I.S. 131 - The Albert Einstein School

GRADE 6 NEWSLETTER

Welcome to November!

Another month has come and gone and we are reaching the end of our first marking period.  On Thursday, November 7^th, we will be holding our first Parent-Teacher Conference with our afternoon session beginning at 12:30 pm and ending at 2:30 pm while our evening session will begin at 4:30 pm and ending at 7:30 pm.  This is the time for you to pick up your child’s report card and to meet one to one with your child’s teachers.

Remember, our staff is always available through our www.pupilpath.com

communication system or if you would like to set up an appointment to meet to discuss your child.  Just contact me at emorosu@schools.nyc.gov to set up a date and time.  Remember, our staff is always available on Tuesday after school for Parent Engagement.

As mentioned in our previous letter, we held our Town Hall meeting on Thursday, October 25^th and celebrated our 80 sixth grade students who had Perfect Attendance for the month of September.  We also acknowledged the following students for being selected as September - Student of the Month:

Shawn Hiraman                               Atika Kake                            Kaylee Ramjohn      

Chrissy Cedeno                                 Maurice Rivera

As we mentioned in our handbook:  A student from each class will be selected each month based on Excellent Behavior and Satisfactory Academic Performance.  These students are to be commended for emulating our motto as being “Polite, Prepared, and Punctual” as well as our Core Values:

Responsibility:

• Accountable for one’s actions
• Supporting members of the community to be the best they can be
• Holding high expectations for oneself as well as all members of the community

Respect:

• To regard the feelings, wishes and rights of others before responding.

Trust:

• Assist in creating a risk-free environment that leads to open discussions and dialogue
• Building relationships to support personal and academic growth

Perseverance:

• When faced with challenges you don’t give up! Seek support from a member of the school community in order to achieve mastery.

Positivity:

• Focus on what can be and not on what can’t be in order to achieve your goals.

Our October Perfect Attendance/Student of the Month Town Hall will be held the week of November 7^th.

We are excited to announce the start of our new P.B.I.S. (Positive Behavior Incentive System) called LIVE SCHOOL!  Students are rewarded with points for following our 3 P’s of Prepared, Punctual and Polite as well as our Core Values of Responsibility, Respect, Trust, Perseverance and Positivity.

Students can earn Live School Points through showing Positive Behaviors, Dress Code and being overall good citizens. Staff will also be awarding Live School Points throughout the school day. Once students have accrued certain dollar amounts, ranging from $1.00 - $20.00, they can “pay” for small items using their Points. Students have already been using their Points to “rent” board games in the Cafeteria on Wednesdays as well as to go on trips! 

At IS 131, we are building a community of readers!  Your child is required to read 30 minutes each night and to have you sign their reading tracker paper.  The only way that we can increase the readability level of anyone is by reading every day. 

Thank you for your support!

Feel free to contact me anytime at emorosu@schools.nyc.gov if you have any questions or concerns.

GRADE 7 NEWSLETTER

We have completed our second month of the 2019 – 2020 school year with a very successful October month.  Our students have been coming to school prepared, in uniform, and ready to learn..  It is extremely important that our students come to school each and on time by 8:10 am in the morning.  We want all of our scholars to arrive to school every day to work hard and do the very best that they can.  Marking Period 1 is coming to an end on Friday, November 15, 2019.  Please support our students at home to ensure that they are completing daily homework assignments and independently read at night.   We have been emphasizing the 3 P’s by commending those students who are polite, prepared, and punctual as well as our Core Values that are described in our Parent/Student Handbook as part of our PBIS system.  Students are receiving numerous points in our Live School database focusing on our 3P’s, academics, and behavior.  Students have been using their points for incentive prizes, lunches, and school trips!  At the end of the month, we will have a Holiday Luncheon and Dessert Mixer to celebrate our students.  We are asking our parents/guardians to help contribute to our feast by cooking or donating a food item.  Students will be receiving a parent letter on Thursday, November 7, 2019 during Parent Teacher Conferences.  Parent Teacher Conferences are from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and again from 5:30 pm to 7:30pm.  We hope you can attend to speak with your child’s teachers and receive a progress report before marking period grades are finalized for report cards.    

Our College Access for all College trips have begun!!  Our students are visiting colleges in New York City through the CUNY Explorers program to be exposed to college and career options.  It is our goal that 100% of our 7^th graders visit at least one college this year.   In November, we have three visits scheduled.   Please support our mission and vision in preparing our students for college and career readiness.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Melendez, our 7^th Grade Guidance Counselor, or Ms. Kenny, our 7^th Grade Assistant Principal. 

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INCENTIVE SYSTEM (PBIS)

Expectations for Students

1. Dress Code – Navy Blue Top or any I.S 131 labeled shirts/Black or Tan Pants
2. Students need to be escorted by adults at all times or with a signed pass
3. Hats and Hoodies should remain off while you are in the building
4. Cells phones and electronics are off and out of sight
5. All members of the community arrive daily to school and class on time and prepared

IS 131 Core Values

1. Responsibility:

• Accountable for ones actions
• Supporting members of the community to be the best they can be
• Holding high expectations for oneself as well as all members of the community

1. Respect:

• To regard the feelings, wishes and rights of others before responding.

III.  Trust:

• Assist in creating a risk free environment that leads to open discussions and dialogue
• Building relationships to support personal and academic growth

1. Perseverance:

• When faced with challenges you don’t give up! Seek support from a member of the school community in order to achieve mastery.

1. Positivity:

• Focus on what can be and not on what can’t be in order to achieve your goals.

 In November, we will be having our Town Hall meeting where we will recognize those students who had Perfect Attendance for the month of October.  We will also be recognizing our students with various awards and certificates for Shining Stars, Most Improved Students, and the Citizenship Award for every content area in each class.  This is an honor that is bestowed on students who have been recognized by their teachers for their effort and diligence academically as well as behaviorally.  This is also a forum for your child to voice their opinions regarding how their year is going as well as any questions or concerns.

REMINDER: Please check Pupil Path each week to see the progress of your child and email the teacher if you have any questions or concerns.  Please contact our Parent Coordinator, Ms. Rivera or our Assistant Principal, Ms. Kenny, if you have not received your log on information.  Our Instructional Focus this year is to move our students towards proficiency in ELA and Math.  It is important that students read for 20 minutes every night and complete their Reading Logs.  Students are giving homework daily in math.  Students can use their notebooks, as well as websites like Kahn Academy to help them understand mathematical concepts being taught in school. 

7th Grade Dates to Remember:

Feel free to contact me anytime at Ckenny6@schools.nyc.gov if you have any questions or concerns.

November 8, 2019

Dear 8^th Grade Parent/Guardian,

Our first two months of this school have already passed and we are looking forward to a fantastic fall with our students.  Once again, please stress to your children about  the expectations for all of our 8^th graders about our 3 -P’s   First, I would like to remind all members of our school wide community of our educational philosophy on how our students learn best and that is our three P’s- Polite, Punctual, and Prepared.  I.S. 131 students are Polite to their peers and adults.  Our 8^th graders are Punctual. They arrive to school and class every day on time ready and excited to learn. Our seniors are Prepared and ready to engage in rigorous tasks to get them ready for High School. POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INCENTIVE SYSTEM (PBIS)

IS 131 Core Values

1. Responsibility:

• Accountable for one’s actions
• Supporting members of the community to be the best they can be
• Holding high expectations for oneself as well as all members of the community

1. Respect:

• To regard the feelings, wishes and rights of others before responding.

III.  Trust:

• Assist in creating a risk-free environment that leads to open discussions and dialogue
• Building relationships to support personal and academic growth

1. Perseverance:

• When faced with challenges you don’t give up! Seek support from a member of the school community in order to achieve mastery.

1. Positivity:

• Focus on what can be and not on what can’t be in order to achieve your goals.

We are excited to announce the start of our new P.B.I.S. (Positive Behavior Incentive System) called LIVE SCHOOL!  Students are rewarded with points for following our 3 P’s of Prepared, Punctual and Polite as well as our Core Values of Responsibility, Respect, Trust, Perseverance and Positivity.

Students can earn Live School Points through showing Positive Behaviors, Dress Code and being overall good citizens. Staff will also be awarding Live School Points throughout the school day. Once students have accrued certain dollar amounts, ranging from $1.00 - $20.00, they can “pay” for small items using their Points. Students have already been using their Points to “rent” board games in the Cafeteria on Wednesdays as well as to go on trips!

In November, we will be having our Town Hall meeting where we will recognize those students who had Perfect Attendance for the month of October.  We will also be recognizing our Student of the Month from each class.  This is an honor that is bestowed on a student who has been recognized by their teachers for their effort and diligence academically as well as behaviorally.  This is also a forum for your child to voice their opinions regarding how their year is going as well as any questions or concerns.

If you were unable to attend our Parent Teachers Conference last night, don’t forget every Tuesday afternoon is also parent engagement so feel free to speak to either myself or Ms. Kava, the 8th grade guidance counselor to set up an appointment to talk to your children teachers.  As another way of supporting our seniors we

will have a senior committee that will be supporting all our 8^th graders this year.  Leading the team will be myself and our senior lead advisor Mr. R. Kessler.  He will be leading the charge for all things 8th grade. As a reminder our senior dues letter was distributed last night as well. The dues are $90.00 and cover some of the basic senior items but does not include the senior dance or trip scheduled for later this school year. Also, students must earn the right to participate by abiding by our 3 P’s and do their best to remain in good academic standing.

Also, the High School Application process has changed the past two years and students along with parents are asked to submit their applications on line. The deadline to do this is closing rapidly (December 2^nd) and unfortunately many of our 8^th grader have yet to begin their High School Applications.  If you have any questions or need support, please contact Ms. Kava the guidance counselor at (718) -991-7490 ext. 203 and she will be happy to walk you through the process.

We are also asking for all parents to adhere to our school wide cell phone policy.  Chancellor’s Regulation A-413 allows students to have cell phones in school. However, we are asking that students not use their cell phones in school or text their parents during instructional time.  If this does occur students will face consequences via the Chancellors Regs that could result in the loss of senior privileges, and activities.

Once again thank you for your ongoing support and I look forward working together in collaboration with all of you to make this a successful academic year for all of our students.                                                                                                                       

Educationally yours,                                                                                                                                                                                              

Mr. Carlos L. Acevedo

8^th Grade Assistant Principal

Senior Dates To Remember

September 5, 2019

Dear Parents and Guardians of our 6^th Grade Scholars,

Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed your summer. My name is Mrs. Melendez, and I am a bilingual Guidance Counselor at I.S. 131, The Albert Einstein Intermediate School.

I am excited to be working with your families this year. My goal is to help your child not only achieve academic success, but support their social and emotional needs in our school community.  I look forward to communicating with our 6^th graders, families, and staff to collaborate on your child’s success this school year. 

We will be having our Town Hall meeting where we will recognize those students who had Perfect Attendance for the month of September.  We will also be recognizing our Student of the Month from each class.  This is an honor that is bestowed on a student who has been recognized by their teachers for their effort and diligence academically as well as behaviorally.  This is also a forum for your child to voice their opinions regarding how their year is going as well as any questions or concerns.

If you have additional questions or concerns feel free to contact me at (718) 991-7490, extension 232

Thank you for all that you do to support your child’s education!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Melendez

Guidance Counselor

September 5, 2019

Dear Parents and Guardians of our 7^th Grade Scholars,

Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed your summer. My name is Mrs. Melendez, and I am a bilingual Guidance Counselor at I.S. 131, The Albert Einstein Intermediate School. I am excited to be working with your families this year. My goal is to help your child not only achieve academic success, but support their social and emotional needs in our school community.  I look forward to communicating with our 7^th graders, families, and staff to collaborate on your child’s success this school year.  Seventh Graders will participate in our College Access For All Program.  As participants in College Access, all 7^th grade students will be able to visit colleges throughout the year to explore different options for their future.   I am available to meet with you to discuss any issues, ideas and to strengthen our school/home linkage. Seventh grade is a year of transition as well as a year where our students are trying to find how they fit into their social circle. It is important that we work together to help your child achieve academic achievement.

If you have additional questions or concerns feel free to contact me at (718) 991-7490, extension 232

Thank you for all that you do to support your child’s education!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Melendez

Guidance Counselor

September 12, 2019

Greetings Members of the I.S. 131 – Albert Einstein Family,

I’d like to re-introduce myself, my name is Emilie Kava and I am the 8^th Grade Guidance Counselor. I have been working here at I.S. 131 – Albert Einstein for 19 years! I work closely with the students and staff to ensure that every child comes to school healthy, happy and well prepared.

Middle School is one of the most challenging experiences in a young person’s life. Children are entering adolescence and trying to find themselves. Working together, we can make sure that your child successfully navigates middle school and goes above and beyond their potential. This year, your scholars will be taking part in the High School Admission Process. It is a very important part of their 8^th grade fall semester. I will assist families throughout the process and offer support and advice.

The school year is off to a great start and I cannot wait to work with all of the children and their families. I will be here on Thursday, September 19, 2019 during our Parent Teacher Meet and Greet from 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm!

**It is extremely important that you attend the Meet and Greet, as there will also be a High School Application Process presentation, which will start promptly at 6:00pm.**

If you cannot attend the Thursday, September 19, 2019 Parent Teacher Meet and Greet, I will be contacting you to set up an appointment to review the High School Application Process

I can be reached by phone at 718-991-7490, extension 203, and by email ekava@schools.nyc.gov. I will make every effort to get back to you by the end of the school day; however, the best form of communication is through email. Always let me know your name, your child’s name and class and a phone number (if a call is needed) where you can be reached.

Again, Welcome Back to the I.S. 131 – Albert Einstein Family!

Educationally yours,

Emilie Kava

Guidance Counselor