MECA Parent & Caregiver Update

Please join us for the last PTA General meeting of the school year tomorrow evening, Wednesday June 19, 2024 at 7:00pm.

· Meet the new elected Executive Board members

Just click meeting invite below:

https://zoom.us/j/98767056022?pwd=VUFBQWZPaHhoMDRjZ3lpOHdzV2wxdz09

Meeting ID: 987 6705 6022

Passcode: 075373

Any questions email the MECA HS PTA email at ptainfo@mecahspta.org

The Borough of Manhattan Community College's Science & Technology Entry Program (BMCC STEP) is Now Accepting Applications for the Summer 2024 Session

What is BMCC STEP?

A program designed to increase the participation rate of NYC Public School Students in mathematics, science, technology, and health related fields. BMCC STEP provides NYC students in the 7th through 12th grades with a range of academic enrichment courses, research experience, and special programs in science, mathematics, and technology content areas.

Program Details

Location: Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers Street New York, NY 10007

Program Schedule: July 8, 2024 - August 15, 2024 (Monday-Thursdays from 10:00am - 3:00pm)

Details: Free lunch and Metro-Cards will be provided to class participants.

***Stipends will also be available for selected students.

Application Deadline: July 5th, 2024

Application Link: https://forms.gle/CR87VeGx97zZpwt97

Even when school is out, NYC families can still enjoy breakfast and lunch!

Our 2024 Free Summer Meals Program is here for everyone all across New York City, and it's totally free for anyone who's 18 years old or younger. NYC families can find our meals at specific places like select NYC Public Schools, community pool centers, parks, and libraries. No sign up, IDs or paperwork required.

Service Information

Summer Meals will be available from Thursday, June 27, 2024 – Friday, August 30, 2024. All dates, times, locations and menus are subject to change.

• Breakfast Service Time: 8:00am - 9:15am

• Lunch Service Time: 11:00am - 1:15pm

• There is no service on Thursday, July 4, 2024 (4th of July)

• There is service Friday, July 5, 2024 (Day after 4th of July)

Learn more: Summer Meals

Beginning in summer 2024, New York State (NYS) is implementing Summer EBT, a new federal program to help low-income households with children purchase food over the summer when school is out of session and children can no longer rely on access to free/reduced price school meals.

The Summer EBT benefit of $120 per eligible child will be issued on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that families can use just like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase eligible food items at SNAP participating grocery stores, farmers markets, and other retailers; these benefits expire 122 days from the date that the benefits are issued. The new program is in addition to free meals that children ages 18 and younger can get at summer meal sites in their communities.

Please note that this is not a DOE program; for questions, direct families to OTDA.NY.gov/SummerEBT and then call the Summer EBT Customer Service Helpline (1-833-452-0096) if further assistance is needed. The helpline will be able to answer questions about a specific child’s eligibility beginning July 1.

NYC Teenspace is a program—offered by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and powered by Talkspace—that provides any NYC teen aged 13–17 with virtual therapy with a licensed therapist, at no cost. NYC Teenspace has recently reported the early positive impacts of the program.

The NYC Teenspace program has been hosting regular webinars for both parents/guardians and schools. The next webinar, Supporting Student Mental Health During the Summer, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on June 20. NYC Teenspace will share early learnings and the NYC Teenspace Summer Calendar of Events.

This webinar is open to parents/guardians and will cover:

• Initial successes of the program, including how many teens have enrolled, zip codes most represented, and other demographic information;
• Summer activities to promote mental health across the city; and
• Opportunities to be shared with students/teens on how they can get involved with NYC Teenspace this summer.

Priority #1 All students will learn to read well By June 2024 pass rates for ELL students on the NYS ELA Regents exam will increase 10 points from 80% to 90%

Priority #2 All students are physically & emotionally safe By June 2024 Hispanic female students will indicate they are invited to participate in collaborative conflict resolution by 15 points from 60% to 75% as measured by favorable responses on the NYC School Survey

Priority #3 All students have a high quality academic experience By June 2024 students with disabilities' pass rate on the Alg I Regents exam will increase from 58% to 65%

Priority #4 All students graduate college & career ready By June 2024 the number of students who are eligible for a CTE endorsed diploma will increase by 17, from to 8 to 25 students as measured by pass rates on the Adobe Photoshop Certification exam

Priority #5 All schools are inclusive & responsive to parents By June 2024 favorable responses regarding teacher initiated contact concerning student performance will increase by 16 points, from 69% to 85% as measured by NYC School Survey responses