Parent Weekly Bulletin - Week of 3/3/2025

Dear P.S. 120 Families,

In advance of Thursday’s Parent-Teacher Conferences, we will backpack home several important documents as indicators of your child’s progress:

  • Report cards (Digital versions and translations will be available in NYCSA accounts)

  • Middle of Year iReady (K-5th grade) / Acadience (K-2nd grade) parent reports

  • Honor Roll certificates (K-5th grade, as applicable based on student achievement)

  • IEP Progress Reports/Measurable Annual Goals (K-5th grade students with IEPs)

Please be sure to review these documents before you meet with your child’s teacher(s) during Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, March 6, and ask how you can support your child’s progress at home. We look forward to speaking with 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: 

  • 100th Day of School: Earlier this week, P.S. 120 celebrated the 100th Day of School! Our Dragons have been learning so much this year and we are so excited to celebrate this milestone! Students and staff dressed up as if they were 100 years old - it was so amazing to see how creative our school community is!

  • Dragon Press: Check out this month’s issue of Dragon Press!

  • P.S. 120 Sports: Our P.S. 120 Dragons had an away basketball game, and a home soccer game, this week. Our athletes and cheerleaders demonstrated tremendous school spirit as they played strong! Way to go Dragons!

  • Classroom Visits: This week, some of our classes were visited by administrators and support staff from the District 25 community. Students were observed in Fundations and HMH Reading lessons. Visitors were impressed by how engaged our students are when learning!

Announcements

  • 5th Grade Graduation Photos: All students in Grade 5 will have cap and gown graduation photos taken on Monday, Monday, March 3, 2025. An order form was sent home with your child on Monday, February 24.

  • Summer Rising: Families interested in applying to Summer Rising should check this page frequently for resources. Be sure to create a MySchools account, if you don’t have one already, so that you are ready when the application window opens. Important Dates:

    • March 3-4, 2025: P.S. 120 will backpack home MySchools PIN letters.

    • March 4, 2025: Application opens in MySchools.

    • March 28, 2025: Application closes in MySchools.

    • April 2025: Offer releases will be available in MySchools.

    • July 2, 2025: Summer Rising starts for K-8 students.

    • July 4, 2025: Summer Rising will be closed in observance of Independence Day.

    • August 15, 2025: Summer Rising ends for elementary school students.

  • Parent-Teacher Conferences: Parent-Teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2025 following a half-day (11:10 AM dismissal). Please remember:

    • Students will be dismissed promptly at 11:10 AM with a bagged lunch. 

    • Parents must inform us in advance of your child’s half-day dismissal plan. Please make sure you complete and return the half-day dismissal form (paper copies were backpacked home) by Monday, March 3.

    • Parents must sign up for an appointment slot to meet with your child’s teacher(s). Be sure to request translation if you prefer a language other than English! Conferences are held virtually, by appointment from 12:40-2:40 PM and 4:30-7:30 PM on March 6. 

Please join us for this important opportunity to discuss your child’s progress.

  • NYC School Family Survey- Please complete before April 4! School surveys were backpacked home on Friday, February 28. Please see the survey directions here; you can choose to fill out the paper survey or complete the survey online. Please respond by the survey deadline of April 4 - We value your feedback immensely!

  • Apply Now for Exciting STEM Spring Break Enrichment Programs

Application deadline: Sunday, March 9,2025.

Location: NYC Center for Aerospace and Applied Mathematics; Intrepid Museum; MakerSpace NYC; New York Aquarium; New York Botanical Garden; Prospect Park Zoo; Queens Botanical Garden; Queens County Farm Museum; Queens Zoo; Rocking the Boat; Salvadori Center; Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden; Sound Collective; Staten Island MakerSpace; Staten Island Museum; Staten Island Zoo; and UrbanGlass.

What’s your spring break destination? K–8 students can apply now to STEM Matters NYC enrichment programs. Choose from a wide range of programs at amazing destinations throughout the five boroughs! Get your hands dirty in nature, encounter amazing animals, or design an art or engineering project. Students will meet and work with field experts in programs that feature real-world learning experiences.

Don’t miss out, spots are limited, and Learn more and apply now. For questions, contact   STEMMattersNYC@schools.nyc.gov.

  • PTA Updates (Sent on behalf of the PTA): 

    • P.S. 120’s PTA is actively seeking a Treasurer for the 2025-2026 school year. The Treasurer is one of the 3 mandatory officers on the PTA’s executive board. Specifically, P.S. 120’s incoming treasurer will be tasked with the responsibility to create a new PTA checking account (must have a Social Security Number). Please see more resources about the Treasurer position here:

  • SMILE Dental On-site Visits: The mobile dentist will return for their spring visit to PS120 on the following dates to provide all of our students with a dental check-up free of cost:

    • 3/26-3/28/25

    • 4/4/25

    • 4/7-4/11/25

    • 4/21-4/25/25

    • 4/28/25

    • If you did not sign a consent form in the fall, you can complete consent forms in two ways:

      • Preferred Method - Online: Complete the consent form online by visiting www.myschooldentist.com. Please submit your online consent by 3/14/25

      • Paper Consent: Paper consent forms will be sent home in students backpacks during the week of 3/3 for any parent who does not wish to complete the consent online. Completed forms should be returned to school by 3/14/25.

      • NOTE: If you previously consented for your child to receive dental services (this school year or in a prior school year), that permission form is still valid. A new consent form is not required for your child to be seen.

      • If you consented for your child to receive dental services previously, and no longer wish for your child to receive dental services at school, please call # (855)481-8638 to opt out.

  • District 25 Family Civics COMIC BOOK Night

Wednesday, March 12, 2025|6:00 - 7:30 PM *IN-PERSON*

Location: J.H.S. 194 William Carr, 154-60 17th Ave, Whitestone, NY 11357

About: Join us for a fun family night where students and families will engage with the Civics for All comics to explore important topics like democracy, civic engagement, and social justice. 

  • FREE comic books for all students

  • Comic Book Exploration

  • Interactive Activities

  • Create Your Own Mini-Comics & more!

  • All are welcome! Register HERE

  • Event flyers

  • DISTRICT 25 WELLNESS DAY

Saturday, March 15, 2025 |  12:00 PM*IN-PERSON*

Location:Common Point Queens Bay Terrace (212-00 23rd Ave, Bay Terrace, NY 11360)

About: Join us for District 25 Wellness Day, a FREE community event dedicated to promoting well-being, connection, and relaxation! Enjoy a day filled with engaging activities, movement sessions, and valuable resources provided by local partners and vendors.

  • Fun and interactive wellness activities

  • Opportunities for movement and mindfulness

  • Community resource sharing & learning

  •  Register here

Adults must attend with their children.*REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED*

              Don’t miss this chance to invest in your family’s well-being—see you there! 

  • DISTRICT 25 SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT WORKSHOP

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM *VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM*

Topic: Understanding the Kindergarten IEP process (KIP).

            ALL ARE WELCOME!*REGISTRATION REQUIRED*

Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 5:45 PM to 7:45 PM*In-Person* 

Location: J.H.S. 189 Daniel Carter Beard - 144-80 Barclay Avenue, Queens, NY 11355

Join Superintendent Dr Dantona, Deputy Superintendent Umit Serin, the District 25 team and School Staff for District 25 Family Math Night @ JHS 189 in Flushing! 

All adults attending this event must have a FREE ticket.*REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED*

All children must attend with an adult. 

SEL Corner


  • SEL Resources

    • Back to School Resources

    • Child Mind Institute Family Resource Search Tool, click here

    • Free virtual parent workshops by Marble Health, sign up here:

      • All sessions run at 7 PM ET on Zoom

        • March 3: NEW! Navigating Student Health Challenges: Vaping, Alcohol & Substances

        • March 12: NEW! FOMO, Comparison, and Insecurity: Supporting Kids/Teens with Emotional Challenges of Social Media

        • March 18: Building Resilience & Growth Mindsets

        • March 26: Executive Function Strategies for Student Success

        • March 31: Managing Academic & Test Anxiety


  • MindUp/Brain Power Wellness

    • Practicing mindfulness helps students (and us as adults) develop and strengthen our prefrontal cortex in our brain.  It helps train our brain to be focused and make good choices.  It also helps us better control our amygdala so we do a better job of controlling our emotions.  

    • This month, students will engage in learning about practicing mindfulness in smelling and tasting.  At home, students should practice bringing their attention to the smells around them and how things taste at different times during the day.  Remind them to think about and discuss these two practices:

      • Mindful Smelling

        • What do you smell first thing in the morning?

        • What do you smell on your way to and from school?

        • What do you smell at dinner time?

      • Mindful Tasting

        • Eating food slowly and asking what you notice?

        • Smelling the food you are about to eat and asking did smelling your food change how it tasted.

        • What words would you use to describe your taste experience?  Why would you use those words?

Celebrations

  • Ramadan: Some of our P.S. 120 families and staff observe the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which begins the night of February 28 and ends with the celebration Eid al-Fitr on March 28. School will be closed for Eid al-Fitr on Monday, March 28. 

  • 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:

      • Thursday, March 6: Half day of instruction from 8:00 - 11:10 AM (Friday, March 7 is a regular full-length school day)

      • Monday, March 28: NO SCHOOL in observance of Eid al-Fitr

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