Lions Ledger
November 24-28, 2025
Dear Seth Low Families,
We had another amazing week filled with enriching experiences for our students! Highlights include:
- 6th Grade Band and Strings trip to the Met
- 7th Grade Humanities visit to the Old Stone House Museum
These trips provide real-world experiences that bring classroom learning to life.
On Thursday, December 4, 2025, we celebrated the launch of our Student Council with their first meeting and a congratulatory breakfast. We are proud to have over 20 student representatives from all grade levels who will serve as leaders and voices for their peers. This marks an exciting step toward fostering student leadership, collaboration, and school spirit. A special thank you to Ms. Agostino for coordinating and assisting with providing our students with this meaningful experience.
On Tuesday, our Boys Varsity Basketball Team played P.S. 225 and showed true Seth Low PRIDE with an incredible win! We are so proud of their sportsmanship and hard work. A special thank you to Coaches Conroy and Mei for their dedication.
Looking Ahead
- Wednesday, December 10:
- 6th Grade PRIDE Movie Trip
- Friday, December 12:
- Report Card Distribution (available on Jupiter)
- PRIDE Event: Winter Wonderland Dance for all grades (6, 7, 8)
- December 15–19:
- Tier II and III intervention students will take the San Diego Quick Assessment (SDQA) to measure progress for parent conferences during the week of January 5.
- Friday, December 19:
- Marking Period 1 Awards Ceremony
- Award recipient families will receive an invitation
- Start Times:
- 6th Grade – 9:00 AM
- 8th Grade – 10:00 AM
- 7th Grade – 11:00 AM
Cheers to another week of providing our students with limitless opportunities!
Thank you for your continued partnership in making Seth Low a place where every student thrives.
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:
- NYCSA (New York City Schools Account)
- Jupiter (our grading and communication platform)
- MySchools (for high school applications and more)
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. I’m here to help!
📧 Email: Bmoralessalas@schools.nyc.gov
📞 Office Phone: 718-236-1344
📱 Cell Phone: 929-549-3260
Welcome again to the Seth Low family—I look forward to working with you!
Warm regards,
Brenda Morales
Parent Coordinator, IS 096 Seth Low
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
Tuesday
- Adult Education: 5:40-9:00 p.m.
Wednesday:
6th Grade PRIDE Movie Trip
- Adult Education: 5:40-9:00 p.m.
Thursday:
- 6th and 7th Grade Picture Day
- 6th Grade Strings/Band trip to The Met
Friday
- Report Card Distribution (available on Jupiter)
- PRIDE Event: Winter Wonderland Dance for all grades (6, 7, 8)
Saturday
- Adult Education: 9:00-2:00
IXL MONTHLY COMPETITION!
Congratulations to the winning classes for November- 6th grade class 610 , 7th grade class 716, and 8th grade class 814. Winning classes, 716 and 814 had a pizza party on Friday, December 5th. Class 610 will have a pizza party this Wednesday, period 8.
Competition for December is under way. Students, log on to build your skills and your chance of winning. Good luck to all classes.
ACADEMIC VOCABULARY
6th Grade: accidentally, disruptive, expect, reward, goal
7th Grade: agenda, controversy, enforce, standard, mandate
8th Grade: cite, research, data, phase, strategy
All after-school programs are from 2:45-4:45.
- Broadway Junior - Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Basketball Team - BOYS - Tuesdays
- Basketball Team - GIRLS - Wednesdays
- Beginner ENL Support - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:30- 3:45. Starts11/5/25 ends on 5/7/26. All eligible students please return your permission slips
- Debate - Thursdays
- Art Therapy - Fridays
Additional after school programs beginning December 9th and will continue through May 7th.
Students will need to complete and return a Seth Low and Beacon permission slip.
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's workshops are:
December 9th @8:00 pm- Desarrollo de la inteligencia emocional (por primera vez en español)
December 11th @ 8:00 pm - Thriving Together: Improving Family Communication
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
Schoolwide Spelling Bee
The top four spellers are:
4th place- Clarissa Ngai- Class 816
3rd place- Matthew Shumway- Class 614
2nd place- Michael McEwan- Class 710
1st place- Edwin Duran- Class 716
The top two spellers will be advancing to the Borough Qualifier.
We would also like to send a special thank you to all of the teachers who hosted the class level bees, to staff for supporting in various aspects, and to families for encouraging their children. We are so proud of all of our spellers.
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
Games begin the first week of December. The schedule will be posted closer to game day.
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.
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.
🎄 In Rehearsal: Getting into the spirit early with a fun set of holiday music.
