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
Monday, June 28, 2010
End of Year Reflection and Goodbyes
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
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
Monday, June 7, 2010
Half Day Reminder
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.
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.
Friday, May 28, 2010
No School - May 31
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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Corley's Corner
Parents and Staff turn out for Corley's Ladies' Night at Strike Long Island (November 2008)
Mrs. Corley gets ready to read at the Barnes and Noble Fundraiser Event
Parents and Staff participate in Corley's Cupcake Creations Parent Workshop
Our Student Council Gives Back!
2009 Student Council President Chrysalis Terrado and her cabinet pose in front of dozens of toys donated by Holliswood families for our annual toy drive (December 2008)
