Dear Members of the MHA PS 65x:

 

            This week is “Parents as Partners Week.”  In effort to increase parent involvement and strengthen partnerships between families and school, we encourage communication with the parents/guardians of your students via telephone, letter or note card with at least one positive comment about their child and/or contribution made by the child to your class and/or the school community.  Additionally, I, Ms. Hunt, will be hosting a Parent Workshop about the ARIS PARENTLINK (https://arisparentlink.org) on Wednesday, October 26^th, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. and again at 5:00 p.m.  Please note that Parent-Teacher Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15^th, 2011.  Should you have any ideas/suggestions on how to increase parent involvement throughout the school year (in addition to the Parent-Teacher Conference), please email Ms. Gonzalez (JGonzalez@schools.nyc.gov) and Ms. Hunt (JHunt2@schools.nyc.gov). 

 

We are happy to announce that the keyboards for the students in grades K-2 are set up in room 103 and the program may officially begin this week.  The music program for the 4^th and 5^th grade classes will be with band instruments and will be held in the auditorium.  Please note that some of the instruments must be cleaned and may not be available for use.  We anticipate the assistance of the Learning Leaders with the much needed preparation of such instruments.  Thank you for being flexible and understanding as to the changes in the music prep program. 

 

In the past weeks, the SBST (School Based Support Team) and/or I have received numerous requests for “Pupil Support” for academic and/or social-emotional purposes.  Please note that classroom teachers and enrichment teachers are the first “intervention service provider”; through the use of differentiation, etc.  In order for the PPT to best support the teachers, it is most helpful that anecdotal documentation is attached to the request.  Below is a brief overview of the school’s PPT:

 

PPT

·         A Pupil Personnel Team (PPT) is a standing Committee, within each student that uses non-judgmental, collaborative and confidential approach to review and evaluate the needs to specific students who are not demonstrating success in their current educational program.

·         The PPT uses multidisciplinary approach to examine why an individual student is demonstrating significant academic, social, behavioral and/or physical needs and then develops supportive strategies and services.

·         PPT members: Ms. Hunt, Ms. Kirshner, Mr. Ramos, Ms.  Ross, Ms. Maida, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Mehno, Ms. Suckow, Ms. Roberts, Mr. Adler and Ms. Sone

·         All minutes are kept in the PPT binder located in room 308.  Please see Ms. Sylvia Rivera for a copy of the minutes and copies of IEPs that are not on SESIS.

 

This week you will be receiving the schedule for each service provider.  Please review the date and time that your student(s) will be picked-up and make necessary accommodations for him/her to receive missed lessons.  I encourage classroom teachers and providers to work closely with one another and share lessons and strategies used in the classroom for the betterment of the child’s education.  Remember: “Together we grow stronger.”

We are attempting different strategies to dismiss students efficiently to accommodate the various afterschool programs we will be having in November 2011.  Starting Monday, October 24^th, 2011: ASPIRA will pick up K students from the classrooms by 2:15 p.m. and 

Dismissal will be as follows:

·         All Bus Students are to go to the Cafeteria by 2:15 p.m..

·         Pre-K in the Gymnasium (closest to Powers Avenue.)

·         K-2 in the school yard by 2:20 p.m. prompt, then in the Gymnasium (closest to Powers Avenue) by 2:30 p.m. prompt at designated tables with Ms. O’Blines.

·         3-5 in the Auditorium by 2:20 p.m. prompt. 

·         3-5 Students that are not in any afterschool program and walk home alone are to use the exit stage-left (closest to Cypress Avenue) to the school yard.

·         All other 3-5 students will be picked up by the afterschool program members in the auditorium.

 

 

We are proud to announce that on Thursday, October 27^th, 2011, we will be celebrating our very own Honoree, Safety Agent Mrs. Venable at a UFT dinner.  Additionally, we are going to recognize SA Venable during the morning line-up in the auditorium.  We encourage staff and student member(s) to say “a few words” on our appreciation on having SA Venable as an integral part of our school community and MHA 65x family.

 

Last, but not least, we have entered into a partnership with the City Year (www.cityyear.org) and Clifford Chance (www.cliffordchance.com) in the beautification of our school building and playground.  On November 4^th, 2011, these volunteers, along with family members, staff and students, will be participating in various events that include, painting of murals, painting of benches, storytelling, organizing the library, etc. We need your and the students assistance.  Please email Ms. Gonzalez and Ms. Hunt inspirational words, phrases, and your and students’ artwork, etc., by Wednesday, October 26^th, 2011. 

 

Monday, October 24^th, 2011:

·         Ms.  Gonzalez, Ms. DalPiaz, Ms. Santiago, Ms. Kirshner and Ms. Ross at a STOPP TCI training.

·         DATA – Inquiry PD with Ms. Hunt

o   First Grade at 11:50 am in room 312

o   Pre-K at 1:30 p.m. in room 212

·         Staff PD 2:30-3:00pm

o   PreK-2 teachers with Ms. Ingrid DeMichele in room 312

o   3-5 teachers, Enrichment Teachers and Service Providers with Ms. Hunt in room 413.

·         Afterschool:

o   Musical Drama Club for selected 3^rd and 4^th graders. Monday and Fridays.

o   ASPIRA. Daily.

 

Tuesday, October 25^th, 2011:

·         Ms. Minott’s class to St. Mary’s Pool.

·         Ms. O'Blines at a School Technology Workshop

·         DATA – Inquiry PD with Ms. Hunt

o   Enrichment Teachers and Providers at 8:00 am in room 502

o   Second Grade Teachers at 10:20 am in room 502

o   Fifth Grade Teachers at 11:00 am in room 502

 

Wednesday, October 26^th, 2011:

·         Ms. Betancourt’s class to St. Mary’s Pool.

·         Parent ARIS workshop with Ms. Hunt in room 502 at 9 am and 5 pm

·         Fourth Grade Teachers: DATA – Inquiry PD with Ms. Hunt room 502

 

Thursday, October 27^th, 2011:

·         UFT Dinner Honoring SA Venable.  See Ms. Ray for more details.

·         Ms. Elizabeth Skerlov of the STOPP Committee will be visiting our school and selected classrooms.

·         Bus Drill for Bus Students only in Auditorium at 2:00 p.m.

·         LEARN IT Afterschool Program

·         We are proud to announce our partnership with Learn it. They will be targeting our K-2^nd grade students in the areas of Phonics, Literacy and Math.

·         Please learn more about the program rate and the per session opportunities at the Teacher Orientation during both lunch periods.

§  11 am  in room 211

§  12:40 pm in Principal’s office

 

Friday, October 28^th, 2011:

·         CRAZY HAT DAY – Show off your distinctiveness.

·         Crazy Hat Day Parade and Fun House Exhibit in our school yard at 1:25 p.m.

·         Ms. Hunt, Ms. Kirshner and Ms. Ross at STOPP RTI workshop.

 

Looking Ahead:

·         Monday, October 31^st, 2011:  Rapid Dismissal for Students and No Afterschool Programs

·         Tuesday, November 1^st, 2011: Third Grade Teachers meeting re: Steel Pans.

·         Friday, November 4^th, 2011: City Year and Clifford Chance Community Day to beautify our school and playground.

·         Tuesday, November 8^th, 2011: Election Day: PD for Teachers.

·         Tuesday, November 15^th: Half day: Parent Teacher Conference Afternoon & Evening.