September 2018

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We know that it is very important for your child to be able to contact you especially if he/she walks to school or in the event of an emergency.  As a result, P.S. 108Q has instituted the following guidelines for students who have permission from their parents to bring their cell phones to school or other electronic devices to school.

• Cell phones/electronic devices may not be turned on or used while on school property which includes:

 

• During Instructional time (including tests, quizzes, etc)
• In the lunchroom
• In the bathroom
• During Afterschool programs
• During fire drills and other emergency preparedness exercises

• Cell phones/electronic devices should be turned off and stored in students’ backpacks while they are in the school building.

 

• Students must understand it is their responsibility to take care of their cell phones or other electronic devices.  P.S. 108Q is not responsible for lost or damaged cell phones/electronic devices.

 

• If students do not adhere to the above policies, cell phones/devices may be confiscated by staff members, held in the main office and parents will be contacted to pick up the phone.

 

Please take the time to discuss this information with your child and if you have any questions, please contact us.  We appreciate your cooperation with this matter. 

Thank you, 

J. Iovine

Principal

September 2018

 Dear Parents/Guardians:

 Safety is the number one priority for P.S. 108Q.  As you may know, we practice several “drills” throughout the school year in order to prepare for various emergencies should they occur. Staff instructs students to adhere to specific procedures for each type of drill.

 We want to assure parents that procedures are set in place for the safety of your children. We understand the concern of families regarding where there children will be in case of an emergency.  In the event of an evacuation where we need to vacate the premises, students will relocate to another location.

 

Students will relocate to the following sites:

Ø  Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Grade 1 classes will go to:

 

 PS 100

     111-11 118^th Street

         718-558-1510

 

Ø  Grade 2, Grade 3 and all Special Needs classes will go to:

 

 PS 62

                                                     97-25 108^th Street

                                                        718-286-4460

 

Ø  Grade 4 and Grade 5 classes will go to:

 

MS 137

                                                    109-15 98^th Street

                                                        718-659-0471

 

Classroom teachers will go with their classes to the relocation site. Each classroom teacher will have an “emergency red bag” which contains a copy of each student’s blue card.  I hope that there will never be a need to evacuate the building, but we want parents and guardians to feel secure in knowing we are prepared should an emergency arise.  As an aside, we noticed that some parents choose to take their children’s coats after dropping them off at school, which is perfectly fine.  However, please keep in mind this means that those children will not have coats during an evacuation.

 

In addition to our evacuation procedures, we practice other safety drills throughout the school year.

 

They are as follows:

·         Soft Lockdown Drills: this drill occurs when a hazard is found within the building, but there is no identified imminent danger. Students are instructed to move out of sight and remain silent during this drill.

·         Hard Lockdown Drills: this drill occurs when a hazard is found within the building and imminent danger is known. Students will follow same procedures listed in a soft lockdown.

·         Shelter-in Drills: this drill occurs when there is a hazard outside of the building. All activities within the building carry on as usual.

·         Shelter Drill: this drill is used to practice procedures in the event of a severe storm, tornado etc. Students move quietly into the hallway, move next to the wall, crouch down and cover their heads.

 

Please refer to this parent letter to familiarize yourselves with our emergency procedures and safety drills. This informative document will serve as an important resource for you throughout the entirety of the school year.

 

In the event of an emergency, families will also be notified through School Messenger.

 

As always, I thank you for your support and partnership in helping to keep our children safe.

 

Sincerely,

 

J. Iovine

Principal

 

September 2018

 

Dear Parents/Guardians:

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS 

Education is the primary goal of our schools.  Your child’s birthday can be celebrated with zest at home.  For Kindergarten through Grade 5 students, we will allow a small celebration in the classroom.  Birthday celebrations will be kept to a maximum of 15 minutes to be held at an acceptable time for the classroom teacher (for example during snack time).  Please arrange a mutually acceptable day and time with your child’s teacher. 

The following must be adhered to when celebrating your child’s birthday in school.  Parents are not allowed in the classroom; therefore you may deliver the following to the Main Office at any time. 

 

1. Cupcakes and juice boxes only!  One per child.  Please bring a supply of napkins.
2. No cakes. No plastic utensils.  No candles.
3. No soda.  No cups.
4. No chips, candy or other snacks allowed.
5. No balloons.
6. No goody bags of any kind.

 

Please remember, the only items you will be allowed to bring to the classrooms are:

• Cupcakes (with napkins)
• Juice Boxes

 Thank you for your support and cooperation in this matter. 

Sincerely,

J. Iovine

Principal 

Dear Parent/Guardian:

                                                            Re:  Lunch Application

 

Even though lunch is free for this school year for all children, the Department of Education requires a completed lunch form to be kept on file for every student.  This form needs to be filled out, signed, and dated and returned to your child’s teacher no later than Thursday, September 20, 2018.

 If you have not already filled out an application for the 2018-2019 school year, you will find an application attached.  You may fill out this application or if you prefer filling out the lunch application on-line, please visit nyc.applyforlunch.com. 

 If you have any questions, please contact Maria Mirabile at 718-558-2700 extension 1090.

Thank you,

J. Iovine

Principal

 

September 2018

   

Dear Parents/Guardians of Grades K & 1 & 2 Children,

 

Healthy eating behaviors and physical activity are important for your child’s health and well-being.  As you know, over the last few years much emphasis has been placed on promoting good eating habits.

 

All children in K & 1 & 2 will have a 5 minute snack time incorporated into each day.  When packing these snacks please be mindful of the following:

 

• All drinks must be healthy: Juice boxes or Water.  Soda is not allowed. Do not send in any glass containers.
• Healthy snacks include, cheese (low fat preferred), fruits, vegetable or crackers, etc.  Do not send potato chips or any other kind of chips or candy.

 

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

 

Sincerely,

 

J. Iovine

Principal

September 2018

 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

Please find below the list of holidays/days off for the 2018-2019 school year.  Please remember to check the P.S. 108 website for any updates at www.ps108q.com. 

 

            September 10^th & 11^th                           Rosh Hashanah

 

            September 19^th                                     Yom Kippur

 

            October 8^th                                           Columbus Day

 

            November 6^th                                       Election Day

 

            November 12^th                                     Veterans Day

 

            November 22^nd & 23^rd                           Thanksgiving Recess

 

            December 24 thru January 1^st                 Winter Recess

 

            January 21^st                                          Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

 

            February 5^th                                          Lunar New Year

 

            February 18^th thru 22^nd                          Midwinter recess

 

            April 19^th thru 26^th                                Spring Recess

 

            May 27^th                                              Memorial Day

 

            June 4^th                                                Eid al-Fitr

 

            June 6^th                                                Chancellor’s Conference Day

 

            June 11^th                                              Clerical Day

 

June 26, 2019 will be the last day of school for the 2018-19 school year and it will be a half-day dismissal.

 

Sincerely,

 

J. Iovine, Principal

September 2018

 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

 

I would like to take this opportunity to go over some important information highlighted in the Parent Brochure.

 

• Proper ID:  All persons entering the school building are required to present proper identification.  As you enter through the main entrance on 109^th Avenue, you will be greeted by our school safety agent who will request to see proper ID.  You will then be asked to sign the log book.  As you know, providing a safe and secure environment is one of our main goals.  Please adhere to this procedure.  If you come to school without proper ID, you will not be allowed into the building.
• Blue Cards:  Each child must have a fully completed blue card.  The blue card lists all important phone numbers and contact persons. Please do not list the same number several times, you must provide a minimum of two contact numbers.  No child will be released to anyone who is NOT on the blue card, so it’s important that you list all the people who might be picking up your child during the year.  No one under 18 years old is allowed to pick up a child during the school day. Older siblings attending middle and high school may pick up their younger sibling at dismissal. 
• On Time Policy:  Arriving at school on time each day is essential to having your child receive a full day of learning.  School begins promptly at 8:00am which means our doors are closed at 8:00 and students begin to head up to their classrooms to start their day.  When a child arrives to school late, even 2 minutes late, they must enter the building using the main entrance and report to the late room.  During this time their lateness are recorded and they must wait for a school aide to escort them up to their classroom.  As you can imagine, this causes undo hardship on the staff, but more importantly places your child in an unnecessary disadvantage when they arrive late and miss important school work at the beginning of the school day.
• Early Dismissal:  It is important that your child attend a full day of school each day.  We understand there are times when you must make appointments for your child.  We ask that you try to make all appointments after school hours Remember, if you pick up your child early, he/she will be marked absent for ½ day.  Attendance is one of the criteria for promotion.

 

Throughout the school year, you will be receiving Parent Letters regarding pertinent information.  Each letter is numbered.  Please read each letter carefully and keep them until June.  These letters can also be found on the schools webpage, http://www.ps108q.com under Parent’s Place. If you see that you have not received a letter, feel free to contact the school and we’ll gladly forward you a copy.

As always, I thank you for your continued support and partnership.

 

Sincerely,

  

J. Iovine

Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians,

 

On behalf of the entire staff I want to welcome you back to the PS 108 School Community.  To the parents who are new to school, we send you a warm welcome to the PS 108 school family.  We’re excited to begin the new school year and we look forward to a strong, unified partnership. 

 

As you know, our school day will be the same as last year: All children will attend school from 8:00 to 2:20 Monday to Friday (5 days a week).

 

Below I’ve outlined the Department of Education Citywide Instructional Expectations (CIE):

 

Ensure knowledge of students and their work, and use this knowledge as a starting point for learning;

Integrate policy into established, clearly articulated instructional focus; and

Develop a culture of collaborative professional development that enables school and individual development

 

Additionally, this year parents/guardians will have four (4) opportunities to meet with your child’s teacher during the school year:  September 13th, November 15th, March 14^th, and May 15th,.  The November and March Conferences will be afternoon and evening sessions and the September and May conferences will be evenings only. 

 

In order to provide parents with on-going and updated information regarding your child’s academic progress, you will have access to viewing your child’s s individual data using your personal login information for the On Course Parent Portal.  Access codes will remain the same as last year for those parents returning.  For parents of incoming Kindergarteners and any new admits, Mrs. Ippolito will contact you in the next few weeks regarding your access codes for On Course. 

 

We continue to embed a high level of ‘rigor’ in instruction in all grades, for all students.  The city’s goal is to engage all students in rigorous units of study in Literacy, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Teachers continue to work in teams to ensure all instructional plans are aligned to the Common Core.  

 

We are committed to supporting your child both academically as well as socially and emotionally to ensure each child graduates P.S.108Q with the skills and tools necessary to excel in Middle School and beyond while preparing for College and Career Readiness. This year, each month you will have an opportunity to visit your child’s classroom and participate in Family Fun events. 

 

I want to extend my personal thanks in advance for all your support and cooperation.  A school’s success is only possible with the collaborative partnership of parents and teachers. Your participation in your child’s education is critical to their success. I am confident that with strong family ties and parent engagement, together we can and will make a difference! 

 

Have a wonderful school year!!

 

Sincerely,

      

 

J. Iovine

Principal

June 5, 2018 

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

This letter is to inform you of a situation that occurred today at approximately 10:05 am.  While students were at recess, there was an altercation between men off school grounds outside of the schoolyard.  School Safety and the lunchroom supervisors immediately escorted the students that were in the schoolyard into the building. 

As a matter of precaution administration called for a “shelter-in”, where students and staff had to remain in the building for a short duration of time.  There was no threat to students or staff at any time. 

Once the administration was notified by School Safety and the NYPD that the situation was resolved, the “shelter-in” was lifted and school resumed its normal operations.  Students and staff responded appropriately as this protocol has been rehearsed throughout the school year.  Safety is the number one priority and all procedures were followed.  We will continue to be vigilant when it comes to the safety of the students. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Esther Rosa, parent coordinator.

 

Sincerely,

  

Amy Hachemeister

Assistant Principal                                                                                                        

May 29, 2018

**IMPORTANT REMINDER**

PARENT LETTER #17

 Dear Parents / Guardians:

 Please be reminded of the following days off in June: 

• Thursday, June 7, 2018 – Chancellor’s Conference Day – no school
• Monday, June 11, 2018 – Clerical Day – No school
• Friday, June 15, 2018 – Eid-al-Fitr – No school 

The last day of school is Tuesday, June 26, 2018 and students will have a half-day dismissal that day.  Final report cards will be sent home with the child.  If your child is not here for the last day of school, the report card will be mailed home.  

Sincerely, 

J. Iovine

Principal