PSMS 278

278 made over $1,600 to fund our student’s programs and activities! Thank you to all who participated!

Go 278!

@PSMS278_Tigers

Our School needs your help!

Help our PTA raise funds  to support the enrichment programs for our students. Please give any amount comfortable for your family. No amount is too small. Please return your donation via cash or check in the Dues Drive envelope to your child’s teacher by Friday, Sept 23rd.  Donations can also be made via credit card via through Paylite or Zelle (If you are donating via Zelle – please use psms278treasurer@gmail.com) Thank you for all you do to help our students!

Do you want to be a Class Parent for your student’s class? Class parents facilitates communication between parents and the teacher, school administration, and/or parent-teacher association (PTA), and supports the teacher in needs that may arise.

Please reach out to Camryn Ramgoolie at camrynnyc4@gmail.com if you are interested in becoming a class parent.

Thanks!

Please join our new 278 Google Group for Parents to share and discuss all things 278! If you were previously signed up for the 278 Yahoo group, we moved your email  addresses already – but if you are new to the group or the school, please follow the instructions below to sign up!

1. Sign in to Google Groups. Learn how to join if you do not have a Google Account.
2. Search for the PSMS278 Community Group.
3. Ask to join and please state your students name and grade.
4. You will receive an email when you are approved.
5. If you have any questions, please reach out to seanawyman@gmail.com. 

Wanna stay on top of all the goings on at 278? Sign up for the 278PTA mailchimp. Follow the link below or scan the QR code attached! It’s easy and you will be IN THE KNOW!

http://eepurl.com/bCwOR5

Video message from your PS/MS 278 family

Through the Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) program, every NYC public school student ages 3-21, regardless of income or immigration status, will receive $420 via a P-EBT card to cover the days that schools were closed during spring 2020 (March 16 to June 25). This program is a benefit for families to buy food while students are not in school, and families are not obligated to pay these funds back. Visit the Community Food Advocates website  for the latest information and watch the recording of the P-EBT Info Session  for more details.  

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