MARCH FAMILY NEWSLETTER

March is here and that means Spring is right around the corner! We have already had a few warmer days pop up and Spring will be even more noticeable on March 10th when we turn our clocks forward one hour for daylights saving time!

I hope that both you and your child/children were able to enjoy moments of joy and rest over the mid-winter break. We are back to the full-swing of learning here at P.S 219. As you may know, this is the time of year where students make the most academic and social learning improvements. It can be challenging to keep our children focused on learning, as well as, find joy and fun in the process, so I want us to prioritize this time of growth, in partnership with each other.

This month is shaping up to be a busy one! Women’s History Month is celebrated in March. In the United States, Women's History Month traces its beginning back to the first International Women’s Day in 1911. Our country finally found it appropriate to acknowledge a group of citizens who have historically been silenced. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let us also lift up the voices, contributions and bravery of women in the margins. This Women’s History Month, P.S 219 is devoting time for celebrating and amplifying women’s contributions to academia, art and popular culture. Additionally, our students, along with students all across America, will be doing a lot more reading because March is National Reading Month! We want to boost the love of reading while improving literacy skills. This is why National Reading Month is so important! Literacy skills affect all areas of your child’s schooling. Typically, when you are trying to learn, you start off by reading about what you’re learning in a book. Sure, there are pictures that relate to the text, but for the most part, you have to read to understand what is being taught.

You can also join in on the celebration of National Reading Month by reading with your children. As we move closer to Parent-Teacher Conferences (March 7th), educators are often asked one important question, “What do you think I can do at home to help my child be more successful at school?” My answer is very simple, “Read with your child every day. Let them see you read.” Before, during, and after the reading, encourage your child, begin a discussion about the story, ask questions, visualize the story, offer information, share personal thoughts, and connect the story to real-life situations. If you haven't already, please visit New York Public Library to sign-up for or renew your child's free library card! Applications for children ages 12 and under must be completed in person, and require the signature of a parent or guardian. Apply for a library card at a New York Public Library location near you. Find a location near you. Make the time an enjoyable experience and let your child see that reading is fun. Celebrate this special time together!

Please read through the newsletter for a list of important dates & reminders. As always, 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.

Together in Partnership,

Mrs. Williams

-Proud Principal

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.

• Thursday, March 7th: Parent Teacher Conferences
• Tuesday, March 26th + Wednesday March 27th: Math IA 2
• Thursday, March 28th: P.S 219 Incentive Scholar Carnival

*Countdown To State Test*

NYS ELA: April 11th & 12th

NYS Math: May 7th & 8th

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

Blacks In Wax Museum At P.S 219!

Fractions are everywhere in 5th grade right now - 5th grade teachers helped stamp understanding of equivalent fractions by creating a math version of WORDLE - Fraction Wordle (or what we are calling fordle).

Two of the most powerful words because what you put after them shapes your reality. Teachers are creating a nurturing and restorative space with and for their children by starting off the day with Daily Affirmations.

Attendance Matters!

Scholars that are in school every day have higher academic data, grow as readers and master mathematical concepts and strategies. We need you to partner with us in ensuring that scholars have the greatest opportunity to maximize instructional minutes by being in school and in class, learning. Our school-wide attendance goal is 95%-100% daily. You can help us continue maintaining a strong scholar attendance by continuing to make sure that your scholar(s) arrive on time, every day and communicating with your scholars classroom teacher or the main office for excused absences. Thank you for supporting our increased efforts for timeliness, so we can maximize learning time. On The Road To 90%! Our next school event is a carnival and it also has attendance as a parameter for being invited!

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