Reminder: Parent Town Hall Meetings Tonight!

Please join Principal Marino for a Parent Town Hall meeting TODAY, April 12th. We will hold two sessions: English/Spanish at 5:30 PM, and English/Chinese at 6:30 PM. Both sessions will be held on Google Meet. (Please note - you should not need to enter any login information; you should not be logged into your child’s DOE email account)


During the meeting, Mr. Marino will speak about several timely topics, including:

  • Opt-In process for transition to Blended (in-person) learning

  • NYS State Exams (ELA, Math, Science, and NYSESLAT)

  • Title I PAC Parent Engagement Funds

  • Community Safety Meeting

There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions in each session. If you are unable to attend a meeting session on Monday, we will post Google Slides from the meeting afterwards.

P.S. 120Q Parent Weekly Bulletin - 4/9/21

P.S. 120

Parent Weekly Bulletin

Week of 4/12/21

Principal’s Memo

Dear P.S. 120 Families,

I would like to invite you to join me for a Parent Town Hall meeting this coming Monday, April 12th. We will hold two sessions: English/Spanish at 5:30 PM, and English/Chinese at 6:30 PM. Both sessions will be held on Google Meet. (Please note - you should NOT need to enter any login information; you should not be logged into your child’s DOE email account)

During the meeting, I will speak about several timely topics, including:

  • Opt-In process for transition to Blended (in-person) learning

  • NYS State Exams (ELA, Math, Science, and NYSESLAT)

  • Title I PAC Parent Engagement Funds

  • Community Safety Meeting

There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions in each session. If you are unable to attend a meeting session on Monday, we will post Google Slides from the meeting afterwards.

Lastly, in the past two issues of this bulletin I have shared resources to help our community, particularly our Asian families, know what to do and who to contact in the event that you experience or witness discrimination and/or hate incidents. At this time, I want to restate our commitment as an inclusive school community, and to helping you navigate this time safely with your family. And so, I would like to ask - What can we do to support you right now? As always, I value your feedback and look forward to speaking with you individually. You can always reach me atrmarino4@schools.nyc.govwith your ideas and questions.

Have a fun and safe weekend with your family.

Sincerely,
Robert Marino
PrincipalAnnouncements

  • Blended Learning Opt-In Window - Deadline TONIGHT!: The deadline to opt students in for in-person learning ends tonight (4/9) at midnight. If you would like your child/children to come to school for in-person learning, you must take this survey, once for each child: https://www.nycenet.edu/surveys/learningpreference

    • You will receive a confirmation email from us when we receive your response:

      • Please note that the DOE has not announced a start date for your child to begin.

      • We will message you with a start date as well as information about your child's in-person class as soon as possible.

      • In the meantime, your child should continue learning remotely at home in his/her current remote class. Please do not send him/her to the school building on Monday, 4/12, or any school day before the start date.

  • PreK Application Window EXTENDED: Families with children born in 2017 can apply to Pre-K by NEW deadline of Monday, April 19th. Apply now (and tell your neighbors to apply) for PreK at P.S. 120 for the 2021-2022 school year!

  • Kindergarten offer letters: On Thursday, April 8th, the Office of Enrollment sent Kindergarten offer letters via email (to the email address used on the application). Paper copies will be sent over the next few weeks via U.S. Mail. Please note that families have until April 30th to accept their Kindergarten offer. Please be sure to accept your offer for P.S. 120 if you plan for your child to attend here (and we hope you do!). Contact Ms. Zanata with any questions (szanata@schools.nyc.gov) about Kindergarten offers.

  • Samaritans Sucide Prevention Center Master Class Series: NYC Council Member Peter Koo invites you to attend a Samaritan Sucide Prevention Center Master class to learn more about how to help your clients, friends and loved one. Learn more: Click here.

  • NYCDOE Adult ESL Program: Please see this flyer about an upcoming in person ESL program for NYC residents over 21 years of age. Click here for the flyer.

  • CEC 25 Candidate Forum: Meet the candidates running for your Community Education Council by attending this forum on April 19th at 6:00 PM. Flyer found here.

  • Self Defense Workshop: The Center for Anti-violence Education (CAE) is offering another free community Upstander and Self Defense workshop to address Anti-Asian harassment and violence! View the event flyer here. Click here to REGISTER

  • Mental Health Workshops: Queens North Students Services Team will be hosting parental workshops in April on the topic of mental health. The topic of Suicide Awareness will be discussed April 21st at 9:30 - 10:30 AM with presenters Donna Brailsford (DOE) and Tina Scandul (DOHMH). Registration is here.

  • ParentU/Columbia University “Making Learning Work” Series: The DOE invites families to participate in a three-part Parent University virtual series called “Making Learning Work.” The courses include a user-friendly family guide with practical resources, tools, and tips to help students learn at home and school, and build and sustain meaningful relationships. Courses will be conducted in English and Spanish and taught by DOE partners at Columbia University’s Center for Public Research and Leadership. Click for flyers in English and Spanish.

  • iRaise Spring Classes: Enrollment for iRaise’s Spring classes, tutoring, and mentoring is NOW OPEN. While at home, your kids and teens ages 5-19 can stay occupied, build skills, and make friends in our art, dance, STEM, financial literacy, yoga, Zumba, singing, Black history, musical theater, read aloud, and writing programs. Sign up by April 17, 2021. Click here to find more information.

  • School Safety Rally: Rally to Keep NYPD School Safety in NYCDOE schools on April 11th at 2:00 PM at City Hall Park. Flyer can be found here.

  • 3rd/4th/5th Grade Virtual Afterschool Program Opportunity: I am thrilled to share that PS120 will continue our partnership with the Queens Botanical Gardens to bring an additional series of virtual afterschool environmental education workshops to our students!

    • Please click here to view the flier with more information, and to access the interest form which must be completed if you would like your child to be considered to participate.

    • Limited seats available! Selected students will receive more information by the end of next week.

  • Student Password Reset Function: Parents, please note - the family-facing password reset tool for student NYCDOE email accounts is currently under maintenance. If you need help with your child’s DOE email account and password, please contact jmomoh@schools.nyc.gov

  • IncludeNYC Panel: INCLUDEnyc is offering an online panel, called “Disability in the Family, Exploring the Experience of Sibling Relationships” featuring brothers and sisters of people with disabilities on Sunday, April 11th from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. For more information and registration, click here.

SEL Corner

  • Announcement

    • If a parent/guardian needs support from our school counselors, please complete this form.

    • If any parents would like to participate in our Virtual Career Day, click here.

    • Middle School Applications:

      • If you cannot access your child’s MySchools account (the one used to apply for middle school), please call 203.548.0204 or email rwoodburn@schools.nyc.gov to speak with Mr. Woodburn immediately.

  • Resources


  • Brain Power Wellness

    • As you know, we strive to enrich our minds, bodies and hearts each day at P.S.120! We have been using Brain Power Wellness activities to provide virtual “brain breaks” while we engage in in-person and remote learning.

    • DragonFire TV - Please continue to watch the “Strategy of the Week” videos with your child, and help them master each strategy!

    • To spread Brain Power throughout our P.S. 120 community, please try some individual activities with your children on Mr. Manzione’s YouTube channel! This week, please enjoy a review of:

    • Energy Ball

    • Sky, Earth, Friend

    • Partner Side Stretch

  • In addition to Mr. Manzione’s YouTube page, please check out and share the Brain Power YouTube Page and Brain Power I.G. Live pages with your family!

Celebrations
Ramadan: The Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins Monday, April 12th and concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr on Thursday, May 13th (Note: School is CLOSED in observance on May 13th). Best wishes to our Muslim families, many of whom fast, pray, and practice introspection during this time.

Message from our Chancelor

Good afternoon. Today you received a notification of a confirmed case, and a potential case, at PS 120. Starting this Monday, as explained below, two cases will no longer trigger an automatic school closure. However, the two unrelated cases that came in today may still fall under the old rules. As soon as I am contacted I will let your know.

R. Marino


April 9, 2021


Dear Families,

No matter what, health and safety always come first in our schools. The New York City
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the New York City
Department of Education (DOE) have worked together throughout the COVID-19
pandemic to protect the health of our school communities. We are proud that this
partnership has helped make New York City public school buildings some of the safest
places in the city.

As the pandemic has evolved, we have updated our protocols to ensure a safe,
supportive learning experience for every student. Yesterday, following guidance from
the CDC and detailed review of the scientific literature, we announced changes to our
COVID-19 school building closure policies to minimize disruptions to in-person learning
while maintaining our steadfast commitment to health and safety.

This new policy is among the many practices we have put in place to protect our school
communities, including encouraging vaccinations for all eligible New Yorkers. At least
65,000 school staff members have already been vaccinated, providing a critically
important layer of protection. All New Yorkers age 16 and up are now eligible to receive
the COVID-19 vaccination, and we urge you to learn more and make an appointment at
nyc.gov/vaccinefinder.

Here is what you need to know about the new closure policy:

When will a school close?
Beginning Monday, April 12, 2021, a school will only close if there are 4 or more
confirmed COVID-19 cases from 4 different classrooms during a 7-day period, and the
cases are traced to exposure inside the school as determined by the investigating team.
Many DOE buildings have more than one school within them. Any other schools in the
same building will not close unless they have a separate set of 4 or more cases from 4
different classrooms traced to exposure inside the school, or there is close interaction
between the schools as determined by the investigating team.


What if there are 2 or 3 cases in a school?
If 2 or 3 positive cases in different classrooms are identified within a school over a 7-day
period, the affected classrooms will switch to remote learning for 10 days. The rest of
the school will remain open for in-person learning.
Additionally, random testing for COVID-19 at the school will immediately be increased to
include 40% of a school’s in-person population during the following week. Please note
that individuals who have been vaccinated will be included in testing as of now.

What if there is 1 case in a school?
When a school has a single confirmed case, the affected classroom will switch to
remote learning for a period of 10 days, just as they do now. Only unvaccinated
students or staff in the affected classroom(s) will need to quarantine.
Continuing to close classrooms in response to a case of COVID-19, and increasing
testing in the event of 2 or 3 cases, allows us to keep school communities safe, while
avoiding closures of the whole school. We know how much continuity matters for
students, staff, and families, and this approach allows for that while staying consistent
with CDC guidance. It is also responsive to the many families and staff who have
experienced multiple building closures this school year — and the ensuing disruption it
can cause. Our goal is safety and stability for all our families.

As always, we are grateful to you and your children for your patience and persistence
during this challenging school year.

Sincerely,


Meisha Porter
Chancellor

Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc
Commissioner
Department of Education Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Parent/Staff workshop - Mental Illness Awareness - Queens North Workshop Wednesday 4/7 at 6:30 PM

Please join for a Queens North BCO Parenting Workshop
NAMI Ending the Silence
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 6:30-7:30pm

This 50 minute presentation is designed to give caregivers an opportunity to learn about mental illness through an informative Power Point and short videos. Through the presentation, caregivers learn symptoms and indicators of mental illness, and are given ideas about how to help themselves, friends, or family members who may be in need of support. Additionally, the presentation includes personal testimony from a young adult living with a mental illness about his/her journey to recovery. Translations available

Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only) +1 347-966-4114,,388010241# United States, New York City
Phone Conference ID: 388 010 241#

Learning Preference Deadline Extension

Good morning, PS120 families. I am happy to announce that the Chancellor has extended the deadline to opt-in to in-person instruction to Friday, April 9th.

If you would like your child to attend school in-person, please complete this form as soon as possible, and no later than this Friday, April 9th. If you have more than one child, please complete the form for each one who will be returning to school.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me, or contact our wonderful parent coordinator, Ms. Sandy Wu, at ywu25@schools.nyc.gov




PLEASE NOTE- We do not yet have a date for children to return to school. Once the application window closes, the city will notify us when children who were learning remotely can begin attending school in-person.

P.S. 120 Parent Weekly Bulletin - 3/26/2021


P.S. 120 Parent Weekly Bulletin - Spring Recess Edition 3/26/21 P.S. 120 Parent Weekly BulletinWeeks of 3/29/21 & 4/5/21Principal’s Memo

Dear P.S. 120 Families,
As I shared with you last week, the increase in bias-related hate incidents/hate crimes is an alarming trend in our city and country. At P.S. 120 we recognize that many families in our community are directly impacted by these events and I would like to reiterate the importance of reaching out for help if you are the target or a witness of discrimination. Please see the announcements section below for a list of contacts, resources, and events to stand up and protect yourself against discrimination.

As educators and parents, we commonly wonder how to discuss current events with our children. It can be difficult to know how much information to share when explaining complex situations, while at the same time ensuring that our children feel safe and supported. Please know that our social-emotional curriculum complements the conversations you have at home. As part of our commitment to establishing a safe and welcoming environment for all P.S. 120 families, we will continuously revise our curriculum so that it includes more inclusive, culturally responsive texts, and provides opportunities for students to discuss and ask questions in a safe space. To support every P.S. 120 Dragon’s Mind, Body, and Heart, we are forming an inclusivity committee and are connecting with a non-profit organization to provide our staff with additional training on facilitating these important conversations.

At P.S. 120, we appreciate parent feedback on everything we do. Our last schoolwide parent survey (administered in October 2020) gave us valuable information regarding remote learning and student engagement. I would like to encourage you to now take the next round, our March 2021 Parent Survey, to help as we plan to support your child through the final months of this school year.

Finally, as we look ahead to our upcoming Spring Recess, I want to remind you that the Blended Learning opt-in window is open for interested students to return to in-person learning. Please see the information below and complete the Learning Preference Survey as soon as possible if you would like your child to come for in-person learning through the end of the year. Depending on how many students opt to come back, we may have to move teachers to different classes. While I will try to avoid that, it may be inevitable. If your child’s teacher changes I will notify you as far in advance as possible.

I wish you a fun and restful week with your family during Spring Recess.

Sincerely,
Robert Marino
PrincipalAnnouncements

  • Blended (In-Person) Learning Opt-In Window: The Learning Preference Survey has been updated to allow families to select BLENDED LEARNING. This option will be available through April 7. Families who wish to return to in-person learning must complete the Learning Preference Survey and select BLENDED LEARNING by April 7. A separate survey submission is necessary for each child in the family for families opting more than one child back in. The survey has also been updated in the following ways:

    • Student ID Number is now required.

    • A new question about transportation to and from school has been added.

      • If your child is attending in person learning for the first time this school year and is eligible for transportation; will you be utilizing school bus service?

If you have any questions or issues submitting the survey, please contact our Parent Coordinator Ms. Wu (ywu25@schools.nyc.gov). Please submit as soon as possible!
We are awaiting guidance from the Mayor and Chancellor on an official start date.

  • Chancellor’s Message on Spring Break Safety: As we look towards spring break, we want to make sure that all our families stay healthy and safe next week by minimizing travel as much as possible. Please see this flyer containing important travel guidance and information.

  • iReady reminder for Spring Recess: During Spring Recess, our school-wide expectation is that all K-5th Grade students log 30-49 minutes of iReady in both Reading and Math, for a total of 60-98 minutes over the course of the week. Your child’s teacher should suggest age-appropriate ways to schedule this time so that your child can meet his/her goals. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have questions.

  • Technology Grant from Assemblywoman Nily Rozic: A huge Dragon THANK YOU to District 25 Assemblywoman Nily Rozic for helping us secure a technology grant for the purchase of over 350 Chromebooks! These devices will be used by in-person students during the school day so that all children have daily opportunities to improve their digital literacy skills.

  • PreK Application Window Open: Families with children born in 2017 can apply to Pre-K by the April 7th deadline. Apply now for PreK at P.S. 120 for the 2021-2022 school year!

  • Resources to confront bias/discrimination:

  • Events to confront bias/discrimination:

    • “The Right to be Safe” The Center for Anti-violence Education (CAE) is offering a free community Upstander and Self Defense workshop to address Anti-Asian harassment and violence. Please see the flyer here.

      • Audience: People of Asian descent and allies

      • Topics: De-escalation and upstander strategies, physical safety tips

      • Date: Saturday, April 17th from 1:00-3:00 PM

      • Link to register here

  • Workshops for Parents:

    • Ramapo for Children Workshops in ParentU: Sign up for a ParentU course, Creating a Successful Learning Environment at Home, a series of live, virtual courses where you will learn strategies and access tools that promote a successful learning environment for your children. For more information, see the flyers here.

      • Keep it Moving! Energizers and Calming for the Whole Family:

        • Tuesday, March 30 1:00 - 2:30 PM

        • Register here in English Register here en Español

      • Family Teamwork

        • Wednesday, March 31 1:00 - 2:30 PM

        • Register here in English Register here en Español

      • Energizers and Calming for the Whole Family

        • English - Tuesday, March 30 6:00 PM

        • Chinese - Wednesday, March 31 6:00 PM

        • Spanish - Thursday, April 1 6:00 PM

SEL Corner

  • Announcements

    • If a parent/guardian needs support from our school counselors, please complete this form.

    • If any parents would like to participate in our Virtual Career Day, click here.


  • Brain Power Wellness: As you know, we strive to enrich our minds, bodies and hearts each day at P.S.120! We have been using Brain Power Wellness activities to provide virtual “brain breaks” while we engage in in-person and remote learning.

    • Starting next week, we will begin pushing out our “Strategy of the Week” during DragonFire TV! Please watch these videos with your child, and help them master each strategy!

    • To spread Brain Power throughout our P.S. 120 community, please try some individual activities with your children on Mr. Manzione’s YouTube channel! This week, please enjoy a review of:

      • Brain Screen

      • Partner Push

      • Rock, Paper, Scissors

    • In addition to Mr. Manzione’s YouTube page, please check out and share the Brain Power YouTube Page and Brain Power I.G. Live pages with your family!

Celebrations
Please see our April 2021 calendar for important dates and information!
March 29 - April 2 Spring Recess: We hope you enjoy a safe and restful week off with your family. This week includes the Easter and Passover holidays. Best wishes to those who celebrate!

3/24/2021 - Return to school for the remainder of this school year opt-in window begins today


Return to school for the remainder of this school year opt-in window begins today Dear P.S. 120 Families,

Many of you have heard the announcement from Mayor Bill de Blasio and new Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter about the upcoming opt-in window for students to return to Blended (In-Person) Learning. I am happy to announce that the opt-in window begins today

Between now and April 7, families who wish to return to in-person learning must complete the Learning Preference Survey to select BLENDED LEARNING. If you are interested in having your child return to school, please do not wait - take the survey right away!


The Learning Preference Survey page has been updated with new information:

  • Student ID Number is now required. (If you don't know your child's Student ID number, please check your NYCSA account, ask your child's teacher, or email ywu25@schools.nyc.gov)

  • A new question about transportation to and from school has been added:

    • If your child is attending in person learning for the first time this school year and is eligible for transportation, will you be utilizing school bus service?

  • You must complete COVID-Testing consent for your child to return to in-person learning.

Please note - despite the recent messaging about COVID cases in our school community, positive cases are rare. We follow all health and safety guidelines and are taking extreme care to protect our students and staff, and I am unaware of any transmission of COVID19 within our school. this entire year. We ask that you do the same at home by following the "Core Four" practices: Stay home if you feel sick, Wash your hands frequently, Practice social distancing, and Wear a mask.

We understand that remote learning is not effective for some of our students and their families, and for those who would like to opt-in to in-person instruction, we can't wait to welcome you back to school. We do not have a firm start date at this time but will message families with more information once we receive your Blended Learning survey response.

For families who are currently in remote learning and would like to remain, there is no action for you to take at this time.

As always, once a child is programmed for in-person learning, he/she can opt OUT to remote learning at any time for the remainder of the school year.

Any questions, please let me know.

Sincerely,
R. Marino


你们中的许多人都听到了市长白思豪（Bill de Blasio）和新任教育总监梅莎·波特（Meisha Porter）宣布的消息，即将开放給学生加入混合（返校就读) 学习的选择窗口。我很高兴地宣布，“选择加入”窗口将于今天开始。

从即日起至4月7日，希望恢复面对面学习的家庭必须完成“学习偏好调查”以选择“混合学习”。如果您有兴趣让孩子重返校园，请不要等待-立即进行偏好调查！

学习偏好调查页面已更新，其中包含以下新信息：
现在需要学生证号码。 （如果您不知道孩子的学生证号，请检查您的NYCSA帐户，询问孩子的老师，或发送电子邮件至ywu25@schools.nyc.gov）
添加了有关往返学校交通的新问题：
如果您的孩子在本学年第一次参加亲自学习并且有资格乘坐交通工具，您是否想要使用校车服务？
您必须完成新冠肺炎测验同意书，才能让您的孩子恢复亲自学习。


请注意-尽管最近在我们的学校社区中传出了有关新冠肺炎病例的信息，但阳性病例很少。 我们遵守所有健康与安全准则，并会格外小心以保护我们的学生和教职员工，而且我不觉察我们学校内部有传播任何新冠肺炎。我们要求您遵循“四大核心”做法在家中做同样的事情：如果感到不适，请呆在家里，经常洗手，与实践社交距离，并戴口罩。

我们了解到远程学习对我们的某些学生及其家人无效，对于那些希望选择面对面教学的人，我们迫不及待地欢迎您回到学校。 我们目前尚无确切的开始日期，但是一旦我们收到您的“混合学习”调查问卷答复，就会向家庭发送更多信息。
对于目前仍在进行远程学习并且想留下的家庭，目前您无需采取任何措施。

Estimado P.S. 120 familias,

Muchos de ustedes han escuchado el anuncio del alcalde Bill de Blasio y de la nueva canciller escolar Meisha Porter sobre la próxima ventana de participación para que los estudiantes regresen al aprendizaje combinado (en persona). Me complace anunciar que la ventana de suscripción comienza hoy.

Entre ahora y el 7 de abril, las familias que deseen volver al aprendizaje en persona deben completar la Encuesta de preferencias de aprendizaje para seleccionar APRENDIZAJE COMBINADO. Si está interesado en que su hijo regrese a la escuela, no espere, ¡responda la encuesta de inmediato!

La página de la Encuesta de preferencias de aprendizaje se ha actualizado con nueva información:
Ahora se requiere el número de identificación del estudiante. (Si no sabe el número de identificación de estudiante de su hijo, verifique su cuenta de NYCSA, pregunte al maestro de su hijo o envíe un correo electrónico a ywu25@schools.nyc.gov)
Se agregó una nueva pregunta sobre el transporte hacia y desde la escuela:

Si su hijo asiste al aprendizaje en persona por primera vez este año escolar y es elegible para el transporte, ¿utilizará el servicio de autobús escolar?
Debe completar el consentimiento de la prueba COVID para que su hijo regrese al aprendizaje en persona.
Tenga en cuenta que, a pesar de los mensajes recientes sobre casos de COVID en nuestra comunidad escolar, los casos positivos son raros. Seguimos todas las pautas de salud y seguridad y estamos poniendo sumo cuidado para proteger a nuestros estudiantes y personal, y no tengo conocimiento de ninguna transmisión de COVID19 dentro de nuestra escuela. todo este año. Le pedimos que haga lo mismo en casa siguiendo las prácticas del "Cuatro Básicos": quédese en casa si se siente enfermo, lávese las manos con frecuencia, practique el distanciamiento social y use una máscara.

Entendemos que el aprendizaje remoto no es efectivo para algunos de nuestros estudiantes y sus familias, y para aquellos que deseen optar por la instrucción en persona, estamos ansiosos por darle la bienvenida de regreso a la escuela. No tenemos una fecha de inicio firme en este momento, pero enviaremos un mensaje a las familias con más información una vez que recibamos su respuesta a la encuesta de Blended Learning.

Para las familias que se encuentran actualmente en aprendizaje remoto y les gustaría quedarse, no hay ninguna acción que deban tomar en este momento.

Como siempre, una vez que un niño está programado para el aprendizaje en persona, puede optar por salir del aprendizaje remoto en cualquier momento durante el resto del año escolar.

Para cualquier duda, por favor hágamelo saber.

Today's Title I PAC Meeting Postponed - Rescheduled for PTA Meeting 4/14

Good afternoon,

We will NOT have today's Special PTA Meeting- Title I PAC Funding Vote, as originally scheduled.

We are hoping for more survey responses from parents, to determine how this year’s Title I PAC Parent Engagement funds will be spent. If you have not already, please take this brief survey to indicate your preferences for how the money should be spent.

Our Title I PAC committee will use the results of this survey to propose a funding plan, which will be voted on during a April's PTA meeting held at 4:15 PM on Wednesday, April 14th.

Letter to Families From Our New Chancellor

March 19, 2021

Dear Families,

This was my first week as your new Chancellor, and I couldn’t be more excited to take on this role. Not only because I am a New Yorker born and bred, but because education is in my blood. Both my mom and auntie were teachers and I became a New York City public school English teacher because of them, and the amazing educators I had as a student myself growing up in Queens.

Since I started at the DOE 21 years ago, I have also worked as an assistant principal, and then principal. More recently, I served our school communities as a superintendent and Bronx executive superintendent.

And now it is my honor and privilege to lead our schools citywide. I have spent much of this week seeing our brilliant students and educators from every borough in action, in-person and remotely. I saw pre-k students learn about the water cycle, joined sixth graders in learning ratios by mixing just the right ratio of food coloring into frosting, and joined seventh-graders in sharing special objects that reveal something about who we are. Despite all the changes and challenges we’ve faced this past year, our school communities are still joyful, vibrant places of learning.

As I reflect on this week’s visits, I am also heartened by the beautiful diversity of our classrooms, communities, and our City as a whole. In our schools, “respect for all” is not just a slogan, but a way of life. We value every student, staff member, and family for who they are. We ensure everyone feels welcomed. This is at our very core.

But the horrific anti-Asian hate crimes we’ve been seeing citywide and this week in Atlanta make it clear that we must work harder to end systemic racism. Justice and inclusivity have been pillars of my career as an educator. As Chancellor, I promise to continue to advance equity and dismantle any biases in our school system. And I want to make it clear: there is no room for racism or discrimination of any kind at the Department of Education or in any of our schools. Just this week, we provided our educators with updated resources to combat hate crimes in our schools and provide our students with social and emotional supports. You can find resources for discussing racism and hate crimes with your children at schools.nyc.gov/togetherforjustice.

Creating environments that encourage all students to be who they are will be on my mind on March 22, when all our public high schools will begin welcoming students back to in-person and blended learning. Like elementary and middle schools, as well as our District 75 programs, high schools will follow the strong practices we have established to help keep school communities healthy and safe.

This includes weekly random testing of students and staff for COVID-19, physical distancing, masks, and nightly deep cleaning. In the meantime, I’m excited about this important milestone in the city’s recovery. And I’m proud to lead a school system that has set the standard for the nation in reopening efforts. This is such a hopeful and historic time for our schools and our city, and I want to thank you for all you have done to support our students and schools. In the coming weeks, there will be opportunities for us to meet and talk. I promise to hear and include your voices as we finish out this school year and plan for the next. Let’s go.

Let’s do this. We’re ready.

Sincerely,

Meisha Porter
New York City Schools Chancellor

P.S. 120 Parent Weekly Bulletin - 3/19/2021

P.S. 120

Parent Weekly Bulletin

Week of 3/22/21

Principal’s Memo

Dear P.S. 120 Families,

As current events have shown, the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the systemic inequity and discrimination faced by many in the United States. Communities of color have been disproportionately affected by Coronavirus cases as well as the resulting economic hardship. In the past year, there has also been an increase in hate crimes/hate incidents nationwide; most recently against Asian-Americans, who have been targeted in nearly 3,800 hate incidents reported across the country. During a year in which we should all unite to support one another, unfortunately some have attempted to divide us based on our differences.

A threat to anyone in our community is a threat to all of us, as we cannot learn or function at our best when feeling fearful or targeted based on our identity. At P.S. 120 we are Dragon Strong because of our diversity, and we will continue to work towards promoting an open and inclusive environment for everyone. Please look out for one another in our community, and call 911 in the event of an emergency. Consider learningways to respond safely as a bystandershould you witness a neighbor being harrassed. If you are the victim of harassment yourself, please consider reporting the incident to our local police precinct (NYPD 109th), the non-profitStop AAPI Hate, and/or NYC’sOffice for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC). Be sure to reach out for help after an incident to get the support you need.

Together, we are stronger - We are a Dragon Family. I wish you a safe and restful weekend with your loved ones.

Sincerely,
Robert Marino
PrincipalAnnouncements

  • iReady Assignments: Please remind your child to log into iReady instruction for at least 30-49 minutes per week, per subject (Reading and Math). Your child’s teacher will also assign iReady time in Google Classroom as a reminder for you and your child.

  • Special PTA Meeting- Title I PAC Funding Vote: This week, the PTA will vote on a final plan for this year’s Title I PAC Parent Engagement funds, $8,474 of our school budget that is earmarked for the parent community to spend. If you have not already, please take this brief survey to indicate your preferences for how the money should be spent. Our Title I PAC committee will use the results of this survey to propose a funding plan, which will be voted on during a special PTA meeting held at 4:15 PM on Wednesday, March 24th. You can access Wednesday’s meeting at meet.google.com/nju-kaih-fqx

  • PreK Application Window Open: Families with children born in 2017 can apply to Pre-K by the April 7th deadline. Apply now for PreK at P.S. 120 for the 2021-2022 school year!

  • NYC DOE PreK Information Session TODAY: Pre-K Rocks! Join Ms. Janice, early learning assistant at Flushing Library, to explore Pre-K with a story and a craft for ages 0-5. Plus: We have a special visit with NYC DOE who explains PreK Enrollment in English & Chinese!

  • Citywide Education Council Candidate Forms: Various candidate forums are being organized across the city to highlight candidates running for district and citywide education council positions. Please check here each week for dates and information:

  • Small Business Grant Information Session: Join Council Member Peter A. Koo for a grant information session on Tuesday, March 23 at 2:00 PM. CitizensNYC awards grants of up to $10,000 for small businesses to maintain payroll and operations. Come to learn about the application:

SEL Corner

  • Announcements

    • If a parent/guardian needs support from our school counselors, please complete this form.

    • If you would like to participate in our Virtual Career Day, click here.



  • Brain Power Wellness

    • As you know, we strive to enrich our minds, bodies and hearts each day at P.S.120! We have been using Brain Power Wellness activities to provide virtual “brain breaks” while we engage in in-person and remote learning.

    • Starting next week, we will begin pushing out our “Strategy of the Week” during DragonFire TV! Please watch these videos with your child, and help them master each strategy! This week’s strategy will be: Dragon Fire Breathing. Thank you!

    • To spread Brain Power throughout our P.S. 120 community, please try some individual activities with your children on Mr. Manzione’s YouTube channel! This week, please enjoy a review of:

      • Brain Tapping

      • Partner Balance

      • Ten Little Power Brains

    • In addition to Mr. Manzione’s YouTube page, please check out and share the Brain Power YouTube Page and Brain Power I.G. Live pages with your family!

Celebrations
Please see ourMarch 2021 Calendarfor important dates and events.

  • First Day of Spring: Saturday, March 20th is the official start of spring. Let’s hope warmer weather and sunshine are headed our way soon!

  • Nowruz/Persian New Year: Nowruz is a spring festival celebrated in many countries in Asia and the Middle East, on Saturday, March 20th-Sunday, March 21st. Nowruz (other spellings Novruz, Nowrouz, Nooruz, Navruz, etc. exist in various countries) is one of the oldest holidays celebrated around the world, and is recognized by UNESCO’s Heritage of Humanity list. Nowruz Mobarak to those who celebrate!

P.S. 120 Parent Weekly Bulletin - 3/12/2021

P.S. 120

Parent Weekly Bulletin

Week of 3/15/21

Principal’s Memo

Dear P.S. 120 Families,

I would like to thank the parents who attended our March PTA meeting on Wednesday, March 10th. If you were unable to attend, please find a summary on thePTA Meeting Agendahere. One important topic discussed was the allocation of Title I PAC Parent Engagement funds, $8,474 of this year’s school budget that is earmarked for the parent community to spend. Please browse the suggestions compiled to date, and take this brief survey to indicate your preferences for how the money should be spent. Our Title I PAC committee will use the results of this survey to propose a funding plan, which will be voted on during a special PTA meeting held at 4:15 PM on Wednesday, March 24th.

I hope you and your family have enjoyed the beautiful weather this week. With the onset of spring, please encourage your child to unplug and play outdoors after school hours. All children, but particularly our students in fully remote learning, benefit from sunshine, fresh air, and opportunities to socialize with peers outdoors. Remember to practice the “Core Four” (hand washing, mask wearing, social distancing, and staying home when feeling unwell) whenever you gather with others outside your household.

As a reminder, please be aware of your child’s virtual socialization: monitor the content of online games and apps, and be mindful of the interactions your child has with others on social media. Just as you would supervise an in-person playdate, ensure that an adult is present for any virtual “hangouts” as well. Some online games can seem appropriate at first glance, but can change to something inappropriate, or dangerous as they progress. I can tell you from experience, supervising children in the digital age is a 24/7 job. My girls, who are now 26 and 22, kept me quite busy through the age of Myspace, Tumblr, Snapchat, AOL Instant Messenger, Blackberry Messenger, Vine, Facebook, and Instagram. I kept a spreadsheet of their usernames and passwords, which I had no problem using to monitor activity. Children are entitled to a certain level of privacy, but allowing them to use the internet and smartphones without strict supervision can be as dangerous as letting them go outside on their own, without knowing where they are or who they are with. It would be my pleasure to discuss this further, so please reach out with any questions.

Some parents across the district are reaching out to schools to request additional socialization opportunities for their children. I will discuss this topic with school staff members so that we come up with a plan soon. In line with our school motto, “Mind - Body - Heart,” it’s important that our children have safe and healthy opportunities to interact with one another.
Have a safe and enjoyable weekend with your family.

Sincerely,
Robert Marino
PrincipalAnnouncements

  • iReady Assignments: Please remind your child to log into iReady instruction for at least 30-49 minutes per week, per subject (Reading and Math). Your child’s teacher will also assign iReady time in Google Classroom as a reminder for you and your child.

  • PreK Application Window Open: Families with children born in 2017 can apply to Pre-K by the April 7th deadline. Apply now for PreK at P.S. 120 for the 2021-2022 school year!

  • NYC Schools Account (“NYCSA”): As a reminder, all P.S. 120 parents/guardians are encouraged to sign up for a NYC Schools Account. This is the only way to view your child’s report card; this document will not be emailed or backpacked home. If you have already created your account, you can log in here: https://mystudent.nyc/ To learn more about NYCSA, please visit this website. If you need help creating your NYCSA account, please email Parent Coordinator Ms. Wu: ywu25@schools.nyc.gov

SEL Corner

  • Announcement

    • If a parent/guardian needs support from our school counselors, please complete this form.

  • Resources


  • Brain Power Wellness

    • As you know, we strive to enrich our minds, bodies and hearts each day at P.S.120! We have been using Brain Power Wellness activities to provide virtual “brain breaks” while we engage in in-person and remote learning.

    • Starting next week, we will begin pushing out our “Strategy of the Week” during DragonFire TV! Please watch these videos with your child, and help them master each strategy! This week’s strategy will be: Positive Self-Talk. Thank you!

    • To spread Brain Power throughout our P.S. 120 community, please try some individual activities with your children on Mr. Manzione’s YouTube channel! This week, please enjoy a review of:

      • Brain Screen

      • Partner Push

      • Bear Feet, Bird Feet

    • In addition to Mr. Manzione’s YouTube page, please check out and share the Brain Power YouTube Page and Brain Power I.G. Live pages with your family!

Celebrations


Please view our March 2021 Calendarhere.

  • Daylight Savings Time: Daylight savings time begins at 2:00 AM on Sunday, March 14th. Remember to set your clocks one hour forward (“spring forward”) and enjoy the extra daylight each evening!

  • St. Patrick’s Day: March 17th is a global celebration of Irish culture. Wear something green!

P.S. 120 Parent Weekly Bulletin - 3/5/2021

P.S. 120

Parent Weekly Bulletin

Week of 3/8/21

Principal’s Memo

Dear P.S. 120 Families,

Thank you to those of you who attended yesterday’s Parent-Teacher Conferences. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher to review his/her progress, and discuss your child’s academic as well as social-emotional wellbeing. If you were not able to attend, and/or you would like to schedule a follow-up meeting, please make an appointment with your child’s teacher. Teacher office hours are 2:00-2:20 PM each day; you can also message your child’s teacher to agree on another appointment time that fits with your schedule.For all parents-Please take this brief survey to share your experience with our virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences in March 2021.

Please be reminded that you need a NYCSA account to view your child’s report card, and other important school documents. At this time, 95% of our families have at least one parent with an active NYCSA account. We want to continue working with families until we reach 100% - and then continue until each parent/guardian has access to an individual account. If you need help creating or accessing your NYCSA account, please contact our Parent Coordinator Sandy Wu:

Phone:(718) 359-3390 x.2071 Email:ywu25@schools.nyc.gov

Have a wonderful weekend with your family.

Sincerely,
Robert Marino
PrincipalAnnouncements

  • PTA Meeting - Wednesday, March 10th: PTA Meeting 2/10: Our next PTA meeting will be Wednesday, March 10th at 4:15 PM via Google Meet. Along with other agenda items, we will discuss the allocation of our Title I PAC/Parent Engagement funds:

    • This year, the PAC committee will vote on how to spend $8,474 for virtual parent engagement. These funds may be spent on virtual after school programs, workshops, classes, performances, etc. and the accompanying supplies, for families to enjoy together. If you have a suggestion for how the Title I PAC/Parent Engagement funds could be used, please email Ms. Wu: ywu25@schools.nyc.gov

  • iReady Assignments: Please remind your child to log into iReady instruction for at least 30-49 minutes per week, per subject (Reading and Math). Your child’s teacher will also assign iReady time in Google Classroom as a reminder for you and your child.

  • PreK Application Window Open: Families with children born in 2017 can apply to Pre-K by the April 7th deadline. Apply now for PreK at P.S. 120 for the 2021-2022 school year!

    • Apply online at MySchools.nyc

    • Apply over the phone by calling 718-935-2009.

    • Translation and interpretation services are available through both application pathways.

    • Families can visit nyc.gov/prek for more information.

  • NYC Schools Account (“NYCSA”): As a reminder, all P.S. 120 parents/guardians are encouraged to sign up for a NYC Schools Account. This is the only way to view your child’s report card; this document will not be emailed or backpacked home. If you have already created your account, you can log in here: https://mystudent.nyc/ To learn more about NYCSA, please visit this website. If you need help creating your NYCSA account, please email Parent Coordinator Ms. Wu: ywu25@schools.nyc.gov

  • Vacant Seat in D25 Community Education Council: Please see this flyer to learn more about District 25’s Community Education Council, and to indicate your interest in applying to join this important community group to impact public education in Flushing.


SEL Corner

  • Announcement

    • If a parent/guardian needs support from our school counselors, please complete this form.

  • SEL Resources

    • Growth Mindset Virtual library

    • Your Brain Is A Muscle - The simple idea that your brain is like a muscle is proven to have profound impact on learning!

    • March is Women’s History Month: People in the United States celebrate the achievements of history of women and Monday, 3/8 is International Women’s Day.. It continues the discussion of women and their contributions. Click for Women’s History Month Fact Sheet.

    • Women’s History Month Library

    • Inner Explorer is a daily mindfulness practice resource to support both educators and families; Currently running a 21-Day Mindfulness Quest and is a great opportunity for you and children to start a new day with a positive and uplifting practice to reduce your stress and enhance your sense of wellness.

    • NYCDOE Salute to Music Program for 4th/5th Graders is a free virtual music program - Student musicians, click here apply now!

    • Click here to view apps identified by Common Sense Media that can help your child stay focused at home.


  • Brain Power Wellness

    • As you know, we strive to enrich our minds, bodies and hearts each day at P.S.120! We have been using Brain Power Wellness activities to provide virtual “brain breaks” while we engage in in-person and remote learning.

    • To spread Brain Power throughout our P.S. 120 community, please try some individual activities with your children on Mr. Manzione’s YouTube channel! This week, please enjoy a review of:

      • Energy Ball

      • Wow - Wow

      • 10 Little Power Brains

    • In addition to Mr. Manzione’s YouTube page, please check out and share the Brain Power YouTube Page and Brain Power I.G. Live pages with your family!

Celebrations

  • International Women’s Day: March 8th is International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is a day to celebrate women’s achievements and also work towards gender equality. Happy International Women’s Day to all of the hard-working and loving women in the P.S. 120 community!

  • March 2021 Calendar: Please view our March 2021 Calendar here.

P.S. 120 Parent Weekly Bulletin - 2/26/2021

P.S. 120

Parent Weekly Bulletin

Week of 3/1/21

Principal’s Memo

Dear P.S. 120 Families,

I hope you’ve been enjoying the warmer weather we’ve been having. Especially after all of the snow that fell in February, it feels nice to get outside for some fresh air. Please keep in mind that as you and your family go out, to continue taking precautions (Follow the “Core Four” - social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, and staying home if you feel sick) to keep yourselves healthy and safe.

After such a long period inside, your children may also be looking for additional ways to socialize with one another. Please continue to refrain from gatherings outside of your household. And, as some of our older children may look to connect with one another virtually, be sure to monitor your child’s cell phone (if he/she has one) and social media account(s) as well. As parents, it is important that we know our children’s friends and that we monitor their contacts. If you are not sure who your child is interacting with, or you notice any changes or “red flags” in his/her behavior, please feel free to contact a school staff member for assistance. Our teachers, school counselors, and other staff members are always ready to offer your family support.

We are looking forward to meeting with you during Parent-Teacher Conferences next week. Your child’s 3rd marking period report card will be available via your New York City Schools Account (NYCSA). Additionally, by next week all families should have received their child’s individual Math and Reading progress report from the iReady Diagnostic Assessment #2, sent to your email on file. Please look for this report as it shows how your child is progressing according to grade level standards, and what area(s) he/she requires extra support and practice.

Sincerely,
Robert Marino
PrincipalAnnouncements

  • iReady Assignments: Please remind your child to log into iReady instruction for at least 30-49 minutes per week, per subject (Reading and Math). Your child’s teacher will also assign iReady time in Google Classroom as a reminder for you and your child.

  • Parent-Teacher Conferences - Thursday, 3/4: March 4th is designated for Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences. There will be a half-day of instruction before afternoon and evening conferences. Please see the schedule below:

    • 8:30 - 11:15 AM - Half day for all students

    • 11:15 - Dismissal for in-person students; End of instruction for all students

    • 1:00 - 3:00 PM - Afternoon session

    • 5:00 - 7:00 PM - Evening session

Your child’s teacher(s) have posted a sign-up link via Google Classroom for you to sign up for a Parent-Teacher Conference appointment. Please be sure to indicate your preferred language when signing up, so that an interpreter can be provided for your time slot.

  • NYC Schools Account (“NYCSA”): As a reminder, all P.S. 120 parents/guardians are encouraged to sign up for a NYC Schools Account. This is the only way to view your child’s report card; this document will not be emailed or backpacked home. If you have already created your account, you can log in here: https://mystudent.nyc/ To learn more about NYCSA, please visit this website. If you need help creating your NYCSA account, please email Parent Coordinator Ms. Wu: ywu25@schools.nyc.gov

  • 3K/PreK Application Window (for 2021-2022 school year): 3-K and Pre-K applications for fall 2021 are now open! Families with children born in 2017 can apply to Pre-K by the April 7th deadline, and families with children born in 2018 can apply to 3-K by the April 30 deadline. (Note - P.S. 120 offers PreK but we are not a 3K site) Apply now for PreK at P.S. 120!

    • Families can apply online at MySchools.nyc, or over the phone by calling 718-935-2009.

    • Translation and interpretation services are available through both application pathways.

    • Families can visit nyc.gov/3K and nyc.gov/prek for more information.

  • March 2021 Calendar: Please view our March 2021 Calendar here. Upcoming dates:

    • Thursday, March 4th - Half day of instruction, Parent-Teacher Conferences

    • Wednesday, March 10th - March PTA Meeting. Please join us on Google Meet (meet.google.com/oot-acke-kfd) as we discuss how the parent community would like to allocate our Title I Parent and Family Engagement funds ($8,474).

  • Remote Materials Pickup- NEW HOURS: Any parent who needs to pick up remote learning materials for their child (textbooks, Fundations kits, Math baggies, etc.) may come Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM. Please be prepared to share your child’s name, grade and class so that we can help you with the correct materials.

  • 4th/5th Grade Virtual Afterschool Program Opportunity: I am thrilled to share that PS120 will once again partner with the Queens Botanical Gardens to bring a series of virtual afterschool environmental education workshops to our students!

    • Please click here to view the flier with more information, and complete the interest form if you would like your child to be considered to participate.

    • Limited seats available! Selected students will receive more information by the end of next week.

  • DATE CHANGE- District 25 CEC Meeting: Please note, the District 25 Community Education Council (CEC)’s virtual town hall event with Chancellor Richard Carranza, formerly scheduled for March 3rd, will now be held on Monday, March 29th. Stay tuned for updated flyers and registration/meeting links.

  • DEADLINE EXTENDED- CEC Elections: Please note, the deadline to apply for a seat on an Education Council has been extended to 11:59PM, March 4.

    • Apply now for a seat on an Community or Citywide Education Council!

      • Applying is fast and easy. Simply log into your NYC Schools Account at mystudent.nyc to get started.

      • Don’t have a NYC Schools Account?

        • Sign up for one now at mystudent.nyc.

        • Then contact your Parent Coordinator (ywu25@schools.nyc.gov, or call 718-359-3390 x. 2071) for your personal code to add your students.

    • Learn more about about Education Councils: schools.nyc.gov/elections2021

SEL Corner

  • Announcements

    • Parent-teacher conferences: March 4th afternoon 1:00-3:00PM and 5:00-7:00PM. If you would like to meet with Ms. Zhu (xzhu5@schools.nyc.gov) or Mr. Woodburn (rwoodburn@schools.nyc.gov), feel free to email us.

    • If a parent/guardian needs support from our school counselors, please complete this form.


  • Brain Power Wellness

    • As you know, we strive to enrich our minds, bodies and hearts each day at P.S.120! We have been using Brain Power Wellness activities to provide virtual “brain breaks” while we engage in in-person and remote learning.

    • To spread Brain Power throughout our P.S. 120 community, please try some individual activities with your children on Mr. Manzione’s YouTube channel! This week, please revisit:

      • Endurance Posture

      • Twist & Clap

      • Brain Tapping

    • In addition to Mr. Manzione’s YouTube page, please check out and share the Brain Power YouTube Page and Brain Power I.G. Live pages with your family!

Celebrations

Purim: Thursday, February 25th-Friday, February 26th. Jewish families celebrate Purim by retelling the book of Esther, eating treats called hamantaschen, and dressing up in costumes similar to Halloween. To all who celebrate this joyous festival, Purim Sameach!

NYCDOE Salute to Music Program for 4th/5th Graders - Student musicians, apply now!

SALUTE TO MUSIC PROGRAM
The NYCDOE’s Office of Arts & Special Projects is pleased to announce that the Salute to Music Program will resume operation VIRTUALLY, with rehearsals beginning on Saturday, March 6, 2021.
Below you will find information about the Salute to Music Program:

  • FREE Saturday Music Program that includes the following performing ensembles:

    • Chorus

    • Concert Band

    • Jazz Ensemble

    • Orchestra

  • Staffed by licensed NYCDOE music teachers

  • Comprised of enthusiastic student musicians in Grades 4-8 from all five boroughs

  • ALL REHEARSALS WILL BE VIRTUAL.

  • Virtual rehearsals will be held every Saturday from 9:30-11:30


Students who sing or play an instrument should indicate their interest ASAP: https://tinyurl.com/salutetomusic2021
Questions may be submitted to Mr. Robert Rams, Program Manager: rrams@schools.nyc.gov

Upcoming Lockdown Drill - 3/8/21

Dear PS 120 Families,
I am writing to inform you P.S. 120 implements protocols that focus on emergency preparedness. Under the city-wide General Response Protocol (GRP), we will be conducting drills throughout the year that are designed to help prepare our school community for three different types of response to emergencies that may occur: evacuation, shelter-in, and lockdown.

On Monday, March 8th at 9:30am the staff and students at PS 120 will be participating in a lockdown drill. The purpose of this drill is to prepare our students and staff for any emergency that may occur where it may be necessary for us to lockdown the building.

Safety is our top priority at P.S. 120. We conduct drills because we want students and staff members to be safe as well as to develop an awareness of their roles in these various scenarios. Additionally, all families are reminded to update the Digital Emergency Contact Cards should any information change during the school year. I also encourage you to take advantage of the resources that are available to keep you informed if there is an emergency at a school. Families can register with Notify NYC (https://a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/notifynyc/) to receive information via text and email concerning emergency events. You can also call 311 for additional information about any school during an emergency.
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the upcoming lockdown drill.

P.S. 120 Parent Weekly Bulletin - 2/11/2021

P.S. 120

Parent Weekly Bulletin

Weeks of 2/15/21 & 2/22/21

Principal’s Memo

Dear P.S. 120 Families,

I will keep this one short and sweet. Even in a “normal” year, parents work multiple jobs and wear many hats. This year, many of you are also managing remote learning at home. All told, these responsibilities can take a toll on your wellness and your relationships. Our Midwinter Recess next week offers you and your child the opportunity to unplug (except for iReady!), relax, and recharge together. Please enjoy time with your family next week. Best wishes as well to all of our families that celebrate Lunar New Year!

Sincerely,
Robert Marino
PrincipalAnnouncements

  • NEW Parent Coordinator: Please join us in welcoming Ms. Yu Hsien (Sandy) Wu, our new P.S. 120 Parent Coordinator! She joined our staff on Monday, February 8th. Please take a moment to read Ms. Wu’s welcome letter here. Ms. Wu is here to serve all P.S. 120 parents, and facilitate communication between home and school. You can contact Ms. Wu by calling P.S. 120’s main office (718) 359-3390, or emailing: ywu25@schools.nyc.gov

  • PTA Meeting 2/10: Thank you to those parents who joined us for our February PTA Meeting. We welcomed our new Parent Coordinator, Ms. Wu, and discussed a number of agenda topics. If you could not join us, please review the agenda here.

    • One topic on which we require parent input is the upcoming allocation of our Title I PAC/Parent Engagement funds. This year, the PAC committee will vote on how to spend $8,474 for virtual parent engagement. These funds may be spent on virtual after school programs, workshops, classes, performances, etc. and the accompanying supplies, for families to enjoy together. If you have a suggestion for how the Title I PAC/Parent Engagement funds could be used, please email Ms. Wu: ywu25@schools.nyc.gov

    • Our next PTA meeting will be Wednesday, March 10th at 4:15 PM via Google Meet. We will share all funding ideas at that time and prepare for the PAC vote.

  • REMINDER: iReady assignments for Midwinter Recess:

    • February break: During February break, our school-wide expectation is that all K-5th Grade students log 30-49 minutes of iReady in both Reading and Math, for a total of 60-98 minutes over the course of the week. Your child’s teacher should suggest age-appropriate ways to schedule this time so that your child can meet his/her goals. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have questions.

  • PreK Application Window: Please note, the PreK application window will open on Wednesday, February 24th. We will send more information on how to apply that week. Children born in 2017 are eligible to apply for a PreK seat. We can’t wait to welcome our next class of P.S. 120 Dragons to PreK in September!

  • Save the Date REMINDER! District 25 CEC Meeting: The District 25 Community Education Council (CEC) is hosting a virtual town hall event with Chancellor Richard Carranza on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. To prepare, the CEC is collecting questions and comments from the community in advance via their website. Families may submit as many questions/comments as they like.

    • If you would like to submit a question/comment for the event, please visit the District 25 CEC's website: www.d25.nyc/cec Families may submit as many questions/comments as they like.

    • Please see these flyers for the registration link and details about the virtual town hall event on 3/3:

SEL Corner

  • Announcements

    • If a parent/guardian needs support from our school counselors, please complete this form.

    • Middle School Applications have been extended. They are now due on Tuesday, February 23.

      • Families who need assistance with completing the application, please contact Mr. Woodburn at rwoodburn@schools.nyc.gov or Ms. Zhu at xzhu5@schools.nyc.gov with any concerns or questions. Ms. Zhu and Mr. Woodburn will continue to provide support on February 22 and February 23 when we return from the Mid-Winter.

    • Middle School Enrollment One-pager: Click here to access the Middle school enrollment one-pager in different languages. It is a two page document that summarizes the changes to the Middle School enrollment process this year.


  • Brain Power Wellness: As you know, we strive to enrich our minds, bodies and hearts each day at P.S.120! We have been using Brain Power Wellness activities to provide virtual “brain breaks” while we engage in in-person and remote learning.

Celebrations
Please see our February 2021 Calendarfor important dates/information this month.

  • Lunar New Year: Friday, February 12th - NO SCHOOL. Many of our P.S. 120 families celebrate Lunar New Year. Please enjoy the day with your family as we welcome the Year of the Ox! We hope the new year brings health, happiness and prosperity to you all.

  • Valentines Day: Sunday, February 14th - This is a day to recognize your loved ones, near and far. Enjoy the day with your family, and send virtual hugs to others at this time 😍

  • Midwinter Recess (President’s Day/Lincoln’s Birthday): Week of February 15th-19th - NO SCHOOL. School resumes on Monday, February 22nd.

Reminder: PTA Meeting TODAY at 4:15 PM

PTA Meeting 2/10: Please join us for February’s PTA meeting on Wednesday, February 10th at 4:15 PM. Join on Google Meet: meet.google.com/anb-puyf-xss (No login required) Agenda topics include:

  • Join us in welcoming our NEW Parent Coordinator, Ms. Sandy (Yu Hsien) Wu!

  • NYCSA account information and support

  • District and Citywide Education Council elections

  • Brainstorming Title I PAC/Parent Engagement fund allocation