Saturday, June 22, 2019






Moving Up Ceremonies and Graduation

June 25, 2019 - PreK For All Classes End of Year Ceremony 
 @ 10:00 AM 
Mrs. Gonzalez, Ms. McGarry, Mrs. Serbones' Classes

June 26, 2019 - End of Year Mass @ 10:00 AM 
 8th Grade Graduation 
1:00 PM Dismissal for all students
Report Cards will be distributed before dismissal 


Success Maker -12th Month Summer Program

Dear Parents,
As an ongoing educational incentive the Catholic School Region of Manhattan and  Mr. Tweed, the regional superintendent,  has obtained funding for a summer initiative for all students in grades K-7 to continue the learning that has occurred here at OLQM from September to June.

While it has been our custom to assign books to be read over the summer months -  this new initiative will focus instead on online learning in both Reading and Mathematics.
Students will be given access to  Success Maker an on-line program that we have been piloting in grades 2, 3 and 4 and is similar to Freckle which we have been using the last two years here at OLQM. Students will be expected to do one hour of Reading and one hour of Mathematics per week and will be expected to complete and pass these lessons on Success Maker.

Teaching staff will be available twice a week Tuesdays 9:00 AM -1:00 PM  and Thursdays 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM  to assist students who are experiencing difficulty or do not have access to an electronic device to complete the assignments.  Parents will be called once a week if the assignments have not been completed and reminded that this summer work will count as a student’s first grade in Reading and Mathematics in September.

Should you have any questions that you would like to directly ask me please feel free to see me on Sunday June 23rd from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM or send me an  e-mail at olqm1@aol.com.

Reminders

Recently parents have forgotton that there exists a Parent/Student Handbook that was distributed in 
September 2018. The goverance of the school follows the rules of NYS education law along with policies that have goverened Catholic Schools for many years. Some malcontent parents recently have been vocal with teachers over rules that are basically common sense:

1. If a child is late - that means they have missed part of the school day- see NYS regulations below.

OFFICIAL COMPILATION OF CODES, RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
TITLE 8. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
CHAPTER II. REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER
SUBCHAPTER E. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
PART 104. PUPIL RECORDS
8 CRR-NY 104.1
8 CRR-NY 104.1
104.1 Pupil attendance recordkeeping.
(a) Purpose.
The purpose of this section is to:
(1) ensure the maintenance of an adequate record verifying the attendance of all children at instruction in accordance with Education Law section 3205;
(2) establish a practical mechanism for every public and nonpublic elementary, middle and secondary school in the State of New York to account to the parents of all children enrolled in such schools for the whereabouts of such children throughout each school day; and
(3) ensure sufficient pupil attendance at all scheduled periods of actual instruction or supervised study activities to permit such pupils to succeed at meeting the State learning standards.
(b) Definitions.
Whenever used in this section, the following terms shall have the respective meanings hereinafter set forth or indicated:
(1) Pupil. A child enrolled in any public or nonpublic elementary, middle or secondary school.
(2) Register of attendance. Any written or electronic record maintained for the purpose of recording the attendance, absence, tardiness or early departure of a pupil.
(3) Scheduled instruction. Every period that a pupil is scheduled to attend actual instructional or supervised study activities during the course of a school day during the school year from July 1st through June 30th.
(4) Teacher. A member of the teaching or supervisory staff of a public or nonpublic elementary, middle or secondary school.
(5) Employee other than a teacher. A suitable person other than a teacher employed by a public or nonpublic elementary, middle or secondary school in a position appropriate for the maintenance of pupil records.
(c) The record of each pupil's presence, absence, tardiness and early departure shall be kept by each public and nonpublic elementary, middle or secondary school in a register of attendance in a manner consistent with subdivision (d) of this section.
(d) The register of attendance shall set forth at least the following for each pupil:
(1) name;
(2) date of birth;
(3) full names of parent(s) or person(s) in parental relation;
(4) address where the pupil resides;
(5) phone number(s) where the parent(s) or person(s) in parental relation may be contacted;
(6) date of the pupil's enrollment;
(7) a record of the pupil's attendance on each day of scheduled instruction. Commencing July 1, 2003, attendance shall be taken and recorded in accordance with the following:
(i) for pupils in non-departmentalized kindergarten through grade eight such pupil's presence or absence shall be recorded after the taking of attendance once per school day, provided that if pupils in such schools are dismissed from school grounds during a lunch period, each such pupil's presence or absence shall also be recorded after the taking of attendance a second time upon the pupil's return from the lunch period each school day;
(ii) for pupils in grades 9 through 12 or in departmentalized schools at any grade level, each such pupil's presence or absence shall be recorded after the taking of attendance in each period of scheduled instruction except that where such pupils do not change classrooms for each period of scheduled instruction attendance shall be taken in accordance with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph;
(iii) any absence for a school day or portion thereof shall be recorded as excused or unexcused in accordance with the standards articulated in the comprehensive attendance policy adopted in accordance with subdivision (i) of this section;
(iv) in the event that a pupil at any instructional level from kindergarten through grade12 arrives late for or departs early from scheduled instruction, such tardiness or early departure shall be recorded as excused or unexcused in accordance with the standards articulated in the comprehensive attendance policy;


2. Parents sign an agreement that they will pay tuition on time when they register on TADS every year. Those who are deliquent basically forfeit the rights of their child to attend school -- not Mr. Woods -- the parent does the nasty work by not paying on time and ignoring the letters, reminders, IRIS alerts and payment plans that are meant to assist parents. The tuition management office for the Archdiocese recently sent a reminder to all principals of the following regulations; 

Please remember our tuition policies:
·         Records and report cards cannot be transmitted for students with delinquent tuition payments, and financial aid/scholarships provided will be at risk and may be rescinded.
·         Families with delinquent tuition payments may be ineligible to re-register or apply for financial aid for the following school year.  
·         Students with delinquent tuition payments may not participate in school activities and graduation ceremonies.


3. Probably the clincher was that Mr. Woods is unavailable to meet with!
As parents of students in the sacarmental program can attest Mr. Woods is present on Sundays from 
10:00 AM until 5:00 PM. The open door policy of parents coming to see him during those times is clearly stated in the Parents Handbook on this blog and in IRIS messages on a weekly basis.

Hopefully as we end the year parents who are trying to foster a negative atmosphere will read all publications that pertain to the orderly running of the school beginning with the Parent/Student Handbook and join us as a school community in prayer in the morning instead of gossiping in front of the school building.


Monday June 24, 2019 
Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist  
PreK Summer Program begins with Mrs. Fundora.
Awards Day Ceremony 10:00 AM
Parents invited.

Tuesday June 25, 2019
8th grade students off today to prepare for graduation.
PreK For All end of year ceremony 10:00 AM 
parents welcome.

Wednesday June 26, 2019 
10:00 AM - end of year Mass followed by 8th grade graduation.
1:00 PM - dismissal 
Report Cards and Honors will be distributed before dismissal.






Saturday, June 15, 2019

Week of June 17, 2019 Announcements





Moving Up Ceremonies and Graduations

June 18, 2019 - PreK -1 @ 10:00 AM  
Mrs. Fundora's Class

June 19, 2019 - PreK -2 @ 10:00
Mrs. Rodriguez's Class 

June 20, 2019 - Kindergarten Classes @ 10:00 AM
Ms. Ocasio and Ms. Sanchez's Classes   

June 25, 2019 - PreK For All Classes @ 10:00 AM 
Mrs. Gonzalez, Ms. McGarry, Mrs. Serbones' Classes

June 26, 2019 - End of Year Mass @ 10:00 AM 
 8th Grade Graduation 
1:00 PM Dismissal for all students


Last Day 
Thursday June 20th

This letter will be sent home with students on Monday June 17th 

Success Maker -12th Month Summer Program

Dear Parents,
As an ongoing educational incentive the Catholic School Region of Manhattan and  Mr. Tweed, the regional superintendent,  has obtained funding for a summer initiative for all students in grades K-7 to continue the learning that has occurred here at OLQM from September to June.

While it has been our custom to assign books to be read over the summer months -  this new initiative will focus instead on online learning in both Reading and Mathematics.
Students will be given access to  Success Maker an on-line program that we have been piloting in grades 2, 3 and 4 and is similar to Freckle which we have been using the last two years here at OLQM. Students will be expected to do one hour of Reading and one hour of Mathematics per week and will be expected to complete and pass these lessons on Success Maker.

Teaching staff will be available twice a week Tuesdays 9:00 AM -1:00 PM  and Thursdays 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM  to assist students who are experiencing difficulty or do not have access to an electronic device to complete the assignments.  Parents will be called once a week if the assignments have not been completed and reminded that this summer work will count as a student’s first grade in Reading and Mathematics in September.

I will be explaining this program to the students after morning prayer on Tuesday June 18th and as always you are welcome to join us for prayer and listen to the presentation and me fielding questions and answers from students.
Should you have any questions that you would like to directly ask me please feel free to see me on Sunday June 23rd from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM or send me an                     e-mail at olqm1@aol.com.


Monday June 17, 2019 
Letter regarding summer on-line program will be sent home. Parents are requested to sign the letter and return the letter to the classroom teacher.

Tuesday June 18, 2019 
PreK-1 Mrs. Fundorta's Class graduation 10:00 AM 

NYS Living Environment Regents 1:15PM - 4:15 PM 

Wednesday June 19, 2019 
PreK-2 Mrs. Rodriguez's Class graduation 10:00 AM 

Thursday June 20, 2019
Kindergarten Graduation 10:00 AM 
Last Day of After School Program

Friday June 21, 2019 --- School Closed 

Lost Learning: The Age of Bubble-Wrapped Kids
BY LENORE SKENAZY/School Administrator, June 2019


Most veteran educators, indeed most adults, fondly recall their childhoods spent playing outside with friends, climbing trees or riding their bikes until the streetlights came on. Another generation from now, those activities might sound akin to helping mom churn butter or running off to trap muskrats.

The culture of childhood is always changing, of course. Yet for many of today’s kids, any semblance of independence has been replaced by supervised, structured activities from Kumon to karate.

Recently, I interviewed about 20 suburban elementary school students, asking them what would they really love to do on their own — what would thrill them?

“I want to go to judo by myself,” one 3rd-grade boy responded.

“How would you get there?” I asked. “Bike? Skateboard? Walk?”

He looked a little perplexed. “I would open the car door. Look boooooth ways,” he said with a pantomime. “And then I would walk into the class while my mom parked the car.”

His dream of independence was about 87 seconds without his mom.

Sheltered Lives
If he was the only one dreaming like that, he’d just be some sad, sheltered kid. But in fact, he is pretty representative. Today, about 11 percent of youngsters walk to school, according to Safe Routes to Schools. Upon dismissal, or “pickup” as it’s now known (a telling neologism), legions of youngsters head to another adult-led activity. Of course, nothing is wrong with learning chess or lacrosse or another skill. But there is something very wrong with kids losing almost every chance to make something happen on their own.

“Nothing we do, no amount of toys we buy or ‘quality time’ or special training we give our children, can compensate for the freedom we take away,” Peter Gray, a psychologist at Boston College, wrote in his book Free to Learn. “The things that children learn through their own initiatives, in free play, cannot be taught in other ways.”

During free play — also known as goofing around — kids are tasked first of all with coming up with something to do. That’s creativity. If they make a tree house, that involves risk assessment and bravery. And if they get into some arguments and have to work it out, that may be the most important social-emotional skill of all — learning how to get along.

When well-meaning adults are always ready to jump in and smooth things out, they actually are thwarting a key developmental process, says Jonathan Haidt, a professor of ethical leadership at New York University and co-author of The Coddling of the American Mind.

Haidt explains it like this: Some things are fragile. A glass falls on the floor and breaks. Some things are resilient. A plastic cup falls and does not break — but it doesn’t get any better, either. But some things are
“anti-fragile” — they need a bit of resistance, a challenge, to grow and thrive.

Fighting Fragility
Three anti-fragile things are the immune system (exposure to germs develops antibodies), muscles (weight training makes them stronger) and ... kids.

Kids are born with brains ready to be wired by thousands of experiences, including some scrapes, confusion, betrayal, frustration and fear. But when they don’t get a healthy dose of these, thanks to a sort of bubble-wrapped childhood, they don’t get the chance to become anti-fragile. They remain fragile.

Fragility makes kids more vulnerable to feelings of anxiety and depression. Both Gray and Haidt see a connection between the decline in free time/free play and the rise in childhood mental health problems. That’s one reason the three of us joined forces to create Let Grow, a nonprofit dedicated to making it “easy, normal and legal” to give some independence back to children.

Our school initiatives are simple. There’s the Let Grow Project, in which students are given the assignment to “go home and do something by yourself, without your parents.” (Parents comply because it’s homework!) and the Let Grow Play Club, which encourages schools to open for mixed-age free play. An adult remains on premises, but not organizing the games or solving the spats. The result is pretty close to what kids used to experience playing outside on their own.

Inherited Anxiety
Parents today have it tough — they’ve lost the age-old independence guideposts our parents had. They don’t know what age they can possibly let their kids do anything on their own, so they just don’t.

They say insanity is inherited — you get it from your children. But anxiety is, too. Kids get it from being treated as if they’re in constant danger. Their fragility reinforces the parental urge to overprotect. They’re locked in an anxiety spiral.

The best thing for both generations turns out to be giving parents a little push to let go — an actual assignment — so they can finally see for themselves how safe and successful their kids can be on their own. Pretty soon those youngsters are ready to start trapping muskrats.

Or at least walk a couple blocks to judo.


LENORE SKENAZY is president of Let Grow and founder of Free-Range Kids in New York City. Twitter: @LetGrowOrg 

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Week of June 10, 2019 Announcements

Grades 6 -8 
Tuesday - Grade 6 Science
Wednesday - Grades 6-8 ELA 
Thursday - Grades 6-8
Social Studies & Matematics 


Congratulations to
Mr. Roberto Placido 8th grade teacher
& his wife Alana  
Ella Sofia Placido
Saturday June 8th 3:16 AM 

June 13, 2019 
9:00 AM - PreK -1 and PreK -2
10:00 AM - PreK For All Classes
11:00 AM - Grades Kindergarten and First 



Moving Up Ceremonies and Graduations

June 18, 2019 - PreK -1 @ 10:00 AM  
Mrs. Fundora's Class

June 19, 2019 - PreK -2 @ 10:00
Mrs. Rodriguez's Class 

June 20, 2019 - Kindergarten Classes @ 10:00 AM
Ms. Ocasio and Ms. Sanchez's Classes   

June 25, 2019 - PreK For All Classes @ 10:00 AM 
Mrs. Gonzalez, Ms. McGarry, Mrs. Serbones' Classes

June 26, 2019 - End of Year Mass @ 10:00 AM 
 8th Grade Graduation 
1:00 PM Dismissal for all students

Last Day 
Thursday June 20th




Monday June 10, 2019 
                        Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church
Tuition Suspension Day 

Tuesday June 11, 2019 - Feast of St. Barnabas
Grade 6 Science Exam

Wednesday June 12, 2019
Grades 6-8 ELA Exams

Thursday June 13, 2019 Feast of St. Anthony of Padua 
Grades 6-8 Social Studies & Mathematics Exams 
Donuts with Dad -- see above

Friday June 14th, 2019 
School is Closed 






Sunday, June 2, 2019




Moving Up Ceremonies and Graduations

June 18, 2019 - PreK -1 @ 10:00 AM  
Mrs. Fundora's Class

June 19, 2019 - PreK -2 @ 10:00
Mrs. Rodriguez's Class 

June 20, 2019 - Kindergarten Classes @ 10:00 AM
Ms. Ocasio and Ms. Sanchez's Classes   

June 25, 2019 - PreK For All Classes @ 10:00 AM 
Mrs. Gonzalez, Ms. McGarry, Mrs. Serbones' Classes

June 26, 2019 - End of Year Mass @ 10:00 AM 
 8th Grade Graduation 
1:00 PM Dismissal for all students


PreK Summer Program
There is 1 opening still available for parents wishing to enroll their child  in the
 PreK Summer Program with Mrs. Fundora.
Please see Mrs. Resto regarding registration.

Grades 4 & 8 
Wednesday June 5, 2019 


Uniform Measurements 
Wednesday ----------June 5, 2019
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 
Forms are available in the office from Alba.
There is a separate form for girls and boys. 
Please make sure you pick up the correct form.


Friday 
June 7, 2019  
12:00 Noon dismissal 
PreK For All Dismissal ---3:15 PM 
After School Program in Session 

June 13, 2019 
9:00 AM - PreK -1 and PreK -2
10:00 AM - PreK For All Classes
11:00 AM - Grades Kindergarten and First 


June 3, 2019 Feast of St. Charles Lwanga & Companions, martyrs
June calendars will be sent home with students.
Progress Reports due back to classroom teacher.
Tuition Suspension Day. 

June 4, 2019
Archdiocese of New York Religion Exam Grades 3-8. 

June 5, 2019 - Feast of St. Boniface, bishop and martyr
School is Open All Day. 
Uniform Measurement Day - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM.
New York State Science Test Grades 4, 7 & 8.

June 6, 2019 - Feast of St. Norbert

June 7, 2019 - Snow Makeup Day
Early Dismissal Day 12:00 noon Faculty Meeting 
After School Program in Session 
PreK For All Dismissal at 3:15 PM 

Sunday June 9, 2019 - Feast of Pentecost 
Last Day of Sacramental Program 
Certificates of completion  will be distributed at the end of Mass