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Family Pathfinder Week of 10/14/24

Family Pathfinder Week of October 14th

Family Pathfinder Week of 10/14/24 Family Pathfinder Week of October 14th

🍂🍁Family Pathfinder October 14, 2024 🍂🍁

"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." — Stephen Hawking


"Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice." — Steve Jobs


October 14, 2024,


Good evening I.S. 254 Pathfinders,


I hope everyone is enjoying today’s day off in honor of both Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day. Earlier today, my family and I had a lively conversation about Christopher Columbus, which got me thinking deeply about perspective. Some view Columbus as a hero, while others see him as a villain, and after our discussion, I realized how important it is to seek a deeper understanding before forming judgments. It’s a reminder that perspective shapes how we see the world and that there’s always more to learn when we approach things with curiosity rather than conclusions.


Here at I.S. 254, I hope we all carry that same desire to learn and grow before making judgments. As we embark on new initiatives this school year, like our focus on literacy and rigorous learning tasks, it’s normal to feel a bit uncertain or even overwhelmed. But we can’t let those doubts stop us from moving forward. Insecurity only holds power if we let it. Instead, we need to keep our eyes on the goal: providing our students with the skills they need to think independently and thrive academically.


Let’s trust the process and the work we’re doing. Our actions and dedication will always speak louder than any fears or doubts. By embracing challenges with confidence and purpose, we’ll continue to create meaningful change for our students. Together, we’re building something truly special, and I’m excited to see all that we’ll achieve as a community.


Looking forward to another grrrrrrrreaaat week of teaching, learning, and loving at I.S. 254!


Sincerely,

Javier Ocampo, Principal


P.S. This past week I had the privilege of watching our Mr. Brezina and our former teacher Ms. Cruzado celebrated at an event as new AP's!

Shout outs!

🥰 This week's public deposits into the community emotional bank accounts 🥰

I want to shout out:

  • Thank you to our Teacher Leaders for your hard work on the Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC) modules. Your talent and intellect have been instrumental in enriching the process and elevating our instructional practices.
  • A special thanks to Ms. Bueti for connecting our school with the opportunity to interact with Google. It was invaluable to have our voice heard by real-world innovators, and we appreciate Ms. Rampersad for bringing two students to participate in this meaningful dialogue.
  • A big thank you to everyone involved in making our Brainpower Friday visit a success. Your efforts ensured a rewarding experience for our students and visitors alike.
  • Appreciation to the MOSL Committee for engaging in thoughtful and productive conversations, leading to an informed decision on the Measures of Student Learning (MOSL). Your collaboration was key to this success.

Ms. Rivera wants to shout out:

  • All teachers who updated and completed their bulletin boards this week. Displaying student work is a great way to celebrate student achievement. Is always wonderful to see how excited our students get when their work is displayed.

  • All the teachers who welcomed Brainpower into their classrooms this week! If your class wasn’t visited, please reach out to Ms. Tobin to schedule for the next round.
  • All teachers and departments engaging in the LDC work! On the 21st, we will officially launch our module lessons. Your optimism and dedication are inspiring—let’s continue diving into this important work together.
  • Science Department for your productivity and perseverance as the Amplify science kits arrived. Your commitment to making it work is commendable.
  • Ms. Ortiz for sharing the insights she gained from her professional development with our ENL department. It’s always refreshing to be reassured of the great work we do, and to gain new knowledge that enhances our craft as educators.
  • Ms. Kanhai, thank you for your diligence in scheduling our BOY MAP Growth assessments. Your organization is appreciated.
  • Yira, Ms. Trinidad, and Ms. Castro for your excellent coordination of the open house event for our incoming families for the 25-26 school year. Your efforts ensured its success.
  • Mr. Facey and Mr. Western, great job leading and coaching our volleyball team to victory against 10X343 on Friday! Go team!
  • Guidance Department and our Dean for your invaluable work this week in supporting our students. Your efforts to problem-solve, mediate, and restore relationships are making a difference.

Mr. Brezina wants to shout out:

  • The multitalented Ms. Montenez for designing the new brochure for 6th grade recruitment. The brochure beautifully captures the spirit of I.S. 254 and will surely draw the attention of prospective families.
  • The 6th grade articulation and student recruitment team—Ms. Dominguez, Ms. Trinidad, and Ms. Castro—for hosting our first town hall event, warmly welcoming potential members of the class of 2028 to I.S. 254.
  • Ms. Liriano for your tireless support of our students. Your positivity, enthusiasm, and genuine care truly make our community a better place.
  • Ms. Feliciano for leading the Creative Art Works partnership in 6th grade social studies. Your efforts are paving the way for meaningful arts-based interdisciplinary experiences for your students.
  • Ms. Straws and Ms. White for fostering a math classroom environment where students are serious, focused, and motivated to work hard.
  • Ms. Bunch for the remarkable balance you bring to your classroom by holding high expectations while showing deep empathy for your students.
  • Ms. Tobin for being so dedicated to creating a positive 7th grade culture, and for being a trusted resource and safe space for students when they need it most.
  • Mr. Frank Western for being a constant source of positivity for students throughout the building. Your presence makes a difference every day.

Put First Things First - announcements!

Events:

  • October 17: Biology NYC Performance Task Assessments
  • October 22-24: All In Learning Common Interim Assessments
  • 🚨📅 November 1: Diwali, schools closed
  • November 7:
    • Election Day, students do not attend school
    • Staff - Remote Professional Learning Day
  • 🚨📅 November 11: Veterans Day, schools closed
  • November 14:
    • Students not in attendance.
    • Half-Day IN-PERSON Staff Professional Development.
    • Afternoon & Evening, Remote Conferences
  • 🚨📅 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.
    • Afternoon & Evening, Remote Conferences
  • 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


Marking Period Dates 2024-2025

  • November 18, 2024: Marking Period 1 ends

  • January 30, 2025: Marking Period 2 ends

  • April 14, 2025: Marking Period 3 ends

  • June 26, 2025: Marking Period 4 ends

News and Reminders

This Week's Updates

BRAINPOWER GRADE 6 and 7 TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITY POSTPONED:
  • Unfortunately we had to cancel the planned 6th and 7th grade Brainpower Team Building Activities. This was a powerful way to start the year with the 8th graders and wanted to give the 6th and 7th graders a similar experience. We will look for alternative ways to build community for our 6th and 7th graders.


Assessment Alert:

  • Biology NYC Performance Task Assessment will take place on Thursday , October 17, 2024
  • Details to follow

Grade and Department Team News

Testing Update:
This week, our 8th graders will be taking the Biology NYC Performance Task. This important assessment will help us understand their current knowledge and skills in biology as we continue to support their academic growth.


6th Grade Team News:

  • This week, our 6th-grade team engaged in a Literacy Design Collaborative session, focusing on how reading standards help us create rigorous learning experiences across all subjects. It was a valuable opportunity to reflect on how we can align our lessons with our school’s goals and ensure students are developing the grade-level skills they need to succeed.
  • As a team, we explored the following questions:
    • How do reading standards guide student learning across subjects?
    • How do we ensure rigor in the thinking work students do?
    • How does this connect to our school’s Problem of Practice?
  • This discussion has helped us reflect on our lesson planning, and we’re committed to ensuring our students have access to challenging, meaningful learning opportunities across all content areas.


8th Grade News:

  • Our 8th-grade students have been hard at work completing benchmark assessments in both ELA and Algebra. These assessments are key to helping teachers monitor progress and identify areas of strength and improvement. Using this data, teachers will adjust their lessons to ensure all students continue to thrive.
  • The high school application process is in full swing! Many 8th graders have already begun applying to high schools, and our guidance counselors are here to support them every step of the way. If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, please reach out to our guidance team. We’re here to help make this transition as smooth as possible.
  • Parents, it’s also a great time to check in with your child to see how they’re doing in their classes. In Algebra, students have folders where they store their classwork—please ask your child to show you their folder and review their completed work together. It’s a great way to stay informed and support their learning!
  • Our guidance team will be reaching out to parents if there are any concerns regarding student progress. If you’re asked to attend a meeting, please do your best to join us so we can work together to create a plan for your child to stay on track for graduation in June 2025.


Math Update:

  • 6th Grade: Last week, students worked on Greatest Common Factor (GCF) and Least Common Multiple (LCM). This week, we’re diving into positive and negative numbers.
  • 7th Grade: Last week, we focused on interpreting graphs of proportional relationships. This week, we’ll be working on proportional relationships involving fractions.
  • 8th Grade: Last week, students learned how to convert from slope-intercept form to standard form and how to graph linear functions. This week, we’ll be tackling linear function word problems.


Science Update:

  • 6th Grade: Last week, students explored kinetic and potential energy. This week, they’ll be reading an article called “Energy Inventions” and learning about how scientists design solutions to energy problems. Students will also engage in active reading practices, just like real scientists!
  • 7th Grade: We’re continuing our work on The Microbiome. Last week, we completed Chapter 2.3, and this week we’ll dive into Chapter 2.4.
  • 8th Grade: Last week, students worked on understanding gas exchange and cellular respiration. This week, we’ll be focusing on muscle and energy, and how different systems in the human body interact.


ENL Team News:

  • Our ENL teachers have been busy analyzing student data to ensure each student receives the support they need. We’re focusing on areas where students need help with English skills—whether that’s listening, reading, writing, or speaking. Each teacher will select two students to focus on in the coming weeks and track their progress closely to make sure they’re on the right path.
  • We’re also preparing for upcoming parent meetings, which will take place before November 27th. During these meetings, ENL teachers will share your child’s progress in their English language development and discuss how we can continue supporting their growth together.



ENL Department News by Grade Level:

  • 6th Grade TBE: Students are using close reading skills to understand how a character’s perspective changes over time.
  • 7th Grade TBE: Students are wrapping up Unit 1, which focused on the theme of belonging. Next, we’ll be launching the Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC) module starting October 21st.
  • 8th Grade TBE: Our 8th graders are working on writing narrative speeches, focusing on using precise language, grammar, and academic vocabulary. They’re also practicing answering questions and expressing their opinions with clarity.


Integrated ENL Strategies This Week: Here are some of the strategies our ENL teachers are using to help your child improve their English language skills:

  • Using Home Language: Whenever possible, we provide content in your child’s first language to help them understand lessons better.
  • Building English Skills: We practice shared reading and writing to strengthen their understanding of English.
  • Using Visual Cues: During shared reading, we point out how words work together, helping students follow along and make connections.
  • Focusing on Word Endings: Many ELL students tend to miss word endings when speaking, so we practice reading with emphasis to help them recognize and use these important parts of speech.
  • Providing Sentence Starters: These help students begin speaking or writing, giving them the confidence to use English more frequently.
  • Using Pictures: We use visuals to help students connect new words with real-life ideas, making vocabulary more meaningful.
  • The "Who & The What" Strategy: This strategy encourages students to focus on who or what the text is about and what’s happening, helping them find the main idea more easily.


Thank you for your continued support!

Parent Resource

Our social work intern, Miriam Duran wanted to share this community resource with all the parents.


Attached is a flyer and below is the link for more services.

I.S. 254 Birthdays

Staff Birthdays

  • MS. MARTINEZ (10/19)
  • MS. STRAWS (10/19)

BRAINPOWER

EXERCISE CHALLENGE

This BPW activity is great for ALL ages, so c’mon, teachers: join your students in discovering the fountain of creativity, imagination, and sense of play that resides within each of us, ready to burst out at a moment’s notice! Take 1 piece of paper with 4 squares, 4 triangles, and 4 circles sketched on it, grab a few colored pencils or other writing utensils, add an unlimited supply of imagination, and voila: ART! Who knows: Maybe you CAN square the circle!


A few suggested uses: (1) as a timed activity; (2) for team play; (3) as a time-out /brain break activity for a child in need

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