PS 503

DOE Health Screening Form

As we discussed at the 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.

To support families with this online tool, here are some videos that show how to complete the DOE Health Screening Form:

First week of Blended Learning – Week 2 Schedule, Starting Tuesday, 9/29

What a great first week of school! The Department of Education has announced that K-5 schools will continue Remote Learning for the week of September 21 – September 25. Please refer to the September/ October Calendar for your child’s cohort schedule for remote as well as in person blended learning.

The schedule for virtual class meetings for this week will continue to be posted in your child’s Google Classroom.

For students in Blended Learning, in-person learning will begin according to the following schedule:

If you have any questions or need support, you can also email us at info@ps503online.org or call the school at 718-439-5962.

Families Meeting Update

Thank you to all of the families and staff who attended our Families Meeting on Wednesday, 9/23. Here are the slides that we shared at the meeting.

Student Supply Lists by Grade

Wondering what your child should bring to school? Supply lists have been posted in your child’s Google Classroom. Please look here to know what your child can bring to school to support their learning.

PS 503 Blended Learning Class & Cohort Information

On Tuesday August 18, PS 503 sent emails to families about their child’s class and cohort for Blended Learning beginning in September. If you did not receive this email, please email us at info@ps503online.org with your child’s name so that we can update our records.

If you would like to know your child’s class and cohort and did not receive an email, you can find this information in your child’s Google Classroom. If you elected for your child to learn 100% remotely, your child is in Cohort D. The Blended Learning schedule for Cohorts A, B and C are as follows:

If you would like your child to learn 100% remotely but your child is NOT in Cohort D, you can complete the DOE Learning Preference Form at any time to sign up for 100% remote learning.

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.

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.

Please see the DOE’s iPad Update August 13, 2020 Message to Families for more information about preparing your child’s iPad for learning in September. If you need additional support please email info@ps503online.org and someone will respond to you within 2 business days.

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:

At the PTA meeting, families voted on uniforms. The results: there will be NO uniforms for the 2020-2021 school year.

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.

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.

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.

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

Monday, 9/28	Tuesday, 9/29	Wednesday, 9/30	Thursday, 10/1	Friday, 10/2
NO SCHOOL	Cohort C learning in person at PS 503	Cohort A learning in person at PS 503	Cohort B learning in person at PS 503	Cohort C learning in person at PS 503
NO SCHOOL	Cohorts A, B, D in remote learning	Cohorts B, C, D in remote learning	Cohorts A, C, D in remote learning	Cohorts A, B, D in remote learning