Schools Re-Opening December 7

Beginning  December 7, 2020, elementary school buildings, including PS 166, will re-open for Blended Learning.  Please read the chancellor's Update for Families_November 29.

Keep Yourself and Others Healthy

mask

Wear a mask

wash hands

Wash your hands

6 feet apart

Stay 6 feet apart

home

Stay home if you are sick

Before Coming to School

Before coming to school, do the below TWO things:

1. Use your thermometer:

Place under tongue, close mouth, and wait 1 minute to hear beep.

2. Complete the health screening by clicking here:

health-screening

Health Screenings must be shown to school staff before students will be admitted.

The DOE has partnered with NYC Health + Hospitals, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the NYC Test & Trace
Corps to arrange for testing of NYC DOE students and staff for COVID-19 infection.

Testing partners will test a randomly selected group of staff and students in schools.

Parents must give consent in order for their child to be tested. Click below to download the form.

 COVID Testing Consent Form 

Return to School 2020

Return to School 2020

Make sure your child is set up for Remote Learning with the  remote-learning-checklist-for-families 

Family Guide

The DOE Family Guide provides information on what teaching and learning will look like this school year, and universal expectations for how our schools support all students —whether they are attending fully remote or blended learning classes. The guide also provides information about who families can contact when they have questions or concerns, and resources that families can use to support learning at home.

  2020-2021 Family Guide is available online and in all 9 DOE languages.

Chancellor's Letters

Read the Chancellor's update letters for families below:

DOE Return to School Covid School Health Policy

Daily COVID Case Map

This map shows all known cases of COVID-19 at New York City public schools. It is updated Sunday through Friday at 5:30 PM. This information was compiled by the DOE COVID Response Situation Room—a multi-agency partnership between the Department of Education, Department of Health and Mental Health, and the Test & Trace Corps—to facilitate a rapid response to positive COVID-19 cases in public schools.

COVID Alert NY

This is a voluntary, anonymous, exposure-notification smartphone app. You will get an alert if you are in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. You can download the free app to your smartphone to receive an alert if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

 

Click below for the 2020 NYC DOE School Calendar

2020-21-school-calendar

 

Visit the DOE Return to School webpage regularly for the latest updates.

   stethoscope

Health + Safety

Covid Testing: The administration encourages students to get tested for Covid before the first day of in-person classes. Here is a map to find local testing centers near you and at-home testing options.  

Face Shields: Students will only remove their masks during lunch in the classroom. The administration has requested that parents send in their children with face shields to wear during lunch to help mitigate the spread of germs. Here is a type of mask that should fit children’s heads

Health Forms / Flu Shot: Per Nurse Hamilton, new Medication Administration Forms need to be submitted.  Also, she reminds parents and children to get a flu shot now.  This is highly important, especially this year, as getting FLU and COVID at the same time can be extremely dangerous. 

Ventilation Reports: Ventilation reports for PS 166 can be found here. A room requires at least one functioning method of ventilation to be cleared for occupancy. This could be a window that opens, a type of mechanical ventilation (exhaust fan, supply fan, unit ventilator) or a combination of both. 

All New Yorkers should continue to practice general flu prevention measures including:

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve
  • Wash your hands regularly
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Get your flu shot – it’s never too late
  • Stay home if you’re feeling sick. Call your doctor and let them know your symptoms and travel history.

 

Please see the NYC Health Department’s Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions for more information, or visit nyc.gov/health(Open external link) at any time for important updates. 

  

   Group of People 

Volunteers Needed

Roles needed:

  • Corporate Sponsorship Chair: Investigate and explore opportunities on donation programs from local and national business, and encourage parent participation.
  • Spiritwear Co-Chairs: Coordinating ordering and selling PS 166 t-shirts and gear 
  • Pie-sale Chair: Thanksgiving Pie sales and community food bank donations
  • 2020 Auction Sales Team: Help coordinating sales of Auction items
  • Book Fair Chair: Online book fair with Books of Wonder.
  • Community events: Online game nights, movie nights, fitness activities, or wellness lectures for families to engage in across grades and for the whole school. 

If you have an idea or would like to help, please email me directly at volunteers@ps166pta.org or fill out our survey.

 Group of People

Community Updates

Meetings and Workshops

CEC Meetings & Registration Links:

Family and Student Information Session Recordings
Watch the November 12 and 19 Information Sessions.

Parent University is Here!
Parent University serves all families, from early childhood through adulthood, and seeks to educate and empower them as partners and advocates through free courses, resources, events, and activities.

Find additional information on the  DOE’s Family Empowerment site. 

Free Meals for Students and Families
All families and students can continue to go to any school building between 9:00 a.m. - noon on weekdays to pick up three free grab-and-go meals. No identification or registration is necessary. Halal and kosher meals are available at some sites.

From 3-5 p.m., New Yorkers of all ages can pick up free meals at 260 Community Meals sites across the city. 

New NYPL App
Get the power of The New York Public Library, anytime, anywhere. With the new NYPL app, you can manage your account online, browse for books, and request materials for pickup at one of NYPL’s 50 grab-and-go locations. You can even use the app for contactless self-checkout while at the Library.

Big Apple Teacher Awards
Let's recognize all those who go above and beyond to serve our students and families! Nominate your favorite teacher here.

FLAG Award for Teacher Excellence Nominations Open Now
The FLAG Award recognizes and celebrates extraordinary public-school teachers who inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment. One grand-prize winner from each of NYC’s five boroughs will receive a $25,000 cash prize and finalists will each receive $10,000. The winning teachers’ schools will each receive $10,000 and each finalist’s school will receive $2,000 for arts-based initiatives designed by the award recipient. Nominate a teacher now!

Donate or Volunteer to Rescue Food

Free Audible Books for kids during remote schooling
Instantly stream a collection of titles free on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. Available in 8 languages.

 

Announcements

  • Parent University

    Parent University is a collaboration between the Office of Family and Community Empowerment (FACE) and the Division of Instructional and Information Technology (DIIT).

    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 trainings on a wide range of topics, including adult education, student social-emotional learning, and special education.

    Visit Parent University at parent.schools.nyc! Click on the links below to download the Parent University flyer in English and translated versions.

    PS 166

  • Upcoming Dates

    Wednesday, Dec. 2, 6:30pm: CEC3 Chancellor Carranza Town Hall
    Thursday, December 17: PTA Meeting, Time TBD
    Thursday-Sunday, December 24, 2020 - January 3, 2021: Winter Recess, Schools Closed

    PS 166

  • December 7 - Return to Blended Learning

    Beginning  December 7, 2020, elementary school buildings, including PS 166, will re-open for Blended Learning.  Please read the chancellor's Update for Families_November 29.

    PS 166

  • PS 166 Book Club

    Have your kids check out our PS 166 Book Club, for PS 166 kids by PS 166 kids! For safety reasons, the file can only be edited through your child’s @ps166.org google account. Whenever your child reads a book they like, they can add it to the list and recommend it to their friends. (Check out the third grade tab for some sample reviews and recommendations!) Please monitor your child’s use to make sure entries are appropriate.  

    PS 166

  • Afterschool Programs

    Arts and Athletics at PS 166 is conducting daily outdoor programs in Central Park between the hours of 1:50 PM and 5:00 PM. The afterschool program is also hosting online classes such as art and chess and musical theater. For information on how to register please email sayeed@artsandathletics.org

    For the full list of current offerings, check out the website at www.artsandathletics.org

    PS 166

  • DOE Device Requests

    The DOE will soon be providing more internet-enabled  ipads to students who do not have devices. In order to receive one, parents need to submit the Remote Learning device Request Form  When the device arrives at school, parents will receive a phone call or email to arrange a time to pick it up. 

    PS 166

  • Big Apple Awards 2020 Nominations are Now Open!

    Nominations are now being accepted for the Big Apple Awards! Nominations for teachers and college and career counselors will be accepted through January 10, 2021.

    Students, families, educators, school staff, and community members can nominate teachers and counselors by visiting the Big Apple Awards website, today through January 10, 2021. Nominees must be current, full-time public school teachers or college counselors in a district school, charter school or early childhood education center in New York City who demonstrate exceptional success in the classroom.  For more information, please visit the DOE’s Morning Bell Blog.

    PS 166

  • Tech Information

    TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR REMOTE LEARNING DEVICES. 
    Families who need technical support for their student's DOE iPad now have the option of contacting AppleCare Support for the NYCDOE. Call 1-800-919-2775, and when prompted, enter the PIN 692363. (Only call AppleCare to ask about setting up your iPad once you've received the device; don't call to check on the status of a device request.) Families whose iPads are not working can also call the DOE's Help Desk at 718-935-5100 or submit a ticket online. 

    DOE Tech Support
    https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/learn-at-home/technical-tools-and-support/technical-support-for-families
    Free or Low-Cost Internet Options

    https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/learn-at-home/technical-tools-and-support/free-and-low-cost-internet-options

    To request a device from the DOE
    https://coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices

    To switch to All-Remote Learning
    https://www.nycenet.edu/surveys/learningpreference

    PS 166

  • COVID-19 Testing Consent Forms

    Remember, if you are switching your child(ren) from Fully-Remote to Blended Learning, you will need to fill out the Covid Testing Consent Form. Parents can choose to complete either their child’s paper consent form, or submit the online version in their New York City Schools Account (NYCSA

    PS 166

  • Family Income Inquiry Forms

    In order to maximize our school's funding, all families are asked to complete the Family Income Inquiry Form, aka School Lunch Form, either online or on a hard copy. While school lunch is free for all DOE students,  the data from the form helps our school receive necessary funding.   

    Hard copy paper forms were backpacked this week to Students in Cohort B.

    Students in Cohort A will receive them on Monday.  

    Parents of Fully-Remote students must submit the form online at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

    Any parent can submit the form online - you only need to fill it out once and include all children currently in a DOE school. 

    PS 166
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Calendar

  • All Students Fully Remote

    PS 166

  • All Students Fully Remote

    PS 166

  • All Students Fully Remote

    PS 166

  • Cohort A

    PS 166

  • Cohort A

    PS 166
View Monthly Calendar

PTA Announcements

  • PTA Meeting Survey

    Click here to fill out this short survey to let us know what time works best for you to attend PTA meetings, and what topics you would like to see covered. 

    PTA

  • Support Parent Owned Businesses

    So that we can support PS 166 parent-owned businesses, the PTA is creating a list to share with the community. If you own a business and would like to be considered for this list, please fill out this form.    Email us to learn more.

    PTA

  • Donate Last Year’s Test Prep Books

    Many of you may have barely used test prep books left over from last year. If anyone has test prep books in good condition (mostly unused), you can drop them off in the school lobby any day that school is in session. The administration will try to use these for this year’s test prep whenever possible.

    PTA

  • Volunteers Needed

    Have an idea for a fundraiser or community event? Want to lend a hand to our school? Please email Annalisa Petersen or fill out our survey.

    PTA

  • Parent Directory

    PS 166 is updating our online family directory to make sure all families receive appropriate information from the administration, PTA announcements about important community events, and any grade, cohort or class-specific info. 

    • The directory is helpful for our administration and school nurse. 
    • This directory will ONLY be used by the PTA, Administration and School Nurse.
    • Class lists will be distributed by your Class Rep containing ONLY your name and email address. (If you do not wish to share your email address with the other parents in your class, please notify your Class Rep.)
    • If you are a two-household family, please put your child's primary address in the "Household 1-Parent 1/Parent 2" section and the other address in the "Household 2-Parent 3/Parent 4" section. 
    • Use the "additional information" section to include any additional contact information that might be helpful to the administration or school nurse in an emergency, i.e. a work number or contact information for a babysitter or grandparent. 

    Click here to update or add your family information.

    PTA

  • Fundraising

    We are so grateful to all who contributed to the Annual Fund this year.  If you would like to donate to fill in funding gaps from the DoE, you can here.

    PTA
View More Posts

Quick Links

Earth with Leaves Sprouting

Green Committee

Happy Thanksgiving

We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! This NY Times article has some interesting ideas about making Thanksgiving more sustainable / environmentally responsible, and these tips focus on how to use less plastic at Thanksgiving.  

While you and your kids are at home, if you have some extra time, GrowNYC has some fun nature-inspired experiments kids can do, as well as information about their teaching garden, here.

Curbside Composting

Families looking for places to take their food scraps for composting can search this list of current options: 

  • Sunday 12:00-1:00PM - 90th btw Columbus/Amsterdam- Westside Community Garden (the garden across from PS166)
  • Sunday 9:00-3:00PM - 77th btw Columbus/CPW- 79th Street Greenmarket
  • Wednesday 4:00-6:00PM - 107th & Columbus- Reclaimed Organics (NOTE: there's a suggested monetary contribution based on volume deposited)
  • Friday 8:00-12.30PM - 97th St Greenmarket (between Columbus & Amsterdam)
  • Saturday 11:00-1:00PM (weather permitting) - W138th St & 12th Ave- Jenny's Garden

Want more information? Click here for more composting sites and information.

Textile Recycling

While our collection of clothing / textiles for recycling is also still on hold, clothing, shoes, and linens can be taken to the Farmer’s Market at Morningside Park, 110th and Manhattan Ave, on Saturdays from 9 am til 3 pm. In addition, Wearable Collections will pick up from your residence, although there is now a fee, and a large minimum amount: https://www.wearablecollections.com/homepickups 

Another option is Pick Up Please: https://pickupplease.org/

 

Be sure to check out the Green Committee Home Page for more info.

 Green Committee Home Page 

 

 Two Kids 

Inclusion Committee

Continued Special Education Services during Remote Learning
Your child continues to have the right to receive the special education supports listed on their IEP during remote learning. If you have questions or concerns, reach out to the Special Education office at specialeducation@schools.nyc.gov or call 311, or contact your child’s special education providers to confirm scheduling options for all-remote services.

Webinar: DOE’s Temporary Transition for Fully Remote Learning
Hosted by NYCDOE Division of Specialized Instruction and Student Support. Join DOE representatives to learn more about what the transition to fully-remote learning means for students with IEPs. 

Advocates for Children Education Helpline:
This Education Helpline provides individualized guidance and information for your education-related issues. Monday-Thursday, 10am -4pm. Translators available. (866) 427-6033

Food Allergy Support - Return to School

If you are a parent or a guardian of a child with food allergies, you can explore some useful recommendations from the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) group regarding return to school:

PS166 Family Guide to 504 Accommodations

Please visit the 504 Accommodations Page for information on whether your child is eligible to receive health services or accommodations in school under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

For additional information related to 504 accommodations, you can review the Department of Education’s Student and Family Guide here. 

Become a Certified Parent Member of the IEP Team!  

The Parent Member is a member of the IEP team that supports a parent of a child with a disability at their IEP meeting. In this state-approved FREE training, learn about procedures and regulations, as well as how to promote the parent's understanding and participation. For more information, please visit here.


We are looking for new Inclusion Committee Co-Chairs. Please email the VP Volunteers if you are interested.

Family

 NYC Accounts

Each student in a DOE school is assigned a NYC Schools Account, which provides parents with a new way of accessing key information about their child’s progress. With your NYC Schools account, you will be able to view your child's information (grades, test scores and attendance) in one of ten languages on a computer, phone or tablet.

For 4th and 5th grade students, the NYC Account is the only way for you to see your child's 3rd or 4th grade state test results.

In order to set up your account, you will need your child's student ID number and a Creation Code.Student IDs are 9 digit numbers beginning with the number 2 and can be found on your child's report card. Letters will be sent home with the Creation Codes over the next week. (Fourth grade parents received them earlier so they could access last year's test scores.) Letters are only sent to parents who have not yet set up an account.

Kindergarten parents who do not yet know their child's ID can ask their child's teacher or contact the main office after receiving their letters.

If you have more than one child attending a NYC public school, you will receive one letter containing an account creation code for each child. You will only need to enter the student ID and Account Creation Code for one of your children. Once you create an account, you can add your remaining children by entering their student IDs and Account Creation Codes on the “Manage My Account” page. Each Account Creation Code is unique to you and your child and should not be shared with others. 

Family Giving logo

Family Giving

Due to the pandemic, we seek your support more than ever before. Please click the Family Giving link below to learn more about suggested donations by grade and installment options. A donation of any amount is very much appreciated. Thank you kindly to families who have already contributed to our 2020-2021 family giving fund.

Donate Today

Trying to contact a teacher or administrator? Click here for the school directory.

School Directory