2016-2017
Family Handbook
P.S. 307 Family Handbook
Table of Contents
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Who We Are
Mission and Core Values
School Hours
Schedule of Classes
Faculty/Staff and Services
Morning Arrival and Afternoon Dismissal
Transportation
Attendance
Medical Information
Field Trips
Cell Phone Policy
Volunteering
Celebrating Birthdays
Health and Wellness
Dress Code
After School and Enrichment
Curriculum and Instruction
Grading and Report Cards
Communication
Safety
Who to Contact
Who is Who?
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Who We Are
The school is named after Daniel Hale Williams who was born in Holidaysburg, Pennsylvania on
January 18, 1856. He was an American general surgeon who, in 1893, performed a successful
pericardium surgery to repair a wound. He also founded Provident Hospital, the first nonsegregated hospital in the United States with an interracial staff.
P.S. 307 was erected in 1965 and serves children from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade. In
2013 we were awarded a Magnet Grant and our theme is STEM. As a Magnet school, we are
open to in-zone and out-of-zone students.
Mission and Core Values
The mission of P.S. 307 is to prepare students to meet all elementary school academic standards
for proficiency and to foster the development of strong character. We believe a nurturing, wellstructured and rigorous education in the core curriculum and the arts, provides children with an
understanding of the world and how it works, and mastery of those math, literacy and higher
order thinking skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing and highly competitive
world. We believe that a well-rounded education in the language arts, math, science, social
studies, the arts and service learning will enable our students to grow both intellectually and
socially. We envision all of our students achieving academic and personal excellence.
We believe children learn best in a classroom environment where they learn to respect each other
as unique individuals and develop responsibility for making right choices. Resiliency is an
important life skill and we encourage students to persist in reaching their goals in spite of
adversity. We believe that the capacity to make reasoned, informed decisions is critical to
success in life. All members of our school community strive to adhere to these guiding
principles with the understanding that they will help us achieve our mission for the students
attending P.S. 307.
School Hours
8:00 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. for all students Monday through Friday
Schedule of Classes
Morning Meeting
Period 1:
Period 2:
Period 3:
Period 4:
Period 5:
Period 6:
Period 7:
Dismissal:
8:00 – 8:15 a.m. (Important and sets the tone for the day)
8:15 – 9:05 a.m.
9:10-10:00 a.m.
10:05 – 10:55 a.m.
10:55 – 11:45 a.m. (Lunch for grades Pre-K, 1, 3, and 5)
11:50 – 12:40 p.m. (Lunch for grades K, 2, 4)
12:40 – 1:30 p.m.
1:30 – 2:20 p.m.
2:20 p.m.
Faculty/Staff and Services
P.S. 307 has approximately 89 staff members which includes Teachers, Paraprofessionals,
Service Providers, School aides, Counselors, Instructional coaches, and Administrators. We are
proud of the ways in which we work together to provide every student with the tools needed to
be successful.
There is an ITT (Integrated Team Teaching) class on each grade with the exception of grade 4.
There is also a self-contained class on each grade level and one or more general education
classes on each grade. There are two bridge classes K/1 and 2/3.
All students who have IEPs receive mandated services which can include one or more of the
following:
Counseling
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Speech Therapy
Part-time or full-time One to one Paraprofessional
School-Based Support Team
Our school-based support team also includes a psychologist, and a social worker. In
collaboration with Administration, Guidance, teachers, and our service providers, the team works
together to assess, review, make recommendations, and support families in making decisions
about services and accommodations in order for their children to be successful.
NYU Lutheran Family Health Center runs the school-based health center (room 140), which
offers medical and dental services for our students. Services include first aid, complete physical
exams and immunizations, treatment for common illnesses, lead testing, hearing and vision
screening, treatment for asthma, diabetes and other chronic conditions, mental health counseling
and referrals to specialists.
Morning Arrival and Afternoon Dismissal
Doors are open at 7:30 for breakfast, free of charge, at the Front Street entrance leading into the cafeteria.
All students enter through the York Street gate and walk through the Big Yard to the cafeteria. By 8:00
a.m. students line up.
Grades 3-5 line-up in the Big yard and are then directed to their classrooms.
1st and 2nd grade lines up in the Front Street play area and teachers escort them to their classrooms.
During inclement weather, teachers meet their students in the auditorium (3-5) or gymnasium (K-2).
Pre-K and Kindergarten families bring their children through the front entrance on York Street and
escort their children to their classrooms for drop off.
Students who arrive after 8:00 a.m. must enter through the main entrance and obtain a late pass.
After 8:00 a.m., all exit doors are secured and alarms are activated. Any students arriving after 8:00 a.m.
must then use the front entrance on York Street and obtain a late pass before going to their classroom.
Dismissal
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Pre-K and Kindergarten are picked up from their classrooms.
Grade 1 is dismissed through Exit 3 (front of the school building, closest to the large school yard)
Grades 2 and 3 are dismissed through Exits 4 and 5 (in the large school yard)
Grades 4 and 5 are dismissed through Exit 8 (to the right of the school front entrance and closest
to the Pre-K school yard)
Any student attending one of the after school programs offered will be met by an after school program
staff member at their dismissal location.
Students who are not picked up at dismissal will be escorted to the cafeteria and staff will attempt to make
contact with the family designee for pick up. It is important that families recognize that late pick up
results in an inconvenience for staff who are assigned to other duties. Students are also emotionally
impacted. Repeated occurrences of late pick- ups will result in a meeting with the Principal and possible
notification to Administration for Children Services (ACS).
Families of students in the upper grades who travel by themselves from school must provide the school
with a signed form granting the school permission to release their child at dismissal and any changes must
be communicated immediately to the teacher and the main office.
Under no circumstances is staff permitted to release students to any one not listed on the Emergency Blue
Card which families fill out at the start of the school year. When dismissing students, staff is instructed to
make visual contact with the family designee before releasing the student. Likewise, we do not send
students outside of the building to meet their parent or family designee even if you call the school. In
each and every case, we must physically see the adult granted authorization before releasing the student.
This is a DOE policy intended to ensure our students’ safety.
Information on General and Special Education Transportation
The Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) offers four services for students to get to school:
1. General Education Transportation
2. Specialized Transportation
3. Student MetroCards- full and half-fare
4. Pre-K and Early Intervention Transportation
Eligibility
*General Education Transportation- depends upon how old your child is and the distance
between your residence and school. If you are unsure whether your child is eligible for GE
transportation, you may contact OPT at 718-392-8855. Have your child’s OSIS# ready, to
facilitate looking up the information.
*Specialized Transportation-this service is for students receiving mandated special education
services as per their IEP (Individualized Education Program). In addition, parents may request
additional medical accommodations based on their child’s special needs by completing a
Medical Accommodation form. The form is then submitted for approval by OSH (Office of
School Health). Forms are available in the School Based Support office, room 102. Return
completed forms to Ms. Figueroa, SPED Coordinator, room 352.
Students receiving special education services at their school but not mandated to receive
specialized transportation per their IEP (Individualized Education Program), may be assigned
stop to school transportation or receive a MetroCard that is valid on MTA subway and buses. If
your child is eligible, you will be informed via a school letter.
*Student MetroCards- for students who are not mandated for specialized transportation.
Eligibility is determined based on Distance codes. This may be found on the OPT website, at
www.optnyc.org. Click on the Services & Eligibility tab.
Any questions related to MetroCards, please see Ms. Gore in the main office.
*Pre-K/EI Transportation- this service is for children under the age of five, who are enrolled in
special education Pre-K or Early Intervention programs. They are eligible for curb-to-curb
yellow bus service as indicated by an IEP(Individualized Education Program). For further
information, contact Early Childhood Coordinator, Marie Schoen at
[email protected].
Q&A
How do I know which bus route my child has been assigned?
Call OPT and provide them with your child’s OSIS# (student ID).
What should I do if my child’s bus does not show to pick him up?
It is recommended that you first call the bus company, NOT the school, to inquire about not
picking up your child. Then call OPT, if you can’t get through to bus company.
I have an address change and want continued bus services for my child. What do I do?
You must provide the new address to the school. The new address will be updated in the ATS
system. Then contact OPT to ensure the information was received. It usually takes 48 hours to
update in the system.
The bus is always late with picking up and dropping off. What should I do?
Call OPT and file a complaint ASAP.
Important reminders:
Exchange contact information with your child’s bus matron.
Ensure that OPT has accurate address and contact information.
When calling OPT, customer service agents always have your child’s OSIS# ready.
Relay any important information to the bus matron as it pertains to any allergies your child may
have, sensitivities, or medical conditions to ensure safety.
Important contact information:
Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT): 718-392-8855 (5:30a.m-7:30pm)
School Secretary, Ms. Gore: 718-834-4748
Early Childhood Coordinator, Ms. Schoen: [email protected]
ASD Horizon/SPED Coordinator, Ms. Figueroa: [email protected] 718-834-4748
ext. 3521
Early Pick-up
No early pick-up will be accommodated between 1:40 – 2:20 p.m., except in the case of an emergency or
an illness. In cases where the child will be picked up early for a medical appointment or other scheduled
appointment, families are asked to communicate this information with the main office in the morning so
that teachers can adequately prepare the student prior to dismissing them and with minimal disruption to
important teaching and learning.
Late Arrival
Every minute of every school day provides students with valuable learning opportunities and studies
show that good attendance and punctuality is connected to improved student achievement. We believe
that it is important that children learn, early on, the importance of being on time and in school every day
and that they value time spent learning. Also, our teachers utilize the first few minutes of the day to bring
the class together in Morning Meeting. This is a time when the class greets each other and engages in our
social emotional curriculum which helps to set a positive and settling tone for the day. Missing out on
this time minimizes students’ conduciveness to learning and to developing healthy relationships with their
teachers and peers.
We are also aware that sometimes late arrivals are inevitable, due to medical appointments and
unforeseen circumstances. If your child will be late, please notify the main office and we will inform the
teacher.
Attendance
Attendance is closely monitored throughout the school year, not just by our school, but also by the NYC
Department of Education. We want our students here every day and on time because we know that high
attendance rates means better learning outcomes for all. Patterns of repeated absences and tardiness will
be addressed by administration. If you have any concerns, we ask that you reach out to the Parent
Coordinator and/or our Guidance Counselor for support.
In the event that your child is absent due to illness or an unforeseen circumstance, please contact the main
office before the end of that school day so that we may inform the teacher. The teacher will make every
effort to communicate any missed assignments and pertinent information so that your child can return to
school prepared.
When your child returns, please provide the main office with a written explanation for absence and/or a
doctor’s note for our records. You may also fax us or send an email to your teacher or the school
secretary, [email protected].
If your child will be out for an extended period of time, a medical note and explanation must be provided
to the main office for recording purposes.
In the event that you are moving and you are not planning to have your child remain at P.S. 307, you must
immediately inform us and provide the name and location of the school where you plan to register your
child. This helps to avoid having your child remain on our roster as our system will record your child as
being absent from school.
Medications and Illness
Whenever a child must be on long-term medication that needs to be administered during the school day,
families must fill out the necessary form (504 form). These forms are to be completed and signed by the
physician and delivered to our school nurse.
Allergies – WE ARE A PEANUT FREE SCHOOL!
Life-threatening allergy problems should be brought to the immediate attention of school administration
and the school nurse. The nurse is trained to administer necessary medication.
Illness
If a child becomes ill at school, we will contact the individuals listed on the student’s emergency contact
card. Please make sure that the information on these cards is kept current and that contact can be made.
Field Trips
At P.S. 307, we refer to Field Trips as Field Work Experiences. This is because we design these
experiences to ensure that students learn through interactive engagement with the resources that our city
provides. We encourage our teachers to plan these “trips” with clear goals for student learning and to
include a follow up component. Field work experiences are an important part of our academic program,
including our STEM program.
Permission Slips
We never want to leave any child behind when going on a field work experience and every trip outside
the school grounds requires a separate consent form and trip plan. Please complete and sign these forms
when they are sent home. No student will be allowed to attend without a signed permission slip.
Policy on Cell Phones and Electronic Devices
Students are permitted to bring the following electronic items to school: 1) cell phones; 2)
laptops, tablets, iPads and other similar computing devices (“computing devices”); and 3)
portable music and entertainment systems, such as iPods, MP3 players, PSP, and Nintendo DS.
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The use of cell phones, computing devices and portable music and entertainment
systems at school is subject to the restrictions below.
1. Cell phones may not be turned on or used during instructional time, except for
instructional and educational purposes with the explicit approval of the teacher.
2. Cell phones and portable music and entertainment systems may not be turned on or
used during the administration of any school quiz, test or examination at P.S. 307
Daniel Hale Williams Magnet School for STEM Studies.
3. Computing devices may not be turned on or used at P.S. 307 Daniel Hale Williams
Magnet School for STEM Studies during the administration of any school quiz,
test or examination, except where such use has been explicitly authorized by the
school or is contained in an Individualized Education Program or Section 504
Accommodation Plan
4. Use of cell phones, computing devices, portable music and entertainment systems
and other electronic devices at PS 307 Daniel Hale Williams Magnet School for
STEM Studies during the administration of state standardized examinations is
governed by State Education Department Rules.
5. Cell phones, computing devices and portable music and entertainment systems at
P.S. 307 Daniel Hale Williams Magnet School for STEM Studies may not be
turned on or used during school fire drills or other emergency preparedness
exercises.
6. Cell phones, computing devices, and portable music and entertainment systems
may not be used in bathrooms at P.S. 307 Daniel Hale Williams Magnet School
for STEM Studies.
7. During after-school, school-sponsored programs or activities the same policies
apply.
Confiscation and return of electronic items
The following procedures will be implemented for students who are in violation of the school
based policy involving cell phones, computing devices, portable music and entertainment
systems at P.S. 307 Daniel Hale Williams Magnet School for STEM Studies.
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Confiscation of item and return following parent conference.
Volunteering
Last year, we began our Families as Partners initiative with a goal of engaging as many of our
families as possible in supporting our school wide efforts. We depend on our volunteers and
value their contributions. Volunteers who are committed to helping students be successful are
important members of the school team. There are multiple ways that you can serve the students,
staff and administration and it is always greatly appreciated.
Types of Volunteer Assignments
* Class Parents (1-2) works with the teacher to coordinate activities that promote academic,
cultural, and social learning, (birthday parties, sorting, filing, etc.)
* Rise and Shine (arrival, breakfast, and transition to classrooms)
* Lunch/Recess/PreK in-class lunch
* Salad Bar
* Class Sponsor – someone who will obtain resources that will enhance the learning experiences
of students resources can be bought or donated
* Theme Expert – you will be called upon to speak on a related topic or find an expert that
inspires and motivates our students, (STEM, Transportation, Florist, Diplomat, etc. with the
possible scheduling of an office visit)
* Trip Chaperones – accompanies the class on trips
* Academic Buddy – you will be scheduled to visit the class to assist students with reading,
math, writing and other academic activities
Those interested in volunteering must first attend one of the many volunteering orientation
sessions that will be offered throughout the school year. Families are then invited in for training,
receive a handbook and must sign a confidentiality agreement before commencing any volunteer
assignment.
Chaperones
Teachers or class parents will reach out to parents for volunteers to chaperone all class trips.
Birthdays and Celebrations
P.S. 307 believes in celebrating important milestones and accomplishments. Keep in mind, however, that
teachers need adequate advance notice (one week) if you wish to bring goodies to celebrate your child’s
birthday. Please be flexible with your teacher, as she or he will provide you with a time/date that does not
disrupt important teaching and learning. Also, please refer to our health and wellness initiative guidelines
in this handbook when planning what to bring.
We do discourage stopping instruction during the school day to celebrate birthdays from third grade on,
as these are important testing grades. In all cases, however, teachers and the class will recognize
birthdays during Morning Meeting if families permit.
Health and Wellness Foods Initiative
Last year the School Wellness Council, made up of parents, staff, the school based health clinic,
lunchroom staff, and administrators, collectively made the decision as to what food and
beverages will/will not be allowed in our school beginning September 2016. This in an effort to
promote healthy habits across our entire school community!
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Chocolate milk will only be offered on Fridays, as opposed to everyday to cut back on
the amount of sugar that is consumed. This will also teach moderation, showing students
that it’s not bad to consume these things, just not every day.
Students will be given a P.S.307 water bottle and will be encouraged to use it to stay
hydrated throughout the day. There is a new filtered water bottle filling station located in
the cafeteria, along with a Britta pitcher in each classroom.
The salad bar will be offered every day to give students access to fresh fruits and
vegetables.
This new policy will also include classroom teachers not giving out candy as rewards
and/or for celebrations.
Birthday celebration policy: only cupcakes and 100% juice boxes are allowed.
Birthday party invitations will not be distributed in class unless every child receives one.
Please sign up to be part of the School Wellness Council and the Garden Committee!
You can help us promote healthy eating habits by sending your child to school with healthy
snacks and beverages. Suggested foods include: fresh fruit, cheese sticks, fruit snacks, pretzels,
hummus, baby carrots, dried fruit, cereal, crackers, popcorn, rice cakes, and 100% juice and/or
water.
Things that will not be allowed this year: candy of any kind, soda, and artificial juices. Also,
we will be closely enforcing our “Nut Free School Zone” policy due to students with severe nut
allergies.
If you have any questions, feel free to speak to members of the School Wellness Council or
Amelia William, Science Magnet Resource Specialist. We look forward to celebrating health
and wellness with you and your child for years to come!
Lost and Found
The lost and found is located in the main office. If items are not collected within 3 weeks, we donate the
items to Goodwill. Please see the main office as soon as possible to inquire.
Dress Code
P.S. 307 has a non-mandated uniform policy. Pants, slacks, skirts, dresses are navy blue and tops
are either pale yellow or light blue. Sweaters are navy blue. None of these items have a logo.
You can pick up these items at any store that carries school uniform clothing, such as Cookies on
Fulton Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Afterschool and Enrichment Programs
Kids Orbit
Kids Orbit operates for a fee full-scale after-school program for Pre-K and up until 6 pm daily
that supervises homework and provides a variety of enrichment activities ranging from sports to
art, music and drama. Parents may choose three, four, or five day options for a monthly fee or
arrange for drop-in service if they pre-register their child. www.kidsorbit.org.
Dodge YMCA
The Dodge YMCA provides a free after-school program that focuses on learning enhancement,
health and recreation, and building competence and confidence in children. Malorie Bernadel is
the Program Director. [email protected].
BFS Horizons
Horizons @ Brooklyn Friends School is an academic enrichment program serving low-income
public school children living in the Brooklyn Navy Yard area. Horizons provides our students
with the academic support they need to stay on grade level, while simultaneously offering a rich
and diverse enrichment curriculum through a six-week summer program as well as after-school.
Pick-up from P.S. 307 with school bus for Kindergarten and up. Kids get accepted by teacher’s
recommendation and Principal’s approval. They stay in the program through 8th grade. Contact
Rachel Webber [email protected].
Boys & Girls Club (offsite)
The Madison Square Boys & Girls Club at 240 Nassau Street is a free after school club that
serves up to 200 students. Contact Gregory Fox at [email protected].
PowerPlay NYC!
PowerPlay advances the lives of girls in New York City, helping them grow physically,
emotionally and academically stronger.
They create opportunities for girls ages 6 through 21 by partnering with schools and CBOs in
NYC to conduct after-school and summer programs that emphasize physical fitness and
education. Using sports as our hook, they build girls’ confidence and resiliency from the insideout and create safe spaces where girls learn from one another and from strong female role
models.
This year we are taking applications for 2nd and 3rd grade girls. Please express your interest to
Ms. Guzman, Assistant Principal at [email protected].
Curriculum and Instruction
We believe that a curriculum aligned to the Common Core Standards and what students need to know,
understand, and be able to do in the 21st century is essential. We take great care in selecting curriculum
that has the potential to be engaging, relevant, and rigorous. While it is expected that we follow the
curriculum, teachers at P.S. 307 know that a curriculum alone is not enough. Careful planning, based on
individual student needs as well as using best practices that allow every child to be successful in
demonstrating mastery of content and skills enables teachers to make the curriculum work for them, not
the other way around.
STEM
STEM Family Night will be held the 3 Wednesday of every month.
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Science
The S in STEM is critical. Science is taught by all classroom teachers and is expected to be
integrated whenever possible into English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and the
Arts. We follow the New York State Scope and Sequence for K-5 along with the Next Generation
Science Standards. To bring contextual meaning to these standards in an age appropriate manner the
P.S.307 Curriculum Writing Committee has written two unique units entitled, The Self (taught in the
Fall) and The Environment (taught in the Spring).
Through our partnership with OmniLearn, teachers have learned to become facilitators rather
disseminators of knowledge. To that end, Omni Learn provides curriculum support guides, hands-on
labs, equipment, and assessments. P.S.307 has four dedicated spaces to STEM, two science labs, one
engineering/math lab (Maker Space) and one technology lab. Teachers are supported by our two inhouse Magnet Resource Specialists, as well the ongoing support from the OmniLearn staff. In order
to make math more meaningful and applicable to real life, Go Math and Exemplars are specifically
linked to each and every science unit across the grades.
We will hold a school-wide STEM Exhibition the week of April 24 and selected projects and student
representatives will attend both the District 13 STEM Expo in May and the STEM Matters NYC
Elementary Science Expo in June.
For science all staff, students, and families have access to WeatherBug Achieve, an interactive
website that feeds local weather data from our very weather station on the roof of P.S. 307.
Technology
The T in STEM is seen across the school in many different ways. Every classroom is equipped
with SMART Board Technology which facilitates their learning through interactive lessons,
activities, and educational videos or software. We not only have five 3D printers in our
MakerSpace that students utilize to enhance their learning, but also have a Mobile A+ STEM cart
in the Lower School STEM Lab. This cart has multiple functions, for example, it has a built in
remote control assessment tool, digital microscopes, sensors, etc. We have laptops (both MAC
and PC), as well as iPads and desktop computers in the classroom. P.S. 307 has a full
functioning Technology Lab (Rm. 328) with desktop computers. Teachers are able to sign up for
time slots to use the lab as a whole class. P.S. 307 also has many subscriptions to online portals
that support teaching and instruction - Flocabulary, Exemplars, BrainPop, Super Teacher
Worksheets, Reading A-Z, etc.
Engineering
The E in STEM comes to life not only in our classrooms and labs, but through our many
partnerships. We work closely with CUNY Civil Engineers through hands-on, interactive labs
that expose students to the many different types of engineering. This partnership also offers an
after-school bridge building clinic in January and Saturday workshops for parents and their
children to work tougher to deepen their understanding of engineering. Last year our second
graders became civil engineers as they worked with Construction Kids to learn tool safety and
the process of building their own bridges. The skills learned with this partnership by both staff
and students will be carried over to this school year. This year we are piloting an engineering
curriculum entitled Engineering is Elementary. Throughout the year teachers will receive
training and eventually every class will be using this program as one of the many avenues to
teach engineering.
Maker Space/Engineering and Math Lab
Each month there will be a Maker Challenge for classes to complete. Math
P.S. 307 supplements its Go Math curriculum with Exemplar Math Problem Solving, Number
Talks, Number Strings and contextualized mathematical investigations from the Contexts for
Learning curriculum. Exemplar problem solving provides students with regular, structured
opportunities to investigate real world problems using mathematical models and to communicate
their thinking. Number Strings are series of computational problems developed in a sequence
that intentionally push students to make connections and build automaticity and fluency in
computation. The Contexts for Learning curriculum, based on the work of Math in the City,
engages students in rich mathematical problem solving that is grounded in real world
contexts. We believe this focus on problem solving encourages students to mathematize their
world, deepens mathematical thinking and prepares our students for the demands of the
21st century.
Reading and Writing
The Teachers College Reading and Writing Project nurtures and supports students with the skills
necessary to become lifelong readers, writers and thinkers. Students are exposed to a multitude
of genres and are given the opportunity to write in various forms and across content areas.
Children are given a significant amount of time to read high-interest books with engagement.
The workshop style allows students to discuss and grow ideas. Small-group instruction and oneto-one conferring aid learners in deepening strategies, self-assessing and setting goals that
empower them to take ownership of their reading and writing lives.
Social Studies
At P.S. 307 we pace our Social Studies instruction using the New York City K-8 (2014-2015)
Social Studies Scope & Sequence. During school year 2015-2016, teams of teachers worked
collaboratively to design a comprehensive and interdisciplinary plan for their grade’s Social
Studies Units. They used a project-based approach and incorporated components of STEM
instruction. The goal of each unit is for students to understand and investigate important issues in
the world around them and design solutions to solve these problems using thinking and
processing skills.
Visual Art Program
The visual art program at P.S. 307 gives students the opportunity to explore various art media
and methods, and to learn about art traditions and artists from diverse cultures and time periods.
Instruction stays appropriate to artistic development in children. For example, the art curriculum
for Pre-K students focuses mostly on exploring different art materials for the very important
purpose of discovering what those materials can do. This exploration is how they develop their
knowledge of how they can employ different art materials. Throughout the years they will
continue to build upon and use this knowledge to create rich and expressive artwork.
As children get older, exploration of materials and methods remain extremely important, but
instruction is designed to push them further to use their knowledge of materials and methods to
explore experiences and ideas through art making and to visually communicate ideas. Students’
artistic skills, development and knowledge is scaffolded and supported through units and lessons
in which students are exposed to different artists and traditions, including architecture, and are
introduced to different depiction and construction strategies to help them represent various
experiences, narratives, ideas and subject matter.
The art curriculum is extremely varied in terms of media and methods. Students explore media
such as pencil, charcoal, oil pastels, watercolor, tempera, paper, cardboard, wood, fabric, yarn,
clay, and found objects. Students learn methods such as drawing (expressive, schematic,
representational, and observational), painting, 3D construction, assemblage, clay sculpting,
collage, mosaics, and printmaking. This variety is important for its own sake but also gives
different students with different strengths opportunities to thrive, empowering them with a strong
sense of efficacy and building their confidence.
Art instruction at P.S. 307 strives to teach students that they are all highly creative and capable of
making great artwork; it is effort, open-minded thinking, and creative risk-taking that are
required to do well in art class.
Music Program
Ms. Skinner and Mr. Campbell are proud to implement two “Music and the Brain” keyboard labs
and a wide assortment of classroom instruments as part of the general music curriculum. Unlike
many schools, every class at P.S. 307 has music at least once a week in a dedicated music
classroom. Pre-K classes learn movement, rhythmic notation, and begin to learn to play a variety
of different instruments. Kindergarten through Grade 2 builds on those instrumentation skills,
with a primary focus on the keyboard. Grades 3-5 begin to introduce guitar and percussion, while
allowing students the opportunity to showcase their accumulated hands-on skills by auditioning
for after-school performance ensembles. Cumulatively, a student who has completed the Pre-K
through Grade 5 Music Program Experience, will be capable of playing a number of instruments,
have a firm grasp on rhythmic notation concepts, and have gained performance experience.
The music department also offers three opportunities to be in a performing ensemble: the North
Brooklyn Children’s Choir, the P.S. 307 Instrumental Band, and the P.S. 307 Rock Band. The
choir gives children the chance to use their voice while learning material for 2 concerts each
school year. The P.S. 307 Instrumental Band provides flutes, clarinets, trombones, trumpets, and
alto saxophones, requiring no prior experience to join. The P.S. 307 Rock Band offers electric
guitar, bass, drum set, vocals, and keyboard. Students audition at the beginning of the year for
these groups, and perform in school wide assemblies throughout the year. Music rocks at P.S.
307!
Report Cards
Report cards are distributed three times a year, during Student-led conferences in November and
March and on the last day of school.
Interim progress reports are distributed in late December and early May. Please reach out to
your child’s teacher should you have any concerns upon receiving a progress report.
Communication
We have a number of systems and structures for communication with families in place:
P.S. 307 WEBSITE: www.ps307.com is updated regularly.
Here you will find the calendar,
information on academic and enrichment programs, volunteering opportunities and messages from your
child’s teacher. Please check it weekly, at a minimum.
Blackboard Connect School Messenger System
Periodically families will receive announcements on upcoming events, as well as alerts. In order to
ensure receipt please make sure the school has the correct phone and email contact information.
Weekly Notes
Classroom teachers are expected to communicate with families on a weekly basis via the grade team’s
weekly notes that are posted on the P.S. 307 website ps307.com every week. Included in this note are:
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Big ideas for the week in reading, writing, math, social studies, and science, and the 4R’s.
Any relevant news, birthdays, field trips, celebrations, projects, etc.
Any appeals for volunteering in the classroom.
Tips
Homework information
Reminders
Class Parent/Guardian
All classes will designate at least one classroom parent/guardian who will assist in communicating with
the rest of the families and support the teacher. If there is more than one class parent/guardian, they
should be encouraged to work together to ensure one voice. The objective of having a class
parent/guardian is to facilitate the teacher’s ability to communicate with all the families and to help ensure
equitable attainment of resources by all students.
Back to School Family Night
In the month of September the school invites families to a Back to School/Curriculum Orientation. Each
classroom and cluster teacher prepares a well-informed presentation for families in order to provide the
following information:
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Overview of the curriculum in Math, Science, Reading, Writing, and Social Studies
Overview of 4R’s curriculum
Resources for families to support their children with engaging in the curriculum (ie. Math games,
recommended readings, cultural institutions to visit)
Classroom rules and procedures
Clarity around your expectations for how students should organize their work
Opportunities for Volunteering in the classroom
Invitation to become a Classroom Parent/Guardian
How to get in touch with you
Information on Student-led Conferences
Family Night will be held on Thursday, September 22nd.
November and March Student-Led Conferences
During the month of November and March, families are invited in to participate in a presentation of
learning given by their child and facilitated by the teacher.
A student-led conference is a meeting with a student and his or her family and teachers during which the
student shares his or her portfolio of work and discusses progress with family members. Depending on
the grade level, the student more or less facilitates the meeting from start to finish.
Students and teachers prepare for these conferences beginning on the first day of school and throughout
the semester through organized and meaningful teaching and learning experiences that promote studentengaged assessment.
This school year, student-led conferences will be held on November 3rd and March 9th.
Spring Families as Learners – May 17th
The classroom is set up for students to lead their families through a series of activities that engage them in
what their child is learning in Math, English Language Arts, Social Studies and STEM. During this time
families may also meet with the teacher to discuss any areas of concern such as promotional status,
support needed, academic enrichment, and academic or social emotional learning habits.
Coffee and Conversation with Principal Carroll
Three times a school year, Principal Stephanie Carroll hosts informal coffee and conversations
with families in each grade band. This is an opportunity for families to speak with Ms. Carroll in
an informal setting to address topics of concern, to ask questions and to share thoughts and
suggestions. Last year’s Coffee and Conversations were very productive, with many ideas and
suggestions from families being later implemented.
Safety and Safety First
Of extreme importance to us is the safety of all of our students and staff. All staff are responsible for
working together to ensure a safe and orderly environment in order for students to academically and
socially thrive.
Safety Committee
While all staff members are responsible for exercising safety and following protocols, there is a schoolwide Safety Committee made up of P.S. 307 staff and PTA members. Members of the committee meet
monthly to discuss issues related to safety. Procedures and interventions related to safety are also
discussed in these meetings. (See Chancellor’s Regulation A-414)
The School Safety Committee holds at least one annual meeting which is open to all parents of our
school. These meetings allow parents to raise and discuss safety concerns regarding the school,
including, but not limited to, matters relating to school safety agents.
Building Response Team
While all staff members are instructed that they are expected to respond and follow protocols set forth by
the Department of Education when faced with an emergency situation, the BRT is the first line, activating
the response that should be taken by the entire school.
Response Protocols
The following scenarios and protocols are communicated with staff prior to the opening of the school
year.
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Missing Student Protocol
Hard Lock Down Protocol (threat is in the building)
Shelter In Protocol (threat is outside the building)
Fire Protocol
Evacuation Protocol
All staff members are responsible for immediate response and adherence to the protocols in the event that
the BRT activates a response.
Drills
Throughout the school year, the school conducts drills that serve to prepare the staff and students in the
event of a real emergency. Communication with families and the students is made prior to any drill being
conducted.
Door Alarms
As an added measure of safety all school exits are equipped with alarms. All staff members, guests, and
visitors are required to enter and exit through the main entrance after 8:00 a.m. until dismissal. The
alarms are reactivated following dismissal.
Signing In and Out
All visitors, including parents, are required by law to show appropriate photo identification and sign-in
with the School Safety Agent on duty at the main entrance of the school. Visitors will receive a pass that
must be worn at all times while in the building. After signing in, all visitors are required to report to the
main office to explain the reason for their visit and to sign the Visitor’s Log. Upon leaving the school
building, all visitors must return their pass to the safety agent on duty and all visitors must exit through
the main entrance.
We have asked staff to respectfully report any individual who is not a staff member and does not have a
visible visitor’s pass to the main office and to the safety agent on duty.
Safety Agents
In order to ensure maximum safety for students, staff and visitors, we ask that you do not socialize with
school safety agents during the school day. School safety agents have an important function in the school
and must be attentive to the safety and security of the building at all times.
Communicating School-day Emergencies
P.S. 307 has a comprehensive plan to handle emergencies during the school day. In the event of
a school-wide emergency, families will be contacted via our Blackboard Connect School
Messenger system as early as possible. In order to ensure that you receive alerts, it is critically
important that you have provided us with an email address and phone number, as reflected on the
Emergency Contact card. Please ensure that any changes to email addresses or phone numbers
are shared with our Parent Coordinators, Mr. Crosland or Ms. Green, as well as the main office.
Citywide Emergencies, Extreme Conditions, or Major Storm/Snow Days
In the case of a citywide emergency, extreme conditions, or a major storm, the Chancellor will
make an announcement about any school cancellations or delayed openings. This announcement
is made in consultation with other city officials, such as the mayor. You can always check the
home page of the New York City Department of Education website, http://www.schools.nyc.gov
WHO TO ASK ABOUT WHAT
Here are some functional guidelines for families when needing assistance:
If your concern is about:
Your child’s academic
progress
Your child’s well-being and
emotional development
You should contact (in
priority order)
1. Your child’s teacher
2. Parent Coordinator
Guidance Counselor
Alexis Edwards
Activities in your child’s
classroom
Curriculum (The overall,
subject or school-wide
curriculum)
1. Your child’s teacher
2. Class parent
1. School Leadership
Team
2. Assistant Principal
3. Principal
School issues other than
curriculum
1. PTA
2. Class Parent
3. Principal
Your child’s Individualized
Education Plan (IEP)
Volunteering,
Communications,
Community Relations
1. IEP Teacher
PTA issues (volunteering,
fundraising, community
relations)
1. Magnet Resource
Specialists
2. PTA
PTA
Best way to reach out
1.
2.
1.
2.
Note, DOE email
In person, DOE email
Call the school
Email:
[email protected]
1.Note, DOE email
2. Email or phone
1. Email
2. Phone, email –
[email protected]
3. Phone, email,
[email protected]
1. Note, email
2. Email or phone
3. Phone, email
[email protected]
1. Phone, email
[email protected]
1. Amelia Williams
[email protected]
2. Servena Narine
[email protected]
1. Note in mailbox in main
office
2. Email
Who is Who?
Stephanie Carroll
Principal
Maria Guzman
Assistant Principal
Marie Schoen
Early Childhood Coordinator
Elizabeth Figueroa
ASD/Special Education Coordinator
Noemi Alers
Administrative Assistant
Servena Narine
Magnet Resource Specialist
Amelia Williams
Magnet Resource Specialist/Science Coordinator
Jocardo Ralston
IEP Teacher
Willie Crosland
Parent Coordinator
Kathleen Green
Parent Coordinator
Paul Russo
Behavioral Psychologist
Alexis Edwards
Guidance Counselor
Carol Gore
School Secretary
But What About…?
This is a living document. Any other issues, omissions, or inaccuracies you feel should be
addressed in this handbook should be emailed to Stephanie Carroll ([email protected])
at your earliest convenience so that they can appear or be corrected.