From The Principal

Dear I.S. 131 School Community,

Welcome to May! We would like to thank all of our parents and guardians for assisting us in ensuring that our students are Polite, Prepared, and Punctual! Our students sat for the NYS ELA Exam in April and the NYS Math Exam during the first week in May and we were proud of their commitment to do their best. We have you, the parents and guardians, to thank for working with us in preparing your children for the rigors of these exams.

Even though these State Exams are completed, the school year is not. We need to work together to remind our students that there is still “learning going on” as well as assessments. On Wednesday, May 10^th our students will be taking their 3^rd round of the DRP exam which will measure your child’s reading level growth from September. During the month of May, all our students will be assessed in Mathematics through NTE. Our 8^th Grade students are preparing for their NYS Science Exam and our ELL students will be participating in the NYSESLAT Exam.

We will be holding year-end assessments in all subject areas during the month of June.

Remember to contact your child’s teacher via Pupilpath.com or set up an appointment during our Tuesday Engagement session if you have any questions or concerns.

Our job at I.S. 131 is to work with our parents and guardians for the benefit of our children. We hope at this time that you have been able to review your child’s third quarter report card and have contacted your child’s teachers, if you have any concerns. Remember, open communication is key in assisting your child academically. We would like to remind you that our teachers are available through Pupilpath.com, is131.org, as well as during our Family Engagement time on Tuesday afternoons from 3:10 pm – 3:45 pm. If you are experiencing any difficulties with logging into the various websites or would like assistance with scheduling an appointment, please contact the Grade Assistant Principal for assistance.

Grade 7 & 8 – Mr. C. Acevedo - ext. 262

Grade 6 – Ms. E. Moro-Sullivan – ext. 236

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2017 from 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm. School is in session for students and their dismissal will be at 2:30 pm. Remember, this is a wonderful opportunity to meet with your child and their teacher to discuss their academic progress as well as to voice any concerns.

Remember, all students should be reading for 30 minutes each night and should log this information every day on their Reading Tracker sheet. So, if your child states that they do not have any homework, please ask them about their reading. Please check Pupilpath.com weekly to see the progress of your child and to contact any teacher if you have any questions or concerns.

At IS 131, our focus is to ensure that our students are College & Career Ready. Our students will be participating in Career Day on May 17^th. We are asking our students to dress in the attire of the career that they would like to pursue.

We always enjoy celebrating the achievements of our students! Our next Incentive event will be our Spring Ice Cream Social & Bingo on Wednesday, May 17^th at 3 pm.

Remember this is a partnership between you, your child, and the school. When we work together, there is nothing that your child can’t accomplish!

Dates to Remember!

*Date*	*Day*	*Event*
May 17, 2017	*Wednesday*	*Career Day*
May 17, 2017	*Wednesday*	*Ice Cream Social & Bingo 3 pm*
May 18, 2017	Thursday	Parent-Teacher Conferences – 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
May 25, 2017	Thursday	Yankee Day – 3^rd Quarter Honor Roll Students
May 29, 2017	*Monday*	*Memorial Day – No School*

Remember to check our websites weekly for other events such as our “Breakfast with the Principal and Parent Coordinator” and our weekly workshops offered by our Parent Association as well as our Parent Coordinator, Ms. B. Rivera. Please contact Ms. B. Rivera, at extension 110, if you would like additional information.

Thank you for being a positive part of our I.S. 131 school community. We look forward to seeing you on May 17^th for our Parent-Teacher Conferences!

Sincerely,

Ms. Monique Mason

Principal

iReady

We are committed to improving the skills of all the members of our learning community. Every student at I.S. 131 has access to iReady which is specifically designed to improve ELA and Math skills for every grade level. Click the iReady link below to visit the web site to learn more. Students can use any device to connect to their account. Visit the Play Store for Android or the App Store for iPhone/iPad users and search for iReady. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mr. Fischetto at rfisch55@is131.org.

iReady

Cell Phones

If you have any questions regarding our cell phone policy feel free to reach out to the parent coordinator for assistance.

I.S. 131 Cell Phone Policy

Use of Cell Phone and Other Electronic Devices

I.S. 131 Policies

IS 131’s policy on cell phones and other electronic device policy remains unchanged. The new Regulation A-413 continues to stress that for all regular communication between parents, guardians and students, the Onsite School’s phone system must be used. Our school phone number is (718) 991-7490 and it must be used for all emergency communication. Additionally, there will be no tolerance for unauthorized cell phone use during the school day, and disciplinary interventions will apply as per Chancellor’s Disciplinary Code. While we recognize the reality of handheld devices in today’s society, we also affirm the need for our school to maintain safety for our students.

In short, students may have their cellphones on their person as long as they are turned off and out of sight. No use of such devices is permitted during school hours, including after school and Saturdays. Violation of this policy will result in confiscation and disciplinary consequences in accordance with the guidance interventions and disciplinary responses set forth in the Chancellor’s Discipline Code.

Regulation A-413 does allow students to bring electronic and digital devices to school for educational purposes. However, given the quantity of devices we have on site we highly recommend our students leave their devices at home. Our school will not secure nor provide protection for such devices, nor be held responsible for lost or misplaced items.

Key additional provisions of this policy include:

● Cell phones/electronic devices must be turned off before entering the school building.

● Once inside the school building, cell phones and electronic devices must not be visible under any circumstances.

● If a cell phone or electronic device rings, vibrates, or makes any noticeable sound, it will be confiscated.

● If a cell phone or electronic device is noticeably visible, it will be confiscated.

● Refusal to surrender a cell phone or electronic device is considered insubordination and will be addressed according to the Chancellor’s Discipline Code.

● In the event that parents/guardians contact their children via cell phone during school hours, a mandatory meeting with administration will be required; as such communication is highly disruptive to the educational process.

IS 131 requires your full co-operation with this policy.

I.S. 131 Core Values

-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

-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 what can't be in order to achieve your goals.

Skedula- Pupil Path

The link for pupil path is below. We encourage you to log on to monitor your child's academic progress throughout the year. If you encounter any issues, please contact the school.

https://pupilpath.skedula.com/

6th Grade Newsletter- May

GRADE 6 NEWSLETTER

It’s May!

Welcome to our 4th Marking Period! We would like to thank you for assisting us in ensuring that all of our students sat for the NYS ELA & NYS Math Exams. We believe that all of our students were committed to do their best and “Slam the Exam!” Our Parent-Teacher Conferences will run from 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm on Thursday, May 18th . Remember, our teachers are always available Tuesday afternoons from 2:40 pm – 3:40 pm. Just contact us and we’ll set up a time that is convenient to you.

Please remember that as the weather gets warmer, it is our expectation that our students dress appropriately for school. The following is a reminder, outlining our expectations for our 3 P’s – Polite, Prepared, and Punctual.

Our first concern is our dress code:

Dress code

I.S. 131 seeks to prepare students for a future in the workforce and to "Dress for Success". Therefore, the dress code requires all students to use:

Tops: Royal Blue or Black Collared School Shirts

Bottoms: Pants in Khaki or Black

Gym Attire: Sneakers, Sweatpants, T-Shirt in Royal Blue or Black.

The following are NOT acceptable at any time:

* Jeans – especially ripped ones)

* T-shirts with photographs, emblems or inappropriate words.

* Sleeveless shirts (Tank tops, tube tops, halters, spaghetti straps, etc.)

* Pants worn below the waist which show underwear or shorts underneath

* Skirts or shorts with hems higher than 4 inches above the knee.

* Do-Rags/Scarves [unless for medical or religious reasons]

* Hats

* Hoodies

* Emoticon “sweat suits”

We are still expecting our students to adhere to our dress code and not dress in attire suitable to weekend or beach attire. We will contact you if we believe that your child is not Dressed for Success for school.

Our second concern is Punctuality:

School begins at 8:10 am. Class instruction begins at 8:15 am. Students are expected to be in their class prepared to work at that time. Students are given three minutes to transition from class to class during the school day. The schedule was designed to accommodate the movement of five hundred students on the second floor. Each grade has a primary hallway and staircase to use to ease any possible congestion. Unfortunately, some students believe that they should “visit” sections of the building that they are not assigned. This causes a number of problems such as disrupting classes as well as being late to their own class. Students, who have been identified as being consistently late to class, without a pass, will be placed on a “No Pass” list to monitor their lateness. Letters will be sent home to the parents/guardians of students who still are having difficulties with following a schedule in May.

The letter will state:

Your child has been taking advantage of the Pass System here at IS 131 and has been placed on a list to monitor their time out of the classroom. Your child is either constantly late to class, leaves the classroom without permission, or when given a pass will socialize in the hallways, wander into other sections in the building, or remain out of the classroom for extended periods of time. In order to insure the safety of your child and to make sure that all academic needs are met, we are implementing the following procedures beginning Monday, May 15, 2017:

1. Each student is allowed to request one pass from a subject class per day.

2. An Administrator or Dean will be informed that the student has requested to leave the room.

3. The following information will be documented on the section sheet:

a. Pass issued

b. Time student left room and time student returned

4. If a student does not return within five (5) minutes, a follow-up call will be made and the student will serve lunch detention.

5. Parents will be contacted if there is no change in behavior.

6. If the student displays the proper responsibility regarding punctuality, they will earn back their privileges.

Remember, we are here to assist your child to achieve and grow educationally, emotionally, and socially. Our goal at IS 131 is for all of our students to be College and Career ready and when we work together this goal can be achieved.

Other News:

We have been holding our Town Hall Meetings, where again we had 50 students with Perfect Attendance for the month of March and over 70 students with Perfect Attendance for the month of April as well as recognizing the following students for being selected: March- Student of the Month:

Elisandra Matthews Emily Valentin Margarett Casilla Nieves

Emilson Rosario Tylar Moore Colston Thalia Pena Kaitlyn Robles

April- Student of the Month:

Keily Arias Anaiyah Mena Juelz Drye Jordano Marte

Eric Barr Ramzey Quinones Miguel Henriquez

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

Remember, our staff is always available through our Pupilpath.com communication system or if you would like to set up an appointment to meet and discuss your child. Just contact me at emorosu@schools.nyc.gov to set up a date and time.

Dates to Remember!

Date Day Event

May 17, 2017 Wednesday Career Day

May 17, 2017 Wednesday Ice Cream Social & Bingo 3 pm

May 18, 2017 Thursday Parent-Teacher Conferences – 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm

May 25, 2017 Thursday Yankee Day – 3rd Quarter Honor Roll Students

May 29, 2017 Monday Memorial Day – No School Feel free to contact me anytime at emorosu@schools.nyc.gov if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your support!

7th Grade NewsLetter- June

Dear 7^th Grade Parent/Guardian,

As we now enter June, I would like to thank you all for your support to our 7th-grade students. Our school year is moving rather quickly and we want to ensure that all of our 7th graders are Punctual, Prepared, and Polite. I would also once again like to remind our parents of our school-wide core values of Responsibility, Respect, Trust, Perseverance, and Positivity.

We are currently in our fourth and final marking period of the year. Now more than ever every piece of work needs to be submitted in order for students to be able to be in good standing and meet their promotional criteria. In the next week or so we will be making the promotional decisions based on all of the data we have gathered all year. If your child is slated for summer school he/she must attend in order to be promoted to the eighth grade.

We have been preparing your child to be College & Career Ready with their soon to be 8th-grade counselor, Ms. Staine, conducting workshops now as they prepare for the arduous high school application next year. We will also be concluding our final field trip with our Middle School College Access for All liaison, I Will Graduate. Last month we had a field trip to Manhattan College for selected 7th-grade students. This week our last group will be attending the open house at Lehman College. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that every child has an opportunity to set foot on a college campus this year. Remember we believe in your children and we will continue to emphasize to them to utilize the skills that they have been taught this year and to do their best. The State Exams do not signal the end of the school year for learning but are just a stop along our academic highway. Please join us in emphasizing this belief to your children.

Remember, we are here to assist your child to achieve and grow educationally, emotionally, and socially. Our goal at IS 131 is for all our students to be College and Career ready and when we work together this goal can be achieved. Our staff is always available through our Pupilpath communication system. If you would like to set up an appointment to meet and discuss your child, contact me at caceved5 @schools.nyc.gov to set up a date and time.

On behalf of myself, and the 7th-grade staff here at I.S. 131, we would like to like once again thank you for your support all year long. We hope you and your family enjoy your summer and I look forward to seeing all of our new 8^th graders in the fall!

Respectfully yours,

Mr. Carlos L. Acevedo

7th Grade Assistant Principal

June Dates to Remember!

*Date*	*Day*	*Event*
June 7, 2017	*Wednesday*	*College Access for All trip- Lehman College*
June 8, 2017	Thursday	*Anniversary Day- No School for Students*
June 12, 2017	Monday	No School for Students – Clerical day-
June 15, 2017	Thursday	Kips Bay Field Trip
June 26, 2017	Monday	No school – Eid al-Fitr
June 28, 2017	*Wednesday*	*Last day of School- ½ day*

8th Grade Newsletter- June

Senior Parent Letter # 7

6/5/17

Dear Parents /Guardians,

I would first like to extend my thanks and appreciation to all our eighth-grade parents and students who have worked so hard in this rapidly moving school year. Our eighth-grade staff is excited about the upcoming senior events that we have slated for our graduating class of 2017.

This is the time of the school year that can be the most exciting and for some the most disheartening. Many of our students will soon find out their status as it relates to meeting their own promotional standards. However, all students must understand that they must finish out the school year strong to avoid summer school and retain that seat that awaits them at the next level. If your child is on probation they are NOT ELIGIBLE to attend ANY eighth-grade event. This does not include graduation as students must be in good academic standing in order to attend. This will be determined later this month. However, if a student is MANDATED for summer school they will NOT BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND THE GRADUATION CEREMONY. This is a DOE policy and our school cannot supersede this edict. Also, keep in mind there are no refunds issued if your child must attend Summer in The City.

Students will receive separate information for each individual event as those dates draw closer. For the parent's convenience, we do have a senior advisor, Mr. R. Kessler, who can address any concerns you may have regarding senior activities. Feel free to contact him directly if you have any further questions. The dues remain $ 90.00 but we do advise all of our parents to please pay these funds as soon as possible. There are many plans and preparations that must be made in advance and these funds assist in securing these venues and time is running out. Some students did receive a probation letter earlier this year. Parents will be notified and updated of their child’s status prior to each senior event. If you ARE NOT called by Mr. Acevedo your child has not been removed from Probation. At the end of this letter, you will find two calendars. The first is upcoming dates in June as well as some updated senior events to keep in mind for our 8th-grade events later this school year. This includes the lower of our senior dance to 40.00! Please be mindful that prior to any senior activity all dues ($90.00) must be paid in full. I look forward to a successful academic end of the year for all of our seniors.

Our school sent home a letter last month to all grades regarding the proper attire to be worn during the remainder of this school year. As the weather begins to warm up some of our students take the liberty of “dressing down” on certain days. Proper attire MUST be worn as well as proper footwear. Slippers for school are NOT permitted.

On behalf of myself, and the 8th-grade staff here at I.S. 131, we would like to like once again thank you for your support. It has been our pleasure working and supporting your children this school year and we wish you and them well as they continue to the next leg of their educational journey- High School!

Respectfully yours,

Mr. Carlos L. Acevedo

8th Grade Assistant Principal

June Dates to Remember!

*Date*	*Day*	*Event*
June 8, 2017	Thursday	*Anniversary Day- No School for Students*
June 9, 2017	*Friday*	*8^th grade Students vs. Staff game –periods*
June 12, 2017	Monday	No School for Students – Clerical day-
June 26, 2017	Monday	No school – Eid al-Fitr
June 27, 2017	Tuesday	8^th grade Barbecue
June 28, 2017	*Wednesday*	*Last day of School- ½ day*

FUTURE SENIOR EVENTS

Trip	Date	Students	Cost
Holiday Hill Camp	June 14,2017	Non- Probation Students	$65.00
Senior Awards 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm	June 13, 2017	Academically Eligible	$0
Graduation- Lehman HS 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM	June 20, 2017	Academically Eligible	Sr. Dues -NOW PAST DUE $90.00
Senior Dance- Maestro’s	June 22, 2017	Non- Probation Students	-NOW $ 40.00
8^th Grade Barbecue	June 27, 2017	ALL	0
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL -Distribution of 8^th records & –Diplomas ARCADE- 10:00 am	June 28, 2017 1/2 DAY-	ALL	0

School Leadership Team Meeting Schedule

SLT DATES

2016 - 2017

September 26, 2016

November 21, 2016

December 12, 2016

January 23, 2017

February 27, 2017

March 20, 2017

April 24, 2017

May 22, 2017

June 12, 2017

Senior Dues Information

The information you need for Senior Dues is attached below. Please read through the information and if you have any questions feel free to contact the school.

pl senior dues info 2016-2017.doc

Senior Dues 2016-17 spanish.doc

FUTURE SENIOR EVENTS

Trip	Date	Students	Cost
Holiday Hill Camp	June 14,2017	Non- Probation Students	$65.00
Senior Awards	June 13, 2017	Academically Eligible	$0
Graduation- Lehman HS 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM	June 20, 2017	Academically Eligible	Sr. Dues -NOW PAST DUE $90.00
Senior Dance- Maestro’s	June 22, 2017	Non- Probation Students	$ 55.00

DREAM- Specialized High School

THERE WILL BE NO DREAM PROGRAM ON JUNE 17TH, 2017

The DREAM program is designed to help students prepare for the Specialized High School exams. The links below indicate when the program is in session. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact Mr. Acevedo at caceved5@schools.nyc.gov

ParentLetter 4- June 17th closing.docx

DREAM-SHSI Step D_Cohort 2017_FINAL 2.pdf

DREAM-SHSI Step E Continued_2017 FINAL.pdf

Summer 2017 DREAM-SHSI Student Calendar Final.pdf