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Student Enrollment Survey
Dear Parents and Guardians,
At this point in the school year, school staff are preparing draft class placements for the 2025-2026 school year. We take many factors into account (academic progress, social-emotional wellness, language levels, special learning needs, etc.) when making draft class placements.
To help us make draft class placements, we would like to know if your family plans to return to P.S. 120 for the 2025-2026 school year. Please take this brief survey below to let us know your plans. (NOTE: All current students will be assigned a 2025-2026 class, unless you confirm with us that your child will not attend P.S. 120.)
Also, if you know that your family will not be returning to P.S. 120 in September, please also send an email to our pupil secretary (bmitarotonda@schools.nyc.gov) and parent coordinator (tzhang3@schools.nyc.gov) with the following specific information (not needed if your child is graduating from 5th grade):
- Child’s full name and grade level (2025-2026 school year)
- OSIS (Student ID) number, if known
- Name of next school
- Address of next school
- Discharge date (Date child will begin class at the next school)
Thank you for your cooperation! We are happy to answer any questions you may have about your family's next steps. Feel free to email please Ms. Bernadette (bmitarotonda@schools.nyc.gov) and parent coordinator Ms. Annabelle (tzhang3@schools.nyc.gov) with any questions!
Parent Volunteers Needed! - Mother's Day Sale
P.S. 120's PTA will be hosting a Mother's Day plant sale for student shopping from Monday, May 5 - Friday, May 9. This fundraiser allows students to shop for small items and plants buy as Mother's Day gifts for family members. Each class will visit the PTA holiday sale during one 15-minute slot on their class sale date.
We need many parent volunteers to help the holiday sale run smoothly! Please sign up to help based on your availability. The holiday sale will be open according to this schedule:
Monday, May 5: 8:25 AM - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, May 6:8:25 AM - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, May 7:8:25 AM - 11:00 AM
Thursday, May 8:8:25 AM - 11:00 AM
Friday, May 9: 8:25 AM - 11:00 AM
To facilitate with sale setup each day, PTA volunteers will be permitted to sign in at 8:15 AM immediately following student arrival.
Thank you in advance for signing up to participate as you are able!
[Thursday, May 1 at 6:45 PM]
Dear Parents,
We need many volunteers to help the PTA's upcoming Mother's Day Sale go smoothly!
Please use the sign-up feature on the original post to volunteer your time during sale shopping on May 5 - May 9.
[Saturday, May 3 at 2:35 PM]
Dear Parents,
We need many volunteers to help the PTA's upcoming Mother's Day Sale go smoothly!
Please use the sign-up feature on the original post to volunteer your time during sale shopping on May 5 - May 9.
5/5 Parent Bulletin
Dear P.S. 120 Families,
This week, all eligible students in Grades 3-5 took the New York State ELA exam. I’m very proud of our students for working their hardest on both testing days, to show what they have learned this year!
During Friday’s Parent-Teacher Association meeting, attendees voted in new PTA Executive Board officers for the 2025-2026 school year. You may review the meeting minutes here. Please join me in congratulating our new officer teams!
Co-Presidents: Ching Fang (Eva) Hung & Jin Qiu (Tracey) Xie
Co-Treasurers: Dan Lin & Maggie Zhu
Co-Secretaries: Jianfang Liang + Huali Zeng
Our current PTA Executive Board is assisting us this coming week as we celebrate Staff Appreciation Week, May 5-May 9. While other districts and schools celebrate “Teacher Appreciation Week,” at P.S. 120Q, we want to highlight ALL of the adults who serve our school community each and every day, working diligently to provide the best education and social-emotional experience for your child. Be sure to thank our employees when you see them next week!
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:
State Exams: Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Dragons took the ELA State Exam this week. We are so proud of our students as they applied all their learning to their reading and writing on the exam.
Inside Broadway: This week we launched our in-school musical theater residency with Inside Broadway. Our Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade students are participating in this exciting program, in which professional teaching artists introduce them to the world of theater and performance. Through engaging, hands-on workshops, students explore storytelling, music, movement, and self-expression, building confidence and creativity along the way. Our Inside Broadway after school program also began this week with select 3rd and 4th grade students!
Announcements
Summer Rising: Families interested in participating in Summer Rising programming should check this page frequently for resources. Important Dates:
April 24, 2025: Offer releases were released in MySchools.
July 2, 2025: Summer Rising stars 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.
Community Event Sharing - Cinco De Mayo celebration: The Kupferberg Center is hosting a Cinco de May celebration for interested families on Sunday, May 4 at 3 PM, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Mexico through live music, dance, and colorful traditions. Take advantage of special community pricing for *$5 TICKETS* (regularly $20) for the school community. Here is the special link: 🔗Ticket Link ➡ Click *Community Limited Offer* and enter the passcode: CINCO5
National Teacher Appreciation Week: May 5-9, 2025
Thank you to the PTA for providing staff lunch on May 5 and staff dessert on May 9!
PTA Mother's Day Sale: May 5 - May 9, 2025 (Many parent volunteers are needed! Sign up)
Parent Workshop: Summer Rising offers/wait list + “Backup” Resources for Summer Childcare
Time: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: P.S.120Q Library
Multicultural Celebration: Thursday, May 15 *Be sure to return your request for tickets!*
Parent Volunteers Needed!
Daytime assemblies for students
Evening celebration begins at 4:30 PM for families
District 25 Workshop: Rich Math Tasks ALL ARE WELCOME! *REGISTRATION REQUIRED* Wednesday, May 28, 2025 @ 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM *VIRTUAL via Zoom*
Topic: Implementing a shared curriculum.
School Meals/Menus: Click the links below to access daily/monthly cafeteria menus:
SEL Corner
Announcements
Middle school offers were released on 4/9, and summer rising results were out on 4/24. Please log onto My Schools to accept the offer or check your waitlist status. Parents have until May 8th to accept both offers.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month. May 11th is also Mothers Day. Show your appreciation!
Summer Opportunity: Fordham School of Professional and Continuing Studies is offering Summer Reading skills programs for all kids from ages 4-18. If you are interested, please see Ms. Yuqi for a program flyer or call 1-800-499-8557 directly.
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC
Reservations are strongly encouraged and sometimes required!
The Bronx Zoo – General admission is free on Wednesdays, but reservations are required. The Wednesday Ticket Store opens at 5pm on Mondays. Total Experience activities cost extra.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Winter weekdays (December through February) are pay-what-you-can. Children 11 and under are always free.
Brooklyn Children's Museum – Free hours are held on Thursday afternoons from 2-5pm. Reservations should be booked in advance.
The Jewish Museum – Saturday admission is free. Timed-entry reservations are recommended.
Museum of the Moving Image – Free admission is offered on Thursdays from 2pm-6pm. Timed-entry tickets are recommended.
New York Aquarium – Pay-what-you-wish Wednesday afternoons from 3pm to last entry, which varies by season. Reservations are required and the Wednesday Ticket Store opens at 3pm Monday.
New York Botanical Garden – Free grounds admission for NYC residents all day Wednesdays. Non-NYC residents can enter for free from 10-11am on Wednesdays.
New-York Historical Society – Pay-what-you-wish Fridays from 5-8pm. Admission to the on-site DiMenna Children's History Museum is included. Timed-entry tickets are recommended.
NYSCI – Free admission on Fridays from 2-5pm. Reserve tickets online in advance beginning Thursday mornings at 9am.
Queens Botanical Garden – Free admission daily from mid-December through March. Admission is free on Wednesdays from 3-6pm and Sundays from 9-11am the rest of the year.
Respect For All (RFA) Student-to-Student Discrimination, Sexual and Other Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying FAQ:
Code of Conduct Letter:
Local Events for this week:
NY Family Queens To Do Events Calendar click here
If you would like to recommend students for Student Success counseling groups (formerly known as At Risk Counseling), please click here. This is not a special education evaluation form.
SEL Resources
This month, we are celebrating a lot of amazing cultures and events, here is a virtual library for your child to enjoy:
AAPI Heritage month, Jewish Heritage Month, Space Day, Memorial Day
Child Mind Institute Family Resource Search Tool, click here
Free virtual parent workshops by Marble Health, sign up here:
MON, MAY 5 | 5 PM ET | Helping Kids Succeed: Executive Function Strategies
WED, MAY 7 | 7 PM ET | Supporting Students with Academic & Test Anxiety
MON, MAY 12 | 8 PM ET | Managing Screen Time Over the Summer
MON, MAY 19 | 12 PM ET | Support Your Child with Stress
WED, MAY 28 | 7 PM ET | Supporting Children Through Grief and Transition
MindUp/Brain Power Wellness: Ten Tips for Your Child's Success in School
Enforce Healthy Habits: You can’t perform well when you don’t feel good. To help your child have the best chance at doing well in school, make sure she follows healthy habits at home. Choose a bedtime that will give your child plenty of sleep, and provide a healthy breakfast each morning. Encourage exercise, and limit the amount of time she spends watching TV, playing video games, listening to music, or using the computer.
Stick to a Routine: Most kids thrive on structure and will respond well to routines that help them organize their days. In our house, for example, my son gets dressed, makes his bed, and eats breakfast while I make his lunch and pack his school bag with completed homework and forms. When he gets home in the afternoon, I serve him a snack and he does his homework while I prepare dinner. Your routines may differ, but the key is to make it the same every day so your child knows what to expect.
Create a “Launch Pad”: Veteran parents know it’s important to have a single place to put backpacks, jackets, shoes, lunchboxes, and school projects each day. Some call it a “launch pad,” while others call it a “staging area.” Our area is a hook by the back door.
Whatever you call it, find a place where your child can keep the items he needs for school each day and keep him organized. Then you’ll know right where to find everything during the morning rush.
Designate a Space: At school your child has a desk or table where she works. There is plenty of light, lots of supplies, and enough room to work. Why not provide her with the same type of environment for homework? A designated homework space often makes it easier and more fun for children to complete assignments at home. A desk is great, but a basket of supplies and a stretch of kitchen counter work just as well.
Read, Again and Again: It is often said that children spend the first several years learning to read, and the rest of the lives reading to learn. The written word is a gateway to all kinds of learning, and the more you read to your child, the better chance he has of becoming a proficient and eager reader.
Try to sit down with your child to read a little bit every day, give him plenty of opportunities to read out loud to you, as well, and above all have fun. While the importance of reading with your child cannot be stressed enough, it should not be the cause of stress.
Learn Always: Your child may be past the preschool years, but home education is still a critical part of his overall learning experience. “Some of the attitude recently is that it’s up to the schools and teachers to figure it all out, to make sure children are learning and healthy and safe,” says Barbara Frankowski, M.D., MPH, FAAP, and member of the AAP Council on School Health. “There’s only so much teachers can do. Parents have to fill in with good support at home.”
Look for ways to teach your child throughout the day. For example, cooking combines elements of math and science. Use the time when you make dinner as an opportunity to read and follow directions, to discuss fractions, to make hypotheses (“What will happen when I beat the egg whites?”), and to examine results.
Take the Lead: Children learn by example. Let your kids “catch” you reading. Take time to learn a new skill and discuss the experience with them. Sit down and pay bills or do other “homework” while your kids do their schoolwork.
If you display a strong work ethic and continually seek out learning opportunities for yourself, your kids will begin to model that same behavior in their own lives.
Talk Often: Do you know how your child feels about her classroom, her teacher, and her classmates? If not, ask her. Talk with her about what she likes and doesn’t like at school. Give her a chance to express her anxieties, excitements, or disappointments about each day, and continue to support and encourage her by praising her achievements and efforts.
Show Interest: Don’t limit your support to your child; extend it to her teachers as well. Meet the teachers and stay in regular contact by phone or e-mail so that you can discuss any concerns as they arise. Not only will it pave the way for you to ask questions, but it will also make the teachers more comfortable with calling you if they have concerns about your child.
Expect Success: Perhaps the most important way you can support your child’s efforts at school is to expect him to succeed. That doesn’t mean that you demand he be the best student or the best athlete or the best artist. Rather, let him know that you expect him to do “his best” so that he’ll be proud of what he can accomplish.
If you make that expectation clear and provide a home environment that promotes learning, then your child will have a greater chance of becoming the best student he can be.
Celebrations
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.
Upcoming event - Multicultural Celebration: Please be sure to return your ticket requests/optional donations if you would like to attend our evening Multicultural Celebration, Thursday, May 15, beginning at 4:30 PM
HOT OFF THE PRESS! APRIL/MAY DRAGON PRESS
Hi everyone!
Check out the April/May issue of Dragon Press here!
Parent Participation Day Tomorrow!
Dear P.S. 120 Families,
We are excited to continue our monthly Parent Participation Days for the 2024-2025 school year!
These monthly events allow parents the opportunity to visit your child’s classroom during a morning period of instruction, and to not only observe the lesson but to participate in the curriculum with your child.
As a new addition this year, we will also offer a follow-up workshop in the Auditorium, to help parents gain a deeper understanding of the activities they experienced in the classroom, and how they can reinforce their child’s learning at home.
On each Parent Participation day, parents will be invited to sign in at the main desk after students arrive (8:10 AM) and gather in the auditorium for a brief opportunity to socialize and review the morning’s schedule. Parents will then be invited to visit their child's class for Period 1 between 8:25 AM - 9:10 AM. Parents who are not attending the workshop will exit the school building using the main entrance at 9:10 AM.
For each month's scheduled Parent Participation Day, we will vary the day of the week so that parents can see their child in multiple instructional blocks/with different teachers. Your child's homeroom teacher will send a message on ParentSquare in advance, to let you know the class subject and room number for your visit tomorrow.
Please be mindful that you do NOT photograph or videotape classroom instruction during your visit, as we closely monitor student privacy and media consent. If you would like to review instructional materials after your visit, please contact your child’s teacher and ask for the resource to be shared.
Please RSVP to indicate whether you can join us tomorrow. We look forward to seeing you then! Please remember to bring photo identification to enter the building.
April’s Schedule/Workshop Topic
8:10-8:25 AM: K-5 Parent sign-in and welcome in the Auditorium
Period 1, 8:25-9:10 AM: K-5 Parents visit classrooms (PreK parents with siblings attend older child’s classrooms until 8:45 AM)
Period 2, 9:10 AM:
All Kindergarten - 5th grade parents are invited to the Auditorium for a workshop on Social Emotional Learning
PreK parents
PreK parents with an older sibling should sign-in at 8:10 AM and visit the classroom(s) of their older child/children during Period 1; transition to PreK family engagement event at 8:45 AM
Parents with only a PreK child, sign-in at 8:45 AM and transition to the Cafeteria for PreK's Paint and Sip activity!
Parent Volunteers Needed!
Dear Parents/Guardians,
For the month of April, the mobile dentist, SMILE Dental, will be onsite for students’ dental check-ups.
WE NEED PARENT VOLUNTEERS TO HELP THE DENTAL CHECK-UPS RUN SMOOTHLY!
There are two volunteer shifts available on 4/21, 4/22, 4/23, 4/24, 4/25 and 4/28
Morning Shift: 8:15 AM- 11:15 AM
Afternoon Shift: 11:15 AM - 2:00 PM
If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up for as many available time slots as you can.
If you have any questions in advance, please comment on this post or send a ParentSquare message to Parent Coordinator Annabelle TianTian Zhang.
Weekly Bulletin 4/21/2025
Principal’s Memo
Dear P.S. 120 Families,
As a reminder, all New York City public schools are closed next week for Spring Recess: Monday, April 14 - Friday, April 18. School resumes at 8:00 AM on Monday, April 21.
While school vacations are an important opportunity for students to rest, recharge, and spend quality time with family and friends, we have organized daily Spring Recess homework tasks for P.S. 120 families to keep your child engaged academically:
Kindergarten - 2nd grade students have been provided with a choice board including ELA and Math activities.
3rd grade students have received a printed test sophistication packet for ELA, and Google Forms Math assignments in their Google Classroom.
4th and 5th grade students have received Google Forms ELA and Math assignments in their Google Classroom.
We also encourage Kindergarten - 5th grade students to continue logging into iReady for daily MyPath lessons, as applicable.
Thank you for your support, and we wish you and your family a wonderful Spring Recess!
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:
Field Trip: Our second graders went on a field trip this week to the Cinemart Cinemas in Queens! They enjoyed a movie, Snow White and popcorn with their teachers and classmates. Second graders will create written responses comparing the original Snow White movie to the new version!
Girls Soccer Game: Our girls soccer team faced P.S. 24 earlier this week in an exciting match! Our Dragons demonstrated athleticism, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the entire game. We are so proud of you!
SEL Assemblies: Some of our Dragons engaged in SEL assemblies this week as we continuously strive to build our socioemotional intelligence at P.S. 120.
Announcements
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:
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.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! If you are able to help out on one of the Dental Visit days, please sign-up on Parent Square! CLICK ME FOR SIGN-UPhttps://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/48382172
Summer Rising: Families interested in participating in Summer Rising programming should check this page frequently for resources. Important Dates:
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.
PTA Updates (Sent on behalf of the PTA):
April 4/4/25 Meeting: View our meeting agenda here: P.S.120Q PTA & PAC Meeting Agenda: April (4-4-25) - Google Docs
PTA Elections for 2025-2026 School Year - Spring Timeline:
March to April: PTA creates PTA Nomination Committee. Any parent interested in assisting with PTA elections should complete this brief form before April 25, 2025.
April to May: Nominations collected for the 2025-2026 PTA executive board elections. Interested candidates may indicate their interest in running as an officer, or selecting a running mate and running as co-officers, by Friday, April 25 .
PTA elections will be conducted on Friday, May 2.
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:
If you would like to know more about the Treasurer position, please email the PTA at PS120QPTA@gmail.com or send a ParentSquare message to Jacqueline Momoh or our Parent Coordinator, Annabelle TianTian Zhang.
Panel General Elections
The Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) consists of 24 voting members. Each borough president will appoint one member, 5 members are elected by CEC presidents (one member from each borough), and 13 members appointed by the mayor - including 4 NYC public school parents, with at least one parent of a child with an individualized education program, at least one parent of a child who is in a bilingual or English as a second language program, and at least one parent of a child attending a District 75 school or program). These members are in addition to the Chancellor and the New York City Comptroller serving as ex-officio, and two high school students serve as non-voting members. The parent representatives will serve a one-year term from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Parents: If you are interested in serving on the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) as one of the 5 parents elected by the CEC presidents, please complete the application (see below) and send to PEPParentApplications@schools.nyc.gov by April 15, 2025. You must have at least one child currently attending a public, non-charter school in NYC and reside in the borough you seek to represent.
School Meals/Menus: Click the links below to access daily/monthly cafeteria menus:
SEL Corner
Announcements
Middle school offers were released on 4/9. Please log onto My Schools to accept the offer or check your waitlist status.
For 5th grade parents: There are several virtual information sessions that you are strongly encouraged to attend. Please see below for the session times and flyers (English flyer here):
April is National Stress Awareness Month. One way that can help our students and adults manage stress is by practicing mindfulness. Take 2 minutes out of your day and take a few deep breaths!
Summer Opportunity: Fordham School of Professional and Continuing Studies is offering Summer Reading skills programs for all kids from ages 4-18. If you are interested, please see Ms. Yuqi for a program flyer or call 1-800-499-8557 directly.
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC
Reservations are strongly encouraged and sometimes required!
The Bronx Zoo – General admission is free on Wednesdays, but reservations are required. The Wednesday Ticket Store opens at 5pm on Mondays. Total Experience activities cost extra.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Winter weekdays (December through February) are pay-what-you-can. Children 11 and under are always free.
Brooklyn Children's Museum – Free hours are held on Thursday afternoons from 2-5pm. Reservations should be booked in advance.
The Jewish Museum – Saturday admission is free. Timed-entry reservations are recommended.
Museum of the Moving Image – Free admission is offered on Thursdays from 2pm-6pm. Timed-entry tickets are recommended.
New York Aquarium – Pay-what-you-wish Wednesday afternoons from 3pm to last entry, which varies by season. Reservations are required and the Wednesday Ticket Store opens at 3pm Monday.
New York Botanical Garden – Free grounds admission for NYC residents all day Wednesdays. Non-NYC residents can enter for free from 10-11am on Wednesdays.
New-York Historical Society – Pay-what-you-wish Fridays from 5-8pm. Admission to the on-site DiMenna Children's History Museum is included. Timed-entry tickets are recommended.
NYSCI – Free admission on Fridays from 2-5pm. Reserve tickets online in advance beginning Thursday mornings at 9am.
Queens Botanical Garden – Free admission daily from mid-December through March. Admission is free on Wednesdays from 3-6pm and Sundays from 9-11am the rest of the year.
Respect For All (RFA) Student-to-Student Discrimination, Sexual and Other Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying FAQ:
Code of Conduct Letter:
Local Events for this week:
NY Family Queens To Do Events Calendar click here
If you would like to recommend students for Student Success counseling groups (formerly known as At Risk Counseling), please click here. This is not a special education evaluation form.
SEL Resources
April 5th to 12th is National Robotics Week, here is a library for Robotics + STEM/STEAM.
April 11th is National Pet Day, here is a library on our purrfect and adorable friends!
April 23rd is Spanish Language Day, here is a collection of 100 books, all in Spanish!
Child Mind Institute Family Resource Search Tool, click here
Free virtual parent workshops by Marble Health, sign up here:
🌍 April 15: Finding Calm in Chaos: Helping Children Navigate Political Anxiety (NEW!)
Practical approaches to help children feel secure during uncertain times
MindUp/Brain Power Wellness
Spring is around the corner, and reading is blooming too! Here are some tips to help your child fall in love with reading:
Model good reading behavior. If kids see you reading, they will be more likely to pick up a book themselves.
Read together before bedtime. Get quality time together at the end of the day. Reading out loud helps kids bring the words to life. Talk about the story together. Ask questions like, "What do you think will happen next?" You can switch things up some nights and ask your school-age child to read a book to you!
Get a library card. Most communities offer free library access. Some libraries have reading programs with games and prizes to keep kids busy when school is out. Many also offer contact-free ways to check out books or participate in
Read what they read. Follow their interests by keeping up with what your kids read. It makes it more fun and gives you something enjoyable to talk about.
Activities, such as e-book loans and virtual story times.
All reading is good reading. Let kids know that reading is great no matter what they're interested in. Anything goes: fiction, biographies, kids magazines, comic books or even reading a cookbook in the kitchen!
Create a reading nook. A cozy, snuggle-friendly area in your home can be turned into the family "reading zone." Just add blankets, pillows, a bean bag chair, and a window or lamp!
Read with friends. A book club with friends can give kids a way to share and learn about different views. Kids can talk about a book, their favorite characters, or how they think the book could have ended differently.
Keep books around. If there's always a book within reach, kids will be more likely to pick one up and read, even for a few minutes at a time.
Travel with reading material. Bring books for car rides, for example, or waiting to see a doctor. Books are a great option instead of a tablet or a smartphone.
A gift that keeps giving. Friends and family can give the gift of books for a birthday or a holiday. Make it personal by asking the gift-giver to write a message inside the book cover. Your child can cherish the book and message from a loved one for years to come.
Celebrations
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:
Monday, April 14 - Friday, April 18: NO SCHOOL - Spring Recess
School resumes at 8:00 AM on Monday, April 21!
Parent Volunteers - PTA Election Nominating Committee
In preparation for the 2025-2026 school year PTA election which will be held on Friday, May 2 at 8:30 AM at P.S. 120Q, we are accepting 3-5 parent volunteers to form the nominating committee. Volunteers must be PS120 parents/guardians. Volunteers may not be currently serving PTA Executive board. Volunteers may not be planning to run for the PTA election for 2025-2026 school year.
Please complete this brief form if you would like to volunteer to help on the PTA Election Nominating Committee!
SMILE Dental Volunteers
Dear Parents,
SMILE Dental staff are returning for multiple dates in April for dental checkup. We need several parent volunteers to help the process run smoothly. Please check the available volunteer spots and sign up as you are able.
Please feeling free to join us. This is also an opportunity get to know how to get prepare kids for a Dental visit.
CLICK ME FOR A SPOT: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/48382172
If you have any questions in advance, please comment on this post or send a ParentSquare message to Parent Coordinator Annabelle TianTian Zhang.
Monday - March 31st
New York City public schools are closed on Monday, March 31st in observance of Eid al-Fitr.
School will resume on Tuesday, April 1, at 8:00 AM!
Last Day to Apply for Summer Rising
Please note that today is the deadline to apply for Summer Rising! Please be sure to complete your application in MySchools TODAY if you have not already. If you require information (such as your child's Student ID number or MySchools account creation code), please contact the school before 3:00 PM so that we can assist you!
More information about Summer Rising can be found here:
We are excited to offer Summer Rising once again to NYC students in grades K-8 this summer. A video on application being open can be found HERE
All New York City resident students currently in kindergarten through eighth grade (in the 2024-2025 school year) are eligible for Summer Rising.
Summer Rising seats are limited; please apply to Summer Rising if your child is planning to attend most of the summer programming.
Summer Rising will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of Independence Day.
Important Dates:
March 4, 2025: Application opens in MySchools in the afternoon.
March 28, 2025: Application closes in MySchools.
April 24, 2025: Results and Waitlist will be available in MySchools.
May 8, 2025: Deadline to accept offers.
July 2, 2025: Summer Rising starts for K-8 students.
July 4, 2025: Summer Rising will be closed in observance of Independence Day.
August 8, 2025: Summer Rising ends for middle school students.
August 15, 2025: Summer Rising ends for elementary school students
March Dragon Press
Check out March’s issue of Dragon Press here
NYC SCHOOL SURVEY DIRECTIONS
Parents and Guardians: We want to know what YOU think about your child’s school. Take your NYC School Survey now.
● Your survey responses, along with those of other parents/guardians, teachers and staff, and 6th-12th grade students will be used to provide information that will help your child’s school improve its learning environment.
● This survey is confidential. No one at your child’s school will ever see your individual responses.
● This survey is voluntary, but we hope you will answer as many questions as you can.
● You can choose to complete the survey online OR to mail in your paper survey.
To take the survey online:
Go to NYCSchoolSurvey.org
Click on “Take the 2025 NYC School Survey”.
Your access code is a lowercase f followed by your student’s OSIS number (ex. f123456789). The access code is also printed at the bottom of this page and on your paper survey.
You can also find a link to your online survey by logging into NYC Schools Account (NYCSA).
If you cannot locate your survey access code or have misplaced your survey form, please reach out to your child’s school for support.
To take the survey on paper:
Use the green-and-white return envelope provided with your paper survey to mail in your survey free of charge. Include ONLY your completed paper survey. Please do not return blank surveys. Please avoid tearing or stapling your survey form.
If you have misplaced your envelope, you can mail your completed survey in a stamped envelope to:
Survey Processing Center
PO Box 680490
Charlotte, NC 28216-9935
You may also return your survey in an envelope to your child’s school.
Be sure to complete your survey by Friday, April 4!
Keep in mind…
Your responses, combined with those of other parents/guardians at your child’s school, will be captured in the following reports:
School Quality Snapshot at tools.nycenet.edu/snapshot
Public Survey Reports accessible through NYCSchoolSurvey.org
Parents are encouraged to fill out one survey for each child, even if you have multiple children at the same school, in order to capture the different experiences of each child.
For more information about the NYC School Survey, visit NYCSchoolSurvey.org.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your school.
Be sure to complete your survey by Friday, April 4!
[Wednesday, Mar 26 at 2:30 PM]
Please note that school surveys have already been sent home, and the original message indicating that they will be sent home tomorrow has been revised. Please complete your survey if you have not already!
Parent Weekly 3/24/2025
Principal’s Memo
Dear P.S. 120 Families,
We had a great turnout today for this morning’s Student of the Month awards and our March Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting. During the meeting, PTA officers and school staff explained the election process and timeline for our 2025-2026 PTA executive board. I encourage all parents to review the PTA notes below and get involved in PTA initiatives as much as your schedule permits. Our PTA works extremely hard in service of our students and staff, and I hope more and more families will participate moving forward!
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:
G5 Science Investigations: Our 5th graders are continuing to demonstrate all their scientific knowledge through the science investigations this week. Students are preparing for the 5th grade Science Exam in May.
NY Islanders Assembly: Our 4th and 5th grade students had the amazing opportunity to participate in the NY Islanders Assembly! The Islanders mascot, Sparky, joined our school community as they taught our students about the importance of taking care of our bodies.
Success Criteria: Students at P.S. 120 take pride in understanding how to be successful readers, writers, scientists, mathematicians, artists, and athletes. Teachers across content areas ensure that students understand the expectations of how to be successful in class.
Announcements
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 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.
PTA Updates (Sent on behalf of the PTA):
March Meeting: Parents may review the agenda from Friday’s PTA meeting here.
April Meeting: Our next PTA/PAC meeting will take place on Friday, April 4, at 8:30 AM.
The PTA & PAC Meeting will begin following our celebration of February Student of the Month awardees (“Bravery”).
PTA Elections for 2025-2026 School Year - Spring Timeline:
March to April: PTA creates PTA Nomination Committee. Any parent interested in assisting with PTA elections should complete this brief form before April 1, 2025.
April to May: Nominations collected for the 2025-2026 PTA executive board elections. Interested candidates may indicate their interest in running as an officer, or selecting a running mate and running as co-officers, before the PTA election on Friday, May 2.
PTA elections will be conducted on Friday, May 2.
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:
If you would like to know more about the Treasurer position, please email the PTA at PS120QPTA@gmail.com or send a ParentSquare message to Jacqueline Momoh or our Parent Coordinator, Annabelle TianTian Zhang.
Community Event - Tax Filing Workshop: Council Member Nily Rozic’s office is hosting a FREE Tax Prep Service Day on March 26th from 3 - 6PM (for individual incomes up to $67,000 or a family income of $93,000 to qualify).
Please call 718-820-0241 to schedule an appointment.
If you cannot make it that day, the Queens Public Library also has local tax events throughout the month, including at the Briarwood, Glen Oaks, Fresh Meadows, Flushing, and Kew Garden Hills branches.
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:
4/2/25-4/4/25
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.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! If you are able to help out on one of the Dental Visit days, please sign-up on Parent Square!CLICK ME FOR SIGN-UPhttps://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/48382172
DISTRICT 25 Math Family Night
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.
All children must attend with an adult.
This is a FREE event *REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED*
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!
School Meals/Menus: Click the links below to access daily/monthly cafeteria menus:
SEL Corner
Announcements
This year, Ramadan falls during the month of March. P.S. 120 students who observe Ramadan may request accommodations during the school day, such as excuse from physical education or an alternate location during lunch periods.
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC
Reservations are strongly encouraged and sometimes required!
The Bronx Zoo – General admission is free on Wednesdays, but reservations are required. The Wednesday Ticket Store opens at 5pm on Mondays. Total Experience activities cost extra.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Winter weekdays (December through February) are pay-what-you-can. Children 11 and under are always free.
Brooklyn Children's Museum – Free hours are held on Thursday afternoons from 2-5pm. Reservations should be booked in advance.
The Jewish Museum – Saturday admission is free. Timed-entry reservations are recommended.
Museum of the Moving Image – Free admission is offered on Thursdays from 2pm-6pm. Timed-entry tickets are recommended.
New York Aquarium – Pay-what-you-wish Wednesday afternoons from 3pm to last entry, which varies by season. Reservations are required and the Wednesday Ticket Store opens at 3pm Monday.
New York Botanical Garden – Free grounds admission for NYC residents all day Wednesdays. Non-NYC residents can enter for free from 10-11am on Wednesdays.
New-York Historical Society – Pay-what-you-wish Fridays from 5-8pm. Admission to the on-site DiMenna Children's History Museum is included. Timed-entry tickets are recommended.
NYSCI – Free admission on Fridays from 2-5pm. Reserve tickets online in advance beginning Thursday mornings at 9am.
Queens Botanical Garden – Free admission daily from mid-December through March. Admission is free on Wednesdays from 3-6pm and Sundays from 9-11am the rest of the year.
Respect For All (RFA) Student-to-Student Discrimination, Sexual and Other Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying FAQ:
Code of Conduct Letter:
Local Events for this week:
NY Family Queens To Do Events Calendar click here
If you would like to recommend students for Student Success counseling groups (formerly known as At Risk Counseling), please click here. This is not a special education evaluation form.
SEL Resources
MindUp/Brain Power Wellness
Self-esteem is the way we perceive ourselves. It plays a central role in a child's motivation and achievements in school, social relationships and their ability to bounce back from setbacks (resilience).
A child's self-esteem is shaped by their own thoughts and feelings about their ability to achieve in ways that are important to them. It is also shaped by the perceptions and expectations of significant people in their life. This includes how they are thought of and treated by parents, teachers and friends.
The closer a child's perceived self (how they see themselves) comes to their ideal self (how they would like to be), the higher their self-esteem.
Here is 6 of the 12 building blocks of Healthy Self-Esteem:
1. A sense of security: Your child must feel secure about themselves and their future. ("What will become of me?")
2. A sense of belonging: Your child needs to feel accepted and loved by others. This begins with their family and then extends to groups such as friends, schoolmates, sports teams, house of worship and even a neighborhood or community. Without this acceptance or group identity, they may feel rejected, lonely and adrift.
3. A sense of purpose: Your child should have goals that give them purpose and direction. Goal can provide an avenue for channeling their energy toward achievement and self-expression. If they lack a sense of purpose, they may feel bored, aimless, or resent being pushed in certain directions by you or others.
4. A sense of personal competence and pride: Your child should feel confident in their ability to meet challenges in their life. A sense of personal power evolves when your child has successful experiences with: solving problems independently, and being creative and getting results for their efforts. Set appropriate expectations, not too low and not too high, for your child. This helps them develop competence and confidence. If you overprotect them, they are too dependent on you; if expectations are so high they never succeed, they may feel powerless and incapable.
5. A sense of trust: Your child needs to feel trust in you and in themself. Toward this goal, you should keep promises, be supportive and give your child opportunities to be trustworthy. This means believing your child and treating them as an honest person.
6. A sense of responsibility: Give your child a chance to show what they are capable of doing. Allow them to take on tasks without being checked on all the time. This shows trust on your part, a sort of "letting go" with a sense of faith.
Celebrations
Ramadan (ongoing): 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 31. School will be closed for Eid al-Fitr on Monday, March 31.
Here are two digital libraries to learn more about Ramadan and eid!
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:
Monday, March 31: NO SCHOOL in observance of Eid al-Fitr
Monday, April 14 - Friday, April 18: NO SCHOOL - Spring Recess
Spring 2025 Citywide Conference for School Leadership Teams
Hi all,
We will speak more about this during Monday's SLT meeting, but I want to make sure you are all aware of this opportunity:
You and your school leadership team (SLT) are invited to attend the Spring 2025 Citywide Conference for School and District Leadership Teams from 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics, 280 Pleasant Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10029 on Saturday, April 26. The focus of the conference will be on the achievement of NYCPS’s mission to ensure that each student graduates on a pathway to a rewarding career and long-term economic security, equipped to be a positive force for change.
Interested participants are encouraged to register early, as space is limited. Registered participants will receive regular updates on the conference agenda, keynote speakers, and workshop selections; charter bus transportation (from each borough), translation/interpretation services, and limited childcare will be made available for registered participants. Attendees will qualify for SLT and CTLE credits.
Please consider registering if you are available and interested! See you Monday :)
REMINDER: Parent Volunteer needed for SMILE Dental Visit
Dear Parents,
SMILE Dental staff are returning for multiple dates in April for dental checkup. We need several parent volunteers to help the process run smoothly. Please check the available volunteer spots and sign up as you are able.
Please feeling free to join us. This is also an opportunity get to know how to get prepare kids for a Dental visit.
CLICK ME FOR A SPOT: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/48382172
If you have any questions in advance, please comment on this post or send a ParentSquare message to Parent Coordinator Annabelle TianTian Zhang.
School Survey
Please see the directions below, as you can fill out the paper survey you received last week or you can follow the directions to complete the survey online. Any questions, please let me know!
2025 NYC School Survey:
Family Survey Instructions
Parents and Guardians: We want to know what YOU think about your child’s school. Take your NYC School Survey now.
● Your survey responses, along with those of other parents/guardians, teachers and staff, and 6th-12th grade students will be used to provide information that will help your child’s school improve its learning environment.
● This survey is confidential. No one at your child’s school will ever see your individual responses.
● This survey is voluntary, but we hope you will answer as many questions as you can.
● You can choose to complete the survey online OR to mail in your paper survey.
To take the survey online:
Go to NYCSchoolSurvey.org
Click on “Take the 2025 NYC School Survey”.
Your access code is a lowercase f followed by your student’s OSIS number (ex. f123456789). The access code is also printed at the bottom of this page and on your paper survey.
You can also find a link to your online survey by logging into NYC Schools Account (NYCSA).
If you cannot locate your survey access code or have misplaced your survey form, please reach out to your child’s school for support.
To take the survey on paper:
Use the green-and-white return envelope provided with your paper survey to mail in your survey free of charge. Include ONLY your completed paper survey. Please do not return blank surveys. Please avoid tearing or stapling your survey form.
If you have misplaced your envelope, you can mail your completed survey in a stamped envelope to:
Survey Processing Center
PO Box 680490
Charlotte, NC 28216-9935
You may also return your survey in an envelope to your child’s school.
Be sure to complete your survey by Friday, April 4!
Keep in mind…
Your responses, combined with those of other parents/guardians at your child’s school, will be captured in the following reports:
School Quality Snapshot at tools.nycenet.edu/snapshot
Public Survey Reports accessible through NYCSchoolSurvey.org
Parents are encouraged to fill out one survey for each child, even if you have multiple children at the same school, in order to capture the different experiences of each child.
For more information about the NYC School Survey, visit NYCSchoolSurvey.org.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your school.
Be sure to complete your survey by Friday, April 4!
Summer Rising Workshop
Dear Families,
We want to invite you to a second session of our Summer Rising Workshop, offered on Friday, March 14th at 1:00 PM. This workshop will be a repeat session of the Summer Rising Workshop we share during Parent Participation Day on the morning of Tuesday, March 11th.
During this workshop, Kindergarten-5th Grade families will learn all about the Summer Rising program. We will cover program information, as well as how families can apply to Summer Rising using the MySchools website. Chinese and Spanish translation will be provided.
Please join us in the Library (Room 319) after signing in at the main entrance. Please remember that all visitors to P.S. 120 must sign in with photo identification.
If you would like support in applying to the Summer Rising program, and you would like to bring your smart phone or laptop, you may! Parents can use the school wifi to access the MySchools website.
If you have any questions in advance, please comment on this post or send a ParentSquare message to Parent Coordinator Annabelle TianTian Zhang.
Half-Day Tomorrow
Dear Parents,
This message is to remind you that we have a half-day of instruction tomorrow, Thursday, March 6. Dismissal for all students is at 11:10 AM.
Please ensure that you have completed and returned a dismissal plan for your child. If you need to update your child's dismissal plan at this time, please message your child's teacher in writing or call the main office (718-359-3390) as soon as possible tomorrow morning.
We look forward to meeting with you virtually during our afternoon/evening Parent-Teacher Conferences. Parent-Teacher Conferences are an important opportunity for you to hear about your child's academic progress and social-emotional wellbeing, to share information about your child, and to learn how you can support at home. Please make sure that you have signed up for an appointment slot with your child's teacher(s), and that you connect via Zoom at your appointment time.