October Family Newsletter
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MESSAGE FROM DR. REMY
HAPPY OCTOBER 2024!!!
Fall is Here! Just as a new season brings changes in weather and scenery, so does a new school year. September was filled with many new experiences and engaging in our commitment ceremonies. Thank you for all of your support thus far!
Thank you to all of the families that attended our Back to School Meetings, including on September 12th. We had a great turnout at all three sessions! Thank you to all of the families that came out to our Commitment Ceremonies. Also a huge thank you to the PTA, who helped with opening days of school. Last, but not least, we would like to thank our fathers who participated in our Dads Bring our Child to School Day on September 19th!
Students have been taking diagnostic assessments, including iReady, this past month to better help teachers provide the proper instruction This month, we are continuing these diagnostic assessments through the week of October 7th.
Events to Look Out For
This month, we are starting the following programs in the school:
- Think Pink Fridays: We wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month every Friday. On October 25th, we will do a Breast Cancer Walk sponsored by SQPA.
- Student Clubs: We will be starting various clubs for students: Gardening Club, Hair Club, Art Club, Sports Club, and Dance Club. Interest Forms will go out on October 1st.
- STEAM Afterschool Program: This afterschool in partnership with Greater Allen Youth promotes STEM exploration for students in Grades K to 5. Applications for this program ends on October 2nd.
- Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration: From September 15th through October 15th, we celebrate Hispanic cultures. We will be holding a special celebration on October 17th.
- Student Government Elections: We will be holding student government elections and inauguration this month. Get ready to VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!
- Spelling Bee: We are bringing the Spelling Bee BACK!!! Vocabulary is important to know and have, and so students in Grade 3-5 will have spelling bees in their individual classrooms as part of the preliminary round. The top five students from each class will participate in a grade-wide spelling bee to determine the top three of the grade. Those students will then go on to the Semi-finals. The top 9 students will advance to the Finals. The top three Grade 5 students will move on to the Districtwide Spelling Bee. The top three students from Grade 3 and 4 combined will automatically advance to next year’s in-school Finals. The families of those students will be invited to watch their students compete. Both the semi-finals and the finals will be held in the auditorium. More information about the dates will follow soon.
- Word Parade: Get your costumes ready! Costumes must represent a word. Costumes must adhere to this guideline in order for students to dress up. In the afternoon, families will have the opportunity to engage in Fall Activities with their children.
Arrival and Dismissal
All K to 5 students enter from the schoolyard each morning. Grade K students line up in the gym. Please see our Arrival and Dismissal Policy in the Family Handbook. Any student that arrive after 8:10 am are considered late AND must sign in using the main entrance.
All students are dismissed to the schoolyard. Late students are brought into the gym at 2:25 pm and the back lobby doors are closed after that. After 2:25 pm, all families must go through the main entrance and sign the late sheets.
Thank you for your collaboration, and as always, stay safe!
HELPFUL CONTACTS
Phone: 718-276-1348/Fax: 718-276-2498
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. 1112 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. Alexander 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. 2030
Ms. Shamash Ext. 2030
ENL: Ms. Samuels Ext. 3000
Physical Education Department:
Mr. Degioia & Mr. Krantz Ext. 1009
Bus Inquiry: Ms. Redd Ext. 1100
UPCOMING TRIPS
SCHOOL TRIPS
OCTOBER 17TH - GRADE 5 STUDENTS
BIRTHDAY POLICY AT A GLANCE
Celebrating your child's birthday is a momentous occasions. To celebrate your child’s birthday, parents are to reach out to their child's teacher 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.
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 | Gymnasium | 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. During the first two days, During the first two days of school (SEPTEMBER 5TH AND SEPTEMBER 6TH, Kindergarten students will arrive and be dismissed in the Gymnasium.
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 Mondays through Thursdays. There is Freestyle Fridays, where students wear their own clothes. Hoodies/sweaters are not allowed unless they are school issued, solid black, solid navy, or solid grey.
