P.S. 59X

Announcements

• UPDATED Health and Safety Policy Updates: January 3, 2022

  We hope you had a restful holiday and were able to spend time with your loved ones. As we welcome students back into our classrooms from a well-deserved winter break, our highest priority continues to be the health and safety of our students, families, and staff. To this end, we are putting additional health and safety measures in place to ensure students and staff are safe and that our schools can continue to be open.

  The following updates were made in partnership with our City and State public health colleagues and are based on federal and scientific guidance.

  Home Test Kits

  Beginning January 3, schools will distribute free, take-home COVID-19 rapid test kits to any student or staff who exhibit COVID-like symptoms or have been in a classroom where a positive case has been identified.

  
  -If your child was exposed to COVID-19 at school, please help your child take the first test on the day they receive the home test and help your child take the second test five days after exposure or at the first indication of symptoms. Your child may continue to attend school as long as your child receives negative test results and does not experience any symptoms of COVID-19.

  -If your child has COVID-like symptoms or feels ill before the fifth day, please have your child isolate and take the second home test immediately.

  -If your child tests positive on either home test, your child must isolate for 10 days following the first positive result. Please contact your child’s school immediately to inform them and for further guidance.

  If your child had symptoms of COVID-19 at school, please help your child take the first test immediately and help your child take the second test 24 hours later.

  -Your child may not attend school until they receive negative results on both of these home tests taken within 24 hours of each other and have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication OR if your child receives a negative test result from a PCR COVID test.

  -If your child tests positive on either home test, your child must isolate for 10 days following the first positive result. Please contact your child’s school immediately and report the test results.

  Any student who tests positive on a take-home test should immediately report it to the school and begin isolating. Students who test positive must isolate for 10 days and can return to school on Day 11. No negative test is required to return to school.

  
  As a reminder, all students, staff and visitors must pass the DOE health screener in order to enter school buildings. Additional questions will be added to the health screeners for those students and staff who receive at-home rapid test kits to share their negative result. No other proof of a negative result is required in order for these students to enter the school building.

   

  
  New Quarantine Policy
  Our goal is to ensure that students safely remain in school as much as possible, and we have updated our policies to ensure we meet this goal. This means that if there is a positive case in a classroom:

  For students in kindergarten through grade 12, unvaccinated or not yet fully-vaccinated students who were in close proximity to a positive case will no longer have to quarantine and will continue attending school if they do not have symptoms and do not have a positive test result from a COVID test. Instead, all students and adults in that classroom will receive a take-home rapid test kit and take two tests over the course of five days.

  For students in 3-K and Pre-K, the quarantine policy will remain the same, meaning that any 3-K or pre-K student who was in close proximity to a positive case will still have to quarantine for 10 days.

   

  Increased In-School Surveillance Testing

  To further ensure the safety of our students, families, and staff, the in-school surveillance testing program is expanding to double the number of individuals tested in each school, including both vaccinated and unvaccinated students, in grades 1 and up. The random in-school surveillance program continues to provide public health experts with an accurate look at the prevalence of COVID-19 in schools. We encourage all families who have not yet submitted consent, regardless of whether their child is vaccinated, to consent to in-school testing through their NYC Schools Account (schoolsaccount.nyc) or return a signed paper form to the school. Additional information on testing for students and the printable version of the consent form in multiple languages can be found on our COVID-19 Testing for Students page.

  Testing is a critical part of keeping schools open and communities safe. Thank you to those families who have already consented to testing, and for your cooperation by participating in our in-school testing program!

   

  COVID-19 Testing Sites

  The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) continues to open new testing sites throughout the five boroughs. We strongly encourage that all students get tested for COVID-19, through a PCR, lab-based rapid test, or a home test kit on a continuous basis, regardless of vaccination status. For a list of testing sites, including sites with at-home rapid tests, call 212-COVID19, visit nyc.gov/covidtest, text "COVID TEST" to 855-48, or call 311 to find a nearby testing site.

  Additionally, many pharmacies and doctors’ offices are offering COVID-19 testing. Please check with your pediatrician’s office or local pharmacy to see if you can schedule a test.

  We know that nothing is more important to you than keeping your children in school, learning in healthy and safe environments. The changes we are announcing today aim to keep students in our classrooms with the least amount of disruption as possible, while putting their safety front and center.

  We will continue to update you as the situation changes and hear your feedback on these updated policies and procedures. We thank you in advance for partnering with us to keep our children and staff safe in school.

   

  In partnership,
  David C. Banks
  New York City Schools Chancellor

   

   

  Family Letter January 3 2022  available in:

  • Family Letter January 3 2022 -- English
   
  • Family Letter January 3 2022 -- Spanish
   
  • Family Letter January 3 2022 -- Korean
   
  • Family Letter January 3 2022 -- French

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• Donations needed for Tragic Bronx Fire on 181st Street

  Dear Families, January 10, 2022

  To assist with the tragic fire that took place in our neighborhood, P.S. 59 is accepting donations to help the families affected. A drop off bin will be placed in the lobby of the school building. Donations will be collected until Friday, January 14th. Donations may include food, bottled water, blankets, pillows, clothing, coats, hats, scarves, winter shoes, towels, personal hygiene items (deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, soap), masks, and hand sanitizer. P.S.59 will then drop off the donations to the fundraising locations to go towards helping those impacted by the fire. Thank you in advance for your support in helping our community in need.

  Student Council Advisors

  Ms. Mancini & Ms. Rudovic

   

  Queridas familias,

  Para ayudar con el trágico incendio que tuvo lugar en nuestro vecindario, P.S. 59 está aceptando donaciones para ayudar a las familias afectadas. Se colocará un contenedor de entrega en el vestíbulo del edificio escolar. Las donaciones se recogerán hasta el viernes 14 de enero. Las donaciones pueden incluir alimentos, agua embotellada, mantas, almohadas, ropa, abrigos, gorros, bufandas, zapatos de invierno, toallas, artículos de higiene personal (desodorante, pasta de dientes, champú, jabón), máscaras y desinfectante para manos. P.S.59 luego dejará las donaciones en los lugares de recaudación de fondos para ayudar a los afectados por el incendio. Gracias de antemano por su apoyo para ayudar a nuestra comunidad necesitada.

  Consejeros del Consejo Estudiantil

  Sra. Mancini y Sra. Rudovic

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• December 2021 Newsletter

  Check out this months Newsletter 

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• Policy Updates for Return to School January 2022

  Dear Families,

  We hope you had a restful holiday and were able to spend time with your loved ones. As we look ahead to the New Year, our highest priority is to continue to ensure the health and safety of our students, families, and staff.

  Schools will be open, as scheduled, beginning January 3 for all students. We are putting additional health and safety measures in place to ensure students and staff are safe and that our schools can continue to be open.

  You will notice that this letter is coming to you jointly from outgoing Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter and incoming Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. The Department of Education’s leadership is changing, but one thing remains the same: our unwavering commitment to safely providing our students with a top-quality education that leads to their long-term success.

  The following updates were made in partnership with our City and State public health colleagues and are based on federal and scientific guidance.

  COVID-19 Testing Before Returning on January 3 

  • To keep our school communities safe upon everyone’s return to school buildings, we strongly encourage that all students get tested for COVID-19, through a PCR, lab-based rapid test, or a home test kit, before returning to school on January 3, regardless of vaccination status. For a list of testing sites, including sites with at-home rapid tests, call 212- COVID19, visit http://nyc.gov/covidtest(Open external link), or text "COVID TEST" to 855-48, or call 311 to find a nearby testing site. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) continues to open new testing sites, so please check back often for updates. 
  • Additionally, many pharmacies and doctor’s offices may be offering COVID-19 testing. Please check with your pediatrician’s office or local pharmacy to see if you can schedule a test.

  Home Test Kits 

  • Beginning January 3, schools will distribute free, take-home COVID-19 rapid test kits to any students or staff who exhibit COVID-like symptoms or have been in a classroom where a positive case has been identified. 
  • Students who have a take-home test kit will need to take the test two times over the course of five days (each kit includes two tests).
    • Students who may have been exposed to COVID in the school should take a test that evening and then again on Day 5.
    • If a student begins to show symptoms of COVID before Day 5, you should use the test kit immediately.
  • Anyone who tests positive on a take-home test should immediately report it to the school and begin isolating. Students who test positive must isolate for 10 days and can return to school on Day 11. No negative test is required to return to school.
  • Remember, all students, staff and visitors must pass the DOE health screener in order to enter school buildings. Additional questions will be added to the health screeners for those students and staff who receive at-home rapid test kits to share their negative result. No other proof of a negative result is required in order for these students to enter the school building. 

  New Quarantine Policy 

  Our goal is to ensure that students safely remain in school as much as possible, and we have updated our policies to ensure we meet this goal. This means that if there is a positive case in a classroom: 

  • Students who were in close proximity to these students will no longer have to quarantine and will continue attending school if they do not have symptoms and do not have a positive test result from a COVID test. 
  • Instead, all students and adults in that classroom will receive a take-home rapid test kit. The test kits contain two tests.
  • Those who have a take-home test kit will need to take two tests over the course of five days. 

  Increased In-School Surveillance Testing 

  To further ensure the safety of our students, families, and staff, the in-school surveillance testing program is expanding to double the number of individuals tested in each school, including both vaccinated and unvaccinated students, in grades 1 and up. The random in-school surveillance program continues to provide public health experts with an accurate look at the prevalence of COVID-19 in schools. We encourage all families, regardless of whether their child is vaccinated, to consent to in-school testing through their NYC Schools Account(Open external link) or return a signed paper form to the school. Additional information on testing for students can be found on the DOE website: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/covid-information/covid-19-testing-for-students

  Testing is a critical part of keeping schools open and communities safe. Thank you for your cooperation by consenting to and participating in our in-school testing program!

  We know that nothing is more important to you than keeping your children in school, learning in healthy and safe environments. The changes we are announcing today aim to keep students in our classrooms with the least amount of disruption as possible, while putting their safety front and center.

  We will continue to update you as the situation changes and hear your feedback on these updated policies and procedures. In the meantime, please feel free to share your feedback at FACE@schools.nyc.gov. We thank you in advance for partnering with us to keep our children safe in school. 

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• Updates to Chancellor's Regulation A-660

  Dear Families, 

  The Office of Family and Community Empowerment (FACE), in partnership with the Chancellor's Parent Advisory Council (CPAC), has successfully amended Chancellor's Regulation A-660.  We are proud of the work that our Parent Associations (PAs) and Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs) were able to conduct throughout the pandemic, and the new policy changes ensure that those successful practices endure. The updated version of Chancellor's Regulation of A-660 is attached and can be viewed here.  Below is a summary of the most important changes: 

  • Eligibility for membership in PAs/PTAs has been expanded to include parents of students attending a 3K or pre-K program offered by a school under the jurisdiction of the community school district.  

  • PAs/PTAs and Presidents’ Council meetings may be conducted in-person, on a virtual remote platform (VRP), or in a hybrid format. 

  • PAs/PTAs and Presidents’ Councils may make payments using paper checks, electronic checks directly debited from the checking account or, in exceptional circumstances, a debit card.   

  As a companion document, FACE has also issued a policy implementation memorandum that guides PAs/PTAs and Presidents’ Councils in operationalizing changes related to financial transactions.  The memorandum is attached, and can be viewed here.  Below are the salient points: 

  • PA/PTAs and Presidents’ Councils must adopt procedures to ensure that online and debit card transactions are properly authorized and documented.   

  • They also must pay special attention to fraud-control mechanisms (see memo). 

  • Debit card transactions require membership authorization of both the expenditure and the method of payment; and they must be recorded on the Debit Card Disbursement Form. 

  • Debit card transactions in excess of $5,000 require notification to the principal and FACE (in the case of a PA/PTA) or the superintendent and FACE (in the case of a Presidents’ Council. 

  • Person-to-person or instant payment systems such as Venmo and Zelle may be used to receive donations, provided they are linked only to the PA/PTA or Presidents’ Council DOE-issued email address.  Under no circumstance should they be used for making payments.  

  FACE has begun offering trainings on the new regulation to Family Leadership & Support Coordinators (FLCs/FSCs).  In Collaboration with the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council, we are excited invite PA/PTA Members and Presidents Council Members to trainings on December 14th, 15th and 16th (flyer here). P

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• November 2021 Newsletter

  Check out this months Newsletter

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• Attention 5th grade Parents: In-Person Open House for JHS. 118 on Saturday November 20, 2021.

  We have scheduled an in-person Open House for interested 5th grade students and their families to be held this Saturday, November, 20th at 10:00 a.m for Pace Academy, Spectrum Academy, and Academy of Excellence .

  Please register for the November 20,2021 Open House by visiting: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3da2s63dfAgKGvwygzRM1MgPXUpwkadGxrmjg_wECJyHC_w/viewform

  Open House Dates: 

  Saturday, November 20th @ 10 a.m. (in-person)

  Virtual Open House Dates:

  Tuesday, November 30th @ 12 p.m. & 6 p.m. (virtual/Zoom) JHS 118 Open House (Pace Academy & Spectrum Academy) 

               Meeting ID: 829 6413 3739

               Passcode: 137690

              Thursday, December 2nd @ 12 p.m. & 6 p.m. (virtual/Zoom) JHS 118 Open House (Pace Academy & Spectrum Academy) 

               Meeting ID: 829 6413 3739

               Passcode: 137690

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• District 10 Brilliant NYC Town Hall Meeting - Monday, November 22, 2021 at 6:00PM

  District 10 Brilliant NYC Town Hall Meeting taking place on Monday, November 22, 2021 at 6:00PM:

   

  Join us to discuss how we can co-design your child’s learning experience using the latest educational research. This is an opportunity to hear from families and members of Community School District 10 and is hosted by Superintendent Maribel Torres-Hulla. 

  For more information about Brilliant NYC please visit: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/programs/brilliant-nyc

  Pre-Registration is Required and Language must be specified. Please register in advance by 12:00PM on the day of our community meeting using the link: https://learndoe.org/brilliantnyc/d10/

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• P.S.59 Parent workshop: Part 2: Resiliency and Dealing with Anxiety: Thursday November 18,2021 * Free Giveaway*

  Hello PS 59 Families,

          Come join us for our Part 2  Parent Workshop series on Resiliency and Dealing with Anxiety.  Those who attend will be entered in a raffle that will be held at the end of the workshop. We can't wait to see you then!   

  Topic: Resiliency and Dealing with Anxiety

  Join Zoom Meeting
  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82577069414?pwd=WVNlcjhHSXlKck1aT2FiZGsvbWU3Zz09

  Meeting ID: 825 7706 9414
  Passcode: 521686

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• Get Vaccinated! If your student is aged 5-11, they can now receive a free COVID-19 vaccine at P.S. 59! November 9,2021 from 12pm-4pm.

  Dear Families,

                          As you might be aware, all New Yorkers age 5 and older can now receive a free COVID-19 vaccine. This is great news for the health and safety of your child, your family, your school community, and the whole city!
    In partnership with the City’s vaccination effort, some school sites are offering the first dose of Pfizer vaccinations to eligible students ages 5-11 for one day during the month of November to make it as easy as possible to stay safe.

  No appointment is needed, and you can learn more about your site’s date and hours from your school or by visiting schools.nyc.gov/covid19.

  Getting your child vaccinated is safe, confidential, and easy. Here’s what you need to know:

  In partnership with the City’s vaccination effort, some school sites are offering the first dose of Pfizer vaccinations to eligible students ages 5-11 during the month of November. No appointment is needed, you can simply walk in with your student on the day of your school’s pop-up vaccine site. It's quick and easy, and will help keep your student, your family, and your school community safe.

  Important Information

  • Students ages 5-11 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or by an adult designated by the parent or guardian, while receiving their vaccine. If the student is accompanied by an adult who is not the parent or guardian, the vaccine provider must obtain verbal consent from the parent or guardian by phone at the time of vaccination. 
  • You will not need to provide proof of immigration status or a social security number to get vaccinated.
  • You do not need health insurance to get vaccinated—the vaccine is free.
  • All records and information associated with vaccination are kept strictly confidential.
  • Vaccines are administered by trained medical professionals.
  • On-site telephone interpretation in multiple languages will be available.
  • You are encouraged to record your student’s vaccination status in the DOE's COVID-19 Vaccination Portal(Open external link).
  • If you, your student age 12 and up, or someone else you know is still in need of a vaccine, you can visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov(Open external link) today to choose from hundreds of sites across the city offering appointments or walk-up vaccines at no cost.

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• October 2021 Newsletter

  Check out this months Newsletter

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