Mosaic Times
Public School 3 October 2008
From the Principal:
Dear Parent:
What adults expect of children counts for a lot. We all have high expectations for our children. We all want our children to grow up to be confident, caring, productive individuals. When it comes time for them to work, we want them to have the skills and knowledge they will need to do the job well. We also want them to be good neighbors, eventually good mothers and fathers, and good citizens in a free society. We are asking a great deal.
But if parents, teachers and other adults dropped all their expectations, the pressures would still be on. Getting a job to support a family would still require high school level reading and math skills. Voting on health care or welfare reform would still require the ability to think out complex issues.
Presently the Regents are taking a number of steps to raise standards for all students in New York State. They’re putting their expectations up front. I’m asking you to do that too.
Keep expecting good things to happen. Clear, high standards are important for our all of our students. Keep asking what your child needs to do to improve, when s/he faces difficulty and when s/he succeeds. Give your child support. Remember, your interest is probably the most important element in your child’s success.
What you can do to raise expectations? Make your expectations clear. Remember, you are the one who really sets the standards. Look at the work your child does in school; the writing, the art, the books read, the mathematics. Ask yourself: Are you satisfied with your child’s progress? As a parent, your views count. Your child needs to know from you that skills really matter.
Take care of the fundamentals. Be sure your child has enough sleep, enough time for homework, a good breakfast, and gets to school on time. Monitor television watching.
Read to your child. Reading regularly with your child at home probably can produce more results than any amount of money invested in school reading programs, particularly when children are young. Read books that are fun for both of you. Discuss what you’ve read.
Find out about our school’s standards. Get to know what the expectations are from our school and your child’s teacher.
Educationally yours,
Kristina Beecher
ESL News:
This past month, the school tested 26 new students who have a home language other than English. They were given the English Lab Test to assess their levels of academic English. Eight students passed the test, which means these students are competent enough to function in their classrooms along with the native speakers. Letters have been sent home to inform their parents.
As for the students who failed the lab test, they are eligible to join the school's ESL Program in order to develop faster their knowledge of the English language in all areas of the curriculum. Letters will be sent to the parents of these students to attend a group or individual orientation meeting at the school. The group meeting is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 10, at 3:30, in
Room 320. Parents who prefer to see the presentation in Spanish or Bengali may contact Mr. Francois @ 718-622-2960, for an appointment.
From the Classrooms:
Ms. Stanley, a veteran teacher of P.S. 3, is now the Drama Teacher! She will be involved with grade Pre-K to fifth. The students are learning performance related vocabulary and participating in various forms of dramatic play. Ms. Stanley would like to thank all parents and teachers for their contributions to the Drama Class Future donations will be greatly appreciated.
Class 5-314 has begun the process leading up to their class elections. The students will go through the full political process and follow parliamentary procedure. Their elections will coincide with the historical upcoming presidential election. Ms. Eure is coordinating this event.
Class 5-328 will be visiting The Old Stone House Museum and Interpretive Center on October 29, in preparation of the New York State Social Studies Test, which will be administered on November 13 and November 14. Ms. Costagliola is organizing this trip.
Class 4/5-302 is off to another hardworking start this year. The students have been working to improve their writing and word processing skills through the use of the school’s Laptop Program. They are also looking forward to all of October's activities! Keep up the excellent stamina everyone! Ms. Wells will be supervising these activities.
From the Parent Coordinator:
Dear Parents and Staff,
I hope all of you have gotten off to a wonderful start this school year. I'm honored and happy to serve as your new Parent Coordinator. It will be my pleasure working with you and caring for your needs.
There are many wonderful upcoming informative workshops as well as activities such as a Book Club, the Annual Holiday Shopping Trip and a variety of other fun activities. Please be on the lookout for notices and flyers!
If you should have any concerns or questions, our school has set up procedures for you. Please see me and complete a Parent Intake Form. The form will be then be submitted to the appropriate supervisor. You will receive a response within 24 hours. Emergencies or urgent matters will be handled the same day.
Please read your Parent Handbook. It is important you explain the rules of the school to your child(ren) so that they may have a smooth, successful year.
I am always available to discuss any matter or concern you may have. Please feel free to call me at (718) 622-2960 ext. 131. I am also available in Room 131.
If anyone is interested in joining the P. S. 3 Team in The Walk for Breast Cancer please see me ASAP!
Sincerely,
Atasha Johnson-Harris,
Your Parent Coordinator
From the P.T.A.:
My name is Cheryl Collins and I am your new P. T. A. President. In 1994 I left the corporate world and have been involved in working with children for the last 12 years.
As your P. T. A. President I plan to work with my team to enhance what is already in place at P. S. 3. We intend to focus on the needs of our children and their families. We plan to be a tool of motivation in order to increase our volunteer base. We also hope to be part of decision making and hope to continue to bring our school and the community together.
Our next P. T. A. Meeting is October 16, at 6pm. I hope to see many of your there! Support our school!
Sincerely,
Cheryl Collins,
P. T. A. President
Penny Harvest:
The students of P. S. 3 will once again collect pennies for the 2008-2009 Penny Harvest. This money will be used for those who are struggling and who are in dire need of food, clothing, shelter and medical care. Money raised in the 2007-2008 Penny Harvest was donated to many charities including the Children’s Cancer Association, Homes for the Homeless and the Coalition for the Homeless. Please help us make this year’s Penny Harvest even more successful than last year’s. Ms. Frank, P. S. 3’s Guidance Counselor, is heading this activity.
Students of the Month
Kindergarten: Kimberly Gobin
Grade 1: Antwan Kelly
Grade 3: Colina Greenidge
Grade 5: Sadia Islam
Sharain McCallum
Congratulations and keep up the good work!