Culturally Responsive Education (CRE)?

“Culturally responsive education is the ability to provide learning opportunities for our school community that will enable us to relate respectfully with people of your own culture as well as those from other cultures.  Understanding cultural diversity is important because our country, workplaces, and schools increasingly consist of various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups. We can learn from one another, but first we must have a level of understanding about each other in order to facilitate collaboration and cooperation. Learning about other cultures helps us understand different perspectives within the world in which we live, and helps dispel negative stereotypes and personal biases about different groups. In addition, cultural diversity helps us recognize and respect “ways of being” that are not necessarily our own, so that as we interact with others we can build bridges to trust, respect, and understanding across cultures. Furthermore, this diversity makes our country a more interesting place to live, as people from diverse cultures contribute language skills, new ways of thinking, new knowledge, and different experiences.”

Our Culturally Responsive Education committee will explore ways to provide culturally responsive educational opportunities.  If you are interested in volunteering to work with school personnel on any of the groups or subcommittees, please indicate it on the survey we will be sending out soon. Here are the 3 sub-committees we will be putting together. 

• Curriculum support
• Culturally Responsive Education Committee (CRE) learning opportunities outside of school (trips/cultural experiences)
• School Culturally Responsive Education Committee (CRE) clubs and extra-curricular activities

Each committee will meet one afternoon per month between 2:30PM and 4:30PM  beginning in November (details to follow)

If you are interested in joining one of our Culturally Responsive Education Committees please click this link to take a quick survey:
https://goo.gl/forms/8DBUwsFBL5IKT6j92

October 16th – 8th & 9th Grade Students ONLY – Yearbook Pictures *Can purchase a package for additional pictures. Please be aware that on the forms sent home they listed the wrong date. They listed the 15th but the correct date is the 16th.

October 22nd – 6th and 7th Grade students who purchased a package in advance will be called down to take their photos. 

The picture below has easy instructions on how to order your picture day package.

We are looking for volunteers to help with Picture Day!

If you would like to volunteer or have any questions please contact the PTA at HalseyPTA@gmail.com

Click the picture below to make larger.

Ms. Shriki and Mr. Blanco have been hosting a series of  workshops on the High School Application process and the new SHSAT registration process so far.

Do not worry if you missed a workshop! Ms. Shriki, along with Mr. Blanco, will be facilitating  more workshops in the coming weeks. Here is the next scheduled workshop:

Saturday, October 20th, 2018 – 9AM – 3PM – The workshop does not last that long. That is the time period you can come in and meet with either Ms. Shriki or Mr. Blanco.

More dates will be added in November as well. For more information contact Ms. Shriki at SShriki@schools.nyc.gov

If you are interested in the following clubs please contact the teacher in charge….

Health and Fitness Club for Girls ONLY:  Tuesdays and Thursday mornings 7:15 am – 8:00 am.  Students must enter through the yard into the girls gym. Contact Ms. Butera at JButera@schools.nyc.gov

Mouse Squad: Contact Ms. Elfers at PElfers@schools.nyc.gov Meets Tuesdays from 2:30-3:30.  Currently there is a waiting list.

Boys Flag Football: Contact Mr. Kagen at RKagen@schools.nyc.gov

• AC Units in Classrooms
• School Garden & Beautification
• Funding for the Talent Programs (Art, STEM, Technology, Band, Chorus, Dance and Drama)
• After school programs that are FREE for all children to sign up for including, but not limited to:
  • Test Prep (SHSAT, standardized and regents)
  • Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer teams
  • Chess Club
  • Debate Team
  • Math Team
  • Mouse Squad
  • Robotics
  • Cooking
  • Green Team
  • Summer Programs

On September 29, libraries across the city are hosting open houses to connect students and their families with free resources—from millions of books to programs, computer access, online tools, and more. Plus, everyone can sign up for their own free library card! Click here to learn more: https://nyclibraries.org/schools/

Support OUR school!  Go to Shake Shack on Monday, October 15th and show this flyer on your phone or print out!

Dont forget to purchase your photo package for Picture Day!

8th & 9th Graders photos on Tuesday, October 16th
6th & 7th Graders photos on Monday, October 22nd

All 8th & 9th graders will take pictures with a gown (holding a cap), other grades will only be called down to take pictures if you PRE-ORDER a photo package!

Please email halseypta@gmail.com with any questions or to volunteer to help these days

We just finished our first full week of school. Hopefully everyone is getting accustomed to the switch from a Monday-Friday schedule to a 6 day cycle. I know it has been confusing but its a very smart system and allows us to provide the best possible education to all our students.

Here are calendars for the months of September & October, that will help you keep track of the 6 day cycle. Just click the month:

September
October

Dont forget Halsey’s website is www.halsey157.org

Have you taken a look at the newly designed website for the Department of Education? One page I would like to focus your attention to is the Equity and Excellence for All page that can be found here: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/vision-and-mission/equity-and-excellence. Every child deserves an excellent education and here is how we try to do it at the NYC Department of Education.

Please read this very important message from one of our ELA teachers, Ms. Tchilingarian:

Here at Halsey, it is our mission to continuously encourage and support school spirit. Last year, spirit week in September was a huge success! It was incredible seeing our staff and students coming together to help build a friendly community in our school. During Spirit Week, it was truly wonderful experiencing such positive and lively energy spreading all through our hallways and right into our classrooms.

This year, we want to make sure that energy continues to flourish; not only for one week, but throughout the entire year. Therefore, Halsey will be hosting not a Spirit Week, but Spirit YEAR! Each month, we will have two spirit days, allowing our school to spread school spirit in various, fun, and exciting ways.

In order to make our efforts successful, we would like to put together a Spirit Team. Halsey’s Spirit Team will work closely to spread school spirit, not only amongst our students, but amongst all families, teachers and staff as well. We will meet once a month to discuss new ideas for each month and ways to improve school spirit here at Halsey.

If you are interested in joining Halsey’s Spirit Team and/or have questions, please reach out to Sonia Tchilingarian at STchilingarian@schools.nyc.gov

Thank you!

Ms. Shriki and Mr. Blanco will  hosted 2 workshops on the High School Application process and the new SHSAT registration process so far.

Do not worry if you missed a workshop! Ms. Shriki, along with Mr. Blanco, will be facilitating 2 more workshops in the coming weeks.

Thursday, October 4th, 2018 – 5PM – 7PM

Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 – 7PM – 8PM

Saturday, October 20th, 2018 – 9AM – 3PM

More dates will be added in November as well. For more information contact Ms. Shriki at SShriki@schools.nyc.gov

Thank you to all the family members who came out to our first PTA meeting on Wednesday night. We had a standing room only crowd. That’s what we like to see! Let’s maintain that commitment and support throughout the entire school year. The PTA have some really great things planned for the upcoming year. Look out for Picture Day coming in October and some more fundraisers as well.

Here is a very important message from the Halsey JHS 157
PTA Executive Board

On behalf of the Executive Board of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of JHS 157, welcome back to school!  Click the blue link to find our PTA Annual Appeal letter, hard copies were sent home with your children last week.  We NEED FUNDING to provide the school with the following:

• AC Units in Classrooms
• School Garden & Beautification
• Funding for the Talent Programs (Art, STEM, Technology, Band, Chorus, Dance and Drama)
• After school programs that are FREE for all children to sign up for including, but not limited to:
  • Test Prep (SHSAT, standardized and regents)
  • Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer teams
  • Chess Club
  • Debate Team
  • Math Team
  • Mouse Squad
  • Robotics
  • Cooking
  • Green Team
  • Summer Programs

Please send in donations in a marked envelope or donate online by clicking the PayPal button below:

You can also show your support and order Halsey school Spirit Wear at our online store by clicking the Halsey Spirit Wear picture below (orders will be left at school for your child to pick up):

We NEED YOUR SUPPORT to make our school great!  Imagine if all 1,690 Halsey kids donated 😊 what a difference we could make in our community!

Parents Making Sustainable

Change in NYC Schools

Join Columbia University, Teachers College for mini-workshops on ways to promote enviornemntal and sustainability initiatives in your school! Hear from experts on effective ways to engage your community, create, school gardens, reduce waste, and energy consumption.

Where: Teachers College, Columbia University
Cowin Auditorium
525 West 120th Street

When: Saturday, October 13th
9:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Click here to sign up to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/parents-making-sustainable-change-in-nyc-schools-registration-50088158029

Here is a very important message from the Halsey JHS 157
PTA Executive Board

On behalf of the Executive Board of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of JHS 157, welcome back to school!  Click the blue link to find our PTA Annual Appeal letter, hard copies were sent home with your children last week.  We NEED FUNDING to provide the school with the following:

• AC Units in Classrooms
• School Garden & Beautification
• Funding for the Talent Programs (Art, STEM, Technology, Band, Chorus, Dance and Drama)
• After school programs that are FREE for all children to sign up for including, but not limited to:
  • Test Prep (SHSAT, standardized and regents)
  • Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer teams
  • Chess Club
  • Debate Team
  • Math Team
  • Mouse Squad
  • Robotics
  • Cooking
  • Green Team
  • Summer Programs

Please send in donations in a marked envelope or donate online by clicking the PayPal button below:

You can also show your support and order Halsey school Spirit Wear at our online store by clicking the Halsey Spirit Wear picture below (orders will be left at school for your child to pick up):

We NEED YOUR SUPPORT to make our school great!  Imagine if all 1,690 Halsey kids donated 😊 what a difference we could make in our community!

John Lennon Educational Tour Bus

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus presented by OWC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) state-of-the-art mobile audio and HD video recording and production facility. In its 21st year, with the very newest technology and gear, the Bus continues to be dedicated to providing young people with tours of the studios, participation in free digital media production workshops, and the production of giant peace signs. Assisted by three on-board engineers, students can learn how to write, record, and produce original songs, music videos, documentaries, and live multi-camera video productions – all in one day!

The Lennon Bus is highly adaptable, designed to provide students, their schools and communities with performances, hands-on demonstrations, remote recordings, and studio sessions customized for their needs, levels of experience and interest. The Bus travels the country visiting schools, music and technology conferences and events, and partners with communities and media outlets to call attention to the importance of arts and digital media education.

Students from the 8th Grade Talent Classes formed the Peace symbol in the school yard as the John Lennon Bus sat outside our gates. All they were saying was give peace a chance.

The Green Team’s veterans met this past Sunday and got right down to business.  Our Spring plantings grew beautifully this Summer; the consistent watering provided by the custodial staff was instrumental for their good health.  Unfortunately, the weeds were just as healthy.

The Green Team weeded and added 2 dozen bags of cedar mulch to our front planting beds.  They look clean and refreshed!  Then the students turned their attention to the garden.  It was a major undertaking.  After several hours of hard work, we produced 18 large, garbage bags of weeds!

This week we will meet with students who want to join the Green Team, begin our Fall t-shirt sale fundraiser and (weather permitting) install a drip irrigation system for the front planting beds around the main entrance to our school.

The Green Team has big plans for this school year, including but not exclusive to: continued planting in the garden and front display beds, increased utilization of the green house, field trips and even experimenting with hydroponics.

If you are interested in joining the Green Team please contact Mr. Weiss at CWeiss6@schools.nyc.gov or see him in the SAVE Room in the basement.

State Test Scores? What’s the Deal?

We have all been wondering what the deal is with our State Test scores from last school year. This is the last piece of information I have seen regarding the delay:

http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/education/2018/09/18/release-of-standardized-test-scores-delayed

Back to School Night = SUCCESS!

What a great turnout we had for our Back to School Night. Not only did hundreds of families come down and meet their teachers but we also had over 100 parents attend the workshops we offered at 4:30 pm – just before our back to school activities. Do not worry that you missed a workshop. We will be offering them again later in the school year. The PTA sold Spirit Wear, snacks, and candy and kicked off their fund raising on a great note.  The evening ended with a special workshop for families of 8th and 9th graders facilitated by Ms. Shriki and Mr. Plummer on the new High School Application process and the new SHSAT registration process.

Do not worry if you missed the workshop on the High School Application process! Ms. Shriki, along with Mr. Blanco, will be facilitating 4 more workshops in the coming weeks.

Wednesday, September 26th, 2108 – 5PM – 7PM

Thursday, October 4th, 2018 – 5PM – 7PM

Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 – 7PM – 8PM

Saturday, October 20th, 2018 – 9AM – 3PM

More dates will be added in November as well. For more information contact Ms. Shriki at SShriki@schools.nyc.gov

The very first Halsey PTA meeting of the year takes place on Wednesday, September 26th, 2018 at 7:00 pm. Come on down and meet your Halsey PTA Executive Board. Our Principal, Mr. Suraci, will be on hand as well.

Please take a moment and read this very important letter from the PTA Executive Board. Each year they raise funds for our school and they do it through a number of ways. One way is their Annual Appeal. Please consider donating to the PTA as every single dollar is used to make your children’s school a much better place.

Click here: Annual Appeal Letter

The School Leadership Team (SLT) has an opening for ONE parent. Nominations are being accepted by the PTA by sending them an e-mail to HalseyPTA@gmail.com. Elections will take place during the October PTA meeting which will be held on Wednesday, October 17th, 2018.

Dont forget to purchase your Halsey Spirit Wear! Send an e-mail to HalseyPTA@gmail.com

Join the PTA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Halsey157pa/?ref=bookmarks

CITY OF SCIENCE is back! Please join the World Science Festival and Con Edison to explore this FREE, open to the public metropolis of larger-than-life interactive installations and hands-on activities. The event includes mind-blowing demonstrations, awe-inspiring experiments, apprentice programs, and guided tours of the College of Staten Island Astrophysical Observatory.

Sunday, September 23 from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
College of Staten Island Sports and Recreation Center
2800 Victory Blvd, Building 1R

Check out the attached flyer

Ms. Soberman will be holding the math team tryout test on Wednesday September 26 at 2:30 in room 315. Any student interested in joining the Math team please see Ms. Soberman and show up on time for the test that day!

Open House dates have been released for incoming 5th Grade Students and their families. You can choose from ONE of the following dates and RSVP to our Parent Coordinator Mike Zevon at MZevon@schools.nyc.gov

Monday, October 15th – 8:30 am until 10:30 am – Includes Meeting our Principal Mr. Suraci, Hearing Halsey Highlights, School Tour

Wednesday, October 17th – 6:30 pm until 7:30 pm –  Includes Meeting our Principal Mr. Suraci, Hearing Halsey Highlights, NO SCHOOL TOUR

Friday, October 19th – 8:30 am until 10:30 am – Includes Meeting our Principal Mr. Suraci, Hearing Halsey Highlights, School Tour

We look forward to hosting all of you this October!

CALLING ALL PARENTS!

Would you like to be part of the decision-making process at our school? If so, become a parent leader! We are now taking nominations for a parent position on the School Leadership Team (SLT). Nominations will be accepted until 5:00 pm on Friday, October 5, 2018 and elections will be held at the following PTA meeting on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.”

In order to run for the SLT please provide the following information to the PTA. You can send it to the Parent Coordinator – Mike Zevon at MZevon@schools.nyc.gov, email the PTA at HalseyPTA@gmail.com, or print it out and return it to the PTA Mailbox located in the main office.

Child’s Name & Class                      

Parent/Guardian Name                    

Best Contact Phone Number          

Email                                                 

What is a School Leadership Team?

The School Leadership Team (SLT) is a group of people who develop educational policies for their school. They also make sure there are resources to support those policies.

SLTs:

• Provide ongoing evaluations of a school’s educational programs and their impact on student achievement.
• Play an important role in school-based decision-making
• Help to make school cultures more collaborative.

Who are the SLT members?

There are three members of the school community who must be members of the SLT:

1. Principal
2. Parent Association/Parent-Teacher Association President
3. United Federation of Teachers Chapter Leader

The other members are elected parents and staff members. The SLT must have an equal number of parents and staff.

What is the role of an SLT?

• An SLT is responsible for developing a school’s Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP).
• An SLT makes a yearly evaluation of the principal’s record of developing an effective, shared decision-making relationship with the SLT members during the year. This evaluation is given to the community district or high school superintendent.
• The SLT is not responsible for the hiring or firing of school staff. However, according to Chancellor’s Regulation C-30, the SLT must be consulted prior to the appointment of a principal or assistant principal.

Good Morning Halsey Family
Good afternoon,

As you are aware, JHS 157 is hosting our “Welcome Back to School Evening” on Thursday, September 20, 2018.  Our “Welcome Back Evening” will begin at 5:20PM.  Your child will bring home an individualized schedule on Tuesday afternoon for you to follow this Thursday, beginning at 5:20PM.

However, we are also hosting the following workshops for  parents/guardians from 4:30PM-5:15PM, prior to the official start of our event.  If you are interested in attending ONE of the workshops of your choice, be sure to register via the survey monkey link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PBFGC7V.  If you are interested in more than one we will be providing these workshops throughout the year so keep an eye out for them.

We hope to see you all Thursday!

Parent Workshops being held from 4:30 PM-5:15 PM:

• Fun STEM activities for Parents and Children to enjoy together: Mr. Lober Room 333
• Response to Intervention (RTI/AIS): Collaborating with Parents/guardians to support struggling students: Ms. Amber, room 219 (sci lab)
• Historians and Critical Thinking Skills in Social Studies: Mr. Monaco, room B6
• Internet and Cyber Safety and Anti-bullying: What Parents/guardians need to know to keep children safe: Mr. Angelastro/Mr. Plummer, room LIBRARY
• Succeeding in The Middle School – Foundations for 6th grade success: Ms. Sussman/Ms. Quinones, room 215
• Algebraic Concepts and our New Grade 6 Curriculum: Ms. Beinstock/Ms. Soberman, room 315
• Increasing Parent Engagement and Enhancing Home School Communication via the PupilPath system: Ms. Cole/Ms. Lok, room 306
• Independent Reading: Helping your child select engaging books to read to increase comprehension, reading stamina and vocabulary skills: Ms. Gordon, room 221
• Preparing for The Specialized HS Program Audition in Musica/Art/Dance/Drama: Ms. Shikowitz/Ms. Lamere/Ms. Gruet/ Ms. Schwarz/Ms. Wolff, room 112

7:30PM: 8/9^th Grade Parents: The High School Application Process: Ms. Shriki: AUD

Week 2 in the books!

Good Day Halsey Family! We hope you have had a Halsey-riffic week. The first 2 weeks of school have now passed and soon we will be thinking about hurricanes, snow storms, Spring, the end of school and Summer! Yes it goes that fast…sometimes. We have some exciting things coming up so lets get this party started…..

Monday, September 17th 2018 Pupil Path will go online. Each student will receive an invitation letter that will include details on how to register. If you already have registered and are having problems logging in please contact Mr. Blanco at RBlanco@schools.nyc.gov

Come on down and meet your children’s teachers! The day will begin in the auditorium and you will hear from the most electrifying Principal in the Galaxy Mr. Suraci. You will then get to follow your children’s schedule and meet each of your teachers and hear about what they will be learning.

8th grade families are invited to attend a special workshop with Ms. Shriki on the new HS application process as well as the new SHSAT registration process.

Ms. Soberman will be holding the math team tryout test on Wednesday September 26 at 2:30 in room 315. Any student interested in joining the Math team please see Ms. Soberman and show up on time for the test that day!

HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS

Fall_2018_High_School_Fair_Flyer (Click here for the flyer about the HS application process)

The PTA will be at Halsey JHS 157 on Back to School Night – September 20th selling Halsey Spirit Wear! I have seen the new apparel and it really is looking great. The new logo with full color pops off the shirts, sweatpants, hoodies, and shorts. Spirit Wear will be available all year long as long as supplies last. They move really quickly so I would come on down during Back to School Night and get yours while you can!

DONT FORGET THE FIRST PTA MEETING TAKES PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th 2018 at 7:00 PM.
Please come down and make your voice heard. The PTA success is dependent on the participation of all the parents at Halsey.

Make these important PTA dates on your calendar:

Spirit wear sales during Open School Night – Thursday, September 20th at 4:30PM
Chipotle Fundraiser: Monday, September 24th 4PM – 8PM
First meeting: Wednesday, September 26 @ 7PMShake Shack Fundraiser – Monday, Oct 15th – Time to be announced

Select Chorus auditions are on Monday, September 17th from 2:30-3:45 PM. If your child takes the yellow school bus home, please make sure there is someone who can pick them up, as they will miss the bus that day. Select Chorus is an advanced chorus group that performs at various in school and community events throughout the year. It is a competitive group, with about 30 seats open, and over 100 students that audition each year. The group is comprised of about 60 students from all grades and every talent.

Students do not need to prepare anything for the audition. Students will be taught a piece of music from our upcoming concert, then will sing it back to Ms. Shikowitz in small groups. Aside from vocal quality, Ms. Shikowitz is looking for students who can learn the music quickly, sing in harmony with other students, blend well with other students while singing, follow along in the music, and are quiet and follow instructions during the audition. Select Chorus meets on Thursdays from September (first rehearsal 9/20) from 2:30-3:30, then on Fridays from 2:30-3:30 from February-May to accommodate for test prep. If you have questions, please email Ms. Shikowitz at sshikowitz@schools.nyc.gov.

Forest HIlls Youth Athletic Association

ATTENTION 8th GRADE FAMILIES

8^th Grade Senior Sweatshirt Design Competition

WHO:          ALL 8^th GRADE STUDENTS
WHAT:        DESIGN AN 8^TH GRADE SENIOR SWEATSHIRT (YOU CAN EITHER DRAW YOUR OWN OR CREATE A DESIGN USING GRAPHICS YOU FIND)
WHERE:       EMAIL YOUR DESIGN TO SSHRIKI@SCHOOLS.NYC.GOV
WHEN:        FINAL DESIGNS ARE DUE TO MS. SHRIKI VIA EMAIL BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5^TH

ONCE ALL DESIGNS ARE SUBMITTED, THE ENTIRE GRADE WILL VOTE ON THE WINNING DESIGN AND ORDER FORMS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
PLEASE SEE MS. SHRIKI OR MS. GONZALEZ IN ROOM 210.

CITY OF SCIENCE is back! Please join the World Science Festival and Con Edison to explore this FREE, open to the public metropolis of larger-than-life interactive installations and hands-on activities. The event includes mind-blowing demonstrations, awe-inspiring experiments, apprentice programs, and guided tours of the College of Staten Island Astrophysical Observatory.

Sunday, September 23 from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
College of Staten Island Sports and Recreation Center
2800 Victory Blvd, Building 1R

Check out the attached flyer.