Dear Parents/Guardians,

Due to unexpected construction in and around our building, our current dismissal procedures for 2^nd and 4^th grade will be affected.  Please see below new procedures which will take effect today,

October 23, 2019, and will be in effect until further notice:            

·         Grades 2 and 4 will line up in the playground area in the school yard 

We ask that all parents wait on the green turf.  Teachers will hold their class number on a sign to assist parents in locating their child’s class.   Please be patient, as we know this is a new procedure and it may take some time to adjust.  

I will continue to provide you with any updates regarding ongoing construction issues as they arise.  I apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your support and cooperation. 

Sincerely, 

J. Iovine

Principal

Student Behavioral Contract (Grades K – 5)

Name of Student                                              Date of Birth                      Class

I know that I have a right to:                                                                                                     

• be in a safe school, free from discrimination, harassment and bigotry;

§   know what is correct behavior and what behaviors may result in disciplinary actions;

§   counseling by staff about my behavior and how it affects my education and welfare in school;

§   due process of law when I violate school regulations for which I may be suspended or removed from class.

I agree to:

§   come to school on time with the assistance of my parents, prepared to work;

§   use courteous and polite language;

§   participation in class/community meetings to acknowledge a person’s thoughtfulness, assistance or courtesy;

§   resolve conflicts peacefully and express my feelings in words;

§   dress in a clean, neat and safe manner;

§   take care of my personal belongings and respect other people’s belongings;

§   tell my parents what I learned in school each day;

§   complete my homework every day and show it to my parent(s)/guardian(s);

§   follow the rules in the Discipline Code.

I have discussed this with my parents and I will follow this agreement.

Student Name:  _______________________        Signature: ________________________  Date:  _______________

 (Please Print)

{Parent Section}

I have viewed a copy of the Discipline Code and Bill of Student Rights and Responsibilities and understand the behavior that is required of my child.  The Discipline Code is located on the school’s website www.ps108q.com on the “Parent’s Place” tab. 

I understand that my participation in my child’s education will help him/her be successful in school.  I have read this agreement and I will carry out the following responsibilities to the best of my ability. 

§   Encourage my child to be a respectful and peaceful member of the school community.

§   Discuss the Discipline Code and the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities with my child.

§   Participate in parent conferences, class programs and other activities in which  my child is involved.

§   Assure that my child will arrive at school on time everyday.

§   Provide a quiet place for my child to  his/her homework.

§   Spend at least 15 minutes per day reading  with my child.

§   Listen to my child retelling of his/her school day experiences.

§   Provide the school with current telephone numbers and emergency contact information.

§   Alert the school if there are any significant changes in child’s health or well-being that affects his/her ability to perform in school. 

Parent/Guardian Name:  ______________________________________                Date: ____________

 (Please Print)

Parent/Guardian Signature:  ___________________________________

September 10, 2019 

Dear Parents/Guardians:

 This is to inform you that we have some students with severe allergies to peanuts and nuts in our school.   It is important that there is a strict avoidance of this food in order to prevent a life-threatening allergic reaction.  We are asking your help to provide these students with a safe school environment.

 Any exposure to peanuts/nuts may cause a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency medical treatment.  To reduce the chance of this occurring, we are asking that you do not send peanut or nut-containing products to school with your child.  This includes cupcakes sent for birthdays.  Please send only bakery/packaged cupcakes which are clearly labeled to not contain peanuts/nuts.  If your child has eaten peanuts/nuts before coming to school, please be sure your child’s hands and face have been thoroughly washed before entering the school.

 We appreciate your support of these procedures.  Please complete and return this form so that we are certain you have received this information.  You may contact me if you have any questions. 

Thank you for your cooperation.                                                                                   

Sincerely, 

J. Iovine                                                                     

September 2019 

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

As we begin another school year, I would like to take this opportunity to address the importance of school attendance when students are in elementary school.  According to research conducted in 2015, 83% of students who are chronically absent in kindergarten and 1^st grade will not read proficiently in 3^rd grade, and will therefore be four times more likely to drop out of high school. By promoting regular school attendance, you are helping your children develop positive habits that will help them be successful in school.  This type of success will not just be reflected in academics, but also in developing appropriate social skills, healthy life habits and positive emotional attitudes. 

Chronic absenteeism is defined as absence from more than 10% of the school year.  Although 18 or more school absences in a year may seem unlikely, that is just two absences a month.  This level of absenteeism can lead to students falling behind their peers academically, as well as to an increase in stress and anxiety for students and parents alike.  A similar effect can occur when students are regularly late to school or dismissed early.  Students who continually miss instructional time will be at a disadvantage and will be continuously trying to catch up with their peers.  Attending school consistently will improve student outcomes. 

If your child is struggling with absenteeism, please contact your child’s teacher, guidance counselors, or our parent coordinator for support.  We appreciate all your support to ensure student success by reducing chronic absence in school. 

Sincerely, 

J. Iovine

Principal

September 2019 

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 2019

 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  3K, 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 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 2019 

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 school are: 

• Cupcakes (with napkins)
• Juice Boxes / small water bottles 

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 Friday, September 20, 2019 

If you have not already filled out an application for the 2019-2020 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