PS3 Newsletter #10
October 30th, 2026
This week we are shining the student spotlight on Leo, one of our 5th graders! Leo is a curious, funny, and independent 10-year-old with so many talents and hobbies. A passionate artist and mathematician, he hopes to become an architect one day.
Outside of the classroom, Leo stays active playing piano, practicing taekwondo, rock climbing, and hiking—even conquering Colorado’s Pikes Peak for the second time last summer! At home, he loves taking care of his mini labradoodle, Rexi (including the daily challenge of brushing her teeth).
Leo’s favorite hobby, though, is origami—in the photo, he’s holding the tail section of an incredible T-Rex folded from 21 pieces of paper! He’s also currently studying Japanese at the Tenri Cultural Institute and plotting a future trip to Tokyo.
We are so lucky to have Leo as part of our PS3 community!
With Gratitude,
Hillary Casado, Principal
Susannah Plunkett, Assistant Principal
Rebecca Boyd, Assistant Principal
Born in Sweden, Magnus moved to New York City when he was 15 years old. Since joining the PS 3 community as a teacher in 2002, he has made a lasting impact on our school through his dedication to students, public education, and community traditions.
Today, Magnus teaches 4th grade, where he enjoys helping students grow as thinkers, problem-solvers, and community members. Earlier in his career at PS 3, he spent many years teaching mixed Grade 2 and Grade 3 classes. One of his favorite projects was guiding students in the creation of a longhouse, a memorable culminating experience that brought history, collaboration, and creativity to life.
Many members of the PS 3 community know Magnus as the leader of our annual Halloween Parade, playing the samba drum alongside a team of student musicians. While the parade tradition was created and led for many years by beloved teacher Themi, Magnus saw an opportunity to add something special. He thought to himself, "There should be a band!" That idea became a beloved part of the celebration, and over time Magnus took on leadership of the parade, carrying the tradition forward with music, joy, and school spirit each Halloween.
Magnus feels fortunate to serve the West Village community through a strong, vibrant public school. He has dedicated his life to the belief that public education creates equitable access to opportunity and helps strengthen our democracy. We are grateful for Magnus's passion, leadership, and commitment to PS 3, and for the energy, music, and sense of community he brings to our school every day. 🎶🥁🍂
Student Birthdays- October 31st through November 7th
Silvio C
Rhys E
Ruby F
Uma C
August M
Emily Z
Anthony K
Stephano V
