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Family Pathfinder Week of 12/01/24

Family Pathfinder Week of December 1st

Family Pathfinder Week of 12/01/24 Family Pathfinder Week of December 1st

đŸ„¶đŸƒ Family Pathfinder December 1, 2024 đŸƒđŸ„¶

"The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe."

— Gustave Flaubert

Teaching Expertise


"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving."

— W. T. Purkiser

Creative Healthy Family


December 1, 2024,


Dear I.S. 254 Families,


I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break filled with love, joy, and relaxation. As we return, we step into December with three uninterrupted weeks of instruction leading up to the Winter Recess. These weeks are a critical time for learning and growth, and we’re excited to continue supporting your child’s academic success.


Focus on Literacy and Writing

With just 80 school days until NYSESLAT testing and 86 school days until the ELA State Exam, we’re doubling down on literacy and writing skills across all content areas. Writing is an essential skill that extends beyond ELA classrooms—it’s a tool for effective communication and critical thinking in all subjects.


Here’s how we’re building stronger writers at I.S. 254:

  • Using models to show what strong writing looks like in every subject.
  • Breaking down tasks into manageable steps, from brainstorming to revising.
  • Incorporating graphic organizers, such as Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) in science and problem-solving frameworks in math.
  • Providing regular feedback and encouraging peer review to boost confidence.
  • Connecting writing to real-world applications to show its relevance.


We encourage you to support this focus at home by engaging your child in writing activities, whether it’s journaling, crafting thoughtful emails, or simply reflecting on their day. Every bit of practice helps!


Staying Supportive During the Holiday Season

While this season is joyful for many, we recognize it can be challenging for some. Changes in behavior, mood, or engagement may be signs that your child needs additional support. Our guidance team is always here to help—please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns.


Upcoming Events

  • December 6th: 1st Marking Period Award Ceremony
    Join us in celebrating our students' achievements!

    • 6th Grade: 3rd Period
    • 7th Grade: 2nd Period
    • 8th Grade: 8th Period

  • December 17th: 8th Grade Picture Day
    Make sure our 8th graders are camera-ready for this milestone! Details will be shared this week.

  • December 19th: 6th & 7th Grade Picture Day
    It’s picture day for our 6th and 7th graders. Please remind them to come prepared!

  • December 19th: 8th Grade Winter Dance
    Let’s celebrate the season with our 8th graders as they enjoy an evening of fun and memories. More details coming soon!


Stay Connected

For questions or concerns, reach out anytime:


Thank you for your partnership as we make these weeks meaningful and impactful for your children. Together, we’re setting the stage for a successful new year.



Warm regards,

Javier Ocampo, Principal

Shout outs!

đŸ„° This week's public deposits into the community emotional bank accounts đŸ„°

I want to shout out:

  • To the Main Office Staff: A huge thank you for organizing a wonderful staff potluck! Your efforts created a warm and joyful gathering for our team. And to everyone who contributed delicious and generous dishes—thank you for sharing and making it a true community celebration.

  • To Mr. Sang and Ms. Dominguez: Your leadership in organizing the food giveaway for families exemplifies the care and commitment we strive for at I.S. 254. Thank you for making a meaningful impact in our community.

  • To ACDP: We deeply appreciate your continued support for our students. Your work ensures they have the resources and guidance needed to thrive.

  • To Mr. Brezina and Mr. Garcia: A heartfelt shoutout for the tireless effort you put into getting all the grades uploaded into STARS. I know it wasn’t easy, but your dedication is truly valued and appreciated.

  • To Ms. Rivera: Thank you for your hard work and constant support behind the scenes. Your contributions make a significant difference to our school community.

Ms. Rivera wants to shout out:

  • To our main office team: Thank you for organizing and putting together our annual Thanksgiving potluck. Your hard work and coordination made it a wonderful event for everyone to enjoy!
  • To every staff member who contributed to the potluck: Your generosity and delicious dishes truly made this gathering special. Thank you for helping us create such a warm and memorable celebration.
  • To our amazing school aides: Your active supervision and dedication this week have not gone unnoticed. We deeply appreciate the hard work you put in every single day to support our students and staff.
  • To Mr. Sang and Ms. Yira: Thank you for spearheading the food distribution efforts for our families this week. Your commitment to our community makes such a meaningful impact.
  • To all our teacher leaders: Your proactive leadership during last Monday’s content team meetings was instrumental in making our professional learning a success. Thank you for your unwavering support and collaboration.

Mr. Brezina wants to shout out:

  • Ms. Maldonado, Ms. Feliciano, Ms. Green, and Mr. Hunter for your exceptional work on the Social Studies team. Thank you for focusing on student leadership and engagement, launching Civics for All, and involving all students in the school budgeting process. Your dedication to creating meaningful and inspiring experiences is commendable.

  • Ms. Aiken, your unwavering commitment to our ENL students and your hard work in building the ENL debate program are deeply appreciated. Your tireless efforts to enrich student experiences are remarkable.

  • Ms. Caraballo, your positivity, problem-solving approach, and leadership by example are invaluable. The critical language acquisition work you do daily with our students is truly transformative.

  • Ms. Castro, Ms. Liriano, Dr. Rodriguez, Mr. Sang, Ms. Vilaseca, and Mr. Facey, thank you for your outstanding leadership as the Guidance and Culture Team. Your care and support for our students and families enable continuous improvement at I.S. 254 and help create a foundation for teachers to feel supported to deliver high-quality instruction.

  • Ms. Bencosme, Mr. Tremont, and Mr. Gartner, your work in fostering a serious and purposeful academic environment in 6th-grade math classes is exemplary. Your high expectations and dedication to student success shine through every time I visit your classroom.

Ms. Tobin wants to shout out:

  • Ms. Rivera, Ms. Rosario, Ms. Yira, Mr. Garcia, and Mr. Ocampo – Thank you for stepping in and supporting me last week. I truly appreciate your help!
  • Mr. Brezina and Mr. Ocampo – Thank you for taking the time to dive into student work with me and engaging in thoughtful discussions about rubrics and how we can best support our teachers moving forward.
  • Mr. Valentino, Ms. Bridgemohan, and Ms. Maldonado – I appreciate your collaboration in mapping out our next steps as an Instructional Leadership Team. Thank you for always willing to engage in honest conversations.
  • Ms. Yira and everyone who pitched in for the dental visit – Thank you for making sure everything ran smoothly and that our students were well taken care of.
  • Ms. Rosario and Ms. Montanez – Thank you for turning the conference room into a beautiful, festive, potluck spread for our staff to enjoy. You made it such a welcoming space ❀
  • Ms. Bridgemohan – Thank you for representing 254 at the monthly District 10 Instructional Leadership Liaison meeting. Your leadership is invaluable!
  • Mr. Facey - thank you for everything that you do to support our students and staff, ensuring a positive and safe school environment. You are greatly appreciated!!

Put First Things First - announcements!

Events:

  • December 6th: 1st Marking Period Award ceremony.
    • 6th Grade: 3rd Period
    • 7th Grade: 2nd Period
    • 8th Grade: 8th Period
  • December 17th: 8th Grade Picture day
    • December 19th: 6th & 7th Grade Picture Day
      • December 19th: 8th Grade winter dance
      • 🚹📅 December 23–January 1: Winter Recess, schools closed
      • March 13, 2025:
        • 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)
      • May 8, 2025: Evening, In-Person Parent Conference


        Parent Conferences 2024-2025

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

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

        News and Reminders

        This Week's Updates

        Visitor Reminder

        We kindly remind all families that anyone entering the school must show a valid photo ID. This rule helps us ensure a safe and secure environment for our students and staff. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our school community safe!


        Important News Regarding ACDP Afterschool Program

        ACDP Holiday Celebration:

        • Date: Monday, December 18
        • Dismissal Time: 4:30 PM

        No ACDP Program:

        • Dates: December 19 and December 20
        • Dismissal Time for All Students: 2:45 PM


        Attendance Matters

        Thank you to all of our families for making school attendance a priority! Your support is essential to your child’s success.

        Here’s what’s happening this week with attendance:

        • Attendance Reports: These will be mailed out to families this week. Please take a moment to review your child’s attendance and reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
        • Chat and Chew with the Crew (Hosted by Ms. Trinidad):
          • This is an exciting lunch event for students with the most improved attendance and those maintaining 93% or higher!
          • Location: School Library during lunch periods.
          • Goal: Celebrate and encourage consistent attendance.


        Travel Plans Reminder:
        We know the holiday season can be busy! Please remember:

        • The last day of school before Winter Recess is Wednesday, December 20th.
        • Students return to school on Tuesday, January 2nd.
          Ensuring your child is in school every day is important for their academic progress and success.


        Department Team News

        8th Grade:
        Here’s what’s happening with our 8th graders:

        • Marking Period Awards Ceremony:
          • Date: Friday, December 6
          • Time: During 8th period
          • Students will receive awards for academic excellence and outstanding character. Families are encouraged to celebrate these accomplishments at home!
        • 8th Grade Incentive Dance:
          • Date: Thursday, December 19
          • Location: I.S. 254 Gymnasium
          • Details: Students who have demonstrated academic progress and appropriate behavior will be invited to this fun event. Pizza, beverages, and music from our school DJ will make it a memorable evening!
          • Suggestions to make this family-friendly: Consider sharing how families can support students in meeting behavior and academic expectations for eligibility. Include ways for families to discuss progress at home, and provide tips to prepare students for the dance, such as attire or permission slips.


        Social Studies Highlights

        What’s Happening in Social Studies This Week?

        • 6th Grade (Ms. Feliciano):
          Students will start learning about the First Humans, the Neolithic Revolution, and Early River Valley Civilizations.
        • 7th Grade (Ms. Maldonado):
          Students begin exploring European Exploration of the Americas.
        • 8th Grade:
          • Mr. Hunter: Focus on Progressive Era, Technology, and Growing Cities.
          • Ms. Green: Exploring The Reconstruction Era, including topics like the South’s new identity and economic challenges.

        Useful Information

        • Mission: We Teach. We Learn. We Love.

          Vision: Educating and Empowering individual thinkers to make an impact in the world.

          Instructional Focus: Creating an inclusive environment that empowers every student, offering a culturally responsive curriculum supported by data-driven strategies to address their unique learning needs and enhance literacy achievement.

          Literacy Problem of Practice: Standard of focus is Theme/Central Idea (R2)

        I.S. 254 Birthdays

        🎉🎂Staff Birthdays🎂🎉

        MS. BELTRE (12/1)

        BRAINPOWER

        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

        Digital Backpack

        Principal Javier Ocampo
        Principal Ocampo is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters