P.S. 242- The Young Diplomats Magnet Academy

Dear YDMA Families,

As usual, the last month has flown by and we are finding ourselves at the beginning of another fun month! 

During February, we will explore special events such as Black History Month and Lunar New Year with a variety of activities that will teach us all about the history and customs of these special days. Our learning community believes that Black History Month offers an opportunity to lift up Black history and experiences. Our classroom teachers are planning activities over the coming weeks to engage your child in learning and sharing about Black American history. Our goal is for our students to understand that February is dedicated to celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of Black Americans throughout history. Here is the link to a Black History Month resource guide from the Center for Racial Justice in Education for activities that you can use at home https://centerracialjustice.org/resources/black-history-month-resource-guide-for-educators-and-families/.

Research shows that there is a correlation between parent engagement and student achievement. As a result, we have been working on planning more events for parents and families. At YDMA we are promoting Social Emotional Health, not only for students, but for parents as well.   I will be hosting weekly "Coffee or Tea Breaks" in the morning for parents to interact with other families, share challenges and successes with remote or hybrid learning, and get updates from me.  As adults, we all need a "Coffee or Tea Break" to stay balanced. During this time, we have planned different activities and guest speakers with topics that have been requested in previous surveys. We will also schedule monthly evening Town Halls to get feedback and suggestions.  Please be sure to join us! Don't forget to check your Class Dojo and remind apps for more details on these events.  

Make sure to register for your NYC schools account so that you can have access to your child's official report cards and information. The next report card will be posted on Thursday, March 4th which will also be our Parent Teacher Conference day. You will be receiving a schedule with time slots from your child's teacher to sign up for a conference by the end of this month. Note that there is early dismissal for hybrid students on Thursday, March 4, 2021. Hybrid students will be dismissed at 11:00am.

Mid-winter recess will be from February 15 - February 19. Classes will resume on Monday, February 22nd. Please review your child's Google Classroom for winter break packets and/or inquiry projects for your children. As always, feel free to contact me on Class Dojo or email if you have any questions or concerns. Have a safe and enjoyable break!