PAUL J. PROSCIA- PRINCIPAL

RENEE MAZZA- ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

March 2025

3/27/25 - Readers are Leaders Assembly for 4th Grade Students

3/27/25 - Grade 4 & 5 Scavenger Hunt Night- 6:15-7:30 pm

3/31/25- Eid al-Fitr, schools closed

April 2025

4/1/25- SLT Meeting (2:35 pm)

4/1- 4/4/25- Autism Acceptance Week Activities

4/1/25- Wear a hat to celebrate magnificent minds or tie-dye to represent the beauty of the diverse spectrum of the human mind.

4/2/25- Wear blue or your PS23 Inclusion Matters t-shirt to show your support.

4/3/25- Wear red or hearts to show your love and acceptance of autistic individuals.

4/3/25- Book Fair AM

4/4/25- Dress to represent your passion—whether it’s sports, music, art, science, or anything else that excites you!

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

4/7- 4/11/ 25- Autism Acceptance Week

4/11/25- Autism Acceptance- wear blue

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. (choose to attend in person or via Google Meet)

4/25/25-Autism Acceptance- wear blue

🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅

G.O. Store Schedule- Starting October 8th

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

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!

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! 🌟

🎉 Attention Eagles Families! We need YOUR voice to make our school the best it can be! 🎉

This week, we sent home the NYC School Surveys in paper form. But guess what? You can also fill it out online using the address or QR code provided in the flyer below. Just use your child's OSIS/Student I.D. 📱💻

Why should you fill it out? Because your honest opinion matters! 🗣️❤️

Take a few moments to share your thoughts and help shape the future of our school. Let's work together to create an amazing learning environment for our young leaders and humanitarians! 🌟

Thank you for your time and participation! 🙏

📝 Let's make a difference, one survey at a time! 💪

🦅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!

Dearest Carrot Eater!

Happy Nutrition Month!! This month we’re talking about carrots, the second most popular vegetable in the world (right behind potatoes). Our recipe of the month is Crispy Carrot Fries, and if that sounds boring to you, you have to try these. This recipe was in the very first issue of ChopChop, and we couldn’t begin to count how many times we’ve made it. They’ve become a favorite, even for people who think they don’t like cooked carrots. One reader wrote to us and said: “I told my mom I would give her a million dollars if she let me make these.”

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!

🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕

CRISPY CARROT FRIES

Carrots are usually orange, but there are white, red, purple, and yellow varieties too. You can use any color in this recipe, where the natural sugar in the carrots caramelizes to turn the vegetables dark, sweet, and crisp-edged.

KITCHEN GEAR

• Cutting board

• Sharp knife (adult needed)

• Measuring spoons

• Rimmed baking sheet

• Pot holder

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound carrots, scrubbed but not peeled

• 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS

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

2. Cut off a little bit from both ends of each carrot, then cut them into thirds.

3. Put the carrots on the baking sheet, drizzle with the oil, and sprinkle with the salt. Rub the carrot pieces until they’re lightly coated with oil. Spread them out in a single layer.

4. Once the oven temperature has reached 400 degrees, put the baking sheet in the oven and bake until the carrots are browned and crispy, 35 to 45 minutes. Serve right away.

GET CREATIVE

• Add 1 or 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped, to the raw carrots.

• Add 1 teaspoon paprika, chili powder, or curry powder to the raw carrots.

• Sprinkle the cooked fries with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, cilantro, basil, or mint.

• Drizzle the cooked fries with 1 teaspoon fresh lemon or lime juice.

• Drizzle the cooked fries with 1 tablespoon plain yogurt.

• If your carrots are the skinny kind, roast them whole!

CURIOUS ABOUT CARROTS?

CARROTS BY THE NUMBERS

• On average, each American eats just over 10 pounds of carrots a year.

• The heaviest carrot ever recorded weighed almost 19 pounds!

• There are around 100 varieties of carrots.

• 9 carrots contain about as much calcium as 1 glass of milk.

• It takes about 70 days for a carrot to grow from a seed to a root ready for harvest.

• Carrots are composed of roughly 87% water.

FIVE WAYS TO EAT CARROTS

1. Dip in ranch dressing or hummus.

2. Spread with nut butter and top with raisins.

3. Cut into coins and use them like crackers to make tiny cheese “sandwiches.”

4. Use a peeler to shave into ribbons.

5. Add shredded carrots to your mac and cheese, tacos, or spaghetti sauce.

HUNGERING FOR MORE CARROT RECIPES?

Continue your carrot culinary adventure by making:

• Carrot Salad

• Carrot-Apple Soup

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 Women in History Month and reading about Maya Angelou in "Little People, Big Dreams." Maya teaches us the importance of confidence and believing in ourselves, no matter the challenges we face. Together, we can show confidence by sharing our unique voices, supporting each other's dreams, and spreading kindness in our school and community. Let's make a difference, just like Maya did! 📚💪

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