MS 50 Weekly News: 12/4/23
December 4, 2023
Spirit Week!
This week is Spirit Week! Students and Staff are invited to dress for the following themed days:
- Monday 12/4 - 20th Century Decades Day
- Tuesday 12/5 - Pajama/Croc Day
- Wednesday 12/6 - Flannel Day
- Thursday 12/7 - Twin Day
- Friday 12/8 - Holiday Colors
Check out the website throughout the week for photos from these exciting days!
In this Issue:
- Classroom Spotlight: Math
- Student Government Albany Trip
- Internet-Enabled Devices and the Free Internet Program
- School Picture Day
- PTA Updates
- Upcoming Events
- i-Ready Homework Reminder
Project Soapbox
For the last few weeks all of our students have been preparing two minute "Soapbox" speeches answering the question: What is the biggest issue facing your community and what can we do about it? Students in all grades are now presenting these speeches to their classmates as part of Project Soapbox, a national program that is part of the NYC Public Schools' Civics for All initiative. We have been inspired by the many topics our students have chosen and spoken about so passionately! A representative from each homeroom will be chosen to represent their class at our school Soapbox Slam after school next week Tuesday and we will choose a representative from that group to represent MS 50 at SoapboxNYC where they will present and listen to students from all grade levels across the city!
Congratulations to our Student Government Members who attended the YMCA Youth and Government Conference in Albany last weekend! The following delegates debated and performed outstandingly, and represented MS50 El Puente with pride: Haylee P., Sarah K., Esme K., U., Christian M., Tom B., Ella M., James S., Koharu S., and Summer K.
Thank you to our advisors, Ms. Guytingco, Ms. Vega, and Mr. Soto for preparing our students and for their dedication to our student's success! We are so proud of our students for representing MS50 El Puente and promoting our values of peace and justice for all.
Awards:
Haylee P. (8th Grade) - Speaker of the Assembly and Outstanding Delegate Award
Ella M. (7th Grade) - Voted as next year’s Conference Lieutenant Governor and Outstanding Debater Award
Outstanding Bill Award - Coco S., Tom B., Ella M., Summer K.
At the end of December, the DOE is expected to stop providing internet service to iPads and Chromebooks distributed during the pandemic for remote learning. You will still be able to use these devices but will need to connect to a WiFi network to access the internet. If you have a smartphone, you can enable your "Personal Hotspot" to share internet with that device.
There are two free ways that you can access free internet because you are a NYC Public Schools family.
T-Mobile is offering free hotspots to all NYC Public Schools families through project 10 Million. You can apply in minutes at on T-Mobile's website. All you need to prove your eligibility is your child's report card which you can access on MySchools and their OSIS ID number. If you need help getting a copy of your child's report card reach out and we can send you one. When you are asked to enter your child's school information, for district choose "NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #14 #NY-331400010000" and for school choose "Jhs 50 John D Wells."
All NYC Public Schools families are also eligible to receive free internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program. You will need to complete an application and provide proof that your child attends a school with a universal free lunch program (their most recent report card should work). Once approved, you can contact your local internet provider to get started with your service. There is also one-time $100 device discount to purchase a laptop or tablet for your household.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please email Mr. Stripp. If there is enough interest we may schedule a registration workshop for families.
School Picture Day is Thursday, December 14! All 8th Graders will have their individual portrait taken in a graduation cap & gown in addition to a class photo. 6th and 7th graders will take a class photo but will only take an individual portrait if they placed an order in advance.
The last day to place an order will be on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023. NO PAYMENTS WILL BE COLLECTED ON PICTURE DAY. Order forms will be collected in the main office and during lunch periods. Order forms were sent home in the mail, additional forms are available in the main office.
One of our goals this year is for every student at MS 50 to complete 30 minutes of i-Ready ELA lessons and 30 minutes of i-Ready math lessons as part of their homework every week. Teachers will check the previous week’s work every Monday. Students can use their @nycstudents account to log into i-Ready by visiting clever.com.
If logging in on an iPad, you must first download and login to the Clever app. You can then launch i-Ready from Clever and students will be logged in. Download this information sheet for more detailed instructions.
