Blue Ribbon Award Celebration

[Above: The Blue Ribbon plaque awarded by Secretary of Education Spellings]

To the Holliswood School Community:

On Friday, November 7th, we celebrated as a community on winning the Blue Ribbon Award from the United States Department of Education. Superintendent Anita Saunders was our guest speaker, who stated, "Schools succeed because of the effective use of data." Superintendent Saunders thanked the entire school community for being present to celebrate the award. Of the other distinguished guests, CEO of the Integrated Curriculum and Instruction Learning Support Organization (ICILSO) and former Region 3 Superintendent, Judith Chin, was also in attendance. Ms. Chin was grateful for being invited to celebrate with the community and was very proud of the school's efforts. Parent Coordinator Corley coordinated the entire event, which included performances by Ms. Passarella's class, third, fifth and eighth graders, as well as a remarkable performance by the new Holliswood 8th Grade Band, led by our new band instructor, Michael Castillo. Students were touched by the greeting made by former Principal Diane Hobbs, who was unable to join us, as she is currently in China. Assistant Principal Patrick Klocek was our Master of Ceremonies, who remarked on our mission to educate the "whole child."

We would like to once again congratulate all the students, parents, teachers, staff members and community members who contribute to moving our school forward.

Principal for a Day

[From left: Jessica Kemper from Pencil, Principal Ambert, Parent Coordinator Corley and Director Bill Martin of Verizon]

On October 23rd, Director of Community and External Affairs of Verizon, Mr. Bill Martin, was designated 'Principal for a Day.' Mr. Martin visited a variety of classes, read stories, answered questions and spoke at an assembly for Middle School students regarding focusing on school work and achieving one's aspirations. Thank you for visiting us, Mr. Martin, and thank you to Verizon for all of their efforts.

Blue Ribbon Award and Upcoming Events

Dear Families:

As you may know, I attended the Blue Ribbon Award Ceremony in Washington DC on Monday and Tuesday to receive the school's award from the US Department of Education for the school's outstanding progress and performance. Former Principal Diane Hobbs was also in attendance, along with our SETSS Teacher, Ms. Abramowitz-Imperatore. During my visit, I met principals from all over the country, who received their awards as well. Only 20 schools from New York won the prestigious award. There were 350 schools that won and 750 principals and administrators from the United States present at the ceremony. In honor of this event, we would like to celebrate on November 7, 2008 with the entire community (details will follow). We will display our Blue Ribbon Flag proudly, as you enter through Radnor Road in the coming days. Thank you for all your support for our students and teachers.

The Acuity ELA predictive exam was administered this week to students in grades 3-8. This exam (a practice test) measures the students' reading comprehension and mirrors the NYS ELA exam. You will receive your child's results within the next two-three weeks. These results are analyzed by myself, Mr. Klocek, as well as your child's teacher, to inform what next steps are needed in order to prepare your child for the actual New York State ELA, which takes place in January. The data also informs what school-wide goals and initiatives are needed to move all students forward.

The CHAMPS Afterschool Program began on Monday, October 20th. We are pleased to have flag football, badminton and soccer available to our MS students.

Our Principal for a Day, Mr. Bill Martin, Director of Community Affairs for Verizon, will be in our building tomorrow morning. Thank you to Verizon for their efforts in supporting our school.

Tomorrow night is Family vs. Faculty Volleyball Night. The game starts at 6 PM. We hope to see you there.

Specialized High School Admission Tests are this weekend - Good luck to all the 8th grade students taking the exam! You will perform magnificently!

A parent letter was distributed last week regarding our upcoming auditions for Young People's Chorus. This audition is open to students in grades 3-8. Thus far, 55 students have submitted permission slips. Auditions will take place on Monday, 10/27 at 9:30 AM. Students will be accompanied by a teacher in the auditorium and do not have to prepare a special song to sing. Three representatives from the Young People's Chorus will assess the students' ability. We will accept permission slips until Friday morning (10/24). If your child does not have a permission slip, he/she cannot audition for the chorus. If you need another slip, please request one from the office or through your child's teacher.

Next week, the PTA will be sponsoring the Halloween Masquerade on October 30th. Please contact co-Presidents Ms. Ellerby or Ms. Kelly regarding this event.

October 31st is Halloween, please do not send the students to school in costumes and take all precautions when assisting your child during any trick-or-treat activities.

As you know, school will be closed on Election Day (November 4th). However, we will have professional development for our staff. On November 11th, school will be closed in observance of Veteran's Day.

Information regarding the November Parent-Teacher Conferences will be distributed shortly. This year, both the afternoon and evening conferences will be scheduled on November 20th.

Thank you for your continued support as our partners in education.

Jennifer Ambert

School Fundraiser & Upcoming Picture Day

Dear Families,

The deadline for our school fundraiser (BIG APPLE) is October 14th. Please submit your order forms on that day. The funds raised will be used to purchase guided reading books and materials to support teaching and learning at our school.

Thank you for all your support!

*******************October 14th is also Picture Day********************

Message from Mrs. Guglietta regarding an online Art Exhibition & Contest

Don't forget to submit your child's artwork in the Crayola Annual Juried Children's Art Exhibition.

Have your child (grades K-6) use the theme "Green--Earth's Favorite Color" and turn it into creative artwork inspired by an eco-friendly learning experience.

Deadline for submission is November 1, 2008.

Register today at
https://mail.nycboe.net/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://pull.xmr3.com/p/7125-718C/41608761/http-www.crayola.com-artexpo.html

Please email MGuglietta@schools.nyc.gov if you have questions regarding the submission process or any concerns.

High School Application Process - Attn: 8th Grade Parents

On Friday, October 10th, your 8th grade child will receive his/her High School Application.

Please keep the following key points in mind:

The applications are due back to Guidance Counselors, Ms. Peters or Mr. Feigelson in the Guidance Office by November 21st, 2008. Please fill them out in ink. They must be signed and dated by a parent and the student.

You may list up to 12 program choices on the application, but are not required to do so. In fact, most students will not have that many choices listed.

Only list schools that you would be comfortable having your child attend. Remember that your child may be assigned to any school listed in the 12 choices!

Be sure to check the travel time to each of the schools you list. You may go to www.hopstop.com to see how long the commute would be during different times of the day.

If you want your child to attend his/her zoned school, it must be listed on the application. If you are zoned to an undesirable school, do not list it on the application, or your child may get assigned to it, if not given any other offer.

If your child is taking the test for the Specialized High Schools, he/she should indicate the order of preference for the Specialized high schools on the ADMISSION TICKET ONLY. No Specialized High Schools should be listed on any of the 12 choices on the H.S. Application. There is a spot to indicate that he/she will be applying to the Specialized High Schools. Careful consideration should be given to the order of preference since it will affect the outcome of the offer given. Offers to a Specialized H.S. will depend on the score of the exam, the order of preference indicated, and seat availability.

A student is guaranteed a seat in the zoned program at the school in which he/she is zoned only if he/she lists it on the application. The computer will automatically match your child to his/her zoned school if he/she is not offered a seat in any other school which he/she listed higher on the order of preference. Any school listed after the zoned program of your zoned school will not be considered.

If your child is auditioning for any school, he/she must familiarize himself/herself with the audition requirements for that school (listed in the H.S. Directory) and obtain an audition ticket from Ms. Peters or Mr. Feigelson.

Tickets for the Specialized HS exam will be distributed on or about Oct. 17th.

When you receive your child's High School Application, you may notice that some/all report card grades do not appear. The Office of Student Enrollment is working with us to ensure that your child's grades are updated. Where updates are made, a new application will be generated for your child.

If after referring to the H.S. Directory you need further assistance, please call the Guidance Counselors at (718) 464-5763, extension 2531, and we would be more than happy to help you.

Cristina Peters and Jerry Feigelson, Guidance Counselors

Upcoming Events

• On October 7th, Parent Coordinator Corley and our Math Coach, Janet Marmo, will host an Everyday Math Workshop for fourth and fifth grade parents. As you know, the Everyday Math program is now implemented in grades four and five at the Holliswood School.
• Please join us for our upcoming PTA Meeting on October 14th at 7:00 PM. We will have representatives from the School Construction Authority discuss the construction project at our school.
• On October 23, 2008, we will have a family volleyball game from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. We would like to invite parents and staff members to join us for some volleyball fun!