Principal's Update June 25, 2021
Dear PS147 Families,
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the amazing Class of 2021! We celebrated our Prekindergarten, Kindergarten and Fifth Grade Seniors on their success. Congratulations to our dedicated families and staff whose hard work made our special celebratory day possible. It was such a special treat to partake in the celebratory ceremonies alongside you. Thank you for the opportunity.
Thank you to all families and staff who supported our school community in positive ways throughout the entire school year. This school year has been like no other filled with shared challenges and successes. Looking ahead, I welcome renewal and continued collaboration as we welcome our wonderful students, families, and staff back in the Fall.
Thank you for attending our Orientations hosted by our teachers. A special thanks to our teachers for working on creating this space for our families to become acquainted with important information in advance of the new school year.
We wish our departing and retiring staff our very best in all personal as well as professional endeavors and welcome new beginnings in the Fall. Congratulations to Ms. Martinez and Mr. Levine on your retirement. I would like to thank Kudo sensei for her years of service and dedication to our school community. Thank you for your partnership in working alongside administration, families and colleagues to build a strong Japanese Dual Language Program. In addition, a special thanks to Janoff sensei for your service. Although your time was short with us, we appreciate you. Departing staff and retirees: you will be sorely missed. Best of luck to you.
Finally, I would like to say that I am grateful for each and every individual who has and continues to make a difference in the lives of the children we serve. It is truly an honor and a privilege to lead this amazing school community. But this work cannot be done alone. Everyone plays an important role and I am appreciative of you all. From our wonderful Assistant Principal, Office Staff, Support Staff, School-Based Support Team, STH Community Coordinator, Parent Coordinator, Teachers, Educational Assistants, School Aides, Custodial Staff, School Safety Agents and Cafeteria Staff: THANK YOU!!! YOU ARE INSPIRING!!!
On other matters, I'd like to provide with a construction update for major projects occurring at our school.
This week, the scaffolding and sidewalk shed are in the process of being removed and the roofing work is now complete. Plumbing work on the inside of our school and roof were also completed. The installation of the electrical required to outfit classrooms with air-conditioners as determined by the NYCDOE through the Mayor's initiative is now complete. Work will resume in our auditorium to continue fulfilling the participatory budgeting work our school won a few years ago.
This Summer, new pavers will be installed on the front patio/plaza deck at the Main Entrance. The entire front area by the Main Entrance will be transformed to include waterproofed pavers. In addition, due to a second participatory budgeting win, our schoolyard will be receiving a long overdue transformation beginning with the laying down of new asphalt. With this schoolyard project, I recently met with the Project Manager, Custodian and Facilities to revisit the initiative after a pause due to the pandemic work stoppage. Currently, there are no drawings thus requiring a design phase with a School Construction Authority recommended design company. At this time, we can share with certainty that the following will be addressed:
- new asphalt (entire schoolyard) over the Summer months (projected July, August 2021); weather permitting
A projected look ahead:
- the 2 concrete picnic tables will the repurposed within the new design
- plastic play boulders at the North end of the playground will be permanently removed
- the bleachers will be stored and relocated during the project for preservation as they are in good shape
- the deteriorating planter boxes will be removed
- new inlet covers will be installed; drains and pitches will be addressed
- the chain link fence double gate doors and door latches will be addressed
- black safety tiles will be installed
Although we are not in the design phase, the community voted in favor of converting our schoolyard into a green learning space for students. Once the design phase commences, the following will be addressed:
- coverage on the chain link fence facing the street
- shed for storage
- rain barrels
- protection tarps for outdoor classroom spaces
- new inlet covers
- others (according to what may be possible through the design team and SCA)
The outcome of the schoolyard project meeting will include the Project Manage following up with School Construction Authority requesting the support of a design team who is prepared to address the unique request of an outdoor learning schoolyard.
A Look Ahead
The first day of school for the 2021 – 2022 school year is Monday, September 13, 2021.
Our school hours will be from 8:00am – 2:20pm.
You may view the 2021 – 2022 NYCDOE Calendar here.
School Supply Lists
Below, you will find supply lists by grade. These supply lists will also be posted on our school website.
Pre-Kindergarten
- A complete change of clothes (socks, underwear, a shirt, a pair of shoes and pants) in case the children soil themselves. Please label with your child’s name on are articles of the clothing and supplies.
- Two small thin blankets to cover themselves and two small thin flat sheets. The thin blankets and thin flat sheets should be small enough to fit a shoebox. We are asking for two thin blankets because we send one set of blankets and flat sheet home every Friday to be washed. In case you forget to bring the blanket in on Monday, your child will have an additional blanket in the classroom.
- Additional supplies. All Preschoolers MUST have:
- 1 shoe box size bin
- 4 boxes of Baby Wipes
- 4 hand Soaps (Soft Soap)
- 1 boxes of ZipLoc (Sandwich)
- 4 boxes of Tissues
- 3 boxes of ZipLoc (Gallon)
- 2 reams of copy paper
- 5 glue sticks
- 1 rain coat or poncho (stays in classroom)
- 1 pair of rain boots (stays in classroom)
- 1 pack of TICONDEROGA My First Pencils
- 2 pack of 24 Crayola crayons
- 2 pack of 12 Crayola markers
- 2 packs of 12 Crayola colored pencils
- 1 child safety scissor
- 1 large backpack
- 1 roll of paper towels
- 1 snack bag
- 1 family photo
- A pack of child size face masks
- A reusable water bottle
Kindergarten
- (2) Primary Composition Journals (½ page drawing & ½ page writing)
- (1) pack of Crayola Crayons
- (1) pack of Ticonderoga Primary pencils
- (1) pack of jumbo Elmer’s Glue Sticks
- (2) plastic 2-pocket folders
- Please send a seasonally appropriate change of clothes in a labeled Ziploc bag. Write your child’s name on each article of clothing.
Grade 1
- 2 plain plastic folders with pocket (non-print)
- 3 marble Primary Journals (Label with child’s name)
- 2 packs of #2 sharpened pencils
- 1 rubber eraser
- 1 pencil case- must be soft, no plastic boxes please
- 2 glue sticks
- 1 box of 8 crayons
- 1 child scissor
- 1 box of black dry erase markers
- 2 boxes of tissues
- 1 personal big bottle of hand sanitizer (80-90% Alcohol)
- 1 packet of white computer paper
- 1 box of Zip Lock bags (gallon size)
- 1 box of Zip Lock bags (sandwich size)
Grade 2
- (1 pack) Pencils with Erasers (#2 pencils)
- 1 Hand-Held Pencil Sharpener (with lid)
- (1 pack) Crayola Colored Pencils
- (1 pack) Crayola Crayons (24 pack)
- 1 Pencil Pouch
- 1 pack 3x3 yellow post-it notes
- 6 Marble notebooks
- 6 folders (1 red, 1 blue, 1 green, 1 orange, 1 yellow, 1 folder your choice-used for homework)
- 1 box of tissues (no lotion please)
- Water bottle (BPA approved)
- 1 box Gallon size Ziploc bags
- (1 of each) Hand Sanitizer/Lysol Wipes/Paper Towels
Grade 3
- 7 marble composition notebooks
- 5 2-pocket folders
- 2 packs of pencils
- Colored pencils – 12 pack
- Markers – 8 pack
- Crayons – 24 pack
- 2-3 Glue sticks
- Erasers
- Pair of scissors
- 1 roll of Paper Towels
- 2 boxes of Tissues
- 1 pack of Baby wipes
- 1 box of zip lock baggies – size 1 gallon
- Pencil case
- Backpack
Grade 4
- Pencils with Erasers (#2 pencils)
- 1 Hand-Held Pencil Sharpener (with lid)
- Crayola Colored Pencils
- Crayola Crayons
- 2 Elmer's Glue Sticks
- 1 Pencil Case
- 6 Marble composition notebooks only
- 6 folders
- 2 boxes of tissues (unscented please)
- One pack of baby wipes
- One roll of paper towels
Grade 5
- (5) marble composition notebooks
- pack of construction paper
- (5) 2-pocket folders
- (2-3) packs of pencils
- Colored pencils – 12 pack
- Markers – 8 pack
- Crayons – 24 pack
- (2-3) Glue sticks or liquid glue
- Erasers
- boxes of Tissues
- (1-2) boxes of zip lock baggies – Size 1 gallon
- Please Note: sharpeners, scissors and pencil cases will be provided for students.
On behalf of the entire PS147 Community, we wish you a safe, happy and healthy summer!
