Marie Curie Middle School 158

Parent Coordinator Newsletter

Dear Parents/Guardians:

I’d like to introduce myself as the new Parent Coordinator for M.S. 158, Lynda Yi. One of my goals is to encourage parent involvement. I am very excited to start this position. Get excited and be curious about what your child is doing in school. Your son/daughter at M.S. 158 is doing fantastic things.

At the Parent-Teacher Conferences on February 24th and February 26th, take a moment to read and enjoy some of your child’s work on display. There are amazing art works, writings samples, and projects on display throughout the hallways. Admire the beautiful work he/she has done. We are all very proud.

One of my favorite is the display of Henry Moore’s Abstract Sculptures on the 1st floor showcase next to the auditorium and also on the 2nd floor, a sculpture we all would enjoy learning more about. His abstract works are displayed around the world. His subject matter is often a reclining woman, a mother and a child, or a relationship in nature. His sculpture makes reference to the landscape and flowing hills of the countryside. You can find 19 of his colossal works displayed at The New York Botanical Garden. Did you ever think you could learn about something like this from a 13 year old? Take 10 minutes, and ask your son/daughter what he/she is learning in school.

I would love to hear from you in person or via phone or e-mail with any questions, concerns, comments, and/or ideas. If you don’t speak English, I will arrange for a translator. I, myself, speak Korean. My office is on the 3rd floor, Room 327.

I will also be available during the Parent-Teacher Conferences on February 24th from 6:30- 9:00pm and on February 26th, 12:30-2:30pm in the Main Office.
Stop by and say hello. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you.

I am creating an e-mail distribution list to send out regular updates. If you’d like to be on the list, please send me an e-mail.

My phone number is 718-423-8100 x327.
My cell phone is 327-563-4339.
My e-mail is LByun@schools.nyc.gov

Sincerely,
Lynda Yi
Parent Coordinator

Resources for Parents

Free Homework Help
http://www.homeworknyc.org/toolbox/ask_a_librarian.cfm

Select from these 3 Free Live Services:
1. Ask-A-Librarian - for quick reference questions.
2. Live Homework Help - for live online help with a tutor and interactive whiteboard.
3. Dial-A-Teacher (1-212-777-3380) - homework help from a New York City teacher.

2. Ask-A-Librarian
§ Queens Library
§ Questions answered by phone, chat and e-mail

A librarian cannot explain how to solve a particular math problem or help you decide on a topic for your paper. For this type of help try Live Homework Help or Dial-A-Teacher. Use Ask a Librarian for brief answers to factual questions such as "Who was the 12th president?" or "What is the New York State flower?"

www.taxengine.com/
We are pleased to offer FREE tax preparation and e-file of your federal tax return if your adjusted gross income is $30,000 or less!

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) returns federal, state, and New York City tax dollars to qualifying families and individuals to help cover basic expenses. Working families earning less than $38,000 a year could be eligible for as much as $6,000.

In order to claim the EITC, eligible taxpayers must have earned income and must file a tax return. New York City's EITC Coalition is here to help qualifying New Yorkers file at free tax preparation sites citywide.

Free Summer Arts Institute for Middle and High School Students
The Summer Arts Institute is a tuition-free, intensive, four-week arts program for New York City public school students entering grades 8 – 12 this September. The institute will be held at Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan beginning July 5. At the institute, students will have the opportunity to major in dance, theater, vocal music, instrumental music, visual art, film, or photography. The program is designed for students at an intermediate or advanced level of study in their chosen art form. An experienced staff of teachers and artists will guide students in developing their arts skills and creativity as students build a portfolio or hone their audition skills for the next level of study (a specialized high school, college, university, or conservatory). Summer Arts Institute is administered by the DOE’s Office of Arts and Special Projects. Admission is by application and audition. Click here for the program description, student application, and audition requirements. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 16.

For additional information contact Jill Rashba at (212) 374-6845 or summerarts@schools.nyc.gov.

Parent Coordinators

Parent Coordinators are new staff members working on-site in schools. Parent Coordinators are responsible for encouraging and promoting active involvement by parents in their children's education. They will also work to make all of our schools more welcoming to parents. In addition to principals and teachers, the Parent Coordinator will be an important point of contact for parents at their children's schools. Parent Coordinators are trained to help parents find answers to their questions and concerns.

In creating this position, the DOE realized that most problems involving students and their families must be solved at the school level. Unlike parent volunteers working in a school, the Parent Coordinator is a staff professional who can work with his/her colleagues to solve problems. The goal is to make it easier for parents to resolve issues at the school level or find the information and services they need to help their children.

Another task for Parent Coordinators is to support existing parent organizations, such as the Parent Association and the School Leadership Team. While some Parent Coordinators are former Parent Association officers, Parent Coordinators are not an extension of the Parent Association. It is their job to work with parent groups to find ways to attract and serve a broader range of parents in each school.

The Children First reforms also address the key need to involve entire communities in improving schools. Parent Coordinators will reach out to community and faith based organizations to seek their assistance. Health care, after-school activities, and mentoring programs are part of a broad range of issues for which Parent Coordinators seek community assistance.

The Parent Coordinators in schools are part of a large parent support staff now working not only in schools, but in the 13 Parent Support Offices located in Learning Support Centers and in District-based offices across the City. They will have a slightly different schedule than other school staff with hours during school time, as well as night and weekend. Parent Coordinators also have their own direct line which eliminates going through buy school phone lines.

All of the new parent support staff members will attend training programs that will be conducted by the Department's newly created "Parent Academy." They will receive ongoing training to make sure that public schools respond to the needs and concerns of all parents.

Every parent should take the time to introduce themselves to the Parent Coordinator in their school. Be sure to get their direct phone number. As the school year unfolds, Parent Coordinators will offer many opportunities for parent to learn more about supporting their children's education. Because each school in the City serves a unique community, Parent Coordinators will welcome suggestions both from parents and community members. The ultimate goal of the Parent Coordinators is to create the strongest possible base of parent services for all families. They will do this by working closely with both the parents and staff in each school.

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