November 2024

Download this Letter

 

Dear PS 48 Families,

Last month we had our first Family Friday of the year and had the biggest turn out yet! It was wonderful seeing so many families join their children in the classroom to learn about kindness. Our next Family Friday will be held on December 6th at 1:45. We hope you can join us again or for the first time.

Please see below for a few updates and highlights for the month of November.

Kindness Week: One our school values is kindness. We celebrate students caught being kind during Morning Announcements and give them a shout out on the loudspeaker. This month our Student Government will be doing a can drive for City Harvest to support families in need over the holidays. We are making it extra special the week of November 18th celebrating school spirit and acts of kindness as we collect the cans. A letter of our celebrations will go out next week and your child can participate in part of all of it.

Report Cards: The first marking period closes November 27th. Report cards will be released mid-December on your child’s NYC Schools Account. Mrs. Magenta sent home letters with your creation code if you have not yet set up your child’s account. The only way to access their report card is through this account. We are available to assist you if you have trouble.

Student Government: Our entire school participated in the election process this week voting for our school President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. We are so proud of all the students who campaigned, gave speeches, and participated in the democratic process. Our Student Government will lead our participatory budgeting program this year and have a voice when making decisions about events for the school.

Bingo Night: We will be hosting a Family Bingo Night on November 20th at 6:00. We hope you can join us. All are welcome!

Student Learning: I visit classrooms daily and see your children truly engaged in their learning. We always ask them the questions, “What are you learning? Why are learning it? How do you do it?” These are questions you might also ask them at home to gain insight into their day.

Thank you, always, for your partnership and entrusting us to teach and care for your children every day.

Best,

Colleen Hogan

October 2024

Download this Letter

 

Dear PS 48 Families,

We have been back to school for nearly a month and I am happy to share that I see students engaged in learning and critical thinking in every room I visit daily. Please make sure to follow me on Instagram and Twitter @mshoganps48 to see updates of all the great things happening at PS 48. I will post pictures and highlights each week. Please see below for some important updates for the month of October.

Absences and Latenesses: It is important for all students to attend school every day. If they arrive after 8:10, they miss the very important start of day routines that set them up for success. If a student misses 2 days a month they will miss 20 days in a school year. This means roughly 30 hours of math and 60 hours of ELA. If this continues each year, they will miss over 1 year of school by the time they graduate from high school. Please make sure students are attending school daily and on time. This starts as young as Pre-K and lays the foundation for academic and social success. A letter regarding our specific school policy and attendance celebrations will be sent home next week.

Toys and Candy in School: We have noticed many students are bringing in toys or candy to school. We ask that you please leave these items at home. The toys and candy take away from learning and sometimes cause conflict among friends. I thank you in advance for your collaboration in this effort

Schoolyard: We are lucky to have a large outdoor space with a playground. This is a public park when school is not in session. In an effort to keep the space safe for all, please make sure you are not bringing pets, electric bikes, or electric scooters onto the yard. If your child needs the bathroom and the school is open, you can always sign in with Agent Chris. Please do not have them use the space outside.

Parking in Front of the School: We have 8 school buses that drop off and pick up students daily. There are signs that state, “No Standing” from 7:00 AM-4:00 PM on school days. This includes pulling over to drop off or pick up students during arrival and dismissal. The buses must be able to pull up safely and cannot do so if cars are parked there. This is also for the safety of your own children if you are double parking on 18th Avenue. We would appreciate all members of the community following this traffic law so we can keep all students safe.

Events in October: We have some exciting events to look forward to in October! Below are school events. Individual grades and classes will also be hosting celebrations we hope you can join.

• Family Friday (October 11):Join your child’s class from 8:30-9:00 to learn with them and experience what happens in the classroom. These days will be held monthly and focus around our school value of Kindness. This month we will be learning about “Respect for All,” specifically what bullying is and how to report it.
• Vision Zero lessons with Grades 2-4 (October 10, 11, 30): The Department of Transportation will be doing lessons with each class in Grades 2-4 about traffic safety. Many students walk to and from school and DOT would like to assist in building awareness.
• PTA Meeting (October 30): Join us on Zoom at 6:00 for the monthly PTA meeting. The link will be posted on Remind and reminders will be sent.
• Coffee and Chat with Ms. Hogan (October 24): Join me for coffee and a chat after arrival. I will be there to share what is happening at PS 48 and hope to hear your feedback and ideas. Translation will be made available.
• Pumpkin Patch (October 31): The PTA hosts a pumpkin patch for our students each year. They decorate the school yard and classes come down for pictures, pumpkin picking, and candy. Students may wear their school appropriate costumes on this day. Masks, wigs, weapons, and facepaint are not allowed.

I look forward to seeing you all at arrival and dismissal each day. I am available for a meeting if you would ever like to discuss any ideas, questions, or concerns. You can reach out to me directly at chogan3@schools.nyc.gov or on Remind. Ms. Magenta may also be reached at 718-232-3878.

In Partnership,

Colleen Hogan, Principal

---

August 2024

Download this Letter

 

Dear P.S. 48 Mapleton Families,

I hope you have all had a restful summer. We are so excited to welcome you and your children back to school on September 5, 2024. Our staff has been working hard to prepare the building and planning for engaging and joyful learning. Our PS 48 core values are kindness, pride, excellence, and joyful learning. This year we plan to bring these things to life by:

• working to spread the joy and love of reading for all
• spreading kindness and acceptance towards others
• continuing with our new literacy curriculum that is providing access to grade level instruction for ALL
• tackling challenging math problems that require children to take risks and be critical thinkers
• celebrating the various accomplishments and cultural traditions represented in our community

We need your help in making this a reality and hope you will join us in our classrooms, for performances, and for various events throughout the year. Below is some important information that will support our community in the first weeks of school.

Start and End Time: Our school day will be 8:10 am- 2:30 pm. (FIAO Compass begins September 17) Children in grades K-5 that would like breakfast can come to school through the main entrance starting at 7:45 to eat before going upstairs to their classrooms. The breakfast program will start on Monday, September 9, 2024. Students that enter the school building after 8:10 will be marked late. They should be in their classrooms no later than 8:15 ready to get their day of learning started. The doors will remain open from 7:45-8:10 so students can enter early even if they are not eating breakfast. Students will enter and exit from the same location each day. For the first two days of school only, all students will line up on the school yard for arrival. Dismissal will be in the designated locations below. Starting on September 9, 2024 all students should utilize the following entrances:

Pre-K and Kindergarten- 60th Street Entrance closest to the school yard

• 1st Grade- 60th Street Entrance closest to 18th Avenue
• 2nd Grade- 61st Street Entrance closest to 18th Avenue
• 3rd Grade- Front Entrance on 18th Avenue on northern side
• 4th and 5th Grade- Front Entrance on 18th Avenue on southern side

Pre-K- The first two days of school will have a later start to support our youngest students’ transition.

• September 5th: Families will meet on the schoolyard by the entrance on 60th Street at 9:00. One adult may come up to the classroom with their student to support them as needed. Children will be dismissed at 2:00 at the same spot.
• September 6th: Families will meet on the schoolyard by the entrance on 60th Street at 8:30. Students will go up to the classroom alone with their teacher. Children will be dismissed at 2:15 in the same spot.

Starting September 9, 2024, Pre-K students will start at 8:10 and be dismissed at 2:15 every day. They have breakfast in the classroom together and cannot be dropped off earlier than 8:10.

Kindergarten- The first day of school will be 8:30-2:00 to support their transition. Starting September 6th, they will have a full day from 8:10-2:20. They will arrive and leave from the school yard by the 60th Street entrance. There will be signs and staff available to assist you.

School Supplies- All grades have posted a welcome letter and supply list on our school website. See this link

Open School Night- We will be hosting a Welcome Back to School Night on Monday, September 16, 2024 in person from 4:30-6:40. You will have the opportunity to see your child’s classroom, meet their teacher, learn about the expectations for their grade, and get set up for technology. I will also be hosting a Coffee and Chat and look forward to meeting with as many of you as possible.

Family-School Communication: Our main source of communication will continue to be the Remind App. This App provides translation to support communication with ALL families. You will receive an invitation from your child’s teacher the first week of school. Please accept it so you can receive their class information. You will also receive an invitation from the PS 48 Mapleton account which provides school wide information and direct contact to myself. Our PTA and Parent Coordinator also have accounts. This will be where all communication is sent in addition to the DOE Messenger text messages. We will not be sending home paper copies of notices next year unless it is time sensitive.

*** Please be mindful that all urgent or time sensitive messages should be given to the main office at 718-232-3783 between the hours of 8:00 am and 3:30 pm. This includes a change in dismissal plans or reporting an absence. Teachers will NOT be able to see and respond to messages when they are with children.***

Some other ways we communicate will be using our school website www.ps48mapletonschool.org, Twitter, and Instagram @mshoganps48.

Lastly, you will be receiving a call from the school on September 3rd with important reminders about the first days of school and information about your child’s classroom teacher. Enjoy the rest of the summer break and we look forward to welcoming you on September 5th at 8:10 am! Breakfast will start on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 7:45 am.

In Partnership,

Colleen Hogan, Principal

---