Family Newsletter
Follow us on Instagram @ps354stem
MESSAGE FROM DR. REMY
Happy Women’s History! Let’s continue to expose our students to various African American and other Black women that have a great influence on the world that we live in. Knowing our history helps us guide our future in making better choices. We will be having our Black Excellence Show on March 10th. A flyer will be sent home on March 3rd.
We have a second assistant principal! Let’s extend a warm welcome to Mr. Leonardo Tabbita. He will directly supervise Grades 3K to 2. Ms. Davis will directly supervise Grades 3 to 5. Should you have any concerns, please feel free to contact them and/or Ms. Tomblin, our parent coordinator.
We have a new logo and mascot named Bizzy Bee!
Learning Festival began in January, Learning Festival is our enrichment test prep program for students in grades 3 through 5. The program runs from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Letters have already gone out. The second mock test results are ready, and you will receive your child’s results. There are only 7 weeks until the NYS ELA Exam.
The following were sent home in February: Promotion in Doubt letters, Report Cards for the second marking period, and Progress Reports for students with special needs. Please check with your child’s teacher if you did not receive.
Parent Teacher Conferences: These virtual conferences are on MARCH 9TH. On that day, there will be early dismissal at 11:20 am. Please note that there is an error on the calendar for the
conference times. The times are as follows:
Afternoon Session: 12:20 pm to 2:20 pm
Evening Session: 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
State Test Preparation. We have been preparing our students for the NYS ELA and Math exams taking place on April 19th and 20th and May 2nd and 3rd, respectively. This month and until the state exam we will be continuing that support through after school test prep and in school test prep. Teachers in grade 3 to 5 will be hosting test prep seminars for families.
Uniform. Please know that we are a uniform school. A letter was sent home in October asking that students wear their uniform Mondays through Thursday as part of our schoolwide initiative. Uniform is navy blue, light blue, or white top with a navy blue pants or navy blue jumper.
Our reading goal is 65% of K to 5 students are on or above level.
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
Security Desk: Agent Bostic Ext. 1601
Parent Coordinator: Ms. Tomblin
Ext. 1091/Ext 1112 or jtomblin@ps354.org
Grades 3K to 2 Assistant Principal: Mr. Tabbita
Ext. 2123 or Ltabbita@ps354.org
Grades 3 to 5 Assistant Principal: Ms. Davis
Ext. 3180 or Wdavis@ps354.org
School Nurse: Ms. Rochford Ext.1150
PTA Office: Ext 1090
School Counselor: Ms. Coyle Ext. 1140
School Based Support Team Ext. 1300
I.E.P. Coordinator: Ms. Jennings Ext. 2180
Speech Services:
Ms. Sharabi Ext. 3290
Ms. Shikarides Ext. 2220
ENL: Ms. Samuels Ext. 2290
Physical Education Department:
Ms. Aguirre & Mr. Krantz Ext. 1009
Bus Inquiry: Ms. Redd Ext. 3120
FAMILY AWESOME NEWS
This section is for our families. If you have some good news in your family, please feel free to email jtomblin@ps354.org to be included in next month’s issue.
UPCOMING TRIPS
March 1st – Classes 331 and K32
March 2nd – Classes 291, 491, and 591
March 14th – In School Trip (Whole School)
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL POLICY AT A GLANCE
3K students use Entrance 6 around back of building and PreK students use Entrance 5 around back of building. Kindergarten students enter through the Main Entrance and go to the Auditorium. All Grade 1 to 5 students line up at their assigned spots in schoolyard. Grades 1 and 3 use Entrance C, Grades 2 and 4 use Entrance B, and Grade 5 uses back lobby Entrance. In inclement weather, students who arrive early and are NOT eating breakfast can enter the auditorium beginning at 7:45am. All late students enter through the Main Entrance beginning at 8:05 am. November 2, 2022 is Independence Day!
Students in Grades K to 5 are dismissed to the schoolyard at their designated line spots. Kindergarten dismisses at 2:10 pm. 3K and PreK students get dismissed in the small schoolyard at 2:10 pm. Any student that is not picked up by 2:25 pm is brought to the auditorium for Parent Pick Up. 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 1:30 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.
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. The celebration takes place at 2 pm. Information about acceptable items to bring can be found under Birthday Policy on our website, Students who wish to not participate in birthday celebrations each month due to religious reasons will go to another class when the birthday celebrations are taking place in their classrooms.
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.
