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P.S. 120Q

Mind - Body - Heart

P.S. 120 Parent Weekly Bulletin 3/30/26

Posted Date: 03/28/26 (09:00 AM)
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P.S. 120 

Parent Weekly Bulletin

3/30/26


 

Principal’s Memo

Dear P.S. 120 Families,

Next week is a short week of school - We have instruction on Monday, March 30th; Tuesday, March 31st; and Wednesday, April 1st. Spring Recess is from Thursday, April 2 - Friday, April 10. I want to acknowledge our families who observe Passover and celebrate Easter, as well as other spring festivals around the world.

However you and your family choose to spend the spring break, I ask that you monitor the routines and activities in which your students engage. A healthy diet, regular exercise, fresh air, and reasonable bedtimes/wake times help students feel regulated during less-structured times such as school vacations. Please actively monitor your child’s screen time, and suggest healthy interpersonal activities as well. For families who have access to the Cool Culture card, this is a great opportunity to visit some of the museums included with Cool Culture admission.

Let’s have a productive three days this coming week, a relaxing Spring Recess, and then a return for more learning at P.S. 120! 

Sincerely,

Robert Marino

Principal

P.S. 120’s Mission

At P.S. 120, we are committed to preparing our different types of learners to compete in the ever-changing 21st Century workforce by guiding them to recognize the importance of finding the balance between doing what they love, and what the world will need them to do. The faculty at PS 120 will:

  • Commit to the use of data-driven instruction and decision-making to provide equity-based instruction in all classrooms. 

  • Provide opportunities for students to take responsibility for their own learning by participating in classroom discussion and be able to predict how they can use what they are learning in their everyday lives and goals

  • Engage students in problem-solving and critical thinking activities

  • Foster leadership opportunities for students in and out of the classroom

  • Expose and engage students in the cultural arts

  • Enable digital literacy by teaching students to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills

  • Empower students to apply their talents to the service of others

As a result, students at P.S. 120: 

  • Girls Soccer Team: Our girls soccer team hit the field with determination this week, showing strong teamwork and competitive spirit throughout the game. Their hard work and focus were evident as they pushed themselves to play with skill, resilience, and pride. Go Dragons!

  • Basketball Game: Our Dragons had an away basketball game this week where they played with so much drive and determination. They had such a wonderful season in which they demonstrated tremendous growth. We are so proud of you, Dragons!

  • District 25 Cheer Expo: Our P.S. 120 cheerleaders proudly represented our school at this week’s District 25 Cheer Expo, joining teams from across the community for an exciting showcase of spirit and skill. Their energy, teamwork, and school pride lit up the event and made us all incredibly proud.

  • Nigerian Presentation/Showcase: To close out their Social Studies unit on Nigeria, third grade students attended a special presentation with Ms. Momoh in the Auditorium, and a chance to explore and handle Nigerian cultural artifacts in the Library on Friday.


Announcements

  • P.S. 120Q Parent Handbook: Our school’s Parent Handbook has been updated for the 2025-2026 school year! Please bookmark the P.S. 120Q Parent Handbook to read school policies and procedures for parents.

    • Birthday Policy: Please note that we have updated our birthday policy for parents. We appreciate your cooperation: Every student’s special day is honored in the classroom with a song, movement break or craft. Please do not send treats to share in class or at lunch/recess/dismissal. PLEASE NOTE: Elaborate food, soft drinks, party favors, party hats, goody bags, balloons, decorations, or entertainment are not permitted and will be returned directly to the family.

  • March 2026 New York City Public Schools Family Updates: Please see New York City Public Schools family updates for March 2026 here (Translations linked within).

  • Reminder - NYC School Survey 2026: Share your opinion! Every year, NYC public schools ask families to complete a survey about your school experience. This year’s survey window is open through Wednesday, April 1. Green survey envelopes were backpacked home to eligible students* on Tuesday, March 3. (*Families are eligible to complete a survey for current students who were enrolled as of October 1, 2025; for any students who were admitted after that date, your family will have the chance to take the survey in spring 2027!) Survey envelopes include directions about how to complete the survey, which you can choose to complete on paper or online. Read more about the NYC School Survey here! Please remember to take one survey for each sibling enrolled at P.S. 120! Our PTA has generously offered to provide a small snack/treat to each eligible student whose parent completes their survey, to be distributed after Spring Recess.

  • 2025-2026 Parent Participation Days: We will continue to have monthly Parent Participation Days from December to May. Please save these dates:

    • Wednesday, April 22

    • Friday, May 29

    • Prior to each Parent Participation Day, homeroom teachers will message parents specifying the content area of the lesson parents will view, so that parents know in advance and can decide whether they wish to attend.

    • We will continue to offer Parent Academy workshops before/after classroom visits. If you have a workshop topic you would like to suggest, please contact Parent Coordinator Annabelle TianTian Zhang.

  • Winter Coat/Accessory Donations: P.S. 120 received a generous donation of winter coats and accessories (hats, gloves, scarves) from Temple Emanu-El. If your child is in need of any of these items, please contact Parent Coordinator Annabelle TianTian Zhang and make an appointment to come to school and choose the desired sizes/colors.

  • Reminder - iReady Expectations: As a reminder, P.S. 120 purchases schoolwide iReady licenses to support students in achieving grade level standards. iReady is an online tool for K-5th grade students in Reading and Math. Three times a year at school, we take the iReady diagnostic screeners to assess students' skill levels. In between assessments, we ask for parents' assistance in encouraging students to complete assigned iReady minutes. It is a schoolwide expectation that all Kindergarten - 5th grade students engage for 30-49 minutes per week, per subject, with a 70% or greater pass rate. Students can engage in the iReady myPath lessons, which provides personalized, adaptive instruction based on students' performance on previous lessons. Students can also be assigned specific content area lessons by their teachers directly. 

  • 📢 Schoolwide Vision Screening – at P.S. 120Q - Rescheduled for Monday, April 20! 

    • This program partners with schools to provide vision services to students in targeted grades. Please note that this screening does not replace a full comprehensive eye exam.

      • 📎 Attachments Available:

Please review the attached information (choose your preferred language)You will  find optional opt‑out forms.

If you do not want your child to participate, please sign and return the opt‑out form to the school. A paper copy is also available in the main office.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Parent Coordinator Annabelle TianTian Zhang.

📎 English                                                   📎 Spanish                           

📎 Arabic                                                    📎 Chinese

📎 Haitian                                                   📎 Urdu  

  • 👁 After the Screening:

Families will be notified if their child receives eyeglasses and/or needs to visit a local doctor for a full eye exam. We encourage all families to stay informed about their child’s eye health and vision.

Thank you for your partnership!

  • 📚⚾ P.S. 120 Selected Again for “Ya Gotta Read!” with the New York Mets & Delta Airlines!

    • 📅The Ya Gotta Read! begin on Monday, February 23,and will run for six weeks.

    • 📖 Program Goal: Students are encouraged to read a minimum of 20 minutes every weeknight (Monday–Friday) throughout the program.
      The more minutes your child reads, the more prizes they can earn!

    • ⚾ Let’s Hit a Home Run! We hope every student enjoys participating in Ya Gotta Read! and knocks it out of the park with the Mets this year!

    • 📄 Parent Letter (3 Languages) For more information, please see the attached parent letter, available in:

Thank you for your continued support in fostering a love of reading at home!

  • District 25 Parent Feedback Survey — Please Participate!

    • District 25 Parent Feedback Survey by Friday, April 3.

    • 📝 Survey Link: www.d25.nyc/survey/ 

  • Free Family Events in the Community:

    • ESOL classes - Free English Class 

      • Registration is on-going. For more information, please call us at 718-939-6137 or email us at education@kcsny.org. Our office hours are from 9 AM - 5 PM

  • VIRTUAL SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR PARENTS WORKSHOP SERIES

Join us via Zoom to learn how to support your child's Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at home. Families are encouraged to attend all sessions. ALL are welcome!

  • Session #4: Helping your Child Develop Friendships

  • 🎟️ Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM: Helping your Child Develop Friendships (RSVP Here)

  • Friendships play a crucial role in a child’s growth and well-being. In this workshop, caregivers will learn about the social and emotional skills children need to build strong, healthy relationships — and how these skills evolve as kids get older. Together, we’ll explore the internal and external factors that shape a child’s sense of belonging and practice strategies to help children form lasting friendships while navigating challenges and painful experiences. Presented by Child Mind Institute. 

  • Session #1: Balancing the Books and the Bonds: Stress Management Strategies for Academic-Focused Parenting. 

  • 📺 Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM: Balancing the Books and the Bonds (Replay)

  • This workshop helps families support strong academic growth while also protecting connection and emotional wellbeing at home. Caregivers will learn practical stress management strategies that balance high expectations with warmth, communication, and healthy relationships. Presented by Child Center of New York.

  • Session #2: Thriving Together: Improving Family Communication

  • 📺 Tuesday, March 10, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM: Thriving Together: Improving Family Communication (Replay)

  • Build stronger family connections in this workshop focused on helping caregivers and children communicate with empathy, manage stress, and repair after conflict. Families will learn simple, practical tools to listen better, speak clearly, and grow closer through everyday moments. Presented by Marble Health.

  • Session #3: Promoting Positive Behavior at Home

  • 📺 Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM: Promoting Positive Behavior at Home (Replay)

  • Caregivers often have questions about how to effectively manage challenging behaviors such as tantrums, not listening, and fighting with siblings. This workshop will provide caregivers with concrete strategies to promote positive behavior at home and improve their relationships with their children. These strategies are geared toward parents of children in elementary school. Presented by Child Mind Institute. 

  • MATHEMATICS VIRTUAL PARENT WORKSHOP SERIES: Join District 25 via Zoom as our Math Instructional Lead, Beth Eaton, leads us through supporting your child's Algebra Readiness at home. Families are encouraged to attend all sessions. ALL are welcome!

  • School Meals/Menus: Click the links below to access daily/monthly cafeteria menus:



SEL Corner



  • MindUp/Brain Power Wellness - Anxiety and Our body

    • All kids get headaches or stomachaches sometimes, but when it happens often, they might have anxiety. For example, kids with anxiety might get stomach pain or a headache before going to school or a birthday party. Kids who feel this way may not know they’re anxious.

    • Kids with anxiety aren’t inventing these symptoms or trying to get out of things. A headache or stomach pain can happen when the child’s body reacts to something the child feels is dangerous or scary. The first step to helping your child is to check with your doctor to make sure there’s no medical reason for their pain.

    • If there’s no medical cause, let your child know their body is reacting to what they’re feeling. You might say, “Your stomach hurts because your brain is saying something dangerous is happening. It’s your emergency system responding to a false alarm.” This lets them know that what they’re feeling is normal and gives them a sense of control.

    • Eventually, they’ll be able to say, “My stomach hurts and I remember that’s because I’m feeling worried.” Helping them practice getting through the anxiety is more helpful than letting them avoid the things they feel anxious about.


Celebrations

  • New York City Public Schools Calendar 2025-2026: Please bookmark this year’s school calendar, which includes information on school events and vacations throughout the year! Scroll down to view and/or print translations in your preferred language.

    • Please mark your calendar with upcoming events, holidays and school closures:

      • Thursday, April 2 - Friday, April 10: Schools closed, Spring Recess

        • School resumes Monday, April 13 at 8:00 AM!

      • Thursday, May 7: Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences (Class/Grade meetings) for Elementary schools