October 31, 2024

 

Dear Families,

 

Friday, for the first time ever, New York City schools will be closed to mark Diwali.  This week, teachers in many of our classes read aloud about this holiday.  These moments help children learn more about the world.

Over the past few years, our public school calendar began honoring Diwali, Lunar New Year, Eid al Fitr, Juneteenth, and Eid al Hada.  I graduated from elementary school before congress agreed that Martin Luther King’s birthday should be a federal holiday; to me, a calendar that acknowledges more diversity still feels notable.

A calendar update was announced only yesterday.  Public schools now will be closed on Monday, December 23, 2024.  Our website, www.cpe1.nyc/calendar, reflects this change. Please keep checking www.cpe1.nyc/calendar to see events for our whole school year, including such events as school concerts and community coffees.

Here is what is coming up in November:

  • November 1 - No School - Diwali

  • November 5 -  No Students - Chancellor’s Conference Day

  • November 7 – Early Dismissal – 11:50

  • November 11 – No School - Veterans Day

  • Meeting - Middle School for Fifth Grade Families - Zoom – 6:00 p.m.

  • November 21 – Parent Association Meeting – 6:00 p.m.

  • November 22 – Café Comunitario – 8:30 a.m.

  • November 28, 2024 – No School –Thanksgiving

  • November 29, 2024 – No School –Thanksgiving

 

Staff Work on Tuesday

On Tuesday, public schools will be closed for students, but staff will be working. 

Not everyone on our school staff has the same work to do.  For example, Jazmine (physical education), Mingie (music), Laurie (speech) and Judy (occupational therapy) all will participate in professional learning related to their specialty areas.  For our classroom teachers, however, Tuesday mostly will be dedicated to reading curriculum.

This year, in addition to reading independently and in small groups, K-5 students are working together to read challenging text.  (Please see this letter from last May to find out more about CPE1’s new reading work.  Later in November, I will share more details about our progress so far.)  This new work requires teachers to study and plan together extensively. 

 

Family Conferences Next Week

Family conferences take place on November 7.  We will dismiss at 11:50 that day.

During conferences from pre-K through fifth grade, each child presents their work and talk about their progress.  Children must be part of these discussions.

Citywide, parent-teacher school conferences happen only on one day.  CPE1 teachers add more time slots on other days so that each family can have a longer conference.

Family conferences are important to teachers and to students.  If you have not signed up for a conference yet, you should.  Please reach out to your child’s teachers.

 

After Friday’s holiday, Monday, November 4 will a regular day of school.  We want every child in school that day, because we are really teaching.  Please make sure your child is back in school on Monday.