Click here for welcome letters and supply lists.
Click here for welcome letters and supply lists.
Click here for welcome letters and supply lists.
Dr. J. Cotto Principal
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!!!
9/4/25
Dear P.S. 38 Families,
Welcome back to a brand new school year at P.S. 38 – The Home of the Dolphins! I hope you had a restful, safe, and joyful summer. Whether you are returning or new to our school community, we are so happy to welcome you to the 2025–2026 school year.
At P.S. 38, we believe in the power of working together – because Together is Better. Our school is a place where students, staff, and families come together to create a supportive, engaging, and inclusive environment where every child can thrive.
Our dedicated teachers and staff have been busy preparing classrooms, planning lessons, and setting the stage for an incredible year of learning, growth, and fun. This year, we’re excited to continue building strong academic foundations while also focusing on kindness, collaboration, and student voice.
We’ll also continue to plan authentic family engagement activities and exciting schoolwide activities for the school community, because we know that when schools and families partner closely, students achieve more. We encourage you to stay connected through our school website ps38si.org , newsletters, flyers, classroom communication (ClassDojo), and upcoming family events. In addition, I am accessible via email at jcotto@schools.nyc.gov or by calling the school at 718-351-1225.
Thank you for your continued support and for being an essential part of our school community. Let’s make this school year one of connection, achievement, and celebration—for every dolphin in our school.
With Dolphin Pride,
Dr. Jason Cotto
Principal
P.S. 38 Elementary School
“Together is Better”
Mrs. Frisz
Assistant Principal
Dear P.S. 38 Families,
It is with great pleasure and excitement that I write to you today to announce that after teaching the wonderful children of this community for 20 years, I will be moving into a new role as P.S. 38’s Assistant Principal, Interim Acting. For those of you who do not know me, over the years at P.S. 38 I have taught 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade as well as STEM for grades 3 through 5. I have also been a member of the School Leadership and Instructional Teams, mentor for new teachers, Test Coordinator, Data Specialist, and Technology SPOC, just to name a few titles. Through these roles, I have gained the expertise and experience needed to help our students and school community move forward.
I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to work with such amazing and dedicated leaders, educators, and staff, as well as our hardworking PTA, parents, and families who are essential to the success of our students and school community. I am committed to supporting Dr. Cotto and the work he has begun along with our Instructional and School Leadership Teams.
This year we will be focusing on implementing our new ELA curriculum, HMH Into Reading, which is a research based program that cultivates strong readers, writers, and life-long learners. We will also be continuing our work with Envisions Math, which helps develop conceptual understanding, assesses learning, and uses student data to inform instruction.
Over the years, I have loved teaching your children, watching them grow, some into adulthood, and now return to our P.S. 38 family with their own children. This is a testament to the strong bonds and connections formed by this tight knit school community. I plan to continue to foster this sense of community, to ensure families are welcomed into our building, and that our children feel safe, welcomed, and heard. I truly believe that there is no other school quite like P.S. 38 and I feel privileged to serve this community. I’m looking forward to seeing you as we embark upon a great year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Mary Frisz
September 23, 2024
Dear District 31 Community,
I am honored to announce that I will be serving as Interim-Acting Superintendent of District 31. Since
joining this community as Deputy Superintendent in 2023, I have been continually inspired by the
dedication and resilience of our students, families, and community members. It has been a pleasure
meeting many of you at various events, and I look forward to connecting with even more of you in the
days ahead.
One of the things I admire most about District 31 is the strong sense of family that permeates our
schools. During my school visits and community conversations, I have come to deeply appreciate your
partnerships and advocacy for our students. Your voices matter, and I am eager to continue engaging
with you in the weeks to come.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Wilson for her years of service to District 31. As I step
into this role, I am committed to working closely with our principals, educators, community partners and
our amazing families to elevate student achievement and support the social-emotional well-being of
every student. Our focus remains steadfast: ensuring that every child in our district receives a highquality education that prepares them for a bright starts and bold futures.
Moving forward, our shared vision will be guided by the belief that "Together is Better." By strengthening
our collaboration and celebrating the unique strengths of each school community, we will create an
environment where every student can thrive.
I am excited to continue this journey with all of you and look forward to the progress we will achieve
together. Should you need to reach our office, please call (929) 569 5109. We look forward to hearing
from you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Roderick Palton
Interim-Acting Superintendent
October 3 & 4, 2024 NO SCHOOL
October 14, 2024 NO SCHOOL
October 18, 2024 PTA Meeting 8:15 AM Title 1 Meeting
October 21, 2024- FDNY Fire SMART Assembly
October 22, 2024- PALP Grades K-2 @ 8:40am
October 23, 2024 - PALP Grades 3-5 @ 8:40am
October 31, 2024- Halloween "Walk for a Cause"
PTA Meetings will be IN-Person at PS 38
Oct. 18 PTA Meeting 8:15 AM Title 1 Meeting
Nov. 15 PTA Meeting 8:15 AM
Dec. 13 PTA Meeting
Jan. 17 PTA Meeting 8:15 Am
Feb. 7 PTA Meeting 8:15 Am
March 14 PTA Meeting 8:15 Am
April 11 PTA Meeting 8:15 Am Nominations taken from the floor
May 16 PTA Meeting 8:15 Am Voting in person
Check here to see how Class DOJO works.
Do you need a device or technical support? Need help with a broken, lost, or stolen device? Call DOE’s IT Help
desk at 718-935-5100 and press 4 to get assistance.
You can also get quick help online:
Browse tech support topics: schools.nyc.gov/technicaltools
File a tech support ticket: schools.nyc.gov/techsupport
Request a device: schools.nyc.gov/devices
Get support with a DOE-issued iPad: schools.nyc.gov/ipadfixes
Issues with your Internet connection: schools.nyc.gov/internet
For information on platforms your child may use and ways to support them during remote learning, visit
schools.nyc.gov/remotechecklist.
Remember that our school day starts at 7:45 am. Children who arrive later than 7:55 will be marked late.
Student Privacy Annual Notices:
The DOE takes the confidentiality of information about students very seriously. There are several federal and state laws, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and New York State Education Law 2-d, and local regulations, such as Chancellor’s Regulation A-820, that protect students’ “personally identifiable information” (PII). These laws also place responsibilities on the DOE and outside parties that are given access to students’ PII, including the requirement for the DOE and schools to provide families with the following annual notices:
The Discipline Code is also known as the Citywide Behavioral Expectations to Support Student Learning. It:
Please review the P.S. 38 Family Handbook
form information about our school and its policies.
Special Education Information
