Families
Meet your Parent Coordinator
Welcome, PS 59 families! My name is Roberto Ramirez; I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the Parent Coordinator of PS 59. My role as Parent Coordinator is to support the most important people in your children’s lives – you. I am here to answer questions and/or any concerns regarding your child's academic progress at PS 59. I promise that if I can’t answer your questions, I will find you someone who can.
At PS 59, we believe that parental involvement is the key to our students’ academic success. We want you to feel comfortable taking an active role in the education of your child, inside and outside of the school building. As Parent Coordinator, I yearn to do anything and everything that I can to assist you in supporting your child in school and at home.
If you have any questions or concerns I can be reached at (973) 963-7481 or via email at Rramirez9@schools.nyc.gov
Did you know that you can track your child’s education on any computer, phone, or tablet? You can also sign the COVID consent form, right in the NYC Schools Account (NYCSA). You can sign up for an account by entering a few basic details. This will allow you to begin receiving notifications from the DOE. It only takes five minutes, and it is the first step in getting a full account.
NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program
What is the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program?
As part of his Juneteenth Economic Justice Plan(Open external link), Mayor de Blasio announced the citywide expansion of the Save for College Program to all kindergarten students starting September 2021. In partnership with our nonprofit partner, NYC Kids RISE(Open external link), this free program will provide incoming kindergarten students with NYC Scholarship Accounts including the first $100 credit into each account, opportunities to earn additional rewards and access to Community Scholarships(Open external link), as well as supporting financial education and college and career readiness activities.
Since the Save for College Program began as a pilot in 2017, 96% of all eligible students (~13,500 first through fourth graders) now have a NYC Scholarship Account for their educational futures. Visit the Save for College Program Pilot website(Open external link) to learn more about the pilot phase of the Save for College Program.
For more information please visit : NYC Kids Rise
Students in Temporary Housing
Learn more about our dedicated Students in Temporary Housing Services.
Students In Temporary Housing
As the Students in Temporary Housing Team of P.S 59 we intend to serve as the liaison and social worker for all students who identify as homeless, in temporary housing and/or in foster care, as well as answer any of your questions and concerns regarding your child’s needs during this time.
The Team works directly both with students and families as well as school staff, to help bridge the gap between home and school. As well as helping everyone connect to supports here in our school and the community around us.
As a parent of a Student in Temporary Housing (STH), you may be entitled to receive services under the McKinney-Vento Act, which is a federal law that supports students in temporary housing. Your updated housing information helps us determine if your child is eligible for services such as school choice, immediate enrollment, transportation, free meals, afterschool, and other helpful interventions. The information about your housing situation is kept private and is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
We encourage all parents to get involved with our school community and partner with us in your child’s education. . If you have questions about your housing status or your child’s eligibility under the McKinney-Vento Act, please feel free to call, email or pass by our offices.
McKinney-Vento
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act outlines specific rights for students living in temporary housing. These rights include free public transportation, free school meals, and more. The guide below provides a brief overview of this information:
English Version / Spanish Version
Josephine Diaz
- Bridging The Gap Social Worker
- Email: JDiaz49@schools.nyc.gov
- Phone: 718-584-4730 ext. 3022
- Office: Room 302A
Resources:
Community Resources
Find community services to support your family, such as help with food, utilities, transportation and more.
Food Resources
Food
- Free City Harvest Directory
- Free NYC Food Bank Directory
- Invisible Hands Food Delivery
- SNAP (Food Stamps) Application
- World Central Kitchen locations in the Bronx
- Plenti: an app for Food Pantry Reservations
- For up to date Food Bank information, please call 311
NYC Food Delivery Assistance: COVID-19
The City of New York is providing assistance to New Yorkers during the COVID-19 crisis by delivering meals to those who cannot access food themselves. Register Today
- No members of the household can go out and get food because they are at increased medical risk or homebound.
- No neighbors or family members can go out and get food for you.
- Do not receive meal assistance from other providers (incl. Meals on Wheels or God's Love We Deliver)
- You are unable to afford meal delivery or grocery delivery
To request assistance please visit: Food Delivery Assistance
Housing, Shelter & Safety Resources
Housing, Shelter & Safety
- National Domestic Violence Hotline – Staying Safe During COVID
- New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) – 24/7 hotline 212-714-1141 – Submit an online report form
- NYC Women’s Shelter Directory
- NYC Homeless Shelter Directory
Health Care Resources
Healthcare
- NYC Health + Hospitals: 1-844-692-4692
- Need help finding a healthcare provider? Call 311
Mental Health
- NYS Mental Health Department
- NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline: 1-844-863-9314
- NYPCC Counseling
- Insight Timer Meditation App
COVID-19 Information
- Centers For Disease Control
- NYC COVID-19 Closings & Laws
- NYC Department of Health
- Free New York Times News
- 24-Hour NYS Coronavirus hotline: 1-888-364-3065
- Price Gouging hotline: 800-697-1220 or dial 311
- Face Covering Distribution Locations
- COVID 19 Rental Assistance: Accepting Applications for 2 weeks (started 7/16) Rental assistance
- Text ‘COVID’ to 692-692 to get important COVID-19 related updates sent straight to your phone. You can text ‘COVIDESP’ to get updates in Spanish.
Job Related Resources
Workplace, Unemployment, Financial Aid
- New York Paid Sick Leave information
- Important Information about NYC Workplace Laws
- Apply for Unemployment Assistance
- NYC Small Business Services – Financial Assistance For Small Businesses Impacted By COVID-19
Job Opportunities
At Home Resources
Parents & Guardians
- Tips To Help You Work From Home
- 6 Tips for Homeschooling During Coronavirus
- Helping Children Cope during COVID
- How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
- How To Turn Your Home Into A School Without Losing Your Sanity
Students
- Free Audible Books for Kids of All Ages (and Several Languages)
- Free learning tools from The American Museum of Natural History
Leisure & Fun
Internet & Digital
Literacy Resources
Literacy Resources
The Universal Literacy launched in 2016 with the goal of ensuring that all students are reading on grade level by the end of second grade. Studies show that students who are reading at grade level by the end of second grade are far more likely to graduate from high school than those who aren't.
To significantly increase the share of students reaching that benchmark, the Universal Literacy initiative provides schools with support from a dedicated reading coach, who works with kindergarten through second grade teachers to ensure students are reading on grade level by the end of second grade.
PS 59 is supported by Universal Literacy Reading Coach Tamaira Green.
Helpful reading tips/websites:
Free online programs to teach beginning readers:
