P.S. 59X

Announcements

• Parent Workshop: "How best to help your child educationally"

  Parents, Come join us for this workshop:

  April 14, 2021 @ 10:00am : How to engage in problem solving in math.

  Join us via google meets @ meet.google.com/mma-ytif-qnb

   

   

   

  PS 59X

• NYS Testing Process : 3rd, 4th & 5th grade Students only. Sign up Ends April 14,2021

  Dear PS59 School Families,

  As we head into the spring, I know many of you have questions about standardized testing. In a typical year, State exams would be administered to nearly all students in their physical classroom. This year, many of our students are learning remotely, but the New York State Education Department (NYSED) has required that exams must still take place in-person in the school building. It will not be possible to administer state exams remotely. Therefore, we are contacting you to determine if you would like your child to participate in this year’s State exams.

  It is very important you let us know if you would like your student to participate in this year’s State exams so that we can prepare and create a testing schedule that ensures the health and safety of all of our students. Please read on for more information about this year’s exams.

  What State exams will be administered in the school building?

  The Grades 3–8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics exams, and the Grades 4 and 8 Science exams, will only be administered in your child’s school building. All schools will adhere to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Visit schools.nyc.gov/RTShealthsafety to learn more.

  How will you keep my student safe during in-person test administration?

  Health and safety are our first priorities. We are asking for you to sign up so we can create testing schedules and room assignments that allow for social distancing protocols.

  How do I sign up for the exams? If you would like your child to participate in this year’s State exams, please notify us by completing PS59 STATE TEST Form by Wednesday, April 14, 2021. If you do not wish to have your child test you do not have to take any further action.

  If we do not hear back from you by April 14th, your child will not participate in state testing.

  If my student is already learning in the building, do I still need to sign up for the exams?

  Yes. You must let us know if you would like your student to take State exams, whether they are learning in-person or remotely.

  My student is fully-remote. Are they expected to come in to take the exams?

  No. Students receiving fully remote instruction are not expected to come to school to take the State exams. However, if you would like your student to take the exam, they can be included— just notify us using the contact information above.

  If my student does not take the exams, will they be penalized?

  No. Any student who does not participate in the 2021 NYS ELA, Math, or Science exams will not be penalized.

  When are the exams?

  The exams will be administered within the following dates:

  · English Language Arts for grades 3 through 8: April 19–29, 2021

  · Mathematics for grades 3 through 8: May 3–14, 2021

  · Science for grades 4 and 8: June 7–11, 2021

  Testing will not occur on May 13, when schools are closed for Eid Al-Fitr. We will share the scheduled testing date for your child prior to the start of testing window.

  If I don’t sign up, what will my child do while their classmates are taking the exam?

  Students receiving in-person instruction who do not take the exam will continue their instructional program, as will fully remote students.

  Are the exams different this year?

  Yes. This year, the ELA and Mathematics exams for grades 3 through 8 will be multiple choice only. The tests are untimed, but most students will complete the tests in 55 to 90 minutes. The tests are untimed, but most students will complete the tests in 55 to 90 minutes.

  I have more questions. How can I learn more? The DOE has created a Parent Guide to address commonly asked questions about the administration of the Grades 3–8 ELA and Mathematics and Grades 4 and 8 Science exams in the 2020-21 school year. You can also always reach out to {insert contact information} with any questions or concerns. We are here to help.

  We appreciate your collaboration and flexibility as we continually work to ensure a strong, supportive education for your child and every student in our school community.

  Sincerely,

  Principal Sita Bas

  PS 59X

• Free Courses for Families to Support Students in Hybrid and Remote Learning.

  The DOE invites families to participate in a three-part Parent University virtual series called “Making Learning Work.” The courses include a user-friendly family guide with practical resources, tools, and tips to help students learn at home and school, and build and sustain meaningful relationships. Courses will be conducted in English and Spanish and taught by DOE partners at Columbia University’s Center for Public Research and Leadership. Parents can register for free trainings on a wide range of topics, including adult education, student social-emotional learning, and special education. 

   

  • nyc-parent-university-register-English 1(1).pdf
  • nyc-parent-university-register-Spanish.pdf

  PS 59X

• World Vision Food Distribution for our Families: April 7,2021

  Great News!!! P.S. 59 has partnered with World Vision to help our Families who are in need of non perishable food items.  We will be having our first food pickup on Wednesday , April 7,2021 from 1pm-3pm.  Please stop by the North yard to pick up a bag of non perishable food items in between those times. 

  Thank You, 

  PS 59X

• April 2021 Newsletter

  Check out our April Newsletter 

  PS 59X

• Update for Families from Chancellor Porter: Spring Recess Travel Advisory

  Stay Safe During Spring Recess 

  Spring Recess begins Monday, March 29. With the weather warming up and more parents and grandparents getting vaccinated, you might be considering traveling. Travel is not a good idea because COVID-19 is still a serious risk and puts you, your family, and your community at risk of getting and spreading the virus. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging all of us to avoid leaving town. 

  Please help stop the spread of COVID-19 and do not travel. If you must travel, remember these COVID-19 prevention tips: 

  • Keep distance from others, bring and use hand sanitizer, and make sure everyone over age two wears a face covering. 
  • Consider staying at a hotel rather than at someone’s home. If you have out-of-town guests, suggest they do the same. 
  • Pick activities that allow you to safely keep distance from others. Avoid large crowds, especially indoors. 
  • If you are going to spend time with people who are not members of your household, outdoors is safer, as COVID-19 spreads easier indoors. Get together in parks, at the beach, or in the backyard, or meet up for outdoor dining. 

  Please be aware that visitors and returning New Yorkers may be required to quarantine upon entering New York. For more information, see the New York State COVID-19 Travel Advisory at coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory(Open external link).

  If you travel, when you return home to New York City it is extremely important to: 

  • monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; 
  • get tested; 
  • strictly follow COVID-19 prevention measures such as wearing a face covering whenever around other people and maintaining six feet of distance from others; and 
  • immediately isolate if you feel unwell or test positive for COVID-19.

  We hope you enjoy Spring Recess and the many safe, fun activities you can find right here at home. Together, we can stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

  PS 59X

• Update for Families from Chancellor Porter regarding Opt back Into Blended Learning starting March 24,2021. Deadline April 7,2021.

  Dear Families,

  We just reopened high school buildings for in-person learning for the first time since November 2020, and I have to say that the joy on our students’ faces as they entered their school buildings was amazing. We are thrilled to see students of all ages safely learning in physical classrooms.

  That is why I am very pleased to let you know that all our remote families will now have one more opportunity to transition to blended learning this school year. This means that if your child is currently learning remotely every day, they will be able to opt in to learning in person in the school building at least part of the week for the remainder of the school year. We will make every effort to provide as many days of in-person learning as possible. 

  When and How to Opt In to Blended Learning 

  • Beginning this Wednesday, March 24, you can visit the Learning Preference Survey at nycenet.edu/surveys/learningpreference(Open external link) to select blended learning for your child.
  • Families can also call 311.
  • You can change to blended learning until Wednesday, April 7.

  When Your Student Can Return to the School Building 

  • Students in district 3-K, Pre-K, and grades K-5, including students in District 75, who opt into blended learning during this opt-in window will return to buildings in April.
  • Students in grades 6-12 who opt into blended learning during this opt-in window will return at a later date, and we will communicate more details as soon as possible.
  • Updates will be posted at COVID-19 Information and Updates.

  Requirements for Returning to the School Building 

  Please note that if you select blended learning for your child, you must submit the consent form for random COVID-19 testing by the first day your child begins in-person learning. You can submit your consent for testing one of two ways: 

  • Through your New York City Schools Account under ‘Manage Account’, or 
  • Complete and sign the consent form available at COVID-19 Testing and bring it to your child’s school on the first day they are back in the school building.

  Families that select blended learning are expected to have their child attend in person on days they are scheduled to do so.

  Please note that if your child is currently learning fully remotely and you do not complete the survey indicating a preference for blended learning, your student(s) will remain fully remote.

  We are able to offer this additional chance for fully remote students to opt in to learning in buildings because the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance, allowing us to safely accommodate more students in a classroom. As always, our focus is on the health and safety of your children, the dedicated staff who serve them, and you—their family. That has been our priority since day one, and will continue to guide everything we do.

  Thanks to our strong health and safety practices—including wearing masks, hand hygiene, weekly random testing for COVID-19, physical distancing, and more—our school buildings are among the safest places in the whole city.

  Thank you, as always, for your faith and partnership. We continue to show the nation what is possible in terms of safely educating our one million students—and we couldn’t do it without you. I thank you for your commitment and, in turn, I promise you that our commitment to your child is unwavering. 

  Sincerely,
  Meisha Porter
  New York City Schools Chancellor

  PS 59X

• NYC Families Will Have Another Chance to Opt-in Their Children for In-Person Learning from March 24- April 7.

  Parents who would like their children to opt into blended learning please complete the learning preference survey starting Wednesday March 24 and ending on April 7, 2021.  For more information please read the most up to date letter from Chancellor Porter about Opt in to Blended Learning.

  When and How to Opt In to Blended Learning 

  • Beginning this Wednesday, March 24, you can visit the Learning Preference Survey at nycenet.edu/surveys/learningpreference(Open external link) to select blended learning for your child.
  • Families can also call 311.
  • You can change to blended learning until Wednesday, April 7.

  When Your Student Can Return to the School Building 

  • Students in district 3-K, Pre-K, and grades K-5, including students in District 75, who opt into blended learning during this opt-in window will return to buildings in April.
  • Students in grades 6-12 who opt into blended learning during this opt-in window will return at a later date, and we will communicate more details as soon as possible.
  • Updates will be posted at COVID-19 Information and Updates.

  Requirements for Returning to the School Building 

  Please note that if you select blended learning for your child, you must submit the consent form for random COVID-19 testing by the first day your child begins in-person learning. You can submit your consent for testing one of two ways: 

  • Through your New York City Schools Account  under ‘Manage Account’, or 
  • Complete and sign the consent form available at COVID-19 Testing and bring it to your child’s school on the first day they are back in the school building.

  Families that select blended learning are expected to have their child attend in person on days they are scheduled to do so.

  Please note that if your child is currently learning fully remotely and you do not complete the survey indicating a preference for blended learning, your student(s) will remain fully remote.

   

   

  PS 59X

• March 2021 Newsletter

  Check out our March newsletter

  PS 59X

• Pre-K Applications Are Open! Deadline to apply is April 7,2021.

  The pre-K application opened on February 24, 2021; the deadline to apply is April 7. During the application period, you can apply online or by phone. Here's what you can do now:

  • Visit MySchools(Open external link) to create your MySchools account, explore pre-K program options, build your application, and apply online.
    • Our MySchools tutorial, "How to Create a MySchools Account" will walk you through the process.
    • Learn more about pre-K admissions on this page and in the video playlist above.
  • Sign up for the pre-K admissions email list(Open external link). We'll send you updates, tips, and reminders throughout the process.

   

  PS 59X