Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS



What school supplies are required?: A complete list of school supplies by grade can be found on our website by clicking here.  Students are not required to bring all their school supplies with them to school on the first day of class.  Students should bring their device (Chromebook/iPad) on the first day of school.  A school device will also be provided for students to use in each class.  Teachers will inform students of what supplies/materials they will need to bring with them during the first week of school.



What is a 6-Day Cycle?  Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on who you ask), our 6-day cycle does not mean we come to school on Saturday.   In our school we a follow Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6 schedule.  This allows for continuity of instruction for our students in the event school is closed for a holiday or Covid reasons.  Although it may seem confusing at first, students become acclimated to the schedule quickly.  Take our first week of school as an example of how the schedule works:



Monday, September 13- We follow Day 1 Schedule
Tuesday, September 14- We follow Day 2 Schedule
Wednesday, September 15- We follow Day 3 Schedule
Thursday, September 16- Schools are Closed
Friday, September 17- We follow Day 4 Schedule
Monday, September 20, We follow Day 5 Schedule
Tuesday, September 21, We follow Day 6 Schedule
Reset back to Day 1





Schedules and calendars are posted throughout the school and will be emailed to students/parents/guardians weekly.





Do I need to pay for School Lunch?
School lunch is free for all students.  Children may choose to have hot lunch or a sandwich from our school cafeteria or they may bring their own lunch.  Although lunch is free for all students, we are still required to collect lunch forms from families (more information to follow)





Is my child eligible for Yellow Bus? (6th Grade Students)
The Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) handles busing. For a yellow school bus, any 6th grader who lives 1.5 miles away or more from the school and lives in 11375 or 11374 is automatically assigned a bus. You do not have to apply.  The information will show in your MyStudent and/or MySchools account toward the end of August. OPT will assign you a pickup and drop off location and time, along with a route number. 6th grade students not eligible for yellow bus and live a mile away will be given a MetroCard.
There are exceptions to the 1.5-mile rule. You can find more information here:  As new guidelines all exception applications must be submitted electronically using this link. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8kVtjAspzELkfBm0ULVVFFmHIwFBsoe4KD6Gln-SjaCr8NA/viewform.  If there are any questions, please email BusingExceptions@schools.nyc.gov





 
Can I join my child at the 6th/7th student Orientation? (see email/website for complete details)
Sept 09 at 10AM- 7th grade orientation for NEW 7th grade students only.  If you were in-person in our school last year you do not attend this orientation.
Sept 10 at 10AM- 6th grade orientation
 
I apologize, but, no, parents/guardians will not join their child for the orientation due to space and scheduling limitations. Students will be dismissed through the schoolyard at 11:00AM after the orientation.





 
Will JHS 157 offer after school clubs/activities?
 
Yes! Pre-covid and for many years prior, our students had many opportunities to participate in various clubs and activities and we plan to continue this school year.  However, at this time, we are focused on a smooth, safe, and organized start to school.  In the upcoming weeks, once teachers and students are ready, we will forward information (days/times/permission slips etc.,) on future clubs and activities.





Will Queens Community House (QCH) offer their after-school program this year?
 
Yes! QCH is currently working on organizing their in-person, after school program for our students.  The after-school program will begin in September and run Monday-Thursday from 2:20PM-5:20PM.  More information will be provided the first week of school.





How do I select the talent elective of my choice? Why does a talent teacher’s name appear on my schedule, even though I did not select that talent yet?
 
All 6th and 7th grade students will have an opportunity to select a talent elective of their choice.   You will do so by completing a talent elective survey after you meet all our talent teachers during the first week of school.  Our teachers would like to share the highlights of each of their wonderful classes before you make your talent selections.  You will notice on your schedule the name(s) of a talent teacher in the day/period you are scheduled for talent.  This is a “place holder” for the class.  Originally, all 7 talent teachers names were listed as a place holder, but only 1 or 2 appeared on your schedule!  8th grade students will be placed in the talent elective they selected in 6th grade.
I know this is a lot of information for students and parents/guardians to process right now.  However, I can promise after the first week of school things will become familiar and after the first month of school our days will become routine (that’s a good thing!)





Feel free to email me if you have any questions.





Sincerely,

Vincent Suraci

Principal JHS 157