Principal’s Memo
Dear P.S. 120 Families,
This week, we reopened our school building for blended learning instruction; additionally, we welcomed the students who transitioned in-person from fully remote instruction as a result of the Blended Learning Opt-In window. It feels good to be back!
Last week, I communicated to you that we were beginning to plan for 5-day instruction when possible for blended learning students. As you may have heard in the news, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chancellor Richard Carranza recently announced that schools must transition to a five-day-a-week instructional model for those students who are already programmed for in-person instruction. We are excited to announce that we will transition to a five-day-a-week instructional model for blended learning students beginning on Monday, January 4th, 2021. Blended families can look out for a separate email and letter backpacked home with more information about this transition. Students in our fully remote cohort will continue to log in daily for remote instruction at home.
Any time we are asked by the city to make major staffing/schedule changes, such as the move to five-day-a-week in-person instruction, this does tend to involve a few teacher/class changes for some students. We do understand that in a year full of uncertainty, changes such as this can be difficult for all children, but especially elementary students. I assure you that you will be contacted personally if your child will be changing classes, and our grade teams are collaborating closely to ensure that if this is the case, pertinent information about your child’s academic progress and social-emotional wellbeing are shared so that she/he is supported.
I hope you enjoy a fun and relaxing weekend with your family.
Sincerely,
Robert Marino
PrincipalAnnouncements
PTA Updates: Thank you to the parents who attended our December PTA meeting on Wednesday, 12/9. We held a PTA Election for the office of Recording Secretary, and our PTA Executive Board is now complete. Congratulations to Jiefang (Jenny) Tan, parent of a 1st grader, who was elected to serve as secretary!
The next PTA Meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, January 13th at 3:30 PM. Join via Google Meet at meet.google.com/axt-awuf-hog
Parent Chat: Schools in District 25 are encouraged to have Parent Chat meetings, in which small groups of parents discuss a particular policy or initiative relevant to their school community. Parent Chats will be led by an administrator and organized around a discussion protocol so that each parent has time to share about a topic (for example, student engagement in remote classes). If you are interested in participating in an upcoming Parent Chat, please fill out this survey. The first Parent Chat meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 16th (meeting sessions are scheduled based on parents’ preferred language).
Workshop to Support Remote Learning with Spanish-Speaking Families: The DOE, in partnership with Ramapo for Children, is offering “Celebrar & Elevar,” a workshop in Spanish about strategies for families to strengthen their connection when they are learning remotely. Families may attend any of the following sessions:
December 9, from 5:30-6:30PM
December 16, from 5:30-6:30PM
January 6, from 5:30-6:30PM
Families may register for any of these sessions here:https://rb.gy/l9jzej
Reminder- Child Mind Institute’s “Coping During COVID-19” Workshop Series: Families may register here to attend any of these free workshops:
Anxiety and COVID-19 - Wednesday, 12/9 4:00pm – 5:00pm EST
Fostering Resilience Within Your Family - Thursday, 12/10 4:00pm – 5:00pm EST
Managing Grief and Loss - Monday, 12/14 4:00pm – 5:00pm EST
Mindful Parenting - Monday, 12/14 5:00pm – 6:00pm EST
Is My Child Going to Be Okay? - Wednesday, 12/16 4:00pm – 5:00pm EST
Managing Intense Emotions - Wednesday, 12/16 5:00pm – 6:00pm EST
Reposted- DOE IT Help Desk and Family Resources for Remote Learning: We would like to remind you of the DOE’s IT Help Desk and resources for remote learning in English, Spanish and Chinese. Each flyer lists resources that are available to families to support remote learning.
Holiday Fun at the Met Opera: Free Met Opera 5-Day Family Holiday Festival - Thursday, December 17 through Monday, December 21. During this festive time of year, the Met Opera is presenting a series of virtual workshops to guide kids and families through Hansel and Gretel, a wickedly entertaining, English language adaptation of the classic fairy tale.
All workshops will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.
Visit www.metopera.org/family to learn more and register.
25 Free NYC Holiday Events: NYCDOE FACE (Family and Community Engagement) suggests these holiday events for families to celebrate NYC traditions while being mindful of health and safety guidelines. If you choose to attend, please remember to prioritize outdoor events, wear a mask, and practice social distancing.
SEL Corner
Announcements:
Students entering Middle School in 2021-2022:
Welcome Letters will be mailed to all current fifth grade families next week. Welcome letters provide families with instructions on how to set up a MySchools account and add their child to it using their unique account creation code. If you do not receive a Welcome Letter by Friday, December 17, please email Mr. Woodburn at rwoodburn@schools.nyc.gov.
The middle school application is not yet open and will be open when Welcome Letters are available. You will be notified when the middle school application is opened.
Explore school options online in the MySchools middle school directory
Visit the Middle School Admissions website, where they can find the latest updates about the middle school admissions process, view MySchools tutorials, and answer FAQs.
Students entering Kindergarten in 2021-2022:
On Thursday, December 10th, children born in 2016 can apply to kindergarten for the 2021-22 school year. The application deadline is Tuesday, January 19, 2021. All families who apply by the deadline will receive a kindergarten offer in April.
All families should participate in kindergarten admissions.
MySchools.nyc includes an online directory tool that allows families to explore program choices, save programs of interest and submit their application, all on the same site. Families can apply to Kindergarten in two ways, online at MySchools and over the phone by calling 718-935-2009. Additionally, you can click here to see letters translated in different languages about the Kindergarten application. Please reach out to EsEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov with questions.
SEL Resources:
Parents click here to view videos from A Psychologist’s Guide to Winter Well-Being
Click the appropriate grade level link below for holiday activities to do at home to promote positivity.
Click the appropriate grade level link below for activities to do at home to promote emotional well-being.
Group therapy for Children of Divorce/Separation: The Queens College Psychological Center (QCPC) is offering a weekly therapy group to provide children with skills and tools to better adapt to changes brought about by divorce or separation.
Enrollment is limited. Interested parents should call 718-570-0500 as soon as possible. Leave a message with your name, phone number, and good times to reach you.
QCPC will return your call to answer questions, provide information, and complete a brief phone screening.
A free Zoom screening is required. Referral information will be provided to children whose needs may be best met through other services.
All group sessions will be offered at no fee, consistent with QCPC’s commitment to providing services regardless of a family’s ability to pay. (Families may contribute a $10 dollar materials fee if they are able to)
The first group meeting will tentatively be in January 2020 and the group will meet weekly for approximately 10 weeks, on Thursday evenings on Zoom.
All services are confidential and provided by advanced doctoral students at QC.
For more information, see this flyer.
Brain Power Wellness
As you know, we strive to enrich our minds, bodies and hearts each day at P.S.120! We have been using Brain Power Wellness activities to provide virtual “brain breaks” while we engage in in-person and remote learning.
To spread Brain Power throughout our P.S. 120 community, please view this page and engage in partner/group Brain Power activities with your children! This week, you can look for:
Back to Back Clapping
Twist and Clap
In addition to partner/group Brain Power activities, please feel free to try some individual activities with your children on Mr. Manzione’s YouTube channel! This week, you can look for:
Plates
Endurance Posture
Flying Eagle
Toe Touching
Infinity Drawing
In addition to Mr. Manzione’s YouTube page, please check out and share the Brain Power YouTube Page and Brain Power I.G. Live pages with your family!
Celebrations
Hanukkah: The Jewish Festival of Lights began at sundown on December 10th and continues through sundown on December 18th. Best wishes to all who celebrate!