Para español, haga clic aquí.Please scroll down and read through the whole newsletter to find out all that is going on in and around our school. Also, you can find all of our newsletters here.
IMPORTANT DATES
November 2 - Election Day, Remote Learning for All, Check Google Classroom
November 3 - Evening Parent Teacher Conferences
November 4 - Afternoon Parent Teacher Conferences (early dismissal at 11:40am)
November 9 - Middle School Info Session for 5th Grade Parents/Guardians, 6:30pm
November 10 - PTA Executive Board Virtual Mtg, 6:30pm
November 11 - School Closed - Veterans Day
November 17 - PTA General Virtual Mtg, 6:30pm (Zoom link TBA)
November 25–26 - School is Closed for Thanksgiving Break
November 30 - Virtual SLT Meeting, 4:30pm (check calendar for details)
SCHOOL UPDATES
A MESSAGE FROM MS. RACHED
I continue to be amazed by the creativity and wonder I see in our students every day. This week alone, I saw our kindergarten students begin to blend and read new words using magnetic letters, and I stopped by a fifth grade classroom where students were creating their own superheroes and writing their backstories.
November 2nd, Election Day, will be a fully remote day, and teachers will be posting work in Google Classrooms. You must use your child’s nycstudents.net account to join their Google Classroom. Please reach out to Debby Wattenbarger if you need help accessing your child’s nycstudents.net account, and/or if you need a remote learning device for your child.
November 3rd and 4th are Parent-Teacher Conferences. Please look out for progress reports from your child’s teacher on November 3rd. Parent-Teacher Conferences are an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and specific concerns with their teacher. This year, they will be held remotely.
DESSA Screener
As you may have heard on the news or on social media, the DOE is mandating a social-emotional learning (SEL) screener called the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) for students in grades K-12. Classroom teachers have been asked to complete the DESSA screener through an online portal for each of their students. The DESSA asks questions about areas of social-emotional functioning including decision making, relationship building, confidence and others – you can see the full list of questions here. The online portal uses algorithms to provide suggestions for targeted whole-class, small group, and individual support. The results of this screener will be stored in an online portal that meets strict privacy and security standards and will only be viewable by school staff who interact with your child.
Our teaching teams are trained in responsive classroom, RULER, Social-Emotional and Ethical Learning (SEE), and foundational community building principles. We have a Support Team consisting of a guidance counselor, a social worker, and a school psychologist who collaborate closely with teaching teams and the whole school community to support children as needs come up. Teachers greet students every day so that we get an immediate read of how they are doing as they enter school. We feel strongly that our authentic approach to getting to know children, and the structures in place support our students' social emotional learning already!
Parents are welcome to opt out of the DOE-mandated Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) by filling out this form, sending us an email or paper copy with your child's grade level and your desire to opt your child out of the screener. If you wish to opt out, we need to receive this information by Friday, Nov. 12th.
If you have questions about social-emotional learning, please reach out to Diana Catherall, our guidance counselor.
Pickup Reminders
Please lock up bikes in a location that won’t obstruct foot traffic on the sidewalk.
Although we love seeing everyone’s dogs, they can cause some disruption to our dismissal process. Please be mindful of this.
Students riding scooters in dismissal areas can also be dangerous – please save the scooter riding until you are on a clear sidewalk.
Please wait at your child’s designated pickup area, and wait for them to say goodbye to their teacher. Our teachers are working hard to keep their students safe at dismissal, and when students are being pulled off their line at dismissal, it is very stressful. Your patience during pickup is greatly appreciated by everyone!
Crossing Guards
Thank you to those who have already signed up for crossing guard slots!
Earlier this week we were notified that the city is expecting shortages of crossing guards next week. We have been informed that our crossing guards, Susan & Veronica, may not be on our corners to help our students cross at the Sherman & Windsor corners of 11th Avenue. We do not have school staff to cover this, so we are asking for parent volunteers for both arrival (8–8:35AM) & dismissal (2:45–3PM). Please click the link to the sign-up sheet below, and sign up for a few slots if you can.
Crossing Guard Guidelines
At the Sherman side, families should cross using the crosswalks. Please check for traffic (especially on 11th Ave!) and then allow families to cross.
At the Windsor side, families should cross with the traffic light signals.
Thank you so much for helping to keep our students safe!
Welcome Deputy Superintendent Lanzillotto
Last week, Nicole Lanzillotto was appointed as our District 15 Deputy Superintendent. Prior to this appointment, Deputy Superintendent Lanzillotto was the principal of the Boerum Hill School for international Studies. I look forward to welcoming Nicole to our school in the coming weeks!
Free Broadband Opportunity
Please read the article below regarding NYC School Families’ eligibility for Broadband Internet credit. The discount is part of the federal government’s temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit Program:
How to Apply:
NYC families can find out more here on how to apply for the Internet or device credit.
Some families have reported confusion over signing up. Here’s what you need to know:
When asked if you qualify through a dependent, you must select “Yes, I qualify through my child or dependent” (unless you’re eligible for another reason).
Choose “Enrollment at USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) School” when asked if you participate in any federal programs.
When prompted for the district, select “NYC Chancellor’s Office,” followed by your child’s school.
AUTHOR VISIT
Jessica Love, author of Julián is a Mermaid (our book of the month) and its joyful follow-up, Julián at the Wedding, is visiting with all our classes on a special Zoom call TODAY at 2 PM!
Here’s how to buy your own copies, with all proceeds going to the PTA fund: For classroom delivery, order HERE by Monday, 11/1 (delivery date: 11/9). Or head over to Terrace Books at 242 PPW to purchase them there. Be sure to mention PS154.
SCHOOL-WIDE REMINDERS
All students/staff/visitors must complete their health screening at home every morning before they arrive in school. Click the link here: Online Health Screening Paper copies will be made available at school if needed.
Please complete your Covid-19 Testing Consent Form and return it to the main office. Forms were sent home this week for students who are missing consent. You can also provide consent online – go to schoolsaccount.nyc. Log in with your own email at the screen that looks like the DOE student login, then select the blue "my student" button. The link to the Covid-19 Testing Consent is at the top of that page.
All families must complete the Family Income Inquiry Form, which helps schools receive money for their programs regardless of if they qualify for free or reduced lunch. No need to sign up for school breakfast or lunch.
Complete the Emergency Blue Card here: Emergency Blue Card. We still need you to complete the entire form even if you updated this in your NYCSA. Please return the form to the main office, or email to fancona@ps154.org
PTA UPDATES
GET INVOLVED WITH A PTA COMMITTEE!
Have you ever thought about getting involved with the PTA but are worried about the time commitment? Are you interested in helping with just one event or one short-term project? We can make that happen!
Please take a look at our PTA subcommittee survey, and let us know how you might see yourself getting involved. Even small gestures can make a big impact! https://forms.gle/4wpmPbQhVQ8qrpAW9
Please reach out to pta_info@ps154.org for more information on participating in the PTA. Please remember that we cannot run our school without volunteers! OUR SCHOOL NEEDS YOU!
NEW BOARD MEMBER!
We’d like to congratulate our newest PTA board member, elected at this week’s PTA meeting: Stefanie Schiada, Chair of Auctions and Sponsorships!
