“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The distribution of the Morning Announcements was delayed so that we had time to focus on the significance of today's National Holiday.
Auditions/Admissions & Open House Information can be found at the top of our website under the Admissions tab.
Hello,
The 59th inaugural ceremonies will be held on January 20 at the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. The event will swear in President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. We want everyone to have the opportunity to view this historic event, so we will be running a special bell schedule on that day. Please note: the Inaugural Committee has not formally announced times for the day’s events, so there may be some last minute adjustments to the schedule.
Tentative January 20, 2021 Special Schedule
Underclassmen:
8:30 - 9:00 Period 0
9:00 - 9:40 Period 1
9:40 -10:20 Period 2
10:20 - 11:00 Period 3
11:00 - 11:40 Period 4
Upperclassmen Dance, Drama, Fine Arts, Technical Theater:
8:45 - 11:30 Period 6 AND Period 8
Upperclassmen Instrumental Music & Vocal Music
9:00 - 10:20 Period 6
10:20 - 11:40 Period 8
How to Watch with LaGuardia
All major news networks are broadcasting the inauguration.
Community Open Viewing Party
Dr. Stricklin will be hosting an Open Viewing Party where all community members are welcome to join. Participants will be asked to mute their microphones but may utilize the chat function for respectful exchange of reactions.
Community Open / Support Space
Ms. Vasconcelos will be hosting an Open / Support Space from 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM. We expect it will be a day full of emotions and reflections. The space is reserved for speaking and hearing about what is on the mind of our community, supporting each other, and receiving support. There will be additional faculty and staff present who can take community members to a more private breakout room if needed to support. The Inauguration will not be shown in this space. Please see the PupilPath email from January 14 for the links to this event. Please see the PupilPath email from January 14 for the links to this event.
Dear LaGuardia Arts Community,
Throughout the pandemic, our priority has been the health and well-being of our community. At LaGuardia, we have made many adjustments to our practice based on the needs of our families and what is best for students. We thank our faculty and staff for their thoughtful revision of instructional curriculum, ensuring that despite the necessary reduction in course content coverage, all of our students have access to the rigorous coursework to prepare them for success this year and beyond. We appreciate our community’s commitment to engaging learning experiences during this difficult time.
This communication covers the most current adjustments to standardized examinations as a result of the pandemic.
January 2021 Regents Examinations Cancellation
New York State has determined that the January 2021 Regents Exams cannot be safely, equitably, and fairly administered. All LaGuardia students enrolled in a Regents course during the Fall Term of 2020-2021, and receive passing numeric grades for both Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of the course, will receive a waiver for the corresponding Regents exam. The waiver represents a passing exam that fulfills graduation requirements. For any diploma designations that require averaging exam scores, the waived exam will not be included in the average. Students are NOT expected to take the waived Regents exam(s) when offered in a future administration.
January 2021 Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Examinations Cancellation
New York City has similarly determined that the January 2021 Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Exams cannot be safely, equitably, and fairly administered. The waiver guidance is the same as described above for Regents exams.
2020-2021 Arts Commencement Examinations Change
New York City has similarly considered safety, equity, and fairness and decided to remove the written component of the Arts Commencement Examination to fulfill requirements for the Chancellor’s Endorsement in the Arts. The three-part Arts Commencement Examination is now adapted into a two-part assessment that includes a performance-based task and a reflective essay. The specifics of the task and essay, and timeline for submission, differ for Dance, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts. All 12th grade students are required to complete the task and essay; more information will be shared with 12th grade families by their arts studio as further details become available.
March 2021 SAT/PSAT Uncertain
At this time, we are awaiting guidance from the DOE, but would like to provide you with historical information. In a typically school year, by today New York City would have registered students for the annual SAT Day. The exam administration has not being confirmed as of today, and all recent SAT/PSAT administrations planned at DOE testing sites have been cancelled. Many colleges and universities are test-optional, test-flexible, have deemphasized, or have eliminated consideration of the SAT in the admissions process. Students are NOT required to take the SAT.
May 2021 Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations Contingency
At this time, we are awaiting guidance from the DOE, but we would like to provide you with the most current information College Board announced at the end of 2020: If schools are closed or coronavirus-related risks prevent a student from testing at schools, schools can authorize a full-length digital contingency exam to be taken at home. The CollegeBoard states that more information will be available in early 2021. Many colleges and universities do not accept AP examination scores. Students are NOT required to take the AP Exam(s), which cost $86 per examination.
Mandatory AP Information Family Sessions will be held the week of January 18 for all students enrolled in AP Courses who are interested in taking one or more AP Exams. Further AP Exam updates and LaGuardia AP Exam Review Information will be shared at these sessions. Dates/Times TBA.
Reminder: Make Use of Academic Support Centers
The Academic Support Centers provide additional real-time opportunities for students to engage in learning with teachers and/or students in science, writing, and world languages. Students must be logged into their LaGuardiahs.org Google Account to join the Language Lab, Science Lab Center, or Writing Lab. More information about the Academic Support Centers by going to our website www.laguardiahs.org >> MY LAGUARDIA >>Academics >> Academic Support Centers.
Reminder: Stop by Principal’s Virtual Office
I host a Principal’s Virtual Office at three different times on the second Monday of each month. The next date is Monday, January 11, 2021:
Working Breakfast (7:30am-8:30pm)
Working Lunch (12pm-1pm)
Working Dinner (7:30pm-8:30pm)
Enter my Virtual Office during one of the three times
Reminder: Let’s Talk College
Every Wednesday evening I join Assistant Principal of Guidance Ms. Shelliann Williams in Let’s Talk College at 7pm. Again, join us and stay as long as you like for this Q&A Discussion about all things college.
Stay safe.
Best,
Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos
Principal
January 7, 2021
Dear LaGuardia Arts Community,
The turn of events in our nation on January 6, 2021, left many of us wondering about the future of our democracy, as well as reflecting upon the history of our democracy.
In a message to principals, Superintendent Vivian Orlen highlighted the importance of examining this moment in history:
The Electoral College process, often misunderstood and/or ignored, begs to be explained. The role of voter suppression, before and after an election, as a part of systemic racism. The historical significance of the Georgia elections and the grass roots efforts led by a Black woman, Stacey Abrams, provides an arena to explore race and politics. I am deeply disturbed by how the Trump supporters were treated by police when compared to the way Black Lives Matter peaceful protesters have been handled by law enforcement. This too offers an illustration of the power of race, privilege, and white supremacy.
I want to thank our community for their continued, caring, and thoughtful responsiveness. LaGuardians reached out to each other for support, and in virtual classrooms have been creating and saving spaces to process the core of our humanity.
We are asking for our community to continue to create and save space for our most valuable and vulnerable members - our students. We ask our parents, guardians, teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, support staff, and alumni, to partner with students in creating and saving space for our young people. Let our young people express how they feel, ask questions, share their hopes, think about action. Most importantly, create and save space for our young people to connect, interact, and exchange ideas.
Open Space Student Discussion -- Today, January 7, 2021; 4:30 PM.
Today we will hold an Open Space Discussion. While all members of our community are welcome to attend as allies, we are asking for this to be a space where students can listen, express themselves, and be heard. Please attend using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81138303938?pwd=UWFkSVhRSC9yV0YzTm1HdldxRUNzQT09
Meeting ID: 811 3830 3938
Passcode: 80856
We will then build upon the voices of our young leaders to determine next steps for structures to support the needs of the LaGuardia community.
LaGuardia Spaces
We are also reminding our community below the many supportive spaces that exist throughout LaGuardia for us to be with one another. No one should be alone at this time.
Discussion Resources
Here are some organizations to help support young people’s voices:
Wellness Resources
Visit NYC Well or text “WELL” to 651-73
Stay safe.
Best,
Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos
Principal
Hello,
Welcome back after our Winter Recess! There are a few timely things that I need to inform you of:
My Sister’s Keeper (MSK) is a New York City Department of Education Initiative to promote gender equity empower and engage girls and young women in grades 4-12, including cisgender, transgender, gender expansive, and any other students who identify with the terms “girl" or “woman”. Our mission is to bring together diverse groups of youth and provide them with access to experiences that build confidence, strengthen community and sisterhood, celebrate greatness and further our goals of equity and inclusion. Consistent with DOE policy, all interested students in grades 4-12 are welcome to join.
All students in grades 4–12 whose interests align with this initiative are asked to complete this voluntary student survey by January 15. Responses from the survey will provide the DOE with valuable input from students to help develop programs, resources, and supports that best serve their needs. See Source Document
On Thursday, January 7, The Entrepreneurs Club will be having our first guest speaker. Please see the poster.
The COVID Rent Relief Extension Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance. The COVID Rent Relief Extension Program is not first come, first served. Applications will be accepted throughout the application period. HCR will prioritize eligible households with “greatest economic and social need." Access COVID Rent Relief Extension Website
New York City is committed to making free meals available daily for all New Yorkers. While school buildings are closed, students and families can go to nearby school buildings for takeout meals. Additionally, any New Yorker can receive free meals available at locations across the city.
There will be no food service available on the following dates. December 25th (Christmas Day) and January 1st (New Year’s Day)
There will be food service available on the following dates from 12pm to 3pm only. December 24th (Christmas Eve) and December 28th-31st (Including New Year’s Eve)
As mentioned in the morning announcements, information about Manhattan District Arts Consortium Information can be found here.
Also, information has been released regarding the High School Admissions Process. Please pass this information on to friends, family, and anyone who will be participating in the process.
We have worked hard to make our website more accessible to all individuals. In emails and printed communications, following a certain heading format allows greater accessibility when a person needing visual assistance is using an e-reader.
City College is sponsoring a few Saturday classes that are worth taking a look at.
DCAS is hosting a panel discussion to help youth learn about careers in city government. The City Government Career Pathways for Youth CityTalk Panel will feature representatives from various City agencies who will discuss opportunities working for the city as well as available internships. Attendees will learn about the process for applying for City jobs and gain insights about what it is like to work for the City.
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
to register, please visit: https://bit.ly/YouthEvent1222
Sponsored by:
DCAS and partnering City agencies
Career Opportunity.
Job Security. Great Benefits.
A Rewarding Mission.
LaGuardia Arts places information in the body of the email and the flier is generally attached. This allows the text to be translated into the language preferred by each family.
No student shall be subjected to harassment, discrimination, or bullying, including cyberbullying by employees or students on school property or at a school function or off school property where such acts create or would foreseeably create a risk of substantial disruption within the school environment or where it is foreseeable that the conduct, threats, intimidation or abuse might reach school property; nor shall any student be subjected to discrimination based on a person's actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex by school employees or students on school property or at a school function. (Dignity for All Students Act effective July 1, 2013)
Chris Gonzalez, Guidance Counselor
Thomas Pappas, Guidance Counselor
If you need help because someone has discriminated against, harassed, bullied or intimidated you, or if you have concerns about such behavior, you can go to one of our Respect For All liaisons or any staff member you feel comfortable speaking with.
December 22, 2020: Chancellor's Update for Families
December 18, 2020: Chancellor's Admissions Updates for High Schools and Middle Schools
December 15, 2020: Family Letter Inclement Weather
December 11, 2020: Update for Families on December Reopening
November 29, 2020: Update for Families on Reopening of Schools
November 24, 2020: Remote Learning and COVID-19 Testing Consent
November 24, 2020: Update for Families
October 26, 2020: Update for Families
September 29, 2020: Update for Families on COVID-19 Testing
September 25, 2020: Letter to Families about Census
September 21, 2020: Update for Families
September 18, 2020: Staggered Start Reopening
September 14, 2020: Update on Calendar, Ventilation Reports and Covid-19 Testing
September 4, 2020: Update for Families
August 20, 2020: Back to School Pledge
August 17, 2020: Updates for Families
August 6, 2020: Update for Families on Instruction
August 3, 2020: Update for Families on Health, Safety, and Remote Learning
July 27, 2020: Update for Families on School Reopening
July 15, 2020: P-EBT Letter to Families
July 13, 2020: Update for Families regarding Summer Supports
July 8, 2020: Update for Families regarding Reopening
June 26, 2020: Last Day of School Letter from Chancellor Carranza
June 26, 2020: Last Day of School Letter for Families with IEP Students
June 15, 2020: Letter from the Chancellor for Voting and the 2020 Census
June 12, 2020: Letter from the Chancellor About the Return to School 2020 Survey
June 5, 2020: Chancellor's Update on Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
June 3, 2020: Letter From the Chancellor on Striving for Justice
May 29, 2020: Update 2 from Chancellor Carranza on MIS-C
"My submission of 'Creation of Unity' relates to the theme of HeARTwork against hate by showing union of different diversity groups. This piece shows two hands that come from two different races coming together to unite and write their own destiny of peace and solidarity. The background behind the hands shows happiness between them, as well as an alliance to the LGBTQ+ community." — Paula Kupin
Paula is the Second-Place winner of the NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes student art contest, “HeARTwork Against Hate.”
