Message to Parents from Mrs. Tomasuolo

Dear Families, 

As we begin our third week of remote learning, I would like to share some updates and information with you. Before I do that, I would like to mention how very impressed I am by the level of engagement with remote learning. Compliments to our students and a big thank you to the adults who have been supporting this effort. Day by day, we’re all becoming more comfortable with remote learning and making it work for our children.  I realize that everyone’s home situation varies and that balancing work, family and school can be a challenging task. So thank you again for your support. 

I would like to make you aware of the following: 

• Attendance is mandatory for all students. Your child must log on to their Google Classroom every day school is in session in order to be marked present for the day.   If your child does not log on, they will be marked absent for the day and their absence will be documented in the NYC Department of Education attendance system. Please be sure that your child logs on to Google Classroom every school day. 
• There has been a change to the Department of Education school calendar. This week remote learning will take place from Monday, April 6th through Friday, April 10th.  Families who wish to observe the religious holidays on Thursday, April 9th or Friday, April 10th may do so. 
• As per the DOE guidelines, there will be no Google Meets until further notice. 

As always, your family’s health, safety and education are of utmost importance.  I wish you all continued good health and safety. Your cooperation and support throughout the implementation of our remote learning initiative is greatly appreciated. 

 Sincerely, 

 Nancy Tomasuolo 

                                             Letter from Chancellor Carranza                                                                                                          

                                                                                                            April 3, 2020
Dear Families:

Since closing school buildings and shifting to remote learning last week, all of you, in partnership with our more than 150,000 staff, have shown incredible resilience and fortitude as we leap into a new reality. Together, we have been transforming public education in the nation’s largest school system in ways we never imagined even a few weeks ago.
Throughout this process, we have approached every decision with the health, safety, and continuous learning of our students at the forefront of our minds. Through it all, I’ve emphasized that we need to operate with flexibility and patience for all our school communities.
Those values, along with the fact that social distancing remains an imperative for all New Yorkers, means we must take a new approach to Spring Recess, originally scheduled for Thursday, April 9 through Friday, April 17, 2020.
For the health and wellbeing of all New Yorkers, the City and the State are in agreement that schools must continue to offer remote learning, including during days that were previously scheduled as breaks. As a result, our schools will continue with remote learning through the time originally scheduled for Spring Recess.
We know that many New Yorkers plan to observe religious holidays on April 9 and 10. Any students and school staff who individually wish to observe those holidays may do so. However, these days will not be considered “days off” for the school system, and remote learning activities will continue for students who are not observing the holidays.

Here is additional important information for families during this time:
Remote Learning
We know that Spring Recess is a time of rest and recharging for our educators and students alike—and we know how hard all of our students and educators have been working to adapt to a new approach to learning.
With this in mind, we will offer schools remote learning resources that focus on daily themes and enrichment activities for all students for April 9-17. This will keep students and their teachers meaningfully engaged and connected with each other and ideas happening in the world around them—even as we all remain socially distant at home.
Resources will include “theme” days (e.g., wellness, world language, computer science, college and career readiness) and taking advantage virtually of the unparalleled educational and cultural resources right here in the city (e.g., museums, libraries, and cultural institutions).
More information on these activities will be shared with schools next week. We are confident that continuing remote learning will help ensure that families adhere to social distancing in the coming weeks, which is imperative to slowing the spread of the virus and keeping ourselves and our neighbors safe.

Regional Enrichment Centers
Regional Enrichment Centers (RECs) serve the children of first responders, healthcare workers, and other essential
employees across the City. The majority of the REC sites will remain open from April 9-17. We will proactively
communicate with families who may need to be temporarily reassigned to a REC during that time. Visit schools.nyc.gov/recs for more information.

Free Meals
Meal Hubs offer free meals to any New Yorker who wants them. The majority of our Meal Hub sites will also continue to
operate. To find the nearest Meal Hub to you during this period or anytime, visit schools.nyc.gov/freemeals.
Health Precautions
We know our families are working hard to stop the spread of coronavirus. People who do not show symptoms may still
be able to spread COVID-19, and therefore the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
recommends wearing a face covering or mask whenever you leave home. A face covering will not protect you from
infection, but it can help others. A face covering can include anything that covers your nose and mouth, including dust
masks, scarves and bandanas. Do not use health care worker masks, as those must be preserved for people in the health
care system. Even if you have a face covering, continue to stay home as much as possible and avoid close contact with
other people. Please visit nyc.gov/coronavirus for more information and an FAQ on face coverings, as well as other
important information on the virus.
We continue to operate with health, safety, and high-quality learning as our top priorities for every child and adult in the
DOE community across all five boroughs. Time and time again, you and your children—and all the educators who serve
them—are proving that New York City has the best students and staff in the world, and that nothing will ever change
that.
Please call 311 or visit schools.nyc.gov for any questions regarding Spring Break, RECs, Free Meals, and much more. As
always, you should reach out to your teacher, principal, and others at your school for continued information about
remote learning and your child.

Sincerely,
Richard A. Carranza
Chancellor
New York City Department of Education

Letter to P.S. 204 Families

March 23, 2020

Dear P.S. 204 Families:    

As you know, the health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Much has changed very rapidly with respect to COVID-19 in our school community and citywide. School buildings are now closed to students until April 20, 2020, and remote learning has started for all students.        

With respect to the P.S.204 community, I am writing to inform you that a member of our school community has self-reported that they tested positive for COVID-19. A disinfection of the school building has been completed in accordance with New York State Department of Health guidelines.  As a reminder, the DOE routinely conducts deep cleanings in your school.    

Please also note that according to the NYC Department of Health, there is now widespread community transmission of COVID-19 in New York City, meaning the sources of new infections are unknown.  Everyone in New York City should act as if they have been exposed to COVID-19. That means monitoring your health closely and staying home if you are sick. New Yorkers who are not sick should also stay home as much as possible and avoid all unnecessary social interactions. 

 What You Should Do   

• If you feel sick, do not go to school or to work.     
• Call your doctor if you have symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, fever, or sore throat and tell your doctor that you may have been exposed to COVID-19.  If you need help finding medical care, call 311.
• Educate yourself about COVID-19 through the NYC Health Department’s website at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/coronavirus.page.   
• Continue to practice general viral infection prevention measures including:  
• Wash your hands with soap and water often.  
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing.  
• Do not touch your face with unwashed hands.  
• Do not shake hands. Instead, wave or elbow bump.  
• Monitor your health more closely than usual for cold or flu symptoms.   
• Get your flu shot – it’s never too late.  
• Reduce overcrowding by walking or biking, if possible.  
• If the train is too packed, wait for the next one. 

Please visit schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus for important school-related guidance and nyc.gov/coronavirus at any time for critical updates, including ways to fight stigma and bias around the coronavirus. It’s important we come together and support one another during this time. 

Nothing matters more than the health and safety of our staff and students, and we are committed to keeping our school community fully informed.

Please do not hesitate to contact Superintendent Karina Costantino at KCostan@schools.nyc.gov with any questions. Thank you. 

Sincerely, 

Nancy Tomasuolo

Important Messages from Chancellor Carranza

Coronavirus Family Letter March 22

Coronavirus Update for Families March 16

Coronavirus Update for RECs
                                       

A Message from Mrs. Tomasuolo 

I hope this message finds you well. As you know remote learning will begin on Monday, March 23, 2020. It is expected that students log-in daily and complete the work that is assigned. If you haven't already done so, please respond to the invitation sent by your child's teacher to join his/her class through the Remind app. You should have received a message with your child's username, password, and join code. This is how your child will be able to access their online instruction. Listed below are the NYC Department of Education expectations for remote learning. Please be sure to adhere to these guidelines: 

Expectations for students and families include: 

• Students should complete instructional activities assigned by teachers everyday. 
• Students should participate in check-ins, discussions and other communication mechanisms as expected by the teacher. 
• Students should review teacher feedback and complete any follow-up activities as assigned by the teacher. 
• Students and families should proactively notify their teacher or a school administrator with any concerns about progress or additional support needed.  
• Families should support students in being successful by establishing routines and habits that support their success in remote learning. 

• Families should ensure that students are adhering to their school’s contract for appropriate behavior on web related devices. 

Please Note: 

It is important that students always adhere to appropriate standards of behavior when interacting online.  This includes Google Classroom. This platform is a learning environment and not meant for student to student correspondence unless it is related to the daily assignments. I am aware that the students would like to communicate with their classmates. This is understandable. However, Google Classroom is a platform where we encourage our students to share ideas and ask questions related to their assignments.  Students should conduct themselves with the same respect and politeness that they would in their classroom.  

Thank you and I wish you all the best,  

Mrs. Tomasuolo

Talking with Children

about Covid-19

               Dear Parents and Students;

The iPads you have received belong to our school.  They are remotely managed, which means you cannot reset them and put in your information. 

Downloading Apps:

• If you need to download an app you can use our Apple ID password.  It is case sensitive which means it must be typed exactly. You can get the Apple ID from your teacher if you were not given it when you picked up your iPad.
  

• If you have your own Apple ID account you can logout of our account and use yours, but you need our password to log out of the account.

• Our Apple ID can not be used to purchase any Apps.

           Please watch this important Message from State Senator Andrew Gounardes on the Coronavirus for Students.

Click here

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

                        TO ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

 In order to receive emails from the NYCDOE you must have an email account.

1.  If you DO NOT have an email account please create a GMAIL account using the link below:  

Create a GMAIL Account

Once you create this account please click here to create a NYC Student Account.

2.  If you DO have an email, but have not created a NYC Student Account, please click here.

3.  If you already have a NYC Student Account for your children you will be able to receive NYCDOE emails.

Please complete these directions, as soon as possible, so that you and your children can be provided with the most current information.  Thank you.

 Nancy Tomasuolo

 Principal

   Dear Parents/Guardians:

The DOE is lending internet-enabled iPads to support remote learning for students.  Please Click Here to fill out the form.

Spectrum is offering free internet access to qualifing homes with students.  WiFi will be free for 60 days. Click Here

                NYC SCHOOLS CLOSED ON MONDAY, March 16, 2020 AND WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL AT LEAST APRIL 20th.

Grab-and-Go meals will be available for students at city schools

from 7:30am -1:30pm.

Teachers will be trained for remote learning sessions, which will begin starting on March 23rd.

          Dear Parents/Guardians,

As of this time NYC schools remain open.  Students were sent home with a letter today regarding at-home learning opportunities and educational resources in the event of student absences or school closures. Please click on link below. Thank you.

Parent Letter

                   For all NYC updates on the Coronavirus please visit 

                                               March 15,2020 Coronavirus Update

                     Dear PS204 Family,

Mrs. Fortunato has created a list of websites for you and your family to access at home, to practice Mindfulness and Yoga.  Please Click here. Enjoy and stay healthy.

      Dear Parents and Students

The following websites are available for PS204 students:

• PebbleGo -  is a non-fiction database for Grades K-3 - Username: ps204  Password: school
• Destiny Discover Follett -is our school digital library for students to access eBooks, Username: ps204, Pswd: ps204
• 4th Grade Science Practice tests -  NYC 4th Grade Science Test
• BrainPop.com - free access
• Pbskids.org - free
• Starfall.com - lower grades, some of the website is free
• Abcya.com - learning games for all grades
• coolmathgames.com - free math games
•  Dance Mat Typing- keep up with your typing skills

       Parents

• CommonSense Media - reviews and guidelines for on line media sources

Sign Up For P.S. 204 Text Alert

In an effort to better commnicate school news and updates with parents, P.S. 204 has signed up with Remind. This free service allows P.S. 204 to send text "blasts" to all subscribers.  Simply follow the directions below and you will automatically receive any messages we send to the P.S. 204 community.  This is a closed system.  We will NOT have access to each other's cell phone numbers. You will NOT be able to text back.  Our hope is to use the service to give updates and reminders regarding, school schedule changes, conference dates and important community and school events. Sign up for Remind to receive text messages from P.S. 204.

It is our hope that this tool will make it easier for you to do the many things that are demanded of you as a parent and yet still keep you connected and up-to-date with P.S. 204.  If you need assistance accessing Remind please contact our Partent Coordinator, Ms. Wei at 718-236-2906 ex. 2545

Directions to Sign Up for Remind

Just text @ps20 to 81010.  Once you text @ps20 to that number you will receive confirmation that you are not subscribed.  It's that easy.

                              TO:            81010               <Enter this number

                              Message:  @ps20              <Text this message

                              Press Send

  Dear Parents and Guardians,

In an effort to promote healthy habits, teachers will be strongly encouraging students to take time at the start of meal periods for handwashing/handsanitizing.

Teachers will be asking students to use handsanitizer before eating breakfast and snack in the classroom.  Teachers and school aides will also be asking students to use handsanitizer before eating lunch in the cafeteria.  

Handsanitizer was on the beginning-of-year supply list for each grade.  Teachers have been and will continue to use the supply that they received from students in September.  You are welcome to send in additional bottles of handsanitizer if you would like to do so.

Please encourage handwashing/handsanitizing at home as well and continue to speak with your children regarding ways to keep healthy.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Nancy Tomasuolo

Principal

  Welcome to P.S. 204's Website!

P.S. 204's website is a great tool for all parents, teachers, and students for updated school information, calendar, pictures, videos and resources! 

Our translatable website was carefully designed to fullfill the needs of parents and teachers.  We follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 and if you need assistance or have any questions, please email or call Ms. Prezioso at (718) 236-2906.

To view our monthly calendar please click on the link below.

March Calendar 2020

    Sign up for the Kids Heart Challenge and have fun keeping your heart healthy while helping others!

WWW2.HEART.ORG   Find our school PS 204 Vince Lombardi

Growth Mindset Booklist

Growth Mindset Booklist