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May 3K NEWSLETTER
MAY 3K NEWSLETTER
Happy May from Ms. Cristino, Miss Karol, Mrs. Nath, Ms. Gosset, Miss Erika and Mrs. Esther
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING:
We are starting a new unit of study: Water. Most preschool children love playing with water and are drawn to its many uses. From splashing water in the sink, to filling up and pouring out cups of water at the sand and water table, children enjoy exploring water in different ways. We have noticed the children asking questions about water, and showing interest in the different ways people use it, how it can change from one form to another, and how it helps people and the environment. The children’s ongoing curiosity about water has helped us realize it would make a good study topic. As we study water, we will learn concepts and skills in language and literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts, and technology. We will also be using thinking skills to investigate, ask questions, solve problems, make predictions and test our ideas.
REMINDERS:
Arrival time is between 7:45 and 8am in the Annex. Students who arrive after 8:15 will be marked late.
Dismissal time is promptly at 2:00. Any student not picked up by 2:20 will be walked to the main building gym.
Please pack a water sippy cup and snack for your child, daily.
Please be sure to send your child in to school with proper winter attire.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Tuesday, May 5 - Puppet Show in the Annex for the students
Thursday, May 7 – Virtual Meet the PreK Teachers Meeting
Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day, No School
Wednesday, May 27, Eid, No School
Pre-K May Newsletter
Pre-K June Newsletter
Teachers:
Mrs. Longo & Mrs. Jenn
Mrs. Kelly & Ms. B
Ms. Vozzolo & Mrs. Feller
What we are learning:
The children will be ending the Water Unit and beginning the unit of Getting Ready for Kindergarten. In this unit, the children will discuss the similarities and differences of Pre-K and Kindergarten, How do we feel about going to Kindergarten and How do we celebrate the end of Pre-k?
We will also discuss the season of summer.
Reminders:
• Please be sure to send a healthy snack and a reusable bottle of water each day.
• Blankets will be sent home for cleaning. Please be sure your child returns with a clean blanket the following week.
Important Dates:
June 4th and 5th- No school for students June19th-school closed for Juneteenth
June 22nd - Pre-K Stepping up Ceremony (Graduation)
June 26th- Last day of School
Birthdays:
June 8- Ava R & Brysyn.
14-Sayumi.
19-Levi.
24-Dylan
30-Joshua.
Kindergarten June Newsletter
As we move into June, we cannot believe how quickly the year has flown by. Your children have grown so much—academically, socially, and emotionally—and we are incredibly proud of them. We are enjoying every moment of these last weeks together and know we will miss them dearly.
In reading, we’ve begun Module 8: From Plant to Plate. Students are exploring the question “How do plants become food?” They are learning how plants grow—from deep in the soil to above the ground—and discovering how bugs, worms, snakes, and even skunks help gardens thrive. We’re also studying the seeds, roots, stems, leaves, and flowers that become the foods we eat.
Our writing focus this month is fact and opinion.
Our kindergarten readers continue to grow by building automatic recognition of common letter‑sound combinations, practicing how to segment single‑syllable words, and strengthening their understanding of vowels and vowel sounds.
In math, we are learning how composing numbers from 11–19 helps us understand place value.
Important June Dates
- June 23: Kindergarten Promotion (more details to come)
- June 26: Last Day of School
une 1st Grade NewsLetteR
Mrs.Villalta, Mrs.Frydel, Ms.Mondesi, Mrs.M, Ms.Rooney & Mrs.Benenati
Dates to Remember:
- Carnival of the Animal Performance, June 3,2026
- No School, June 4, 2026
- No School, June 5, 2026
- No School, June 19, 2026
- Last Day of School, June 26,2026
Reminders:
- Please check your child’s folders every day.
- Please check homework every day.
A peek at what we are learning:
MATH: Students will measure lengths, use units to measure length, indirect measure, compare and order by length.
ELA: Students will recognize that good things can happen when a person is brave enough to try something new. They will read about inventors, architects, and others who have been brave and tried new things. Children will also find that people can meet challenges and solve problems through perseverance. They will discover that by persevering, they can achieve their own dreams, which can benefit individuals, their communities, and the world.
PHONICS: Students will identify vowel pattern oo and words with consonant +le. They will continue to practice segmenting and identifying phonemes in single/multi-syllable words with short and long vowels, vowel teams, diphthongs, and appropriately blending words. They will also be able to identify prefix re- and contraction words.
Second Grade Newsletter
Second Grade Newsletter
As we begin wrapping up a wonderful school year, we are excited for all of the fun end-of-year activities and events ahead! Over the next few weeks, students will participate in classroom celebrations and exciting learning activities as we reflect on all they have accomplished this year. We are so proud of the growth and hard work the children have shown throughout Second Grade. We look forward to making these final weeks together memorable and celebrating an amazing year with your children!
Ms. Garcia, Ms. Olivo, Ms. Ululati, Ms. Arias, Mrs. Saleh, and Mrs. McKenna
What we are learning:
● HMH Into Reading: Students are learning about the many different cultures that make up our world and how we can learn from others.
● Math: Students will be learning how to measure using inches and centimeters. Students will also learn how to graph data.
● Writing: Students will write a thank you letter to someone they shared a cultural experience with.
● Reminders:
● Please check your child's folder and homework daily.
● Arrival is at 8:00 a.m
● Dismissal is at 2:00 p.m
● There are spelling tests every Friday
Important dates:
● June 4th and 5th - NO SCHOOL
● June 19th - NO SCHOOL
● June 26th - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
Terrific Third Graders
2026 JUNE Newsletter
Terrific Third Graders
2026 June Newsletter
The school year is slowly coming to an end. Thank you for a wonderful year and all your support and time you have given. We hope you have an amazing summer!
Math- Topic 15
Our focus this month will be to extend students' understanding of two-dimensional shapes. Students will look at relationships between shape categories. Trapezoids, parallelograms, rectangles, rhombuses and squares are quadrilaterals with special names. Students will also learn about convex and concave polygons. They will learn to identify attributes of groups of shape and compare groups of shapes.
Reading- From Farm to Table
Essential Question: How does food get to your table? How does good nutrition help you? What can we reap from a garden?
Over the next three weeks, our class will build their knowledge about food sources, with a focus on the informational text genre. We will read texts and view videos about how foods reach our tables. The Big Idea is to reinforce the topic words: agriculture, reap, nutrition, and tilling in everyday conversations.
Writing- Poem
In this module, students will think about what they enjoy doing at different times of the year. Students will write a poem about their favorite month or season. Make sure students include details, descriptions, and examples to paint a picture in their mind. As they write their poem, be sure to:
• express your feelings and ideas about your topic
• use language that will help readers picture your topic
• choose words for both their meaning and their sound
• arrange ideas in lines and stanzas
Important Dates:
● June 2nd- Music Around the World Concert
● June 4th - Anniversary/Chancellor’s Conference Day- No students
● June 5th -Clerical Day No students
● June 19th- Juneteenth schools closed
● June 26- Last day of school for students
June Newsletter-4th Grade
We are finishing up the school year with a fun topic!
We are beginning to work on Module 12 which is a fiction genre study. We will be revisiting books that we have read during the year. - Essential Question Week 1: What are the characteristics of realistic fiction? Week 2: What are the characteristics of traditional tales? Week 3: What are the characteristics of historical fiction? Students will be able to recognize and describe the characteristics of realistic fiction texts. They will analyze texts for characteristics of realistic fiction. Students will also determine the author’s purpose for using specific genre features.
Writing: We have begun writing for Module 9. Students will think about an endangered plant or animal. They will write a research report about that plant or animal and conduct research, provide facts and details, and explain why the plant or animal should be protected. The students need to research the facts and details. They are to carefully clearly state the central idea and write about the research in their own words. They also need to create an accurate bibliography.
Please encourage your children to read every night
WIN – What I Need
In the morning for 30 minutes, students have been divided into groups based on their needs.
Tier 3 is working on primary phonics- Sound Sensible
Tier 2 is working on the next level of phonics- S.P.I.R.E
Tier 1 is working on Socratic Reading Circles
Math: Rays Angles Protractors
Students are finishing up the school year learning about rays angles and how to use a protractor.
**Memorizing multiplication facts is important because it builds a strong foundation for more advanced math concepts. It improves problem solving speed. It boosts confidence and calculations which is why we Please encourage your child to study their multiplication facts.**
Important Dates
May 25th - Monday NO SCHOOL
May 27th - Wednesday NO SCHOOL
May 29th - Field Day
June 1st - Dance Show
June 2nd - 4th Grade Recorder Show
June 4th - NO SCHOOL
June 5th - NO SCHOOL
June 11th - Citi Field Mets Trip for 4th Grade
June 19th - NO SCHOOL
Fifth Grade Newsletter
Early Childhood Literacy Newsletter (3K, Pre-K, K,1,2)
C.Bakke
V.Ululati
L.Kozlowsky
*We reinforce all of the reading/writing skills that classroom teachers teach!
June is here!
Dear Families,
June is here, and with it comes the excitement of summer and the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to another amazing school year.
Our 3K, Pre-K, Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade students have worked so hard this year! We have watched them grow as readers, writers, mathematicians, problem-solvers, and friends. From learning new skills to building confidence and independence, every child has so much to be proud of.\\ During these final weeks, we will continue celebrating friendships, reflecting on favorite memories, and helping students feel confident about moving to the next grade level.
This month will be filled with fun activities, classroom celebrations, outdoor learning, and special moments together as we wrap up the year. We encourage families to celebrate your child’s accomplishments and talk positively about the exciting opportunities ahead.
Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and partnership throughout the school year. It has truly been a joy teaching and learning alongside your children each day.
We wish all of our students and families a safe, relaxing, and joyful summer break!
Please continue to work with your children at home. It teaches them that education is important and we are certain that they love the attention you are giving them! The end of our school year is near!! Thank you for all you do to support your child’s learning at home!
Physical Education
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In June, the Physical Education program at PS 81 continues to align with the NYC DOE Scope and Sequence while focusing on developmentally appropriate activities that support skill growth, teamwork, and healthy living for all students.On Monday, June 8, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will participate in a special presentation from the HIP HOP H.E.A.L.S. program. This engaging and energetic experience uses music and movement to teach important lessons about nutrition and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Students will also have opportunities to win fun prizes to take home, making this both an educational and exciting event.This month also marks the return of a schoolwide soccer unit for the first time in many years. With the upcoming FIFA World Cup as inspiration, all grade levels will be participating in soccer activities at the same time. This unit is designed to celebrate diversity, teamwork, and global connections through sport. Activities will be carefully structured to ensure they are age-appropriate and skill-based, using the proper equipment and tasks to help all students develop and improve their abilities.As the school year comes to a close, we wish the entire PS 81 community a wonderful, healthy, and active summer. We look forward to continuing our work together and seeing everyone back in September.
ENL Newsletter
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In the month of May all ELL/MLL's will be taking the NYSESLAT (New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test). The purpose of the test is to determine how well they are learning English. Beginning in late April students will be individually administered the Speaking portion of the NYSESLAT. There is one exam for Grades K, one exam for grade 1, one for grade 2, and one for grades 3-4 and fifth graders are given the exam for Grades 5-6. The testing window for the Listening, Reading and Writing portion is May 4-May 22.
- The reading section asks students to answer questions about stories printed in their test books.
- The writing section asks students to write in response to questions and prompts in their test books.
- The listening section asks students to select the correct response to a picture and/or word or statement read aloud.
Unlike the State ELA and Math tests, the NYSESLAT is paper based. Performance on the NYSESLAT determines eligibility of ENL services the following academic year. Students who score Commanding level (demonstrating English proficiency) will continue to receive ENL services for two years.The results are reported in raw scores, scale scores, and performance levels. The “raw score” is the number of correct answers, which is converted to a “scale score,” to make it possible to compare scores across grade levels. Scale scores are divided into the following five performance levels that show how well students have mastered English language skills.Commanding:- Students function fluently in listening, reading, writing, and speaking
- Students' skills are equal to those of native English speakers at their appropriate grade level
- These students have gained the skills necessary to participate in an English-speaking classroom
Expanding:- Students are able to use skills at a higher level than intermediate students.
- Although their knowledge and use of English is at a more advanced level, these students make mistakes usually involving more:
- subtle use of language
- difficult levels of vocabulary and grammar
Transitioning:- Students have better English skills than students at the basic level
- However, these students' skills are often not well developed and they make significant errors in the four skill areas
Emerging:- A student at the Emerging level needs some supports and structures to improve their academic language skills
Entering:- Students are at the beginning level in the four skill areas
- These students’ English skills are minimal
How are the results used?Students will continue to receive English as a New Language or bilingual services until their scores on the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test show that they have learned English well enough to participate in English-only classes. Educators also use students’ New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test scores to help decide which instructional standards to focus on, and to evaluate their programs. -
Library Newsletter
June Library Newsletter
Book borrowing is finished for this school year. If your child hasn’t returned his/her library books yet, please help them to locate them and bring them back to school immediately. It is important we get the books returned, so they can be used next year.
This year, the students borrowed over 11,000 books! I hope you have had a chance to read some of those books with your children. With state funds, we were able to order 400 new books that the children will borrow starting next October.
Students in kindergarten and first grade will celebrate June and July by learning about the different holidays and special days, such as Flag Day, Father’s Day, Juneteenth, the Summer Solstice and the Fourth of July. Students will enjoy various picture books that support the seasonal topics with an accompanying craft or activity. They will also continue to have time to read independently while in the library.
While in the library, students in grades 2-5 will take part in an engaging literacy experience that brings stories to life in a new way. During their weekly visits, they will read selected books (Horton Hears a Who, Lyle Lyle Crocodile, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Night at the Museum) and then watch a corresponding movie or video adaptation. This activity encourages students to think critically as they compare and contrast the two versions—examining differences in characters, settings, and plot, as well as how each medium tells the story. By exploring both text and visual storytelling, students will deepen their comprehension, strengthen analytical skills, and discover new ways to enjoy literature.
Please continue to read with your child(ren) during the summer months and speak with them about what they have read. Remember to visit your local public library for free books, movies and AC!
"Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere." — Mary Schmich
MUSIC NEWSLETTER FOR MAY
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Yoga & Mindfulness Newsletter
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June Yoga & Mindfulness Newsletter (Grades 2–5)
As we wrap up the school year, we are so proud of all the growth, focus, and positivity our students have shown. This month, we continued building simple tools to help them stay calm, confident, and connected as they head into summer.
Posture of the Month: Tree Pose (Vrksasana) Tree Pose helps build balance, focus, and confidence.
How to practice:
· Stand tall and steady
· Place one foot on your ankle or calf (avoid the knee)
· Bring hands to heart or reach them overhead
· Focus your gaze and take slow, steady breaths
Reminder: It’s okay to wobble—balance takes practice.
Mindfulness Tools We Practiced
Balloon Breathing Inhale to “fill the balloon,” exhale slowly to release the air. This helps calm the body and mind.
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding A simple way to stay present using the senses:
· 5 things you can see
· 4 things you can feel
· 3 things you can hear
· 2 things you can smell
· 1 thing you can taste
Quiet Mind Moments Short pauses to breathe, reset, and recharge.
Science News
Science News
May 2026
Ms. Fanning and Ms. Kassnove
Kindergarten- Our scientists will continue learning about how different parts of a plant and how they grow. We will grow our own plants!
First-Our scientists are going to continue learning about the solar system. We will do a project-based learning experiment creating a solar system out of playdough.
Grade 2- Our geologists are studying how rocky landforms break down into sand through the process of erosion. We are exploring a variety of sand samples and experimenting with wind and water erosion.
Grade 3- Our meteorologists are exploring how the weather affects our environment and how different places have different climates that help specific types of plants and animals to survive. Our experiments include measuring rainfall, measuring temperature, and graphing weather patterns.
Grade 4- Our sound engineers are exploring how sound waves work. Our experiments include making vibrations with instruments, tuning forks, whistle tubes, and more. Students are using a simulation to show how sound travels through gases, liquids, and solids. Next, we will explore the amplitude and frequency of sounds.
Grade 5- Our astronomers are exploring the mysteries of the universe. We are delving into the size of our solar system, the location and groupings of the stars, galaxies, and more! Currently, we are examining the rotation and revolution of the Earth, the phases of the moon, and gravity.
SPEECH & LANGUAGE
Spring into Speech: April Newsletter
Spend a few minutes every day talking with your child about the things you’re seeing, hearing, and doing. This simple habit helps your child expand their vocabulary, practice sentence structure, and develop listening skills. Remember, language is everywhere—from the weather to nature to your daily routines!
Fun Spring Activities to Boost Speech and Language
Spring is filled with exciting activities that are great for encouraging speech and language development. Here are some ideas for you and your child to explore together:
1. Nature Walks Take a walk in the park or your local nature reserve. Talk about the colors of the flowers, the sounds of birds, and what you see around you. Ask your child questions like, "What do you think the birds are doing?" or "How many different flowers can you see?" This builds vocabulary, encourages storytelling, and strengthens listening skills.
2. Spring Sensory Bin Create a sensory bin filled with spring-themed items like small flowers, plastic insects, and seeds. As your child explores, encourage them to describe what they see and feel. For example: "What color is this flower?" or "How does the grass feel in your hands?" This activity boosts descriptive language skills.
3. Planting Seeds Planting flowers or vegetables together can be a great way to engage your child’s language skills. Talk about the process of planting, watering, and watching the seeds grow. Use words like "grow," "stem," "roots," and "leaves" to expand their vocabulary in a hands-on way.
4. Spring Storytime Choose spring-themed books and read them aloud together. Afterward, encourage your child to talk about the story or act out their favorite parts. Reading helps improve vocabulary, comprehension, and storytelling abilities.
Speech Therapy Tip: Encourage Articulation with Spring Sounds
You can use these sounds to help your child practice articulation and phonology.
Activity Idea: Take a “sound walk” and listen for different noises, such as birds, wind, or rain. Afterward, have your child imitate the sounds they heard, and practice saying words that start with those sounds (e.g., “chirp,” “rain,” “wind”). This is a fun and natural way to work on speech sounds!
Language Development: Using Spring Themes to Build Vocabulary
Use springtime themes to introduce new words and encourage language development.
Spring Words to Try:
· Nature-related: “bloom,” “petal,” “sprout,” “hatch,” “pollen”
· Weather-related: “rain,” “cloud,” “thunder,” “sunshine,” “windy”
· Action words: “grow,” “splash,” “fly,” “jump,” “plant”
Try incorporating these words into your everyday conversations and play activities. For example, if you’re planting flowers, you could say, "Let’s plant the seeds and watch them grow tall!" This helps your child connect new vocabulary with real-life experiences.
Encouraging Social Skills in Spring
Here are a few tips to help your child develop their social communication:
1. Model Conversations: When your child is interacting with others, model back-and-forth exchanges. For example, if they say, "Look at the bird!" you can respond with, “Wow, the bird is so colorful! What color is it?” This encourages them to keep the conversation going.
2. Role Play: Use springtime scenarios for role-playing games. Pretend to be gardeners, animals, or even weather forecasters. Role play allows children to practice their social language skills in a safe, creative setting.
3. Praise Social Interactions: Positive reinforcement is key. When your child successfully initiates or responds in a conversation, celebrate their efforts. This builds their confidence in social settings.
April Newsletter
Counselor's Corner - Josephine D’Amico
April is a time of renewal and fresh starts, and this month we’ll be focusing on the theme of mindfulness. As we move into the final stretch of the school year, it’s important for students to stay present and manage any stress that may arise.
Focus of the Month:
Mindfulness is about paying attention to the present moment without judgment. This month, we’ll be introducing students to simple mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, mindful listening, and body scans. These practices can help them manage stress, improve focus, and enhance their overall well-being.
Wellness Tips:
In our busy lives, it’s easy to get caught up in worries about the future or regrets about the past. Help your child practice staying present by encouraging them to focus on the task at hand and take things one step at a time. Simple practices like deep breathing or taking a moment to notice their surroundings can make a big difference.
Upcoming Events:
ELA Exam:
Grade 3 April 14 & 15 * Grade 4 - April 15 & 16 * Grade 5 - April 16 & 17
Math Exam:
Grade 3 April 28 & 29 * Grade 4 - April 29 & 30 * Grade 5 - April 30 & May 1
**Beautiful Me and Confident Kids program with 5th graders are complete.**
Contact Information:
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how to support your child’s progress, please feel free to contact me at ([email protected]) or call (718-821-9800). Let’s work together to support your child’s growth this spring!