Dear P.S. 120 Families,
This week, P.S. 120 hosted District 25 Superintendent Dr. Dantona for a school visit. He visited classrooms, discussed literacy goals with our Instructional Leadership and Equity Team (ILET), and met with a small group of parents for a Parent Advisory Committee session. Parent feedback around our academic initiatives and welcoming school culture was very positive. I want to continue working together with parents to ensure that every P.S. 120 family feels safe, included, and informed of their child’s progress throughout the school year.
Thursday’s Hispanic Heritage Night was another successful event! It was amazing to come together as a school community to celebrate the rich traditions of Central and South America.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your family!
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:
Hispanic Heritage Night: Our school community enjoyed a night of music, food, and celebration as we honored the Hispanic culture! Thank you to all our food donors and performers who made this night possible!
Dragon Press: Check out this month’s issue of Dragon Press!
Field Trips:
Some of our first grade students explored creativity and collaboration during a hands-on visit to Little Pulp, where they learned the art of printmaking and saw how passion and innovation can grow into purpose.
Some of our second graders enjoyed a day at the Museum of Moving Image, where they learned about filmmaking and cinematography!
Announcements
P.S. 120Q Parent Handbook: Our school’s Parent Handbook has been updated for the 2025-2026 school year! Please bookmark the P.S. 120Q Parent Handbook to read school policies and procedures for parents.
Birthday Policy: Please note that we have updated our birthday policy for parents. We appreciate your cooperation: Every student’s special day is honored in the classroom with a song, movement break or craft. Please do not send treats to share in class or at lunch/recess/dismissal. PLEASE NOTE: Elaborate food, soft drinks, party favors, party hats, goody bags, balloons, decorations, or entertainment are not permitted and will be returned directly to the family.
October 2025 New York City Public Schools Family Update: Please see Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos’ family update for October 2025 here (Translations linked within).
Free Family Events in the Community:
ESOL classes - Free English Class
Registration is on-going. For more information, please call us at 718-939-6137 or email us at education@kcsny.org. Our office hours are from 9 AM - 5 PM
Korean Art Competition
The deadline is approaching (October 31st).
For more information, please click here
KEEPING YOU INFORMED ON CITY & STATE UPDATES
🎓Adult Education. SUNY Reconnect is a program offering free tuition, books, and supplies for New Yorkers ages 25-55 without a college degree who are pursuing an associate degree at a SUNY community college. Designed to help adult learners gain skills for high-demand jobs, SUNY Reconnect covers fields like nursing and health professions, technology, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and pathways to teaching. Eligible learners can enroll part-time or full-time. Learn more at suny.edu/communitycollege/free-cc.
📞Community Health. Need healthcare assistance or an advocate on your side when dealing with a medical bill, insurance denial, or a confusing notice? Call the Community Health Advocates hotline at 1-888-614-5400 and receive help today!
♻️Composting. NYC residents are required to separate food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper from regular trash and recycling. Curbside composting will be collected on your regular recycling day. For more information, visit nyc.gov/CurbsideComposting or call 311.
🎓Education Helpline. Advocates for Children of New York has a multilingual education helpline to answer your questions about the NYC school system. Their phone number is 866-427-6033 (toll free), and it is open from Monday to Thursday, 10:00AM to 4:00PM. Click here for more information.
🗽Empire State Child Credit. The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance is issuing supplemental Empire State Child Credit payments to over 1.5 million low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. Eligible taxpayers who received at least $100 in the 2023 Empire State Child Credit and filed their 2023 tax returns by April 15, 2024, will receive these payments automatically. For more details, visit the Additional Empire State Child Credit Payments.
🔋Energy Affordability Program. The NYS Energy Affordability Program provides income-eligible consumers with a discount on their monthly electric and/or gas bills. You may be enrolled automatically if you receive benefits from a government assistance program; for more information visit this ConEd webpage and click the “download form” button in the Energy Affordability Program box (or click this link directly to download the pdf). Or call 800-752-6633; the seniors-only direct line is 800-404-9097, M-F, 8:30 am – 5 pm.
💰Financial Aid. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and New York State TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) applications are now open! Completing the FAFSA can be challenging for students, but it’s the important for accessing essential federal and state financial aid. The easiest way to apply for TAP is through the FAFSA — students can link directly to the TAP application from the FAFSA submission confirmation page. Learn more about TAP here.
🥕Farmers Market. The Cunningham Park Farmers Market is open every Sunday through the end of the year from 9AM to 2PM, right off Union Turnpike in the parking lot near the tennis courts. Fresh produce, local goods, and a great way to support neighborhood vendors—it doesn’t get more Queens than that. Sign up for their newsletter to get weekly updates and the vendor schedule.
🔊Fresh Meadows Vision Project. A major proposal called “Fresh Meadow Vision” could lots of change to our neighborhood. While I’m not directly involved in the zoning and planning decisions (that’s up to your Community Board, Council Member, and Borough President), I want to hear from you! If you live nearby, it’s really important that you provide feedback on this website. There is a rally scheduled for October 19th at noon at 64 Ave and 188th Street, hosted by local civic and tenant associations, make your voice heard!
💭Mental Health Hotline. There’s a three digit phone hotline, 988, the 911 for mental health emergencies.
🆔Mobile ID. Ever forget your wallet and wish you had your ID on you? Now you can with New York Mobile ID! Just download the app, and a highly secure digital version of a state-issued driver license, learner permit or ID will be on your smartphone whenever you need it. More info here.
📚Queens Public Library. On Monday, October 13th, in honor of Italian Heritage Day & Indigenous People's Day, all Queens Public Libraries will be closed. Their digital resources will still be available.
🚏Reduced Fare Riders. The MTA announced that Reduced-Fare customers—including Seniors and people with disabilities—can now put their Reduced-Fare benefit on any personal payment device (okay, smartphones) compatible with OMNY. The MTA is enabling customers to make this switch online, at omny.info. Reduced-Fare customers can also benefit from the MTA’s ongoing “Lucky 13” program, where customers ride free after 12 paid OMNY taps in a 7-day week, from Monday to Sunday. The MTA will also be phasing out all MetroCards, with sales ending on December 31, 2025.
👨🍳Restaurant Accelerator Grant. National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ACE) and Grubhub are accepting applications for the 2025 Restaurant Accelerator and $5,000 Community Fund Grant! Small, U.S.-based restaurants can apply by October 24 for a chance to join expert-led virtual sessions in November and receive funding to grow their business. AAPNHI restaurateurs are especially encouraged to apply. Full details at nationalace.org.
🚮SAFE Waste Disposal. On Saturday, October 18, 2025, the NYC Dept. of Sanitation is hosting their Queens' fall SAFE (Solvents, Automotive, Flammables, and Electronics) Disposal Event at the Resorts World Casino, Parking Lot C. Rain or shine! From 10 am - 4 pm, feel free to bring any used items marked DANGER, WARNING, POISON, or CAUTION. For more information, click here.
🤳School Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy. NYC Public Schools require students to store all internet-enabled devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, in a school-sponsored rack or closet during the school day. Exceptions may apply for IEPs or medical plans. You can read the full policy at schools.nyc.gov/DevicePolicy.
🥗SNAP. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are a lifeline for New York families. If you’ve lost Cash Assistance benefits as a result of skimming (when thieves scan a copy of your EBT card at a store), file a claim online.
🗑️Special Waste Drop Off. NYC Sanitation is expanding opportunities to responsibly dispose of unwanted items. Special Waste Drop-Off sites now operate Thursday–Saturday, 9 AM–5 PM, accepting electronics, batteries, paint, and more. Textile collection bins are also available at five Sanitation garages for clothing, shoes, and fabric-based items. Learn more here.
⭐STAR Credit. School Tax Relief (STAR) credit recipients now have the option to receive their STAR credits by direct deposit. Homeowners with existing Tax Department Individual Online Services accounts will find the Homeowner Benefit Portal under Real Property Tax after they log in to OLS. Homeowners who do not yet have an OLS account will be prompted to create one to get started. For instructions to log in or create an individual account, visit the Homeowner Benefit Portal.
💰Student Debt Assistance. The Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) offers one-on-one assistance with federal and state financial aid applications and student loans. Call their helpline at (888) 614-5004 or schedule an appointment online at this link.
Recycled Materials Collection: Our Science team has planned an exciting activity for Dad’s Take Your Child to School Day that requires recycled items. We are in need of empty, dry paper towel rolls. Please save these cardboard items and send them to school with your child.
SMILE Dental On-Site Visits – Fall 2025 🦷
The mobile dentist is returning to PS120 to provide FREE dental check-ups for all students! SMILE Dental will be onsite on the following dates:
📅 October 21–24
📅 October 27–31
📅 November 3, 5 & 7
Consent Forms
Preferred Method – Online: Complete your child’s consent form at www.myschooldentist.com by October 20, 2025.
Paper Forms: For families not completing the online form, paper copies will be sent home the week of October 6. Please return by October 15, 2025.
Important Information
Once signed, a dental consent form remains valid for as long as your child is a student at PS120. A new form is NOT required each year.
If you have already provided consent in a previous year, your child will automatically be seen again.
If you no longer want your child to receive dental services at school, you must call (855) 481-8638 to rescind consent.
Required Identification Process
Please know that for the safety of your child, the dental team follows a policy that requires all children to independently identify themselves. This means giving the team 2 ways to positively identify themselves. Your child can tell the team any of these two choices below-
• Name
• Date of birth
• Phone number
• Address (street only is fine)
• Parent or guardian name
If you have concerns that your child will not be able to independently identify themselves, you can help to ensure that they are seen for dental care in a few ways:
BEST OPTIONS-
Make sure your child knows their name and parent or guardian name in advance of the clinic (or any of the two identifiers listed above).
Send a picture to school of your child labeled with their name, in addition to address and parent/guardian name or date of birth. On the picture page there should be 2 other identifiers in addition to your student’s name.
We are excited to welcome back SMILE Dental and continue supporting our students’ health and well-being!
🎓 JHS 194 Open House 🎉
📍 In-Person Event
Come explore what makes JHS 194 a vibrant and welcoming school community! Meet our dedicated staff, tour the facilities, and learn about academic programs and student life.
🗓 Date: Monday, October 28th
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: JHS 194, Queens, NY
👨👩👧👦 Who Should Attend: 5th Grade
PS120 Character Parade
📅Friday 10/31/2025 8:30 AM - 9:10 AM
Save the Date - Dad’s Take Your Child to School Day 2025: Calling all father figures, including stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, foster fathers, and other significant role models! Save the date and join us for Dad's Take Your Child to School Day 2025!
November 18, 2025 - 8:10 AM-10:00 AM - Students in PreK, Kindergarten and 1st Grade Only
November 19, 2025 - 8:10-10:00 AM - Students in 2nd and 3rd Grade Only + siblings from all other grades
November 20, 2025 - 8:10-10:00 AM - Students in 4th and 5th Grade Only + siblings from all other grades
**If you have multiple children, please select ONE date to attend with both of your children (11/19 or 11/20)**
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! Please click here to register for the event.
School Meals/Menus: Click the links below to access daily/monthly cafeteria menus:
SEL Corner
Announcements
It is getting chilly! October marks the National Anti-bullying month. We also have Halloween that falls on the last day of October, but that is not the only holiday! Catch the end of summer and go to nature! NYC Parks have awesome events and talks.
SEL Resources
Free mental health resources and tips at The Kids Mental Health Foundation
Back to School Resources
Virtual Libraries
MindUp/Brain Power Wellness - How to promote SEL at home?
Our students practice SEL skills that understand and control emotions, solve problems effectively, and get along well with others in all parts of their school life. We would like to offer some tips for you and your child to continue to practice these essential skills. This week we will go over an activity for self-regulation and stress management:
It is the ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations
Freeze Feelings: This game is not only good for self-regulation, but also for self-awareness. Children are required to listen to music, remember designated emotions, and freeze in a pose of the emotion when the music stops. Hence, it helps children to wait patiently, to resist temptations, and to think carefully before making important decisions. Children also use the Stop and Think Moment of reflection to self-monitor before the music is played.
Steps:
Get ready with a collection of cheerful music.
Tell your children that in this game, they have to stop themselves from moving or dancing when the music stops. At the same time, they need to demonstrate a given feeling when the music stops.
Stop and Think Moment: Tell your children that before each round, you will designate a feeling like “happy” (or sad, angry, scared, embarrassed, and so on). They are also allowed to think about how they would show that emotion with facial expressions and body posture without talking or moving.
Designate a feeling – for example: “happy.” Wait a few seconds for your children to think about showing the emotion. For children who may struggle to demonstrate emotions with body language or with reading social cues, model each feeling that you call out.
Play music, and tell your child to dance when the music starts.
Stop the music. Your children should freeze in a pose that shows “happy” (or other emotion for that round).
If a player does not stop immediately, he or she will do five to ten jumping jacks/ hopping before the next round.
Play multiple rounds. Give students a new feeling before each round.
Information summarized from research papers linked here
Celebrations
New York City Public Schools Calendar 2025-2026: 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 events, holidays and school closures:
Friday, October 31: P.S. 120 Character Parade - 8:30-9:10 AM
Note: Parents must return a signed permission slip for students to march in the Character Parade!
Tuesday, November 4: Schools closed for Election Day
Thursday, November 6: Parent-Teacher Conferences
Students have a half-day of instruction, in person at school from 8:00 AM - 11:20 AM
Student dismissal is at 11:20 AM
Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences take place by appointment from 12:40-2:40 PM and 4:30-7:30 PM