Category: Public School

NYC Students Must Attend Kindergarten The Year They Turn Five

Posted on by Mahalia Watson

The NYC DOE has a new regulation that states students must attend kindergarten in the year they turn five by December 31st, according to NY1.  This seems to contradict a new law enacted in 2012 that set the cut-off date for kindergarten in New York City at December 1st.  According to this law it would seem that kids who are five years old by December 1st attend kindergarten in the year they turn five.  Others would wait until the following year.  But a key word in the law is "authorize".  The law states:

The board of education of the Syracuse city school district AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK [is] ARE hereby authorized to require minors who are five years of age on or before December first to attend kindergarten instruction.

Authorizing the DOE to make a change to a rule is not the same as requiring it to do so and it seems that the DOE has chosen not to change the cut off date from December 31st to December 1st.

What this means is, of course, that there will be some kids who start kindergarten in September who are just 4 years old but will turn 5 by the end of the year as is currently the case.  Currently, parents could opt to not send their children to school that early and have them start kindergarten the following year when they were 5 in September.  It's not easy to find a public school in New York City that does this, but they do exist.  Starting this year that will no longer be an option.  If parents want their child to attend Kindergarten they must do so in the year they turn 5.  No exceptions.  If they opt not to send them to kindergarten then then must start in 1st grade the following year.

Starting school at such an early age is not appropriate for every child, especially those that have not yet developed the impulse control to be a part of academic learning environment.

What are your thoughts?  Do you agree with the DOE?  Should kids start kindergarten at age 5?


		
			


	





	

		
Public Pre-K Spots Still Available For September 2013
		

			Posted on  by Mahalia Watson		

			


	
			
		
LeeCMOM2There is still time to apply to free community-based organizations (CBOs) pre-k programs for September but spots are limited.  CBO programs are publicly funded (free) but are not in schools.  All info and application are available online at the DOE Website.

		
			


	







	

		
Hunter College Elementary School Application Available
		

			Posted on  by Admin		

			


	
			
		
The Application for 2013 kindergarten admission to Hunter College Elementary School (HCES) is available today.  For the first time HCES is using an online only application.


A lot of people are curious about this school so we got a Hunter parent to weigh in.


Facts


Hunter College Elementary School is a public elementary school 


Despite being a publicly funded, tuition free school HCES is NOT part of the NYC Department of Education and is therefore not subject to DOE rules. Like all public schools, HCES does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or disability.  Admission is for students who reside in Manhattan only.


HCES is for gifted students


HCES is a coed laboratory school that serves children in grades K through 6 who have been identified as intellectually gifted by Hunter's admission process.


Admission is based on a test


There are actually 2 rounds of assessment for admission to Hunter.  In the first round students are administered a modified version of the Stanford-Binet exam by one of Hunter's approved testers.  Round 1 starts after parents submit an online application, available today.  Test scores are sent to parents and to the school.  In December the eligibility score for Round 2 is determined.  Children who score at or above this score will be invited to the Round 2 on-site assessment.  Please see the HCES admissions website for detailed information about the process.


Fiction


HCES is basically a free private school


No, it's not.  HCES is publicly funded, chartered by the Board of Trustees of the City University of New York and administered by Hunter College.  Some of the extra trappings parents might expect at private schools are not at Hunter.  What the school offers is a challenging, innovative curriculum that emphasizes critical and creative thinking for students who are self-motivated, independent and inventive learners.


Students are subjected to standardized tests like all other public schools


Standardized tests are a fact of life at Hunter just like other public schools.  However, the test students take, the CTP, is used to guide instruction and not to rate teachers and/or the school itself.  Hunter is not a part of the DOE so it does not administer NY State standardized tests and is not subject to ‘No Child Left Behind’ or any other NY state education mandates.


 


Many people enter the Hunter application process thinking they don’t stand a chance and are pleasantly surprised when their child is offered a spot.  If you are a Manhattan resident and think this school might be a good fit for your child I urge you to go through the application process but be prepared for any outcome.


Applications for 2013 are available today.   Hey, you never know.



		
			


	





	

		
NYS 2012 ELA & Math Test Results Released Today
		

			Posted on  by Admin		

			


	
			
		
The NYC Public Schools 2012 test scores for ELA & Math in Grades 3-8 were released today.  The complete data available here


Summary by school district and individual school results here






For Harlem and Upper Manhattan:


District 3 pgs 751-757


District 4 pgs 758-783


District 5 pgs 784-801


District 6 pgs 802-816





		
			


	





	

		
Updated NYC Elementary School Zone Maps Produced by NYC Parent
		

			Posted on  by Admin		

			


	
			
		
NYC School Maps is a new service providing up-to-date and comprehensive NYC elementary school zone maps, created by New York City parent, Kristi Barlow.  Their school zone maps include all public elementary school zones, all unzoned elementary public schools, all elementary charter schools, and all districts--all color coded for easy reading.  The available Manhattan map, 36" high, covers everything south of 126th Street.  They have plans to cover upper Manhattan in the future (you can help make that happen by going to the site and requesting it on the "Future Maps" page).








Digital maps are $8, printed maps $20.  Both come with ongoing digital updates (so you will always have up to date information) and an information packet that includes comprehensive lists of the schools with contact info and links.




The Manhattan map will be on display at our upcoming event, "How to Research and Choose a School For Your Child - A Conversation with Peg Tyre" on Tuesday, May 22nd at Kidberry.




See NY Times story here.




So what do you think?  Will you be purchasing one of these maps?  Please leave your comments below.



		
			


	





	

		
How to Research and Choose a School For Your Child – A Conversation With Peg Tyre
		

			Posted on  by Admin		

			


	
			
		
In just one week we will be hosting Peg Tyre at Kidberry.  The topic of the night is one that we are all talking about now, “How to Research and Choose a School For Your Child.”


The quality of education in our neighbourhood schools can be shockingly inadequate and recent school reforms are missing the mark.  Our system of school choice in New York can be confusing for even the most informed and organized parents.  How can we tell the difference between a good school and a substandard one?  You need more than just test scores to get the whole story.


Peg Tyre, award winning journalist and author of, “The Good School – How Smart Parents Get Their Kids the Education They Deserve,” will discuss ways for parents to constructively engage teachers and administrators and make critical judgments about their children’s education.  Whether you're enrolling for the first time or you are at a school that may not be the right fit, you can gain from this discussion.


Please join us.


Date:  Tuesday, May 22, 2012


Time:  6:30 pm – 8:00 pm


Location:  Kidberry – 2046 7th Avenue (Between 122nd & 123rd Street)


Tickets:  $25/person (Limited financial aid available.  Contact info@letstalkschools.com for details)


Open to the public.  Registration is required at http://howtochoosebestschool.eventbrite.com


5.20.2012  Just added - NYC public school parent Kristi Barlow, of NYC Elementary School Maps, will have her Manhattan map on display and available for purchase at the event.

		
			


	





	

		
NYC 2012 Pre-Kindergarten Admissions Period Begins
		

			Posted on  by Admin		

			


	
			
		
Application season for the 2012/2013 school year is in full swing.  Kindergarten admission ended on Friday, and today, the month-long pre-kindergarten session begins.


The NYC Department of Education offers Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) programs for eligible 4 year olds who reside in New York City.  UPK programs


provide a nurturing environment where children’s natural curiosity is used as a springboard to learn skills that are necessary for success in school.  In pre-kindergarten, children learn how to share, take turns and work in groups.  They also develop the skills that form the foundation for reading, writing, and mathematics.


All UPK programs are free of charge.  Programs can be half-day or full-day; half-day programs may take place in the morning or afternoon.  Programs are available at select public schools and at many community-based organizations (CBOs).  CBOs are independent groups that contract with the Department of Education to provide pre-kindergarten programs and other services to families. 

 


Starting today, March 5, you can submit a pre-k application in person at an Enrollment Office or online.  Applications  deadline for public school programs is Thursday, April 5.  The Pre-Kindergarten Directory is available at your local borough enrollment office and at the DOE  pre-k webpage.


Before you begin the application, review the Pre-K directory  and brochure and become familiar with the Universal Pre-Kindergarten programs in your community.  Take time to gather as much information as possible; visit schools and attend open house events or tours.


New York's Universal Pre-K program facts:


- All universal pre-k programs are free of charge for children born in 2008 who reside in New York City


- Even though all 4 year olds are eligible, a seat in a public universal pre-k program is not guaranteed


- Programs can be half day (two and a half hours, AM/morning or PM/afternoon) or full day (six hours and twenty minutes)


- Programs are housed in public schools or in community based organizations, and each has their own separate application process.  You can find the CBO application directory online here.  To apply, contact each site directly to obtain specific information.


- Admissions are NOT first come first serve.  Placement offers are made based on standardized admission priorities.


- Public school spots are given by lottery.  First preference is given to Zoned students with a verified sibling who will be in grades K-5 in the school in September 2012.  Additional admission priorities are detailed in the Pre-K Brochure.


- Applications available online or at a borough enrollment office only.  Do not apply by mail.  You may apply for a number of schools in one submission and rank those schools by order of preference.


There are information sessions in each borough starting next week.  Representatives from the Office of Student Enrollment and the Office of Early Childhood Education will be available at the sessions to answer your questions.  The sessions are often crowded so be sure to arrive early.


Pre-Kindergarten Information Sessions


All sessions will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.


 


Brooklyn


March 12, 2012


Sunset Park High School


153 35th Street


 


Manhattan


March 15, 2012


The High School of Fashion Industries


225 West 24th Street


 


Queens


March 19, 2012


Flushing High School


35-01 Union Street


 


Bronx


March 20, 2012


P.S. 121 Throop


2750 Throop Avenue


 


Staten Island


March 22, 2012


P.S. 69 Daniel D. Tompkins


144 Keating Place


Once your application is complete the waiting begins.  Notifications are not sent out until early June.






		
			


	





	

		
Kindergarten Applications are Due Today
		

			Posted on  by Admin		

			


	
			
		
Today is the last day to submit an application for a spot in a kindergarten class for the 2012-2013 school year in New York City.  All students entering kindergarten in September 2012 must submit an application.  Applications are not considered complete without 2 original documents that verify your address such as a utility bill, rent or mortgage statement.  


To apply, visit your zoned school or any other school(s) you are interested in and eligible to apply to.  Bring your child's birth certificate or passport and 2 documents which provide proof of residence.

		
			


	





	

		
NYC District 3 Magnet School Program Parent Workshop
		

			Posted on  by Admin		

			


	
			
		
SCHOOL CHOICE:  CHOOSING THE RIGHT PUBLIC SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD


 


The NYC District 3 Magnet School Program is having the first of a series of parent workshops this evening to help demystify the public school choice process.


These workshop aim to help local families understand all of the public school options available to them and teach them how to go about finding the right schools for their children.


In addition, they will help parents understand what Magnet Schools are, how the enrollment process works, and how they can apply.


DATES AND LOCATIONS


February 6, 2012 and March 5, 2012


115th Street Library, 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.


203 West 115th Street, NY, NY 10026


 


February 13, 2012 and April 3, 2012


District 3 Headquarters, Joan of Arc Auditorium, 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.


154 West 93rd Street, NY, NY 10025


(Between Amsterdam and Columbus)


 


NYC District 3 Magnet Schools applications are currently available at www.D3mag.net