APRIL FAMILY NEWSLETTER

It is hard to believe that spring break is almost here! It won’t be long before Memorial Day is here and the summer months are upon us - it is hard to believe that we have only a few months left in the 2023-2024 school year.

I want to send some shine to our 3rd-5th grade students who will take their NY State ELA tests in 4 days. We know they will show up calm and confident, and will successfully complete their test with perseverance and hard work. I also want to shout out our younger students who will send love notes to our older students, create signs of encouragement, and cheer them on at our Pep Rally. And of course, thank you to our families who will make sure that your children are well-rested and feel supported. As you know, all of our assessments, including the State Tests will provide valuable data that we will utilize to evaluate our programs and provide targeted instruction to each of our students.

Enrollment season is upon us for the upcoming school year. Our current enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year is 330+ students. Everyone that is new to our school wonders why families want to join the P.S 219 family. I believe prospective and current families know that our kids are loved, nurtured, supported, and encouraged to be the best version of themselves. They know that somebody believes in them, sees the genius within them, and is rooting for them. Please help us spread the word!

Please read through the newsletter for a list of important dates & reminders. As we embark on our last two months of the school year, it is important that we - all of you and all of us - continue to partner together. We want to close out this school year strong and with great success. Please continue to make sure that your children are in school every day so they can learn all that they need to ensure that they are set up for success when they enter the next grade. This last semester is also full of celebrations such as field day, our end-of-year spectacular, step-up ceremonies, and kinder & 5th grade graduations so please make sure to read through the reminder memos being sent home.

I would like to take a moment to thank you for your hard work and your partnership! You are all vital to the success of students. We are so fortunate to work with your students every day. Thank you for allowing us to play a role in their growth and development. Whether you are off April 22nd-April 30th or not, I hope that all of you have the opportunity to reflect, refresh and rejuvenate yourselves with family and friends.

Together in Partnership,

Mrs. Williams

-Proud Principal

• Friday, April 5th: NYS Test Pep Rally @P.S 219!
• Thursday + Friday: April 11th & 12th-NYS ELA Exam
  
• April 22nd-April 30th: SCHOOL CLOSED FOR SPRING BREAK

*Countdown To State Test*

NYS Math: May 7th & 8th

5th Grade NYS Science: May 15th & 16th

For 5th Grade Families: Congratulations on your scholar's upcoming graduation! We know that you and your family have worked hard in helping your scholar reach this moment of success and accomplishment, and P.S 219 shares your excitement.

This year, we will be hosting graduation in-person on Tuesday, June 25th, scholars will be able to proudly walk in their cap and gown. We are still accepting Graduation Dues, the cost is $125. Dues cover pays for the following: cap and gown, stole, senior sneaker ball, t-shirt and senior trip. Feel free to reach out to Ms. Johnson with any questions.

Kindergarten Graduation will also be in-person this year on Monday, June 24th. We will be holding Step-up Ceremonies throughout that day as well on Monday, June 24th for Grades 3K+ PreK and 1st-4th grades. More details will be forthcoming.

It's a new year and we're still rocking our uniforms! Just a reminder we’re showing school pride through our uniforms all year long. REMINDER: NO HOODIES OR head coverings (unless there is a religious reason) are permitted at school. All other head covering must be removed.

Please find information listed below regrading what to wear, to have an amazing school year 😊

P.S 219 has a required school uniform for several very important reasons:

1. Uniforms unite our community.
2. Uniforms reduce distractions any clothing competition.
3. Uniforms help uphold our scholarly atmosphere.

All students must come to school wearing a P.S 219-Kennedy King uniform with pride! The basic uniform items without a school logo can be purchased from Ideal uniform store, cookies, young world, old navy, etc. Uniform items purchased with the school logo can be purchased on line from https://www.milkuniforms.com/p-s-219

The unform is as follows:

Uniforms (3K-5th Grade) can be purchased as follows:

• Tops: Royal Purple and/or white solid polo shirt with/without the logo is required every school day.
• Bottoms: Navy, or black, slacks, joggers, dress, skirt, etc. (Families may purchase bottoms/skirts/dresses from any store of their choice)
• Shoes: A “safe shoe” that covers all or most of the foot, adequate for walking up and down stairs all day. A sneaker is preferred. Sneakers can be any color to celebrate the students' style and flair. Crocs, other foam shoes, and UGG slip-on shoes (any type of slipper) are not permitted.
• Belts: If needed, a solid color is preferred
• Tights: any color and pattern (no lace is preferred)
• Socks: any color and pattern
• Gym Uniform: Grey or navy jogger suit. Options can be found on the uniform website with the school logo or purchased without from any store of your choosing.

If students have an accident or soil their clothes, a clean uniform will be provided for students to change into. Students in 3K, Pre-K, and Kindergarten are required to always keep a change of clothes in school.

PURCHASING INFORMATION

Website: https://www.milkuniforms.com/p-s-219

• Online Purchasing
• Families can purchase uniforms online from the website above.
• Online purchases will be shipped to the families’ homes.
• Free shipping is offered for orders of $75 or more.
• Shipping time can be expedited but 10 business days is suggested for standard delivery.
• Pricing: see image

Thank you so much and we look forward to seeing you soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or the main office at 929-397-9566 ext. 2161.

i-Ready Personalized Instruction Guidance for Families

As a school community, we've grown so much as evidenced by the data from our middle of year assessments. Please click on the link below to support your scholar using i-Ready. At home you can access guidance for using i-Ready including login and technical support. Learn how you can support your student with i-Ready.

curriculumassociates.com

It’s a whole new reality of learning and living for our children. The reality is that we live in a world where tech is ever-present and there is an increase for the need to spend time teaching our children how to navigate online responsibly. With the rise of safety concerns, cyberbullying, easy access from strangers on online platforms, we are asking families to partner with us as new technology and new apps are being created daily, and online communication is becoming an increasingly common. It is crucial to help our children achieve and understand digital literacy and be consistent and vigilant in monitoring usage to prevent cyberbullying prevention, ensure online safety, digital responsibility, and digital health and wellness.

RAISING DIGITAL CITIZENS

1. Remain positively engaged

2. Support their good choices

3. Know the protection features on your devices and on websites

4. Review privacy settings

5. Teach critical thinking

6. Teach them to respect private information about themselves and others

7. Teach your children how to interact safely

8. Empower your children to handle issues around bullying, hurtful comments and unwanted contact & sharing

1. Emphasize that they have the power to end conversations and log off the Internet at any time, and to not let shyness or embarrassment prevent them from talking to a parent or family member if they get into an iffy or risky situation

9. Support positive and safe engagement

Information from: National Cybersecurity Alliance

IN THE KNOW - Apps our students are using:

• Tik Tok

• Instagram

• Snapchat

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Text free App (Call/text)

• Roblox

• Omegle

• Discord

• Gaming sites where there are live chats

HOW TO SET UP PARENTAL CONTROLS & OVERSIGHT

• Parental controls - "How To"

• Parental controls on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch / Youtube video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDwOeoc6LAw

• Parental controls on Android / Youtube video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b-0gbQWOmc

• Apps that set up online controls

• Bark

• Kaspersky Safe Kids

• Our Pact (Kids can be involved)

• Family Orbit- track messages

• Google family link- set a timer (automatically shuts off)

• Set up check ins regarding social media, device usage

• Regular conversations about being a digital citizen and safe online

• Writing up an actual contract with time limits/expectations/rules and consequences if those rules are broken

We are available to support should you need anything!

If you choose to send your student to school with a cell phone, it must remain in their backpack at all times. If you need to relay a message to your student during the day, please call the school directly. You can reach the main office by calling the following: 929-397-9566.

Students should ensure that any personal belongings they bring with them to school do not pose any type of distraction or physical or emotional risk to themselves or others. Students are not permitted to bring toys, cards, games, and electronics not specifically authorized by the teacher. If these materials are brought to school and used during instructional periods, they will be confiscated and returned only to the parent/guardian. Finally, please note that the school does not take responsibility for any personal belongings of value brought to school.

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/food/menus/school-lunch-meals?value=s8#menuDiv

We want to make sure that you are fully connected to us. Please make sure our main office has the correct email and most updated phone numbers for you. We want to make sure that you receive all the texts and memos throughout the month. For some of you, it may be that your email settings block our messages and for others, it may be that we do not have accurate information. If your phone number changes, please alert your child's classroom teacher, send an email to, or call myself, Mr. Gordon or the main office.

Scholars in Grades Kindergarten thru 5th grade, whose families identied that they needed assistance with technology, have been provided with a replacement or school loaner laptops. To date, all scholars in K-5 have a working school laptop and a pair of brand new headphones to use both at home and in school. Students will need laptops at home for i-Ready lessons, Edulastic lessons and any other at-home projects and tasks. Students will need laptops in school for classroom assignments and for upcoming school assessments. Going forward, scholars are responsible for transporting laptops back and forth to school one they are assigned. Please be advised: there will be one piece of technology sent per student based on what families have identified. Please work with your student to ensure that laptops and headphones remain in good functioning shape as we have reached our maximum number of technology purchases. If you need support, please reach out to Mrs. Williams and Mr. GoldSmith

Please visit our website and connect with us on social media for access to up-to-date information!

Email: CROBINSON57@SCHOOLS.NYC.GOV
Website: https://www.ps219.org

Instagram: 219_lightbulbs