Lions Ledger
November 24-28, 2025
Dear Seth Low I.S. 96 Families,
What an amazing week of excitement, learning, and celebration!
This week, we proudly hosted our Model UN Conference on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Our Model UN students—alongside participants from P.S./I.S. 95, P.S./I.S. 209, and P.S./I.S. 225—engaged in thoughtful, spirited debate. This was a truly student‑led event, with our students running the entire conference from start to finish and demonstrating true Seth Low PRIDE. We were thrilled to see some of our students featured on PIX11 News, showcasing their leadership and hard work to an even wider audience. A heartfelt thank‑you to AP Fanas, Ms. Agostino, and Mr. Herron for coordinating this event. Your leadership made it a tremendous success. A special shout‑out to Mr. Viera for securing not one but two remarkable keynote speakers: Mr. G, meteorologist at PIX11 News, and aerospace engineer Fabio Buttitta. Both brought incredible energy and served as inspiring role models for our students. Additional thanks to Sharea Thomas and Brenda Morales‑Salas for ensuring everything looked beautiful and that our students were well cared for throughout the day. We are deeply proud of our students and grateful to everyone who contributed to making this event such a success.
We also received wonderful news this week! Two of our students, Ninoska Wu Xie and Alina Makhmutova, earned Special Recognition for “Important Content” in the Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition for their school‑winning book, Bridge. A warm shout‑out to Angela Hargrove, our librarian, for her guidance and support throughout their project. We are so proud of our talented young authors!
On Sunday, March 22, 2026, our Seth Low Drumline marched and performed in the Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade under the direction of Mr. Ethan Hartshorn. Thank you, Mr. Hartshorn, for continuously seeking opportunities for our students to shine. Shout‑out to Ms. Liz and Ms. Glick for marching and proudly representing our drumline.
Based on family survey results, Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan has been selected for our Parent‑and‑Me Book Club. The book club will meet on Tuesdays from 4:00–5:00 PM, beginning March 31. A follow‑up survey will be sent to families to indicate preferred language and whether audiobook access is needed. Throughout this month, our Tier II and Tier III intervention teachers will continue reaching out to families to share student progress updates and discuss next steps to support ongoing success.
NYC Public Schools Parent Surveys have now been distributed and are due April 1. We kindly ask all families to complete the survey. Your feedback provides critical insight and strengthens our partnership. To encourage full participation, we are excited to offer the following incentives:
- First class with 100% completion: Pizza party
- Grade with the highest completion rate: Field day
- All students who return their survey or provide proof of online completion: Entry into a raffle for AirPods
Families who have already completed the survey may email their child’s grade‑level dean to confirm.
Looking Ahead
Monday, March 23 – Friday, March 27
• Book Fair
Wednesday, March 25
• Math & Science Night — 5–7 PM
Tuesday, March 31
• Career Day
I wish joy and peace to all who observed Eid‑al‑Fitr. I hope you enjoyed meaningful time with family and friends. Eid Mubarak!
Thank you for your continued partnership in making Seth Low a place where every student thrives.
Cheers to creating limitless opportunities for our students and families!
With PRIDE and appreciation,
Christina Monfasani‑Voutsinas
Welcome to the Seth Low Community! My name is Brenda Morales, and I am the Parent Coordinator here at IS 096 Seth Low. I am thrilled to welcome you and your child to our school and look forward to supporting you both as we begin this exciting new chapter together. Middle school is a time of growth, discovery, and new opportunities. At Seth Low, we are committed to helping every student reach their full potential, and I am here to assist you every step of the way. As part of our support, I can help you set up important accounts such as: Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. I’m here to help! 📧 Email: Bmoralessalas@schools.nyc.gov Welcome again to the Seth Low family—I look forward to working with you! Warm regards, Brenda Morales Parent Coordinator, IS 096 Seth Low
📞 Office Phone: 718-236-1344
📱 Cell Phone: 929-549-3260
The Project Open Arms team is excited to share the calendars for our three upcoming presentations: Know Your Rights, Know Their Rights, Supporting Immigrant Students, and Families 3.0.
Know Your Rights Presentations
Students & families, please join us for a virtual presentation as we provide an overview of the rights of migrant youth and families who reside in New York City under the relevant bodies of law.
Use this calendar to see dates, times, & session links to join!
I am Sharea Thomas, your Community School Director. I serve as a bridge between the school and its surrounding community, ensuring that students and families have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. This includes monthly food pantries, free vision and dental screenings for students and fun family events and workshops.
If you'd like to see more about the work that Community Schools is doing, please visit our website.
If you'd like to reach out to me directly, you can contact me via email at sthomas@ucsuft.org.
I look forward to supporting you in any way I can.
Monday
Scholastic Book Fair
Tuesday
- Scholastic Book Fair
Wednesday
- Scholastic Book Fair
- Math & Science Night — 5–7 PM
Thursday
- Scholastic Book Fair
Friday
- Scholastic Book Fair
Saturday
- Adult Education 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
8th Grade
Parent's Strategy Guide for the 2026 SHSAT Admission Cycle
Click below to access information to help you understand the new digital SHSAT.
IXL MONTHLY COMPETITION!
Winners for February are classes are 610, 717, and 815. Winning classes will receive a pizza party in their math classes.
Students, March competition is underway. Log on at home to increase your grade-level skills and your chance of winning. Good luck!
ACADEMIC VOCABULARY
6th grade-adopt, ensure, tension, consent, duration
7th grade-disclaimer, prescription, potential, assume, rely
8th grade-conceive, unethical, benefit, detect, rationalize
PTA Board Members
Co-Presidents: Tracy Field and Lisbeth Lopez
Treasurer: Janice Ortiz
Rec. Secretary: Sandra Pellegrini
Financial Secretary: Cheryle Calandra
Corresponding Secretary: Carmela Marucci
Virtual Support Liaison: Angela Cutri
Questions about the PTA?
Feel free to contact the PTA Co-Presidents:
Tracy Field at tfield2@doeexternal.nyc or Lisbeth Lopez at llopez13@doeexternal.nyc
Click on THIS LINK to sign up for free parent workshops. All workshops are held online via Zoom and developed by clinician and researcher Annie Graham. Live captioning is available in 35 languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, French and Russian.
This week:
TUESDAY, MARCH 24 @ 7:00 PM
Supporting Students Through Grief and Transition
The purpose of Student Council is to empower our students to take an active role in their school community by promoting leadership, responsibility, and school spirit. Students will work alongside teacher Ms. Agostino and Principal Ms. Monfasani to help plan events, share student ideas, and make our school an even better place.
Members of Student Council are accountable to the students in the grade they serve and shall:
● Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills with peers and teachers
● Act as positive role models in both behavior and attitude
● Listen to and represent the ideas and concerns of their classmates
● Collaborate respectfully and responsibly in meetings and activities
● Participate in organizing school events and community service projects
● Show commitment, reliability, and a willingness to lead
Bookmaking Competition
Open Access
Students may come to the library to read, study, play games, do puzzles or just relax in a quiet space during their lunch periods on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Get a pass from your dean by going to the cafeteria first and then asking for a pass. Please make sure you eat before you come up.
Basketball
The Seth Low Basketball program is focused on developing the athletic skills, teamwork, discipline, and game strategies of our student athletes. We are looking forward to an exciting season.
Girls Practice:
Wednesdays from 2:45-4:45, in the 4th floor gym, beginning October 29th
Boys Practice:
Tuesdays from 2:45-4:45, in the 3rd floor gym, beginning October 28th
Congratulations to the Girls Varsity tam on their win and on making it to the playoffs.
Coaches:
Ms. Conroy, Ms. Bermudez, and Mr. Mei
Track
The Seth Low track program is focused on supporting anyone who wants to run develop their athletic ability. We train long distance runners by jogging in the park to build endurance and we do sprints and relays in the gym. Track is for everyone.
Track Practice:
Fridays from 2:30-3:45, meet in cafeteria and then go up to the gym.
Coaches:
Ms. Bernabe-Fiume, Mr. Ling, and Mr. Machado
Soccer
Congratulations to our amazing soccer team on a great season.
After-school soccer club starts December 9th
Team soccer will have aSpring season. Details to follow.
Coaches:
Mr. Paolucci and Mr. Machado
Volleyball
Congratulations to our Girls Varsity on a well played Fall season.
The Spring season starts in late April. Check back for details.
Coach:
Mr. Machado
Visual Art
The Seth Low Visual Art program is focused on developing fundamental art skills while letting students explore their creativity. We work with a variety of mediums including acrylic paint, clay, and watercolor. We also partner with and integrate the arts in various subjects to enhance engagement and motivation.
Musical Theater
In Musical Theater, you’ll learn the fundamentals of performing while building confidence, teamwork, and stage presence.
Each year, students take the stage in our Spring Concert and have the chance to audition for the Spring Musical.
Over three years, you’ll develop your performance skills and get ready to audition for specialized performing arts high schools by the start of eighth grade.
Whether you’re new to the stage or born for the spotlight, this class lets you explore it all—singing, dancing, and acting your heart out!, and acting your heart out!
Chorus
Chorus is a year-long elective where students develop vocal skills and learn the fundamentals of singing in an ensemble setting. Throughout the course, students explore proper vocal technique, breathing, harmony, and sight-reading while gaining a foundation in music theory to support their ability to read and understand written music.
Chorus students perform in the Spring Concert each year and are encouraged to participate in the Spring Musical. As a new addition to our performing arts program, the Chorus class provides students with opportunities to grow as musicians and performers while contributing to the school’s vibrant musical community.
Theater
In our general classes, we have just wrapped our first unit on ensemble—learning to work together and build a community of trust in order to create bold stories.
Theater Elective students just completed their very first on-camera “screen tests” and are now diving into rehearsals for our upcoming student film, Finding Alice, a filmed adaptation of Alice in Wonderland created by 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Theater Elective students.
We're so proud of the creativity and confidence our students are already showing, and we can’t wait to share their work with you!
Band
Both groups have been visiting local elementary schools to perform and build connections in our district. We are looking forward to some trips with the orchestra students in the winter and to our spring performances coming up later in the year.
Orchestra
Our Middle School String Orchestra program emphasizes a supportive environment where every student can develop their musical voice and contribute to the success of the ensemble.
Fall Update:
Our string players are having a fantastic semester! Here’s the latest from the orchestra room:
🎵 Currently Featuring: A deep dive into core techniques, including posture, bow control, and music theory.
🎻 Focus on Fundamentals: We're honing specific skills like articulation to make our music more expressive and dynamic.
