2012-01-12T13:47:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-12T13:28:00.002-05:00

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.

Family Winter Dance

2011-12-12T15:07:00.002-05:00

Please join us for our second Family Dance this Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 6:00 PM. Light refreshments and a live DJ will provide an evening of family fun to celebrate the holiday season.

Admission is a ream of paper per person or $5.00 each. Contact Ms. Corley for tickets.

Thank you.

Barnes and Noble Night

2011-12-05T08:23:00.001-05:00

Dear Families,

We are very proud to announce that the Holliswood School is sponsoring our annual Barnes and Nobles Fundraiser! The fundraiser will begin on Monday, December 5th and end Saturday, December 10th at the Fresh Meadows store on Union Turnpike. This in-store event was extremely successful last year because so many of you came out to support the school. Your participation was extraordinary and the Fresh Meadows store responded in kind by sharing a generous percentage of the total sales that were made during last year’s event with the school.

To further motivate the students to take part in the excitement, our staff has volunteered their time on Monday night from 4:30-6:30 p.m., to read aloud to the students and interact with the parents in a more social setting. Attached you will find the voucher that must be presented when you are making your final purchase if the school is going to benefit from your generosity. Please come, do some holiday shopping and share in what promises to be a truly enjoyable event.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

Jason Chin
Assistant Principal
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We are proud to announce our annual Barnes & Noble Bookfair will be taking place at the Fresh Meadows location on Monday, December 5, 2011. You will also have an opportunity to support us by shopping online from Monday, December 5, 2011 through Saturday, December 10, 2011. 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 10564912 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 10564912.
• 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 (10564912). If it is, everything was done correctly!
• If you do not see a Bookfair ID number (10564912), 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 letter and our bookfair vouchers to any family and friends who would like to support our Bookfair as well.

Thanks again for supporting our Bookfair!

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Holiday Concert - December 8, 2011

2011-11-29T15:07:00.000-05:00

SAVE THE DATE

The Holiday Concert
Thursday, December 8, 2011 - 6:00 PM

Featuring performances by:

The Elementary Chorus (The Young People’s Chorus of NYC @178, Grades 3-5)
The Middle School Chorus (The Young People’s Chorus of NYC @178, Grades 6-8)
conducted by Sheldon Ogbourne of YPC
The Holliswood School Band, conducted by the All-Borough Band Director, Jennifer Schecter

Performance attire: White top, black bottoms (Musicians)

Guests, please enter through Avon Road (tickets: $3.00 each now on sale)
Performers, please enter through Radnor Road

2011-10-27T17:10:00.000-04:00

October 25, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Monday, October 31, 2011 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, in the event that your 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.

As a reminder, Halloween costumes are not permitted in school. However, children may wear a costume to the PTA-sponsored Fall Festival on October 27, 2011 at 6:00 PM.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Very truly yours,

Jennifer Ambert
Principal

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

2011-10-21T08:38:00.000-04:00

Dear Parents/Guardians:

You are cordially invited to our November Parent-Teacher Conferences. Both afternoon and evening conferences will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. Conferences are scheduled for 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the afternoon and 5:30 PM to 8:00PM 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 form, which will be distributed on 10/21, 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, 11/15, 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 October 26, 2011.

All PS/IS 178 After-School Programs will be cancelled on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. The Samuel Field Y and Kuei Luck Programs will also be cancelled.

• Elementary report cards (Grades 1-5 only) will be distributed on November 9, 2011 via backpack.
• Middle School report cards will be distributed on November 7, 2011 via backpack.

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

Holliswood in the News

2011-10-19T17:00:00.001-04:00

Please view the article in the Queens Gazette:

http://www.qgazette.com/news/2011-10-19/Features/PS_178_Celebrates_Six_Decades_Of_Service.html

Thank you.

Parent Workshop on 10/7/11 Cancelled

2011-10-05T09:25:00.002-04:00

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Please be advised that Ms. Corley's Parent Workshop, entitled "Respect for All" (First Friday Second Cup), has been cancelled. The workshop was originally scheduled for this Friday, October 7, 2011. Ms. Corley will re-schedule this meeting at a later date.

If you have any questions, please call Ms. Corley.

Thank you.

60th Anniversary

2011-10-03T09:36:00.005-04:00

Our 60th anniversary assemblies and dance were a tremendous success! Special thanks to Ms. Guglietta, who coordinated all of the assemblies, along with Mrs. Corley, who assisted with the assembly and coordinated the dance with the parent volunteers. The 9:00 AM assembly featured speeches by Superintendent Saunders, Council Member Mark Weprin and Alumni Marilyn Gellar. Ms. Gellar was in the very first kindergarten class of 1951. All of our speeches referred to ‘then’ and ‘now,’ highlighting how school used to be, what games we would play, and how fortunate children are today because technology is at their fingertips. I encouraged our students to invent something new and use their imaginations. While I am a huge proponent of technology, reflecting about the nostalgia (life without all of the technology) makes me think that we have to continue to foster creativity. During the dance, we had a great turnout from our younger students and their families. Thank you to the staff members, who were able to come out and celebrate the 60th. Former Assistant Principal Patrick Klocek (who is now a Principal in Farmingdale) also stopped by and was greeted by all of our students. Thank you to all of the families who participated.

Earlier in the day, students in grades Pre-K to 4 planted their pinwheels for peace. Above are pictures taken on September 27th.

PROGRESS REPORT RESULTS (2010-2011)

2011-09-26T09:40:00.002-04:00

Dear Families,

We are thrilled to announce that we have received an A on our 2010-2011 Progress Report.

Attached to this letter, you will see page 1 of our Progress Report, which highlights our performance on every category. The report also explains our progress over the last three years:
• In 2009, we ranked in the 56th percentile.
• In 2010, we ranked in the 72nd percentile.
• In 2011, we are now ranked in the 80th percentile, meaning our school scored greater than or equal to that of 80 percent of K-8 schools.

We believe our A is attributed to the following:
• The hard work and dedication of our staff.
• The professional development that has been delivered to ensure that our teachers are raising the standards in their classrooms.
• Effective teaching and learning.
• The tremendous parent and family support that our students have received.

If you look closely at our complete Progress Report online at www.nyc.gov/schools, on page 7, you will see that our list of peer group schools are among the best schools in New York City, such as NEST and Anderson.

We would like to continue to make progress in the 2011-2012 school year by ensuring that we continue to raise the level of academic language as reflected in our students’ writing and mathematical reasoning when solving problems.

We congratulate you on our school’s A and we hope to see you at the school’s dance, celebrating our 60th Anniversary tomorrow night, September 27th at 6:00 PM.

Meet The Teacher Night

2011-09-14T08:35:00.001-04:00

September 14, 2011

Dear Families,

Welcome back! We are pleased to announce that our Meet the Teacher Night will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. The event will begin at 6:15 p.m. and conclude at 7:50 p.m. For elementary school families, Meet the Teacher Night will be organized into three twenty minute sessions to accommodate families with more than one student in our school. Elementary families can proceed directly to their child’s classroom.
• Session A: 6:20-6:40 p.m.
• Session B: 6:50-7:10 p.m.
• Session C: 7:20-7:40 p.m.

A listing of all service providers, such as speech teachers, School Assessment Team, ESL, SETSS and out of classroom teachers will be provided in the lobby. Please enter through our Radnor Road entrance.

For middle school families, we are organizing the event on September 20, 2011 into four twenty minute sessions between 6:15-7:50 p.m. During this time, parents will travel to different classrooms to visit their child’s teachers. The schedule for middle school families will be distributed tomorrow.

A PTA meeting will immediately follow at 8:00 p.m. in the auditorium. We thank you for your assistance in making the opening weeks of school such a success and we look forward to seeing you at this important event.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Ambert
Principal

WATER MAIN WORK & STREET CLOSURE

2011-09-08T15:07:00.001-04:00

WATER MAIN WORK & STREET CLOSURE

September 8, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians:

I have been informed by the Community Construction Liaison that construction work will begin along 188th Street throughout next week between the hours of 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM due to the installation of new water main lines. A letter will be distributed to students tomorrow.

Due to this ongoing construction, please allow extra travel time, so that students are not late for school.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, Mr. Chin or Mrs. Corley.

Many thanks.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Ambert
Principal

Welcome to the 2011-2012 School Year

2011-09-08T15:04:00.000-04:00

September 8, 2011

Dear Families,

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year! This school year marks my fourth 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.

We would like to remind you of two informative websites for parents/guardians in order to view ongoing important information and to enhance communication:

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 to help you become more familiar with the curriculum].

We would also like to take this opportunity to introduce three new staff members:

Speech Teacher, Jennifer Newman: Ms. Newman is a speech pathologist who received her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology from LIU CW Post and a BA in Communications Sciences and Disorders from SUNY Cortland. She grew up on Long Island and has had the opportunity to provide therapy for children ages 4-15. Ms. Newman is excited to work collaboratively with the PS/IS 178 community.

Math Teacher, James Trani: Mr. Trani is the newest math teacher at PS/IS 178. He graduated from Hofstra University, earning a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education, as well as a Middle School Advanced Studies Certificate. Before becoming a teacher, he earned a BS in Accounting from Providence College in Rhode Island and worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and HBO in Midtown Manhattan as a Financial Analyst/CPA.

English Teacher, Vanessa Walker: Ms. Walker is a proud mother of two beautiful children. With a Bachelor's Degree in Media Arts from LIU, Ms. Walker's first career was with the Associated Press (AP). At the AP, she worked in marketing and corporate communications. Ms. Walker then made her transition into education. At New York University, Ms. Walker earned her Master of Arts Degree in Education. She comes to PS/IS 178 from District 19, where she taught English Language Arts for 7 years.

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.

You will be receiving information about our upcoming Meet the Teacher Night on Tuesday, September 20th shortly.

Sincerely,

Jennifer C. Ambert
Principal

NYS TEST RESULTS

2011-08-09T07:54:00.002-04:00

Parents/Guardians may view their children’s test results in ARIS Parent Link; they will be available by next Wednesday, August 17. Throughout the week of August 22, the NYCDOE will set up ARIS Parent Link access stations in select libraries in every borough; parents who do not already have their login information can receive their usernames and passwords at these sites. Additional information to share with parents, including a flyer and accompanying FAQ, will be available in the fall. This fall, we will also share Individual Student Reports.

For the complete article regarding NYS test results, please visit the NYCDOE website and the link: http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/mediarelations/NewsandSpeeches/2011-2012/stateresults080811.htm

Thank you.

Opening Day Procedure for Students

2011-08-03T13:19:00.001-04:00

September 8, 2011
Opening Day Procedure for Students

MORNING ARRIVAL GRADES 1-8

On Thursday, September 8, all students in grades one through eight should enter the school by the Avon Road entrance at the rear of the school by 7:55 AM. If your child needs assistance, school staff, safety patrol, and student monitors will be available to assist students who need help carrying supplies. School begins promptly at 8 AM. It is extremely important that students be on time to participate in the morning activities.

FOR THE FIRST DAY ONLY

Grades 1-5 will line up in the gymnasium.
Grades 6-8 will line up in the auditorium.

If you anticipate that your child will need assistance, please arrive at school prior to 7:50 AM.

Following the first day, grades 6-8 will meet in the gymnasium and grades 1-5 in the auditorium.

For the safety of all students, Parents/Guardians will not be permitted to enter the building. If you wish to go to the main office, you must enter on Radnor Rd. and show ID to the school safety agent.

Remember to drive safely. Park your car and have children use the car door on the sidewalk side of the car. No double parking or U-turns.

2011-08-03T12:43:00.005-04:00

Registration Information

2011-07-12T12:44:00.001-04:00

Registration will take place on August 30th (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM), August 31st (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM) and September 1st (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

From the NYC Dept. of Education Website (www.nyc.gov/schools):

What to Bring

When you come to register, please bring your child with you. You also must bring:

*Child’s birth certificate or passport
*Child’s immunization records
*Proof of residence, which will be verified by any two of the following:
*A residential utility bill (gas or electric) in the resident’s name issued by National Grid, Con Edison, or the Long Island Power Authority; must be dated within the past 60 days
*Documentation or letter on letterhead from a federal, state or local government agency, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), City Housing Authority, Human Resources Administration (HRA), the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), or an ACS subcontractor indicating the resident’s name and address; must be dated within the past 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; must be dated within the past 60 days
*Official payroll documentation from an employer such as a form submitted for tax withholding purposes or payroll receipt; a letter on the employer’s letterhead will not be accepted; must be dated within the past 60 day
*Child’s latest report card/transcript (if available)
*Child’s Individual Education Program (IEP) and/or 504 Accommodation Plan (if applicable and available)

If you need a copy of your child's birth certificate, you can order it online through the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Please visit the Office of Vital Records web page for more information.

Enjoy the Summer Vacation/Contact Information for CBOs

2011-06-30T08:41:00.002-04:00

To the Holliswood School Community:

Thank you for another wonderful school year. Our first day of school will be Thursday, September 8, 2011. Please continue to check our school blog and the NYCDOE website (www.nyc.gov/schools) for any updates about school.

If you wish to find out about our partner community-based organizations, I am including their contact information below:

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

2011-2012 School Calendar

2011-06-22T13:19:00.001-04:00

The first day of school will be September 8, 2011. For updates regarding our school, please continue to visit our blog.

Please find below the NYCDOE calendar for next year:

http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/1F681438-24B4-4752-8AF6-027CC344FB10/106919/20112012SchoolYearCalendarRev.pdf

Second Annual Multicultural Night - May 17, 2011

2011-05-17T21:26:00.005-04:00

Our second annual Multicultural Night was a successful event, complete with parents, family members, students, staff, and community members. The event was coordinated by Title I Parent Committee Chairperson, Ms. Basehore and Ms. Corley, our parent coordinator. Students worked in groups with their family members and staff members to produce trifold boards representing countries of their family history, including China, El Salvador, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Jamaica, Philippines, Zambia and much more. The students researched information, such as history, climate, clothing, transportation, landmarks, languages and other facts about their countries. Students, parents, family and staff members also contributed dishes from their countries and, together, the school community enjoyed a delightful evening representing the true essence of our school mission statement. The evening culminated with a performance by a dancer from the American Dance Studio, Heather, who gathered students and parents for a group dance, including the tarantella and Irish step dancing.

8th Grade Varsity Math Team Places Second in Citywide Tournament

2011-05-17T21:08:00.004-04:00

Congratulations to the 8th Grade Math Team for placing second in Sunday's sixth annual Pi5 NY Math Tournament. Our 8th grade team placed 2nd in the varsity division. Special congratulations to Coach Kim Mascoe and students, Henry, Junhao, Saif, Caleb and Brian. The students were fortunate enough to receive their silver medals from our new Chancellor, Dennis Walcott.

Construction Along Kent Street

2011-05-11T10:15:00.000-04:00

Dear Parents/Guardians:

I have been informed by the Community Construction Liaison that construction work will begin along Kent Street on Thursday, May 12, 2011 to repair a water main.

In the prior notification (attached) sent to the community by CEC, work was projected to take place between Union Turnpike and Grand Central Parkway "for about two weeks." At this point, water main pipes are being installed between Aberdeen Road and Midland Parkway, and the work is expected to continue south on Kent Street from Midland Parkway to Grand Central Parkway for about three weeks. Affected residents are being notified accordingly.

Due to this ongoing construction, please allow extra travel time, so that students are not late for school. As a reminder, students in grades 3-8 will be taking Book of their NYS Math Exam on Thursday.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, Mr. Chin or Mrs. Corley.

Many thanks.

NYS ELA and Math Field Test 2011

2011-05-10T21:52:00.000-04:00

May 9, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians of Students in Grades 3 – 8,

The New York State Education Department will be administering a Field Test to all schools in New York State, which will measure student achievement in ELA and Mathematics. This exam will be administered on May 16, 2011 and the results of the exam will be used by the state for educational purposes. Please note that your child’s performance on this exam will not be considered as promotional criteria and the results will not appear on your child’s official transcripts.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Ambert
Jason Chin

New York State ELA Test

2011-04-10T22:25:00.001-04:00

New York State ELA Test

April 5, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians of Students in Grades 3 – 8,

As you know, the New York State ELA Assessment will be administered to students in grades 3-5 on May 3-5, 2011 and grades 6-8 on May 3-4, 2011. The State Math Assessment will be given May 11, 2011 – May 12, 2011. With the support of our parents and guardians, our teachers and students have been working tirelessly to prepare for these exams and we know that all of our children will perform brilliantly. We ask that you review the tips below to help your children 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.
6. Remind them to avoid distractions and to concentrate only on their own exam.
Below is the Test Format for Grades 3-8 for the NYS ELA

Grade 3 NYS ELA Test
Day 1
Book 1 Reading selections
35 multiple-choice questions 60 Minutes

Day 2
Book 2 Listening & Writing
8 multiple-choice questions
3 short-response questions 30 minutes, plus an additional
15 minutes prep time and time to
read aloud the listening selection

Day 3
Book 3 Reading/Writing
4 short-response questions
1 extended-response question 60 minutes

Grade 4 NYS ELA Test
Day 1
Book 1 Reading selections
43 multiple-choice questions 70 Minutes

Day 2
Book 2 Listening & Writing
8 multiple-choice questions
3 short-response questions 30 minutes, plus an additional
15 minutes prep time and time to
read aloud the listening selection

Day 3
Book 3 Reading/Writing
4 short-response questions
1 extended-response question 60 minutes

Grade 5 NYS ELA Test
Day 1
Book 1 Reading selections
35 multiple-choice questions 60 Minutes

Day 2
Book 2 Listening & Writing
8 multiple-choice questions
3 short-response questions 30 minutes, plus an additional
15 minutes prep time and time to
read aloud the listening selection

Day 3
Book 3 Reading/Writing
4 short-response questions
1 extended-response question 60 minutes

Grade 6 NYS ELA Test
Day 1
Book 1 Reading selections
41 multiple-choice questions 70 Minutes

Day 2
Book 2 Part 1: Listening
5 multiple-choice questions
3 short-response questions
Part 2: Writing
3 multiple choice questions
Part 3: Reading/Writing
4 short-response questions
1 extended-response question
90 Minutes

Grade 7 NYS ELA Test
Day 1
Book 1 Reading selections
41 multiple-choice questions 70 Minutes

Day 2
Book 2 Part 1: Listening
5 multiple-choice questions
3 short-response questions
Part 2: Writing
3 multiple choice questions
Part 3: Reading/Writing
4 short-response questions
1 extended-response question
90 Minutes

Grade 8 NYS ELA Test
Day 1
Book 1 Reading selections
41 multiple-choice questions 70 Minutes

Day 2
Book 2 Part 1: Listening
5 multiple-choice questions
3 short-response questions
Part 2: Writing
3 multiple choice questions
Part 3: Reading/Writing
4 short-response questions
1 extended-response question
90 Minutes

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

Reflection and Thanks

2011-04-07T16:43:00.000-04:00

Reflection and Thanks

April 4, 2011

Dear Holliswood School Community:

As we move forward into Spring, we would like to take this opportunity to pause, reflect and thank you for an outstanding school year so far. We would like to thank our supportive parents, our exceptional and committed staff, and all of the students’ hard work.

We would like to congratulate our entire Holliswood School Family on the following accomplishments this year:
• Tremendous Work by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), including outstanding service during the Fall Festival, our Fall and Winter Middle School Dances, Fall Vision Screening, Fall and Spring Book Fairs, Picture Day and ongoing meetings.
• Numerous Fundraisers: Tsunami and Earthquake Relief Snack Sale, which raised $500 to the American Red Cross; Girls’ Basketball Snack Sale, raising $911; Fifth Grade Fundraiser, raising $1,565; Talent Show, raising $1,355. Other fundraisers included Daffodil Days for the American Cancer Society, raising $562 and our Third Annual Arts Benefit, raising $645.
• Remarkable attendance at Family Events, such as Family Basketball Night; PTA Fall Festival; Title I Family Math Night; Talent Show; Barnes and Noble Night; Winter Concert; Arts Benefit; Student of the Month Assemblies, writing celebrations, and other assemblies and concerts.
• Our School Leadership Team and School Safety Committee work extremely hard to bring forward suggestions and next steps for resolutions.
• Our Art Department won numerous awards during the annual Arlene Thomas Bird Contest at Alley Pond Park, including Best in Show.
• Author Visits including the visit of Holliswood Graduate, Doreen Rappaport, author of Martin’s Big Words; The wonderful visit of Ruby Bridges, who taught a diversity lesson to students in grades 2-5.
• An amazing middle school Career Day with guest speakers, including some of our Holliswood parents.
• The continued Respect For All Campaign by practicing our Holliswood virtues and acknowledging each other when exhibiting those virtues.
• The launch of our Peer Mediation Program, sponsored by the NYC Commission on Human Rights.
• The launch of our Student Advisory Program, where students are able to brainstorm ideas for encouraging Respect for All and work on service learning projects.
• The ongoing work of our Student Council, who have continued to collect suggestions from their peers and have developed a Student Council website.
• Achievements by our middle school CHAMPS sports teams, such as Volleyball and Rugby
• The formation of our new Girl’s Basketball Team
• Outstanding extracurricular academic programs, such as Middle School Math Team, Elementary Math Team, Math Success Program, ELA Saturday Program, Debate Team and Title III ESL Program.
• Ongoing enrichment programs, such as ThinkQuest and Robotics, as well as differentiation in the classroom.
• The continuation of our fabulous Arts Residencies, such as Young People’s Chorus of NYC, 144 Music and Arts, Early Stages (funded by Mr. Mark Weprin) and the Dancing Classrooms Ballroom Dance Program for Grade 5
• The success of our music, technology and visual arts department.
• Ongoing Monthly Parent Workshops
• Ladies Night and Parent Coordinator Book Club Events
• Day programs including Student Council, Safety Patrol, Recycling Club, Junior Honor Society, Penny Harvest Club, Drama Club, Kids for Coltrane, Fashion Design, Yearbook Club, Data Thieves
• Ongoing partnership with the Samuel Field Y Program and Kuei Luck Enrichment Center for our After School Programs
• End of Year Events, including the Senior Trip to Club Getaway, 7th Grade Philadelphia Trip, 6th Grade Medieval Times Trip.
• Ongoing Partnership with the New York Knicks

Since our school year is far from over, we would like to remind you to please join us for the following upcoming events (more information will follow):
• Barnes and Noble Middle School Poetry Night on April 5th at 5:00 PM (Barnes and Noble Fresh Meadows)
• Science Fair on April 6th from 4:00-5:45 PM
• Multicultural Night on May 17th at 6:00 PM, where we will celebrate the wonderful diversity in our school.

We want to thank you all for contributing your best efforts to a successful school year thus far. There are successes to report about every day in our school and we thank everyone for participating in maximizing the school’s potential. Please remember to continually visit our School Blog: http://holliswoodschool.blogspot.com for the latest information and school news.

Barnes and Noble Bookfair

2011-04-07T16:41:00.000-04:00

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As you know, tonight is Barnes and Noble Poetry Night at the Barnes and Noble store in Fresh Meadows from 5:00-6:30 PM. This year, the Barnes & Noble Bookfair has expanded to the web. You will have an opportunity to support us by shopping online from Tuesday, April 5, 2011 through Sunday, April 10, 2011. 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 10401768 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 10401768.
• 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 (10401768). If it is, everything was done correctly!
• If you do not see a Bookfair ID number (10401768), 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 to any family and friends who would like to support our Bookfair as well. Thanks again for supporting our Bookfair!

Sincerely,

Mr. Chin
Assistant Principal

Half Day and Parent Teacher Conference Reminder

2011-03-10T18:57:00.002-05:00

REMINDER

On March 15th, there will be a half day of school due to Parent-Teacher Conferences. All students will be dismissed at 11:30 AM.

All conferences will take place between 1:00-3:00 PM and 5:30-8:00 PM on Tuesday, March 15th. If you have to re-schedule with your child's teacher, please send him/her a note as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Third Annual Arts Benefit

2011-03-09T07:50:00.001-05:00

Family and Friends are invited to the Third Annual Arts Benefit at the Holliswood School on Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 6:00 PM, in the auditorium

Admission is $3.00*

Student Goals

2011-03-09T07:48:00.000-05:00

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As we approach Parent-Teacher Conferences next week, I would like to notify you of one of the school’s ongoing instructional initiatives, which is to identify specific student SMART goals. S.M.A.R.T. represents specific, measurable, achievable, results-based and time-bound. Each teacher is a member of a grade-level, cross-grade level or department team throughout the school.

Throughout the school, teacher teams have been distributing your child’s learning goals to you in different subjects. I encourage you to ask your child’s teacher(s) to explain the goal(s) with you during Parent-Teacher conferences, so you can learn firsthand what skills are required to achieve those goals. The teachers can also offer specific strategies that you can practice with your child at home in order to sharpen his/her skills.

Since the beginning of the school year, teachers have assessed your child in all core subjects. After analyzing assessment results, teachers group students by skill, according to strengths and areas in need of improvement in each subject area. Based on these groupings, teachers formulate small group goals or individual student goals, and design lesson plans to meet each student’s needs.

As you know, Parent-Teacher Conferences occur only twice per year, but throughout the year, forging an ongoing relationship with your child’s teacher(s) is integral to maximizing your child’s success in school. We all have to work together to ensure student progress.

I look forward to seeing you next week.

RESPECT FOR ALL (RFA)WEEK SUMMARY

2011-03-09T07:46:00.000-05:00

RESPECT FOR ALL (RFA)WEEK SUMMARY

March 3, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians:

During Respect for All Week, February 14-18, we had the opportunity to highlight and build upon ongoing diversity programs and curriculum-based instruction. We also had 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.

We are pleased to report that the activities we held at the school, re-capped below, were successful.

• 2/14 - 100th Day of School Activities (in every classroom) in connection with RFA
• 2/15 @ 6 PM – Middle School Mix It Up Dance
• 2/15 & 2/16 – Respect for All Assembly during recess periods with Social Worker Neil Goldstein
• 2/17 @ 6 PM – Talent Show, signifying the unique talents of our students
• 2/18 @ 8:15 AM – Respect for All Parent Workshop with Parent Coordinator Corley and SAPIS Worker Pamela Paisley
• All Week – Classroom Lessons Regarding Diversity and Respect

During the “Mix It Up Dance,” some students came dressed in an ethnic costume. During Student Advisory sessions in middle school, discussions began with an Ethnic Sharing Circle where students shared what they liked most about their ethnicity, what they liked least, and about a time where they might have felt left out or discriminated against. They also talked about a time where they might have made an assumption about someone which turned out to be wrong.

In addition, our Peer Mediation Program, sponsored by the NYC Commission on Human Rights, culminated during their Swearing In Ceremony on February 17th, at which Council Member Weprin spoke about the importance of Respect for All. The attached article from the Queens Times discusses his visit in detail.

As we have continuously emphasized to our students and staff, Respect for All is a team effort. We all have to work together to promote a culture of respect and model good citizenship for our children.

Pre-Kindergarten Admissions

2011-02-16T07:15:00.002-05:00

The pre-Kindergarten application period begins on March 7. The deadline for families to apply to pre-K is April 9. The pre-K admissions calendar contains these and other important dates and deadlines. The pre-K website is:

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

Families are invited to attend an information session to learn more about the pre-K admissions process. Please visit the online page (above) to view the calendar. Sessions will take place throughout the city during March. Translation and interpretation services will be provided.

RESPECT FOR ALL (RFA)WEEK

2011-02-08T15:17:00.000-05:00

RESPECT FOR ALL (RFA)WEEK

February 8, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians:

The NYC Department of Education has designated February 14-18 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 14th, we have selected the following activities:

o Virtues Poster contest winner will be announced on Monday, February 14, 2011
o 2/14 - 100th Day of School Activities (in every classroom) in connection with RFA
o Posters displaying Respect and other virtues are displayed throughout the school
o All Week - Classroom lessons discussing stereotyping, bias and tolerance
o Special Assembly to discuss Tolerance and Respect on 2/15 and 2/16 during recess periods with Social Worker Neil Goldstein
o 7th Grade class trip to the Museum of Tolerance on 2/15
o “Mix it Up” School Dance on 2/15/11 with prizes given for best ethnic costume. Special song with the theme of Tolerance will be played: “People are People” by DePeche Mode.
o Classroom activities/games with “Respect for All” theme include vocabulary lessons, role playing, Cross Cultural Scavenger Hunt, films such as, “The Home Run,” “Growing Up” and “The Sound I Saw.” Student Advisory discussions will revolve around stereotyping, bias, etc.
o 2/17/2011 – Student and Staff Talent Show, celebrating our student’s individual talents – 6 PM
o 2/18/2011 - Respect for All Parent Workshop - “The Mosaic of Our School Community”: A Conversation w/Parents with Parent Coordinator Corley and SAPIS Worker Pamela Paisley @ 8:15 AM
We hope you will be able to participate in the parent activities mentioned above.

Thank you.

Third Annual Family Basketball Night - February 9th

2011-02-02T13:25:00.000-05:00

Come one, come all. Family Basketball Night is near. All are welcome to come and take part in this evening of fun and laughs.
This fantastic event will take place in the school gymnasium on Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 at 6 pm immediately following our school basketball fundraiser for the American Heart Association (at 5 pm).

-Mr. Sanchez, Coordinator

2011-02-02T13:24:00.000-05:00

All after school programs are in session today, 2/2/11.

Thank you.

2/1/11 - After School Programs

2011-01-31T18:05:00.001-05:00

CHAMPS Volleyball, Title III ESL and Girl Scouts have been canceled tomorrow, Tuesday, 2/1/11.

However, the Samuel Field Y and the Kuei Luck After School Program will operate tomorrow.

Flag Rugby Tournament Canceled 1/30/11

2011-01-28T14:56:00.000-05:00

The Flag Rugby tournament scheduled for this Sunday, 1/30/11, has been canceled due to yesterday's snowfall. CHAMPS is looking forward to the end of this winter weather so that they can host additional tournaments without hesititation.

--
Posted By Mr. Sanchez to HOLLISWOOD ATHLETICS at 1/28/2011 10:54:00 AM

NYC Public Schools are closed today, Thursday, 1/27/11

2011-01-27T04:52:00.002-05:00

The Mayor has announced that NYC Public Schools are closed today, Thursday, 1/27/11, due to the snow emergency. Please stay tuned to your local news channels for additional updates. Thank you.

PTA Meeting Re-scheduled to 1/25/11

2011-01-18T13:54:00.001-05:00

Due to the cancellation of the PTA meeting of January 11th, the meeting has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 at 7 PM.

One of the topics on the agenda is to review and vote on the PTA By-laws.

As always, children are welcome.

From the PTA

Mid-Winter Recess/President’s Week

2011-01-18T12:39:00.002-05:00

January 19, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We would like to remind you that all New York City Public Schools will be closed during Mid-Winter Recess/President’s Week: February 21, 2011 to February 25, 2011. For a listing of all school closings, please visit the NYCDOE website: www.nyc.gov/schools or our school blog: http://holliswoodschool.blogspot.com.

Many thanks.

Parent Teacher Conferences - March 15th, not February

2011-01-18T12:20:00.002-05:00

On the DOE calendar for February, it lists:

February
16th: Middle Schools: Citywide Evening Parent Teacher Conferences
17th: Middle Schools: Citywide Afternoon Parent Teacher Conferences
21st-25th: Midwinter Recess (Schools closed)

However, please be advised that K-8 schools follow the same format as elementary schools for parent teacher conferences (PTCs) and PTCs will be held on March 15th
(1:00-3:00 PM and 5:30-8 PM) for elementary and middle school families at 178. A letter will be distributed in February.

Thank you.

2011-01-12T14:35:00.001-05:00

Dear Parents/Guardians:

On January 12, 2011 at 11:43 AM, Con Edison instructed building officials to evacuate the school due to its suspicion of a gas leak in its service box near the school on Avon Road. In accordance with our School Safety Plan, we proceeded to evacuate the building. FDNY, in consultation with Con Edison, determined that it was safe to re-occupy the building at 11:57 AM. All of our staff members and classes returned back to the building safely and expediently.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused. As you know, the safety of our students is always our priority. Con Edison and the Division of Facilities for the Department of Education share our standards concerning student safety and are working to address the problem.

2011-01-11T17:55:00.002-05:00

Please remember that if we have a “snow event,” The Holliswood School, PS/IS 178Q, will follow the direction of NYC public schools in declaring a snow day. If NYC public schools close, we will be closed. Please be sure to watch your local news channels or call 311.

After School Relocation on 1/11/11

2011-01-11T17:51:00.001-05:00

After School Relocation

January 11, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians:

On January 11, 2011 at 2:57 PM, Con Edison reported a gas leak and instructed building officials to evacuate the school. In accordance with our School Safety Plan, there was a relocation of all After School Programs for all remaining students. FDNY, in consultation with Con Ed, has addressed the problem and allowed re-occupancy of the building.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused. As you know, the safety of our students is always our priority.

No After School Tomorrow - PS/IS 178Q Programs Only

2011-01-11T07:23:00.000-05:00

PS/IS 178Q AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

January 11, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians of Students Involved in PS/IS 178Q After School Programs:

Please be advised that PS/IS 178Q after school programs (CHAMPS Rugby, ThinkQuest and Title III ESL Program) will be canceled tomorrow, Wednesday, January 12, 2011.

For information regarding school closings, please tune in to your local news channels to find out if NYC public schools are closed. You may also call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/schools.

To find out if the Sam Field Y Program will operate tomorrow, please call Program Director, Dominick Menno, directly at (646) 772-3879.

To find out if the Kuei Luck Program will operate tomorrow, please call Program Director, Lily Kwok, at 718-679-9908.

If you have any questions, please call the school at 718-464-5763.

FUNDRAISERS & EVENTS AT PS/IS 178Q

2011-01-07T13:26:00.000-05:00

FUNDRAISERS & EVENTS AT PS/IS 178Q

January 6, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We hope your Winter break was restful and enjoyable. Happy New Year!

During our Barnes and Noble Event in December, our school community spent over $2,600 and our school’s total profit was $540. The event was very successful. We will be able to use those funds towards the purchase of future “Books of the Month.” As you are aware, teachers in all grades read the “Book of the Month” to the students and they have an opportunity to analyze the text and produce a response to literature. Our theme for the past two years centers on diversity. We have selected authors from a variety of backgrounds and themes that embrace our Holliswood Virtues. We have also chosen books representing different literary genres. Some of the books we have read are:

Hairs by Sandra Cisneros (PreK to grade 3) w/ House on Mango Street (grades 4-8); Hip Hop Speaks to Children edited by Nikki Giovanni ; Red Sings from Treetops by Joyce Sidman; Barack Obama, Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes; I Am Amazed by Jodi Hills; Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco; Martin’s Big Words and Lady Liberty: A Biography by Doreen Rappaport; Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look; Hey Dad, Let’s Have a Catch by Harold Theurer, Jr; Listen to the Rain by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault; Snow by Cynthia Rylant. Our January 2011 book of the month is The Sound of Colors by Jimmy Liao and our February 2011 book of the month will be Ruby Bridges Goes To School by Ruby Bridges.
Lastly, in October, during our Big Apple Fundraiser, our school community spent $5,308. Our school’s profit was $2,731. All of the funds are allocated towards school-wide events and materials.

In light of the financial crisis, we thank you for all your generosity.

Please be sure to regularly visit our school blog: http://holliswoodschool.blogspot.com , which contains additional information about upcoming events and other school news.

Thank you again for all of your efforts.

Cancelled - Gifted and Talented Testing at PS/IS 178Q on Saturday, 1/8/11

2011-01-07T07:10:00.002-05:00

All Gifted and Talented Testing at PS/IS 178Q on Saturday, 1/8/11, have been cancelled in anticipation of inclement weather.

Students originally scheduled to be tested on 1/8/11 have been re-scheduled to the same times on Saturday, 2/5/11. All students were contacted via telephone on 1/6/11 and letter home.

If you have any questions, please contact testing coordinator, Jason Chin.

Please be advised that this cancellation applies only to PS/IS 178Q as a testing site. For information regarding other sites throughout NYC, please contact the individual school directly.

Thank you.

CANCELLED - Parent Workshop

2011-01-05T10:00:00.001-05:00

THE PARENT WORKSHOP BELOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED IN ANTICIPATION OF INCLEMENT WEATHER. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR AN ALTERNATE DATE

THANK YOU.

REMINDER: PARENT WORKSHOP
Why are today’s youth so unhappy despite the fact that
they have more than any generation in history?

Who: Tracey Jackson, Writer, Director, Author
What: “Lucky Ducks”
Screening of Documentary Film 8:30-10:00 AM
Join us for an open discussion with Tracey Jackson
following the screening 10:00-11:00AM

When: Friday January 7, 2011
Where: P.S. / I.S. 178Q The Holliswood School
189-10 Radnor Road
Jamaica Estates, N.Y. 11423
Host Site Contact: Phyllis Corley, Parent Coordinator
718 464-5763 or pcorley3@schools.nyc.gov

Plenty of parking on Avon Road behind the school

Facilitated by the Parent Coordinators of: P.S. 18, P.S. 115, P.S. 173,
P.S. 186, P.S. 191, P.S. 213,P.S./I.S. 266, P.S./I.S. 178, M.S. 74 and M.S. 172

THE KINDERGARTEN APPLICATION PROCESS

2011-01-04T15:17:00.000-05:00

THE KINDERGARTEN APPLICATION PROCESS WILL TAKE PLACE FROM JANUARY 10, 2011–MARCH 4, 2011

ELIGIBILITY
Children born January 1 – December 31, 2006
Zoned children will be given first priority

WHERE

PS/IS 178
189-10 Radnor Road
Jamaica, NY

WHAT TO BRING

 Original birth certificate or passport
 Two proofs of address (1st must be Con Edison bill; 2nd proof may be: water bill, mortgage statement, official payroll documentation)

WHEN
9:00 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.
Tuesday & Thursday

Under the new guidelines, this is an intake application, not a registration. Seats can no longer be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon acceptance to
PS/IS 178, you will need to register with your child, immunization records and the above documentation.

Ballroom Dance Team

2010-12-23T12:03:00.004-05:00

On December 14, 2010, our Fifth Grade Ballroom Dance Team took home the silver medal at the Queens Quarter Finals at PS 144.

Doreen Rappaport's Visit

2010-12-23T12:01:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday, December 7, 2010, Holliswood School graduate and acclaimed author, Doreen Rappaport, volunteered to visit our school to conduct a Writing Workshop with our third and fourth graders. During the visit, Ms. Rappaport discussed the writing process behind many of her books, including Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Lady Liberty: A Biography, Eleanor: Quiet No More: The Life of Eleanor Roosevelt, and Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln. She inspired our students to never give up on pursuing their dreams and passions. She also discussed the arduous process of editing and revision. Our students asked insightful questions about her books, such as third grader, Gaby Pesantez, who asked, “Why did you choose to write about history?” Other questions focused on how Ms. Rappaport generates ideas for her specific books and how long it takes to conduct research. In addition, Ms. Rappaport provided special autographs to all the students who asked. Third grade teacher, Lauren Kienle, remarked how much the students enjoyed the visit. One of our school-wide goals this year is to add voice and descriptive details to make our writing more interesting. Through Ms. Rappaport’s visit, she provided the students with ideas and strategies on how to make that happen. As a Holliswood School graduate, Ms. Rappaport’s visit motivated our students to reach their full potential. Our students know that they may some day be able to become an author just like her with hard work and dedication.

UPDATES

2010-12-23T12:00:00.002-05:00

UPDATES

December 16, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As we approach the new calendar year, we hope that all of you have a terrific Winter vacation. Looking ahead, we would like to keep you up-to-date with structures that are currently in place and continuing in 2011.

New Staff/Additional Roles
• Rafael Argudo, Library Substitute Teacher
• Charles Caputo, returning Music Teacher
• Jason Chin, Assistant Principal
• Annette Giardina, Dean (new role)
• Mary Hubert, Substitute Secretary
• Jennifer Hunsberger, new Reading/Writing Intervention Teacher
• Diana LoPiccolo, new ESL Teacher
• Pamela Paisley, returning SAPIS Worker
• Cristina Peters, full time Guidance Counselor
• Ilene Rivera, Secretary
• Denise Taylor, Nutritionist
• Jenny Torres, returning Paraprofessional, Class 5-205
• Emma Brondolo, Teaching Artist, Young People’s Chorus of NYC (Grades 3-8)
• Dr. Ron Petrides, Band Director, Grades 7-8, 144 Music and Arts
• Jonathan Kruk, Teaching Artist, Early Stages Storytelling (Grade 4)

Continuing Programs
• Young People’s Chorus of New York City (Grades 3-8)
• Peer Mediation Training by NYC Commission on Human Rights (Grades 6-8)
• SAPIS Classes – Grades 2 & 5 (beginning 12/14), Grades 3 & 4 have completed program
• Student Advisory Classes (Grades 6-8)
• Title III After School Program will continue with Mrs. Carter on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• CHAMPS Rugby and CHAMPS Volleyball (TBA)
• After School Math Program (begins March 1, 2011)
• Saturday ELA Program (begins March 5, 2011)

Reminders
• Students who want to participate in the Breakfast Program should arrive between 7:30-7:45 AM
• School yard will remain locked during the Winter season due to ongoing construction
• Lines will be painted and bumps will be re-created as per communication from the NYCDOT
• Please remember to drive safely (i.e.no U-turns and no double parking).

We would like to take this opportunity to again wish you an enjoyable holiday season.

Thank you for your support and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Jennifer C. Ambert
Jason Chin
Phyllis Corley

Article regarding PS/IS 178's art program

2010-12-09T19:01:00.003-05:00

Article regarding PS/IS 178's art program:

http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2010/12/09/queens/qns_ps_178_20101209.txt

New Phone System

2010-12-07T15:59:00.002-05:00

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We have installed a new phone system. Therefore, when you call the school at 718-464-5763, following the greeting, you will have the ability to select any extension to be transferred to. The following extensions are the options available:

For School Safety, press 1
For the guidance office, press 2
For the school based support team, press 3
For the school nurse, press 4
For the Parent Coordinator, press 5
For the PTA, press 6
For the Assistant Principal, press 7
For immediate assistance, dial 0 at any time

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

Thank you.

ELA Parent Workshop

2010-12-06T13:10:00.000-05:00

Parent Workshop for Parents/Guardians of Students in Grades 3 – 8.

TOPIC: Components of the New NYS ELA Assessments

DATE: December 14, 2010

TIME: 8:30 AM

PLACE: Room 201

PRESENTERS: Julia Kucharski, Literacy Coach and Phyllis Corley, Parent Coordinator

 Familiarize yourself with the components of the new ELA
 Learn strategies that will be helpful to your child on the multiple choice section of the assessment
 Obtain listening activities that you can use at home

Light refreshments will be served

Barnes and Noble Bookfair

2010-12-06T13:08:00.000-05:00

Details

What? Barnes and Noble Bookfair
When? The staff read aloud will be tonight, 12/6/10, at 6 PM. However, the book fair will continue through 12/11.
What? A percentage of the net sale will be contributed to the school to purchase future books.
Where? Barnes & Noble Fresh Meadows 176-60 Union Turnpike
Who? All Families and Students are invited to attend

Parents can also make a purchase online at BN.COM/bookfairs and use the Bookfair ID: 10353530.

STUDENT SAFETY

2010-12-02T07:29:00.000-05:00

STUDENT SAFETY

November 22, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians,

P.S./I.S. 178Q continues to promote pedestrian and traffic safety. We can save lives and prevent accidents by promoting the safety of young people on our streets, whether they are walking or riding in cars. We have to work together.

As you recall, the Queens Borough Traffic Commissioner, Maura McCarthy, met with our school community during a January 2010 PTA meeting to discuss how the Department of Transportation (DOT) would research the traffic patterns around our school and identify ways that the DOT could support us. We have sent Ms. McCarthy a follow up correspondence to find out when the DOT will be able to create new speed bumps on Avon Road, add stop signs, as well as paint new traffic lines. We have also contacted the NYPD in order to add police presence in the mornings.

Recent observations of our morning arrival and afternoon dismissal procedures tell us that we need to continue to do more as a community. We do not want to wait until a person is critically injured. We have a responsibility to ensure that this does not happen. We need your active involvement.

Parents/guardians need to talk with other parents and with their children. Teachers need to talk with their students and all of us need to follow the basic safety rules that have been put in place at P.S./I.S. 178Q, as well as use our common sense. Our best defense against injury is to work together to promote safety for our students and our community.

Please Remember To:

 Drive slowly
 Park at the curb and let your child out on the sidewalk side (school side of the street)
 GET OUT OF YOUR CAR and walk your child across the street – there are no crosswalks in the middle of the block either on Avon Rd. or Radnor Rd.
[The only legal crosswalk is at 188th Street and Avon Road where the Crossing Guard is stationed]. The speed bump is not a crosswalk!
 Do Not Double Park
 Do not make U-turns
 Do not pass the school bus when lights are flashing
 Use seat belts and child safety seats
 Encourage students to travel with a buddy and be aware of their surroundings
when traveling to and from school

There is ongoing construction after school. The playground is locked after school and students should leave the school upon dismissal.

We would also like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Holliswood School Safety Committee

INTERNET SAFETY

2010-12-02T07:14:00.000-05:00

INTERNET SAFETY

November 29, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Internet is perhaps the single most important invention to impact on elementary, secondary, and higher education in today's world. At P.S. /I.S. 178Q, our focus is to have students use this tool in the safest possible manner, both in school and at home.

In school, students practice internet safety and become familiar with educational websites in their computer classes with Mr. Masi. For parents, during the last two years, we have conducted a series of workshops on internet safety.

• In November 2009, we facilitated an I-Parent workshop presented by David Solano. This workshop informed participants of the types of information children are sharing online and what parent supervision should look like when students are using sites, such as Facebook.
• On May 26, 2010, Donna Brailsford, Director of Safety, Suspension, and Youth Development presented an Internet Safety/CyberBullying workshop.
• At a CyberBullying Parent Workshop on October 26, 2010, Ms. Brailsford made parents aware of potentially dangerous common social networking websites that are accessible to children.
• During Parent-Teacher Conferences on November 9, 2010, Ms. Brailsford presented a “Respect for All” parent workshop, along with Katie Bracken, Director of NYC Commission on Human Rights in Queens, addressing human rights at school and over the internet. The NYC Discipline Code was also explained during these sessions.

As a parent, you can safeguard the content your children view on the internet by calling your internet provider and asking for help desk support. You will be able to protect your children from accessing inappropriate websites. If you use Internet Explorer, you can set privacy settings by clicking on Tools, Internet Options, Security and lastly, clicking on Privacy. Similarly, on other portals and websites, there are security features.

As a reminder, all electronic communication devices, such as cell phones and beepers etc., are prohibited from city school buildings as per Chancellor’s Regulation A-412. Please view this regulation online at www.nyc.gov/schools for further information.

On the back of this letter, please find some educational websites, as well as the address to our School Portaportal Page, where you will continue to find resourceful websites.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and support.

Sincerely,

Jennifer C. Ambert
Principal

2010-11-08T12:37:00.000-05:00

OPEN SCHOOL WEEK VISITATION SCHEDULE

November 3, 2010

Dear Parent/Guardian,

We are pleased to inform you that open school week has been announced for the week of November 15 –November 19. P.S. / I.S. 178 parents/guardians are encouraged to visit classrooms during this week. In order to have minimum disruption to the daily routine, please follow the schedule below.

Monday, November 15
Pre-K 9:00-9:30 AM
K 10:30-11:00 AM

Tuesday, November 16
Grades 1 & 2 10:30-11:00 AM

Wednesday, November 17
Grades 3 & 4 8:30-9:15 AM
Grade 5 9:45-10:15 AM

Friday, November 19
Grade 6 9:00-9:30 AM
Grades 7 & 8 9:45-10:15 AM

As our partners in education, the purpose of Open School Week is to get a firsthand look at our school environment. This is not a time to meet with the teacher privately. If you would like to meet your child’s teacher, Parent Teacher Conferences have been scheduled for Tuesday, November 9th, from 1:00-3:00 PM and 5:30-8:00 PM.

If for any reason you are not able to come at the designated date and time, please contact your child’s teacher and they will accommodate you.

We look forward to your visit.

ELA and Math Scores

2010-11-08T12:36:00.002-05:00

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Each year, students in grades 3-8 take New York State tests in English language arts (ELA) and math. These tests measure how well each student has learned the skills expected at his or her grade level. Working with your child’s teachers, you can use the results of these tests to understand how well your child is performing, and to identify areas in which your child needs extra help.

On Friday, October 15, 2010, your child’s results on last spring’s ELA and math tests were placed in individual envelopes and distributed via backpack. These reports help you gain a better understanding of your child's current strengths and weaknesses as measured by the New York State Learning Standards. They can also be a helpful starting point for conversation with your child and your child’s teachers about his or her academic progress. Students who received a performance level of 1 or 2 on either the ELA or the Math assessment have been invited to attend our mandated Extended Day program. Those students will also have an opportunity to be invited to our Saturday ELA program and After School Math program in March.

It is important to note that this year, New York State changed how the ELA and math tests were graded. City students generally earned scaled scores, or actual scores, that were about the same as last year. However, according to the new grading system, a scaled score that last year was high enough to earn a level 3 (or “proficient”), this year would only earn a level 2 (or “basic”). As a result, a student whose State test result dropped did not necessarily learn less than in previous years. The score just translated to a different level than before. This tougher grading system has resulted in a significant drop in overall grades – not just at our school, but across the City and the entire State.

For more information about your child’s results, you can also log in to ARIS Parent Link at www.arisparentlink.org. ARIS Parent Link is an online tool with up-to-date information about your child’s academic progress. ARIS Parent Link has the same performance information that is on the Parent Report, plus a more detailed proficiency rating related to your child’s results on the NY State tests. You can also see your child’s course grades, periodic assessment results, enrollment history, and attendance information, as well as the Progress Report, NYC School Survey results, and State Report Card for our school.

With easier access to information about your child’s learning, you can continue to be an active partner in your child's education. We hope that you find the Parent Report and ARIS Parent Link to be helpful resources. For questions regarding the Parent Report, or for information about how to log in to ARIS Parent Link, please feel free to contact our Parent Coordinator, Phyllis Corley, at our school.

Thank you,

Jennifer C. Ambert
Principal

PRESENTATION BY THE NYC COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

2010-11-08T12:36:00.001-05:00

PRESENTATION BY THE NYC COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
AND CYBERBULLYING WORKSHOP

October 19, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians:

In September, the NYC Commission on Human Rights conducted a presentation to our Middle School Advisory Teachers and Staff regarding human rights, covering topics, such as discrimination, racism, bias, agism, hate, and sexual orientation preferences. Our middle school teachers were engaged in powerful dialogue regarding these issues, discussing ways to integrate read alouds and the impact on teaching.

Next Tuesday, October 26, 2010, the Queens Director for the NYC Commission on Human Rights, Katie Bracken, will conduct individual class presentations on Human Rights to all of our Middle School students. She will cover the topics above in her conversation. Ms. Bracken will also discuss the upcoming ten-week peer mediation program involving our middle school students.

Sincerely,

Jennifer C. Ambert
Principal

Gifted and Talented Testing

2010-10-25T09:58:00.000-04:00

From the NYCDOE Website:

2010-2011 Test Information Handbook and Request for Testing Forms now available online, at elementary schools and at Borough Enrollment Offices

This week, the New York City Department of Education released information for families interested in testing their children for eligibility and possible placement in elementary school Gifted and Talented Programs, kindergarten through third grade, in September 2011. Families interested in having their children participate in the testing – which is required for eligibility to a Gifted and Talented Program – must submit a Request For Testing Form (RFT) by of Wednesday, November 17, 2010.

The Request for Testing Form and the New York City Gifted & Talented Information Handbook 2010-2011 are available to public school students at all public elementary schools, to non-public school students at all Borough Enrollment Offices and to all students at the NYC Department of Education’s website: http://schools.nyc.gov/Academics/GiftedandTalented

Full details about the Gifted and Talented testing and placement process are included in the Handbook. The RFT and the Handbook are also available in the following translated versions: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu.

Families of public school children may complete a Request for Testing Form directly online or return a paper copy to their public schools. Families of non-public school children may complete a Request for Testing Form directly online or at any Borough Enrollment Office.

The Department of Education will host five borough-wide Parent Information Forums on the Gifted and Talented admissions process. At these sessions, Department staff will present an overview of testing, scoring and placement, and answer questions from families. Each session runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The schedule for the Gifted and Talented Parent Information Forums is as follows:

Monday, October 18, 2010, MANHATTAN, at Louis D. Brandeis Educational Campus, 145 West 84 Street, New York, NY 10024
Monday, October 25, 2010, QUEENS, at Long Island City High School, 14-30 Broadway, Queens, NY 11106
Tuesday, October 26, 2010, BRONX, at Theodore Roosevelt Educational Campus, 500 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458
Wednesday, October 27, 2010, STATEN ISLAND, New Dorp High School, 465 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island, NY 10306
Tuesday, November 9, 2010, BROOKLYN, Sunset Park High School, 153 35th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232

Phone System

2010-10-14T22:30:00.003-04:00

We experienced an issue with our phone system today, which reverted back to expired default messages from the school.

We apologize for any inconvenience. The error should not recur, but we thank you for bringing the matter to our attention.

At the end of the month, we will be installing a completely new phone system (same phone number).

New Assistant Principal

2010-10-12T14:58:00.001-04:00

October 12, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians:

After an extensive search for an Assistant Principal (nearly 200 people applied), our School Leadership Team and I unanimously decided on one individual who possessed the enthusiasm, passion and skills we were looking for in our new Assistant Principal. I am eager to introduce Jason Chin to our school community. Please join me in welcoming him to PS/IS 178. Mr. Chin will attend our October PTA meeting this evening at 7 PM and will be joining us at PS/IS 178 later in the week.

As Assistant Principal, Mr. Chin will oversee the middle school, citywide and state testing, Academic Intervention Services, student advisory, the Talent Programs, After School Programs, National Junior Honor Society, Student Council and other school-wide initiatives and programs.

Welcome, Jason Chin, and congratulations!

Sincerely,

Jennifer C. Ambert
Principal

NYC Periodic Assessment Calendar

2010-10-05T15:47:00.001-04:00

NYC Periodic Assessment Calendar

October 4, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Please be advised of the following administration dates for New York City Periodic Assessments. These exams are formative assessments used to inform and differentiate instruction in the classroom.

Grades 1-3 ECLAS-2 September – October 29th
ECLAS-2 tracks students' development of early literacy knowledge and skills. The assessment is designed to show educators where a child is making progress and where he or she may need further instruction. The ECLAS-2 kit is based on nationally recognized end-of-year benchmarks that every child should meet in kindergarten and grades 1, 2, and 3. These benchmarks are grounded in research and reflect the current New York State literacy standards.

Grades 3-8 Acuity Instructionally Targeted Assessments in ELA and Math
November 4- November 19th
Instructionally Targeted Assessments (ITAs) were designed with New York City educators to measure skills commonly taught within a specific instructional period. These assessments meet New York City Formative assessment requirements.

Grades 3-8 Acuity Predictive Assessments in ELA and Math
January 18 – February 4 Predictive Assessments simulate New York State Tests and Regents Exams and measure student growth. These assessments meet Periodic Assessment Predictive assessment requirements.

Grades K ECLAS-2 January - February
Grade 2 EPAL January 10-21
Grades K-3 ECLAS-2 April 27 – June 3
Grades 3-8 Acuity Instructionally Targeted Assessments in ELA and Math March 7 - 18 See description above
Grade 8 Acuity Predictive Algebra March 7 - 18 Predictive Assessments simulate New York State Tests and Regents Exams and measure student growth.

If you have questions about any of the assessments, please ask your child’s teacher or you may call our Parent Coordinator, Phyllis Corley. Mrs. Corley will facilitate parent workshops throughout the year to familiarize you with the various assessments and instructional tools to support your child’s learning. A similar letter was sent in September regarding State Assessments, which is posted on the school’s blog.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Ambert, Principal

Reminder - Schedule Changes

2010-10-05T15:44:00.001-04:00

We would like to remind you of the following citywide schedule changes:

Monday, October 11th Columbus Day observed. School closed.

Tuesday, November 2nd Election Day, no school for students.
Conference day for staff.

Tuesday, November 9th Parent/Teacher Conferences. Half-day for students. Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, November 11th Veterans Day. School closed.

Thursday & Friday Thanksgiving Recess. School closed.
November 25th & 26th

Citywide High School Fair

2010-09-22T08:23:00.000-04:00

The Citywide High School Fair is scheduled for October 2 and October 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This fair provides a great opportunity for high schools to recruit students actively.

Citywide High School Fair
Middle school students and their families are invited to attend the annual Citywide High School Fair! The fair is a great opportunity for you to speak with representatives from the city’s public high schools and learn about their programs. See below for fair flyers and more details.

Citywide High School Fair
October 2 & 3, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Technical High School
29 Fort Greene Place

School Calendar

2010-09-22T06:59:00.000-04:00

School Calendar for 2010-2011

Tuesday, September 7 School reopens for all staff

Wednesday, September 8 School begins for all students. Early dismissal
for PreK and Kindergarten only

Thursday, September 9 & School closed in observance of Rosh Hashanah
Friday, September 10

Monday, September 13 Early dismissal for PreK and Kindergarten

Tuesday, September 14 Early dismissal for PreK

Monday, October 11 Columbus Day, school closed

Tuesday, November 2 Election Day, no school for students.
Conference day for staff.

Thursday, November 11 Veteran’s Day, school closed

Thursday & Friday,
November 25 & 26 Thanksgiving Recess

Friday, December 24 Winter Recess
through and including (Last Day Thursday, December 23
Friday, December 31 School reopens Monday, January 3)

Monday, January 17 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Monday, February 21 Midwinter Recess
through (Last Day Friday, February 18
Friday, February 25 School reopens Monday, February 28)

Monday, April 18 Spring Recess
through (Last Day Friday, April 15
Tuesday, April 26 School reopens Wednesday, April 27)

Monday, May 30 Memorial Day observed, school closed

Thursday, June 9 Chancellor’s Citywide Professional Development Day, no school for students

Tuesday, June 28 Last Day for all Students, half day

PARENT/ TEACHER CONFERENCE DAYS (tentative)

Tuesday, November 9 P/T Afternoon Conferences (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
Half-day for Students – Dismissal at 11:30

P/T Evening Conferences (5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)

Tuesday, March 15 P/T Afternoon Conferences (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
Half-day for Students– Dismissal at 11:30

P/T Evening Conferences (5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)

2010-09-21T08:44:00.000-04:00

NYS Assessment Calendar

September 13, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians of Students in Grades K-8:

Please be advised of the following testing administration dates for New York State Elementary and Intermediate Schools. More information will follow, as we approach the testing windows. There is additional information on the state’s website at www.nysed.gov.

Applicable Grade(s) Assessment NYS Administration Dates Make-Up Dates
All ELL Students NYSESLAT: Speaking 4/13/11-5/24/11 N/A
Grades 3-8 NYS English Language Arts (ELA) 5/4/11-5/6/11 5/5/11-5/11/11
Grades 3-8 NYS Mathematics 5/11/11-5/13/11 5/12/11-5/18/11
All ELL Students NYSESLAT: Listening, Reading and Writing 5/16/11-5/24/11 N/A
Grade 4 Science Performance Test 5/31/11-6/3/11 N/A
Grade 8 Science Performance Test 5/31/11-6/3/11 N/A
Grade 4 Science Written Test 6/6/11 6/7/11-6/8/11
Grade 8 Science Written Test 6/6/11 6/7/11-6/8/11

If you have any questions about any of the assessments, please ask your child’s teacher or you may call our Parent Coordinator, Phyllis Corley.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Ambert
Principal

CHANGES IN THE NYS ELA AND MATH ASSESSMENT 2010

2010-09-21T08:42:00.000-04:00

CHANGES IN THE NYS ELA AND MATH ASSESSMENT 2010

September 13, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We hope that you have had a restful summer and we look forward to a stellar 2010-2011 school year.

As you may be aware from the Chancellor’s letter distributed last week, as well as recent news, there were major changes in the way New York State graded the Spring 2010 English Language Arts and Mathematics Assessments. According to data reviewed by the NYCDOE,

City students generally earned scaled scores, or actual scores, that were about the same as last year. According to the new grading system, a scaled score that last year was high enough to earn a level 3, or “proficient,” this year would only be a level 2, or “basic.” A student whose State test result dropped did not necessarily learn less than in previous years. The score just translated to a different level than before.

The tougher grading system resulted in a significant drop in overall grades across the City and the entire State. As a result, the change in the cut off scores for each performance level will have a drastic impact on our school’s overall progress report. As the Chancellor has already articulated, under the new grading system, fewer students will receive a level 3 and level 4. In order to address the changes to the scoring, we are revamping our curriculum calendars to begin implementation of the new Common Core State Standards.

In the coming weeks, students in grades 3-8 will receive their individual scores. As you are aware, the scores have been available on ARIS since August 16, 2010 at www.arisparentlink.org. For your ARIS password and log in information, please contact Mrs. Corley at pcorley3@schools.nyc.gov.

I look forward to seeing you during Meet the Teacher Night next week, September 21, 2010, from 6:00-8:00 PM. A PTA meeting will immediately follow.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Ambert
Principal

MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT

2010-09-21T08:39:00.000-04:00

You are invited to MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT

on Tuesday, September 21, 2010

from 6:00-8:00 PM

Format:
There will be a sign up sheet outside of your child’s class for two sessions: Session A will be 6:15-6:50 PM and Session B will be 7:10-7:45 PM for Elementary Classrooms. Each session can accommodate 15 parents/guardians.

For middle school classrooms:
There will be a sign up sheet outside of your child’s class for three sessions: Session A will be 6:00-6:30 PM; Session B will be 6:40-7:10 PM; Session C will be 7:15-7:45 PM. Each session can accommodate 15 parents/guardians.

Minor Power Outage

2010-09-08T17:03:00.002-04:00

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Please be advised that there was a minor power outage in the school building today. Our facilities division is working to address the problem so that it will not recur.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Thank you for your patience.

ARIS Parent Link and your child's State Test Scores

2010-09-08T17:00:00.002-04:00

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Please be advised that your child's NYS ELA and Math assessment scores were posted in ARIS on August 16, 2010. The web address is www.arisparentlink.org. If you need assistance logging on, including username and password information, please contact Mrs. Corley at pcorley3@schools.nyc.gov

Thank you.

Student Registration and Contact Information

2010-08-03T08:51:00.001-04:00

Student Registration Dates for the 2010-2011 School Year:

• Tuesday, August 31, 2010 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Wednesday, September 1, 2010 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Tuesday, September 7, 2010 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

If you are not sure whether you are zoned for PS/IS 178Q, please call 311 or visit the NYCDOE website: www.nyc.gov/schools

What to Bring to Registration

When you go to register, please bring your child with you. You also must bring the following documents:

• Proof of residence. Any two of the following documents:
• A residential utility bill (gas or electric) in the resident's name issued by National Grid, Con Edison, or the Long Island Power Authority (for the Rockaways); must be dated within the past 60 days
• Documentation or letter on letterhead from a federal, state or local government agency, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), City Housing Authority, Human Resources Administration (HRA), the Administration for Children's Services (ACS), or an ACS subcontractor indicating the resident's name and address; must be dated within the past 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; must be dated within the past 60 days
• Official payroll documentation from an employer such as a form submitted for tax withholding purposes or payroll receipt; a letter on the employer's letterhead will not be accepted; must be dated within the past 60 days
• Child’s birth certificate or passport
• Child’s immunization records
• Child's latest report card/transcript (if available)
• Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and/or 504 Accommodation Plan (if applicable and available)

First Day of School for All Students (Please note Pre-K follows a different schedule on the first day of school):
Wednesday, September 8, 2010

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:20 PM; Extended Day: 8:00 AM – 2:57 PM
Visit the NYCDOE Website: www.nyc.gov/schools or our school blog: http://holliswoodschool.blogspot.com

To contact the Parent Coordinator: pcorley3@schools.nyc.gov

To ask questions regarding the Samuel Field Y After School Program @ 178, please call them directly at 718-225-6750; Program Director: Dominick Menno

Letter to Parents/Guardians from the Chancellor about the state scores

2010-07-30T08:00:00.001-04:00

Dear Parent or Guardian:

As you may know, the State earlier this week released the results of the annual New York State math and English Language Arts (ELA) exams for students in grades three through eight.

I am sure you are anxious to see your child’s results. In the fall, all families will receive individualized reports from the State with their child’s test scores. This report will help you understand areas where your child needs work and will show you how your child is doing compared to other students.

Additionally, if your child was not promoted to the next grade in June and is currently enrolled in summer school, you will receive a letter later this week letting you know if your child still needs to take the citywide ELA and math exams in August. This decision will be based on your child’s final State test scores. If we had today’s State test results at the time summer school decisions had to be made, additional students would have qualified for summer school. Since these results were not available in time to place these students in summer school, they will instead receive additional support during the school year to ensure they master the content and skills necessary to succeed in their current grades.

If you prefer to get your child’s scores in advance of the start of school, we are making scores available to parents online. Beginning Monday, August 16, you will be able to access your child’s test scores through the DOE’s ARIS Parent Link website, which provides personalized student data.
• If you have visited the site before, or if you have your child’s student ID number and a temporary password, go to www.arisparentlink.org to log in. Once there, click on your child’s student profile to see your child’s results on the 2010 State tests.
• If you do not currently have ARIS access, see the end of this letter for more details.
As you know, we have made dramatic progress over the last several years. But this year, the State changed the way the tests were graded. As you may have heard, the State now holds students to a considerably higher bar compared to previous years. As a result, a score that last year was high enough to earn a rating of 3, or “proficient,” may only have earned a rating of 2, or “basic,” this year. The tougher grading system resulted in a significant drop in overall ratings across the entire State and here in the City. However, despite the drop in overall ratings, our students this year generally earned ELA and math scores that were consistent with last year’s results and, in some cases, were even better than last year.

Mayor Bloomberg and I applaud the State’s effort to continue to raise the bar and set higher standards for our students. Earlier this month, the State adopted new national Common Core standards, which will begin to influence what’s taught in schools. These standards will introduce more writing, problem solving, and critical thinking and help teachers and principals better connect learning across different subject areas and grade levels. Principals and teachers this summer are already working together to map out how these new standards will begin to affect their work with your child next year.

I expect each school in the City to analyze closely the State exam results and make the appropriate adjustments to curriculum and supports for students so that they can reach and eventually exceed these higher standards. I also expect each school to work with you and your child to identify areas of proficiency and strength, and areas that require extra support and attention.

Make no mistake about it—we have already made tremendous progress, but we realize we must do even better. We will not give up until every child is receiving a high-quality education and until every graduating student is ready for college or a career. Looking back, and looking ahead, I’ve never been more hopeful that we can reach this goal.

Sincerely,

Joel I. Klein
Chancellor

Statements of Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Klein on Results of State Math and English Tests

2010-07-29T08:41:00.000-04:00

Statements of Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Klein on Results of State Math and English Tests
07/28/2010

Statement of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg:

“Today, the State Department of Education released the results of the math and English exams administered this spring. This year’s scores maintained the major progress we have made raising student achievement levels in recent years, and the decision by the State to raise its benchmark for proficiency will help us raise achievement levels even higher. According to the new, tougher benchmarks, roughly 54 percent of city students in grades 3-8 are meeting or exceeding math standards, while just over 42 percent are meeting reading standards. Parents, teachers and principals should understand that these numbers do not mean our students are performing any worse than they were last year; it just means that there is a new, tougher benchmark for measuring our successes.

“In this increasingly competitive global economy, we need our students to have a strong foundation to be successful – and we are clearly headed in the right direction. Since 2002, we’ve seen an ongoing trend with New York City students outperforming students in school districts throughout the State. And I believe if we keep working together to raise our standards and give our students the support they need, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.”

Statement of Chancellor Joel I. Klein:

“After substantial progress since 2002, our kids should be proud. By any measure, on both the state tests and the highly respected National Assessment of Educational Progress, New York City students have far outpaced students in the rest of the state.

“Today’s lesson is that we have a long way to go – with higher expectations, our toughest and most exciting work is just beginning. Our goal has never been just proficiency, or even a high school diploma; our goal is to graduate all our students college and career-ready. It’s time to come together to help our students meet this great challenge. It will take an unprecedented effort from school officials, teachers, students, and parents; and it will take a more rigorous set of standards that require our students to do college-level work.”

Changes to the State Scores in ELA and Math

2010-07-26T20:31:00.006-04:00

On July, 20, 2010, the New York State Board of Regents announced approved scoring changes to the Grades 3-8 Math and English assessments, raising the bar on the level of proficiency. The changes will be reflected immediately by lower test scores when the New York State Education Department releases the results this week.

The approved changes resulted from a comprehensive review of how student performance on the state tests relates to performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) exam, future performance on Regents exams, and first year performance in college. The study concluded that the state “exams didn't sufficiently test students' abilities - the bar was set too low” according to Senior Deputy Education Commissioner John King.

Currently, scores classify student proficiency into four categories: Level 1 - not meeting learning standards, Level 2 - partially meeting learning standards, Level 3 -meeting learning standards, and Level 4 - meeting learning standards with distinction. The tougher grading will likely impact school districts across the state. “Fewer kids are going to hit that 3, which indicates proficiency,” King said. A press release from NYSED stated the Regents’ goal is to provide all students with a world-class education that prepares them for college, work, 21st century citizenship, and lifelong learning.

In the link above, there is a NY Times article explaining the justification behind the re-calibration of the scores.

Letter from the Chancellor

2010-06-28T12:57:00.000-04:00

Dear Parent or Guardian,

As you are no doubt aware, the current schedule for school to start in the fall has students returning to class on Wednesday, September 8, 2010.

But over the past few weeks, we heard directly from many parents and school communities concerned about the impact of Labor Day and the Jewish holidays on the first week of school. They asked us to consider moving the first day of school to Monday, September 13, 2010.

Recognizing the importance of not losing an instructional school day, the parents who wrote us further proposed that our teachers and staff use that Wednesday, September 8, 2010, as a professional development day, and instead use what is known as Brooklyn-Queens day—a professional development day that falls on Thursday, June 9, 2011 as an instructional school day.

Both the Mayor and I thought this proposal made sense for all involved and, in fact, would save parents the hassle of finding child-care for a one-day, mid-week holiday in June.

But in order to move forward with this plan, we needed the agreement of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT).

Unfortunately, the UFT refused our proposal and therefore we are left with no choice but to keep the calendar unchanged.

I also want to briefly address UFT’s statements in the press that we should allow different schools to start classes on different days. That idea is simply not feasible.

We cannot have a chaotic system where different schools start classes on different days, which would require different bus schedules as well as different food schedules. It would be confusing to parents, a further strain on our budget, and disruptive to the overall school calendar.

We understand and are sympathetic to the stress some families may feel because of the schedule during the first week of school, and regret that we were unable to make a change we saw as straightforward and fair to all.

But given our inability to reach an agreement with the UFT, we will proceed with starting school on Wednesday, September 8, 2010.

I wish you and your families an enjoyable, relaxing summer, and look forward to seeing everyone in the fall.

Sincerely,

Joel I. Klein

End of Year Reflection and Goodbyes

2010-06-28T12:56:00.001-04:00

June 21, 2010

To the Holliswood School Community:

This year, we have had many wonderful memories. From our multicultural celebration to the numerous concerts and shows, we have had a successful year. We are thrilled to have such a supportive community of families and dedicated staff, committed to promoting the growth of every student in our school.

This month, our school became the winners of the Trashmasters Contest for Super Recycling, sponsored by the Department of Sanitation. We won the Queens Borough Award for best recycling. In sports, our Elementary Rugby Team became runners-up during the Citywide Mayor’s Cup Tournament on June 5, 2010. Fifty-six teams from private and public schools competed in that tournament.

Academically, our students have demonstrated growth. While all of our standardized test results are not yet available, we have exceeded our previous year’s performance on the fifth grade NYS Social Studies Assessment. This is not only attributed to our faculty, but to the tremendous work that you do with your children. We are pleased that our 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, and local schools, such as Bayside, Cardozo, and Francis Lewis.

We would also like to share news regarding personnel changes. After four years, our Assistant Principal, Patrick Klocek, will be leaving our school and moving on to a principal position outside of New York City. Furthermore, after 23 years of service at the Holliswood School, our Supervising School Aide, Carmel Leong, will be retiring. Please join me in congratulating our beloved staff members who will be leaving us this year.

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

Half Day Reminder

2010-06-07T21:05:00.001-04:00

Please be advised of the following citywide half days:

June 8, June 17 and June 28th

On all dates, dismissal will be 11:30 AM.

In addition, there is no school on June 10th due to the citywide staff development day.

No School - May 31

2010-05-28T10:45:00.002-04:00

Please be advised that there is no school on May 31, 2010 due to Memorial Day.

However, the Samuel Field Y Program will be open at 178 for students enrolled in their program. For questions, please contact the Y directly.

Thank you.

Field Day and MS Olympics

2010-05-28T10:44:00.003-04:00

MS Olympics will take place at Cunningham Park on June 24th

Grades 3-5 Field Day will take place at Cunningham Park on June 25th

More information from Mr. Sanchez will follow.

Thank you.

CLUB GETAWAY

2010-05-28T10:38:00.003-04:00

CLUB GETAWAY
May 25, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians of Eighth Grade Students attending the Club Getaway Senior Trip:

Further to our January 12, 2010 meeting regarding senior events, please be advised that all plans for our Eighth Grade Senior Trip to Club Getaway on June 1 and June 2, 2010 in Kent, Connecticut have been finalized. Please find attached a list of what students should bring to the trip, a sample itinerary, and an overview of events, as specified by Club Getaway, as well as emergency contact information for the facility.

We would also like to make you aware of the following:

• We will have five teachers chaperone the trip: Ms. Nugent, Mr. Sanchez, Dr. Rispoli, Mr. Roder and Ms. Rapp. If you need to reach your child during the trip, please call Club Getaway at 203-616-0563. As you are aware, the trip includes numerous physical activities. In the event of an accident, the teachers and Club Getaway site supervisors will administer First Aid. You will be contacted in the event of any accident. Therefore, please make sure that you have given us your most current phone numbers.

• All students must be at the school at 7:00 AM on June 1st. The bus will be leaving promptly at 7:15 AM. The anticipated return date/time is June 2nd at 4:00 PM.

• We would like to remind all parents and students that electronic devices, such as cell phones, iPods, video game devices, etc. are not permitted on this trip.

• As per Chancellor’s Regulation A-701, if your child requires medication, he/she is permitted to self-medicate as a middle school student with appropriate parent approval via a Medication Administration Form (MAF) on file at the school.

• Finally, we will be meeting with 8th grade students regarding the trip during recess on May 26, 2010 to review the Chancellor’s Discipline Code, the trip itinerary and expectations. During that time, we will review the entire trip packet.

If you have any questions, please contact Phyllis Corley, Parent Coordinator.

Many thanks.

Sincerely,

Jennifer C. Ambert
Patrick Klocek

Adopt-A-Building

2010-05-28T10:38:00.001-04:00

May 4, 2010

Dear Parent/Guardian,

The fourth grade classes recently took a trip to the Queens Museum of Art to learn and explore more about New York. When we were there, we studied viewed a panorama scale model of the City of New York. This architectural model includes every building located in the five boroughs before the year 1992. It is a true masterpiece.
In 1964, Robert Moses created this scale model for the World’s Fair. The first update to the panorama was in 1992. It included the most recent buildings located in the five boroughs. Many years have been spent on this amazing project. In 2009, the museum launched a program called Adopt-A-Building. This program gives the community a chance to own a piece of the panorama. This will ensure the upkeep of a specific building or neighborhood on the panorama.
As a school, we would like to purchase our building. We are invested in making sure that we make our mark on history as well as making our mark on this masterpiece.

This is a community project and we wanted to include the school community in raising money to purchase P.S./I.S. 178. Our goal is to reach a cumulative total of $500.00, which is the cost to purchase the scale model of P.S./I.S. 178. Any extra money that is raised will go towards the Arts.

If you are interested in donating, please send in cash or a check (made out to P.S./I.S. 178) to Ms. Ehrentreu or Ms. Gahring’s mailbox. Please fill out the tear off below and include it in the envelope.

Together, we can raise the money and preserve our building.

Sincerely,

Ms. Ehrentreu and Ms. Gahring

Name:__________________________________________________

I would like to donate: $________________________

Parent Signature:______________________________________________________

Return tear-off and money in an envelope to Ms. Ehrentreu.

Middle School Re-Design/Re-Structuring

2010-05-28T10:37:00.001-04:00

Middle School Re-Design/Re-Structuring

May 19, 2010

Dear Parent/Guardian:

As you are aware, for the past two years, we have been established as a Pre-K to 8 school. Currently, in middle school, we have an honors and a non-honors class on each grade. There are a total of two general education classes on each grade (sixth through eighth) in middle school. Only students enrolled in honors classes take the Regents Examinations in eighth grade. We offer the Living Environment and Integrated Algebra Regents.

At our recent School Leadership Team (SLT) Meetings, while reviewing our current school-wide data, we discussed the possibility of a new middle school design, which would include heterogeneously re-organizing both classes on each grade. During our April 26, 2010 meeting, the SLT reached a consensus in favor of having two heterogeneously grouped general education classes on each grade throughout the school, K-8. Currently, in grades Kindergarten to Five, each class is grouped heterogeneously. Reorganization takes place during May and June and students are placed in two classes, so that both groups of students are as ability-equivalent as possible. The new design would differ from the current middle school design. With the new middle school design, we will offer Accelerated Math and Spanish courses to both classes on each grade. Both classes would have the opportunity to take the Math Regents examination and the Spanish Proficiency Exam.

The math data we analyzed demonstrates that all of our students are prepared to be challenged by accelerated course work in mathematics and should be granted the same opportunity only previously granted to honors students. We would maintain an honors program in English and Science. Students enrolled in Science Honors would take the Living Environment Regents in Eighth Grade. Social Studies and Physical Education classes would be grouped heterogeneously. Talent would remain –as is- heterogeneously grouped.

As your children are progressing in their adolescent years, they must be nurtured in an environment where the highest of personal and academic standards are expected. This new structure reflects our belief that all students can achieve and should be afforded with the same opportunities.

We will discuss the new middle school design during the May 25th PTA meeting at 7:00 PM in our auditorium. We hope you will join us.

Sincerely,

The School Leadership Team

Jennifer Ambert, Principal • Dee Ellerby-Cirillo, Parent Member • Tricia Gomes, UFT Chapter Chair • Ya Lan Hong, Parent Member • Ellen Kletzkin, Teacher • Patrick Klocek, AP • Ewa Michael, Secretary/Parent Member • Niki Maratos Stefanakis, Parent Member • Patrick Patten, Parent Member • Cindy Phillips, Teacher • Jennifer Puglisi, Teacher • Vivian Rizzotto, PTA Co-President

High School Information

2010-05-13T20:32:00.004-04:00

Please visit the NYCDOE web page to receive the latest information regarding the High School Application Process. The guidance office previously sent two fliers regarding upcoming citywide workshops. Please click on the link below for additional information. Alternatively, we will have a HS workshop on May 19th at 9 AM at our school.

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

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our guidance office: 718-464-5763, ext. 2532.

Thank you.

Warm Weather Attire

2010-05-13T11:57:00.000-04:00

Dear Families:

As the weather is getting warmer, we want to remind parents/guardians that all students should wear outfits that are appropriate for school.

Girls should not wear bare midriffs, spaghetti straps, tube tops, short shorts, or very tight clothes. Boys should not wear athletic mesh shirts unless there is a tee shirt underneath.

For safety reasons, all students should wear closed-back shoes. Shoes such as flip flops or clogs are not permitted in school.

We respectfully request that you reinforce this message to your children.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Ambert
Principal

May 14, 2010 YPC Assembly

2010-05-13T11:56:00.001-04:00

May 12, 2010

Dear Families of Students in Young People’s Chorus:

We are thrilled that the chorus will perform for our student body and families/visitors on May 14, 2010 at 9:45 AM in our school’s auditorium. During this event, the grades 3-5 and 6-8 choruses (under the direction of Amy Kotsonis, Assistant Conductor of Young People’s Chorus of NYC) will showcase all that they have learned. The recommended dress code is a white dress shirt and black pants.

Since this performance will take place during the school day, please enter through our main entrance on Radnor Road. Please bring NYS picture identification.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jennifer C. Ambert
Principal

Elementary Rugby

2010-05-03T14:34:00.003-04:00

Please be advised of the remaining dates for Elementary Rugby with Mr. Sanchez:

Elem Rugby [Team A] – 5/24/10 – 3-4 PM
Elem Rugby [Team B] – 5/19/10 – 3-4 PM

Mr. Sanchez’s letter of March 22, 2010 indicated all of the dates for the program.

Thank you.

ECLAS-2 Assessment

2010-05-03T13:08:00.000-04:00

April 26, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians of Grades 1-3 Students,

Further to our January 5, 2010 letter, we would like to remind you that students in grades one to three participate in ECLAS-2 testing during the year. The ECLAS-2 Assessment measures students’ reading skills. Please be advised that teachers in Grade 3 will not administer the ECLAS-2 assessment during the New York State Assessment period of April 26-April 28, 2010 and May 5-7, 2010. The spring assessment window for ECLAS-2 will end on May 28, 2010.

For more information regarding New York State and New York City Assessments, please visit our online Portaportal page: http://guest.portaportal.com/ps.is178q or the NYCDOE website: www.nyc.gov/schools. A link to the NYCDOE Assessment page has also been posted on our school blog.

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

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.

MULTICULTURAL CELEBRATION

2010-05-03T13:07:00.001-04:00

MULTICULTURAL CELEBRATION

April 23, 2010

Dear Holliswood School Community:

On Thursday, April 8, 2010, from 5:45 to 8:00 PM, over fifty families packed the Holliswood School (PS/IS 178Q) gymnasium to celebrate Multicultural Night. Students, Parents, Family Members and Staff Members created presentation boards, displays and shared food to highlight their cultures. Fifteen countries were represented. Performances included a storyteller, students dancing, as well as a singer. A parent shared, “The school is a microcosm of various cultures that was shown through performances, displays and food which I enjoyed! It was pure enjoyment to see the kids participate with great pride.” Our parent coordinator, Phyllis Corley, recruited students, family members and staff to participate months prior to the event, which made the evening extremely successful. Through this experience, students researched aspects of their culture, such as history, clothing, food, transportation, climate, customs, languages, monetary exchange rates, and utilized props such as clothing, photographs, scale models of houses, as well as cultural art pieces to decorate their stations. Visitors viewing the various stations learned a great deal as well and shared tremendous positive feedback.

As always, thank you for your support and dedication.

Upcoming Events - SAVE THE DATE**

2010-05-03T13:06:00.000-04:00

SAVE THE DATE**

May 13th: Science Fair - 4-6 PM
May 14th: Young People’s Chorus Performance at PS/IS 178Q — 9:45 AM
May 19th: High School Information Workshop for 6th and 7th Gr. Parents —9 AM
May 20th: Young People’s Chorus Performance at the 92nd Street Y — 11 AM
May 25th: Family Math Night—5:30-7:00 PM
June 3rd: Awards Night — 6 PM
June 7th: National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony - 5:30 PM
June 9th: Kids for Coltrane Concert* - 6 PM
June 11th: Honors Ceremony (Principal’s & Academic Honor Roll Students)/Student of the Month Assemblies - 9 AM & 1 PM
June 16th: Fifth Grade Moving Over Ceremony* — 8:30 AM
June 21st: Pre-K & Kindergarten Stepping Up
June 22nd: Culminating Band Performance — 9 AM
June 23rd: Eighth Grade Dance at New Hyde Park Inn* — 6 PM
June 25th: Eighth Grade Graduation* — 9 AM

PTA Meetings: May 4th, May 25th & June 22nd @ 7:00 PM

*Tickets Required
**Dates may change with advanced notice

Upcoming Field Tests - Grades 3 - 8

2010-04-30T16:36:00.000-04:00

The New York State Education Department will be administering a Field Test to all schools in New York State, which will measure student achievement in ELA and Mathematics. This exam will be administered on May 12 – May 13, 2010 and the results of the exam will be used by the state for educational purposes. Please note that your child’s performance on this exam will not be considered as promotional criteria and the results will not appear on your child’s official transcripts. Students that were exempt from the ELA will participate in this Field Test, but will only answer the questions in the mathematics section.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued support.

Updates from the NYCDOE website

2010-04-23T12:04:00.001-04:00

Spotlight:
Gifted & Talented Score Reports Have Been Mailed

Score reports for elementary school students who took Gifted and Talented examinations have been mailed to families. Electronic access to score reports (for those who applied online), and applications for eligible students, will be available beginning Monday morning, April 19.

2010-2011 Charter School Lottery Procedures

Starting April 1, 2010, any charter school that received more applications than available seats will conduct a lottery for its 2010-11 school year. If you have any questions or concerns regarding charter school lottery procedures, please feel free to contact the Charter School Office at (212) 374-5419 or CharterSchools@schools.nyc.gov.

High School Admissions Supplementary Round

The deadline for students to submit a Supplementary Round Choice Form to their guidance counselor is Thursday, April 29.
Take Your School Survey by April 23rd

NYC School Surveys are due today, April 23. The surveys help school leaders understand what key members of the school community say about the learning environment at each school. If you're a parent, teacher, or student in grade 6 through 12, take your survey today.

School Survey

2010-04-22T12:05:00.001-04:00

Dear Parents/Guardians:

This is a friendly reminder to please complete your school survey. They are due tomorrow.

Thank you very much.

AVON ROAD TRAFFIC UPDATE

2010-04-12T10:02:00.001-04:00

AVON ROAD TRAFFIC UPDATE

April 12, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Further to our December 18, 2009 letter, our January PTA Meeting regarding traffic on Avon Road, and the various interventions we have implemented regarding safety, we would like to inform you that we are still experiencing frequent traffic violations during morning arrival time. Motorists continue to make dangerous U-turns, endangering our students and other pedestrians.

As you are aware, since last year, we have been in touch with the 107th Precinct to ensure that there are safe traffic practices surrounding our school. In addition, in our January PTA Meeting, the Queens Borough Traffic Commissioner, Ms. Maura McCarthy, was a guest speaker. She came to listen to all of the concerned parents and staff members. As a result, the Department of Transportation (DOT) began conducting a study to analyze the traffic patterns around our school building. We are awaiting the results of the DOT’s research.

To improve the traffic conditions on Avon Road, in January, we made the Radnor Road entrance available to all students entering the building at 7:30 AM as an alternate option to Avon Road. The building opens at 7:30 AM on both Avon Road and Radnor Road, not earlier than this time. Our school clocks are adjusted to Eastern Time on the cellular phone network. As continuously restated, please be advised that the speed bumps surrounding our school building are not legalized crosswalks. There is a legal crosswalk on 188th Street and the Grand Central Parkway, where a city crossing guard is stationed. Please be cognizant of the street parking signs around our school and understand that the police will issue tickets to motorists who violate any parking and traffic rules. The most safe and effective way to exit your vehicle is on the curb side of the street. Please remember not to release your children on the traffic side.

We would like to reiterate the importance of following traffic laws and emphasize that our school community has been proactive in communicating our concerns to the Department of Transportation, local politicians, the Community District Education Council (CDEC), the 107th Police Precinct, as well as Department of Education Senior Officials to ensure safety around our school.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
School Safety Committee

Fifth Grade Social Studies Results

2010-04-12T09:56:00.000-04:00

Dear Holliswood School Family:

We are pleased to report that our Grade 5 Fall 2009 New York State Social Studies scores have arrived. Our results are as follows:

72.58% of our students performed at a level 4 (exceeding the standards and grade level), while 27.42% of our students performed at level 3 (meeting the standards); a combined total of 100% of students meeting or exceeding the standards.

The 2009-2010 results have improved from previous school years.

We attribute our success on this assessment to: our units of study in English Language Arts, aligning teaching Social Studies and nonfiction in October and November; professional development support to teachers; parental and familial involvement; and extensive work in the area of differentiated instruction, as teachers challenge all learners to make progress and hone their skills.

We will release the individual student results to fifth grade families. They are also available on ARIS.

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