PS8 Weekly Upd8 11.02.26

11-02-26

PS 8 Family Calendar (Please Subscribe)

November

• 3, Remote Instruction Day (Election Day)
  
• 5, Tag Sale Donations, 8:00-8:45AM - final dropoff!
• 5, Parent Teacher Conferences, half day
• 11, Veterans Day, No School
• 14, Super Sidewalk Sale, MPR
• 20, PTA Meeting, 8:30AM, MPR
• 26-27, Thanksgiving Break, No School

December

• 4, Prospective Family Open House, 9-10AM
• 7, Photo Retake Day
• 7-11, Book Fair
• 9, Prospective Family Open House, 9-10AM
• 12, Holiday Hoopla
• 14, First Grade Performance, 8:30-9AM, MPR
• 15, Second Grade Performance, 8:30-9AM, MPR
• 16, Fifth Grade Performance 1, 8:30-9AM, MPR
• 17, Fifth Grade Performance 2, 8:30-9AM, MPR
• 18, Kindergarten Performance, 8:30-9AM, MPR
• 21, 4th Grade Performance, 8:30-9AM, MPR
• 24-1 No School, Winter Break

Message from NYCPS: What’s Happening in NYC Public Schools in November

November's letter features important information about remote learning on Election Day, upcoming parent-teacher conferences, middle and high school admissions deadlines, kindergarten admissions for fall 2027, and free technology resources for families.

PS8 Virtual Learning Information

Please refer to the PS8 Virtual Learning Information 26-27 for all zoom links and google classroom information.

Fall Family Administration Meetings: Thank you to those who were able to attend our grade level family administration meetings earlier in the month. Please see the Fall Family Administration Meeting Slides that were shared at the meetings.

Student Led Conferences Grades 2-5

A student-led conference (SLC) is a meeting where your child takes the lead in sharing their learning with you and their teacher(s). During the conference, your child will show work from different subject areas, reflect on their progress, celebrate their achievements and discuss goals for growth. SLCs allow students to take meaningful ownership of their learning while building important skills such as communication, self refection and responsibility. For more information, please refer to the Parent Facing Conferences FAQ 2026

Morning Safety Patrol Launch

This month we will launch our Morning Safety Patrol program. Fifth grade children who are interested in arriving early to assist with arrival procedures and help to ensure a safe and welcoming start to the day are encouraged to participate. This leadership opportunity allows children to contribute to the wellbeing of our school community while learning the importance of responsibility, teamwork, and service. If your child expresses interest please complete the quick sign-up form.

Arrival and Dismissal

A reminder that our school day runs from 8:20 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. (2:30 p.m. for kindergarten). Children are given time each morning to unpack, organize their belongings, and prepare for Morning Meeting before instruction begins.

To make the most of this important transition time, students should be entering the building at 8:15 a.m. and arriving in their classrooms by 8:20 a.m. Students who enter the building at 8:20 a.m. or later miss part of their classroom routine and are considered late. We appreciate your support in helping children arrive on time and ready to learn.

November Book of the Month: What Can A Citizen Do written by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Shawn Harris.

Please read the November Book of the Month letter. Each month, our K–5 school community comes together around a shared text, with students participating in related activities and discussions throughout the month.

School Picture Day Photos Are Ready!

School picture day photos are ready to view and order! A flyer with ordering instructions should have been sent home (or will be coming home soon) in your child's folder.

To access your photos, visit pictureday.com and enter 515256 followed by the first three letters of your child's first name and the first three letters of their last name. For example: Jillian Jones = 515256JilJon

Picture retake day is December 7. If your child was absent and did not have their photo taken or you would like your child's photo retaken, please use this form.

Students Who Need Medication At School

Medication Administration Forms (MAF) for the 26-27 School Year are available now. Please have the forms completed by your child’s physician in time for the new school year. Make sure you sign the second page of the MAF. Submit the forms to our school nurse once the school year begins. Do not send in medications until the nurse lets you know that the MAF is approved. All medications must be in their original packaging, unopened and with a pharmacy label.

Electronic Devices Policy

ALL NYC public schools are phone-free spaces. This is in accordance with New York State Law and aligns to our values. We believe in the importance of fostering meaningful interpersonal interactions, encouraging play, and cultivating moments of joy throughout the school day. These values help support the overall well-being and development of your children. You may read the PS 8 Electronic Devices Policy for all the details.

Here are a few key points to know ahead of the upcoming school year. At PS 8:

• We encourage families to send their children to school without electronic devices.

• All children that bring electronic devices (phones, watches, & tracking devices) to school will be provided with a secure, personal Yondr pouch that locks.

• Upon entering the school building all children with devices must turn off their devices, place them in their Yondr pouch and lock it. They’ll keep the pouch in their backpack all day, but won’t be able to unlock the pouch and access their devices until they are being dismissed. This includes all on-site after-school programs. Children will bring their pouches to and from school and will be responsible for them every day. Children can always use the school phone to contact families in case of an emergency. Families can also always call the school.

• There are certain exceptions to this policy, including when devices are used for medical, emergency, or specific educational purposes.

• Returning families should make sure their emergency contact information is up-to-date in their New York City Schools Account (NYCSA).

⛄Save the Date! Holiday Hoopla, Saturday, Dec 12
Enjoy crafts, treats, and shopping at the holiday market!

🔗 Key Links

• PTA Meeting Schedule & Past Presentations

• Kids Cre8 Drop-in & Extended Day

• Shop for PS8 Merch

• Subscribe to our Mailing List

• Follow the PTA on Instagram and Facebook

District 13 Community Education Council (CEC) Meetings Schedule

D 13 CEC meets Monthly on the third Tuesday from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Join Zoom Meeting: https://nycdoe.zoom.us/j/94342113714?pwd=x9j9zohJaayLt5qXQRYKjDSxTNGo0G.1

Meeting ID: 943 4211 3714. Passcode: 376177

Meeting dates for 2026-2027 school year: 11/17, 12/15, 1/19, 2/16, 3/16, 4/20, 5/18, 6/15, 7/20, 8/17

New York City Public School (NYCPS) Website

Please take time to explore the NYCPS website. You will find answers to many of your questions abouit school there. There is a very helpful "Back to School" page.

Brooklyn Book Bodega

Brooklyn Book Bodega's mission is to increase the number of 100+ book homes for kids 0-18 in NYC because reading is transformative. Research shows that children who grow up in homes with books are more likely to succeed in school and in life. However, for many families, access to books is limited. That's where the bodega comes in. They are always on the hunt for donated kids' books in giftable condition. Please check out their book drop sites and donation guidelines.

Absences

Please let your child's teacher know that your child is absent. Also email Keisha Worrell (nworrell2@schools.nyc.gov) if your child is absent because of an illness. If your child has an appointment with a physician, another school, etc, ask for a letter stating why the child is absent. Be sure to share that letter with Keisha. This will still be considered an absence but will be coded to explain the absence. Students should aim to miss no more than 10 days of school during the year. If your child will miss school because of travel, please share travel information with Keisha as well. She is tasked with documenting where a child is if not at PS 8.

Family Income Inquiry Form

Lunch and Breakfast are free for all students. However, funding for PS 8 is partially determined by families’ completion of Family Income Inquiry Form. You can decline to share income. Simply completing the form helps PS 8. You do not need to list your child's ID (OSIS) number to complete. We expect 100% completion for PS 8.

Lost and Found

The lost and found is located inside the main entrance at 37 Hicks Street. The PS 8 PTA also leaves merchandise in bags on the top shelf of the lost and found; no need to check in if you have ordered anything from the PS 8 shop. Please label your child's lunchbox, water bottle, clothing.

School Bus

There is a stop-to-school bus available for students in grades K-2 who live at least 0.5 miles from school. The bus picks up at the corner of Joralemon and Hicks at 8:12 AM. The bus leaves PS 8 around 2:45 PM. It is expected that children take the bus to and from school. If you think your child qualifies for the bus, please reach out to Keisha Worrell, our school secretary, at nworrell2@schools.nyc.gov. Only students who are formally on the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) bus list are able to ride on the bus.

Schoolyard Use After School

The PS 8 schoolyard is not a public playspace. After school, New York Edge and Kids' Orbit students and staff should be the sole users of the schoolyard. Please share this information with any sitter or other care takers. Legally, only the afterschool programs have the right to use the spaces and play structure of the front and rear schoolyards.

Students Who Need Medication At School

Medication Administration Forms (MAF) for the 25-26 School Year are available now. Please have the forms completed by your child’s physician in time for the new school year. Make sure you sign the second page of the MAF. Submit the forms to our school nurse once the school year begins. Do not send in medications until the nurse lets you know that the MAF is approved. All medications must be in their original packaging, unopened and with a pharmacy label.

Transcript Requests

Please email Lauren Coe for 5th grade requests (she will be back before transcripts are needed!) and Keisha Worrell for Kindergarten to 4th grade requests. Transcripts will be completed based on the order the email requests are made. If you want to know if the transcripts were sent, please contact the receiving school. Also, allow teachers 2 weeks notice for all receiving school documentation.

• School Secretary, Keisha Worrell, can be reached at 718 834 6740 X 1081 or nworrell2@schools.nyc.gov

• Guidance Counselor, Lauren Coe can be reached at 718 834 6740 X 3012 or lcoe@schools.nyc.gov.

• The School Nurse, Rosie can be reached at 718 834 6740 X 1002. Please know that when the nurse calls, the number displayed is 718-834-8110, not the school number.

• PS 8 website
• 25-26 Virtual Classroom Information
• TeachHub
• Weekly Upd8 Archive
• Monthly Grade Newsletters Archive
• New York City Schools Account (NYCSA) (Report Cards, Attendance, Student Information)
• KidsRISE Save for College
• NYCPS Website
• District 13 Website
• NYCPS Calendar 2027-2026
• School Meals Menu - Breakfast and Lunch