[TNS-list] Dyanthe's Weekly Letter: 3.2.20

[Dyanthe Spielberg]

Dear Families,

As I explained in last week’s letter, the NY State Ed Department has
identified our school as in need of Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI)
for the 2019-20 school year.  This designation is a direct result of
changes made in how opt-outs were calculated last year. A group of about 30
parents met last Tuesday to discuss our school’s TSI designation.  We
agreed that families need to respond in two ways. The first is within the
TNS community; families need to reach out to other families to ensure that
they understand the threat the TSI status poses to our school.  The second
response involves advocating beyond the school community, at the city and
state level. Community Education Council will help coordinate some of this
outreach, especially as we organize across other NYC schools and families
similarly impacted by this designation.



Please join me, the Advocacy Committee, and teachers this Wednesday after
drop-off for another discussion, “What’s Up with the State Tests and Being
a “TSI” School?”

We will address:

   -

   The NY State ELA (English Language Arts), Math and Science Tests
   -

   Why we are a TSI School
   -

   The impact of test prep in 3rd - 5th grades on curriculum, teaching, and
   learning
   -

   The impact of test prep in 3rd - 5th grades on numerous practices that
   reflect our values about what we believe is best for children (think no
   farm trips, no Camp Ashokan before May, no 50 minutes of recess or lunch in
   the classroom in 2/3s, no morning recess in 4/5s, less Project Time, and
   many more...)


Family conferences are this week.  Grade 3 – 5 families, please speak with
your child’s teacher(s) about opting out of the State Tests during
conferences so we can organize staffing and materials accordingly.

The side of our recess yard that includes the play structure and comfort
station is undergoing renovations beginning April 13.  Construction is
anticipated to last 9 months to a year and that portion of the recess yard
will be closed during renovations. We are having a Town Hall Meeting at
8:30 AM on Wednesday, March 10 to discuss renovations as well as to share
plans to accommodate children from both schools during recesses.

This Week at TNS...

   -

   Thursday a half-day.  Dismissal is at 11:45 AM.
   -

   The ECO Committee meets Friday morning after drop-off in the small
   cafeteria.
   -

   Dara, Shaquawn & Dianne, Caroline & Grace, Matt, Tiffany, and Joanne &
   Sofia’s classes go ice skating on Friday.
   -

   Movie Night is this Friday at 5:30 PM.


Looking Ahead…

   -

   Caroline and Grace’s class goes to the farm Monday, March 9 - 11.
   -

   Lindsey and Oli’s class goes to the farm Wednesday, March 11 - 13.
   -

   Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, March 10 at 8:30 AM: Q & A about park
   renovations.


Warmly,

Dyanthe


-- 

tnsny.org
DSpielberg at schools.nyc.gov
Preferred pronouns: *she, her, hers*
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.theneighborhoodschool.org/pipermail/tns-list-theneighborhoodschool.org/attachments/20200302/cd32ca9a/attachment.html>