The kindergarten classes at JLCS celebrated the 100th day of school! They dressed up as 100-year-old grandmas and grandpas. They also made 100-day crazy crowns; each sentence strip had 10 drawings or stickers adding up to 100. Additionally, the students brought in 100 items that they either counted, built something with or sorted. Overall, it was a 100 star kind of day!
Fifth graders just completed research projects on the Maya, Inca and Aztec civilizations. After reading about and researching a particular tribe, each student chose a project from the choice board to complete. These included timelines, social class diagrams, lifestyle dioramas, tribal masks, travel brochures and board games.
Sixth graders at John Lewis Childs School participated in a virtual Junior Achievement program on Feb. 23.
Junior Achievement is an organization dedicated to giving students in grades K-12 the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. Volunteers from the community deliver the Junior Achievement lessons and share their own personal experiences with students.
During the presentation, the Junior Achievement volunteer, a local financial adviser, discussed her job responsibilities and career path. She also went over a survey the students had completed that aimed to help them gauge their career interests based on potential work environments. The survey allowed students to consider careers as a baker, veterinarian, teacher, lawyer, salesperson, accountant and more.
The goal of the program was to inspire the students to explore their options through clubs or volunteer activities, as well as upcoming high school elective classes, and to eventually find a job that they love.
Students in Candice Nagle’s kindergarten class learned about how sounds are made in their science lesson, and they made tissue box guitars!
John Lewis Childs School raised more than $16,000 as part of its yearly Boosterthon fundraiser, sponsored by the PTA. This year, the culminating activity was a Dance Fit Challenge on Jan. 29.
The fundraiser took place over two weeks and kicked off with a Digital Pep Rally. Family and friends helped to raise funds by pledging for the students to participate in the Dance Fit Challenge, which was 35 minutes of straight dancing and yoga moves. The PTA purchased glow necklaces for each student and disco lights to enhance the atmosphere of the classrooms. Since the program was fully virtual this year, remote students were able to participate from home.
A relay race with Assistant Principal Kristina Lynch and other teachers was the students’ incentive to raise $12,000, and an ice cream party was their incentive to raise $15,000.
The funds raised will be used to help pay for programs and activities for the students.
John Lewis Childs School’s Student Council members, under the guidance of teacher and adviser Jessica Palermo, presented Kindness Week during the week of Jan. 25. The school celebrated by offering theme days, which included wearing tie dye for “Tie Dye for Togetherness” day, wearing animal print or ears for “Wild About Kindness” day, writing a handwritten note for “Thank a Teacher” day, and “Give Yourself a High Five” day.
John Lewis Childs School kindergartners in Patricia Mancusi’s class recently read “Jack and the Beanstalk” by Mary Ann Hoberman. The students drew the ogre’s castle and taped the image to the top of their clear desk dividers. Then, they designed a beanstalk using various materials, such as blocks, cups, and Lego. When each student finished their beanstalk, they had action figures climb the beanstalk as “Jack.”
Dear Parents:
We have been working throughout the weekend to determine the best plan for our staff and students for this upcoming week starting, January 19th, 2021. As of early this morning we were prepared to open up our buildings with in-person instruction. Today, we have received additional information that has challenged staffing beyond our means. In consultation with the Department of Health – they have advised if the daily operation of the buildings is compromised that we should go remote. Therefore, due to the unprecedented number of students and staff now required to quarantine because of being deemed a close contact or testing positive, both schools, (Floral Park-Bellerose and John Lewis Childs) in the Floral Park-Bellerose School District will move to remote instruction from Tuesday, January 19, 2021, through Friday, January 22, 2021. We plan to return to in-person instruction on Monday, January 25, 2021, as many of our quarantined staff are scheduled to return to work at that time. However, we will keep you updated.
Click here to view the full letter.
Grab n Go Meals for All Students
Tuesday - Friday 10am-12:30pm
at Both Schools
John Lewis Childs School
(at the doors on the corner of Flower Ave and Elizabeth St.)
Floral Park-Bellerose School
(at the cafeteria door on the blacktop - by Poppy Place)
You will get breakfast and lunch. Anyone picking up Must Wear a Mask!
Parents can pick up without student being present.
Any Questions Please email: kcrenshaw@FPBSD.org or call the lunch office at (516) 434-2758
Today, the Floral Park-Bellerose School District was notified that a student at the John Lewis Childs School has tested positive for COVID-19. Following the guidance issued by the New York State Education Department and New York State Department of Health, this class, its students and teachers will be quarantined.
Click here to view the full letter.
John Lewis Childs School first graders pooled together their remaining dollars from the Day of Giving and thanked the construction workers with hot chocolate, donuts, a sign, cards and even a song! They love watching the project progress of the site while at recess!
Notice to parents of students currently in grades K, 1,2, 4, & 6th
The FPBSD has been selected to participate in a mandatory NYS BMI survey for the 2019-2020 school year.
Click here for the full notice.
Dear Floral Park-Bellerose School District Community,
As you may be aware, the COVID numbers continue to rise in our community. In addition to our most recent closure (FPBS for an initial two days, 1/7 and 1/8), I would like to update you with some further information. Currently, our district has both students (73) and staff (14) under mandatory quarantine due to either a close contact or being diagnosed with COVID-19.
Today, the Floral Park-Bellerose School District was notified that a student at the John Lewis Childs School has tested positive for COVID-19. Following the guidance issued by the New York State Education Department and New York State Department of Health, this class, its students and teachers will be quarantined. These teachers and all students affected by this quarantine will be working remotely beginning January 6, 2021 and returning to in-person instruction on January 19, 2021. All parents/guardians of this class and anyone who was in close contact with this student has been notified.
In Mrs. Saunders’ fifth grade class, students were offered a choice board to select a project to complete after researching about the Paleo Indians. Some examples of the choice boards included making a game board to represent the Paleo Indians, designing a diorama as a visual to the Paleo's environment and lifestyle, creating a newscast or documentary showing "A Day in the Life of a Paleo Indian,” and even composing questions if they were able to interview them. Providing our students with a choice to show the knowledge they gained and their talents helped to support their different learning styles. These projects required students to research and gather information about this group and be creative to show what they learned. Most importantly, they had fun doing them!
John Lewis Childs School students were encouraged to bring in store-bought, unwrapped gifts for the annual Toy Mountain drive, held on Dec. 15.
Due to this year’s need for social distancing, each class in the building received a specific drop-off time during their recess. This kept the students separated and safe while they dropped off the toys in the school’s Hunt Gym. Student Council members, wearing masks and gloves, were stationed in the gym to assist the younger students pile their gifts on the mountain. They also helped to pack up the toys once the drive was finished.
By the end of the day, approximately 15 large garbage bags were filled with gifts and toys. The Hance Family Foundation picked them up so that they could be distributed throughout New York City, Brooklyn, Harlem and Jamaica, as well as Floral Park. This year, they are being safely delivered by the NYPD.
With the climbing numbers of positive COVID-19 cases and those students who must quarantine, the District has been preparing our teachers to “livestream.” At this point, we are working collaboratively with our technology department, technology coaches, teachers, and administrators to prepare for this new programming. “Livestreaming” into an in-person class with a quarantined student or students is different than Zooming with an entire class.
Follow up communication from the Superintendent of Schools regarding information pertaining to the COVID-19 Micro-cluster Focus Zones.
Today, the Floral Park-Bellerose School District was notified by the Nassau County Department of Health that the JLC staff member who had multiple contacts with essential staff throughout the building and was symptomatic for COVID-19, has tested positive. Following the guidance issued by the New York State Education Department and New York State Department of Health, the John Lewis Childs school building will be closed for instruction again on Tuesday, November 24th through Friday, December 4th and will reopen for in person instruction on Monday, December 7th, 2020.
The Floral Park-Bellerose School will remain open on their regular school schedule.
Click here to view the full letter.
On Nov. 6, John Lewis Childs School hosted its election for president and vice president of Student Council.
Students from kindergarten through sixth grade had the opportunity to listen to the candidates’ speeches and then cast their vote.
Aaminah Khondker was elected as president, and Roberto Salinas was elected as vice president.
Mrs. Mancusi’s kindergarten class’s recent story of the week was “Nature Spy” by Shelley Rotner and Ken Kreisler. When it was the students’ turn to be the nature spy, they had the opportunity to observe items from nature with their eyes first and then with a magnifying glass in the classroom. The lesson included science and math, as well as reading.
John Lewis Childs School students in Mrs. Antonakis’ fifth grade class enjoy their in-class projects and activities!
In celebration of the autumn season and upcoming Halloween holiday, the schoolyard at John Lewis Childs School transformed into a pumpkin patch from Oct. 27-28.
Pre-K to second grade students were invited to visit the patch, which was set up beneath an outdoor tent and decorated with scarecrows, hay and corn stalks. Once the students selected their perfect pumpkin, they headed over another tent that had two tables offering stickers and spooky masks. PTA members were stationed to help the students pick out their decorations, which would be used to personalize their pumpkins once they got back to the classroom.
Remote kindergartners, first graders and second graders were also invited to pick out pumpkins at the patch after school hours.
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Education was held via teleconference on Monday, October 1 9, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
Click here to listen to the Meeting
John Lewis Childs School student Theresa Mineo and her mom presented an awesome Halloween wreath to Principal Susan Fazio to display at the school. Thank you, Theresa!
View from the Classroom: Second Grade at JLC
Second-graders at John Lewis Childs School have been busy learning!
Please click here to view the PowerPoint
Please send all questions to:
Floral Park-Bellerose UFSD Reopening Plan
Click here for a letter from
Dr. Sottile and Mrs. Laura Ferone, Board of Education President
Read the School Reopening Plan for Fall 2020
The New York State Education Department today released guidance to help schools and school districts as they plan to reopen, whether that occurs in person, remotely, or in a combination of the two.
The Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Education will be held at 7:30 p.m. It is anticipated that the Board will immediately adjourn to executive session to consider confidential matters relating to negotiations, personnel and legal. Public session will commence at 8:00 p.m. followed by a Public Hearing on the District Wide Safety Plan. The Regular Meeting will commence immediately following. The Meeting will be held live via teleconference.
MEETING CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DUE TO COVID 19, GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 202.1
Please click here for a letter from
Dr. Kathleen Sottile, Superintendent of Schools.
Please click below for the Governor's press conference.
By when must a school district receive an absentee ballot returned by mail in order for the ballot to be counted toward the 2020 school election and budget vote results?
Executive Order 202.39 requires school districts to canvass all absentee ballots received through the mail by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.
Must a ballot be postmarked in order to be counted?
No, there is no requirement that an absentee ballot returned by mail be postmarked or have a specific postmark date.
Any mailed absentee ballot will be counted if received by the school district by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.
When will school districts start canvassing the ballots?
The canvass of the ballots will take place after 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 16th.
Will voters be able to return their ballot in person through the June 16, 2020 extended deadline?
No. Some school districts set up ballot boxes outside district offices or school buildings to enable voters to return absentee ballots in person. Voters wishing to take advantage of that option must deposit their return ballot in such a box by 5:00 pm today, June 9, 2020.
According to Executive Order 202.39:
May voters who did not receive an absentee ballot in time to cast their vote by the original deadline of today, June 9, 2020, request and get one from the school district?
Yes, ballots must be received by the school district by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, by mail.
A big congratulations goes out to Lily Dono, a third grade student in Mrs. Higgins’ class at John Lewis Childs School! She came in third place in a nationwide essay contest sponsored by The Be Kind People Project. Lily’s essay was chosen from other third-fifth grade entries all over the country. We are so proud of you, Lily! Keep making a difference and the world will be a better place because of people like you!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pti7VmuH2jAAA2wXzxuURD0MLLcVmcIh/view?invite=CO_Y1b4I&ts=5ed16542
Public Hearing on the FPBSD Proposed Budget
Monday, June 1, 2020 at 8:00 PM
Click here to view the Meeting
Please click here for a letter from
Dr. Kathleen Sottile, Superintendent of Schools.
Calendar Change: Last Day of School will be June 17th.
On May 1, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.26 setting forth provisions for the rescheduled Annual Meeting for school board elections and budget votes. The new uniform voting date is Tuesday, June 9, 2020. All voting will take place via absentee ballot.
Click here for more information.
John Lewis Childs School fourth graders and brothers Siddharth and Shaurya Doshi, along with their parents Jigar Doshi and Amita Gandhi-Doshi, have been collecting donations and distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to local nursing homes and rehab facilities.
Using their 3D printer, the family was able to create eye preventative shields for distribution. Additionally, the donations they collected have been given to people who are stitching cloth face masks for nonessential workers such as electricians, plumbers and the elderly.
So far, the family has been able to donate PPEs to Townhouse Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, Apex Rehabilitation and Healthcare, MHH Clinical Services PLLC, Ditmas Park Rehabilitation Center, Buena Vida Continuing Care and Rehabilitation Center, Hands On Physical Therapy and the Floral Park Police Department.
REGULAR MEETING
May 11, 2020
Executive Session at 7:00 p.m.
Public Session at 8:00 p.m.
MEETING CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DUE TO COVID-19, GOVERNOR’s EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 202.1
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Education scheduled for June 8th has been rescheduled to June 1st and a Public Hearing will be held via a videoconference at 8:00 p.m. on:
Monday, June 1, 2020
The Workshop Meeting of the Board of Education
scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2020 has been cancelled.
Individuals interested in running for the Board of Education must submit their petition no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 11, 2020.
Click Here for more information
TO OUR AMAZING STAFF,
CLICK HERE FOR A RAP VIDEO FROM THE BE KIND CREW - BE ENCOURAGING!!
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that K-12 schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year. We will continue to provide distance learning for the remainder of this academic year.
A decision about summer school will be made at the end of May.
Thank you to our amazing Cafeteria Staff!! Great job feeding many families each week. Behind the masks are huge smiles!!!!!
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has extended the closure of all schools in the state until
May 15th.
I am continuing to encourage you to visit the link below for more information on:
What to Do If You Are Sick or Feel Sick, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are- sick/steps-when-sick.html.
Also, please visit the link below for more information on 15 Days to Slow the Spread of COVID-19, https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp- content/uploads/2020/03/03.16.20_coronavirus-guidance_8.5x11_315PM.pdf.
The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hotline Number is 1-888-364-3065.
REGULAR MEETING
April 6, 2020
8:00 p.m.
MEETING CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DUE TO COVID-19, GOVERNOR’s EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 202.1
Superintendent Kathleen Sottile would like to share this inspirational message with the community. Stay well.
Click Here for a letter from Dr. Kathleen Sottile, Superintendent of Schools.
Video: YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND performed by the worldwide cast of BEAUTIFUL (in quarantine) for The Actors Fund
FREE GRAB AND GO LUNCH PROGRAM
Beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, we will be providing our students a free Grab and Go lunch between the hours of 11am and 1pm. There will be no Ala Carte items for sale. Lunches will be distributed for both schools at the Floral Park Bellerose Elementary School (the entrance for pickup will be on the Poppy Place side lunch door on the black top). All students who are eligible for the free and reduced meal program are encouraged to participate in the meal pick up program. If you should have an issue with transportation or have a special dietary need, please contact the school lunch office at 516 434 2758 or email Karen Crenshaw at KCrenshaw@fpbsd.org
ALTICE HOME INTERNET
Altice (formerly Cablevision) offers a free internet product for students with no Internet access at home. Installation charges are also waived. The relationship is directly between parent/guardian and Altice so the school districts and BOCES are not involved except to provide information. Parents call 1-866-200-9522 to enroll
Through the prompts, they will need to select new customer, new service, new Internet.
State Education Department and New York's Public Television Stations Announce Expanded Remote Learning During Statewide School Closure
Local Public Media Channels to Broadcast Educational Content for Pre-K to 12th Grade
Update to Superintendent Letter Dated 3/9/202:
Effective today, March 13, 2020 through Arpil 8th, 2020, we are postponing all field trips, events, and both schools’ Drama Productions.
Superintendent Letter regarding Coronavirus and event postponements(posted 3/9/2020)
Effective 3/12/20, we will not be permitting any outside community groups to use our indoor school facilities. This does not effect the School Life Plus Program. All outside community groups are currently being contacted. Girl Scouts, Boys Scouts and any other groups who enter our buildings prior to 6pm are included in this decision as well. Again, this is another precautionary measure and we thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Superintendent Letter regarding
Parent/Teacher conferences and Coronavirus update
(posted 3/11/2020)
Please CLICK HERE for the most up to date information regarding the virus.
Please CLICK HERE for Information about Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Superintendent Letter regarding Coronavirus and event postponements
(posted 3/9/2020)
Our District is continuing to take extra precautionary measures such as:
FLORAL PARK-BELLEROSE ALERT!
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EMERGENCY INFORMATION
SCHOOL CLOSINGS
DELAYED OPENINGS
SCHOOL EVENT REMINDERS
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PARENTS! This is a secondary system, and most school to home communication is sent via the ConnectED system. If you are not receiving messages from your school, please contact the main office of your school.
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES:
In order to avoid congestion, the main entrance should only be used if your child is attending an early morning activity or arriving to school after 8:20a.m. Most of our clubs and extra help do not begin until 7:30am. Please do not bring your child any earlier as our security personnel begins the day at 7:30am. All students that walk to school enter the school from the playground. Students should enter the building through the doors on either side of the auditorium (Exits 8 and 10). There are staff members monitoring these exits. The first bell rings at 8:10 a.m. and students may enter the building at this time. We ask that students who walk to school, time their arrival so as not to arrive before 8:10 a.m. They will not be considered late until 8:20 a.m.
DROP OFF PROCEDURES – Drop off is on the east side of Flower Avenue where staff members are stationed assisting in the utilization of the STOP, DROP, and ROLL procedure. These staff members guide students to walk to the corner of Flower and Elizabeth where the crossing guard directs students across the street. There are additional staff members at the receiving corner to guide students into the school building at the corner exit (Exit 15). This protocol enables parents to quickly pull to the curb and allow the child to exit the car and then pull right back out. It allows traffic in this area to move smoothly. Cars may not park in this area and children should have all their items on hand so that they may be able to quickly exit the car.
Please review the above procedures with your child and if you have any questions, please contact the main office.
Mrs. Susan Fazio
Principal
Phone: 516-434-2780
Email: sfazio@fpbsd.org
Mrs. Kristina Lynch
Assistant Principal
Phone: 516-434-2780
Email: klynch@fpbsd.org
Ms. Deborah Falco
School Nurse
Phone: 516-434-2796
Email: dfalco@fpbsd.org
Attendance: 516-434-2797