School Phase Outs

Please view the NYCDOE website for updates regarding School Phase Outs:

http://schools.nyc.gov/AboutUs/leadership/PEP/publicnotice/Proposals+1-26-10.htm

As you are aware, Jamaica HS is in the process of a phase out.

Grades 2-3 Recorder Program

Dear Parents/Guardians of Second and Third Grade Students,

Please be advised that the recorder program with 144 Music and Arts has concluded its 6-week cycle. Our music teacher, Mr. Castillo, will be continuing the recorder program in each classroom beginning this Monday, 1/11. The dates will be 1/11, 2/1, 2/8, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22. The students will prepare for the 2nd Annual Arts Benefit, tentatively scheduled for March 24th.

Family Basketball Night

Please join us on January 7, 2010 for our Second Annual Family Basketball Night. Students will participate in drills from 6:00-6:45 PM. A Parent/Family versus Faculty Game will follow.

Please enter through Avon Road.

**Refreshments and Prizes are available**

Upcoming Testing and Parent/Guardian Letter Regarding Medications in School

Please be advised of the following upcoming periodic assessments:

• The E-PAL Assessment will be administered to second grade students on January 20th to 21st. Third Grade will not take this exam in light of the Acuity Exam.
• The Acuity Predictive Assessment in Grades 3-8 will be administered to students on January 25th and 26th.
• The ECLAS-2 Assessment Window (throughout the month of January) has commenced for Kindergarten students.

For more information regarding these assessments, please visit http://schools.nyc.gov/Accountability/ResourcesforEducators/PeriodicAssessments/default.htm or contact our Testing Coordinator/Asst. Principal Mr. Klocek at the school.

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Medications in School

January 5, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Winter has arrived and along with it comes the cold and flu season. We would like to remind you of the Chancellor’s Regulations regarding taking medication in school.

Please read the following excerpt from Chancellor’s Regulation A-701.

“ Medication may be administered in school if it is needed to permit the student to
participate in his/her educational program. A health care provider (physician, nurse
practitioner, or physician assistant with physician signoff) licensed to prescribe in
New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut must complete a Medication Administration
Form (“MAF”), prescribing the medication to be administered during the school day.
This form may be obtained by parents at their child’s school or on the DOE website.
Any changes to the MAF must be in writing and signed by a licensed health care
provider. A new MAF must be supplied at the start of the school year. All medication must be hand-delivered to the school in the original pharmacy container. The school nurse will store the medication in a locked cabinet or refrigerator. The nurse will maintain a medication log (and other documentation as indicated) for each student approved to receive medication in school. Junior High School and High School students may self-medicate where there is physician and parent approval documented on the MAF.”

To view the complete Chancellor’s Regulation A-701 or other regulations, please visit www.nyc.gov/schools.

If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse, Ms. Warren. Thank you for your cooperation.

School Phone Line

Our school phone line is currently not working. You may call our backup phone line: 718-464-5765 and dial '0' for the operator.

Verizon is expected to repair the phone line today.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Teacher Blogs

Please be sure to check out Ms. Ehrentreu's blog: http://guest.portaportal.com/ms.ehrentreu

as well as other PS/IS 178 teacher blogs at http://guest.portaportal.com/ps.is178q

Our Portaportal Page also includes fantastic educational resources.

ThinkQuest

Dear Parents/Guardians of ThinkQuest Students:

Please be advised that the ThinkQuest After School Program will not be in session on December 23, 2009. ThinkQuest will resume in the new year.

Have a terrific holiday!

Thank you for all your support and dedication.