Lions Ledger
November 24-28, 2025
Dear Seth Low Families,
Welcome back to the 2026-2027 school year!
We are thrilled to open our doors once again and welcome our students and families to a year filled with limitless opportunities for growth, learning, and success. At Seth Low, we believe in meeting every student where they are and supporting them as they strive to reach new heights academically, socially, and emotionally. Seth Low is a place where every Lion learns, leads, and belongs.
This year, we will continue to demonstrate our Seth Low PRIDE and foster a positive school culture in everything we do:
- Positivity in the face of challenges
- Respect for ourselves and others
- Integrity in our actions
- Determination to succeed
- Empathy and Equity in all we do
Academically, we remain committed to ensuring that every student receives high-quality, grade-level instruction every day. Our instructional focus is centered on empowering students through intentional, data-driven, standards-based instruction and collaboration. Through our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), students will receive differentiated instruction and targeted interventions aligned to their individual needs, helping to accelerate growth and close achievement gaps in reading and mathematics.
We are dedicated to elevating student voice and agency through coherent lessons, meaningful academic discourse, and actionable feedback. Literacy will continue to be embedded across all content areas, providing students with opportunities to actively read, write, speak, listen, and think critically every day. Through engaging learning experiences, project-based opportunities, and collaborative discussions, students will be challenged to make connections, solve problems, and apply their learning in authentic ways.
Our teachers will continue to work collaboratively, analyzing student work and data to design responsive, student-centered instruction that supports growth for every learner. As a result, students will be equipped to take ownership of their learning, reflect on their progress, advocate for themselves, and build the skills and confidence necessary for future college and career success.
At Seth Low, we believe that strong relationships are the foundation of student success. Our dedicated staff is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment where every child feels seen, heard, valued, and empowered to thrive. Together, we will continue building a school community where students develop not only academic excellence but also the character and leadership skills embodied in our PRIDE values.
We look forward to partnering with you throughout the school year and working together to ensure that every student reaches their fullest potential.
Thank you for being an essential part of our Seth Low family. Together, let's make the 2026-2027 school year one of growth, achievement, and unforgettable memories.
To all who celebrate, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful, healthy, and peaceful Rosh Hashanah. May the New Year bring happiness, reflection, and many blessings.
With PRIDE and Appreciation,
Christina Monfasani
Principal
Seth Low I.S. 96
Monday
- Soccer Tryouts THIS WEEK- 3rd floor gym - please see Mr. Machado or Mr. Paolucci for permission slips (see below for tryout days by grade).
Tuesday
- Grade 6 Soccer tryout 2:25 PM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday
- District CEC Meeting @ 6 PM
The David A. Boody School (I.S. 228)
228 Avenue S, Brooklyn, NY
CEC Meeting Agenda
- Grade 7 Soccer tryout 2:25 PM - 3:30 PM
Thursday
Grade 8 Soccer tryout2:25 PM - 3:30 PM
Friday
Looking Ahead:
Monday 09/21- School Closed - Yom Kippur
Tuesday 09/22 - SLT Team Meeting 5 PM
Tuesday 9/22 - 1st PTA Meeting 6 PM
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.
Get Help in Your Language
A Note From the Chancellor
Immigrant Family Rights
Project Open Arms supports immigrant families including those seeking asylum and ensures children are provided a full range of services.
Marble Health Parent Workshops
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.
Next week:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 @ 7:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM MST
Demystifying Therapy
Letter from Chief, Office of Safety and Prevention Partnerships
List of Prohibited Items
Soccer Tryouts Permission Slip Required
Join the Track Team
Volleyball Tryouts Permission Slip Required
As the assistant principal supervising 6th grade it is my goal to make sure that our students have a supportive environment to prepare for high school. I want to make sure that families stay connected to our school community and that students are learning, growing, and enjoying their first year in middle school.
If you have questions or need support from me, please feel free to email me at soteo@schools.nyc.gov
6th Grade Swag- COMING SOON
As the assistant principal supervising 7th grade it is my goal to make sure that our students have a supportive environment to prepare for high school. I want to make sure that families stay connected to our school community and that students are learning, growing, and enjoying their time in middle school.
If you have questions or need support from me, please feel free to email me at ifanas2@schools.nyc.gov
Welcome, Class of 2027!
As your assistant principal, I am excited to lead you toward a successful completion of your final year at Seth Low Middle School. I encourage each of you to make the most of this year by setting goals, challenging yourselves, supporting one another, and making memories that you will carry with you. Remember, your success is not just about where you finish, but about the effort, growth, and character you demonstrate along the way. Let’s make this a year to remember!
If you have questions or need support from me, please feel free to email me at kvagner@schools.nyc.gov
PTA Board Members
President: Cheryle Calandra
Treasurer: Janice Ortiz
Rec. Secretary: Sandra Pellegrini
Virtual Support Liaison: Angela Cutri
Vice President: VACANT
Corr. Secretary: VACANT
Financial Secretary: VACANT
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
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.
Coaches:
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.
Coaches:
Mr. Ling and Mr. Machado
Soccer
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. Tryouts this week.
Coaches:
Mr. Paolucci and Mr. Machado
Volleyball
The Seth Low Volleyball 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. Tryouts next week.
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.
