WHO IS THE PARENT COORDINATOR?

The Parent Coordinator is the liaison between parents and the school administration, staff members and teachers. PS 317’s WCSS Parent Coordinator is Berniece Crespo and she can be found in the Main Office. She is always available to talk to parents about any concerns, questions or suggestions they may have, and she can facilitate contact with other staff members like the Guidance Counselors and Assistant Principals or Principal. You may contact Ms. Crespo at 718-634-1344.

WHAT ARE THE SCHOOL HOURS?

·         Kindergarten through 5th grade: 8:00am – 2:20pm (Drop off is through the back of the school doors facing Beach 109th Street.  Doors open up at 7:30AM for breakfast and close at 8:00AM)

·         Pre-K: 8:00am – 2:20pm (Drop off is at the Pre-K classrooms through the small yard.  Doors open up at 7:30AM for breakfast)

Dismissal- PreK: Classrooms,   K-1: Small Yard,  2-5 Big Yard

DO I NEED TO BRING MY IDENTIFICATION TO ENTER SCHOOL?

Yes. All parents and guardians who wish to enter the school are required to sign in at the lobby security desk with identification. Our security officers are wonderful at remembering names but you still must officially sign in to enter the school.

HOW DO I GET EMERGENCY INFORMATION?

If there is a city-wide emergency, you can access emergency information on the New York City Department of Education website or by calling 311. When at all possible, the Parent Coordinator will keep her Parent E-Mail List informed through e-mail updates or check this website.

Parents are encouraged to subscribe to the NYC and DOE notification newsletters which provide information on topics such as Middle School enrollment calendars and procedures, neighborhood emergency alerts and other useful information.

·         DOE: http://schools.nyc.gov/Subscribe

·         Notify NYC: http://www.nyc.gov/notifynyc

WHAT ARE “BLUE CARDS”?

Blue cards are the official contact cards for your family. They are administered by the Department of Education and are coordinated through our Main Office. The Department of Education requires that these cards be filled out every year in triplicate to ensure the safety of your children.  Legally, the school is only allowed to release your child to the people listed on your blue card.  The blue card also informs us of the proper procedures to be followed should your family need to be contacted in an emergency.  Please return the blue cards ASAP and keep them updated throughout the year. Fraudulent, non-working or incorrect information about addresses and phone numbers on your child’s emergency card is a severe breach and compromise of your child’s safety and security. The school must be able to contact you immediately if your child is ill or has an accident at school.

WHERE DO I GO IF I HAVE AN ACADEMIC QUESTION OR CONCERN ABOUT MY CHILD?

Please start with your child’s teacher. Teachers are available to meet with you by appointment and the PS 317 administration prefers that you speak with your teacher first. During your class’ curriculum meeting, the teacher informed you of the best way to contact them to make an appointment.  If you are unsure of how to contact your child’s teacher, you can always send a note to school with your child or contact Ms. Quiles, Parent Coordinator, who will help you get in contact with your child’s teacher. In addition, Ms. Quiles is available to meet with any parent, and she can refer you to an administrator or Guidance Counselor, if need be.

DOES PS 317 WCSS HAVE A GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM?

There are District 27 schools that have the G&T program, but PS 317 does not. The teachers at PS 317 are trained to work with a diverse range of children, from those who are performing above standard levels in some areas of learning to those performing below standard levels in some areas of learning. The administration of PS 317 believes that students learn best with a range of learners in the classroom and all children benefit from the additional opportunities for enrichment available at PS 317.

WHAT IS AN INTEGRATIVE COLLABORATIVE TEACHING (ICT) CLASS?

PS 317 has 6  ICT classes (one per grade) in grades Kindergarten through Fifth Grade.  The ICT class has one general education teacher and one special education teacher. In the ICT classes, the ratio is approximately 60% general education students and 40% special education students. The same curriculum is provided as the other classes, with the added benefit of a higher staffing ratio and a great deal of support. The Committee for Special Education (CSE) places the children who are on the special education side of the ICT classes. The school administration places the children on the general education side.

WHAT IS THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM (SLT)?

The School Leadership Team is a collaborative team of parents and teachers and the principal that is mandated by state law to play a significant role as an advisory panel in representing the school community. The SLT helps create structures for school-based decision-making, develops school-based educational policies and ensures resources are aligned to implement those policies. The SLT writes and reviews the school’s Comprehensive Education Plan (CEP).

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLUSTER CLASSES AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS?

Cluster classes are part of our regular classroom instruction throughout the school year. At PS 317 we offer S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math), Drama, Music, Art, Dance and Physical Education.  Enrichment clusters through the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) are the last two periods on Friday’s.

CAN FAMILIES PARTICIPATE IN CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES?

Yes! PS 317 encourages family involvement in your child’s education. Once the school year gets under way, teachers schedule various activities throughout the year when families are invited to go to the classroom and observe what their children are learning.  Additionally, the first Friday of every month is our Family Friday program where you can sit in your child’s class doing themed activities.

CAN WE CELEBRATE MY CHILD’S BIRTHDAY IN THE CLASSROOM?

You should check with your teacher about the best way to celebrate your child’s birthday in school.  Classroom birthday celebrations should be low-key and in keeping with the school routine.  In addition, please check with your teacher on the treats brought to the classroom since some children may have allergies.

WHAT IF MY CHILD IS LATE OR ABSENT?

If your child is ill for more than three consecutive days, please call the main office. Lateness and attendance are extremely important issues. Consistent lateness and/or poor attendance by a child require mandated action by attendance officers of the Department of Education. We strongly advise against children being pulled out of school for vacations or leisure activities except at DOE designated vacation times.

IS THERE A UNIFORM CODE AT PS 317?

PS 317 is uniform optional. If you choose to dress your child in uniform,  Monday – Thursday, uniform colors are any color green shirt with khaki bottoms.  Friday’s are dress down day for our students.    Additionally, we expect children to be appropriately dressed for the weather and to wear age-appropriate clothing. Flip flops, backless shoes, heels, halter tops and hats are not allowed in school. “Heelies” are strictly prohibited.

ARE TOYS OR CELL PHONES ALLOWED AT PS 317?

Electronics (Game Boys, iPods, etc.), toys (action figures, etc.), cards, and cell phones are extremely disruptive and create many problems. Therefore, they’re not allowed to be used during the school day or they will be confiscated immediately. This is in accordance with DOE regulations.  If cell phones are brought to school and are lost or stolen, PS 317 will not be responsible. Scooters, bikes, skateboards, or roller blades cannot be kept at school during the school day — as we do not have storage space for these items.

WHERE IS THE NURSE’S OFFICE?

Our nurse can help you with any medical needs or questions. The nurse’s office is located on the first floor, room 165, and she can be reached at 718-634-1344.

DOES PS 317 HAVE AN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM?

Yes!  PS 317 has an after-school program through Millennium Development.  Please get in touch with Darrah Burns to find out how to enroll your child in the program.  Additionally, WCSS offers academic afterschool for students in grads 3-5 from November – April.  WCSS also offers band (grades 3-5), art (grades 1 and 2) and basketball (grades 3-5) various times throughout the year.

CAN MY CHILD GO TO PS 317 IF I AM NOT IN THE ZONE?

Admissions to PS 317 for Kindergarten are based on a set of priorities and are not on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Admission priorities are as follows:

1. Zoned students whose verified siblings will be enrolled in grades K-5 in September
2. Zoned students without siblings in the school;
3. Students whose verified siblings will be enrolled in grades K-5 in September  who are not zoned to the school but are residents of the
district;
4. Students whose verified siblings will be enrolled in grades K-5 in September who are residents of another district;
5. Students who are currently enrolled at the school for pre-k who are residents of the district;
6. Students who are currently enrolled at the school for pre-k who are residents of another district;
7. Students without siblings in the school who are residents of the district;
8. Students without siblings in the school who are residents of another district.

Admissions to other grades are based on availability of open spots.  For more information, you can contact the school at 718-634-1344.

DOES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POLICY PROHIBIT CHILDREN GOING OUTSIDE FOR RECESS WHEN IT’S BELOW FREEZING?
No, the decision on outdoor recess is left to each school’s administration. Given the limited amount of physical activity during the school day, all schools are encouraged to allow their students to play outside as much as possible. Here at 317, children will go outside unless: it is raining or snowing; excessive snow or ice creates dangerous conditions; or it is dangerously cold, as determined by the National Weather Service. Because of this policy, please make sure your child comes to school dressed warmly with a hat, scarf and gloves.

DO I HAVE TO SIGN ALL PHOTO RELEASE FORMS?
Any organization that would like to take a picture of your child or his/her work and/or use that image to showcase the work they have been doing with PS 317 must have written consent from parents. The first consent form sent home was from us here at PS 317 at the start of each school year.

HOW LONG IS RECESS?
All children get 20 minutes of recess each day, which is scheduled alongside lunchtime. Grades K-2 eat lunch at 11:00 – 11:50 and grades 3-5 eat lunch at 11:50 – 12:40.  Pre-K eats lunch at 11:00 and have recess in the small yard at various times during the day.