Welcome to PS 217! The first day of school is just around the corner! Having experienced being incoming Kindergarten parents ourselves, we thought you might appreciate some information which will give you a better idea of what to expect during those first few days. You will receive much more information in a packet on the first day of school, including a Parent Handbook.
Information specific to September 4 and 5:
➢ The first day of school is September 4. Kindergarten drop-off is at the Westminster ramp on Westminster Avenue between Newkirk and Foster Avenues. The door on that side goes into the cafeteria, which is where the children will line up with their teachers to go to their classrooms. Instruction begins at 8 AM, so please be sure to drop off between 7:45 AM and 7:55 AM. Free breakfast is available after 7:30 AM. Please do not arrive at school before 7:30 AM.
➢ On the first two days of school, parents are welcome to enter the cafeteria with their children to help them find the area where their class will meet. Look for large signs with classroom numbers to help direct you. Mrs. Riccardelli, the Assistant Principal who supervises Kindergarten, will be at the door to help.
➢ Both September 4 and 5 are half-days for Kindergarten. Dismissal is at 11:20 AM (not noon as indicated in previous correspondence). On September 4, dismissal is from the ramp just inside the playground entrance. On September 5, you are invited to pick up your child from your child’s classroom anytime between 11 AM – 11:20 AM. This will be your opportunity to see the classroom and to say hello to the classroom teacher. Please note that only the people that you listed on your child’s Blue Card will be allowed to pick up your child.
➢ Lunch will be served even though there is early dismissal.
➢ Please label your child’s backpack and clothing and anything else that your child might take off with the child’s name, classroom number, and phone number.
➢ Teachers understand that school supplies are heavy for children to carry. Please have all school supplies in by Friday, September 12. (School supplies do not need to be in before that.)
General information:
➢ The regular routine begins on Monday, September 8. Same drop off location as above. Mrs. Riccardelli will greet your children every morning at that door and will ask that you say goodbye at the door and allow your children to enter the cafeteria on their own. Their class will meet in the same exact location every day.
➢ Kindergarten dismissal is at 2:15 PM every day, except for half-days. Half-day dismissal is at 11:20 AM. Dismissal is at the ramp just inside the playground. It is very important that you pick up your child on time as there is no staff available to supervise children after dismissal time. Please note that dismissal is not the time to expect to speak to your child’s teacher. If you need to speak with the teacher, you can make an appointment to speak on Tuesday afternoons. (See Parent Handbook which you will receive on the first day of school for more information.)
➢ Only those listed on your child’s Blue Card will be allowed to pick up your child. You filled out Blue Cards during registration and will be asked to fill out another one during the first week of school. It is imperative for safety reasons that you fill out the card completely. If you need more space in order to include everyone allowed to pick up your child, please attach additional pieces of paper.
As parents of PS 217 children, we understand that this is a time of transition for you and your child. Please be aware that Principal Conti and all of the administration at the school have your child’s safety and best interest at heart. We all love this school and would be happy to answer questions. There is a list of parents that you can contact at the bottom of this letter. Ute van Sitteren is the wonderful Parent Coordinator at PS 217. She is always available to answer questions as well.
You are now a member of the PS 217 Parents’ Association. We hope that you will become involved in any way that you can. The PA will have a welcome breakfast in the PS 217 Garden on September 5 after drop-off and the first PA meeting is on September 9 at 6:30 PM. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you in person.
Best regards,
Maria Newsom
Co-President
On behalf of the Parents’ Association of PS 217
Mark Your Calendars! You are invited to:
- September 3 at 8:30 AM Meet the Administration, Parent Coordinator, and Safety Agents (Adults only please)
- September 5 after drop-off PA Breakfast in the Garden
- September 5 at 11 AM Visit Your Child’s Classroom and Teacher Meet & Greet
- September 9 at 6:30 PM First PA Meeting
Questions? Feel free to contact:
Erum Ahmed (Speaks Urdu): 718-859-3959 (please call between 10 AM – 2 PM)
Anoara Begum (Speaks Bengali): 718-421-1524 / 646-757-8178
Maria Deutscher: mariadeutscher@aol.com / 718-757-5626
Olga Dmitreva (Speaks Russian): 718-530-2838 (please call after 3 PM)
Mara Dubovic (Speaks Romanian): maragabor@yahoo.com / 718-483-4338
Beth Dunfey: beth@yonderblue.com
Caitlin FitzGordon: caitlinfitzgordon@gmail.com / 917-757-0580
Megan Hester (Speaks Spanish): megan_hester@brown.edu / 646-410-365
Amanda Kavanagh: periauger@mac.com / 718-693-6053
Tsering Llamo (Speaks Nepali): 646-704-6623
Sophia McGee: sophia.mcgee@gmail.com / 718-541-9896
Maria Newsom: maria.c.newsom@gmail.com / 718-875-9875
Robin Reid: robinreid3@gmail.com / 917-873-3128
Amy Rhodes Froehlich: rhodes.amy@gmail.com / 917-715-0051
Audrey Walen: audreywalen@gmail.com / 646-479-8874 / 646-369-8379
Jennifer Willig: jrwillig@hotmail.com / 718-916-5719