P.S. 396

On behalf of the P.S. 396 staff, I am delighted to welcome you to the 2018-2019 school year! The start of each year is an especially exciting time that brings opportunities for reuniting with familiar faces, building new relationships, establishing comforting routines, and persevering towards academic excellence. P.S. 396 is a very special place; our mission is to create a positive culture of learning where all students can experience academic, social, and emotional success. We encourage all students to take pride in the ROCKIN’ Values and embrace our commitment to: Respecting ourselves, each other, and the environment, taking Ownership of our learning, being Curious about the world, showing Kindness, showing Integrity in doing what is right, and Never Giving up (perseverance).

We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve these goals.  We recognize that in order to be successful in school, our children need support from both the home and school. We know a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child’s education. As partners, we share the responsibility for our children’s success and want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities. We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she:

1) Attends school daily and arrives on time, ready for the day’s learning

2) Completes all homework assignments given by teachers

3) Reads daily to develop a love for reading and to improve literacy skills

4) Shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her school life

5) Informs you if he/she needs additional support in any area or subject

6) Treats school staff and peers with respect

7) Knows that you expect them to succeed in school and go on to be college and career ready!

In collaboration with our Parent Association this year we will have a published Parent Handbook sent home in the first week of school that has important school information and dates throughout the school year.  In addition, we will be sending home a uniform and ROCKIN Values t-shirt for every student in grades PreK – 5 to support our uninform and attendance initiatives.  As we know attendance is school is extremely important and directly connects to students’ academic success.  Our goal is 94% or above attendance for all students this coming year- that’s fewer than 8 absences yearlong. 

Please visit our website www.ps396.org for additional school information and a school calendar.   Attached you will find a copy of our fall supply list for students in grades K-2 and 3-5.  Pre-Kindergarten students will receive their list in September.  Thank you in advance for helping to make sure your children have the tools they need to succeed!

Our first day for students is Wednesday, September 5^th, which will begin at 8:00am for all students and end at 2:20pm for students in grades 1-5.  Thursday, September 6^th will be a half-day for Kindergarten students, ending at 11:30am. All students grades K – 5 will have a full day on Friday, September 7^th dismissing at 2:20pm. 

Pre-Kindergarten students will have partial days both Wednesday through Friday, September 5^th – 8^th  (a schedule will be sent separately to parents of Pre-k students). 

Finally, it has been my honor to serve as the Principal here at P.S. 396 and have the pleasure to work with some of the most dedicated, caring and knowledgeable staff.  I welcome you to consider joining our school Parent Association and/or our School Leadership Team as our students can greatly benefit from your involvement and contributions to the school’s program and its operations. 

Again, on behalf of the wonderful staff of P.S. 396, I would like to welcome you to the new school year and ask you to save the date for our Back to School Night on Monday, September 17^th at 4:30 – 7:30pm.  On behalf of the faculty at P.S. 396, I am delighted to welcome you to a wonderful year ahead!  

Sincerely,

Nicole A. Tiné