PS3 Newsletter #5

Dear PS 3 Families and Staff,

It’s hard to believe that October is just around the corner! As we close out September, PS 3 is beginning to feel fully in motion. Classroom communities are taking shape, students are settling into routines, and learning is happening everywhere we look.

October brings even more opportunities for our students to learn, connect, and try new things. From the launch of Recess Clubs to Family Mornings, Curriculum Night, and the many experiences happening in classrooms each day, we are excited for all that lies ahead.

Thank you for being such an important part of our PS 3 community!

We are excited to introduce Recess Clubs for students in grades 2–5!

Recess Clubs offer students another way to explore their interests, connect with one another, and bring even more choice and joy to their school day.

The interest form will go out to families of students in grades 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade only on Monday, September 28th. We encourage you to complete the form with your child so they can share which clubs they are most excited about.

We can’t wait to hear from our students!

Thank you to our 2nd grade families who joined us for Family Morning this week! We loved having you in our classrooms and giving you a glimpse into your children’s school day.

Family Mornings are one of our favorite PS 3 traditions because they offer families an opportunity to experience the learning, relationships, and community that make our classrooms special.

We look forward to welcoming more grade levels in the weeks ahead. Be sure to check the PS 3 calendar on our website and upcoming newsletter sections for future dates!

An important part of keeping our PS 3 community safe is practicing what to do in the event of an emergency.

Our first evacuation drill will take place Thursday, October 1. During the drill, teachers and staff will guide students through safely and calmly exiting the building.

We know that safety drills can feel unfamiliar, particularly for our youngest students. Our staff will introduce and practice these procedures in a calm, supportive, and age-appropriate way so that students understand that drills are simply one of the ways we practice keeping one another safe.

Emergency Preparedness and Trauma Informed Drills: The NYC Department of Education has shared a family letter about the General Response Protocol (GRP), which outlines how schools respond to emergencies to keep students and staff safe. We encourage all families to review the letter to better understand the procedures in place.

New York State Law requires all schools to conduct a minimum of 12 emergency drills each year.

Thank you to the families in PK, 1st, and 5th Grades who joined us for our first in-person Curriculum Night (since covid) this week! We enjoyed connecting with you and sharing more about the year of learning ahead.

Our virtual Curriculum Night will take place Wednesday, September 30 for:

• 3K

• Kindergarten

• 2nd Grade

• 3rd Grade

• 4th Grade

• Cluster Team

• Providers

Additional details, including schedules and Zoom links, will be shared by your child’s teacher.

We hope you’ll join us to learn more about your child’s classroom experience, curriculum, and how we can work together throughout the year.

As September comes to a close, we are so proud of how much our students have already grown. Each new month brings new experiences, new challenges, and new opportunities to discover what makes learning at PS 3 so special.

We are excited to welcome October and all that it will bring!

Thank you, as always, for your partnership and for helping us create a community where every child feels known, valued, and a true sense of belonging.

With gratitude,

Hillary Casado, Principal
Susannah Plunkett, Assistant Principal
Rebecca Boyd, Assistant Principal

hillary.susannah.rebecca@ps3charrettenyc.org

Many parents have requested that both parents receive notifications from our school. Please fill out this form if you would like additional members in your family to receive school wide communications!

The main office is looking for some healthy kid friendly snacks to hand out to the kids when hunger strikes throughout the day, donations are welcome! Contact Cristina if you'd like to make a snack donation or just drop them off in the main office!

Some popular snacks:

• Goldfish
• Veggie Sticks
• Pretzels
• Seaweed Snacks

Eliza is a joyful and creative first grader who brightens our school community each day. She loves all things pink, and that love of color shows up in the art projects she proudly creates. When she’s not drawing or crafting, Eliza enjoys making slime, experimenting with textures and colors as she comes up with new creations.

At home, Eliza loves spending time with her kitten Nova, who is clearly a very special part of her world. She also loves Frozen and Like Nastya, two favorites that always make her smile. Outside of school, Eliza practices karate. We’re so proud of her for exploring activities that make her happy.

Eliza’s kindness, curiosity, and vibrant spirit make her a wonderful part of our first‑grade community, and we’re proud to celebrate her this week.

Kyla has been an educator for 15 years and joined the PS3 team this year as our second-grade Horizon teacher. She is passionate about helping students learn, finding creative ways to connect with them, and building a strong, supportive classroom community. Every day, Kyla comes to her classroom ready to think outside the box and encourages her students to do the same.

Outside of school, Kyla enjoys spending time with her children, playing mahjong, and cooking. We are thrilled to have Kyla as part of the PS3 community and are excited for all she will bring to our students and families.

Alexander G

Zahra H

Amanda Z

Bentley C

Wyatt R

Au Donis L

Makenzie A

Harry T

Alyssa W

Ace R

Remaining September Birthdays

Katie K

Caitlin

October Birthdays

Lauren H.

Maeve

Annie

Lisa

Jaime

J.B.

Catherine B.

Arrival / Dismissal map

Attendance Form

PS3 2026-27 School Calendar

Staff Directory

DOE School Calendar

DOE Lunch Menu

PS3 Family Handbook

School Nurse Email

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...By Helping Us Shine Online! 🌟
We’re proud of the vibrant, caring community we’ve built at PS3, and we’d love your help sharing that with others! If you’ve had a positive experience at our school, please consider writing a review online. Your voice helps reflect the heart of our school and supports future families in getting to know us.

Thank you for being part of what makes PS3 so special!