Family Pathfinder Week of 11/11/24

“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” – Native American Proverb

“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou

November 11, 2024,

Good afternoon, I.S. 254 Pathfinder families,

I hope you all had a restful and rejuvenating three-day weekend. As we begin this week, let’s take a moment to honor the significance of today—Veterans Day. We are grateful for the service and sacrifice of all who have served in our armed forces. Their commitment reminds us of the values of service and leadership, qualities we strive to foster in our students every day.

Last week, I had the privilege of attending a four-day professional development session focused on coaching, and it was truly one of the most impactful experiences I’ve had. This training reinforced my belief in creating a learning environment where coaching goes beyond evaluation. It’s about providing meaningful support, addressing challenges, exploring opportunities, and growing together.

I’m excited to bring this approach to I.S. 254. I’ll begin by working closely with our assistant principals to master the coaching process. From there, we’ll collaborate with teacher leaders and eventually offer this opportunity to all staff who are interested. This initiative will be separate from formal evaluations, focusing solely on professional growth and development to enhance our teaching and learning practices.

On another note, last week’s election brought a range of emotions and, as expected, underscored the divisions in our country. No matter the outcome, our mission remains steadfast. What truly matters is the work we do here in our classrooms—fostering growth, learning, and connection every single day.

As we move forward, let’s be mindful of any limiting beliefs or biases that could unintentionally hold our students back. Each student is unique, capable, and full of potential. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” By embracing a growth mindset and challenging our assumptions, we can create an environment where every student feels empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Let’s continue to be curious, reflective, and intentional in our work. Together, we are building an inclusive and supportive school community where every child can thrive.

Reminder: This Thursday, November 14th, students will not be in attendance as we engage in a half-day professional development session. Please reach out to our Parent Coordinator, Ms. Yira Dominguez if you have any concerns regarding this non-attendance day for your child.

Thank you for your continued partnership and all that you do to support our students. Here’s to another fantastic week of teaching, learning, and growing at I.S. 254!

Warm regards,

Javier Ocampo, Principal

• Shoutout to Ms. Trinidad for her outstanding work with attendance! We’re now in the top five in the district for middle school attendance, which is no small feat. This achievement is a reflection of the dedication she’s put into this area and the positive momentum we're seeing. A huge thank you as well to all our teachers—students and families vote with their feet, and the fact that they are coming to school consistently is a testament to the work and magic happening in your classrooms. The students don’t want to miss out on the learning, and that’s because of you!
  
• Big congratulations to Mr. Facey and his team of helpers for all the effort they’ve put into making the volleyball team a success! Your hard work is truly paying off.
  
• A special thank you to Mr. Brezina and Ms. Rivera for holding down the fort while I was out at professional development. I appreciate you both stepping up and ensuring everything ran smoothly.
  
• Ms. Kanhai, thank you for your tireless dedication and diligence in managing all the testing and assessments we’ve done over the past few weeks. Your attention to detail has been crucial in making this a smooth process.
  
• Ms. Tobin and team, thank you for your incredible work in keeping our ENL needs met, both in terms of compliance and in the classroom. Your effort ensures that our students receive the support they need to thrive.
  
• A huge thank you to the I.S. 254 community for leaning into discomfort, setting aside ego, and embracing the LDC modules and tasks. Your openness to growth and improvement is inspiring.
  
• Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who served on the Level 1 C-30 committee tasked with interviewing Assistant Principal candidates. Your commitment to this important process ensures we bring the best leadership to our school.
  

Events:

• November 14:
  

• 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)
  
• November 18:
• 1st Marking Period Award Ceremony/Townhall (Subject to change)
• November 19:
• Brainpower Class Visits
• School Leadership Team meeting in Person in the Library @ 3:00pm
• 🚨📅 November 28-29:
• Thanksgiving Recess, schools closed
• 🚨📅 December 24–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

• November 14, 2024: Afternoon & Evening, Remote Conferences; Morning, In-Person Professional Development
  

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

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

Thursday, November 14, 2024

• Non-Attendance day for Students
• Teachers and paraprofessionals - 1/2 day of professional learning
• 8:25 am - 12:00 pm
• Remote Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Afternoon 12:45 pm - 2:45 pm
• Evening 4:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Progress Reports:

• Progress reports will be printed and distributed by Wednesday, November 13th

Message from Mr. Sang, 8th Grade Counselor

• November 6, 2024
  
• Dear Parents/Guardians,
  
• Thank you for your partnership and dedication during the high school application process. I’m happy to let you know that you have until November 28, 2024, to review and make any changes to your child’s application. Once finalized, you will receive notification of your child’s high school placement by March 6, 2025.
  
• Please keep in mind that high schools consider attendance and academic performance when reviewing applications. It’s crucial that your child attends school daily, arrives on time, and stays on top of their core classwork. These habits not only impact their high school options but also set the foundation for future success.
  
• It’s truly an honor to work with your children during this important time in their lives. Seeing their growth and potential is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 718-220-8700 ext. 1130.
  
• At I.S. 254, we’re committed to supporting every student’s journey. Together, we teach, we learn, and we grow.
  
• Sincerely,
  
• Steven Sang, School Guidance Counselor

Citywide High School Fair

• Families, don’t miss this opportunity! The Bronx High School Fair will be held at 2780 Reservoir Ave., Bronx, NY 10468 on:
  
• Friday, November 15th, 5:00–7:00 pm
• Saturday, November 16th, 10:00 am–2:00 pm
• Come meet representatives from schools across the city, learn about their programs, and find the best fit for your child! While RSVPs are encouraged, they’re not required.
  

Men’s Health Fair

• Calling all fathers, grandfathers, and male role models!
  
• The Bronx Father Taking Action and the Bronx Borough President’s Office are hosting a Men’s Health Event at PS 246on Wednesday, November 20th, from 3:30–5:00 pm.
  
• Join us for an afternoon focused on health, wellness, and community. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We’d love to see you there!
  

8th Grade News

Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on Thursday, November 14th via Zoom. There will be two sessions: an afternoon session and an evening session. Students will not attend school that day, but they are welcome and encouraged to join their parents for the conferences. This is a valuable opportunity to discuss their progress and explore ways we can work together to support their success. If you’re unable to attend, please don’t hesitate to reach out to schedule a separate meeting with your child’s teachers.

We’re also excited to announce a Town Hall event for 8th graders on Monday, November 18th. This session will focus on the importance of staying on top of assignments and maintaining a minimum grade of "3" in all core classes. We’ll also discuss strategies for success as students work toward their graduation goals.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for the 8th Grade Dance in December! This will be a fun and festive way to celebrate our students’ hard work. Attendance will be based on meeting the expectations outlined in the 8th Grade Contract, so please encourage your child to stay focused on their academics and demonstrate excellent behavior.

ELA:

• 6th Grade: After reading Go Down Death and Because I Could Not Stop for Death, students are writing about how the authors use word choices to create tone and convey a theme.
• 7th Grade: Students are analyzing how dialogue and setting in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson build a theme.
• 8th Grade: After reading The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant, students are exploring how key events reveal character traits and develop a theme.

Math:

• 6th Grade: We’re continuing our work on the Coordinate Plane.
• 7th Grade: This week, students will review for their Unit 1 Assessment.
• 8th Grade: We’ll focus on Solving Systems of Linear Equations.

Science:

• 6th Grade: Students are researching solar panel technology and debating its pros and cons. They’ll write pamphlets explaining their position, supported by evidence.
• 7th Grade: Students are creating annotated models to explain how fossils support the theory of Pangea.
• 8th Grade: Students are conducting experiments on homeostasis, then writing lab reports to explain their findings.

Social Studies:

• 6th Grade: Students are debating whether Columbus Day should be replaced with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
• 7th Grade: After reading Mother Culture, or Only a Sister?, students will evaluate which historical theory is better supported by evidence.
• 8th Grade: Students will explore the migration of African Americans to the Great Plains and analyze its historical significance using primary sources.

ENL Team News:
Here’s what our English Language Learners (ELLs) are working on this week:

• 6th Grade TBE: Improving reading and writing skills through short stories and writing prompts.
• 7th Grade TBE: Analyzing interactions between characters and using possessive nouns in writing.
• 8th Grade TBE: Practicing speaking and listening skills through speeches, focusing on academic language.

ENL Strategies Targeted This Week:

• Scaffolding
• Read Aloud
• Word Pronunciation
• Sentence Frames
• Using Context Clues
• Home Language Support
• Stop and Jots

Thank you for your continued support! Here’s to another amazing week of teaching, learning, and growing at I.S. 254!

• 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)
  

If you close your eyes

and take a deep breath
you can hear the green sage sing

The gray stones beneath you
feel young again
The breeze watches
it all with her Mona Lisa smile

Naatsis’áán takes it all in

The thunder of a hundred hooves,
whoops and hollers of the crowd,
the intensity of the riders
as in the day of wild warriors
on the warpath.

There are chicken pulls, children’s foot races,
Navajo cake, kneel-down bread, drum songs

K’é shakes the roots of the mountain,
which gives the people her blessing

as does Sun God
with gentle warm breath.

The story I heard
was that the people
returned from Hwéeldi
and found strangers in their home.

Ashiih Litso just a boy, risked everything
on one horse race
and was blessed by the Holy People.

Another story goes that the mountain protected the people,
keeping soldiers away
and they never had to make the Long Walk.

Whichever story you live by,
the mountain remembers.
Eehaniih celebrates her,
head of the earth.

🎉🎂Staff Birthdays🎂🎉

Soon enough, the world’s children will be responsible for creating the best possible living conditions and experiences for all sentient beings. As they spread their wings, flex their muscles, and venture forth, they’ll face a myriad of challenges, just as every previous population has, and every population after will.

This week’s exercise is perfect for practicing physical endurance and mental perseverance in the face of challenges!

TIP #1: We recommend leading students through our “Self-Declaration” exercise right before starting "Flying Eagle." That way, they can repeat their declarations, silently or aloud, to motivate themselves when their arms start getting tired!

TIP #2: We also recommend inviting students to visualize a goal or dream they have. When the exercise gets challenging, they’ll be empowered to prove to themselves that they can persevere and achieve those goals and dreams.

To see the Self-Declaration activity video, CLICK HERE

To see the Flying Eagle activity video, CLICK HERE