School-wide Events

Dear Families and Staff Members:

We would like to thank you for all of your hard work preparing for the Chinese New Year Celebration on January 30th.

Throughout the day, students enjoyed learning all about China from the projects displayed by the third graders, as well as the artifacts arranged by the PTA. Students also commented on the activities that were available to them, such as badminton, practice with chopsticks, and tasting the delicious food. Events such as, the Chinese New Year celebration, strengthen the home-school connection, which is one of our school-wide goals this year. On January 20th, Assemblyman Weprin swore in our newest Student Council. Afterwards, Mr. Weprin gave an inspirational speech, discussing perseverance and determination. Later that day, our auditorium was filled with our entire student population to witness the live broadcast of President Obama's Inauguration. It was a historic moment and our students were truly grateful to experience the event. Following the Inauguration, I led a discussion about President Obama's speech and students had opportunities to provide their insights about our nation's future. Teachers continued discussions in their classrooms and many students wrote letters to congratulate the president. It was a remarkable day.

Please read the article in the Queens Courier about our Swearing-In Ceremony: http://queenscourier.com/articles/2009/02/03/news/regional/northeast/news04.txt

Thank you for your continued support.

Messages from the DOE Website

To the Holliswood Community:

Please read the message contained in the link below from Chancellor Klein regarding State Funding for next year's budget for schools:

http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/mediarelations/NewsandSpeeches/2008-2009/20090128_budget_testimony.htm

We will continue to keep you updated on this important matter during PTA meetings and through our blog.

Thank you.


Family Support Workshops
All schools / Events: January, February

The DOE is hosting Family Support Workshops in each borough. At the workshops, families can learn about resources in their community from a number of city agencies. The remaining workshops will be held in Staten Island (January 29), Manhattan (February 3), and Queens (February 5). For a full schedule of workshops and flyers (in English and other languages) with more details about them, visit http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/OFEA/default.htm.

Quality Review

Dear Holliswood School Family,

Our school Quality Review will take place next Tuesday and Wednesday (February 3-4). As you are aware, every school in NYC receives a periodic Quality Review. Two reviewers (one NYCDOE employee and one reviewer from Cambridge) will assess the school.

Following the review, we will share preliminary findings. To access last year's Quality Review report, please click on the link below:
http://schools.nyc.gov/OA/SchoolReports/2007-08/QR_Q178.pdf

There are major changes to the Quality Review scoring rubric this year. There is no longer a rating of Outstanding. The highest rating a school can achieve is a "Well-developed." Members of the SLT received copies of the Quality Review rubric. A rubric is also available online at
http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/FAC7910E-AAD5-4EBA-BB25-06291134348F/44694/QRRubricFINAL2.pdf

For the last two years, the Holliswood School received the second highest rating. In the 2006-2007 school year, the school received a "Proficient" (the year in which 'Well-Developed' was the highest) and as you know, last year, the school received a "Well-Developed" when "Outstanding" was the highest score.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, Mr. Klocek or Mrs. Corley. Thank you.

Letter to Middle School Families - Engrade

Dear Middle School Families:

A letter was distributed on Tuesday to assess the school community's overall opinion of the Engrade website. Please call Mrs. Corley if you did not receive that letter.

If you have received the letter, please ask your child to give the tear-off portion to their official class teacher or Mrs. Corley.

Thank you.

Kindergarten Admissions for 2009-2010 School Year

From the NYC DOE website:

Kindergarten Admissions for September 2009

Families should apply in person by March 2 at every school they are interested in having their child attend, including their zoned school. Schools will send assignment offers to families in mid-March. Families who receive an assignment must visit the school by April 13 to accept the offer and pre-register their child. To be eligible for Kindergarten, children must turn five years old by December 31, 2009 and be residents of New York City by the time they pre-register. Families must show the following documentation when they apply to a school:

Proof of residence. Any two of the following documents:
A residential utility bill (gas or electric) in the resident's name and dated within the last 60 days;
Documentation or letter on letterhead from a federal, state, or local government agency indicating the resident's name and address and dated within the last 60 days;
An original lease agreement, deed, or mortgage statement for the residence;
A current property tax bill for the residence;
A water bill for the residence dated within the last 60 days;
Official payroll documentation from an employer dated within the last 60 days, such as a form submitted for tax withholding purposes or payroll receipt (a letter on the employer's letterhead will not be accepted);
Child’s birth certificate or passport;
Name of any siblings who will attend the school to which the child is applying in 2009-10 (grades 1-5)

Please call Ms. Garelick at 718-464-5763 for additional information about K admissions at the Holliswood School. You can also call Mrs. Corley. Thank you.

For Pre-K Enrollment Questions, click here http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/PreK/default.htm
Thank you.

Upcoming Events, Revised Dates & Other Announcements

Greetings Families!

We would like you to be advised of the following upcoming events and revised dates:

ANNOUNCEMENT - Math Saturday Program will begin on January 24, 2009 (Select students). It will not begin on 1/17/09 as indicated on the calendar.

• Student Council Swearing In Ceremony, with special guest, Assemblyman Mark Weprin - 1/20/09 at 9:00 AM
• President-elect Barack Obama's Inauguration - 1/20/09 at 12:00 PM (School-wide event) Students have been asked to wear red, white and blue
• Middle School ELA (1/21/09-1/23/09)
• February 6, 2009 - Parent Workshop on NYS Math Assessments (Grades 3-8)

If you have any questions, please contact us at the school. Thank you.

Students Can Apply for Free Summer Arts Institute

Students Can Apply for Free Summer Arts Institute
Deadline: February 27

Students entering grades 8-12 in September can apply to attend the Summer Arts Institute, a free, four-week intensive arts program held at Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan in July. Seven tracks of study are offered: dance, drama, vocal music, instrumental music, photography, film, and visual arts. Students may apply to and audition for only one discipline. The program is designed for students at an intermediate or advanced level of study in their chosen art form. An experienced staff of teachers and artists will guide students in developing their skills and creativity as they prepare for their next level of study.

Admission to the program is by application and competitive audition. For more information and an application, visit http://schools.nyc.gov/offices/teachlearn/arts/summerarts.html. The application deadline is February 27.