Please join us this Friday at 3:30 PM for PPAS’ Black Excellence Gala! Join us as we celebrate historical education, critical thinking and joy!
STREAMING LIVE ON YOUTUBE
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26TH at 3:30 PM
REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/bAH2rPqoPYMsvECF9
You will receive your video streaming link 30 minutes before the event begins. Be on the lookout via e-mail and follow us on social media.
@proud2bamover
@ppas.bgm
@ppas.bsu@ppasnyc
Best,
Nicole Johnson
PPAS Equity Advocate
Hot off the press–Enjoy the latest edition of PPAS Voice! Thank you to The Voice team for these excellent articles.
From Mr. Ryan:
Mr. Wright found this great curriculum that combines computer coding and celebrating black history by produce a remixes of a Pharrel Williams song. Student remixes will be entered into a national competition! Check out the attached flyer for details about how to join the class that Mr. Wright will lead:
Although many students do not take advantage of the free lunch program, it remains important that all families complete the School Meal Application.
Information received from the application may result in Title I funding for supplementary programming and:
• College fee waivers for students
• Tutoring programs
• PSAT, SAT and ACT fee waiver for students.
The deadline to submit the application is December 21st!
It only takes a few minutes!
Please complete the application.
Thank you!
From Principal Ryan:
As you have likely heard, the NYC DOE will be phasing students back to in-person learning, starting with Pre-K through 5th grade next Monday, December 7th. As of this morning, the DOE has not determined a return date for grades 6-12. We will update you as decisions are made by the NYC DOE. Meanwhile, there are a few important elements of the return to in-school learning that you should be aware of even before the date is announced:
When in-person learning continues, it is only available to those students who are currently enrolled in the BLENDED learning program. All students currently in the REMOTE program, will continue to learn remotely.
Although the mayor has been publicly speaking about increasing the amount of in-person days, this is wholly dependent on space in our building and social distancing rules. Currently, we do not anticipate increasing the in-person days because many class sections are already at social distancing capacity. We have run models of reprogramming for more in-person days, but we cannot solve issues of social distancing and safe in-person instruction as per the CDC. Therefore, the rotating A-B-C day structure will stay in place.
All students in the BLENDED program are now required to provide consent for COVID-19 testing in order to participate in in-person instruction. If you have NOT already consented, you can do so by filling out the attached consent form and sending it with your child on the day they return. You can also complete the consent form on-line if you have NYC School Account. If you do not have an NYC Schools Account but would like one, you can get a registration code from Ms. Gindi – request one from her by emailing tgindi@ppasshare.org. Schools Account is a hub for your child’s school records: grades, test scores, attendance, school records, etc.
Please see the chancellor’s letter attached about the return to in-person learning for BLENDED students, and do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Thank you, be safe, and be well.
Sincerely,
Keith Ryan
From Mr. Ryan:
Dear PPAS Community,
As you have probably heard, all NYC public schools, including PPAS, will close starting tomorrow due to the COVID-19 infection rate raising above 3%. All students will remain in their current class programs, and are expected to log into their Google Classrooms as per the bell schedule (attached). Also attached is the letter from the Chancellor regarding the decision to close all schools. They are working on reopening as soon as possible and depending on the infection rate in the city. Continue to pay close attention to these Pupil Path messages and any information coming directly from the DOE at schools.nyc.gov. Feel free to reach out with any questions you have. Thank you and let’s hope this is short lived. Be safe and be well.
Sincerely,
Keith Ryan
From Mr. Ryan:
As part of New York City’s ongoing effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, and ensure the health and safety of our community, COVID-19 testing of staff and students will be conducted in our school once a month from now through the end of the school year. We have been notified that the testing provider will be at our school within the next week. Please note that only New York City public school students from grades 1-12 are eligible to be tested. Only a small percentage of students will be tested. These students are chosen randomly by the testing staff.
As the September 29, 2020 letter co-signed by NYC Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza, Executive Director Ted Long of New York City Test Trace Corps, and Dr. Dave Chokshi, Commissioner of NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene stated, the test is easy, quick, and safe. A “short swab” (similar to a Q-tip) will be inserted into the front part of the nose for five to ten seconds. Later this school year, it is possible that tests will be administered by collecting a small amount of saliva (spit).
Thanks to all the families who submitted a paper consent form and those who have already consented on line. Only students who submitted consent forms (either paper or on line) are eligible to be tested. If you have not consented yet, you can do so on line at this link: schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting. Your child will not be tested if they are uncomfortable or become distressed at any point during the process. If that happens, we will work with you to address any potential concerns so that your child is comfortable participating in future testing.
If your child is tested at school, information about the testing process, and when and how you will receive the results, will be sent home with your child. The majority of all testing results will be available within 48 hours. If your child tests positive for COVID-19, the testing provider will notify you via a telephone call, and NYC Test & Trace Corps will call to provide your family with resources and support.
If any member of the school community tests positive during this testing process, our school community will continue to follow the guidelines outlined on the Health & Safety section of the website.
We deeply appreciate your partnership and your commitment to keeping your school community safe and healthy.
From Mr. Ryan:
Next Thursday evening 11/12 from 5:00 – 7:30 PM, and Friday afternoon 11/13 from 12:30 – 3:00, PPAS Teachers will be available for Parent Teacher Conferences.
On Monday, we will be sending you instructions on how to sign up for virtual meetings with your child’s teachers.
IMPORTANT: We will not have enough spaces in our schedule of Parent-Teacher conferences for all parents in all classes. Over the two days of conferences, teachers will have 50 slots (some teachers have over 100 students). Teachers will be specifically inviting some parents where they feel a meeting is necessary, and the remainder of the slots will be filled on a first come – first serve basis. We recommend that you choose one or two teachers to sign up for, especially if you have specific questions or concerns about the class or if your child is struggling in the class. If you do not get a slot with a teacher, you can always follow up with them in at a later time by requesting a meeting.
Again, the instructions for signing up for Parent-Teacher conferences will be sent out on Monday.
From Mr. Ryan:
Tomorrow (or perhaps a few days after tomorrow) when the results of the presidential election are complete, our community members – students, parents, faculty, arts partners – will return to school and work with a degree of emotion. Some of these feelings may be strong, perhaps stronger than we have experienced in any presidential election in the history of our school. It is fully expected, and reflective of our core values at PPAS, that we will practice empathy and treat one another with respect and civility – no matter how much disrespectful or uncivil activity we may observe elsewhere. On many demographic measurements, PPAS is one of the most diverse schools in the city. We pride ourselves in our diversity, and we will continue to support one another in assuring a safe and inclusive space for all community members, regardless of their gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual preference, and political leanings.
For students that are feeling vulnerable, angry, marginalized, or having any emotions that are distracting or upsetting, we will have staff on hand at any time during school hours in the days that follow the election, to talk, or simply to provide some quiet space. This safe space will be the Learning Support Center, room 302, where we will pair students with appropriate support staff or supervise quiet space.
It has been awe inspiring to listen to and observe PPAS students over the last several weeks in their action to support political involvement: get out the vote efforts, discussions clarifying the biggest issues of our time, providing vehicles for student voice. I encourage this activity before and after the election, and look forward to the incredible contributions of our intelligent and talented students!
