PAUL J. PROSCIA- PRINCIPAL

RENEE MAZZA- ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

April 2025

4/5/25 - PTA hosted Father Daughter Event at the Hilton

4/11/25- Autism Acceptance- wear blue or your PS 23 Inclusion Matters t-shirt

4/14/25 - 4/18/25- NO SCHOOL- Spring Break

4/22/25- NYS ELA Assessment for grades 3, 4 & 5

4/23/25- NYS ELA Assessment for grades 3, 4 & 5

4/24/25- Hybrid General PTA Meeting 8:30 a.m. - Click here to sign up with your email address

4/25/25-Autism Acceptance- wear blue

May 2025

5/1 - In-person Evening Student-led Celebrations with Parents & Art Show 4:30pm- 6:45 pm

5/6 - Math State Test (3rd, 4th & 5th Grade) Make up

5/7- Math State Test (3rd, 4th & 5th Grade)

5/7 - 6 pm Kindergarten Orientation

5/9 - AM Plant Sale

5/15 - 6 pm Talent Show

5/22 -Evening PTA Meeting & 25-26 Elections

5/23 - Wear superhero shirt for Memorial Day

5/26 - No School in observance of Memorial Day

5/27 - PreK - 2nd Grade Field Day

5/28 - 3rd -5th Field Day

5/29- School Carnival

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G.O. Store Schedule

• Tuesdays- Grades K-1
• Wednesdays- Grades 2 & 3
• Thursdays- Grade 4 & 5

Please note the G.O. Store is closed for the week on March 31-April 4

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Snack Day Sign Up - Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up to sell snacks during our lunch periods. Thank you!

Sign-up- Help Make Our Events Memorable & Successful

We have several exciting events planned for the school year and need your help to make them a success. Our PTA is committed to creating memorable experiences for all our students, and we’re looking for volunteers for the events listed below. You can sign up here for any event that fits your schedule. Your support helps ensure everything runs smoothly and that everyone enjoys the events with their children. Please review the available time slots and click the button to sign up. Thank you!

Good Morning Eagle Staff & Families,

We need your help! If you haven't submitted your school survey yet, please do so as soon as possible. Our current response rate is too low for a school known for its amazing culture. Below are our preliminary response rates as of Friday, March 21 at 5 PM:

• 60 percent teacher response rate (29 teacher surveys received)
• 25 percent parent/guardian response rate (150 parent/guardian surveys received)

How to Submit Your Survey:

1. Online Submission:

   • Visit the NYC DOE survey website: NYC DOE Survey
   • Enter your unique survey access code provided by the school.
   • Complete the survey and submit.

2. Paper Submission:

   • Fill out the paper survey sent home with your child.
   • Return the completed survey to your child's teacher or the main office.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Parent Coordinator, Sharon Fink, at sfink7@schools.nyc.gov or (718)351-1155. The deadline has been extended to Friday, April 11th.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey today. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve our school and maintain our wonderful community. Thank you for your support!

Our monthly PTA meeting will be held on April 24, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. This meeting will be conducted both in person and virtually (Hybrid). If you would like to participate in this meeting virtually, use the link below or QR code, which will take you to a Google Form. Please provide the information requested and submit the completed form.

Prior to the meeting date, a calendar invite including the meeting link will be sent to the email address provided in the form. At the time of the meeting, please click on the link provided to join virtually.

For those who prefer to attend in person, please meet in the student cafeteria at the above date and time. We look forward to seeing you there either virtually or in-person.

Click here to sign up with your email address

To translate the Google Form, use your browser settings to translate into you preferred language.

On a Computer:

1. Open Google Chrome and navigate to the Google Form you want to translate.
2. Right-click anywhere on the form.
3. Select "Translate to [Your Language]" from the context menu.
4. A toolbar will appear at the top of the page. Select your desired language from the dropdown menu.

On a Phone:

1. Open Google Chrome and navigate to the Google Form.
2. Tap and hold anywhere on the form until a menu appears.
3. Tap "Translate" and select your desired language.

When: 4/15/25 & 4/16/25 Location: 28-11 Queens Plaza North Long Island City Pizza lunch will be provided, and identification must be shown to enter building

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

NYCPS Specialized Programs: (9:00am-2:00pm Lunch from 12:00pm-1:00pm)

• Autism Programs (NEST, Horizon & AIMS)- The Nest, Horizon, and AIMS are three NYC Public School programs supporting autistic learners. They are available Districts 1-32 and 75 schools
• Bilingual Special Education- Specialized program for students who require an Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) or Special Class (SC) with a language of instruction other than English.
• Academic, Career and Essential Skills Programs (ACES)- Provides students with an intellectual disability an opportunity to learn academic, work, and independent living skills in a community school across Districts 1-32.
• Path Program- Special education program in District 1-32 schools that serves some students who have experienced trauma who benefit from intensive social, emotional, and behavioral support.
• Intensive Reading Education Development Literacy Program (IREAD)- Reduced class-size, Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) class designed to support students who are showing early signs of reading struggles and may be at risk for dyslexia and other print-based reading disabilities.

When: 4/15/25 & 4/16/25; Location: 28-11 Queens Plaza North Long Island City Pizza lunch will be provided, and identification must be shown to enter building

• Tuesday, April 15, 2025- Technology Applications that Support Learning (9:00am-10:30am)- Hands-on family workshop to learn more about student learning applications. Please bring your remote device if given one by your NYC Public School.
• Everyday Home Activities to Support Student Success (11:00am- 12:00pm)- Learn about everyday activities you can implement at home or in the community, recommended by occupational therapists that promotes student success.
• MOVE! to Improve Academic Success (1:00pm-2:00pm)- Learn about the connection between movement and engagement in learning. Receive practical tips and strategies from physical therapists that promote sustained attention and academic success.

Advance registration is required. Families are not obligated to stay the full day, and can participate in as many workshops as they would like. Register Here

Dear Eagle Families,

I am delighted to share some wonderful news with you! At Leadership Day, I proudly announced to our community that our school has earned Lighthouse recertification status. 🎉

I want to personally congratulate you for your incredible support and involvement in helping us integrate the LIM principles and practices into your child's life.

This achievement is a testament to our school's environment of leadership, culture, and academics. We appreciate your teamwork, unwavering commitment to our shared mission and vision, and the collaborative spirit that binds us together. 🎉 Congratulations to you and your child on a job well done! You are truly valued and appreciated. 🎉

With Gratitude,
Paul J. Proscia
Proud Principal of PS 23!

Date: 3/14/2025

Dear Eagle Community,

We are excited to announce that all K-5 students will be using iReady to enhance their reading comprehension skills. iReady is a computer-adaptive program that adjusts to each student's level while appropriately challenging them. It provides personalized reading practice and engaging digital tools to help students improve. For students in grades 3-5, this is especially beneficial as they prepare for the NYS ELA exam next month. iReady will help sharpen their reading skills as we sprint towards the test.

This week, grades 3-5 are working on taking a diagnostic and completing one 45-minute period of practice. Grades K-2 are working on getting students and families their logins, and next week they will be completing their diagnostic. We appreciate your support in finding time, in addition to the carved-out time during the school day, to ensure every child works on iReady for a minimum of 45 minutes a week.

Thank you for your support!
Mr. Proscia & Ms. Mazza

Get ready for an exciting April as we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month! This year, we're ramping up our activism to promote and model April's virtue: Acceptance. Our April book of the month is "A Girl Who Thought In Pictures, The Story of Temple Grandin".

Temple Grandin is a well respected scientist and advocate who has significantly advanced the understanding and acceptance of autism. As an individual with autism, she has used her unique perspective to promote neurodiversity and highlight the strengths of people with autism. Through her public speaking, writing, and innovative work in animal science, she has become a powerful voice for inclusion and acceptance.

From April 1-4, we'll be hosting ♾️ Autism Acceptance Week ♾️. Join us as we celebrate neurodiversity, promote inclusion, and spread kindness through a series of fun themed days and challenges designed to make a difference in the lives of others. Please order your PS23 Inclusion Matters t-shirt by clicking on the blue text. In the notes section, please indicate your - child's name and classroom number or teacher(s). If you have multiple children, just use your oldest child's information.

Additionally, every Friday for the rest of the month, we will be wearing blue or PS 23 inclusion shirts to honor and promote acceptance of our neurodiverse students and families.

Here’s what we have planned:

• April 1, 2025 - MAGNIFICENT MINDS TUESDAY

Kick off the week by celebrating the beauty of our neurological differences! No two people are the same, and that’s what makes the world amazing. Our minds work in unique and wonderful ways!
🎩 Wear a hat to celebrate magnificent minds or tie-dye to represent the beauty of the diverse spectrum of the human mind.
💬 Today's Challenge: Give someone a compliment!

• April 2,2025- WORLD AUTISM ACCEPTANCE DAY WEDNESDAY

Many children on the autism spectrum experience feelings of isolation. It’s important to understand that while someone with autism may communicate or behave differently, they have the same feelings as you. A simple hello can brighten someone’s day!

💙 Wear blue or your PS23 Inclusion Matters t-shirt to show your support.

🤝 Today's Challenges:

• Go out of your way to include someone.
• Just say hi to someone who is alone.

• April 3,2025- THANKFUL THURSDAY

Love and acceptance make the world a better place! Let’s show appreciation and spread kindness.
❤️ Wear red or hearts to show your love and acceptance of autistic individuals.
😊 Today's Challenge: Talk to someone new or do something nice for someone.

• April 4, 2025 - WHAT’S YOUR PASSION FRIDAY

Many autistic individuals have an incredible focus on their interests and hobbies. What are you passionate about? Let’s celebrate what makes each of us unique!
🎭⚽🎨 Dress to represent your passion—whether it’s sports, music, art, science, or anything else that excites you!
🗣 Today's Challenge: Start a conversation with someone about their passion.

• April 11, 2025- Wear blue or your PS23 Inclusion Matters t-shirt

• April 25, 2025- Wear blue or your PS23 Inclusion Matters t-shirt

  
  

🌟 Together, we can create a more inclusive and understanding community! 🌟

🦅Exciting News from Our School!

We are thrilled to announce our participation in the NYC DOE's Nutrition Collaborative Initiative! This fantastic program aims to provide comprehensive food education, highlighting its critical role in developing healthier students, families, and communities. By fostering healthy eating habits and wellness early on, our students can achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, consume essential nutrients, and reduce the risk of health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. A nutritious diet is also linked to improved cognitive function, reduced absenteeism, better mood, and enhanced academic performance.

Our commitment to promoting healthy eating and wellness is unwavering. We strive to ensure that our students have access to and consume healthy food in schools that meet their needs. Additionally, we are dedicated to providing resources that build our community's knowledge of healthy habits and wellness.

In our efforts to educate our families, we will be sending home the Spring/Summer edition of the food education magazine, ChopChop Family. They also have an engaging podcast you can check out at ChopChop Family Podcast.

Our student leadership team recently had the pleasure of meeting with Ms. Laurie, our School Foods Manager. They listened, learned, and presented several suggestions to improve the food options in our school. Thanks to their advocacy, we have now opened a salad bar for all our students! The grand opening was yesterday (Monday, March 4th), and the line to the salad bar was around the corner. The new, improved healthy options were a hit with our students, and even several staff members were seen enjoying salads.

It's truly inspiring to see our young leaders using their voices for such positive and worthy causes! Kudos to Ms. Carlo, Ms. Tortorella, Ms. Valletta, and Ms. Madaio for helping our student leaders build their confidence and apply Habit 8: Finding Your Voice and Inspiring Others. Together, we are making our school a more conducive environment for wellness and healthy eating.

Let's continue to support our students and staff in their journey towards better health and wellness!

Birthday Party Dilemmas by Nidhi Kejriwal

Birthday parties are a time for celebration, fun, and of course delicious food! But if you’ve ever seen a room full of sugar-fueled kids, you know that too many sweets can quickly turn the fun into a wild frenzy. The good news? You can host a party that’s just as exciting and tasty while keeping the sugar levels in check.

Cake and candy are birthday party staples. Instead of store-bought items, you can opt for foods that contain natural sweeteners and fewer preservatives. A homemade cake sweetened with bananas, honey, or applesauce is a great, healthier alternative. Mini carrot or zucchini muffins are a great way to pack in vegetables while also keeping portions perfectly bite-sized. For summer birthday parties, frozen yogurt ice pops made of Greek yogurt blended with fruit serve as a great way to keep kids cool.

Choosing the right drinks is just as important for keeping kids refreshed! Jazz up plain water with slices of citrus, berries, cucumber, or mint for a splash of fun and flavor. Homemade smoothies and fresh juices are also great picks—just be sure to dilute juice with water or a little fizz from carbonated water to keep the sugar in check while still serving up a tasty treat!

Fruit skewers with strawberries, pineapple chunks, and kiwi slices add a festive touch, while apple nachos—apple slices drizzled with nut butter and sprinkled with granola—are a sweet yet wholesome treat. Whole-grain crackers with a variety of cheeses offer a protein boost to keep your guests fueled.

For the main course, turn mealtime into an activity! Let kids build their own wraps with whole-wheat tortillas, cheese, and veggies or create mini pizzas using whole-wheat pita, tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella, and colorful vegetable toppings. Not only are these meals nutritious, but they also keep kids engaged in the fun.

And if your child is heading to a party where the menu is a mystery, a small meal beforehand can help curb hunger and prevent sugar overload.

Nutrition isn’t the only way to manage sugar highs—keeping kids engaged in physical activities will help them burn off energy in a fun way. Treasure hunts,obstacle courses, and dance parties are great party activities.

Happy (and healthy) celebrating!

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Have you listened to our podcast yet? The ChopChop Family Podcast brings you more of the family-friendly, kid-focused cooking and kitchen info you love in our magazines, newsletters, and books! This month’s episode focuses on school lunches, and features Mara Fleishman, the CEO of the Chef Ann Foundation, whose work is all about improving the quality and freshness of the food served in America’s schools. We’re also talking to Naomi Ward, a third grader from Watertown, MA, who started a food rescue project at her school after realizing how much food was being thrown away. Enjoy!

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Strawberry Galette

A galette is a free-form cake or pie and it’s one of our very favorite desserts. It looks like it took all day to make even though it is much easier than a classic fruit pie, and while it’s a little more involved than our usual recipes, it’s well worth the effort. This one uses strawberries, but you could swap in sliced pears, peaches, plums, or apricots if you prefer.

KITCHEN GEAR

Cutting board

Sharp knife (adult needed)

Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Large bowl

Plastic wrap

Medium bowl

Large spoon

Parchment paper

Rolling pin

Rimmed baking sheet

Potholders

INGREDIENTS

1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour

1⁄2 cup, plus 2½ tablespoons whole-wheat flour, divided

1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1-4 tablespoons Ice water

3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 tablespoon maple syrup

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make the dough: Put the all-purpose flour, ½ cup whole-wheat flour, the salt, and butter in the large bowl and massage them together with your clean fingers until the mixture looks like little round lumps. Be patient and gentle; it will take a little while to get the hang of it.

2. Add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and massage again after each addition. Once the mixture forms a dough, shape it into a ball. Flatten the ball into a large disk, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 2 weeks.

3. Turn the oven on and set the heat to 400 degrees.

4. Make the filling: Put the strawberries and maple syrup in the medium bowl and mix well. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon whole-wheat flour and mix again.

5. Assemble the tart: Take the dough disk out of the refrigerator and put it on a large sheet of parchment paper. Using the rolling pin, roll the dough into a 15-inch circle (it doesn’t have to be exact). If the dough sticks to the rolling pin, sprinkle both with a little extra flour.

6. Carefully lift the parchment and dough and place it on the baking sheet.

7. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour in the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border all around the edges.

8. Spread the strawberry mixture in the center of the dough, all the way out to the 2-inch border, arranging the slices so they overlap some.

9. Fold up the dough border to partially cover the strawberries and pinch and seal the corners where possible.

10. Put the baking sheet in the oven and bake until the crust is lightly browned and the fruit is bubbling, 35 to 50 minutes. Set aside to cool a bit, then serve warm or at room temperature.

Join our FREE adult English language instruction classes here at P.S.23! These classes are open to all P.S.23 parents and guardians as well as their family members. Participants in this program must be 18 years or older to attend.

Classes are scheduled to meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, in our Student Cafeteria.

The first class will be on February 25th.

Please bring identification with you.

Click Here to view translated versions of the letter in your home language & sign-up .

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is looking forward to partnering with the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) once again for Summer Rising 2025. Summer Rising connects elementary and middle school students to fun, hands-on experiences that strengthen their academic, social, and emotional skills. Summer Rising is free, and open to any NYC student currently in kindergarten through grade 8.

Grades K–5: The program will run from July 2 to August 15, 2025, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Grades 6–8: The program will run from July 2 to August 8, 2025, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Students will be provided with free breakfast and lunch. Programming will include academics led by NYCPS staff and enrichment activities held by DYCD Community Based Organizations (CBOs).

Summer Rising MySchools Application

The application will open on March 4, and close March 28, 2025. As in 2024, families can apply for Summer Rising online using MySchools, our online directory and application system.

To apply, log in to MySchools.nyc (if you already have a MySchools account you do not need to create a new one). Your MySchools account, used for admissions, is different from the NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) that you may use to access your child’s health forms and update emergency contact information.

If you have applied to Summer Rising, 3-K/Pre-K programs, or NYCPS schools using MySchools before, your child may already be added to your account. If you do not have a MySchools account, you can create one at MySchools.nyc using your email address, your child’s 9-digit student ID number and a MySchools account creation code, which you can get by contacting your child's school.

Families can list as many programs as they would like on their application; we recommend that you list as many programs as possible to increase the likelihood of being placed in a program of your choice.

This process is not first-come, first-served; all applications received by the deadline will be treated the same. Families may make changes to their application at any point within the application period.

If you have any questions or need support with the application, please visit our website at schools.nyc.gov/SummerRising, contact your school, or email summer@schools.nyc.gov.

As you are fully aware, good attendance is essential to ensuring your child learns to their fullest potential. According to Chancellor's Regulation A-210, students whose attendance rate is less than 90% are considered chronically absent. Students with 8-11 days absent will be receiving a Chronic Absenteeism letter. If your child has been absent between 8-11 days, they are potentially chronically absent. If their attendance patterns continue in the same manner until the end of the school year, they will be classified as chronically absent according to DOE standards set forth in Chancellor's Regulation A-210.

We understand that children get ill, and if they are sick with the flu, COVID, or any respiratory illnesses, please do not send them to school. It is important to prioritize their health and the health of others. When your child is absent due to illness, please provide a doctor's note and keep the lines of communication open with your child's teacher, our parent coordinator, and the attendance office.

However, we are obligated by Chancellor's Regulation to address absenteeism and encourage families to limit unnecessary absences, such as family vacations during the school year. Regular attendance is crucial for your child's academic success and helps them develop a routine and sense of responsibility.

Dear Eagle Community,

During the days of March 3 - March 31, our school will continue to conduct emergency drills to prepare students for potential emergency situations. These drills will focus on the General Response Protocols (GRP) for a Soft Lockdown and an Evacuation. Please use the GRP Summary Guide to discuss these upcoming drills with your child in advance.

Please feel free to contact Parent Coordinator Sharon Fink at (719)351-1155 if you have any questions.

Click here or on the picture to the right to learn more our school's focus areas for the 2024-2025 school year.

🫶 This month, we're celebrating Autism Acceptance Month and reading about Dr. Temple Grandin in "A Girl Who Thought In Pictures." The book shows how important it is to understand and accept people with autism. Temple's family and teachers learn to see things from her point of view and help her in ways that matter to her. Because they accepted and understood her, Dr. Grandin was able to:

1. She designed special systems to help animals feel less scared and more comfortable.

2. She talks and writes books to help everyone understand and accept people with autism.

3. As a teacher, she helps students learn about animals and how to take care of them.

4. She gives speeches and writes books about her life with autism to help others.

When we are kind and understand others, it lifts others' spirits. It also helps us by building strong relationships. Let's all be like Temple and her family by showing support, understanding, and acceptance to everyone around us. 🫶

Here’s a quick refresher on the 7 Habits of Happy Kids (they have since added an 8th Habit):

1. Be Proactive: "You're in charge" – Pause and respond based on values, focus on what you can influence.
2. Begin With the End in Mind: "Have a Plan" – Define outcomes before acting, develop a personal mission statement.
3. Put First Things First: "Work First, Then Play" – Prioritize schoolwork and relationships, block out distractions.
4. Think Win-Win: "Everyone Can Win" – Build relationships, balance courage with consideration, and aim for mutual benefit.
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood: "Listen Before You Talk" – Value others' input, listen with empathy, and express yourself respectfully.
6. Synergize: "Together is Better" – Value differences and seek solutions that benefit everyone.
7. Sharpen the Saw: "Balance Feels Best" – Take care of your body, mind, and spirit to stay at your best.
8. Find Your Voice: "Inspire Others" – Use your gifts to encourage others to discover their own potential and contribute positively to the world.

Thank you to the Eagle Families who joined our Town Hall Safety Meeting on 10/17. The Brain Power presentation on stress management and self-regulation, along with Agnes McBeth’s talk on cyber safety, were both informative and relevant to our work at PS 23. Please take a moment to review the cyber safety resources and feel free to print a copy for yourself using this link.

Every New York City public school student has a DOE account. It is created automatically when you enroll in school. Your DOE account stays the same the entire time you are in school, and with it you can access all DOE technology platforms, like TeachHub & Google for Education.

Due to the volume of students and staff getting settled in for the new school year, there may be a delay in the system responding to password resets. To reset your child's password click here .

1. NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) - all parents need to sign up for this account

2. School Foods Forms

3. School Lunch

4. NYCDOE SupportHub

   
   

#wearetherichmondtowneagles

Email: sfink7@schools.nyc.gov
Website: https://www.ps23r.org/
Location: 30 Natick Street, Staten Island, NY, USA
Phone: (718)351-1155
Twitter: @23Richmondtown