PS 354Q Family Handbook
IMPORTANT LINKS
LETTER TO FAMILIES
Dear Parents and Guardians,
It is with great pride and excitement that I write this letter to welcome you to the 2023/2024 school year. All of us at PS 354Q are eager and excited to begin this exciting and promising school year! This year is going to be amazing as we continue to provide academic experiences for our students that are rigorous, relevant, and help them build relationships while making real-world connections. As your principal, it is important to me that everyone who steps through our doors - teachers, students and parents - is excited to be here! This attitude enables us to meet the challenges of academic excellence in a positive, fun, and nurturing environment. This school year, there will be great emphasis on increasing student reading levels, math proficiency, and redesigning as well as redefining STEM at PS 354Q.
Please be advised that we are an e-communication school and use ClassDojo as our schoolwide communication tool. We will communicate to you through this platform as well as through posting notifications on our website (www.ps354q.org),Instagram (@ps354stem) and through email. When you come to our building, our marquee will also have important information posted on it as well.
We will begin the school year on September 7, 2023. Each school day begins at 8 am. Teachers will share your child’s official schedule during the first full week of school. We are registering new students to PS 354Q beginning August 28, 2023. Please note that if your child will be going to 3K, PreK, and/or Kindergarten this school year, you must register if you have not already done so. Please visit our school website for more information.
As with every school year, we need to have up to date information for you in case of emergencies. Please complete the PS 354Q Emergency Contact Form for 2023/2024. By completing this form, you are part of our distribution list to receive school notifications including school newsletter. If you have a child or children that will be in Grades 3 to 5 AND you would like him/her/them to walk home on their own, please complete the PS 354Q Walking Form. Please continue visit the Family Newsletter and School Calendar posted on our website at www.ps354q.org for important events in September including Back to School Night on September 14th at 4:30 pm and STEM At PS 354Q Parent Workshop at a time to be announced.
I have an open door policy and always welcome your input! Please feel free to call, email, or message me on ClassDojo to discuss any concerns you might have throughout the school year. I look forward to working with you as a team to help each student at PS 354Q – The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens meet their goals and have a successful school year!
PS 354Q Emergency Contact Form:
https://forms.gle/WvDHqVxXvnTAfrrR6
Grade 3 to 5 Walking Home Form:
https://forms.gle/GZcxZxYsskRNjZqC7
Please note that this letter was sent to your emails as well.
In collaboration and support,
Dr. Emmanuela Remy
Principal
SCHOOL STAFF
Administrative Team
Dr. Emmanuela Remy, Principal
Wendy Davis, Assistant Principal (Grades 3 to 5)
Leonardo Tabbita, Assistant Principal (Grades 3K to 2)
Kimberley Hamblin, Payroll Secretary
Sabrena Yates-Matthews, Pupil Accounting Secretary
Janell Tomblin, Parent Coordinator
3K Instructional Team
3K1 Ms. Christine Rinaldi
3K2 Ms. Michelle Peralta
Pre-Kindergarten Instructional Team
PK1 Ms. Lisa Graham
PK2 Ms. Regina Andrews
Kindergarten Instructional Team
K01 Ms. Christelle Alexis
K02 Ms. Christina Iervolino
K31 Ms. Christina Nesbitt
Ms. Kanisha Kennedy
K32 Ms. Reshia Crawford
Ms. Aimee Minier
K91 Ms. Beth Diaz
First Grade Instructional Team
101 Ms. Paige Beker
102 Ms. Latoya Richards
131 Ms. Heidi Anthony
Ms. Kristina Georgilis
K91 Ms. Beth Diaz
Second Grade Instructional Team
201 Ms. Amanda Clarke
231 Ms. Kristen Villano
Ms. Alyssa Grunfelder
291 Ms. Sarah Hangley
Third Grade Instructional Team
291 Ms. Sarah Hangley
301 Ms. Samantha Jodha
331 Ms. Hortense DiMaggio
Ms. Maya Lashley
Fourth Grade Instructional Team
401 Ms. Tashawna Praddy
431 Ms. Deanna Graham
Ms. Sandy DaSilva
491 Ms. Ashley McCall
Fifth Grade Instructional Team
501 Ms. Monique Toliver
502 Mr. Aaron Samaroo
531 Ms. Jessica Hardie-Canale
Mr. Christopher Filomio
591 Ms. Mallory Schwartz
Enrichment Instructional Team
PE/Health Mr. Joshua Krantz
PE/Health Mr. Justin DeGioia
Science Ms. Jeanette Elsner
Civics 4 All Ms. Maribeth Krilovitch
Comp. Sci Ms. Ayasha Parvinn
ENL Ms. Magdalena Samuels
NEST Ms. Courtney Schlesinger-Toomey
Student Support Team
Ms. Amy Coyle, Guidance Counselor
Ms. Bianca Jennings, IEP Teacher and NEST Coordinator
Ms. Michele McKinnie, Family Worker
Ms. Karen Muzio, School Psychologist
Ms. Monique Parham, SBST SocWorker
Ms. Sophonie Excellent, Social Worker
Ms. Michelle Batalla, PT
Ms. Donna Bunche, OT
Ms. Dawn Shikarides, Speech
Mr. Jeryn Koshy, OT
Ms. Rebecca Shamash, Speech
Ms. Dana Sharabi, Speech
Ms. Jenin Abuassi, School Aide
Ms. Silica Collins, School Aide
Ms. Alberitta Rodriguez, School Aide
Paraprofessionals
Ms. Kimberly Adams (591)
Ms. Yanick Beckwith (3K1)
Ms. Vanessa Cruz (K91)
Ms. Tamika Culver (3K2)
Ms. Elayshobey Currey (K91)
Ms. Albana Daci (PK1)
Ms. Melissa Dixon (291)
Mr. Marvin Hazel (491)
Ms. Jameelah Henry (291)
Ms. Kimberly King (291)
Mr. Jose Lago (591)
Mr. Christopher West (291)
Ms. Winsome Rowe (491)
School Nurse
Ms. Kirah Rochford
SCHOOL INFORMATION
School Hours
Full Day: 8:00 AM – 2:20 PM
Half Day (Parent Teacher Conferences Days): 8:00 AM – 11:20 AM
Address:
PS 354Q - The Jermaine L. Green STEM Institute of Queens
126-10 Bedell Street
Jamaica, Queens 11434
Telephone: 718-276-1348
Fax: 718-276-2498
Email: info@ps354.org
Instagram:
@ps354stem
MISSION AND CORE VALUES
Mission
The PS 354Q school community seeks to provide academic and social emotional support to our students, families, and community both virtually and in person. Students are challenged to think critically, independently and collaborate with each other in a supported and risk-free environment. Students engage in hands-on and inquiry-based tasks, cross-curricular and STEM-based activities, and exploratory lessons to support student agency, student advocacy and conceptual understanding. Student voices are amplified to empower decision-making through critical thinking and problem solving. We use data to support individualized learning and to be responsive to the evolving needs of students and families so that all learners will be ready and able to contribute to the society of their time.
Core Values
Secure within Self: We empower our students to be confident in their thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Teamwork: We encourage our students to work collaboratively to discuss various approaches to a task.
Resilience: We encourage and celebrate our students in reaching their goals and overcome obstacles/barriers to achieve them.
Inquiry: We have our students engage in peer questioning and discussions to reach new understandings.
Dedication: We teach our students to continuously challenge themselves and stay the course in the face of adversity.
Empathy: We care about others and strive to understand and share their feelings.
Self-Control: We teach our students how to express their feelings, beliefs, and ideas in a positive manner.
We are making S.T.R.I.D.E.S. on the Southside
COMMUNICATING WITH TEACHERS AND STAFF
We encourage open and frequent communication between school and home. There are several ways to communicate with your child’s teacher:
Send a message via Class Dojo to your child’s teacher
- Class Dojo is our main communication method . There you are able to receive up to date school information/notices, message your child’s teacher directly, and track your child’s behavior. You can also communicate with administration as well.
- Parents are encouraged to download Class Dojo to communicate with their child’s teacher between the hours of 8:00 AM to 2:20 PM. Please allow time for the teacher/staff to respond to you as teachers are instructing out students during the school day. If you need to contact a teacher immediately, please call the main office and they will relay your message.
Send a note in with your child in his or her homework folder
- This is the method you should you use if you have something the teacher needs to hear about during the school day, e.g., change in the dismissal plan, as he or she might not check e-mail during the day.
E-mail your child’s teacher
- Feel free to e-mail your child’s teacher, using his or her PS 354Q address. E-mail is a useful, paper-free way to ask quick questions, report on routine events and set up meetings. It is not the best forum for lengthy discussions, important topics or sensitive issues.
Set up a meeting
- You may set up a meeting with your child’s teacher if you have something you would like to discuss. Teachers are glad to meet with you. Please keep in mind that there are many children in the class and a regular meeting with one family is not possible. Please keep any discussions at dismissal to a minimum, as the teacher is concentrating on getting each child to the correct adult.
Please speak to your child’s teacher about any classroom issues or concerns before bringing them to the principal. The teacher is the best person to address your concerns, as he or she is closest to the issues.
In all cases, our school policy is that the PS 354Q staff will get back to you by the end of the next business day, if not sooner.
Gifts for Teachers
Families often wish to express their appreciation for their child’s teachers by giving a gift. Teachers appreciate the gesture and are generally very touched and grateful. However, there are Department of Education guidelines that govern gift-giving to any school employee and is summarized below.
- Families may not be required to give, or contribute, to a gift. Class parents should not pressure families in any way to contribute.
- Gifts from individual families should be principally sentimental in nature and of small financial value.
- Teachers may not accept cash.
- Class gifts may be given, as long as it comes from the whole class and individual contributors are not listed.
- Families should not be asked to contribute a large amount.
FAMILY INFORMATION AND ENGAGEMENT
We are committed to creating an inviting, collaborative relationship between the school staff and our students’ families. We have put in place initiatives to involve and inform families.
Second Thursday of each month, we celebrate:
- PASSION Student of the Month
- Perfect Attendance Students
- Most Improved Attendance Students
- Most Class Dojo Points
- Core Value Students
Publishing Parties
At Publishing Parties, students share their writing with their families and their classmates. These celebrations serve as a culminating activity for a particular unit of study in writing. Teachers will reach out to you with specific dates and times.
Class projects
Teachers will involve families in the classroom in several ways. Teachers may ask parents to volunteer to help with the projects and plans for celebrations. Teachers may also ask for parent volunteers for other classroom activities, e.g., reading, art projects, or sharing family traditions.
School projects
Parents will also be involved in school-wide activities, projects, and initiatives. Requests for school-wide volunteers will be sent home.
Community Events
We look forward to hosting various events throughout the school year like a potluck, ice cream social, and holiday concerts. Please keep an eye out for notices in your child’s folder.
Family Conferences
You will virtually attend FOUR formal parent conferences a year (September, November, March, and May) with your child’s teacher. Each family will schedule an individual 10-15 minute conference with their child’s teachers. November and March Conferences are scheduled in both the afternoon and in the evening. September and May conferences are only in the evening. During conferences, the teacher describes your child’s progress, explains his or her strengths and challenges, and gives you suggestions about how to help your child at home. Please come with any questions you might have. Your child’s teacher may ask to meet you at other times during the year, and you may request a meeting as well.
Report Cards
You will receive three report cards a year (November, March, June) during your family conference. Report cards can be found on the NYSCA account. Please ensure that you access to your account. Should you need assistance, please contact Ms. Tomblin at jtomblin@ps354.org.
Homework
The purpose of homework is to extend and reinforce classroom learning and to develop in children a sense of self-discipline, responsibility and independent thinking. All homework assignments are purposeful and related to class activities, as well as to individual children’s interests, needs, and abilities. The focus of students’ homework is reading and math. Please see Homework Policy.
CLASS TRIPS
Our students actively engage with the outside community, where field trips connect to our teaching and learning. Trips range from walking and observing around our immediate community, to visiting museums, to taking larger trips with lots of planning involved. Your child’s teacher will notify you well in advance of the trip and ask you to sign a permission slip. Please return the permission slip and any applicable fees in your child’s communication folder. Children who do not have signed permission slips will not be able to go on the trip. Approval must be in writing and may not be given over the phone. This is a Department of Education requirement.
Chaperoning a class trip is a great way for you to be involved with your child’s class. We reach out directly for volunteer chaperones for field trips. When you chaperone a class trip you will be responsible for a small group of children including your own child. You are responsible, along with the teacher, for the safety and security of the children in your group.
Many parents enjoy going on trips with the class. Sometimes the volunteers outnumber the need. If that is the case, we will make sure that those people who cannot go will go on a future trip.
SCHOOL RELATED ORGANIZATIONS
PTA
The PTA is a vital part of our school community. Our active, creative, and engaged PTA works to make all families feel welcome and raises funds to enrich the education of our children.
All parents are welcomed and encouraged to work with the PTA toward improving and enriching the educational resources for our children and promoting good home, school and community relations.
Families are invited to attend monthly PTA meetings to stay informed about the school’s instructional programs, hear updates from our principal, learn about upcoming events, and find out how parents can help the school better serve all students. PTA meeting dates, times, and location will be determined. More information on the PTA is found on our website.
SLT
The School Leadership Team (SLT) is the primary school-based vehicle for parents to work with teachers and the principal to establish school priorities, ensure that the budget is aligned with those priorities, and evaluate our school’s progress.
The SLT is comprised of parents, teachers, the principal, the PTA president and the UFT Chapter Leader. The SLT develops the Comprehensive Education Plan (CEP) that sets annual goals for the school in all areas and sets up systems to measure achievement of those goals. The SLT meets monthly in the principal's office and there is a Zoom link as well for virtual participants. Dates for SLT meetings are posted on the school website and advance notice will be provided on ClassDojo and school website. More information on the SLT is found on our website.
Community Education Council (CEC)
The CEC is designed to be a voice for all parents of students in their district. Each CEC consists of 11 voting members: 9 parents elected from each district by the “Parent Selectors” (PTA/PA President, Treasurer, and Secretary), and 2 members appointed by the Borough President. The twelfth member is a nonvoting high school student. The term for each Council is two years, beginning on July 1st.
The Community Education Council for District 28 conducts at least two meetings every month, which include a Working Business Meeting and a Calendar Meeting. All meetings are open to the public. During Calendar Meetings, time is allotted for the public to address the Council with issues involving the education of the children in District Two. Notice of these meetings will be distributed to the public and all schools in the district.
SAFETY INFORMATION
School Safety Committee
Our School Safety Committee develops the School Safety Plan outlining all the safety procedures in the school. Monthly meetings are held to review and discuss our Safety Plan.
Safety Officers
Our school has full time security staff to maintain the safety and security of our school building. Everyone who enters the building must show photo ID and sign in with the Security Officer. Please always follow the directions of the Security Officer, as he or she is responsible for the safety of our school building and children.
Visitors
When you come to the school, please enter and exit through the front entrance doors. All visitors will be issued a school badge which must be worn during the entirety of your visit. You must go directly to the Main Office. At the end of your visit, please return the badge to the safety officer’s desk.
- Deliveries to Students
If you need to bring something to school that your child needs or has forgotten, please come to the security desk. The safety agent will contact the main office to ensure that your child receives the item. If you need to occasionally drop off lunch for your child, you may bring it to the office. However, this should not be done on a regular basis. If sending a lunch from home, please ensure that your child brings it with them to school.
Emergency Contact Cards
Family Emergency Contact Information is required by the New York City Department of Education. In case of an emergency, we MUST have more than one WORKING phone number (other than your home number) and a contact person who can be reached if you are not available. Complete the EMERGENCY CARD immediately and return it with your child. EMERGENCY INFORMATION MUST BE UPDATED REGULARLY TO REFLECT YOUR CURRENT STATUS (e.g. PLEASE NOTIFY THE SCHOOL OF ANY CHANGE IN YOUR HOME ADDRESS, WORK NUMBER, EMERGENCY CONTACT PERSONS, ETC.). PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE SCHOOL WILL RELEASE A CHILD ONLY TO THOSE PERSONS LISTED ON THE CHILD'S EMERGENCY CARD. ALL STUDENTS WILL BE SENT HOME BLUE CARDS.
Evacuation Drills and Shelter Drills
Evacuation (Fire) Drills are practiced throughout the year to help guarantee our students’ safety. Your child’s teachers will explain and practice the procedures with the children in advance of any actual drill, so that they are not startled and will know what to do. Children also practice “Shelter In” and “Lock Down” drills, both of which will be explained in detail to parents at our Family Orientation meeting.
Illness and injury
We appreciate your assistance in helping to prevent the spread of illness in the classroom. If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms or health issues, please keep him or her home for at least 24 hours from the end of the symptom(s) or the beginning of medical treatment: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, conjunctivitis (pink eye), any contagious illness, e.g., chicken pox, flu, strep throat, impetigo.
If a child becomes ill or injured at school and needs to be sent home, the licensed nurse on staff will notify you.
Medication
Medication can be administered to your child only if the school has a current form (called a 504) on file. School staff members, including the school nurse, are not authorized to administer over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol, allergy medicine, cough syrup, or eye drops, unless this information is included on a 504 form. If your child has asthma it is imperative that you complete the form so that nurse can treat your child in school.
Other
Dogs are not permitted in the school
Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the school
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in any DOE school
OTHER INFORMATION
Recess
Children need to play outside. Research and experience show us that kids are more alert and engaged when they have had enough outdoor play time. Students play outside daily, unless there is rain, snow, or temperatures are below freezing. Please make sure that your child brings appropriate outdoor clothing. It is helpful to label gloves, hats, and coats to prevent loss.
Class Placement
We cannot take requests to place your child with a particular teacher, or in class with particular children. There are many factors we take into consideration when making up classes and we need the flexibility to place children where we think they will do best. Although we understand the inclination, we are not able to honor such requests.
Items that should not come to school
We would like school to be a safe, collaborative environment focused on learning. Please do not send your child to school with: toys, games, candy, gum, electronic devices other than DOE-issued i-pads, money, Heelies, open toed shoes, or anything that could be misconstrued as a weapon, e.g., water guns. These items can cause disruption and hurt feelings within the class. In some cases, your child’s teacher may permit some of these items in school for curriculum purposes, to ease separation, or for some other classroom-related reason. They will contact you directly in those instances. A child’s toy, etc. may be confiscated and held in the assistant principal’s office for pick up at the end of the school day.
Consent to Photograph, Film or Video Tape
We love to highlight students as they work, perform, or receive awards. Please sign and return the consent form to your child’s teacher so that we can celebrate their successes and share them with you.
School Closings
In the event of a snowstorm, or other citywide emergency conditions, the Chancellor will announce the decision to close schools throughout the city. The announcement will be broadcast on news services, radio and television stations. An announcement will also appear on the Department of Education website, www.schools.nyc.gov). The same information will posted on the school website and ClassDojo. Teachers will provide students with assignments on Google Classroom and meeting information. (i.e. Zoom/Google Meet link)
Holidays
We learn about a variety of holidays through our social studies curriculum. Families will be invited to share some family traditions with their child’s class. We host holiday-themed community meetings, where families are invited to participate.
