A note from our Chancellor
March 22, 2020
Dear Families,
Tomorrow, we will all come together to take the first steps of a huge new educational journey as New York City brings remote learning to our 1.1 million students.
While none of us could have predicted even a few weeks ago that we would launch this dramatic new transition in education, I could not be prouder of the way our educators have come together to ready themselves to teach your children from their own homes. And I could not be more grateful to all of you for your faith in our educators, and all of the hardworking staff at DOE.
This will not be perfect. Nothing can ever replace a talented teacher in a classroom. We know the challenges and inequities our students face. But over the past week I have seen DOE’s 150,000 staff rise to this challenge in astounding ways. Your faith in them is deserved and earned.
Things have moved very quickly since Mayor de Blasio and I made the very difficult decision one week ago that school buildings would close for student instruction until at least April 20. Educators citywide created a remote curriculum in days. Every school has been equipped with an online platform. Learning
resources, including those for special education and multilingual learners, have been developed and posted on our website—and there is so much more to come.
All the relevant information you need about engaging in remote learning is on our website at schools.nyc.gov—please visit it frequently for updates. And please check in with your teachers and principals if you have questions: just as they were before last week, they will continue to be your guide to instruction and (virtual) engagement during these unprecedented times. I will share a few key pieces of information here to keep in mind for this week:
• Remote Learning: Each school has its own online platform, with many schools using Google Classroom. Educators have contacted school communities to let you know what remote learning tool your child’s school will be using.
o You can find instructions on DOE student accounts and getting started in Google
Classroom and Microsoft Teams at schools.nyc.gov/learnathome.
o If you are having additional problems connecting, contact your school directly via email.
Our Find a School tool can help you find contact info for your school as well, if you do not
already have it: schools.nyc.gov/find-a-school.
• Electronic Devices: If your child needs an internet-connected device to participate in remote learning, and you have not yet filled out a device request form, please visit coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices to request a device on loan from DOE.
• Many of you have already received a device on loan from your school. If you have not and you still require a device, please fill out the survey. Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): If your student is recommended for integrated co-teaching, special class, or special education teacher support services, your school will make every effort to arrange for them to continue to receive instruction from the same special education teachers and classroom
paraprofessionals that usually teach them. Someone from your school will contact you to discuss how instruction will be delivered.
o Your child’s IEP meetings will still take place; IEP meetings will be conducted by phone.
To make a referral for initial evaluation or reevaluation, you can email your principal or specialeducation@schools.nyc.gov, or call 311.
o For more on remote learning for students with IEPs, please visit schools.nyc.gov/learnathome.
• Free Meals: We will continue to offer free meals in the weeks ahead at more than 400 sites across the city. Food hubs will operate Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. through 1:30 p.m., and any student of any age can get 3 meals daily. Visit schools.nyc.gov/freemeals to find a site near you.
• Regional Enrichment Centers: On Monday, March 23, the City will open Regional Enrichment Centers (RECs) for the children of front-line workers in the fight against COVID-19—including first responders and healthcare workers. If you believe your child may be eligible to attend a REC, please visit schools.nyc.gov/recs.
• Enrollment and Placement Support: Family Welcome Center staff are available by email, and are prepared to assist with enrollment and placement of new admissions, questions around admissions, information about offers, and waitlists. They do not handle REC enrollment.
o Please be aware FWCs are processing a high volume of questions at this time in connection
to the recent release of high school admissions offer letters. We ask for your patience, and
are aiming to respond to all requests within 48 hours. Here’s how to receive direct support
on these topics:
• Bronx: bronxfwc@schools.nyc.gov
• Brooklyn: brooklynfwc@schools.nyc.gov
• Manhattan: manhattanfwc@schools.nyc.gov
• Queens: queensfwc@schools.nyc.gov
• Staten Island: statenislandfwc@schools.nyc.gov
Parents can also call 311 and say “Schools” to be routed to someone who can help with schoolrelated questions.
If you need help with a problem that cannot be resolved at the school level or wish to report a complaint, please reach out to your district superintendent’s office. Contact information for your district support team can be found here: schools.nyc.gov/about-us/leadership/district-leadership. If you do not know the district
in which your child’s school is located, please use the Find A School tool: schools.nyc.gov/find-a-school.
There will surely be bumps in the road as we all adjust to this new reality, and I want to thank you for the patience that will be demanded of you as we undertake this transformation together. In just a few hours, we will all take a great leap together into uncharted territory. We will be successful if we continue to work together as a community of families, educators, and staff. We all share two key goals: a high-quality education for every single one of our 1.1 million students, and protecting health and safety of everyone in our school communities. That means that public education in New York City is going to look tremendously different for the
foreseeable future. But together, we will chart this path forward, and I have no doubt that we will eventually look back and say this was our finest hour: when we confronted this great challenge and overcame it, in unity, with shared strength and commitment. New York City has the greatest students and staff in the world, and nothing will ever change that—today, tomorrow, or ever. I am excited to be on this journey with you. Together, I am confident we will learn and grow with boundless potential.
Sincerely,
Richard A. Carranza
Chancellor
New York City Department of Education
Microsoft Word - FINAL_03.22.20_Family Letter_Remote Learning (Letterhead) 1145am_ls.docx.pdf
Student School Work-
Tuesday March 24, 2020
iPad Distribution
To keep students connected and able to participate in remote learning, the DOE is lending 300,000 internet-enabled iPads to students. Priority will be given to students most in need. All devices are granted on a temporary basis and will later need to be returned. There is a limit of one device per student.
Families that want to request a device should fill out the Remote Learning Device Request.
Teachers and school staff should use this same form to request devices on behalf of their students.
Timing
The DOE is working with Apple and T-Mobile to ensure that in the coming weeks, students who don’t currently have an internet-enabled device will have one for schoolwork at home while schools are closed.
Individual Deliveries
The DOE is contracting with FedEx to deliver iPads directly to students. Your iPad will be shipped to the address you entered on the request form. Multiple iPads will be delivered to homeless shelters and foster care centers.
If you have already filled out the request form, you will receive a text message or email making sure you have completed the Student Device Loan Agreement. Please complete the agreement when you request a device as your device cannot be shipped unless you have signed the agreement.
Please make sure someone is at the address to accept the delivery, as FedEx will not leave packages unattended. Also, FedEx carriers will adhere to social distancing rules.
Getting Started with Your iPad
If you are borrowing an iPad from the NYC Department of Education for remote learning, here is what you need to know when getting started with your device.
Internet Ready
Your iPad comes with internet access already enabled. It is activated on T-Mobile’s Education plan. You will be able to visit websites and download apps immediately.
If you cannot access the internet:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Cellular Data.
- Turn on Cellular Data.
- Tap Cellular Data Options.
- Verify that LTE and data roaming are turned on.
Filtered Content
Your iPad has built-in content filtering. This means that your student will not be able to access adult content on the iPad. Filtering rules are compliant with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Schools may also put a third-party blocker on the tablets to decrypt and filter https traffic in accordance with their rules.
Technical Support
- For hardware and software support: call AppleCare Support for the NYCDOE at 1-800-919-2775. When prompted, enter the PIN: 692363 (NYCDOE).
- To request a repair: send an email to AppleCare at acnycdoe@group.apple.com(Open external link).
- Please include the device’s serial number and a brief description of the issue.
- If you are in District 75, email D75ATRepair-Replacem@schools.nyc.gov.
Apple Care+ for Schools
The iPad also comes with Apple Care+ for Schools. This means you get 24/7 technical support and priority access to Apple experts either by chat or phone.
Aaron Bogad, President
Parent CODIV-19 Information
Schools are CLOSED through April 20, 2020-
March 19, 2020
Dear Families,
In order to successfully fight COVID-19, our first responders, health care providers, transit workers, and other key
personnel must be able to come to work. That is why we have created Regional Enrichment Centers (RECs)—places
where the children of these front-line workers can be safely cared for while their parents continue to serve the city in
this time of need. Staffed by DOE employees and community-based organization partners, the centers will provide
children with three hot meals daily, remote learning time with their teachers, activities like art and music, and social and
emotional support. Regional Enrichment Centers will be available citywide.
If you are a first responder, health care provider, or transit worker whose child is a New York City resident, and you have
no other child care option, please complete this survey to begin your enrollment process. You will then be contacted
about assignment to a site near your home. These centers are not available for any other New Yorkers at this time. We
will post additional updates and information on the DOE website about RECs as we have it at schools.nyc.gov.
Additional information about Regional Enrichment Centers:
RECs will be open from Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Each room will have a maximum of 12 children, supported by at least one adult; this size will both allow for
personalized attention and will meet social distancing needs. RECs will also have nurses on site.
Children will have the opportunity to participate in remote learning with their regular school, as is the case for
all NYC public school students.
Children will also have opportunities to engage in art, music, and physical education.
The environment will be safe and supportive, and staff will be prepared to respond to children’s social and
emotional needs
Children will be offered a site based on their home address and their parent or caregiver’s role in providing
essential services.
Students will be asked each day to bring a device they can use for remote learning if one is available.
Please compete the survey today ONLY if you are a healthcare worker, first responder, or transit worker. Following
survey submission, the DOE will contact you with additional details about where and how to bring your child to a REC
site within 48-72 hours.
If you have questions about enrollment for the Regional Enrichment Centers, please call (718) 935-2200.
Sincerely,
Richard A. Carranza
Chancellor
New York City Department of Education
Comfort Dog Shelby -Join her google classroom page with this code rzxdusk
Join her google classroom page.
Hello Spring!
Principals Corner
3/29/20
Dear Families,
I hopes this letter finds you and your loved ones well.
We have completed our first week of remote learning and we have done this “together as a school community.” As a school, our first goal was to create and get a digital learning platform up and running while simultaneously supporting the social emotional needs of our students and families. In three short days our entire PS 38 staff took on this great feat to ensure your children had a sense of normalcy during these uncertain times. As you can see “Staying Connected” was a priority for us and our teachers and staff have done a commendable job taking on new learning to ensure your children could see them and hear them as they teach. The learning continues to grow.
At this time we are encouraging "Flexibility and Patience" as this is an adjustment and a journey we are ALL on. As the Chancellor said, “We are building the plane as we are flying it.” There is no manual and we are learning as we go.
Life as we knew it changed in a matter of days and we are ALL adjusting. Remote learning is new for us, our own families, and our students and their families. This Pandemic and the uncertainty of our current climate has stirred a lot of fear and anxiety.
We all need to take a deep breath as a lot has changed in a very short amount of time.
This has not been easy for anyone.
Communication is key. We empathize with how everyone reacts and internalizes such tragic circumstances differently, and we are working diligently to be responsive to our community’s needs. We ask that you please understand that this is a work in progress and adjustments will be made along the way. We are here to support you and your children. Our parent coordinator is also available and can be reached at: mchow2@schools.nyc.gov
Many of our staff have families and little ones just like you and they are juggling the nuances of remote learning and their families simultaneously. I want to publicly commend our staff for going above and beyond their work day as many have, to plan for and support our students and families as we all transition to this new way of learning and new way of living. The PS 38 staff teach with heart and they are the BEST!
You can have your children make thank you cards and post them for their teachers to see. A small act of kindness goes a long way.
We will continue to show our families and children that during such uncertain times, we as a school are here for you. We will continue to “stay connected” with students and families as we make this transition together.
Together we are stronger, and “Together we will overcome this.”
Families stay hopeful, stay positive, and stay well.
Believing In Children...
Inspiring Young Minds,
Nancy Murillo
Principal
Public School 38/The George Cromwell School
421 Lincoln Avenue
Staten Island, N.Y., 10306
Tele: 718-351-1225
Fax: 718-979-2487
What are Google Apps and how are they useful?
Google Drive - cloud storage for all file types including images, videos and audio files. Students have unlimited storage and can access their files from any device, anywhere they have an internet connection.
Google Docs - Word processing tool to allow students to create and edit text and paragraphs. Students can collaborate on the same document and teachers can easily provide feedback while students are working. Like all Google Apps, Google Docs auto-saves within Google Drive.
Google Classroom - A blended learning platform that integrates Google Apps to allow teachers to assign and collect work from students. Classroom creates a paperless environment and saves time providing a way for teachers and students to easily communicate and stay organized.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM
Have you checked your GOOGLE today?
To access student accounts from anywhere:
Go to http://classroom.google.com and enter the full username/email, including the @ps38r.com
parent welcome to google classroom.doc Guardian E-Mail Summary letter.doc
Google Cheat Sheets
DOE Notices-Discipline Code
Discipline Code discipline-code Sept 2019.pdf
Discipline Code for Grades K-2 discipline code-for Grades K-2 2018-PP.ppt
Discipline Code for Grades 3-5 Discipline Code for Grades 3-5-2018-PP.ppt
Upcoming Events This Week
-
SCHOOLS CLOSED - COVID-19
PS38 George Cromwell School -
NO SCHOOL- SPRING BREAK
PS38 George Cromwell School
Parent Help Needed
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!
WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE ALL THE ACTIVITIES AT PS 38 WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT!
April showers bring May flowers and P.T.A. officer elections. If you would like to be considered for nomination to a position as a P.T.A. elected officer during the 2020 – 2021 school year, please fill out the form below and return it to the P.T.A. president or a member of the nominating committee by April 5, 2020. The committee will recommend one slate (one person for each position) of eligible candidates at the April P.T.A. general membership meeting. Additional nominations will be requested from the floor. Please be sure that you are eligible for nomination.*
Helping parents with digital safety
Important School Reminders
Parent Teacher Conferences- March 5th, 2020. There is half day, 11:50 Dismissal for ALL student
LA State Exam - For grades 3,4,5 are on March 25 & 26, 2020
PAX means Peace
The PAX Good Behavior game teaches students to “flip on” their internal focus switch, required for any learning.
It teaches students how to work toward valued goals, and teaches them how to cooperate with each other to reach those goals.
Read.. Read... Read...
Leveled Book List
The following books are listed from easy to difficult by reading levels and can be found at www.amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.
Books that are “just right” for your child will be the ones on their level. To build fluency, have your child read books on an easier level. Books above your child’s level will be too difficult. However, a child’s listening level is usually 2-3 grade levels above their reading level. If your child is reading at a first grade level, they can listen and comprehend books at a third or fourth grade level.
Reading aloud to your child will help challenge students by introducing them to more sophisticated vocabulary and increasing their cognitive skills. In addition, reading together is a great time for parents to bond with their children and will provide opportunities for meaningful discussion. It will become a time you and your child look forward to each night!
Remember; don’t restrict your child’s reading material to only books. Provide the chance to read other types of materials (magazines, comics, newspapers, atlases, recipes, game instructions, etc.). This will allow them to discover several reading materials of interest.
For more leveled books, check out this website: http://orgs.bloomu.edu/americareads/leveledbooks/leveledbooks.html
Also, www.reallygoodstuffreading.com has a great set of Learn to Read Books for levels A-J.
For a list of leveled books, click here Leveled Book List _summer_.pdf
This Week in PAX
Hello PAX Leaders.
As PAX Leaders, we do not use our words to hurt. We use kind words.
Let's practice by always saying please and thank you.
Notes from Mrs. Chow
Have you completed your Parent Survey Yet???
There will be computers available during PTC so you can complete your NYC DOE Parent Survey.
For many years we have had 100% on these surveys. As an incentive we are giving free pretzel and homework pass when the entire class has 100 percent.
SLT-School Leadership Team
Our School Leadership Meetings are open to the school community and the public.
Helpful and Informative Websites: Check out these websites for tips, strategies, and ways you can help your child at home.
Parents Information Links
- Click here for theParent Handbook Parent Handbook.pptx
- Click here for New York City Public Schools Information
- Click here for information on our SAFE school water. LetterForSchoolsThatTestNegative 1.docx
- Click here for the 2015-2016 New York City Public School calendar
- Click here for the school menu
Parent Notices-5th Grade Parents
To be announced
Save the Date...
Important Dates:
March 4 PTCs-
March 10 Safety Meeting
March 12 SLT
March 13 PALP-Reading Advanced Literacies
March 17 Spirit Day Go Green for St. Patty’s Day, PTA 9:00
March 18 Spring Graduation Pictures Pre-K and 5th
March 19 2nd Grade Assembly
March 25 & 26 ELA State Testing
March 27 PTA Family Night
Social Media
-
Remember to THINK before you click!
Where can I find....?
General- All subject, All grades
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/
Reading Sites:
http://www.storylineonline.net/
Math Sites:
https://www-k6.thinkcentral.com
http://www.mathplayground.com/
Science Sites:
https://kids.usa.gov/science/index.shtml
http://ngexplorer.cengage.com/ngyoungexplorer/index.html
Parent Tips
7 Bullying Intervention Tips for Families-October 2018.doc
7 Bullying Intervention Tips for Families
- Increase Communication
Begin discussion that has to do with the social and online lives of your children as often as possible. Ask specific questions that can create important discussions (e.g., instead of “How was school?,” try “What was lunchtime like at your school—who do you sit with, what do you do and what do you talk about?”). You have to ensure your conduct shows how genuinely interested and open minded you are, and must not in any way see you as trying to control or invade privacy.
- Monitor Behavior
You can get to see your children under different situations by being watchful during social gatherings, volunteering at school and participating in extracurricular activities. If in any case you realize that your children are overly aggressive, vulnerable to peer pressure or show other behavior that gives you cause for concern, talk to them about your concerns and correct the behavior. Keep watch on the warning signs associated with bullying behavior (e.g., fear of attending school, social withdrawal, avoidance of or preoccupation with technology) and you can always believe that your instinct will intervene when you feel like your children are deviating.
- Facilitate Positive Social Experiences
Assist your children in selecting hobbies and friends that will make them have a good feeling about themselves. Whenever you realize that certain activities or relationships are capable of causing bad feelings or unhealthy conflicts, talk about how things can be improved and keep away from negative scenarios. Be a guide to your children in helping them make friends in different settings, by doing so they would not have to depend on only one place as their social outlet. Help your children to stay close to at least one friend— the feeling of being socially attached can help to reduce the effects of bullying.
- Promote Responsible Online Behavior
Speak with your children about behaving decently online, as well as showing respect for other people’s privacy including the negative effect of belittling others. They should also make sure that they understand how to protect their own privacy online (e.g., keep personal information, passwords and PINs confidential) and what their reaction should be when confronted with negative online behavior. Ensure to actively monitor your children activities online and assist them to set healthy limits as regards the time they spend online. When monitoring and filtering software, do not hide it and then feel you can depend on these kinds of tools as a means to directly involve yourself in your child’s online lives.
- Talk about Bullying
Feel free to discuss bullying with your children. Explain what bullying means to them in detail; let them know what it looks like and what to do when such a thing happens. Let them understand your expectations and values as far as offline and online societal behaviors is concerned, help them to understand what their own values should be as well as how they are to show it in the face of aggression and peer pressure. Talk and practice different ways in which they are to react to social cruelty, and make your children know that they are to come to you for help when they witness or happen to be involved in bullying situations.
- Be a Role Model
Have you ever thought about what kind of message you pass to your children whenever you gossip, make judgmental comments or act in an aggressive manner toward family members, friends, and the way you interact with staff in stores or drivers on the road. Make good use of technology and keep away from sending mean or biased posts and jokes. Show an example of what is takes to be an ally and to kick against both online and offline cruelty and prejudice.
- Be Involved at School
Always be in support of practices, policies and programs that encourage positive social behavior and always speak up when adults/institutions no longer sustains their duty of protecting children and maintaining a safe environment. Don’t wait until your child is the target to get involved and speak up.
