— Robert Collier

“Compassion isn’t just about kindness to others; it’s also about kindness to yourself.”

— Krista Tippett

January 12, 2025,

Dear I.S. 254 Families,

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are feeling ready for an exciting week ahead. As we move further into the new year, there are many updates and events to share. We are grateful for your continued support as we work together to create opportunities that help our students thrive.

This Week’s Highlights

6th Grade Broadway Trip
Our 6th graders are heading to Broadway! On Monday, January 15th, students will attend a matinee performance of Oklahoma! This promises to be an enriching experience filled with music, culture, and learning. Thank you for supporting this special event!

MAP-Growth Diagnostic Testing
Students will participate in the MAP-Growth Diagnostic Test on January 16th and 17th. This important assessment helps us better understand each student’s learning needs and progress. Families, please ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast to prepare for their best performance.

Renaissance Youth Center Showcase
On Wednesday, January 17th, the Renaissance Youth Center will present an exciting showcase for our students. Classes will attend 30-minute sessions in the gym or cafeteria starting at 1:00 PM. We look forward to seeing our students inspired by this dynamic event!

Upcoming Changes and Reminders

New Schedule Starting Late January
We will transition to a new schedule starting the last week of January due to unexpected staff vacancies and teacher leaves. This schedule ensures we maintain high-quality teaching and learning while minimizing disruptions.

Marking Period Grades Due
Marking period grades are due on January 24th. These grades are an important reflection of your child’s progress and help guide the transition to Term 2, which begins on Thursday, January 30th.

Celebrating Mr. Gannon

This week, we say farewell to Mr. Gannon, who is retiring after 10 years of dedicated service to I.S. 254. Mr. Gannon has been a cornerstone of our community, known for his passion for helping others and his commitment to making a difference. While we will miss him deeply, we are excited for him as he begins this next chapter, spending more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Congratulations, Mr. Gannon—you will always be a cherished member of the I.S. 254 family!

Looking Ahead

As we navigate this busy time, we remain committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for our students. Thank you for your partnership and dedication to our school community. Together, we’re shaping a bright future for our students, and we couldn’t do it without you.

Let’s make this week a great one!

With gratitude,

Javier Ocampo, Principal

P.S. Look who is coming to I.S. 254. More details to follow :)

Ms. Yira Dominguez would like to shout out:

• To the PTA thanking you for organizing the food pantry and always being there when I need support.
  
• To Mr Mills for helping me organize all the Christmas gifts for our students.
  
• To Ms Rivera, Ms Tobin, Mr Garcia Ms Montanez, Ms Rosario , Ms Trinidad for always being there for me when i need you guys, love ya all!!

• Mr. Facey for your consistent dedication to our students, teachers, and families. Through your efforts, our community is becoming safer and more supported. Your focus on fairness and kindness is evident in the practical changes you've helped implement, which continue to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment.
  
• Ms. Dominguez for the critical work you do in bridging the gap between our school and families. Not only are you ensuring parents have access to their child's educational experience at IS 254, but you are also providing resources and support to address food insecurity and other challenges many families face outside the classroom.
  
• Ms. Rampersad for your tireless advocacy and organizational skills, which ensure that every decision keeps the needs and growth of our students at the center. Your dedication to their success does not go unnoticed.
  
• Mr. Peña and the baseball coaching team for the enthusiasm and planning you bring to the upcoming season. Your leadership sets the stage for a high-energy season where our scholar-athletes can thrive both on and off the field.
  
• Ms. Tobin for the focused and thoughtful leadership you bring to the 6th-grade team. The way you guide the group and approach challenges with purpose and clarity makes a significant difference in the experience of both students and staff.
  
• Ms. Aiken for your dedication as the debate coach and your consistent communication with students. Your commitment is creating opportunities for them to develop critical skills and find their voice.
  
• Ms. Bencosme for initiating insightful discussions about mathematics instruction. Your thoughtful approach and ability to challenge perspectives have provided valuable new ways for myself and others to consider the student learning experience in math.
  

Ms. Rivera. wants to shout out:

• To all the teachers who stepped up and took on additional coverages this week: Your flexibility and unwavering support are truly appreciated.
  
• The 8th grade team: Thank you for holding it down this week and showing what it means to be there for one another.
  
• To Mr. Guzman: Thank you for your proactive approach to enhancing teaching practices and for sharing valuable insights with the math department.
  
• The ENL team: We deeply appreciate your honest feedback and thoughtful input as we explore innovative ways to better support our ELLs.
  
• To Ms. Bridgemohan: Your proactive planning for the 7th grade dance is appreciated.
  
• To Ms. Tobin: Thank you for taking the lead and organizing the upcoming 6th-grade Broadway show trip this Wednesday! We appreciate you!
  
• To Yira and everyone who partnered in supporting our Parent Association: Your efforts in providing resources and guidance are a testament to your dedication to our school community. Thank you for making a difference!

Events:

January

• January 16: Math MAP Growth Diagnostic
• January 17: ELA MAP Growth Diagnostic
• January 20: No School – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• January 21: School Leadership Team Meeting at 3:00 PM in the library
• January 22: 6th Grade CBT Simulation
• January 27: Regular School Day – Students and staff report as normal
• January 29: Lunar New Year – Schools closed

February

• February 17–21: Midwinter Recess – Schools closed
• February 25: School Leadership Team Meeting at 3:00 PM in the library

March

• March 13:
  • Students not in attendance
  • Half-Day In-Person Staff Professional Development: 8:25 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Remote Parent-Teacher Conferences:
    • Afternoon: 12:45 PM - 2:45 PM
    • Evening: 4:45 PM - 7:45 PM

• March 18: School Leadership Team Meeting at 3:00 PM in the library
• March 31: Eid al-Fitr – Schools closed

April

• April 14–18: Spring Recess – Schools closed
• April 22: School Leadership Team Meeting at 3:00 PM in the library

May

• May 8: Evening, In-Person Parent Conference
• May 20: School Leadership Team Meeting at 3:00 PM in the library
• May 26: Memorial Day – Schools closed

June

• June 5: Eid al-Adha / Anniversary Day – Schools closed
• June 6: Staff Clerical Day – No classes for students
• June 10: First administration of the new Regents Examinations in Life Science: Biology, and Earth and Space Sciences
• June 17: School Leadership Team Meeting at 3:00 PM in the library
• June 19: Juneteenth – Schools closed
• June 26: Last day of school for students

Parent Conferences 2024-2025

• March 13, 2025: Afternoon & Evening, Remote Conferences; Morning, In-Person Professional Development
  

• May 8, 2025: Evening, In-Person Parent Conference

We’re excited to share updates about the fantastic work happening in our school this week. With engaging lessons, special events, and plenty of opportunities for growth, there’s so much to look forward to. Thank you for your continued support in making I.S. 254 a thriving community for all students!

MAP Growth Diagnostic Testing

This week, students will take the Middle of Year (MOY) MAP Growth Assessment to measure their academic progress.

• Math Testing: Tuesday, January 16th
• ELA Testing: Wednesday, January 17th
• Testing will take place during Periods 1–3.

These assessments help us better understand your child’s learning and how we can support them. Please ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast to prepare for their best performance.

6th Grade Broadway Trip: The Outsiders

Our 6th graders will attend the Broadway show The Outsiders this week!

• Date: Wednesday, January 15th
• Departure: 12:30 PM from school
• Return: 5:30 PM to school
• Transportation: Bus

This is a wonderful opportunity to experience live theater and connect literature to real life. Reminder: Students must submit signed permission slips to Ms. Tobin or their teachers by Tuesday.

Grade-Level Updates

6th Grade

• ELA: Students are reading Refugee, focusing on coming-of-age themes and the author’s craft.
• Math: Students are learning to evaluate expressions.
• Science: Students are using evidence and reasoning to make recommendations about heating systems.
• Social Studies: Team discussions this week focused on analyzing data from the "Muddiest Point" strategy to improve instruction.
• Field Trip: Students are heading to Broadway on Wednesday!

7th Grade

• ELA: Students are wrapping up The Omnivore’s Dilemma and participating in their final cooking class session.
• Math: Exploring the distributive property and simplifying algebraic expressions.
• Science: Learning about cellular respiration and how the body creates energy.
• Social Studies: Participatory budgeting activities begin this week.

8th Grade: After a restful and relaxing break, the 8th Grade Team hit the ground running with our scholars as students were reminded to ask any of their teachers if they have missing or incomplete assignments. Marking Period 2 ends on January 24, so please ask your child if they are up to date with all assignments in their classes. Next week, 8th grade students will be taking a Mid-Year assessment in ELA and Math to monitor their progress in each subject. Teachers will be able to analyze data for strengths and opportunities for growth. Planning Ahead! The Regents Exams for 8th Graders in Algebra, Biology, and Spanish will take place in the middle of June. Students have an amazing opportunity to earn High School credits in each course. Please support your child in this endeavor and urge them to work hard towards doing their best on each Regents Exam!

• ELA: Students started Unit 2 with Night, building background knowledge about dictatorships and the Holocaust.
• Math: Identifying zeros of a function.
• Science: Studying how natural selection leads to beneficial traits in populations.

ENL Department Highlights

Our English Language Learners (ELLs) are engaging in exciting projects this week:

• 601: Completing their Unit 1 assessment.
• 701: Analyzing features in explanatory texts.
• 801: Finishing their final project for Unit 2, “Healthy Choices,” showcasing creativity across all NYSESLAT modalities.

ENL Strategies to Support Learning at Home:
Parents can try these strategies to help their children build English skills:

• Use pictures and titles to make predictions about books or stories.
• Ask your child what they already know about a topic before starting something new.
• Encourage sentence starters like:
  • “I think ___ will happen because ___.”
  • “Based on the picture, I predict ___.”

Looking Ahead

• January 16: Math MAP Growth Diagnostic
• January 17: ELA MAP Growth Diagnostic
• January 22: 6th Grade CBT Simulation
• January 24: Marking Period 2 grades due & Progress Reports sent home

BPW Weekly Self-Care

and Q&A Sessions

Weekly on Wednesdays

@6:00 - 6:30pm EDT

Zoom Link HERE

Meeting ID: 885 4014 4085 Passcode: 274960

We all hold big and small dreams in our hearts: dreams about what we hope for ourselves, family, friends, and our hopes for the whole world–like the dream Dr. King shared in his famous speech back in 1963. The exercise challenge for this week is about keeping those dreams alive! Let's recall what MLK said during his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech:

"...with patient and firm determination

we will press on until every valley of despair

is exalted to new peaks of hope..."

No matter what your dreams are, here a few small steps you can take those dreams a little closer to becoming a reality:

1. Think about your dreams often (to keep yourself inspired in your day to day life)

2. Write down your dreams, along with some SMART goals (writing your dreams and goals down makes it more likely that you will hold yourself accountable for taking aligned actions towards those goals!)

3. Share your dreams and goals with a trusted friend, family member, or teacher (having someone else's support and encouragement is always helpful!)

To see the I Have a Dream activity sheet, CLICK HERE