Family Pathfinder Week of 12/01/24

"The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe."

— Gustave Flaubert

Teaching Expertise

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving."

— W. T. Purkiser

Creative Healthy Family

December 1, 2024,

Dear I.S. 254 Families,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break filled with love, joy, and relaxation. As we return, we step into December with three uninterrupted weeks of instruction leading up to the Winter Recess. These weeks are a critical time for learning and growth, and we’re excited to continue supporting your child’s academic success.

Focus on Literacy and Writing

With just 80 school days until NYSESLAT testing and 86 school days until the ELA State Exam, we’re doubling down on literacy and writing skills across all content areas. Writing is an essential skill that extends beyond ELA classrooms—it’s a tool for effective communication and critical thinking in all subjects.

Here’s how we’re building stronger writers at I.S. 254:

• Using models to show what strong writing looks like in every subject.
• Breaking down tasks into manageable steps, from brainstorming to revising.
• Incorporating graphic organizers, such as Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) in science and problem-solving frameworks in math.
• Providing regular feedback and encouraging peer review to boost confidence.
• Connecting writing to real-world applications to show its relevance.

We encourage you to support this focus at home by engaging your child in writing activities, whether it’s journaling, crafting thoughtful emails, or simply reflecting on their day. Every bit of practice helps!

Staying Supportive During the Holiday Season

While this season is joyful for many, we recognize it can be challenging for some. Changes in behavior, mood, or engagement may be signs that your child needs additional support. Our guidance team is always here to help—please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns.

Upcoming Events

• December 6th: 1st Marking Period Award Ceremony
  Join us in celebrating our students' achievements!

  • 6th Grade: 3rd Period
  • 7th Grade: 2nd Period
  • 8th Grade: 8th Period

• December 17th: 8th Grade Picture Day
  Make sure our 8th graders are camera-ready for this milestone! Details will be shared this week.

• December 19th: 6th & 7th Grade Picture Day
  It’s picture day for our 6th and 7th graders. Please remind them to come prepared!

• December 19th: 8th Grade Winter Dance
  Let’s celebrate the season with our 8th graders as they enjoy an evening of fun and memories. More details coming soon!

Stay Connected

For questions or concerns, reach out anytime:

• Ms. Dominguez, Parent Coordinator: (718) 220-8700 or ydominguez4@schools.nyc.gov.
• Download the I.S. 254 App for updates:
  • iPhone/iPad
  • Android

Thank you for your partnership as we make these weeks meaningful and impactful for your children. Together, we’re setting the stage for a successful new year.

Warm regards,

Javier Ocampo, Principal

• To the Main Office Staff: A huge thank you for organizing a wonderful staff potluck! Your efforts created a warm and joyful gathering for our team. And to everyone who contributed delicious and generous dishes—thank you for sharing and making it a true community celebration.

• To Mr. Sang and Ms. Dominguez: Your leadership in organizing the food giveaway for families exemplifies the care and commitment we strive for at I.S. 254. Thank you for making a meaningful impact in our community.

• To ACDP: We deeply appreciate your continued support for our students. Your work ensures they have the resources and guidance needed to thrive.

• To Mr. Brezina and Mr. Garcia: A heartfelt shoutout for the tireless effort you put into getting all the grades uploaded into STARS. I know it wasn’t easy, but your dedication is truly valued and appreciated.

• To Ms. Rivera: Thank you for your hard work and constant support behind the scenes. Your contributions make a significant difference to our school community.

Ms. Rivera wants to shout out:

Events:

• December 6th: 1st Marking Period Award ceremony.
  
• 6th Grade: 3rd Period
• 7th Grade: 2nd Period
• 8th Grade: 8th Period
• December 17th: 8th Grade Picture day
  
• December 19th: 6th & 7th Grade Picture Day
  
• December 19th: 8th Grade winter dance
  
• 🚨📅 December 23–January 1: Winter Recess, schools closed
  
• March 13, 2025:
• Students not in attendance.
• Half-Day IN-PERSON Staff Professional Development.
  
• 8:25 am - 12:00 pm
  
• Remote Parent-Teacher Conferences
  
• Afternoon (12:45 pm - 2:45 pm)
  
• Evening (4:45 pm - 7:45 pm)
• May 8, 2025: Evening, In-Person Parent Conference

Parent Conferences 2024-2025

• March 13, 2025: Afternoon & Evening, Remote Conferences; Morning, In-Person Professional Development
  

• May 8, 2025: Evening, In-Person Parent Conference

Visitor Reminder

We kindly remind all families that anyone entering the school must show a valid photo ID. This rule helps us ensure a safe and secure environment for our students and staff. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our school community safe!

Important News Regarding ACDP Afterschool Program

ACDP Holiday Celebration:

• Date: Monday, December 18
• Dismissal Time: 4:30 PM

No ACDP Program:

• Dates: December 19 and December 20
• Dismissal Time for All Students: 2:45 PM

Attendance Matters

Thank you to all of our families for making school attendance a priority! Your support is essential to your child’s success.

Here’s what’s happening this week with attendance:

• Attendance Reports: These will be mailed out to families this week. Please take a moment to review your child’s attendance and reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
• Chat and Chew with the Crew (Hosted by Ms. Trinidad):
  • This is an exciting lunch event for students with the most improved attendance and those maintaining 93% or higher!
  • Location: School Library during lunch periods.
  • Goal: Celebrate and encourage consistent attendance.

Travel Plans Reminder:
We know the holiday season can be busy! Please remember:

• The last day of school before Winter Recess is Wednesday, December 20th.
• Students return to school on Tuesday, January 2nd.
  Ensuring your child is in school every day is important for their academic progress and success.

Department Team News

8th Grade:
Here’s what’s happening with our 8th graders:

• Marking Period Awards Ceremony:
  • Date: Friday, December 6
  • Time: During 8th period
  • Students will receive awards for academic excellence and outstanding character. Families are encouraged to celebrate these accomplishments at home!
• 8th Grade Incentive Dance:
  • Date: Thursday, December 19
  • Location: I.S. 254 Gymnasium
  • Details: Students who have demonstrated academic progress and appropriate behavior will be invited to this fun event. Pizza, beverages, and music from our school DJ will make it a memorable evening!
  • Suggestions to make this family-friendly: Consider sharing how families can support students in meeting behavior and academic expectations for eligibility. Include ways for families to discuss progress at home, and provide tips to prepare students for the dance, such as attire or permission slips.

Social Studies Highlights

What’s Happening in Social Studies This Week?

• 6th Grade (Ms. Feliciano):
  Students will start learning about the First Humans, the Neolithic Revolution, and Early River Valley Civilizations.
• 7th Grade (Ms. Maldonado):
  Students begin exploring European Exploration of the Americas.
• 8th Grade:
  • Mr. Hunter: Focus on Progressive Era, Technology, and Growing Cities.
  • Ms. Green: Exploring The Reconstruction Era, including topics like the South’s new identity and economic challenges.

• Mission: We Teach. We Learn. We Love.
  

  Vision: Educating and Empowering individual thinkers to make an impact in the world.

  Instructional Focus: Creating an inclusive environment that empowers every student, offering a culturally responsive curriculum supported by data-driven strategies to address their unique learning needs and enhance literacy achievement.

  Literacy Problem of Practice: Standard of focus is Theme/Central Idea (R2)
  

MS. BELTRE (12/1)

BPW Weekly Self-Care

and Q&A Sessions

Weekly on Wednesdays

@6:00 - 6:30pm EDT

Zoom Link HERE

Meeting ID: 885 4014 4085 Passcode: 274960