March 15, 2019 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This letter is to inform you of a situation that occurred today at approximately 12:35 pm.  While students were at recess, there was police activity 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,  

J. Iovine

Principal

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

 

March 8, 2019 

Dear Parent/Guardian: 

On Thursday, March 14, 2019 at Parent / Teacher Conferences you will be asked to fill out a very important survey while you wait to see your child’s teacher.  This survey is administered by the Department of Education and each school’s survey results are used in determining the school’s “grade.”  

We sincerely urge you to participate in this survey because your feedback is extremely valuable to us.  By participating in this survey you will receive a raffle for a chance to win a visa gift card. 

We want to thank you for your participation and all of the support you have given to us.  We truly value you as part of the PS 108 family and we will remain devoted to providing your child with the best education possible. 

We look forward to seeing you! 

Thank You, 

J. Iovine

Principal 

February 7, 2019

Dear Parents/Guardians: 

February 11th through February 15^th has been designated as “Respect for All Week” in all of New York City public schools.  During this week, school communities will raise awareness of Respect for All, the Department of Education’s program to combat bullying and harassment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or disability. “Respect for All Week” is a week of celebration of respect, kindness, diversity, difference, and tolerance. 

During the week we thought it would be interesting and fun to celebrate each day differently so…please see below a schedule of the week’s activities. 

DATE	WHAT TO WEAR / DO
Monday Feb 11th	WACKY SOCK DAY Let’s wear wacky socks to “SOCK IT” to bullying
Tuesday Feb 12th	GIVE-A-COMPLIMENT DAY Fill someone’s bucket (and your own) by giving compliments today!
Wednesday Feb 13th	SMILE DAY Wear your SMILE! Did you know smiles are contagious? Smile at someone and see if they smile back!
Thursday Feb 14th	RED DAY Wear red to make a stand against bullying!
Friday Feb 15th	NO ONE EATS ALONE DAY Sit with someone new at lunch/ make a new friend

 Here at P.S. 108, social emotional learning is an important initiative. We are committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment where all students feel valued and respected each and every day.  We look forward to highlighting student participation during “Respect for All” week.

 Sincerely, 

J. Iovine

Principal

December 4, 2019

Dear Parents/Guardians: 

After the recent completion of the annual School Construction Authority Building survey, it was determined that the exterior bricks are in need of repairs.  As a result, there has been some scaffolding placed on the sides and in the front of the building as a safety precaution while the work is being completed.  The expected completion of the work will be approximately one year.  At this time, it will not disrupt the regular school day activities or the arrival and dismissal procedures.  However, if there are any changes I will notify you immediately. 

Sincerely,  

J. Iovine

Principal

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