Welcome to PS 503

Upcoming Events at PS 503

Wednesday, February 8 from 6-7pm: Coffee with the Principal ☕️

Please join us at 8:00 a.m. in the auditorium as we resume “Coffee with the Principal”. This event gives us an opportunity to eat breakfast together, share important information about school events and programs, and a chance for families to share any ideas, concerns and brainstorm solutions.

Wednesday, February 8 from 6-7pm: DESSA Family Workshop

Our students were administered the DESSA Social Emotional Screener. The screener is a tool that is used to help teachers identify student strengths and areas of growth in  a student’s current social emotional development.  Your child’s DESSA SEL Screener Report was sent home on January 20th. Attached to the score report was a letter explaining your child’s score. Here is the DESSA Family letter for your reference.

https://zoom.us/j/94708365956?pwd=bEZEUlU3SUUvQUhGRXA5N0dDU3hlQT09

February 20-24: Midwinter Break

School will be closed.

CEC Elections – Run for a Council Seat!

Let Us Hear Your Voice! Run for a seat on a Community or Citywide Council! 

The 32 Community Education Councils and 4 Citywide Education Councils make important decisions regarding your child’s education.  Apply Now!  Applying is fast and easy –  Just login to your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA)!

Don’t have a NYC Schools Account (NYCSA)? 

Each parent can begin by signing up now at schoolsaccount.nyc but you must contact PS 503 to complete the process. 

Want more information regarding Education Councils? 

For Eligibility Requirements visit the “Run For A Seat” page. 

Happy Lunar New Year!

Thank you to all of our families and staff who attended the Lunar New Year Celebration on 1/26. The afternoon was filled with wonderful performances, delicious food, and much more!

PS 503 January Virtual PTA Meeting Updates

We had a lot of families join us for January’s PTA meeting! Thank you for collaborating and partnering with the PTA and school for the benefit of your children. We shared  important information about upcoming programs in our school and upcoming events. 

We are sharing the information that was shared in the Principal’s Report.

 Please see the Principal’s Report Google slides below:

NYC Kids Rise Saving Account for Kindergarten and First Grade Families

We would like to provide you with follow up information regarding the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program. It  is a scholarship and savings program designed to make college and career training more accessible for all NYC public school students— regardless of family income or immigration status. Through the Program, every eligible student enrolled in a NYC public school automatically receives an NYC Scholarship Account with an initial $100 allocation on their behalf, unless their parents/guardians chose not to participate by “opting out” of the Program. 

How to Activate your NYC Kids Rise Savings Account

Families are now able to activate and view their account. You will receive an additional $25.00 once you activate your child’s NYC Kids Rise4 account. 

Our school can support you if you need additional help activating your account. Support is available Wednesday January 18, Thursday January 19, and Friday, January 20th from 7:45a-8:15a in the PS 503 school yard. 

PS 503 on Social Media!

We want to share what is special about PS 503 with the Sunset Park Community and with you! We are going to be using social media as a platform to promote our school as well as share information about and photos of school events. We need your help! Please follow us on social media and share with your family and friends.

Facebook: PS 503 Brooklyn
Instagram: @ps503brooklyn
Twitter: @PS503Brooklyn

We had a lot of families join us for our PTA meeting on 11/16! Thank you for collaborating and partnering with the PTA and school for the benefit of your children. We shared  important information about upcoming programs in our school and upcoming events. 

Kindergarten 2023-2024 Applications

Kindergarten admissions for the 2023-2024 school year is open from Wednesday, December 7th, 2022 through January 23, 2023. Families can apply through My Schools.  PS 503 is accepting applications for General education, Special education, and our Dual Language Spanish Program! Please let your family and friends know that applications are open and encourage them to apply to PS 503.  For more information about PS 503, check out our presentations!

We will help families complete Kindergarten applications starting on Thursday, December 8th at 8am each morning at the school.

If you have questions, need further support  or want to arrange a tour, please email info@ps503online.org.

NYC DOE Mask Recommendation

The New York city Department of education as well as PS 503 is working to ensure that our school community remains healthy during the winter months. To protect our students, staff and families against illness and viruses, the NYC Department of Health recommends that everyone wear a mask when in a crowded, public indoor space, practice frequent handwashing and cover your mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

Please note this is not a mandate.  It is a recommendation and it is at the discretion of each family and staff member to make the choice that is best for them.

Test Scores Available for Current 4th and 5th Grade Students

Families of current 4th and 5th graders can access their child’s 2021-2022 state test scores through https://www.schoolsaccount.nyc/. If you need any support, please email info@ps503online.org.

Student Coat Giveaway!

PS 503 has coats for students in need. If your child needs a coat please email info@ps503online.org. Please let us know your child’s name, class and size. Coats will be sent in the next few weeks.

PS 503 Title 1 PAC Meeting – updated information

Thank you to staff and family who joined us on Thursday, October 27th at 6pm for our annual Title 1 Parent Involvement meeting.  Title 1 parent involvement funding is intended to promote and support the involvement of families in the education of their children.  The Title 1 Parent Advisory Committee, composed of four parent members,  determines how to spend the funding in collaboration with families from the school community. 

Slide Presentation

PS 503 School Leadership Team Meeting Updates

Thank you to the families and staff members who attended our Community/School Leadership Team meeting on October 17 with City Council Member Alexa Avíles and District 20 Superintendent Dr. David Pretto. We appreciate you attending and advocating for your children!

For any member of the community who would like to know what was discussed in previous meetings, the agenda notes will always be posted here: SLT Meeting 2022-2023

The next SLT meeting will be held virtually and in person on November 14, 2022.

PS 503 Culture Day!

We were so excited to celebrate the various cultures in our PS 503 school community on Culture Day, Friday October 14. Here are just a few photos from our beautiful community.

English Classes for Adults at PS 503

We are excited to be partnering with the DOE Adult Ed Program to provide adult education classes to your community.  Here are the details regarding this year’s class:

  • Class: English As A Second Language (E.S.L.)
  • Days: Tuesday and Thursday
  • Times: 5:30PM to 8:30PM
  • Start Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Interested adult learners can register during the days and times of the class at PS 503–please use the 60th Street Entrance.

PS 503 School Forms & Updated COVID Guidelines

We are so excited to welcome your children back to school on Thursday, September 8th at 8am!

As we prepare our students to return to school, we are sharing important information that will help us launch a successful school year 2022-2023. 

School Forms: 

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

Supply Lists:Please visit our Supply Lists for Families page for your child’s grade level supply list.  

The Department of Education has shared the new DOE Fall 2022 Covid Guidelines. The most important changes are as follows: 

  • Vaccination Requirements: Vaccination is still required for all school staff, and visitors entering school buildings.
  • Daily Health Screener: No longer required to enter school buildings. 
  • Get tested if exposed to COVID-19: Students and staff who are exposed to COVID-19 should get tested.
    • There will be no school random testing 
    • Covid Test  kits will be sent home (4 per month)
    • Families will be notified if there child is exposed
  • Stay home if sick: Students and staff should stay home if they show any symptoms of COVID-19 or other illnesses and get tested for COVID-19. 
  • Isolate if COVID-19 Positive: Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 5 days and can return to school on day 6 if they have no symptoms or symptoms are improving. They must wear a mask until day 10 after symptom onset or date of positive test, whichever is earlier.
    • These cases should be reported to PS 503 so we can report cases to the situation room for exposure notifications.

We are looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, September 8th at 8am in the PS 503 school yard! 

Welcome New Kindergarteners to PS 503!

We are very excited to meet you and your children as they begin their first year in our school. 

We would like to share with you the information that was shared with kindergarten families at our Kindergarten Meet & Greet on August 10th. The slides presentations below provide important details that are supportive to your family as you prepare your child to enter kindergarten. 

We are also looking forward to meeting you in person for kindergarten orientation on Tuesday, September 7, 2022. The orientation times are as follows: 

  • 11:00am- K-240, K-242, K -235
  • 12:00pm- K-241, K-243

You received an email from info@ps503online.org on August 10th with your child’s class.  Please check your inbox and spam folders for this email.  If you can not find it, you can email us at info@ps503online.org or call the main office at 718-439-5962 for the information you need.

The first day of school is Thursday September 8th at 8am.  Kindergarten lines up in the school yard.

Welcome Back to PS 503!

It is our greatest hope that you and your family are having a restful, safe and fun summer. As we prepare for the launch of the 2022-2023 school year we would like to share information that may help you in planning for your child’s school readiness. 

School Schedule

The first day of school for all students will be Thursday, September 8th.  It will be a full day of school. School begins at 8:00a and ends at 2:10p daily. Please note the following important dates in September:

  • September 26 & 27 – Rosh Hashanah, School Closed

School Uniforms

At our last PTA meeting, families voted for students to wear uniforms for the coming school year. The uniform consists of a light blue shirt/ blouse and navy blue pants or skirt.  Uniforms are available at Happy days, Children’s Place, Target, Old Navy and other stores.

School Supplies

You can find school supply lists by grade on our Supply Lists for Families page.

iPads/Technology

During the pandemic we learned that technology is of utmost importance! We were able to work collaboratively with families to provide ipads for every single student in our school. Please inform us if your child is experiencing tech difficulties and needs support to relaunch the school year. We also ask that you email us (info@ps503online.org) and let us know if your child is in need of an iPad at this time in order to complete assignments. Our school is prepared to move to remote instruction at any time if the need arises. 

If your child does not currently have an iPad from the DOE/PS 503, you may complete the iPad Request Form and our school tech team will be in contact with you soon about receiving a device.

Family Forms

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

Contact Information

During the week of August 30th the main office staff will be returning to the building along with administration. Please contact us via email at info@ps503online.org if you have any questions or concerns. Feel free to contact us to share how your children and family are doing and how we can be of support. 

We look forward to launching an exciting and fun homecoming for all students and staff. We hope you continue to enjoy the summer and early September before we are all reunited on September 8th! 

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.

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.

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.

Family & Community Resources

Here are some resources that we shared with families at the PTA Meeting on September 29, 2022.

Family Forms

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

Screen Shot 2014-08-28 at 12.18.57 PM

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