PSMS 278

Video message from your PS/MS 278 family

Family Survey for PSMS 278

In addition to any NYC Department of Education surveys would you please complete the following survey to help us anticipate the needs of our own school community by MONDAY, JULY 13.

Stay Safe!!

May 1, 2020

Dear PS/MS 278 Family,

It is with a heavy heart I write to inform you of the death of our dear student, Manny Flores. Manny, along with his friend and classmate Isaiah Moronta, had been missing since March 13th. The loss of Manny has been a tragedy for his family, our students, and whole school community. As we as a community grieve over the loss of our student, we send our condolences to his family and share in their sorrow.

This has been a devastating situation and this latest development will have a significant impact on our students, staff, and families. We will continue to be prepared for the coming days and weeks.

Our School Crisis Team and school counselors will provide support for students and staff as needed. While our school building remains closed during the pandemic, team members will be available to meet virtually with students individually and in groups to provide support. Our staff is committed to working as closely as possible with the students to provide information and help them to express what they might be experiencing. It is equally important that you as their parent/guardian also provide your child with special understanding and support during this challenging time.

Please feel free to reach out to me or our school counselor (Ms. Mateo: amateo4@schools.nyc.gov) if you have any questions or concerns. Also, we encourage you to utilize the DOE Crisis Page for additional resources (www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/special-situations/crisis-or-traumatic-event).

It is with deep sadness that we confront this loss and we will do everything we can to support you and your child.

Thank you for your understanding and support during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Bryanna Velazquez
Principal

April, 22, 2020

Dear PS/MS 278 Family,

As you are aware, two of our beloved middle school students have been missing since they were last seen along the Hudson River on March 13. With a heavy heart and deep sadness, I am writing to inform you of the death of one of those students, our dear Isaiah Moronta from class 702. The loss of Isaiah is a tragedy for his family and our school. Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to his family and our entire school community.

We know how devastating this situation has been for our school community and I anticipate that the coming days and weeks will be particularly difficult for everyone. We have professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents, and school personnel during difficult times. Our School Crisis Team and counselors will be available to provide remote counseling for any student or staff member who may need or want help surrounding this loss. Team members will continue to check-in with students and staff to provide support and resources.

Our staff is working closely with our students to provide information and help to express the pain and sadness they might be experiencing. It is equally important that you as their parent also provide your child with understanding and support during this difficult time.

Please feel free to reach out to me, our school counselor (Ms. Mateo: amateo4@schools.nyc.gov), or to another staff member if you have any questions or concerns. As always, our parent coordinator (Ms. Gonzalez: agonzalez32@schools.nyc.gov & 972.910.1711), can also assist you in accessing support. Also, we encourage you to utilize the DOE Crisis Page for additional resources (www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/special-situations/crisis-or-traumatic-event). Attached is an example of one such resource, a guide to help your child navigate grief based on their age level.

We are saddened by the loss of this beloved student from our school community and we will do everything we can to help and support you and your child.

Thank you for your understanding and support during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Bryanna Velazquez
Principal

Dear Families,

It was wonderful getting to *see* so many of you at Wednesday’s PTA meeting. The large presence of teachers and families is a testament to the new ways we can learn to come together even closer than before. As a few of you shared, the ability to attend remotely allowed you to participate for the first time this year. Thank you for attending and engaging with us!

As I shared at the meeting, we have developed the attached sample student program for each grade as a resource to support families. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

— First and foremost, this resource is meant to be a tool only, NOT a hard and fast schedule that students must follow. If you already have a schedule that is working for your child, then continue to use that! The classroom cannot be replicated, and you are not expected to be home-school instructors. Trying to recreate the school day at home will lead to unnecessary stress for most of our families. However, for families who feel their students need additional structure, this tool provides an example. As always, remain in contact with your child’s classroom teachers who will communicate expectations for required coursework.

–Since most of our remote learning is aligned with an asynchronous teaching model where teachers post recorded lessons and assignments that students complete at different times, we found that there was sometimes uncertainty about how the various Google classrooms, teachers, and subjects fit together. This tool provides a map of what that can look like for your child.

–This sample student program outlines the approximate time allocations for core subjects. So even if you child’s “school hours” differ, you can use this as a reference to build your own schedule to fit your family’s needs. We hope this will also service families with multiple siblings who are trying to coordinate subjects across several grades.

— Critical to our work to build community and support engagement, we have also been working to create more “live” opportunities with teachers and students. These sample student programs provide an overview of when teachers are hosting various live instruction or office hours. Please keep in mind that your child’s individual schedule will vary (for example, not all students attend all small group sessions). Your child’s teacher will provide information on where and when your child is assigned any live sessions.

–Finally, please keep in mind that “live” opportunities are meant for students unless otherwise indicated by your child’s teacher or the student requires support (e.g. lower grade students). Please support us in creating these meaningful learning and social opportunities for our students by limiting interruptions.

–Please contact your child’s teacher or Ms. Sanchez if you have questions about using this tool.

I encourage you to join us in recognizing our teachers for their HARD WORK and DEDICATION during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8)! Here are two ways you can send some 278 love remotely:

–Post photos of remote learning on social media using the hashtag #ThankATeacherNYC and #DOEConnected and #WeLove278 (in accordance with the DOE’s Digital Citizenship and Social Media Guidelines: www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/school-environment/digital-citizenship); and

–Send notes of gratitude to recognize teachers via an online Teacher Thank You Tool:www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5537629/01f8c89961bb.

Finally, many thanks to Mr. Proto for supporting our efforts to send you a little song, love, and light from our homes to yours. As you go into the weekend, be sure you check out (or revisit!)
our special message to you.

Stay safe,

Bryanna Velazquez

Grading Policy Release

Dear Families,

I am pleased to announce that today, the City has released the grading policy that will be in place for the remainder of this school year. Please see attached letter from the Chancellor that outlines this policy.

This citywide grading policy attempts to address our school’s effort to balance flexibility and student’s academic engagement without penalizing any child for the challenges or trauma they may be experiencing. In summary, teachers will determine students’ final grades based on a holistic review of student progress (both before and after we started remote learning). Attendance is not a factor in students’ grades, though students should continue to report their daily attendance so that our student engagement team can do appropriate outreach and align supports for students in need. No student will receive a failing final grade.

•K-5th Grade: Students receive final grades of either “Meets Standards” or “Needs Improvement”

•6th-8th Grade: Students receive final grades of “Meets Standards”, Needs Improvement, or “Course in Progress”, if additional time is needed to complete the course

Please review the Chancellor’s attached letter for the full information available at this time, including a link to a FAQ. Translated versions of this letter will also be available on the DOE’s website: www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/coronavirus-update.

We will discuss this policy at tomorrow’s PTA meeting so please bring any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Bryanna Velazquez

Dear PS/MS 278 Families,

While at a distance, you and our students’ health and well-being continue to be at the forefront of our minds this week:

— To our graduating students, our staff are continuing to think about you and plans are in the works to honor and celebrate you during this important milestone. Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Irizarry, and I look forward to joining the 8th grad classes next week. We understand the loss you are feeling and planning for you is one of our highest priorities!

— To our parents, parenting is never easy but we’re all facing new challenges ourselves. If your children are acting out, it’s entirely normal! Their feelings of stress, anxiety, and loss are just as real as ours, though may manifest itself in very different ways (e.g. refusing to eat anything but macaroni and cheese or fighting with siblings). Child Mind Institute is offering parenting workshops tailored to COVID 19 through Facebook live. The topics range from self-care, to supporting with remote learning, to behavior management. They have recorded webinars as well as workshops every day at 10am and then 4:30pm: www.facebook.com/ChildMindInstitute/live/.

–To any families needing support connecting to any social services, please continue to reach out to us! Attached is an excellent resource for accessing support for a wide range of topics including affordable housing, domestic violence, food banks, health care, immigration services, and utilities.

— Starting Monday, we’ll kick off our 278 Spirit Week with “Morale Monday.” Show us how you are supporting and shouting out our first responders, healthcare, and other service workers! To participate and get directions, join our “#We Love 278 Self-Care” Google Classrooms.” Here is a reminder of the Google classroom links:

•Students in Grades K-2: hh3lano
•Students in Grades 3-5: kpqcdw6
•Students in Grades 6-8: cff375a

Additionally, I wanted to provide you with an overview of how our remote learning has evolved and next steps we are taking to be responsive to feedback from students, staff, and families. Our vision for teaching and learning via remote learning aligns with an asynchronous teaching model, meaning teachers post recorded lessons and assignments that students complete at different times. This structure flexibly allows all of our students to access teaching & learning at a time that meets their family’s needs. Thus far, our work has been focused creating a Google Classroom for each class/teacher, improving the organization of the classrooms for easier access to learning materials, and expanding our staff’s electronic “toolkit” to provide recorded instruction to support student’s ability to complete aligned tasks. The next critical phase to this work is to ensure all classes also have “live” teaching and learning experiences as a supplement to the asynchronous model. These live experiences include teacher office hours and opportunities for targeted small group or individual instruction, as needed.

In closing, you must know that we really miss you. We miss seeing the “spark”, when the lightbulb clicks on and one of our kids understands something they’ve been struggling with. We miss the laughter in our hallways and the messy fun that is recess. And we miss being able to share a quick hug, high-five, or smile of encouragement. We continue to look for ways to replicate these experiences during the school closure and are grateful for your continued partnership!

Be well,

Bryanna Velazquez

Please complete by Friday, March 20, 2020

Remote Learning Device Request

To help students stay connected during emergencies, the DOE is lending internet-enabled iPads to support remote learning for students.
The DOE will use the contact information you provide to get in touch with you to discuss when and where you can pick up a device.
Please, complete the survey (link below) by TODAY FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020.

coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices

or call 718 – 935 -5100 and choose option 5.

Remote learning through the end of the school year

Free Meals and Instruction Update

Dear PS/MS 278 Families,

As you are aware, the mayor’s announced key changes for how our school will be operating during the time of the coronavirus pandemic. While specific policies and guidelines will be evolving from the Chancellor’s Office in the coming days, I wish to communicate several things of large importance to our PS/MS 278 community.

First, grab and go will be available from 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM at our main entrance for any student who needs breakfast and lunch.

Secondly, school buildings are now projected to remain closed through the end of the school years. Updates related to this timeline will be communicated from the mayor and will be available on the DOE website.

In addition, the DOE, as a system, is moving towards a new remote learning model for all school days missed during this time. For one week (Tuesday, March 17 – Thursday, March 19), teachers and support staff will be engaging in professional development and prepare to provide this instruction remotely to students.

Finally, the DOE will also be supporting us to ensure students who need it, will be able to have access to technology necessary or remote learning. More guidelines to families and schools from the central office will be sent this week.

In the meantime, the DOE has already begun posting ​learning resources for students in grades Pre-K through 12; they are currently available online at schools.nyc.gov/learnathome. These are supplementary learning resources to help you encourage student learning while they are at home this week and for any past absences. More information about remote learning, meals, and other core services will be made available for families at schools.nyc.gov.

Please know that we will remain in contact with you as we receive updates through this process. Tomorrow, I will also be releasing contact information for key staff members where you can direct your individual questions. We are grateful for all of your support as we navigate these unprecedented transitions.

Take care,

Bryanna Velazquez

After serving as our interim Principal this Fall, Bryanna Velazquez has been selected to be the appointed principal of PSMS278. We are excited to officially welcome her as part of our 278 community.

Thank you parents, students and alums who helped unloading and spreading mulch on Saturday morning, November 23. Beautiful, healthy and fresh mulch was dropped off by the New York Restoration Project and we set down a healthy bed of compost and wood chips for our trees out front and out back of the school. Many hands made light work! 

We are back to school and it is terrific to see our children so excited to see their teachers and friends and continue with their love of learning at 278. Did you know that as a parent, guardian or teacher at 278, you are automatically a member of our PTA?

The PTA of PSMS 278 is dedicated to ensuring the education of the whole child so all our children can reach their full potential. Keep an eye out for our Be Thankful Fall Membership drive.

This year, we have committed to spending more than $60,000 in support of our children’s academic, arts, and athletic activities. We will also be hosting a variety of community building events. Our suggested donation for the year is only $10 per student. But of course, every dollar is important, so please consider giving a monthly recurring donation of $10 per month!

PSMS 278 is known for its incredibly active and involved PTA and parent community and we look to each incoming parent body to replace (and exceed) the generosity of our outgoing parents.

Ways to Give:

• Send cash or check (payable to the PTA of PSMS278) in an envelope marked “PTA Giving” to school with your student.
• Go to the DONATE page and click the “Paylite” or “Zelle” for electronic giving options which allow you to make a one-time contribution or schedule a recurring donation ($10/month)

Did you know that the more active parents are in their children’s schools and education, the better their kids do in school?

The PTA of PSMS278 Inc. is a 501c3 organization (EIN #27-2675233) so your gift is tax deductible! If your company matches gifts, please email psms278treasurer@gmail.com to talk about those options!