Dear New and Returning PS 154 Families,
Welcome to the 2021-22 school year at PS 154! The beginning of the school year has always been my favorite time of year - and once again I am full of anticipation and hope for the upcoming year. As interim acting principal of PS154, my hope is that the valuable lessons we learned last year about making and maintaining connections will serve as a foundation as we build an even stronger, more inclusive community. Mr. Buckley and I share in our amazing staff’s excitement to see our wonderful children learn, grow, and be joyous every day.
Next year, we are launching a music and media/moving image program with working artists and PS154 substitute teachers Julian Litwack and Xavier Cardriche. Mr. Litwack will teach music to Kindergarten-2nd grade students, and Mr. Cardriche will teach media and moving image to 3rd-5th grade students. As in past years, the PTA will subsidize enrichment programming, and will be bringing back one enrichment per grade. New this year, the PTA will be subsidizing a 10-week theater residency program for all grade levels in the fall. As we help our students deepen their understanding of citizenship in the local and global community, I’m also happy to share that we are expanding our service learning initiative. Each grade is beginning a service partnership with an organization. You will be hearing more about this as the school year takes off.
There is so much learning to be done this year, and it is an honor to lead the school as we return to the building, make new connections, and re-engage with the community. Our instructional focus this year will be to ensure that every student has access to successful learning experiences, and we will begin by reflecting on what makes a successful learning experience. I would love to hear your thoughts on this!
Our hardworking custodial crew has been in the building all summer getting the school cleaned, shined, and ready for September, when our teachers will come in and prepare their classrooms for their students. Our goal is to make each classroom, and the building as whole, a safe and inviting space in which each student feels valued and included - I can’t wait for your students to see their classrooms on the first day and to be a part of our caring, curious, and courageous community! While there are still some unknowns about procedures for next year, what I do know is that your children’s health and safety is our top priority. Our team of teachers, support staff, custodians, and administration will continue to work hard to ensure that Department of Education safety measures are in place, adhered to, and maintained throughout the school year.
We are all looking forward to a wonderful year and we can’t wait to welcome you back on September 13!