September Family Newsletter
Follow us on Instagram @ps354stem
MESSAGE FROM DR. REMY
HAPPY SEPTEMBER 2023!!!
Welcome to the 2023/2024 school year here at The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens, PS 354Q! We are excited to have you join us for an exciting and successful school year. School begins on Thursday, September 7, 2023, and the school day is from 8:00 am to 2:20 pm. Hot breakfast will be served from daily from 7:30 am and 7:55 am for K to 5 students only. Students in 3K and PreK have breakfast daily in their classrooms.
- Grade K to 5 students have a regular school day beginning the first day of school, September 7, 2023.
- 3K and PreK Students ONLY
- Thursday, September 7, 2023: Students in 3K and PreK will participate in a 90-minute parent orientation breakfast from 8:45 am – 10:15 am. Families will be REQUIRED to stay with their child during the 90-minute session. You may take your child home when the orientation is over. Please note we can only accommodate one adult per child during this orientation.
- Friday, September 9, 2023: Students in 3K and PreK will be dismissed at 11:20 am.
- Monday, September 11, 2023: First full day (8:00 am – 2:20 pm) for 3K and PreK students
Please see the link below to see your child’s classroom number and teacher.
Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18CswgUh0pccA0wgiiKwSEdMqifRovHS17zu89BNC0YQ/edit?usp=sharing
Commitment Ceremonies for 2023/2024 School Year
This month we will be having our annual Commitment Ceremonies at each grade. On this day, students, families, and staff take a pledge to the education and success of our students for the school year. We highlight the partnership between families and the school. The dates are as follows:
- September 21st: Grades 3 to 5
- September 22nd: Grades K to 2
- September 28th: Grades 3K and PreK
Times of the ceremonies will be posted soon. The dress code for these ceremonies are "Dress to Impress"
Arrival and Dismissal
During the opening weeks of school all students in each grade will be greeted by their teachers in their designated spots.
- 3K and PreK entrances are by the new playground/outdoor classroom near the schoolyard.
- 3K will enter through Entrance 6.
- PreK will enter through Entrance 5.
- Kindergarten will enter through the main entrance to the auditorium and dismissed in the schoolyard.
- Grade 1 through Grade 5 will line up in the schoolyard at their designated spots and will be escorted into the building by their teacher. Grade 5 will be dismissed at the front at Exit 1.
Any students that arrive after 8:10 am are considered late AND must use the main entrance.
Students will be dismissed from the same location/entrance that was used for arrival unless otherwise stated.
Please note that SQPA will TENTATIVELY begin on Monday, September 18, 2023 for K to 5 students.
(See Ms. Yanick and/or Ms. Shanelle for more information regarding SQPA)
There will be an opportunity to meet with the teacher and learn more about the school on Back to School Night on Thursday, September 14th. The time is to be announced. You will have a brief overview of school and class policies, routines, requirements, curricula, etc. Please feel free to check out the website (www.ps354q.org) for school supplies, school uniforms, school policies, and other information. We are a uniform school, and students are to be in full uniform Mondays through Thursdays. Please bring your child’s school supplies during the week of September 11th and not on the first day of school.
We look forward to a productive school year!
HELPFUL CONTACTS
Phone: 718-276-1348/Fax: 718-276-2498
Email: info@ps354.org
Website: www.ps354q.org
Instagram: @ps354stem
Main Office:
Ms. Hamblin Ext. 1113
Ms. Yates-Matthews Ext. 1111
Security Desk: Agent Bostic Ext. 1601
Parent Coordinator: Ms. Tomblin
Ext. 1091 or jtomblin@ps354.org
Grades 3K to 2 Assistant Principal: Mr. Tabbita
Ext. 2180 or Ltabbita@ps354.org
Grades 3 to 5 Assistant Principal: Ms. Davis
Ext. 1470 or Wdavis@ps354.org
School Nurse: Ms. Rochford Ext.1150
PTA Office: Ext 1090
School Counselor: Ms. Coyle Ext. 3120
School Social Worker: Ms. Excellent Ext. 1140
School Based Support Team Ext. 1300
I.E.P. Coordinator: Ms. Jennings Ext. 2123
Speech Services:
Ms. Sharabi Ext. 3290
Ms. Shikarides Ext. 2220
ENL: Ms. Samuels Ext. 3000
Physical Education Department:
Mr. Degioia & Mr. Krantz Ext. 1009
Bus Inquiry: Ms. Redd Ext. 3120
OCTOBER 2023 PASSION STUDENTS
TRAIT OF THE MONTH: Productive Learner
Coming Soon
CLASS 3K1:
CLASS 3K2:
CLASS PK1:
CLASS PK2:
CLASS K01:
CLASS K02:
CLASS K03:
CLASS K31:
CLASS K32:
CLASS K91:
CLASS 101:
CLASS 102:
CLASS 131:
CLASS 132:
CLASS 201:
CLASS 231:
CLASS 291:
CLASS 301:
CLASS 331:
CLASS 401:
CLASS 431:
CLASS 491:
CLASS 501:
CLASS 502:
CLASS 531:
CLASS 591:
OCTOBER 2023 S.T.R.I.D.E.S. STUDENTS
VALUE OF THE MONTH: Secure Within Oneself
Coming Soon
CLASS 3K1:
CLASS 3K2:
CLASS PK1:
CLASS PK2:
CLASS K01:
CLASS K02:
CLASS K03:
CLASS K31:
CLASS K32:
CLASS K91:
CLASS 101:
CLASS 102:
CLASS 131:
CLASS 132:
CLASS 201:
CLASS 231:
CLASS 291:
CLASS 301:
CLASS 331:
CLASS 401:
CLASS 431:
CLASS 491:
CLASS 501:
CLASS 502:
CLASS 531:
CLASS 591:
SEPTEMBER 2023 TOP CLASSDOJO STUDENTS
CLASS 3K1:
CLASS 3K2:
CLASS PK1:
CLASS PK2:
CLASS K01:
CLASS K02:
CLASS K03:
CLASS K31:
CLASS K32:
CLASS K91:
CLASS 101:
CLASS 102:
CLASS 131:
CLASS 132:
CLASS 201:
CLASS 231:
CLASS 291:
CLASS 301:
CLASS 331:
CLASS 401:
CLASS 431:
CLASS 491:
CLASS 501:
CLASS 502:
CLASS 531:
CLASS 591:
SEPTEMBER 2023 PERFECT ATTENDANCE STUDENTS
CLASS 3K1:
CLASS 3K2:
CLASS PK1:
CLASS PK2:
CLASS K01:
CLASS K02:
CLASS K03:
CLASS K31:
CLASS K32:
CLASS K91:
CLASS 101:
CLASS 102:
CLASS 131:
CLASS 132:
CLASS 201:
CLASS 231:
CLASS 291:
CLASS 301:
CLASS 331:
CLASS 401:
CLASS 431:
CLASS 491:
CLASS 501:
CLASS 502:
CLASS 531:
CLASS 591:
UPCOMING TRIPS
SCHOOL TRIPS
Coming Soon
GRADE NEWS FOR SEPTEMBER
| 3K NEWS | PRE-K NEWS |
| KINDERGARTEN NEWS | GRADE 1 NEWS | GRADE 2 NEWS |
| GRADE 3 NEWS | GRADE 4 NEWS | GRADE 5 NEWS |
BIRTHDAY POLICY AT A GLANCE
To celebrate your child’s birthday, parents must fill out a Birthday Celebration form at least TWO WEEKS before the celebration date. Students are allowed to wear their own clothes on their birthday. More information about acceptable items to bring can be found under the Full Birthday Policy.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
TO
Names Coming Soon
Names come from the Birthday Celebration Form.
BUSING POLICY
Quick Reminders About Riding the Bus
O.P.T. Phone number: 718-392-8855
- All children in grades K-5 must have a bus identification tag which identifies student name, school, class, AM/PM bus route#, location of the bus stop, emergency #’s and parent name. Parents must know the bus company, the bus route number and the bus driver’s name.
- If the bus is late, or you have an issue with the driver of the bus, you need to contact the bus company and ask to speak to a supervisor.
- All students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the NYC Department of Education’s code of discipline. Misbehavior will result in consequences such as verbal warnings, parent conference, and or bus suspension.
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL POLICY AT A GLANCE
| GRADE | ARRIVAL ENTRANCE | DISMISSAL EXIT |
| 3K | Entrance/Exit 6 | Entrance/Exit 6 |
| PREK | Entrance/Exit 5 | Entrance/Exit 5 |
| KINDERGARTEN | Main Entrance to the Auditorium | Schoolyard at Assigned Spot |
| GRADE 1 | Schoolyard at Assigned Spot | Schoolyard at Assigned Spot |
| GRADE 2 | Schoolyard at Assigned Spot | Schoolyard at Assigned Spot |
| GRADE 3 | Schoolyard at Assigned Spot | Schoolyard at Assigned Spot |
| GRADE 4 | Schoolyard at Assigned Spot | Schoolyard at Assigned Spot |
| GRADE 5 | Schoolyard at Assigned Spot | Entrance/Exit 1 |
All late students MUST enter through the Main Entrance beginning at 8:10 am. OCTOBER 23, 2023 is Independence Day! On this day, Grade 1 to 5 students are able to travel to their classes on their own.
INCLEMENT WEATHER:
- Arrival: Grade 1 to 5 students report to the gymnasium
- Arrival: Grades 3K to Kindergarten report to the auditorium
- ALL students are dismissed to their designated spots for dismissal
- Grade K to 5 students are dismissed to the schoolyard. Kindergarten dismisses at 2:15 pm.
- 3K and PreK students get dismissed in the small schoolyard at 2:15 pm. Any student that is not picked up by 2:30 pm is brought to the auditorium for Parent Pick Up. Students must be signed/scanned out.
DISMISSAL TIMES:
Grades 3K to Kindergarten: 2:15 pm
Grades 1 to 5: 2:20 pm
Students taking the yellow bus are to go to their designated boarding area in the Main Lobby.
All changes in dismissal arrangements must be submitted in writing to the teacher and Main Office by 1:00 pm. To ensure student’s safety, verbal requests will not be honored. In addition, students will only be released to names listed on the blue emergency cards. Please note that there are no early pick ups after 1:45 pm.
LUNCH POLICY AND LOST ITEMS
If your child brings their own lunch to school, please be reminded that students have different food allergies, so speak to your child about not sharing their lunch or snacks with other children.
Lost Items can be found in the “Lost and Found” located in the cafeteria. Please label all of your child’s belongings (lunch bags, sweaters, coats, backpacks) so that in the event that they lose it, it can be found easily in the Lost and Found.
UNIFORM POLICY AT A GLANCE
Uniform is fully enforced. Please make sure that your child is in FULL uniform everyday/ Hoodies/sweaters are not allowed unless they are school issued, solid black, solid navy, or solid grey.
