Lions Ledger
November 24-28, 2025
Dear Seth Low I.S. 96 Families,
I am proud to share that our WIN (What I Need) periods will officially roll out in English Language Arts this week and have already been successfully implemented in mathematics. This important initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring that every student receives targeted instruction and support based on their individual learning needs.
This week, families will receive a Tiered Intervention Letter outlining their child's instructional tier and the intervention program or enrichment opportunity they will participate in during WIN. Families of students in Tiers II or III will have the opportunity to engage in progress monitoring meetings every 6-8 weeks with their student's intervention teacher.
In English Language Arts, 484 Tier I students will participate in engaging Book Clubs, where they will strengthen reading comprehension, critical thinking, and discussion skills through collaborative, text-based conversations. 158 Tier II students will receive REWARDS instruction, a research-based intervention designed to accelerate reading achievement and support students in accessing grade-level content. Additionally, 58 Tier III students will participate in Phonics for Reading, an intensive intervention program focused on foundational literacy skills to help students become more confident and proficient readers. To ensure successful implementation, all teachers facilitating REWARDS and Phonics for Reading participated in professional learning and training last week.
Similarly, in mathematics, 172 Tier I students will engage in IXL instruction, providing opportunities for enrichment and reinforcement aligned to grade-level standards. 315 Tier II students will participate in i-Ready, following individualized learning pathways and engaging in targeted small-group instruction to strengthen specific skill areas. Additionally, 240 Tier III students will receive Amplify Boost intervention, an intensive and personalized program designed to address learning gaps and accelerate mathematical growth.
Through this differentiated approach, students will receive the appropriate level of support, challenge, and enrichment needed to build confidence, deepen understanding, and achieve academic success. WIN periods are an essential component of our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework and reflect our belief that all students can thrive when instruction is responsive to their needs.
Thank you for being an essential part of the Seth Low family. Together, we will make the 2026-2027 school year one of growth, achievement, and unforgettable learning experiences for every student.
With PRIDE and Appreciation,
Christina Monfasani-Voutsinas
Principal
Seth Low I.S. 96
SETH LOW SPIRIT WEEK
Monday 11/09: Disney Monday
Tuesday 11/10: Team Tuesday
- Nov. 9-17 – Spirit Week (See Flyer below)
Wednesday 11/11:
- Schools Closed- Veterans Day
Thursday 11/12: Cultural Thursday
- Half Day & Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences
Looking Ahead
Nov. 16 – Last Day to Order PTA Fundraiser Pies (See flyer below)
- MOMA Trip - Elective 7A and 7B (Elman)
- PTA Snack Sale During Lunch PD
Nov. 19 – 8th Grade Picture Day -order forms available week of
Nov. 20 – 6th & 7th Grade Picture Day -order forms available week of
Model UN - Agostino & Herron
MET Trip 6th grade - Lehki
Nov. 21 – Food Pantry Distribution
Nov. 23 – Tenement Museum Trip (Agostino/810)
PTA Meeting Virtual @6pm
Nov. 24 – SLT Meeting 3 PM
Soap Box Periods 2-4 in the Auditorium
Vision Testing
NESTGIVING - 6:00pm - 7:30pm - Cafe
Nov. 24 & 25 – Pie Sale Pickup Days
Nov. 25 – 6th & 7th Grade Trip
Tenement Museum Trip (Agostino/814/816)
Nov. 26-27 – Thanksgiving Recess (Schools Closed)
Nov. 30 – PROSE Meeting
Weekly Academic Vobabulary
6th: motive, affect, significant
7th: abridge, prioritize, tension
8th: contradict, inevitable, exhibit
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, NOVEMBER 10 @ 7:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM MST (AZ)
Screen Time
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 @ 6:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM MST (AZ)
Demystifying Therapy
Letter from Chief, Office of Safety and Prevention Partnerships
List of Prohibited Items
Chinese
Russian
Spanish
English
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
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
Student Lateness
Dear parents,
There has been an increase in student lateness for 8th grade. I would like to remind you that school starts at 8:05. Students that are chronically late to school may be unable to attend Senior Events and Senior Activities at the end of the year. Please ensure that your child arrives to school on time.
Thank you, AP Vagner
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:Sanjida Rahman
Rec. Secretary: Sandra Pellegrini
Virtual Support Liaison: Angela Cutri
Corr. Secretary: Sanjida Rahman
Vice President: 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, Mr. Mei, and Mr. Argento
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, Mr. Machado, and Ms. Jassir
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.
