Principal’s Memo
Dear P.S. 120 Families,
I want to extend a huge THANK YOU to our PTA executive board, PTA volunteers, and all of the staff members who volunteered their time and talents to make this year’s Lunar New Year festival a success! We had an amazing day Thursday, with in-school assemblies featuring student performances, as well as our evening celebration including a world food expo, calligraphers, photo booth, raffle prizes, and performances by local community groups. Happy 2025, the Year of the Snake!
Please remember that there is no school on Monday, January 20, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his vision for a just, equitable society for all Americans. School resumes on Tuesday, January 21, at 8:00 AM - See you then!
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:
4th/5th Grade Field Trip: This week, half of our 4th/5th grade Dragons went on a field trip to see Wicked. The students had a wonderful time spending the day at the movie theater together! The remainder of our 4th/5th grade classes have their trip on Tuesday.
Stop Sign Project Assembly: On Wednesday, our Student Government hosted an Assembly for our 5th graders, parents, and our local community leaders. The Student Government is advocating for the placement of a stop sign outside our school to increase safety for our students and families. We are so proud of our Student Government representatives for such an amazing call to action!
Lunar New Year Assembly: Thursday morning, some of our P.S. 120 Dragons performed for our special Lunar New Year Assembly. We would like to thank K2, K5, K8, 104, 401, and Vivian of Class 504 for showcasing incredible traditional song and dance in celebration of Lunar New Year!
Lunar New Year Celebration: P.S. 120 hosted its annual Lunar New Year Celebration Thursday night featuring a special World Food Expo. The night was filled with excitement, traditions, music, dance, and unforgettable performances! Thank you to our PTA for helping us organize such an incredible event!
Girls Soccer Team: Earlier this week, our P.S. 120 Girls Soccer team hosted P.S. 29 in a tough match! Our girls worked hard and persevered through challenges the entire game! Way to go Dragons!
Announcements
PTA Updates (Sent on behalf of the PTA):
January PTA & PAC Meeting: Our January meeting was held Friday, January 17. Parents may review our agenda/meeting minutes here. Our February meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 7, 2025, at 8:30 AM in P.S. 120’s Auditorium.
The February PTA & PAC Meeting will begin following our celebration of January Student of the Month awardees (“Inspirational”, names to be determined).
District 25 Parent Workshops: We recommend that parents regularly check District 25’s Parent Event page, www.d25.nyc/event/, for information and registration links for upcoming parent events:
Acadience Virtual Parent Workshop Series via Zoom
Wednesday, February 5 @ 5:30 - 6:30 PM for families in Kindergarten and Grade 1
Wednesday, February 12 @ 5:30 - 6:30 PM for families in Grade 2
Math Virtual Parent Workshop Series via Zoom
Wednesday, February 12 @ 7:00 - 8:15 PM for families in all grades
iReady In-Person Parent Workshop Series
Thursday, February 13 @ 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Location: PS 107 Thomas A. Dooley, 167-02 45 Avenue Queens, NY
All are welcome! Registration required: www.d25.nyc/event/!
You can also view recordings of past sessions here: https://www.youtube.com/@nycschoolsd25
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at the Met's Lunar New Year Festival:
When: Saturday, January 25, 2025, 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Where: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Enjoy performances, interactive activities, and artist-led workshops for all ages. Free with Museum admission—no registration needed.
Admission is free for Members and kids under 12. Pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents and NY, NJ, and CT students.
Learn more: The Met's Lunar New Year Festival.
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:
Lunar New Year is Wednesday, January 29, 2025, and it's the year of the snake! Join the festivities as we celebrate Lunar New Year in New York City. Find parades, festivals, and more taking place in and around NYC parks.
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
MindUp/Brain Power Wellness
Healthy Diet - Dairy
Dairy foods include a range of food and beverage products that make up classic combinations: cereal with milk, cheese and crackers, yogurt and berries, ice cream sundaes. While ice cream and cream cheese are examples of indulgent dairy foods that are viewed as every-so-often treats, a lack of clarity exists over other dairy foods that offer protein, calcium, vitamin D, and other healthful nutrients. Is cheese a healthy food? Is non/low-fat milk and yogurt better for the heart than full-fat versions? Traditionally, whole milk dairy products have been viewed as the less healthful choice because of their predominant type of fat—saturated fat.
The nutrients and types of fat in dairy are involved with bone health, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions. Calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus are important for bone building, and the high potassium content of dairy foods can help lower blood pressure.
Both full-fat and non/low-fat dairy foods can be good sources of protein, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin D. Dairy foods that undergo fermentation, such as yogurt and some cheeses, are lower in lactose and contain healthful gut bacteria that may benefit digestive health. However, the nutrients in milk can be found in other foods and therefore it is not an essential food even for the normal growth and development in children and for the prevention of health conditions like bone fractures.
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