NYC DOE Respect For All

RESPECT FOR ALL

The NYC DOE and P.S. 232Q are committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and/or bullying and from discrimination of any kind. The goal of our work is to ensure that every student is provided with a learning environment where all children feel safe, valued and respected. Our school has been recognized as a RESPECT FOR ALL school in 2014-2015 and 2012-2013. If at any time, you know of someone who is being bullied, intimidated or discriminated against, please contact any administrator, teacher, guidance counselor, or our parent coordinator. Click here  https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/policies-for-all/respect-for-all.

 

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AT PS 232Q

As a means of developing positive characteristics in our student body, we highlight students who demonstrate a particular virtue.  The virtues that have monthly concentration are those from “The Virtues of Core Knowledge”. We are a Core Knowledge School. Our teachers select individual students who display certain positive traits, and they are recognized at the end of each month with a “Student of the Month” Certificate, a “Student of the Month” pin, and public acknowledgement from our administrators, staff, parents, and peers, and a free ice cream coupon. They also get their photograph taken and it is hung in our school lobby on our “Student of the Month” bulletin board. The monthly winners are also the subject of our “Good News” announcements on Friday afternoons. As a way of connecting academics with social issues, each year the literacy coaches and the principal select new literature, that concentrate on virtues, such as honesty, respect, citizenship, tolerance, and responsibility.   The literature chosen by the literacy coaches and principal also focuses on principles and life lessons which includes; bullying, ethnic and cultural diversity, care of the elderly, diverse families, recognition of veterans, acceptance of others, positive self-concept, self-respect, and self-worth.  After each lesson, students respond to the literature by connecting their experiences using varied media, i.e. poster campaign, written response, writing contest, and video diary.  Often our coaches will enter exceptional writing samples in citywide competitions.

Our Guidance Counselors

 We have two guidance counselors - Ms. Falcone in grades K - 4 and Ms. Black in grades 5 - 8. Our guidance counselors engage students in classroom lessons that allow students to role-play, problem solve, and provide positive feedback to one another.  Discussions are facilitated as a means to guide students to solutions that are realistic and useful.  Some of the workshops that are conducted in the classrooms are anti-bullying, HIV/AIDS, diversity, and what it means to be a friend.

Our guidance counselors also serve as mentors for peer mediation. When an argument between two students takes place, our guidance counselors are able to meet with students and mediate solutions.

Click here for student support -  http://schools.nyc.gov/StudentSupport/GuidanceandCounseling/default.htm

Cultural Arts and Influence

Thanks to a grant from Councilman Eric Ulrich, our  students are also exposed to different cultures when the Midori & Friends organization sends professional musicians from around the world to perform for our students.  Midori centers on art, customs, music, dances, and traditional dress of many nations.  This exposure allows students to appreciate the differences of others. There are class workshops, concerts, and afterschool programs that teach music appreciation of cultures, instrumental, dancing, and creative self-expression. We also have two art programs that take place for a 14 week residency in both first and fifth grades. The residencies are sponsored by "Studio in a School", an organization that sends two professional artists to work with our students on content-area supported projects that both the teachers and artists plan together.

Click here for Midori & Friends, Inc. http://www.midoriandfriends.org/

Click here for Studio in a School http://www.studioinaschool.org/

Principal's Monthly Breakfasts

Ms Josephson, our school principal,  in conjunction with the parent coordinator and guidance counselors, host “Breakfast with the Principal”.  At these monthly meetings, topics relative to our students, parents, and community are discussed in a relaxed open forum.  This is an opportunity for information to be dispersed to parents as well as gathered from the community in order to create a better learning environment. One topic from last year's discussion was “What Parents Can Do to Help Their Child Deal with a Bully!"

Calendar of All Principal's Breakfasts 2017/2018

Monday, October 16th, 9:00 a.m.

Monday, November 13th, 9:00 a.m.

Monday, January 22rd, 9:00 a.m.

Monday, February 5th, 9:00 a.m.

Monday, April 16,  9:00 a.m.

Friday, June 1st - Principal's Appreciation Breakfast/PTA

Spirit Month - February 2018

In order to build morale and create positive school spirit, administrators and students and staff celebrate during Spirit Month. Students celebrate their culture, pride in their country, their career goals, their similarities as well as their differences. SPIRIT Month begins on February 2, 2018. Spirit month has always been fun for our students and our staff, and it has given us the opportunity to show off our school spirit!  We will recognize our spirit on Mondays and Fridays during the entire month of February. The schedule is as follows:

  • February 2 - Crazy Hat Day
  • February 5 - Color Day
  • February 9 - Disney/Universal Day
  • February 12 - Red, White and Blue Day
  • February 26 - Celebrate Your Culture Day

Sports Program

P.S. 232Q prides itself on the inclusion of all students regardless of  athletic and academic abilities.  Our school clubs such as Volleyball, Flag Rugby, Basketball, Cheerleading, Flag Football, Debate Team, and Runners Club, encourage participation in extra- curricular activities. In addition to our middle school clubs, we are fortunate to have as a partner CHAMPS. They support us with programs in flag football, flag rugby, girls volleyball, developmental basketball, and a BOKS 5th grade fitness program. Click here for CHAMPS https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/sports-and-staying-active/champs.

GOOD NEWS FRIDAYS

Good News Fridays highlights random acts of kindness and continues to be a significant part of our school culture.  These acts include returning money, property, and displaying good deeds towards one another.  Each Friday these accomplishments are broadcasted throughout the school building.  This allows children to be recognized for their good deeds and celebrate the actions of others.