Letter From Principal

Dear Families,

As part of New York City’s ongoing effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, and ensure the health and safety of our community, COVID-19 testing of staff and students will be conducted in our school once a month from now through the end of the school year. We have been notified that the testing provider will be at our school within the next week. Please note that only New York City public school students from grades 1-12 are eligible to be tested.

As the September 29, 2020 letter co-signed by NYC Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza, Executive Director Ted Long of New York City Test + Trace Corps, and Dr. Dave Chokshi, Commissioner of NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene stated, the test is easy, quick, and safe. A “short swab” (similar to a Q-tip) will be inserted into the front part of the nose for five to ten seconds. Later this school year, it is possible that tests will be administered by collecting a small amount of saliva (spit).

Only students and school-based staff members with signed and submitted consent forms are eligible to be tested (schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting). Your child will not be tested if they are uncomfortable or become distressed at any point during the process. If that happens, we will work with you to address any potential concerns so that your child is comfortable participating in future testing.

If your child is tested at school, information about the testing process, and when and how you will receive the results, will be sent home with your child. The majority of all testing results will be available within 48 hours. If your child tests positive for COVID-19, the testing provider will notify you via a telephone call, and NYC Test & Trace Corps will call to provide your family with resources and support.

If any member of the school community tests positive during this testing process, our school community will continue to follow the guidelines outlined on the Health & Safety section of the website (schools.nyc.gov/RTShealthsafety).

We deeply appreciate your partnership and your commitment to keeping your school community safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Eliamarie Soto, Principal

Estimada familia:

Como parte de las medidas de la Ciudad de Nueva York para frenar la transmisión de COVID-19, y garantizar la salud y seguridad de nuestra comunidad, las pruebas de COVID-19 a los miembros del personal y estudiantes se realizarán en las escuelas una vez al mes desde ahora y hasta el final del año escolar. Nos han informado que el proveedor de pruebas de COVID-19 visitará nuestra escuela la próxima semana. Tenga en cuenta que las pruebas son solo para los estudiantes de 1.er a 12.o grado de las escuelas públicas de la Ciudad de Nueva York.
Como se indica en la carta del 29 de septiembre de 2020 —firmada conjuntamente por el canciller de las escuelas, Richard Carranza, el director ejecutivo del equipo de pruebas y rastreo de la Ciudad de Nueva York (NYC Test & Trace Corps), Ted Long, y el comisionado del Departamento de Salud y Salud Mental de la Ciudad de Nueva York, Dr. Dave Chokshi— la prueba es fácil, rápida y segura. La prueba utilizará un hisopo corto (similar a un Q-tips) que se inserta en la parte delantera de la nariz entre cinco y diez segundos. Más adelante, es posible que las pruebas se hagan mediante la recolección de una pequeña cantidad de saliva.

Solo los estudiantes y miembros del personal de las escuelas que hayan firmado y presentado el formulario de autorización podrán hacerse la prueba (schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting). No se le hará la prueba a su hijo si se siente incómodo o nervioso durante el proceso. Si eso sucede, trabajaremos con usted para responder cualquier inquietud y su hijo pueda así participar en las pruebas más adelante.

Si se le hace la prueba de COVID-19 a su hijo en la escuela, le enviaremos la información a casa con el estudiante, comunicándole los detalles sobre el proceso de la prueba, además de cómo y cuándo recibirá los resultados. La mayoría de los resultados de las pruebas estarán disponibles en 48 horas. Si su hijo da positivo, el proveedor que realizó la prueba lo llamará por teléfono y NYC Test & Trace Corps se comunicará con su familia para proporcionarle recursos y ayuda.
Si algún miembro de la comunidad escolar da positivo durante este proceso de pruebas, continuaremos siguiendo las directrices descritas en la sección “Health and Safety” (Salud y seguridad) del sitio web (schools.nyc.gov/RTShealthsafety).
Agradecemos profundamente su colaboración y compromiso de mantener su comunidad escolar segura y saludable.

Estimados padres:

Les escribo con el propósito de darles información acerca de las iniciativas de preparación para emergencias del Departamento de Educación que están en vigor en todas las escuelas públicas de la Ciudad de Nueva York. Todas las escuelas tienen actualmente procedimientos para emergencias. En el año 2000 fue promulgada la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, cuyo artículo 2801 les exige a las escuelas estructurar planes de seguridad en lo concerniente a la respuesta a emergencias. En junio de 2001 se enmendó la ley para requerir que los planes contengan información sobre evacuación y refugio. De acuerdo con esto, “las escuelas deben hacer simulacros y otros ejercicios para someter a prueba los componentes del plan de respuesta a situaciones de emergencia”.

Los empleados de los planteles educativos están entrenados en varios procedimientos delineados en el Plan de Seguridad Escolar y nosotros actualmente realizamos una diversidad de ensayos en el transcurso del año lectivo para preparar a nuestros alumnos y empleados. El artículo 807 de la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York estipula que todas las escuelas lleven a cabo un mínimo de 12 simulacros cada año. El artículo 917 de la Ley de Educación del Estado señala que todas las escuelas están obligadas a proporcionar y mantener un equipo de desfibrilador externo automático (DEA); y durante el año se hacen simulacros para evaluar la utilización de unidades DEA en una emergencia. De conformidad con el artículo 3623 de la Ley de Educación del Estado, en los establecimientos educativos también se efectúan simulacros que se enfocan en la seguridad en un autobús escolar.

Nuestra escuela, además de llevar a cabo estos tipos de simulacro, tiene un Equipo de Respuesta del Edificio, capacitado para activar y responder a distintos incidentes que puedan ocurrir en el plantel. De conformidad con el nuevo Protocolo de Respuesta General (GRP), todas las escuelas pondrán en marcha simulacros con el objetivo de preparar a las comunidades educativas para los tres tipos de respuesta ante emergencias que pueden ocurrir: evacuación, refugio, y confinamiento. En nuestro plantel hay oportunidades de participación de los padres a fin de garantizar que las familias intervengan en el programa escolar de preparación para emergencias. Versiones para los

padres del Plan de Seguridad Escolar están disponibles a petición de parte interesada en la oficina principal, y esta carta contiene información que explica el GRP.  Puede encontrar muchos recursos importantes para las familias visitando el sitio de Internet http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/OSYD/default.htm

El entrenamiento de preparación para emergencias en las escuelas se hace en septiembre y continúa para empleados y estudiantes a lo largo del ciclo lectivo. Esta capacitación se ajusta a la edad de los participantes para garantizar que los educandos entiendan la importancia de los simulacros sin causar ninguna alarma innecesaria.

Revise los Protocolos de Respuesta General que se les ha entregado a todos los alumnos, y converse con su hijo sobre estos procedimientos. Les recordamos a todas las familias actualizar las tarjetas de contacto ante emergencias que están archivadas en nuestra oficina principal. Esto supone proporcionar y actualizar información de números telefónicos y los nombres de los adultos a quienes la escuela les puede entregar niños si surge una situación de emergencia. También les sugerimos a las familias que se inscriban en Notify NYC (https://a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/notifynyc/) para que reciban información sobre eventos de emergencia; y llamen al 311 si  necesitan  información adicional acerca de una escuela durante una emergencia.

Atentamente,

Directora

Dear Parents

I am writing to provide you with information about the Department of Education's Emergency Readiness Initiatives that are in place in all NYC Public Schools. Every school currently has procedures for emergencies. In 2000, New York State Education Law Section 2801 was enacted requiring schools to develop safety plans regarding emergency response. In July of 2001, the law was amended to require that plans include information for evacuation and sheltering. In accordance with this, "schools need to conduct drills and other exercises to test components of the emergency response plan."

School staff members are trained in various procedures that are outlined in the School Safety Plan and we currently conduct a variety of drills throughout the year to prepare our staff and students. Section 807 of the New York State Education Law requires all schools to conduct a minimum of 12 emergency drills each year. Section 917 of the State Education Law states that schools are required to provide and maintain automated external defibrillator (AED) equipment, and drills are conducted during the year to assess the use of AED units in an emergency. In accordance withSection3623 of the State Education Law, drills are also conducted at schools that focus on safety on a school bus.

In addition to conducting these types of drills, our school has a Building Response Team that is trained to activate and respond to different incidents that may occur at our school. Under the new General Response Protocol (GRP), every school will be conducting specific drills designed to help prepare all school communities for three different types of response to emergencies that may occur: evacuation, shelter-in, and lockdown.

Opportunities for parent engagement are available at our school to ensure that families are involved in our school-based emergency readiness program. Parent versions of the School Safety Plan are available upon request in the main office, and information explaining the GRP is included with this letter. Many other important resources for families are also available by visiting http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/OSYD/default.htm

Emergency readiness training in schools takes place in September and continues for staff and students throughout the school year. Student training is grade appropriate and designed to ensure that students understand the importance of these drills without causing unnecessary alarm. Please review the General Response Protocols that have been given to all students, and discuss these procedures with your child. All families are reminded to update the Emergency Contact Cards that are on file in our main office. This includes providing and updating information indicating phone numbers, and the names of adults to whom the school may release children in an emergency. Families are also encouraged to register with Notify NYC (https://a858-nycnoti fv.nyc.gov/notifynyc/) to receive information about emergency events, and call 311for additional information about a school during an emergency.

Sincerely,

Principal

Dear Families,
I hope you are staying safe and healthy. As we finish up this school year, soon to close this chapter on an experience none of us could have ever imagined. But while we are thinking about closing one chapter, we need to focus on the beginning of another: what the future of our school may look like, and how we will come back in September for the 2020-21 school year. I am writing today with some important updates and urging you to take the opportunity to share your voice to the planning for this fall. You, your children, and all our staff at P.S. 161 have done an outstanding job adjusting to this transformation of education in the largest public-school system. We must continue to center health and safety and be prepared to follow guidance issued by health experts and other important authorities as Fall approaches. Since we do not know what the state of the coronavirus will be at that time, we must be ready for a few options for teaching and learning. In addition to the risks posed by COVID-19 directly, we are also aware of the of the emergence of the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a condition related to COVID-19 that has affected children in New York City as well as across the country and the world.
What Might Fall 2020 Look Like?
The DOE has not yet made any firm decisions for what this fall will look like as we start the 2020-2021 school year. However, they do believe that all options will need to be considered with social distancing. We know that for students, nothing can quite match full-time teaching and learning in a school building. Given the ongoing health risks related to COVID-19, we also need to prepare for a variety of educational models and approaches, including what the DOE calls blended learning. Blended learning means combining in-person and remote instruction to create a powerful educational experience where each mode of learning supports the other. Throughout it all, the goal remains to provide as much in-person learning as possible and give every child the academic support they need while keeping them safe.
Lend Your Voice Through the Return to School 2020 Survey
There are many ways blended learning can operate, and we know every student and family has experienced remote learning differently. We want to hear from you about your preferences and concerns as we head into the 2020-2021 school year. The DOE has created a short survey for both families and students—please take a moment to fill it out and share your thoughts by Tuesday, June 30, 2020. The survey is anonymous and should take about 7 minutes to complete. It is available in 9 languages, and those without the ability to complete it online can do so by calling 311. Please make sure to let your voices be heard, I Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide your feedback: it will help us to better serve you and our students. As we continue to work together, we must stand united in building a strong, just, safe, and successful future for our school community and our City. Have a wonderful and Safe Summer.
Respectfully,

Eliamarie Soto

Eliamarie Soto, Principal
P. S. 161- Juan Ponce de Leon School
628 Tinton Avenue
Bronx, NY 10455
Tel. # (718) 292-5478
Fax # (718) 292-5476