Principal’s Memo
Dear P.S. 120 Families,
Thank you to the parents who attended today’s Parent Participation Day. I would like to remind everyone who came to please complete our survey to share your thoughts! We review your responses to help plan future parent engagement events. We will continue to vary the topics of our follow-up parent workshops, and based on survey responses, we are encouraging teachers to plan even more hands-on activities (projects, cultural celebrations, publishing parties, etc.) for parents to enjoy when you visit your child’s classroom.
Next week will be a busy one at P.S. 120! Our Lunar New Year student performers are preparing for in-school shows on Thursday, January 16. I’m also very excited for our evening Lunar New Year celebration taking place on the night of January 16. I look forward to celebrating with all of our families who have requested tickets for the event.
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:
Lunar New Year Preparations: This week, many of our Dragons have been practicing and rehearsing for their upcoming performances during our P.S. 120 Lunar New Year Celebration. We are very excited to see our students in action!
Basketball Game: On Friday, our P.S. 120 Dragons Basketball team visited P.S. 20 for an intense basketball game! Our student athletes persevered and showed resilience and determination. Way to go Dragons!
Announcements
PTA Updates (Sent on behalf of the PTA):
January PTA & PAC Meeting: Our next meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 17, 2025, at 8:30 AM in P.S. 120’s Auditorium.
The PTA & PAC Meeting will begin following our celebration of December Student of the Month awardees (“Determination”).
Upcoming Fundraiser at Phil & Sons Pizzeria: During the week of January 27-31, Phil & Sons Pizzeria on Main Street is hosting a fundraiser for P.S. 120 families. 10% of every $10 spent will be donated directly to P.S. 120! Enjoy their menu while contributing to the PTA. Show a paper or digital copy of this flyer:
Save the Date: The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to P.S. 120 from February 3-7.
Visit our Book Fair website: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/ps120queens
View Scholastic's Book Fair catalogue: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/book-flyer
Parent Preview/Parent Shopping: Monday, February 3 during February's Parent Participation Day
Stay tuned for the Book Fair class shopping schedule coming soon!
Progress Reports: Winter progress reports will be backpacked home with all Kindergarten-5th grade students on Friday, January 17. Please review your child’s ELA/Math Academic Behavior and Work Habits and contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions about how to support your child at home.
School Meals: Parents can access menus for our school cafeteria each month. Parents can download and print monthly menu options (Select PreK-8 Breakfast / Lunch), or view the daily choices here:
Local Event: FREE Read Aloud Celebrating Lunar New Year!
DATE: Saturday, January 18, 2025
TIME: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Bowne House - 37-01 Bowne Street, Flushing, NY 11354
This is a FREE program. Bowne House educators will read stories to children and adults ages 5 and up. Attendees will also enjoy a surprise craft project and refreshments. PLEASE NOTE: All children MUST be accompanied by an adult throughout the duration of the program.
Discounted Lunar New Year Tickets - Kupferberg Center: The Kupferberg Center is hosting Lunar New Year Celebration family performances on Saturday, January 25 and Sunday, January 26 at 3:00 PM. Save 20% using the passcode “EDU20” when selecting tickets. Join the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and celebrate the spirit of the Year of the Snake through the power and beauty of dance.
Kupferberg Center for the Arts | info@kupferbergcenter.org
65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing New York 11367
SEL Corner
Announcements
Happy Holidays! Happy Early Lunar New Year!
Respect For All (RFA) Student-to-Student Discrimination, Sexual and Other Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying FAQ:
Code of Conduct Letter:
Local Events for this week:
NYC Parks Events Calendar click here
Activities this week:
Mulchfest: Recycle your holiday tree at Mulchfest! We'll chip your tree and convert it into mulch for trees and gardens.
Winter Waterfowl Birding: Explore with the Urban Park Rangers and see what species you can spot!
Ice Skating: Lace up! Many of our ice skating rinks are open for the season!
Check out more highlighted events here
Summerstage Family Programs click here
Queens Public Library Events Calendar click here
NY Family Queens To Do Events Calendar click here
If you would like to recommend students for Student Success counseling groups (formerly known as At Risk Counseling), please click here. This is not a special education evaluation form.
SEL Resources
Back to School Resources
Virtual Libraries
Child Mind Institute Family Resource Search Tool, click here
Free parent workshops by Marble Health, sign up here:
Mon, Jan 13: Support Students with Academic & Test Anxiety
Tues, Jan 14: Help Kids Succeed: Executive Function Strategies
Wed, Jan 15: Improve Resilience & Foster Growth Mindsets
Wed, Jan 22: Help Kids Succeed: Executive Function Strategies
Thurs, Jan 23: Improve Resilience & Foster Growth Mindsets
Middle School Enrollment Corner
Applications are now closed.
If you still have concerns about your child’s application, please contact Mr. Woodburn or Ms. Yuqi at 718-359-3390.
MindUp/Brain Power Wellness
Healthy Diet - oils and fats
When it comes to dietary fat, what matters most is the type of fat you eat. Contrary to past dietary advice promoting low-fat diets, newer research shows that healthy fats are necessary and beneficial for health.
Rather than adopting a low-fat diet, it’s more important to focus on eating beneficial “good” fats and avoiding harmful “bad” fats. Fat is an important part of a healthy diet. Choose foods with “good” unsaturated fats, limit foods high in saturated fat, and avoid “bad” trans fat.
“Good” unsaturated fats — Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — lower disease risk. Foods high in good fats include vegetable oils (such as olive, canola, sunflower, soy, and corn), nuts, seeds, and fish.
“Bad” fats — trans fats — increase disease risk, even when eaten in small quantities. Foods containing trans fats are primarily in processed foods made with trans fat from partially hydrogenated oil. Fortunately, trans fats have been eliminated from many of these foods.
Saturated fats, while not as harmful as trans fats, by comparison with unsaturated fats negatively impact health and are best consumed in moderation. Foods containing large amounts of saturated fat include red meat, butter, cheese, and ice cream. Some plant-based fats like coconut oil and palm oil are also rich in saturated fat. When you cut back on foods like red meat and butter, replace them with fish, beans, nuts, and healthy oils instead of refined carbohydrates.
Celebrations
New York City Public Schools Calendar 2024-2025: 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 holidays and school closures:
Monday, January 20: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Wednesday, January 29: Lunar New Year
Monday, February 17-Friday, February 21: Midwinter Recess