PS 253, The Magnet School of Multicultural Humanities

Announcements

• Family Letter From Chancellor Porter June 18, 2021

  • Family Letter June 18 2021.pdf

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• Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to Families

  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched a short-term Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, which will provide reduced cost broadband internet service for eligible New York City households during the COVID-19 pandemic. All families with a student enrolled in a DOE school or program are eligible for this benefit, and funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis until the program has exhausted available funds or six months after the US Department of Health and Human services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency.

  Families can find out if they are eligible, apply for the program, and find participating broadband providers via the USAC website: https://getemergencybroadband.org/

   There are two types of benefits available to eligible households:

  • Monthly Benefit: a discount of up to $50/month for broadband service, equipment, and device rentals; or
  • One-time Device Discount: up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of $10 - $50), where available.

  Families can visit the FCC’s EBB webpage https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit  and view the FAQ to learn more about the EBB program.  https://www.fcc.gov/consumer-faq-emergency-broadband-benefit

  If families have questions or require support with an application, they can email EBBHelp@usac.org or call (833) 511-0311.

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• Saturday, May 1 Begins Community Education Council Elections

  Saturday, May 1 Begins Education Council Elections:

  May 1 - May 11, the New York City Department of Education will be hosting what we hope will be the largest online municipal election in history – the 2021 Education Council Elections https://www.schools.nyc.gov/get-involved/families/education-council-elections-2021/run-for-a-seat-on-a-council    

   

  District 21 parents/guardians will vote for members on:

  • Community Education Council District 21 (CEC21) for families that have a child in elementary and middle schools in District 21.
  • Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE)  for families that have a child with an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
  • Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CCELL) for families that have a child that is an English Language Learner (ELL).  

   

  This year, more than one million parents are eligible to vote, and we are encouraging parents to vote through their online NYCSA account in the comfort of their own homes.  This week and next will be about “Getting Out the Vote.”  N.Y.C. Department of Education has mailed flyers to families and advertised across the city - from buses to radio shows, news media, and more.  Voting begins this Saturday, May 1^st and continues until Tuesday, May 11^th. 

  Here are some resource links for you :

  • Video Guide to Voting in the Education Council Elections https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIyJip0kYlc
  • Video Guide on How to Sign-up for a New York City Schools Account (NYCSA) https://vimeo.com/497731682 
    
  • Voting Guide Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ's) https://www.schools.nyc.gov/get-involved/families/education-council-elections-2021/run-for-a-seat-on-a-council

  See Who Is Running
  https://www.schools.nyc.gov/get-involved/families/education-council-elections-2021/run-for-a-seat-on-a-council/ccec-elections-list-of-candidates-for-all-councils

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• April 9th Updates from Chancellor Meisha Porter

  Please open the latest letter from Chancellor Meisha Porter regarding the DOE's new school closure policy that began  Monday, April 12, 2021. Translated versions of the letter can be found here:

  https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/news/chancellor-s-message-for-families

   

  • update-for-families-april-9-2021.pdf

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• Community Education Council District 21 Candidate Forum Hosted by District 21 Presidents’ Council

   

  CEC 21 Candidate Forum Hosted by District 21 Presidents’ Council

  When:Thursday, April 8, 2021

  Tine: 7:00PM-10:00PM

  To view the event, register at

   https://learndoe.org/cec/candidateforum/

  Interpretation available in Spanish, Russian and Mandarin

  Please open the attached flyer.

  • CEC 21 Candidate Forum Invite_English.pdf

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• Message from Chancellor Meisha Porter for Remote Learning Families

  All remote families will now have one more opportunity to transition to blended learning this school year. This means that if your child is currently learning remotely every day, they will be able to opt in to learning in person in the school building at least part of the week for the remainder of the school year. We will make every effort to provide as many days of in-person learning as possible. 

  When and How to Opt In to Blended Learning 

  • Beginning this Wednesday, March 24, you can visit the Learning Preference Survey at nycenet.edu/surveys/learningpreference(Open external link) to select blended learning for your child.
  • Families can also call 311.
  • You can change to blended learning until Wednesday, April 7.

  Please open the attached PDF for further information.

  • Update for Families March 22 2021.pdf

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• Building Update: PS 253 Closed Through April 5th

  Please be advised that PS 253 will be closed until March 27, 2021. 

  Spring Break (No School) is March 29-April 2

  In-Person learning will begin again on Monday, April 5th.

  Please open the attached letter regarding the 10 day building closure for further information.

  • DOE RTS - 10 Day Bldg Closure Due to Multiple Confirmed Cases 3 18 1.pdf

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• Register for Parent University from The Department of Education

  The DOE’s Parent University seeks to educate and empower all families from early childhood through adulthood, with free courses, resources, events, and activities. Parents can register for free training on a wide range of topics, including adult education, student social-emotional learning, and special education. Visit https://parentu.schools.nyc/

  Please view the attached registration flyer.

  • nyc-parent-university-register-flyer-1.pdf

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• Check out this NEW website: Wide Open School

  This newly launched site provides learning activities for students to complete independently at home, or with their families. Activities are available in all subjects and grades, and in all languages via Google Translate.

  Families can use the information to do the following:

  * Access an overview of the units their children are studying throughout the year, in grades K-8; high school units will be added soon.

  * Engage with their child on what is taught at school;  Find support for learning at home, like tips for keeping children focused, as well as information about using online learning tools;  Assist with conversations at parent-teacher conferences; Locate after-school activities.

  To learn more about tools and resources available on Wide Open School, visit https://nycschools.wideopenschool.org/

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• Weekend Wellness: Self-Care for Communities and Families

  The Office of School Wellness Programs is partnering with Hip Hop Public Health (opens in new window) for a free, three-part, monthly Saturday morning event series, "Weekend Wellness: Self-Care for Communities and Families" (opens in new window). Spread the word to families and caregivers in your school communities—especially our communities of color—and encourage them to join us for the next two upcoming Saturday-morning events from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.:  

   

  • March 20: "Community Activity": Move Your Body to Improve Your Mind
  • April 24: "Community Resiliency": The Real Deal on Toxic Stress and Racism

   

  Missed our first session on February 27? No problem! Access it here: Weekend Wellness: Community Immunity (opens in new window) to learn, share and spread #FactsNotFear about vaccine hesitancy and acceptance.

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