Academics

Expectations for your child’s grade level are contained in "What Did You Learn in School Today?" a pamphlet published by the Board of Education and sent home by backpack early in the school year. Additional copies can be found in the PS 163 school office, in the District office, and on the Department of Education website.

Get to Know Your Child’s Teacher

On "Meet the Teacher Morning," an event scheduled during the first two weeks of school, parents will visit their child’s classroom, meet the teacher, and learn about the plans for the year. Classroom and homework policies will be discussed and summaries given out. Ask your child’s teacher about the preferred way to communicate issues and concerns. You always may send a letter (in a sealed envelope addressed to the teacher) requesting a special conference. During "Open School Week" held early in the fall, parents are invited to observe their child’s class during the school day.

Attend Scheduled Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parents are invited to attend scheduled parent-teacher conferences, typically held in November and March. On Parent-Teacher conference days, there is only a half-day of school. Notices are sent home about ten days in advance for parents to request a 10-minute time slot during the day or early evening. In this brief, private conference, the teacher will discuss the child’s progress in school as well as any issues of concern. Parents are invited to ask questions, state concerns, and help devise solutions to problems.

If you would like to meet with your child’s teacher at another time during the school year, notify the teacher in writing. The teacher will respond with a suggested appointment time. Please do not contact teachers while classes are in session.

PS 163’s Homework Policies

There are several goals for homework:

• To review and practice previously learned skills.

• To increase stamina, particularly in reading.

• To teach personal responsibility and self-regulation.

• To engage in critical thinking, reflection and analysis.

Homework is the responsibility of the student and the student should be capable of completing the tasks without assistance.

The chart below was compiled based on the suggestions from surveys returned to the Homework Committee:

Students should keep a reading log to code the date, title of the book, and number of pages read each night.

Homework - Parent Responsibilities

• Set up a quiet, well-lit study area with as few distractions as possible

• Stock the necessary school supplies (pencil, eraser, paper, ruler, glue, dictionaries, etc) in a container or area reserved for homework.

• Schedule homework time with your child.

• Encourage your child to work independently - provide assistance after the child has made a real effort. Have your child call a friend if help is needed.

• Offer lots of encouragement.

• Limit television, computer and video game time.

• Inform your child’s teacher if your child is having difficulty in completing his or her homework. Also inform your child’s teacher if the assignments are too easy.

Homework - Children’s Responsibilities

• Bring homework assignments home.

• Have phone numbers of classmates to call if you don’t understand the homework.

• Complete the homework neatly and on time.

• Do the homework as independently as possible.

The United Federation of Teachers offers a service called "Dial A Teacher" at 212.777.3380. They provide homework help in a number of languages, Mondays through Thursdays from 4 - 7 PM.

Review Your Child’s Report Card

PS 163 report cards vary by grade, and do not use a standardized letter grade system. There are three marking periods for grades 1-5. Kindergarteners will receive a report card only for the second and third marking periods.

Report cards are written and distributed to parents during the November and March Parent-Teacher conferences. If you are unable to attend a Parent-Teacher conference on the scheduled days, ask the teacher for an appointment at another time. Note that report cards only will be given to parents at school. Report cards will not be sent home via the backpack.

City and State Standards

P.S. 163 is subject to both the New York State Standards, which cover subject matter for instruction in each grade, and New York City Standards, which define what a child should be able to achieve in each grade. P.S. 163’s curriculum and practices are designed to help children achieve their grade-level goals and succeed at new challenges as they move forward. More detailed information on city and state standards, as well as examples of student work that meets the standards, can be found at the Dept. of Ed. Website.

Academic Assessments

The Early Childhood Literary Assessment System 2 (ECLAS2) helps teachers determine a child’s progress in becoming an independent reader and writer. Four tasks make up ECLAS2: alphabet/sight words, phonemic awareness, phonics, reading, and writing. ECLAS2 lets the teacher observe and record specific information regarding each child. When a child’s skills are assessed, the teacher records a mastery level in each of the four areas. All children in K through 2 and some grade 3 children receive an ECLAS2 assessment. Results follow your child from year to year. Parent-Teacher conferences in November offer a good opportunity for parents to review and discuss with the teacher their child’s ECLAS2 results.

The Department of Education since October 2003 has administered several diagnostic assessments of reading and math skills for students in Grades 3, 4, and 5. These assessments are scheduled prior to the citywide standardized tests.

Citywide and Statewide Tests

Students in grades 3-5 participate in a variety of literacy and math tests designed to assess student progress. Current promotion requirements in elementary school include only Math and Language Arts testing. The school may conduct literacy and math practice tests, as well as tests in science and social studies.

For more information regarding assessment tests, including when the tests are to be given, consult the Department of Education Assessment Calendar (available on the Dept. of Ed. Website and also in the PS 163 school office).

Test results may take several months to be returned. Parents should receive individual results for their child. Be sure to discuss your child’s results on the tests with his/her teacher.

During the school year, the Department of Education will conduct standardized practice tests. The scores on these tests are meant to assist teachers, the school, and parents in planning for each child’s academic success. Practice exams are not counted for grading purposes nor are they used to make decisions regarding promotion to the next grade level.

Promotion Requirements

Your child’s teacher will discuss your child’s academic progress with you during the year so there should be no surprises. Please keep current address information on file with the school (via an up-to-date Emergency Information Card) so that you can receive these important communications.

The NYC Department of Education promotion policy requires that students in grades 3 and 5 perform at or above Proficiency Level 2 on statewide standardized tests in English Language Arts and Math. Students in grade 4 will be promoted based on the following three criteria:

• Demonstrate through ongoing work, as assessed by the teachers, that the student meets performance standards.

• Maintain 90% attendance or higher.

• Perform at or above Proficiency Level 2 on the citywide and state-wide standardized tests that children begin to take in Grade 3.

Children who are English Language Learners and who have been enrolled in an English language school for less than one year are exempt from the English Language Arts test. English Language Learners receive special accommodations on the statewide test including extended time and two readings of listening passages. Children who experience disabilities, and who have Individualized Education Programs, may receive testing accommodations and may receive modified promotional criteria.

Dept of Education policy requires schools (i) to engage in early identification of any child who is at risk of not meeting the above standards, (ii) involve parents, and (iii) provide academic support services in reading and math. The P.S. 163 staff includes math and reading specialists as well as classroom teachers who provide such services before, during, and after the school day. Parent-teacher conferences and report cards provide an "early warning" system for parents.

Promotion in Doubt Notification

If your child is at risk of not being promoted to the next grade level, you will receive official notification from the school. "Promotion in Doubt" letters are sent by January 31st of each school year to parents of children at risk of not being promoted in June. If your child receives a promotion in doubt letter, contact your child’s teacher immediately to arrange a meeting with your child’s teacher, guidance counselor, and/or principal to discuss how to receive additional academic assistance.

Summer School

Children who do not meet the grade level standards by the end of the school year are required to attend summer school and achieve Proficiency Level 2 or higher on an end-of-summer assessment exam in order to be promoted. Letters are sent out in May or June notifying parents that their child needs summer school remediation to achieve promotion into the next grade. Children required to attend summer school will receive continued support services during the following school year, even if they are promoted following summer school, to ensure they maintain their gains and continue to advance.
 

Summer School

Children who do not meet the grade level standards by the end of the school year are required to attend summer school and achieve Proficiency Level 2 or higher on an end-of-summer assessment exam in order to be promoted. Letters are sent out in May or June notifying parents that their child needs summer school in order to achieve promotion into the next grade. Children who are required to attend summer school will receive continued support services during the following school year, even if they are promoted following summer school, to ensure they maintain their gains and continue to advance appropriately.

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