PS 503

PS 503 August 2020 PTA Meeting Notes & Results

Thank you all of the families and staff who attended the virtual PTA meeting on Wednesday, August 5 at 6pm. You can review the PTA Meeting slides for more information.

You can also visit the PS 503 PTA Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PS503PTA, for any updates. Some important updates include:

By the end of August: PS 503 families will receive an email from info@ps503online.org about your child’s class, cohort and schedule for Blended Learning.
At the PTA meeting, families voted on uniforms. The results: there will be NO uniforms for the 2020-2021 school year.

Student DOE iPad Update for Internet

Your child may be experiencing difficulty with the internet on their DOE iPad. In order to improve security on iPads, the DOE has installed a new App called Zscaler. You need to click on the App to install it. Students need to be signed in with their NYC DOE Student email when they do so. The internet will not work until you have done this. The App is still being installed, so different students may receive it on different days.

In order to obtain your NYC DOE Student email you will need your child’s ID number (OSIS). This can be found on your child’s report card next to their name. Please go to the Student account self service to set up your child’s account using your child’s ID number (OSIS) and date of birth. You can go to Steps for Creating NYC Student Accounts for additional instructions.

If you need support please email info@ps503online.org and someone will respond to you within 2 business days.

Health & Safety Protocols for Blended Learning: Message to Families

Please read the August 3 Chancellor Carranza ‘s Message to Families for more information about healthy and safety protocols for the 2020-2021 school year.

Information Meeting for Families about the 2020-2021 School Year

Thank you to all of the families and staff who attended our PS 503 Families Meeting on Wednesday, July 22 at 6pm about Blended Learning for the 2020-2021 school year. Here are the slides that we shared during the presentation. If you have any questions or would like to be added to our families mailing list, please email info@ps503online.org.

You can also find additional information in the Chancellor Carranza’s July 27th Letter to Families and the July 14 Letter to Families from Principal Demos about the 2020-2021 school year.

Learning Preference Survey for Families

PS 503 will be using a “Blended Learning” model of instruction in the Fall for students. Blended Learning is a combination of remote learning and in-person learning in our school. If you are interested in your child continuing 100% remote learning in the Fall, you can complete the DOE Learning Preference Survey.

Want to know more about Blended Learning at PS 503 in order to make your decision? You can review the slides that were presented during the PS 503 Families Meeting on Wednesday, July 22.

NYS Rent Relief/Assistance Program

New York State has created a COVID Rent Relief Program for families who are eligible. The deadline for applying for rent relief is July 30. Please click on the link above for eligibility requirements and application documents in Spanish & Chinese.

Report Cards & Summer Google Classroom/Homework

Looking for your child’s summer homework? Check out your child’s Google Classroom for weekly homework posts on Mondays beginning on July 6.

Wondering about your child’s report card? Here is the link to access your NYC Schools Account. You can click “Forgot Password” to reset your password to access your child’s grades.

Please read the July 9 Letter to Families from Principal Demos for additional information about report cards and summer homework.

Equity in Education

Please read this June 25, 2020 Letter to Families about how PS 503 has been working to promote equity and enrich our culturally relevant curriculum.

Complete Your 2020 Census!

Did you know that when you complete your 2020 Census you help our school get federal funding? Complete your census and help our school get the money that we need!

The Census Bureau is required by law to protect any personal information that is collected and keep it strictly confidential. Everyone is eligible to complete the census regardless of immigration status. Immigration status is private and separate.

The following videos made by the PTA and PS 503 staff members can support you in completing the census for your family. We are also available to help you complete the Census Form if you need support. You can call the school phone number (718-439-5962) and leave a message with your name and number and we will return your call. The deadline has been extended by October 31, 2020.

Food Benefits for NYC Students

Families of New York City public school students will receive payment per child of $420 to help pay for food while school buildings are shut down. For families who currently have an EBT card, you can expect additional funds to be added to the card in June and July. Families who do not currently have an EBT card can expect to receive a card in the mail sometime between July and August. The card can be used to buy food at supermarkets and grocery stores. Please review this flyer for more information.

Summer School: July – August 2020

The Department of Education has announced that there will be summer school offered for some third, fourth and fifth grade students who are required or are recommended to attend summer school. Summer school will take place virtually from July 6 – August 11. Summer school will take place Mondays-Thursdays for approximately 4-5 hours per day. Please see the Chancellor’s Letter about Summer School for more information. Students selected for summer school will receive information in June.

MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children) Information

Here is the letter from the Chancellor about MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children). Please read this letter for guidance about keeping children safe and healthy.

April 15 UPDATE: Breakfast and Lunch for Students

Families can now go to PS 971 located at 6214 4th Avenue for “Grab-and-go” breakfast and lunch. PS 971 will be open Monday-Friday Friday from 7:30am-1:30pm. PS 503 is closed until further notice.

Please visit our Distance Learning page to understand how PS 503 teachers are partnering with families to teach students. Here you can find links to homework packets, student accounts, and Google Classrooms.

Requesting a Learning Device from the DOE

If you need a device and internet for your home, please complete this DOE Remote Learning Device Request form to request a device and access to internet, if needed. These devices will be prioritized for students most in need. You also have the option to call 718-935-5100 and select option 5 to request a device.

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

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