Principal Carroll's April's News Report
May 12, 2023
Dear P.S.307 Families and Caregivers:
I hope all our families and caregivers are doing well these days. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday, May 18th at our P.S.307 STEAM Showcase from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. This event will be an excellent opportunity to see the culminating work of our artists and scientists while also connecting with staff, community members, and other families and caregivers.
There are many highlights to share since last month’s message. For one, ELA and Math State Testing are complete. The administration was smooth, and I was impressed with our 3rd through 5th graders’ focus throughout the testing window.
Our teachers and educational assistants have been enjoying every moment of their appreciation week. With recognition from families, students, community-based partners, and administration, the love and gratitude have been overflowing. We thank everyone who has taken the time to thank a teacher and show their appreciation.
Other highlights include:
Breaking Bread with Families
On April 27th, families joined us for dinner, play, and discussion. It was a wonderful opportunity for families to make new connections and share in an experience that underscored our emphasis on the 4 C’s (Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, and Creativity). We will host one more Breaking Bread Session before the end of the school year, on Thursday, June 1st, 2023. Set an intention to join us- you will not regret it.
Listening Session Regroup
Following January’s Listening Session with families, we hosted a Listening Session Reunion on May 4th. The goal for these sessions was to communicate how we are responding to the feedback and input shared at the January meeting. For more of an explanation of our actions to improve the collaboration between school and home and strengthen our capacity to support children holistically, the slide show presentation will be sent out in Mr. Williams's Communication Day Post on Monday.
End of Year Prep:
As we move closer to the last month of school, we are in complete end-of-year planning mode. Teachers are conducting end-of-year benchmark assessments. Many year reports will capture the progress from the beginning of the year until now and will be shared with families in the coming weeks.
Other Highlights include:
· Trips, trips, and more trips – students across the grades have been getting out of the building to experience all that the city has to offer. Among recent trips, K has visited Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Educational Center to study trees, and 1st grade has gone to the Prospect Park Zoo. Grade 3 has visited the Brooklyn Navy Yard to study Recycling and Repurposing. Trips are planned to the Bronx Zoo and the Brooklyn Public Library. On Wednesday, our upper-grade students had a chance to attend a Yankee game. It was a beautiful day, and of course, the Yankees won!
· A select group of 1st and 2nd graders had their first lesson in swimming on Tuesday at LIU.
· We are scheduled to have solar panels installed on our roof, making us greener. We are communicating with the DOE Office of Sustainability to ensure students get opportunities to learn more about the project from the experts.
· Final touches on the auditorium and the hall are being made, and families will get to enjoy the choir, dance, and violin portion of the May 18th Showcase in our new auditorium.
· 5th graders have received their middle school offers and are preparing to participate in senior activities.
· Thanks to Ms. Praeger, our family volunteers, and students who have been learning about pollinators and growing food, our school garden is blooming. We have tomatoes, basil, peppers, and much more!
Summer Rising
For the first time in over eight years, P.S.307 will host summer school, now known as Summer Rising. Today, families who have enrolled will receive confirmation. I, Assistant Principal Morris, and Parent Coordinator Anthony Williams will work together to supervise the program. I hope many of you will choose our site for your child’s summer enrichment. For more information on how to enroll and the following window for enrollment, click here.
Assistant Principal Morris
It’s official, P.S.307 has a new Assistant Principal, Ayanna Morris. Ms. Morris has quickly become a part of the 307 family. We are thrilled to have her here, and as Principal, I am very optimistic about her leadership among staff, students, and the community.
Student Articulation and Planning for Next Year
We have begun to hear from families about next year and teacher assignments. While we know many of you are eager to know who your child’s teacher will be, you will have to wait a little longer. What we can confirm is that grades and class-level assignments are a top priority for us. We’ve begun recruitment efforts and are engaging in a strict process for selecting quality candidates. We are also focused on teachers building momentum with students and deepening relationships. Where looping makes sense, we will arrange it. As we did a few years ago, we are also considering departmentalization in 4th and 5th grade to prepare upper-grade students for middle school better and promote teachers’ ability to deepen their knowledge and command of certain core subjects.
So, as you can see, a lot is happening. I hope these updates make you as excited as we are about the future. During the closing of the Listening Session Reunion, I reminded families of what is most needed as we strengthen our partnership and collaboration. It can be defined in 4 P words:
If we share the same purpose, our children, and we prioritize partnering and our presence, we can protect the school and the community so that all members of our community can thrive.
Enjoy the rest of the month, and see you on May 18th
Sincerely,
Principal Carroll