Welcome to PS 503

PS 503 June PTA Meeting Updates

On Wednesday, June 15th we had our last PTA meeting of the school year. The PTA nominating Committee held PTA Executive Board Elections. The results are as follows: 

  • PTA President- Michelle Martinez Bueno
  • PTA Vice President- Yanely Morillo
  • Secretary- This position is vacant. We will hold elections for this position in the fall.
  • Treasurer- Ana Alzugaray

Congratulations to the newly elected Executive Board! 

Please see the Principal’s Report for the information that was shared at the meeting.

Day of Unity/Talking to Your Child Resources

In response to the recent attack in the Sunset Park community, our local elected officials have organized gatherings to help the community process what has happened, unite and support each other.  If interested, please see the attached flier for more information.

In addition, we have been supporting students in school with processing what happened and their feelings.  If you are interested in resources for talking with your child about recent events, some suggestions are linked.

We are grateful for the families of Sunset Park.  Please know that we are here to support your family and your child.  Have a safe and healthy break, and we will see you when we return to school on April 25th.

Grandma’s Love Food Giveaway at PS 503

Due to the generous donations from Grandma’s Love, PS 503 hosted a food giveaway on Saturday, April 9. Many PS 503 families were able to take home food. Thank you Grandma’s Love!

Council Member Alexa Aviles Visit to PS 503!

On Friday, April 8 Council member Alexa Aviles visited PS 503 to learn about our school community, to review the condition of the yard and to meet with students, staff and families. We thank her for listening to our concerns and for advocating on behalf of the PS 503 and Sunset Park communities.

If you would like to continue to advocate for the repair of the yard to Council member Aviles, you may email her office directly at District38@council.nyc.gov or call her office at 718-439-9012.

Spring Break & Health Updates

DOE schools will be closed Friday, 4/15 through Friday, 4/22. Students will be sent home with 2 home test kits on Wednesday, 4/25. Students should be administered tests on 4/26 & 4/27 before returning to school on Monday, 4/28. Thank you for supporting the health & safety of our school.

Gr 3-5 NYS Math Tests

Students in grades 3-5 will be administered the NYS Math Test on Tuesday & Wednesday, April 26-27. If your child is absent, they can make up the test through Friday, May 6.

NYC DOE Mask Policy Update Monday, March 7, 2022

As you have likely heard, due to declining covid-19 positivity rates, the policy for indoor masks in NYC DOE schools has changed.  As of Monday, March 7th, masks will be optional for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, and optional for staff as well indoors and outdoors. Please see the Chancellor’s Messages to Families for more details about when masks are required for students and staff. 

We want to assure you that we will continue to honor families’ decisions about whether students choose to wear masks.  Similarly, we will honor the decisions of staff and teachers.

We recognize that a mask-optional policy may be an uneasy transition to make for some in our community and that plenty of people, in school and in our lives, will continue wearing masks for a variety of reasons that are personal to them. Our expectation for everyone is simple: be respectful of each person’s choice and continue being kind toward one another. For nearly two years, we have all endured difficult times and we have helped one another adapt to new ways of learning and living. Through it all, we have also managed to strengthen the bonds that hold our school community together and this is another opportunity for us to support each other as we move toward more normalcy. 

We ask that you:

  • Preview the change in policy with your child and prepare your child for school on Monday, so that your child will know that there will be classmates and school staff both with and without masks.  Encourage your child to be respectful and sensitive to the choices of others.
  • Give your child clear instructions regarding wearing or not wearing their mask.
  • Communicate with the teacher through Remind if you would like your child to continue to wear their mask.  Please note that teachers will do their best to encourage your child in accordance with your preference, and will alert you if there are difficulties.

We thank families for your partnership and continued support.

Lunar New Year School Celebration – Friday, February 18

We would like to extend our wishes for a healthy and happy Lunar New Year to all of our families who celebrate! We hope that you enjoy time with your loved ones! We are asking for our community to please share their  Lunar New Year traditions by sending pictures and short video clips to info@ps503online.org by Wednesday, February 9th. You can also send messages of support/ wishing others a happy new year.  We will be creating a beautiful video to share in classrooms with students. 

Lunar New Year is a special time in our school community. Based on the suggestions of our Asian families we will celebrate as a school community on Friday, February 18, 2022.  Students and staff will wear RED and enjoy fun classroom activities. 

A big thank you to families for making Lunar New Year decorations for the main office, contributing items for our Lunar New Year gift bags, and participating in our weekly planning meetings.  Happy Lunar New Year (the year of the tiger!)!

Message to Families from the Chancellor

Please see the Chancellor’s Message to Families on January 28, 2022 regarding the updated COVID-19 Health & Safety Policies.

Should My Child Come to School Today? COVID FAQs

In these unprecedented times there are many questions that have come up about students attending school. Please see the Should My Child Come to School Today? document that can serve as a guide for your family when a situation with covid arises and you have questions. 

It is wonderful to see how our school community has partnered with families to navigate these challenging times. It is reassuring and I am grateful for the collaboration and mutual respect.

Middle School Applications are Now Open!

If you child is in grade 5, you can now apply to Middle School starting January 11.

The application deadline is Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Go to MySchools.nyc to apply! On this site, you can also explore the online directory tool for program choices program choices, save programs of interest and submit your application.

PS 503 will be offering Middle School Application Office Hours for families soon. Check your email to keep updated about how we will be supporting grade 5 families.

School Leadership Team Meeting Update

Thank you to all staff and families who attended our SLT meeting on February . Here is the agenda and minutes from the meeting. All PS 503 community members are welcome to join us at the next meeting on January 18th, 2022 at 6pm.

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78590511623?pwd=eW92V09IM3BCTm5FZXgwdE82RTBydz09

Sunset Park Affordable Housing Project: Lottery Application

The long-awaited affordable housing complex atop the new Sunset Park Library is accepting applications on the city’s lottery system.
You can complete the lottery application here: https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/
If you would like support from PS 503 staff, we are offering drop-in hours beginning Monday, November 29, 8-9 am daily.

Wellness Resources

Please see these Wellness Resources that were shared at our November PTA Meeting for how you can support you and your family.

School Calendar 2021-2022

Please see the important dates calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. These important dates include days that school is closed, days that students are remote, days that are half days and parent meetings. 

School Lunch Menu

Want to know what is for lunch at school? Check out the PreK-8 Express Hot Lunch Menu for the most up-to-date information.

English Classes for Adults at PS 503

At this time we would like to offer our families the opportunity to learn English at PS 503 (in person) Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 – 8:30.  Classes are taught by certified and experienced teachers. The classes are not exclusively for PS 503 families. Anyone 21 years of age or older can register.

We can support interested families with submitting an application during drop-in hours, October 6th – October 8th 8:30-9:30a Tuesday-Friday. Our parent coordinators can help you submit an application and provide you with additional information. Otherwise you may make a registration appointment by completing the Registration Appointment Form.

Please see the Adult Education Flyer for more information. 

Family & Community Resources

Here are some resources that we shared with families at the PTA Meeting on September 29.

Family Forms

Please complete the following school forms for each of your children.

PTA Elections: October UPDATE

PTA Executive Board

PTA President: Crystal Rosario, crosario@ps503online.org
PTA Vice President: Michelle Rodriguez, mrodriguez@ps503online.org
PTA Secretary: Ana Alzugaray, aalzugaray@ps503online.org
PTA Treasurer: Lizeth Ortiz, lortiz@ps503online.org

You can contact all of the executive board at ptaexecutiveboard@ps503online.org.

School Leadership Team (SLT) Members

Ana Benito, Karina Del Vasto, Abel Garcia, Marwa Hassan, Yun Yan Lin, Yesenia Placencia, Jessica Sierra

Title I PAC Representatives

Yesenia Placencia, Michelle Flemen-Tung

Congratulations and best of luck to all of the winners. We are so very grateful for your participation in supporting your child’s school. We look forward to working with all of the newly elected members!

PS 503: Welcome back & Visitor Policy

We are so very excited to welcome you and your beautiful children back to school! 

The Department of Education has shared their visitor policy with schools and families. In order to be granted access to the school building, visitors will be expected to:

  • provide ID
  • show their proof of vaccination that matched ID
  • complete a DOE health screening and 
  • wear a face mask at all times on school grounds.   

The school day is from 8:00a to 2:10p daily. Students are considered late beginning at 8:20a. All students must show their Daily Health Screening to their teachers prior to entering the building. We urge all families to please access the Health Screening digitally, but if unable to, we will provide paper copies of the health screening. 

PS 503 After School Program: Center for Family Life (CFL)

PS 503/506 share a free after-school program in our building–Center for Family Life (CFL). CFL prioritizes students who have been enrolled in previous years and during the summer. CFL is currently at capacity and notified all families who received a seat on 8/19 & 8/20.

If you are still interested in the afterschool program for your child, you can still apply for CFL to be added to the waiting list. You can still apply for CFL to be added to the waiting list. You can do this by going to https://discoverdycd.dycdconnect.nyc/program-public and searching in the Program Search “PS 503.” You can then create an application for your child and add this program to your application. Please make sure that you complete the entire application and click “Submit.”

DOE Health Screening Form

As we discussed at the family meeting, each family whose children are in Blended Learning must complete the DOE Health Screening for their children prior to coming into the school building EVERY TIME. Children will not be permitted to enter the building without a completed Health Screening.

DOE Health Screening Form

NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will provide significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance.

For more information and to apply, go to this link:
https://otda.ny.gov/programs/emergency-rental-assistance/

PS 503 Community Painting Project

We have exciting news! Under the direction of Ms. Izzo, our school has created an outdoor museum!  

Some students have begun sharing places they love, places they miss, causes they care about, public service announcements, Pikachu, and lots of Spring flowers and gardens. They are sharing images of Sunset Park and things and people they love! Come to the PS 503/506 yard to check it out! 

 

Create your New York City Student Account (NYCSA)!

Need support creating your NYCSA? We can help you in-person at arrival or you can email info@ps503online.org. Here is a video that can support you!

Anti-Asian Anti-bias Resources

I know that we are all troubled by recent events and the rise of bias and discrimination against all marginalized groups, and most recently against Asian Americans.  Special recognition to PS 503 teachers for acknowledging this disturbing trend and responding with community and action.  Teachers have put together resources for learning about teaching about Anti-Asian bias.

We encourage and support teachers in discussing these topics in their classrooms with students. Families can email info@ps503online.org with any questions or suggestions.

We are here as a community to support all of our students and families.  Please know that as always we are thinking of you.

COVID Testing In Schools

In school COVID-19 testing will be happening again this year 2021-2022. The DOE will test 10% of grades 1-5 students with testing consent every other week.

You can log in to your New York City Schools Account (NYCSA) to provide COVID testing consent. Please watch this in-school COVID-19 testing video below if you would like to see exactly how the testing procedure will go. You will be notified on the day of testing if your child has been selected for random testing. Your child will not be tested without parental consent.  Testing is recommended but not required. 

Please email info@ps503online.org if you have any questions or concerns and we will respond within 2 business days.

Requesting a Learning Device

PS 503 has devices available for students who are in need. If you need a device or your device is not working, please email info@ps503online.org for support.

For more information visit: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus

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PS 503: The School of Discovery and Exploration is safe place where all members of our diverse community learn side by side with one another. Habits of mind are taught, practiced, valued, and infused into our culture. It is our mission to welcome and celebrate all peoples and to nurture them to be more reflective, cooperative, and kindhearted.
It is our expectation that all P.S. 503 members: staff, families, and students, will grow academically and gain the skills to help solve social, environmental, economic, and political world problems.

Statement on Accessibility: We are working to make this website easier to access for people with disabilities, and will follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. If you need assistance with a particular page or document on our current site, please contact amartelli@ps503online.org to request assistance.

Respect for All (RFA) Liaison: Yesen Jimenez