February
PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER #6
February 1, 2011
Dear Parents,
Our number one priority is to give your child the best possible education possible. With that in mind we are beginning a new initiative called, “Instruction First.” This means that our goal is to not interrupt classroom instructional time. For example, office staff will not be permitted to call classrooms with messages. Instead, notes will be left in the teachers’ mailboxes. In addition, please try to reduce the number of times you have to pick up your child early from school. After 2:40 P.M., we can not dismiss students because our regular dismissal procedures begin. These changes will benefit your child.
February is a busy month! We have many activities and events. The week of February 7 -11 we are having a week long attendance contest. The class with the highest attendance for the week will win a pizza party. Also, on February 11, we will have our first annual “41 Famous American” celebration. Every class has been studying one famous American, and all classes will share their research. We will then create a big book with all the people studied. The book will be shared with all the classes and eventually put in our school library. We will also have a bubble gum blowing contest during lunch time. On February 14, 2011, we will have, wear red or pink for Valentines Day. On Friday, February 18, 2011, we will celebrate “Black History” month with a special assembly. The assembly will focus on Black History through time.
You should have received your child’s progress report. Please send a note to your child’s teacher if you need to see the teacher, or set up an appointment, or a phone conference.
We have an urgent parent meeting scheduled for Friday, February 11, 2011. At this meeting, we will discuss the new promotional exams for grades 3, 4 & 5, and give you some ideas about what you can do to help your child. Breakfast will be served. Please make every effort to attend.
Sincerely,
Erika Tobia
Principal
February 1, 2011
Dear Parents,
Our number one priority is to give your child the best possible education possible. With that in mind we are beginning a new initiative called, “Instruction First.” This means that our goal is to not interrupt classroom instructional time. For example, office staff will not be permitted to call classrooms with messages. Instead, notes will be left in the teachers’ mailboxes. In addition, please try to reduce the number of times you have to pick up your child early from school. After 2:40 P.M., we can not dismiss students because our regular dismissal procedures begin. These changes will benefit your child.
February is a busy month! We have many activities and events. The week of February 7 -11 we are having a week long attendance contest. The class with the highest attendance for the week will win a pizza party. Also, on February 11, we will have our first annual “41 Famous American” celebration. Every class has been studying one famous American, and all classes will share their research. We will then create a big book with all the people studied. The book will be shared with all the classes and eventually put in our school library. We will also have a bubble gum blowing contest during lunch time. On February 14, 2011, we will have, wear red or pink for Valentines Day. On Friday, February 18, 2011, we will celebrate “Black History” month with a special assembly. The assembly will focus on Black History through time.
You should have received your child’s progress report. Please send a note to your child’s teacher if you need to see the teacher, or set up an appointment, or a phone conference.
We have an urgent parent meeting scheduled for Friday, February 11, 2011. At this meeting, we will discuss the new promotional exams for grades 3, 4 & 5, and give you some ideas about what you can do to help your child. Breakfast will be served. Please make every effort to attend.
Sincerely,
Erika Tobia
Principal
January
January 5, 2011
Dear Parents,
I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. As we begin a new year, I want to remind you of the importance of attendance. Be sure to have your child at school everyday and on time. Excellent attendance is one of the most important factors for academic success.
On December 23, 2010 at 6:50 a.m., P.S.41 experienced a power outage. As a result, the building had no heat and limited electricity. We were asked to evacuate the building. A team of people from the district came to the school to assist and ensure that we had a safe and orderly evacuation. I want to thank all of you for your cooperation and patience.
As you know the state has changed the promotional criteria for all students in grades 3, 4 and 5. The New York State Education Department has set new and higher standards for all our students. All students will have to answer more questions and the test will include more testing days for all grades. Please speak with your child’s teacher about any concerns you have so that we can work together to help all the students pass their reading and math exams.
Please look for your child’s progress report the last week of January. This will give you an idea about the progress your child has made since the last report card. If you do not receive it, please speak with your child’s teacher.
Your child has many assessments in all subject areas. You should be receiving the tests at home to review and sign. You should also be receiving study guides to assist your child with studying for exams.
Sincerely,
Erika Tobia
Principal
Dear Parents,
I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. As we begin a new year, I want to remind you of the importance of attendance. Be sure to have your child at school everyday and on time. Excellent attendance is one of the most important factors for academic success.
On December 23, 2010 at 6:50 a.m., P.S.41 experienced a power outage. As a result, the building had no heat and limited electricity. We were asked to evacuate the building. A team of people from the district came to the school to assist and ensure that we had a safe and orderly evacuation. I want to thank all of you for your cooperation and patience.
As you know the state has changed the promotional criteria for all students in grades 3, 4 and 5. The New York State Education Department has set new and higher standards for all our students. All students will have to answer more questions and the test will include more testing days for all grades. Please speak with your child’s teacher about any concerns you have so that we can work together to help all the students pass their reading and math exams.
Please look for your child’s progress report the last week of January. This will give you an idea about the progress your child has made since the last report card. If you do not receive it, please speak with your child’s teacher.
Your child has many assessments in all subject areas. You should be receiving the tests at home to review and sign. You should also be receiving study guides to assist your child with studying for exams.
Sincerely,
Erika Tobia
Principal
December
December 1, 2010
Dear Parents,
P.S.41 has achieved an “A” for the third year in a row! We are very proud of this accomplishment. We will continue to work hard to help your child be successful and achieve progress every year.
Important new information about Promotion
The state has changed the promotional criteria for all students in grades 3, 4 and 5. The New York State Education Department has set new cut scores for promotion. For example, in 2009, in order to pass the mathematics exam, a student in grade 3 needed to earn 21 answers correct. In 2010, a student needed 34 answers correct to pass the same mathematics exam. This is similar in all grades in both mathematics and English Language Arts. Therefore it will be much more challenging for your child to pass the state exams. In addition, a new test has been created. All students will have to answer more questions and the test will include more testing days for all grades.
If you have more questions about this please feel free to contact me or your child’s teacher. It is critical that your child attend school EVERYDAY and be ON TIME.
We are working hard to prepare the students; however, if your child doesn’t have excellent attendance it will be more difficult for your child to pass the exams.
December Events
We have some exciting events coming up this month at school. On December 3, we have our first Story Telling Contest. We also have our second Family Night centered around Holiday crafts. On December 10, 2010, we have a parent workshop given by a local firefighter about fire safety. We also have a special holiday assembly celebrating the season. On December 23, 2010 will be our next school pride day and “Wear Your Holiday Hat.” We look forward to a special month.
Arts & Science
Again our school is partnering with the 92nd Street Y for dance and music. All students in grades K through 3 will take part in this program. As part of the program, students will also go to see performances at the 92nd Street Y.
Grade four students will take part in a new program this year as we partner with Audubon New York. Students will learn about birds in our area and apply scientific investigation strategies while learning about environmental awareness. This project will include trips and a session with “Birds of Prey” coming into the school. Students will learn about the birds visiting with them live.
Please feel free to meet with me any time to discuss your child’s progress. We want to partner with you to help your child be as successful as possible while at PS 41.
Sincerely,
Erika Tobia
Principal