Hugo Newman Family Newsletter
PS/IS 180 Hugo Newman College Preparatory
Dear Parent/ Guardian,
From our Jaguar Family to yours, we wish you Happy Holidays!
This year has been unlike any other. Yet, through all the challenges we came together. We collaborated. We excelled. And, we couldn't be PROUDER of the resilience of our scholars, faculty and staff, and our parents/guardians. We are forever grateful for your perseverance!
Report cards will be distributed next week for students in Grades K-8. Please check your email for the attachment as teachers will distribute report cards before the Winter Break. As a reminder, our school's grading policy has changed for the 2020-21 school year. As a parent, you can view your child's performance history across specific standards at any time on Otus. For official school records, we use the numeric 1-4 grading scale to communicate mastery for the course with 4 (Exceeds Standard) or 3 (Meets Standard) on the report card and student transcript. This year, we will not have scores of 1 or 2 for marking periods and final grades. In Grades K-8, students will receive grades of “needs improvement” (N) in place of failing grades. In Grades 6-8, students will receive grades of “course in progress” (NX) when there is insufficient work to calculate a final grade. Middle school students have the summer to make up work to change NX grade(s). We welcome and encourage parents to contact their child’s classroom teacher any time they have an academic or social concern. Teachers' office hours are between 2:00PM- 2:20PM Monday- Friday.
I am excited to share an opportunity for our scholars and families who need support with assignments after school hours Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:00pm – 5:00pm and Saturdays from 9am – 11am with Practice Makes Perfect. This support begins on January 5th.
Tutors are college students and/or recent college graduates with backgrounds in Education. They spend time supporting students with assignments in Math, Reading, Social Studies and Science. Here is the link to the form where students and parents can request support https://forms.gle/qSoauD3xdEMkP2k37. Tutoring is on-demand and takes place in a one-to-one virtual setting.
On behalf of PS/IS 180, I would like to wish you and your families a very happy and healthy holiday season! Winter Recess begins December 24th, and we resume schooling on January 4th. Enjoy Winter Break!
Jeneca Parker
Principal, PS/IS 180
Message from Chancellor Carranza
What an exciting week this has been, reopening our school buildings for in-person instruction after this recent brief closure. I want to thank our students and families, our teachers, principals, and school staff for a safe and smooth reopening. I know it hasn’t been easy, but public education is critical to our city’s, and nation’s, future, and it is why we continue to do everything in our power to keep our school communities thriving.
With support from all corners of New York City, we have been able to bring students in 3-K through fifth grade, and students in all grade levels in District 75 schools, back into classrooms. This is an important step in fulfilling our pledge to you: to provide a safe, secure environment in which your children can learn and grow. And a quick reminder: for blended learning to work best for everyone, we need your child to show up to school on their scheduled in-person days. Blended learning students in grades 6 through 12 in district 1–32 schools, including those participating in District 75 Inclusion Programs, will continue to learn remotely at this time.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still very much with us. Given the ongoing fight against a citywide resurgence, please note that we have changed our in-school testing protocol. In order to keep our buildings open, we now require mandatory, weekly in-school testing for COVID-19 for a randomly selected portion of staff and students in grades 1 and higher.
And this is critical: If your child returns to school for in-person instruction without a consent form on file, principals and school staff will contact you to obtain consent. After that, students without consent forms on file, who do not have an approved or pending medical or disability-based exemption, must be moved to fully remote instruction.
In this Update for Families, you will find information on: What you need to know about mandatory, in-school testing How to submit consent for in-school random testing What to do if your child has recently traveled What you need to know about exemptions from in-school testing How to apply for kindergarten for the 2021–2022 school year How to learn more about elementary admissions How to participate in Parent University, a new platform offering families on-demand courses and resources on a host of subjects.
Because so much uncertainty comes with this pandemic, we remain committed to our time-honored traditions, which remind us that we are a community. One of those is our annual Big Apple Awards, recognizing outstanding teachers and college and career counselors. This year, it feels especially important to honor the teachers or counselors who have made a difference in your child’s life. Nominate an educator by January 10, 2021 by visiting the Big Apple Awards website at schools.nyc.gov/bigappleawards.
As always, I am grateful for your flexibility and patience as we continue our journey together through this unprecedented year. There is no doubt that Covid-19 has affected our children—academically, socially, and emotionally, and we are already looking ahead to the next school year. This week, the Mayor and I introduced the 2021 Student Achievement Plan to bring our schools back stronger than ever next fall. Working with our educators and all of you, we will create a roadmap rooted in healing and learning. I’ll be sharing more on this in the months to come.
I know that if we all do our part, we can ensure a strong, supportive education for every child every day—no matter where they are learning.
Sincerely,
Richard Carranza
Chancellor, NYCDOE
Home Hydpronic Kits
We invite all families to come to the school to pick-up your child's FREE kit between 1:45PM- 2:45PM. Enter the early childhood yard located near the Young, Gifted, & Harlem mural. These kits are available to all Jaguars, regardless of learning preference in Groups A, B, C, or D. We currently have 100 kits in stock. When our supply runs out, we will add your name to the Wait List, so you can receive a kit in the next shipment.
With the Home Hydroponic Kit you and your family can grow: calendula, green basil, swiss chard, kale, and pole beans!
Arts & Science at 180
- Chess in the Schools, Wednesdays for 3rd and 4th Grades
- Chess in the Schools, Wednesdays after-school for all grades 2:00- 3:00PM
- Studio in a School for 2nd and 3rd Grades during the school day with teaching artists (dates TBA)
- At Home Art packs provided with asynchronous lessons for all grades, provided by Studio in a School (date TBA)
- Midori & Friends music program offering Signature Series (dates TBA)
- At Home Hydroponic Kits with asynchronous activities, provided by NY SunWorks
- BioBus Lab will hold virtual 45-minute online microscopy classes for our 4th, 5th, and 6th Graders in the Discover at Home programs (dates TBA)
- More grade-level Community Days with mindfulness and stretching, provided by Brain Power Wellness
- Student Council & Model CEC3, meets weekly with Restorative Justice Coordinator
Applying for School
Kindergarten Admissions
It’s time to start your child’s journey through elementary school! If you live in New York City and your child was born in 2016, the kindergarten application is now open. Be sure to apply by January 19, 2021. You can apply one of two ways:
- Online at MySchools.nyc. Click on the link to create or access your MySchools account.
- By phone at (718) 935-2009. Call Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., or Saturday through Sunday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
With MySchools, you can search for schools, find great choices for your child’s application, and apply to kindergarten—all in one place. To learn more about kindergarten admissions, visit schools.nyc.gov/kindergarten.
Join DOE for a virtual Elementary Admissions event to learn about 3-K, pre-K, and kindergarten admissions. Find out what to expect and how to apply. All New York City families are welcome to attend. Register for a session at tinyurl.com/NYCDOEElementaryEventsSurvey. When you register, be sure to indicate your language preference—interpretation services in specific languages will be provided for each session based on these responses. Sessions will be held on the following dates:
- Thursday, December 17, at 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 6, at 6 p.m.
- Thursday, January 7, at 6 p.m. This event will be hosted in Spanish.
- Tuesday, January 12, at 2 p.m
If you have questions about admissions and enrollment, you can contact
- AP Maureen Sullivan at msullivan18@schools.nyc.gov
- DOE Office of Student Enrollment at 718-935-2009 or email ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov
Middle School & High School Admissions
Middle School
Starting this week, middle school admissions welcome letters will be mailed to families of all current fifth-grade students at their home address. Each welcome letter has instructions on how to add their child to their MySchools account using their unique account creation code.
The middle school directory and admissions guide will exist exclusively in a virtual format, and will not be printed. As the application opens, families can learn about the admissions process on DOE website where you can both read an admissions guide and watch videos explaining the admissions process. Sign up for our middle school admissions email list
High School
Starting this week, high school admissions welcome letters will be mailed to families of all current eighth-grade students at their home address. Each welcome letter has instructions on how to add their child to their MySchools account using their unique account creation code.
The high school application is not yet open. Registration for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) and LaGuardia High School auditions are not yet open. Families and school staff will have additional time to register. The high school directory and admissions guide will exist exclusively in a virtual format, and will not be printed. The new High School Admissions Video Series is now available, and more videos will be added soon: schools.nyc.gov/HSVideos. Sign up for our high school admissions email list
Families Temporarily Living Outside NYC: Students who have temporarily relocated outside NYC, but who have maintained a permanent residence in NYC, may participate in admissions.
If you have questions about admissions and enrollment, you can contact
- AP Kristen Marren at kmarren@schools.nyc.gov
- DOE Office of Student Enrollment at 718-935-2009 or email ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov
Literacy Support for Families
Tech Tutorials
Parent University
We’re delighted to announce the launch of Parent University, a collaboration between the Office of Family and Community Empowerment (FACE) and the Division of Instructional and Information Technology (DIIT)!
Parent University seeks to educate and empower all families from early childhood through adulthood, with free courses, resources, events, and activities. Parents can register for free trainings on a wide range of topics, including adult education, student social-emotional learning, and special education. Visit Parent University today at parent.schools.nyc!
All families, from early childhood to adult education, can create a free account and register for workshops, attend an event, find a training and more. There are currently 95+ courses offered covering a wide range of topics including:
- Remote Learning and Technology
- Health and Wellness
- Special Education
- Multilingual Learners
- Early Childhood Education
- Parent Leadership
- School Buildings and Operations
- Adult and Continuing Education
Hot Lunch is Now Available
Grab & Go Meals Available
The parents/guardians of those students may also pick up the take-out meals. Take-out meals for students and other NYC children will be available on school days from 9:00AM - 12:00PM. No registration, ID, or documentation required.
What's on the Menu
Message from New York Public Library
As part of The New York Public Library’s gradual reopening following our temporary closure due to COVID-19, we are pleased to announce that we are now offering grab-and-go service at select branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
Grab-and-go is a safe and socially distant checkout and return service that allows patrons to pick up requested materials and return items at these open locations while maintaining a safe distance from each other and staff.
Check out the steps below to learn more about using the grab-and-go services. For more details, including finding your library card number, instructions on the hold process, or anything else, check out our FAQ.
Best Children's Books of the Year List
Want help finding some books your child will love to read?
Bank Street College of Education recently published the Best Children's Books of the Year; this list includes more than 600 titles chosen by the Children’s Book Committee as the best of the best published in 2019.
PTA Fundraising Event
Buy cool Young Giffed & Harlem pins and support our Jaguar Pledge drive. We are so excited and grateful to be partnering again with the talented artist, Ronald Draper for our Jaguar pledge drive. Ronald gifted Harlem and our school community with a beautiful and powerful mural: Young, Gifted and Harlem. And he has re-designed his fabulous pin to support PS/IS 180. All proceeds from sales of the pin will go to the PTA to provide teachers’ support, create community events and offer enrichment programs for all our students.
Get this perfect Holiday gift here https://www.ronalddraperart.com/product-page/young-gifted-harlem
Upcoming Events
PTA Meeting
Zoom link: https://nygenome.zoom.us/j/5194338065
Agenda:
Welcome & introductions
Reading & approval of minutes (November 17, 2020)
Principal’s Report
Presidents’ report
Treasurer's Report
Vote
Adjournment. Next meeting: Thursday, January 21, 7pm ZOOM
More information including a detailed agenda, minutes of the previous meeting and the treasurer’s report will be distributed via Bloomz
Thursday, Dec 17, 2020, 07:00 PM
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NYC DOE Town Hall
Holiday Health & Safety
Testing: Regardless of whether you travel, or whether you have been tested before, all New Yorkers should get tested. Testing is being prioritized for all DOE students (3K through 12th Grade), employees, employees of DOE contracted early childhood programs, and affiliated family child care networks, and employees of DOE- and DYCD-contracted Learning Bridges programs at 22 H+H testing sites during the 2020-2021 school year.
If you test positive, please isolate immediately and answer any calls from contact tracers. Contact tracers can connect you with any resources you need, including medication delivery.
How to find a testing location:
- DOE Priority Testing sites – 22 across all 5 boroughs
- Additional free testing available at sites listed here
- Call 212 -COVID19
- Text COVID TEST to 855-48
What to Do if Your Child Has Recently Traveled
- If your child has recently traveled outside of New York to a place on the State’s travel advisory list they must quarantine for 14 days.
- They also have the option to test out of quarantine based on the State’s guidelines: coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory.
- You or your child should continue to complete the health questionnaire daily.
Jaguar Highlights
Monthly Calendars
Our Core Actions to Prevent Spread of COVID-19
Ryan Health Center School- Based Clinic
NYC DOE Health Policy
DOWNLOAD THE BLOOMZ APP
Bloomz is available on the desktop, iPhone and Android phones. Downloading the app is very easy and can be done in a couple of minutes. It is a private and secure way that we communicate with families.
New Bloomz Parent
1. Download the “Bloomz" app from the AppStore/PlayStore and click on "Enter Code". If browser, go to bloomz.com and click on "Join Bloomz" followed by "Enter Code"
2. In the text box, enter the following codes to access the following pages:
- PS/IS 180 Announcements: P8WSVG
- PTA: 4XEBTA
3. Create your account
Existing Bloomz Parent
1. Log into your Bloomz account
2. Click “+Add Class/Group” on the left navigation.
3. In the text box, enter the codes as provided by classroom teacher(s)
4. Click next
Things to be aware of……
- The app will provide you with access to your child’s classroom blog
- For those who give photo/ video permission, we will periodically post pictures from activities/ events of your child(ren) visible to the grade
- You will be able to view general news posted by the school, PreK grade team, PTA and any other important announcements
- Upcoming events are listed on the app
- Your child’s classroom teacher may send you alerts and reminders via the app
Tech Support for Families
If you need technical assistance, please visit our school website at www.hugonewmanprep.org, and chat in the message box (located in the lower right hand corner of your screen) as shown below to reach our PS/IS 180 Tech Help Desk.
Live support with Ms. Costley, PS/IS 180 Tech Specialist, is available for families and students from 9:00AM- 11:00AM and 1:00PM- 2:00PM, Monday through Friday.
PS/IS 180 Hugo Newman College Preparatory School
Email: mopa@hugonewman.net
Website: www.hugonewmanprep.org
Location: 370 West 120th Street, New York, NY, USA
Phone: 212-678-2849
Twitter: @ps180hugonewman