PSMS 278

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