Category Archives: Announcements

Traffic on 219th & 220th

Parents who attended the Mon, Sept 11 CB12 Transportation Committee meeting reported back to the membership during the Sept 20th PTA Meeting. 

The Car Wash showed up with a traffic expert and a lawyer and declared “the school was the problem.” Further consideration for the proposal will be considered at next month’s meeting. Please mark Monday, October 2nd at 7 pm in your calendar at 530 West 166th Street, 6th Floor. We should show our support for the existing proposal being considered to change traffic patterns surrounding our school. 

Background 

For the last couple years, a group of school parents has been trying to get DOT to do something about the streets around the school. While we did improve the light timing at 220th a while back, 219th and 220th streets continue to be a mess during drop-off and pick-up. With the support of the principals of PS 18 and PS278, we requested that DOT change 219th and 220th to one-way streets, in order to better deal with the rampant double-parking that clogs the streets in both directions and causing much unnecessary horn honking, U turns and other unsafe conditions. We also asked for speed bumps and a signal at 219th. Double parking on each side with a single one-way travel lane in the middle will work better than double parking on each side with one travel lane being fought over by cars going in opposing directions.

DOT looked at the situation and said “you’re right, this is silly, every other side street in residential Inwood is one-way so this should be too, we agree.” But then the Car Wash went ballistic over the minor change to their oil-change queue (they line up on W220th headed west and use it as parking for waiting oil-change customers), and they did a full-court press on DOT with lawyers, employees, etc. crying how important and great the car wash was and how they help the police and the hospital and provide jobs and that they should not only not go to one-way but they should remove parking for extra car wash queuing space. Because of course the #1 traffic jam creator in upper Manhattan after La Marina and PJs should be treated with kid gloves instead of, say, the 900 actual kids impacted by dangerous street conditions and stuck sitting on buses.  

So DOT spent the last summer doing more studies and revising their proposal. It consists of one way streets, the elimination of some parking spots and designated parking for our school teachers. 

If any parents are interested in this situation and would like to see one-way streets enacted, please attend this meeting if you can. The car wash is sure to be present and the community board will be pressured by them if they are the only ones in the room.

Mrs. Guido’s Retirement Letter to the 278 Family

Dear Parents and Guardians of PS/MS 278,

As you are aware I have been the Ambassador Principal at PS 5 for the last two years. It has been my joy to be able to watch as my team headed by Mrs. Lillian Reyes, Acting Principal and Mr. Charles Reilly, A.P. continue the vision, policies and programs that I put in place over the years since the school first opened in 2004.  While I have always been there as a support and guide, the day to day running of the school has been left in their very capable hands.  It is now time for me relinquish my role as principal and begin a new chapter as a retired administrator.

As of July 1, 2017 I will end my career as your principal and that of PS 5. It has been my honor to serve the children of District 6 and work with a superb group of principals under the leadership of Mr. Manuel Ramirez, D6 Superintendent.  We have learned together over the years to be strong advocates for children.

Most certainly, I will miss the students. Most of your children began with me in kindergarten and it has been exciting to watch them grow and learn.  The wonderful teachers, many of whom began with me in the early years, have set high expectations and provided rigorous instruction for your children. However, one of the most important aspects of The Paula Hedbavny School has been the culture of partnership we have shared.  At 278 the parent culture has always been, “how can we help”?  I hope that you will always continue to support Mrs. Reyes and Mr. Reilly with that commitment.  It is important for new parents to be as supportive and giving of their time as those parents who have been in the school for several years.  Administration, parents, teachers and students all working together is the magic of our school.

PS/MS 278 has been a gift to me. Thank you for allowing me to provide the kind of education that is traditional in academic rigor but creative to include the arts, enrichment clusters, support for healthy lifestyles and embracing other cultures.  It has grown into a special place and one that I’m am very confident will continue under the direction of Mrs. Reyes and supported by Mr. Reilly and the entire instructional team.  They have great plans for the future with laser focus on your children’s success.

It has been my honor to serve as your principal. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity of spirit, time and care of what was affectionately referred to as “the car wash school” so many years ago and now one of the best schools in the city.  If you ever need me the school will know how to get in touch with me.

Fondly,

Maureen

 

Message from Chef Annie

Dear Parents and Guardians: 

I knew I was overdue with a community update but I didn’t realize how tardy I have been until I checked my files. I apologize.

 

Throughout the year I have managed to do Wits Bits in all the grades from K – 5 doing a variety of lessons from My Plate to Marinara Sauce with only four ingredients. I am always rewarded that the children seems to appreciate the lessons more than even I anticipate.

 

I am also mad about using a spiralizer in and out of the classroom. We had a Café Day in April with lots of moms to help. We made three salads all featuring spaghetti shaped cucumbers, zucchini and carrots. The children were enthusiastic eaters. What a difference from when I started.

 

The tower garden that lives in Ms. Lucarelli’s class finally gave us a basil harvest.

She deserves a gold star for persistence in making the garden grow. We were able to harvest plenty of basil and make pesto and tomato sauce in her 6th grade class adding the results to zucchini “pasta”. Yes, made with the spiralizer.

 

But what can I say to a school where when I walked in six years ago the kitchen considered me nothing but a nuisance. Or a Wellness Committee attended by Sarah Townley and me. The Café Days were so unpopular, I stopped doing them for a while. And the only thing that seemed successful was going into the classroom. The children saved me.

 

Today I write my final letter to you with a full heart, a little teary but so proud of what we have accomplished in a journey together. The Wellness Committee includes all members of the community. Café Days with mostly vegetarian options are beyond successful. The kitchen and I have been a mutual admiration society for years. And the children I met in Kindergarten are mostly taller than me.

 

I still have a few more classes to visit with Wits Bits and will be at the Spring/Summer Event o the 17th. I know that I will come back to 278 in the coming year because you have played such a significant part of what we do at WITS. I am only saying, “ I will see you in halls….and Thank You”.

 

All the best,

 

Chef Annie, anne@wellnessintheschools.org.

PTA Election Results 2017

Executive Board and SLT members you elected for the 2017-18 School year:

Co-Presidents

Tamara Riley and Cassandre Collazo-Fjotland

Co-Vice Presidents

Meegan Thompson and Cassandra Keating
Treasurer

Sandra Meadows
Co-Secretaries

Nicole Argyes and Rebecca Taylor

Translating Secretaries

Adrianna Cerrato and Elena Rodriguez

SLT:
Maggie Valez
Anne Shikany
Amy Bergtold
Maritsa Poros

Many thanks to all the nominees (past and present) who offer their time in service of our school.

278 Spring Book Fair Class Schedules and Website Link

To access the online fair, follow this link: http://www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/findafair and then scroll down to PS MS 278 PAULA HEDBAVNYSCHOOL.  And here is the classes schedule for the book fair – please direct any questions to Ms. Reyes or your child’s teacher. See you at the Book Fair!

Period Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8:00 –8:43 CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED
8:45 –9:28 K02 501 401 151(half) 701
9:30 –10:13 KO1 101 302   802
10:15- 10:59 202 402 201    
11:01- 11:51 152 801   702
11:53- 12:43 601 301
12:45- 1:29 602 102 502  
1:31-2:14        

 

Thank you.

WITS Letter to the 278 Community (December 2016)

December 19, 2016

Dear Parents and Guardians:

We have had a busy fall.

I began doing “My Plate” Wits Bits in October working my way through the lower grades. The concepts were a bit challenging with the little guys but when I walked through the cafeteria and they proudly hoisted their planned plates for me to see, I realized they are beginning to get the message. I concluded with the fifth graders with a more mature take followed by Kale Smoothies. And, yes, the smoothies do taste good.

I did an introduction to the salad bar with Kindergarten. I quizzed them on their veggie knowledge and then they made a custom salad dressing to have at lunch.

Some actively tried, others will take more time.

I enjoyed “catering” November’s PTA meeting. It was a pleasure seeing many of you. For some, I have shared your children’s entire school life at 278. We tried new items on the menu – turkey burgers, “Greek Salad” and homemade coleslaw.

The tower garden has arrived and after a slow beginning it is now assembled in Ms. Lucarelli’s class. The planting should begin in January and I hope to have pictures affixed to my next letter to show our progress.

I am having a tasting tomorrow and we will have our first Café Day (Kale Krazy) and Career Day in January.

We are ending this year and beginning a new one with healthy, exciting and fun things to share with your kids. Thank you for letting me be part of it.

Best wishes for health, hope and happiness in the Holiday Season and New Year.

Chef Annie

Aka Anne Williams anne@wellnessintheschools.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anne Williams (aka Chef Annie).

 

 

 

We began December as Vegetable Month with a Café Day. Rumor has it that a very Large Green Salad and Carrot also attended to add a little wit to the event.

We offered lots of vegetable combos and every morsel was eaten. Until this activity, I had felt that I could only connect with the children in their classrooms. Times change. We will definitely be doing more Café Days based on the success of this one.

I am marching up the grade levels with classroom activities and today we made soup in the 3rd grade. Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta and Beans) was a huge success.

Mr. Cheeseman and Ms. Volow were real sports with both the children and me.

Some of the last class skipped lunch to have second (and thirds) of the soup.

I encouraged them to try the recipe at home.

I have always had a special affection for 278 as a school and community. The teachers, administrators and parents continue to inspire me and the children are a gift to me that is priceless. I can honestly say that my work is FUN!!!

May you and your families share the joy of the season with health and happiness in the New Year.

Feliz Navidad!

Chef Annie

anne@wellnessintheschools.org

Congratulations Chess Team!

Our PSMS 278 Chess Team on their first Chess Tournament! Our students participating in the Growing Minds Chess Academy, an after school program held at the school, were invited to participate on AVENUES Thanksgiving Chess Tournament 2016 held Saturday, Nov 27th at The World School. The kids had a blast! They all got to play four matches in their division. Representatives for Team PSMS 278 proudly held their trophies and they came in second place in the Novice 2 Division!

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Mr. Jackson Honored – NYC Men Teach!

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Mr. Stephen Jackson, PS/MS 278 7th and 8th grade science instructor and a member of the inaugural group of NYC Men Teach teachers, was honored on Wednesday, June 29th with the “NYC Men Teach Award” in recognition for excellence in teaching and commitment to students in New York City.

“Led by Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Young Men’s Initiative, NYC Men Teach is an engagement and recruitment effort aimed to inspire more men of color to become teachers in New York City. Of 75,000 teachers citywide, 8.5% are male teachers of color. Meanwhile, male students of color comprise 43% of our 1.1 million students. The NYC Men Teach initiative will make a difference in the lives of young people, who are not accustomed to seeing themselves represented in the front of the class, by infusing New York City public schools with teachers that reflect the vast diversity of the city.”

Mr. Jackson, along with distinguished colleagues, served on a panel of experts at the event. He will continue to serve as a leader and role model for men teachers, especially minority men, to be recruited for teaching in New York City. He will be a partner in helping the mayor’s office reach their goal of recruiting over 100 new men of color to the NYC teaching profession over the next 3 years.

“The event [also] featured remarks from an array of distinguished guests and speakers including: First Lady of New York City Chirlaine McCray, Deputy Mayor Richard Buery, Michael Mulgrew, UFT president, and Carmen Farina, NYC Schools Chancellor.”

Congratulations, Mr. Jackson! Thank you for the leadership, commitment, and expertise that you invest in the students of PS/MS 278 and city-wide.

To learn more about NYC Men Teach: http://www1.nyc.gov/site/ymi/teach/nyc-men-teach.page

 

278 is an Excellence in School Wellness School!

Wellness School of the Year 2016

At the Excellence in School Wellness Ceremony this week, 57 New York City public elementary schools were awarded an Excellence in School Wellness Award for creating healthier school environments.

The award recognizes schools that have met wellness criteria in six areas: physical activity, indoor active recess, removal of chocolate milk, school level wellness policies, wellness councils and the promotion of social, mental and emotional health.

The awards are a collaboration between the New York City Health Department’s Center for Health Equity and the New York City Department of Education’s Office of School Wellness Programs.

Each Spring, the Office of School Wellness Programs holds a poster contest that’s open to all NYC public school students from kindergarten to 12th grade. The award winners have showcased their creativity, originality and artistic talent as they promote the importance of healthy eating, daily physical activity and sufficient sleep. One winner and three runners up are selected from each grade level.

The winning designs will be displayed on posters in schools citywide, on the Department of Education’s website and in a colorful calendar.

PSMS 278 was a Silver Award Recipient!

CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners!

Platinum

P.S. 001 Courtlandt School

P.S./I.S. 218 Rafael Hernandez Dual  Language Magnet School

P.S. 311 Lucero Elementary School

P.S. 443X The Family School

P.S. 414 Brooklyn Arbor Elementary  School

P.S./I.S. 226 The Alfred De B.Mason  School

P.S. 72 The Lexington Academy

C.S. 154 Harriet Tubman Learning  Center

DREAM Charter School

Amber Charter School

Gold

P.S. 13 Roberto Clemente

Silver

P.S. 294 The Walton  Avenue School

P.S. 457 Sheridan Academy  for Young Leaders

P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks

P.S. 25 The Eubie Blake  School

P.S./I.S. 262 El Hajj  Malik El Shabazz Elementary School

P.S. 249 The Caton School

P.S. 50 Vito Marcantonio

P.S. 125 The Ralph Bunche  School

P.S./M.S 278 Paula  Hedbavny School

P.S. 50 Talfourd Lawn  Elementary School

P.S. 112 The Dutch Kills  School

Bronze

The Academy of the Arts

P.S. 55 Benjamin Franklin

P.S. 32 The Belmont School

P.S. 85 Great Expectations

P.S. 95 The Sheila Mencher School

Success Academy Charter  School – Bronx 2

The Brooklyn Brownstone  School

P.S. 75 Mayda Cortiella

P.S. 32 The Samuel Mills Sprole School

Mosaic Preparatory Academy

P.S. 18 Park Terrace

P.S. 314 Muscota New School

P.S. 244 The Active Learning Elementary School

P.S. 555 Mt Eden Children’s Academy

Honorable Mention

P.S. 65 Mother Hale Academy

Grant Avenue Elementary School

P.S. 33 Timothy Dwight School

P.S. 306

Mott Haven Academy Charter School

Family Life Academy Charter School I

P.S. 44 Marcus Garvey Elementary  School

P.S. 305 Dr. Peter Ray School

P.S. 23 Carter G Woodson Elementary  School

P.S. 59 William Floyd School

P.S./I.S. 165 Ida B. Posner School

P.S. 116 The Elizabeth L. Farrell School

P.S. 123 Suydam School

P.S. 145 Andrew Jackson School

P.S. 274 Kosciusko School

P.S. 334 The Anderson SchoolP.S./I.S. 171 Patrick Henry Preparatory School

P.S./I.S. 210 Twenty First Century Academy for Community Leadership

P.S. 1 The Tottenville School

P.S. 11 The Governor Thomas Dongan  Elementary School

P.S. 13 The Margaret L. Lindemeyer School

Elementary School

Claire Yoon, Grade 3

P.S. 79 Frances Lewis, Queens

Teacher: Benjamin Paquette

Middle School

Akaneh Wang, Grade 8

J.H.S. 74 Nathaniel Hawthorne, Queens

Teacher: Irene Papamichael

High School

Luyi Song, Grade 12

Brooklyn Technical High School, Brooklyn

Runners-Up

Elementary School

Claire Baek, Grade 5

P.S. 98 The Douglaston School, Queens

Teacher: Linda Rizzatti

Matteo Feola, Grade 4

P.S. 32 Samuel Mills Sprole, Brooklyn

Teacher: David Chimoskey

 Ferenc A. Zou, Grade 2

P.S. 33 Chelsea Prep, Manhattan

Teacher: Hannah Choi

Middle School

Katherine Chokpaporn, Grade 8

I.S. 141 The Steinway, Queens

Teacher: Nicole Somma

Sophia Hoang, Grade 6

J.H.S. 74 Nathaniel Hawthorne, Queens

Teacher: Andrew Zaben

Xue Ying Huang, Grade 7

J.H.S. 220 John J. Pershing, Brooklyn

Teacher: Aleccia Braithwaite

High School

Stephanie Chin, Grade 11

Robert F. Kennedy Community High School, Queens

Teacher: Edward Zawacki

Dayanara Garcia, Grade 11

High School for Health Careers and Sciences,
Manhattan

Teacher: Iana Mardirosyan

Sabiha Sultana, Grade 12

Brooklyn International High School, Brooklyn

Teacher: Dara Ross

Mashed Fruit Spritzers – This week’s classroom treat!

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Mashed Fruit Spritzers

Made in Classroom 6/2016

  1. 1 Large Bottles Fruit Juice (Chilled) look for juice with no added sugar
  2. 1  2 liter Bottle of Seltzer, Club Soda (Chilled)
  3. A few slices of any of the following fruit: lemons, limes, oranges, pineapple, strawberries, mangoes
  4. Put juice in large container or pitcher.
  5. Add fruit to bottom of contain.
  6. Using handle of whisk or other utensil, mash several times until well mashed.
  7. Add seltzer to taste, 1 cup or more.
  8. Taste.
  9. If needed, add a little honey

Many thanks to Chef Anne and the whole WITS team at 278!

Donate Clothes & Help PS/MS 278 Raise Funds

Great news! We can earn money for PS/MS 278 with very little effort and no cost to any of us. We are teaming up with a new fundraising partner, Schoola. What’s Schoola all about? They partner with schools (us!) and together we collect high-quality, well cared-for clothes for toddlers, kids and women. Schoola pays to ship our clothes to their warehouse and then sells them online. This is the amazing part—Schoola gives $2 from every $5 sale back to our school to fund whatever we need, our choice! That means if we collect 500 items that they can sell for $5 (or more), we could earn $1,000. To help us raise the most, send the things you’d feel best about giving a friend.

 

Check out their awesome website at https://www.schoola.com/schools/psms-278-paula-hedbavny-school-new-york-ny

 

How you can help:

Schoola has created a personalized webpage for us to request pre-paid bags (which we then fill with clothes and leave for the mailman to pick up, drop at the post office or schedule a pick up here http://bit.ly/USPSPickUp). We can even track our clothes and the amount of money we earn here. Go to our page and request a bag to get started: http://bit.ly/278Schoola. And then forward the link to your network, anybody can donate in support of PS/MS 278!

 

One more way you can help: Spread the word!

 

Free Microsoft Offer for Students

All you need is an email address or phone number and a student in the New York public school system to sign up for this great deal. Check out this offer from Microsoft and the NYC DOE by clicking the image below:

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Microsoft is offering 5 free copies of Microsoft Office 365 for each student to license on their PCs, Macs, Android and iOS devices.

 

 

Welcome Mr. Pena and Congrats to Ms. Reyes!

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Our October 2015 PTA meeting was last Friday 10-16-2015 – there was a terrific turnout of parents and staff – and we took a moment to welcome our new Dean of Students Mr. Pena and congratulate Ms. Reyes on her promotion to Principal.

It was a terrific start to what we know is going to be a terrific year.  Go 278!

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