November 13, 2018

Dear Families,

Happy November!!! The leaves have turned color, are beginning to fall, and last weekend was Daylight Savings
Time. We have set our clocks back one hour and although we gained a bit of sleep, please note that the days
will begin to get darker earlier and it will get much cooler. Therefore, I ask that you please make sure your
children dress appropriately for the weather and wear a jacket (labeled with their name) to school. Sometimes
children slip out the door before we get to see them, but all children must have a jacket especially if they want to
go out for recess. Children will continue to go out for recess every day until it is freezing as the fresh air does
them good and it is their time to socialize, play and exert their energy.

On October 31st, we hosted our annual Pumpkin Patch and Halloween Wonder Walk Parade. Every child was
able to visit our Pumpkin Patch. The Pumpkin Patch is always sponsored by our PTA. On behalf of the PTA
and the entire PS 38 staff, I would like to thank all of the parents who volunteered to assist at this event and
everyone who donated cupcakes and juice to make this event memorable for every child at PS 38! The children
were all so very excited to see so many parents come out to watch us as we marched for babies to benefit the
March of Dimes. The March of Dimes funds lifesaving research and programs and works to end premature
birth, birth defects and infant mortality. Every baby deserves a healthy start!

On November 9th many families joined us for Parents as Learning Partner Day to engage in a variety of Social
Media activities with their children as we build social media awareness, promote internet safety and deter cyber
bullying. Our STEM teachers, Ms. Regan and Mrs. Frisz also provided an informative brief internet safety
workshop, and families all walked away with an informative Social Media/Internet Safety book as a resource.
PALP Days are exciting days when you are invited to come in as partners in learning with your child and learn a
little about our curriculum. Our next PALP Day will be on December 21st when we host our Annual Gingerbread
House Day!!!!! We look forward to seeing many families on this special day.

Our Annual Cultural Cromwell Café took place on the evening of November 9th and I would like to extend a very
special thank you to Mrs. Chow, our Parent Coordinator, and our PTA for organizing this lovely annual event.
Many families brought in a cultural dish and we all came together to break bread and celebrate the diversity of
our PS 38 community. Thank you to all the families and staff who braved the rain, brought the delicious food,
and joined us…it was just lovely.

We are now well into the swing of teaching and learning. Teachers have engaged students in their second round
of assessments in reading, writing, math, spelling, etc. At PS 38 we tailor the instruction to meet students’ needs
and we closely re-assess and monitor student learning throughout the year. We keep open lines of
communication and teachers will continue to keep families informed of their children’s progress highlighting areas
of celebration and areas in need of improvement. Should you wish to schedule a meeting with your child’s
teacher you may contact Mrs. Chow our Parent Coordinator who can assist you.

A word about Safety First and our Discipline Code: The NYC DOE Discipline code was shared with every
family at the beginning of the year and families were asked to review it and return the Student/Parent Bill of
Rights and Responsibilities. The Discipline Code outlines our roles and responsibilities as educators and
Administrators and how we may deal with specific inappropriate school behaviors. This is set forth by the
Chancellor and the City of New York.
Our teachers consistently engage your children in lessons around appropriate school behaviors and conflict
resolution. They work in conjunction with Administration, our School Counselors, and our School Based Support
Team. Teachers are the first disciplinarians as they instruct your children all day long. The expectation is that
ALL students respect their teachers and peers and exhibit appropriate school behaviors which do not interrupt
the learning process. When behaviors present themselves, they are intervened and addressed accordingly.
We ask that you work with us as partners in developing your child not just academically, but socially and
emotionally. At PS 38 we believe in being transparent and therefore we keep open lines of communication with
all families.
“The Citywide Standards of Intervention and Discipline Measures (the
Discipline Code) provides a description of conduct that does not meet
the standards of behavior expected of students in the New York City
public schools. It includes a range of guidance interventions and a
range of permissible disciplinary and intervention measures that
schools may use to address misbehavior. Also included is the Bill of
Students Rights and Responsibilities.
The Discipline Code applies to all students.”
We ask that you respect us as educators who must address discipline with the knowledge that every decision
we make is thoroughly analyzed and every consequence is aligned to the infraction appropriately as set forth in
the Discipline Code.

Currently we have about 365 students…that is 365 personalities. Children are just that, children, and they are
still learning to resolve conflict. At PS 38 we are trained in de-escalation and utilize conflict resolution methods
to provide children with skills and tools they can use to resolve conflict through life. In our efforts to promote
positive school culture we would like to enlist all parents as “Partners in Learning” to support us in addressing
behavioral areas of concern as PS 38 continues to be a safe haven and productive environment for all of our
students. We urge and encourage you to work hand in hand with us as this will ensure that all our children
become active learners and model citizens of our community. We will continue to encourage your children to
follow The Golden Rule-“Treat others as you would want to be treated.”
At this time we are asking all families to once again, please take the time to familiarize yourselves with the
NYC/DOE Discipline Code and to reflect on the behavioral expectations of students when in school as set forth
by the Chancellor and the NYC DOE.
http://schools.nyc.gov/RulesPolicies/DisciplineCode/default.htm

Important Dates:
November 15, 2018: Parent Teacher Conferences from 1:00-3:00 and in the evening from 4:30-
7:30. Scheduled appointments are brief 5 minute student led conversations so bring your child!
Students will engage you in a conversation about an area they glow in and how they are working to
grow their learning further. They will show this with a sample of their work and show the tools they are
using to do this. The meetings are only 5 minutes and then you will receive their report card. If you
wish to have a detailed progress meeting or discuss concerns, please see Mrs. Chow to schedule a
meeting as these conversations warrant more time.

Book Fair: During Parent Teacher Conferences our PTA will host a Book Fair for families. The best
way to become a better reader is to read, read, read!!!! Books also make great gifts for the holidays so
please stop in the all-purpose room and visit our family Book Fair. We will also host the book fair for
students again on November 16th during the school day so feel free to send money for your child to
purchase books in an envelope with the amount enclosed, child’s name and class.
Letters will be forthcoming.

Lastly, as Thanksgiving approaches us I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you for entrusting
your children to us. They are all unique and amazing and truly make our hearts smile!!!!!

From our P.S. 38 family to yours…Wishing You All a Lovely Thanksgiving Holiday!
May Thanksgiving and every day be filled with love of family, friends, and many
beautiful memories.

 “Partners with Families…Partners In Learning”

   Believing In Children...

Inspiring Young Minds,

  Nancy Murillo

Principal

  11-13-18 family letter.pdf 

10-9-18 parent letter.doc 

  18-19 Sept welcome letter to families.doc