If you have not accepted your kindergarten offer, please log into your MySchools account and do so.
If you accepted the offer, the school started sending out registration forms and you will be receiving them soon. Please complete the forms and send them back to Ms. Lauraine via email along with the needed documents by Friday May 22, 2020.
If you accepted the kindergarten offer and did not receive registration forms, please email Ms. Lauraine at lrademaker@schools.nyc.gov. THE PTA
Along with your classroom teacher, the PTA will be your primary source of School news, updates and events. It is critical that every family has an email address where we can contact you.
We strongly urge families to like or follow our Facebook Page - this is often the first place that updates, announcements, reminders, and notices are posted.
The PTA hosts many events and fundraisers for our school community each year, and ALL our families are automatically members of the PTA. Having families participate and be engaged as much as possible is one of the things that makes our school special. It is our expectation that all families will contribute in some way - by making an annual donation, by volunteering to help at events, attending PTA meetings - helping out whenever possible.
2020-21 TEACHER & CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
Your Teacher and Class assignments, along with essential Family Information packets will be mailed to the address on your DOE file during the week before school begins. Included will be procedures for the first day of school. If your address changes before this time, please notify the school immediately. Every effort is made to finalize the class lists by this time, however, changes can still happen. The Family Information Packet and Blue Emergency Contact Card MUST be completed and returned to your child's teacher ASAP.
DAILY DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP
Morning Drop-off
School doors will open at 8:22am. Students MUST be inside the school by 8:25am every morning. Students arriving at 8:26am or later will be marked late.
The first few days of school Kindergarten parents will be able to accompany their students to their classrooms. The second week of school, Kindergarten students will need to say goodbye to parents outside at the yellow line before making their way to their classroom - staff will be stationed at many posts along the hallways to assist students with directions.
Afternoon Pickup
The first day of school is an early dismissal day for Kindergarten (students will be dismissed from inside at approximately 11:25am - time to be confirmed).
After the first day of school, all dismissals will happen outside in the school play yard. The side gate will be opened at approximately 2:40pm, and students will be brought out by classroom teachers to their assigned spot in the yard.
All students must be signed out by a parent or adult on the Blue emergency contact Card.
For safety and privacy reasons, teachers are not able to discuss your child’s day with you at pick-up. If you have any questions or concerns please send in a written note or email them - staff will try to respond within 24-48 hours.
MEALS AT 217
Breakfast Club
Breakfast is offered free for all students on school days. Students will be permitted to enter from 7:45-8:15am. Adults are not permitted to accompany students, with the exception of PreK students. Students can come as often as they wish - no registration or notice is required.
Lunch Time
Students have one period of lunch and recess each day - so 25 minutes for each. Kindergarten and First Grade classes attend lunch and recess together.
Lunch is provided free of charge by the DOE, but students are very welcome to bring lunches from home. (Parents of previous kindergarteners recommend sending a packed particularly at the beginning of the year - then they can begin eating as soon as they arrive in the cafeteria rather than waiting in a long line to be served).
While students are settling into new routines, it is common that students spend a lot of time talking with new friends rather than eating. Supervisors do their best to remind kids to eat, but don’t be surprised or too concerned if lunch boxes are coming back still full!
PS/IS 217 is a nut aware school. Students with allergies are able to invite a friend to accompany them at a separate table if allergies require.
Pork and pork products are never served as part of DOE breakfasts and lunches.
RECESS
PS/IS 217 follows DOE recommendations that recess is outside wherever possible, unless it is raining, icy or the temperature drops below 18F. Please be aware of the weather each day and make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the day.
TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR CHILD OVER SUMMER
Summer is a great time to practice problem-solving with your child. For example, if you sit down to dinner and there is no fork, let them think about that and ask them how the problem can be solved.
Remind them that when school begins that they can ask their friends, classmates and teachers for help if they need it.
Have them think about what clothes then need to wear the next day, or what things need to be packed inside their backpack.
Start a regular evening reading routine when you and your child read together for 10 minutes.
Teach your child how to own their food and snack containers
The summer Kindergarten packet (file attached at the bottom of this page) is an optional guide based on what students will be focusing on next year. It covers teaching students the sounds of letters, number recognition, basic letter tracing. Sight words are also included - students are NOT expected to know these before they start!
Above all, we recommend children spend summer exploring, trying new things, being curious and spending quality time engaging and interacting with you!
SCHOOL BUS
The First Marathon Bus Corp runs a paid bus service between District 30 neighborhoods (Jackson Heights, Woodside, Sunnyside, Astoria & Long Island City).
For more information contact: Luz Zapata, liz4630@hotmail.com; phone (718) 607-9277