Announcements

• The Merry Widow Program

  View the program as a PDF

  Tickets are available for cash for all performances of the Merry Widow.

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• RENT: All Shows Sold Out

  The Spring Drama Festival production of RENT is sold out for the remainder of its run.  Beginning at 6:00 PM, a stand-by line is formed where there is a possibility of cancellations or returned tickets.  Families are encouraged to donate tickets not being used to the school so the seat can be resold, helping more people to see the show with the revenue going to the Drama Department.

   

   

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• Important Clarification about Upcoming April SAT/PSAT10 School Day

  It has come to our attention that the College Board has populated an incorrect upcoming date for the NYCDOE School Day SAT administration within individual student College Board accounts.

  This message is to confirm that if you see an upcoming test date for either a School Day SAT or PSAT 10 in your College Board portal, the date listed is incorrect. You will NOT be testing over Spring Break. The LaGuardia PSAT10/SAT School Day administration is Tuesday, April 25th. Ms. Seid will share additional test related information closer to the exam, but for now please disregard the incorrect date shown on the College Board's site.

  As a reminder, there are two exams happening in school that day. All 10th graders are automatically registered for a free PSAT 10 and all 11th graders are automatically registered for a free SAT. The test the juniors take is a real SAT and can be sent to colleges next fall, if a student orders it to be sent next school year. The PSAT 10 for sophomores is just practice exam and cannot play any roll in applying to college as a senior. No colleges will automatically see any testing records, so these exams are low stakes in that you fully control the score report.

  It is our recommendation that students sit for and do their best on these exams to get a sense of if this brand of test is something where they excel. Ultimately, if the student decides to take the ACT instead or decides not to apply to college with testing in the future, that is completely fine, the exam will just be an exercise in practicing test taking skills and getting comfortable with timed standardized exams. (Other examples of timed standardized exams would be things like AP exams and Regents exams).

  Any 11th grade student seeking an additional test registration is responsible for signing up on their own for a ticket through the College Board website. Those Saturday exams are first come, first served and sites will sell out so we recommend securing a seat now if you have not already. It is typically recommended to sit for an official exam two times total, one being the school day test and the second being a weekend date sometime before November of 12th grade. Fee waivers are available for students who qualify, email Ms. Kleiman if you need a waiver for a weekend exam.

  If you have ANY questions about standardized testing, please review the following links to archived Friday Post-Secondary Parent Guardian Zooms. You are also always more than welcome to email me any questions regarding the PSAT 10 or SAT.

  SAT/ACT Standardized Testing

  https://youtu.be/J2EH4DxkCyQ

  PSAT	https://youtu.be/4FRpeP_xRqw

  

  Test Optional Admission

  https://youtu.be/tFd8QCEaiDs

  Best,

  Allison Kleiman

  Post-Secondary Specialist

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• Ms. Mathesius Named as Interim Acting Principal

  Dear Community Members,

  I want to publicly thank Yeou Jey Vasconcelos for serving as principal of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. Although her time as principal was short it was impactful.

  Beginning today, March 6, 2023, Michele Mathesius will take on the role of Interim Acting Principal for Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. Ms. Mathesius has served this school community for the past 37 years as a teacher and assistant principal. During her time at Laguardia, she has built trusting, powerful relationships with students, families, faculty and colleagues and has dedicated her professional life to elevating the educational experiences for all students. Ms. Mathesius’s core beliefs about education mirror those of the Manhattan High Schools District and she is ready to build on the great work happening at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.

  In the coming days and weeks, Ms. Mathesius will be meeting with members of the Laguardia community to begin to get to know everyone as she takes on this new role. I ask that you welcome Ms. Mathesius and support her transition.

  I remain committed to supporting the students, families and staff that make up this school community and working with you to ensure that every student is experiencing an excellent, affirming, and engaging education that prepares them for success throughout their lives.

  Best, Gary Beidleman

   

  Gary Beidleman, Superintendent

  Manhattan High Schools

  New York City Department of Education

  • Laguardia HS Transition 3 6 23 docx 1.pdf

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• A Farewell Message

  Dear Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts,

   

  Over the past 17 years, I have been honored to serve as music teacher, assistant principal, and principal in the New York City Department of Education. Unofficially, I have stepped in as social worker, math tutor, artistic director, writing coach. Students have called me mom, colleagues have called me friend, families have called me advocate.

   

  I will soon find myself with a new role. I have been offered an opportunity to serve New York City students and families in a leadership capacity outside of the Department of Education. I have humbly accepted. My last day in our community is Friday, March 3.

   

  At LaGuardia, every day is a lesson about the importance of the arts, education, and arts education. Every day, our young thinkers witness adult decision-making and its impact. Every day, our young artists choose honesty over corruption, collaboration over hostility, creativity over conformity, action over posturing, inclusion over intimidation, humility over arrogance, kindness over vengeance, togetherness over marginalization, hope over fear. Every day, our young voices share their vulnerability in hopes of a more authentic, caring, and just world.

   

  To our young change makers: Remember that reflective silence can overpower even the loudest noise. There is great power in the pauses in choreography, the rests in music, the negative spaces in design. Intentional silence has the potential to invite others in.

   

  My successor will be joining the LaGuardia community at a time of great excitement, as planning for the next school year is just beginning.

   

  At LaGuardia, each of us are cast in the role of a life-time. Each of us have our own given circumstances, with a shared objective to positively support student outcomes. I am filled with gratitude for all the relationships that have supported me in meeting our shared objective with the highest level of integrity.

   

  May LaGuardia’s equity lamp always burn bright,

   

  Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos

  Principal

   

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• Senior Trip to Central Park for Class of 2023 Photo

  A long-standing practice at Laguardia is including a group photo of the graduating class -- and each studio -- in the yearbook.  Most years, this is accomplished by the graduating class walking to Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, for the photographs.

   

  This year’s field trip date is Thursday, February 16, 2023.  Seniors leave from school at a designated time and return by the end of Period 5 (12:05 PM).

   

  A permission slip is required of every student.  The permission slips have been printed for Seniors and can be picked up off a cart outside Room 230 (across from the Dean's Office.)

   

  Permission slips must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned by noon on Tuesday, February 14.  Your OP MUST be on the form.  This will allow us to complete the organizational items necessary for safely walking 850 students to Central Park.

   

  For students who know in advance they are unable to attend this date, we will gather their names and work to have them featured in other sections of the yearbook.

   

  This event will be a great outing for the Class of 2023.  Please pick up and return the signed permission slip sooner rather than later.  We don’t want to deny Seniors the opportunity to be in the group pictures due to  a lack of permission.

   

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• Senior Trip to Central Park for Class of 2023 Photo

  A long-standing practice at Laguardia is including a group photo of the graduating class -- and each studio -- in the yearbook.  Most years, this is accomplished by the graduating class walking to Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, for the photographs.

   

  This year’s field trip date is Thursday, February 16, 2023.  Seniors leave from school at a designated time and return by the end of Period 5 (12:05 PM).

   

  A permission slip is required of every student.  The permission slips have been printed for Seniors and can be picked up off a cart outside Room 230 (across from the Dean's Office.)

   

  Permission slips must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned by noon on Tuesday, February 14.  Your OP MUST be on the form.  This will allow us to complete the organizational items necessary for safely walking 850 students to Central Park.

   

  For students who know in advance they are unable to attend this date, we will gather their names and work to have them featured in other sections of the yearbook.

   

  This event will be a great outing for the Class of 2023.  Please pick up and return the signed permission slip sooner rather than later.  We don’t want to deny Seniors the opportunity to be in the group pictures due to  a lack of permission.

   

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• Important Information for the Spring Semester (2022-23 SY)

  Dear LaGuardia Students and Families,

  I hope this email finds you all well.

  By Wednesday, February 1, final grades earned for the Fall 2022 semester will post to student transcripts and report cards for Marking Period 3. Students and families may already see some grades as they are being processed by the system but please note that the official grade is not finalized until February 1. Students and families can access Marking Period and Final Grades in their DOE Schools Account at https://www.schoolsaccount.nyc/  Students and families should sign in, click “My Student,” and then click Grades.

  At LaGuardia, final grades are reported to student transcripts twice each school year - once at the end of January (end of Fall Semester), and then at the end of June (end of Spring Semester). These are the final grades that are sent to colleges and are recorded on the transcript for students. Interim marking period grades on report cards are for progress reporting only, and are not official credit-bearing grades. Marking period 3 grades are the final grades which post to the transcript.

   

  CR Selection Requests

  For grades earned in Spring 2020 through Spring 2023, parents/guardians may select a CR (credit) in place of a passing numeric grade (65+) earned on the student transcript. To select a CR in lieu of a passing numeric grade, for any of the semesters between Spring 2020-Spring 2023, the parent/guardian must submit this form:  CR Selection Request Form (2022-2023 SY)

  Parents/Guardians of SENIORS who wish to have passing numeric grades changed to CR before the mid-year transcript is sent to colleges must submit this request no later than 8pm on Friday, February 3, 2023. Any CR Selection Request received after this time will be processed, but cannot be guaranteed to be represented on the mid-year transcript sent to colleges.It is possible that colleges may request additional context to better understand the reason a CR was selected in lieu of a numeric grade. If you have questions regarding selecting a CR, please email Ms. Kleiman at akleiman@schools.nyc.gov.

   

   

  Spring 2023

  Tomorrow, January 31, 2023 is the beginning of the Spring 2023 semester.  We encourage students and parents/guardians to regularly discuss their progress in classes.  Families are always encouraged to reach out to the classroom teacher directly to discuss the student's progress, at any time.

  There has been no change in our Bell Schedule and students can access their Spring 2023 programs tomorrow, January 31, in their DOE Schools Account https://www.schoolsaccount.nyc/.  Students and families should sign in, click “My Student,” and then click Schedule.  

  • Marking Period 1 ends on Friday, March 17, 2023

    • Interim marking period grades are scheduled be accessible on Friday, March 24

  • Marking Period 2 ends on Friday, May 5, 2023

    • Interim marking period grades are scheduled to be accessible on Friday, May 12

  • Marking Period 3 ends on June 13, 2023

    • Final grades are scheduled to be accessible on Tuesday, June 27, 2023

       

  We hope that having this information will help manage your expectations for grades this Spring Semester.

   

  Best,

  Shoshana Seid

  Assistant Principal for Special Education, Testing & Programming

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• February Updates

  Dear LaGuardia Arts Community,

   

  Today we welcomed back our students for the Spring Semester! It is hard to believe that the Fall Semester has gone by so quickly.  I look back and am so proud of our students’ artistic and academic achievements, both in and out of the classroom setting.  Our Fall season of professional-level performances and exhibits set new standards for high expectations while placing student voice front and center.

   

  We are saddened by the continued news of violence that makes us question the humanity of our world. We ask ourselves how we speak with young people about race, and how we speak with young people about racism. In these horrific moments, we are fortunate to be part of an artistic community, where we understand that at the core of kindness and inclusion is appreciation of culture and healing. Yesterday we were humbled to host the NYCDOE City-Wide Professional Development for music teachers across the City. We learned about social justice from educators and artists from Berklee College of Music and Take Me To The River through the music and cultural traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians and Afro-New Orleans culture. Thank you to LaGuardia music and technical theater faculty and staff for their behind the scenes support to build meaningful connections that extend beyond the walls of LaGuardia.

   

   

   

  Engaging with Our Faculty/Staff

   

  Monthly Coffee & Donuts with Our Parent Coordinator 2/3

  Parents and guardians are invited to join our Parent Coordinator, Jerrianna Phenix, Friday, February 3, for some hot coffee and donuts! Everyone is welcome to stop by Office 211, between the hours of 7:45am and 10:45am. As always, DOE policy requires photo identification and proof of vaccination. Ms. Phenix would love to meet more parents and hear how everyone is doing on their artistic journeys. (Ms. Phenix will be continuing this event the first Friday morning of each month)! If coming to campus is not possible, she will have her Google Meets open between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, here is the link, just paste it into your browser: meet.google.com/bzp-hcqx-ebumeet.google.com/bzp-hcqx-ebu

   

  Principal’s Office Hours 2/8 - Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention

  Monthly, virtual Principal’s Office Hours are held on the second Wednesday of every month during breakfast, lunch, and dinner times. The February Office Hours topic is Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention, and I will be joined by members of our Guidance staff. Please join us Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 7:30am, 12pm, or 7pm on Zoom:  https://zoom.us/j/83138114097?pwd=UmViYm5yRXRJampkMzVSU09kdkxqdz09

   

  Math and Science Grading Policy Workshop 2/13

  We appreciate the community feedback requesting informational opportunities in the first month of the semester for understanding the math and science grading policy. Math and Science teachers have been developing details of what the Spring semester looks like, and there will be a series of communications to support students and families. 

  • On Friday, February 3, Assistant Principal of Math and Science Alyssa Collins (acollins10@schools.nyc.gov) will be emailing all families an overview.

  • On Friday, February 10, individual math and science teachers will be sharing details pertaining to the course that the student is in.

  • On Monday, February 13, at 7pm, Ms. Collins will be conducting a virtual workshop. The workshop will be recorded and materials made available to all families.

   

   

   

  Personnel Updates

   

  Assistant Principal of Career & Technical Education Appointed

  Congratulations to Elijah Schreiner who has been appointed Assistant Principal of Career and Technical Education (CTE). Thank you to our C30 Committee for their insightful questions and feedback during the interview process. Mr. Schreiner shares the following message: It is important to me as an educator that all of our students feel a sense of community at our school. As a trans man it’s crucial for me that our students feel that they belong. Working backstage was always a safe space for me growing up, and as Assistant Principal of Career and Technical Education I’m excited to help our students carve their own safe spaces, helping them to become the future bright spots of our world.

   

  Assistant Principal of English Returning

  This Fall Assistant Principal Julissa Marrero took a leave of absence to care for her mother. We thank the community for respecting her family’s time and privacy, and colleague assistant principals who stepped in for her responsibilities. We are happy to be welcoming Ms. Marrero back on February 1. She will be communicating internal English department changes with families of students impacted by other English teachers returning from leave.

   

  Librarian Retiring

  Librarian Susannah Tamarkin has worked tirelessly to protect the integrity of the LaGuardia library: a beautiful, inviting physical space that is made possible by a renovation grant she spearheaded in the 2014-2015 school year. Ms. Tamarkin states: I am retiring from the Department of Education after a 25 year career that began for me in the Spring Term, 1998.  It was my honor to serve you all as the librarian and I wish you well in your future endeavors.  With much respect for all you do, Susannah Tamarkin. Congratulations Ms. Tamarkin! Ms. Tamarkin always took great initiative to ensure that the library remained a sacred instructional space for students. The library will continue to be open 10 periods a day as we embark on our search for a new librarian.

   

   

  Calendar Reminders

   

  Curricular Events - Art Show

  On Friday, February 10, we present the first of four Senior Art Shows of the year! Preview and Opening are from 1-7pm, and On View continues on February 17 from 4-7pm. Thank you to the Fine Arts Studio for adding additional times and dates for all art shows this year to accommodate as many family schedule needs as possible.

   

  President's Birthdays & Mid-Winter Break - 2/20-24

  NYCDOE Schools are closed for Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, and Mid-Winter Break from February 20 through February 24. School resumes on Monday, February 27.

   

  COVID-19 Testing Before Returning from Break

  All students may pick up two COVID-19 testing kits on Friday, February 17, in the Main Lobby. Additional kits may be picked up for family members. Students are asked to use the tests the day prior to returning from Mid-Winter Recess.

   

   

  New Semester Mindfulness Course Offering!

   

  Our new Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialist, Alex Falk, is offering a course in Mindfulness.  In this course students will discover how meditation and mindfulness practices can help a person build a healthy, positive and empowered life. Together the group will learn to manage stress, develop healthy relationships, balance difficult emotions, and live with intention. The participants will also explore the role of creativity and artistic expression as mindfulness tools, and the importance of using our creativity in service of others. For students who are interested in learning about meditation, love making art, want to collaborate with their peers, and care about social activism, this is the perfect class for them.  

  The course will meet during the Spring Semester, starting February 27, during Period 10, 2-3 times per week.  The course will be co-taught by Alex Falk, SAPIS, and an additional teacher.  The course is a credit-bearing elective course.  Interested students should complete the Interested in Mindfulness Course Google Form using their laguardiahs.org account.  The deadline to express interest is February 10, 2023.

   

   

  Safety Support

   

  Parents/Guardians Needed to Chaperone Senior Class Photo in Central Park

  Traditionally, a photograph is taken for the yearbook of the current graduating class and of each studio in Central Park.  Due to the large number of chaperones required to walk 850 Seniors to Bethesda Fountain, we are asking for volunteers.  Volunteers can be from any grade level.  The date is Thursday, February 16, 2023, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM.  There is a lot of walking to and from Central Park, Bethesda Fountain and LaGuardia. Each parent is typically matched with a staff member.  All chaperones make sure that Seniors are aware of their surroundings, follow all traffic safety rules, cross at lights, don't stand in the street, etc. HERE is the link to the sign-up Google form for the trip to Bethesda Fountain. Please email Parent Association Senior Representative Anne at seniorrep@laguardiahspa.org with any questions.

   

  Safety & Security

  Our staff, including School Safety and our Deans, are working hard to keep LaGuardia safe.  Safety is the top priority during our school day and six days a week of after school and weekend programs. But we cannot do it alone! Any time a report is made of an unsafe incident, the school immediately acts upon it following DOE safety protocols. Part of the protocol is we are not able to share with the community outcomes of investigations. If a student, parent/guardian, or faculty/staff member is aware of an incident, please contact the Assistant Principal of Safety & Security Greg Brummell (gbrumme@schools.nyc.gov), any dean, or any supervisor IMMEDIATELY.  Receiving the information quickly helps us address situations and keep everyone safe.

   

   

  Best,

  Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos

  Principal

   

   

  ON OUR WEBSITE www.laguardiahs.org: Announcements / Events Calendar / Faculty & Staff Directory / Weekly Counseling Newsletter

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• January 23, 2023, SLT Meeting

  Please see the attached documents for the January 23, 2023, SLT meeting which begins at 6:00 PM.

  The agenda also includes the link to the Zoom meeting, as well as a link to the December minutes.

  • SLT Agenda 1 24 2023.pdf

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• Spring Sports Update 2023

  LaGuardia Community,

   

  We are excited to announce that spring sports will begin on March 1st for all interested athletes. We will be offering the following sports: 

  • Outdoor Track - Boys & Girls
  • Baseball- Boys
  • Softball- Girls
    
  • Handball- Girls
  • JV Girls Soccer
  • Fencing- Girls
  • Volleyball- Boys

  Practice schedule and game schedule will be communicated by the coach after the final roster is confirmed.

   

  We strongly encourage all students to participate in these sports, as they not only provide physical activity but also help build teamwork and leadership skills.

   

  If you are interested in participating in a spring sport, please sign up by March 7, 2023,  and return the necessary PSAL forms to the coach of your interest. 

   

  LaGuardia PSAL Sports Home Page
  

  PSAL Medical form - Copies available in room 229 (Dean's Suite)
  

  PSAL Parental Consent form

   

  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Joan at JWU16@schools.nyc.gov or the coach of the sport.

   

  We look forward to another successful season!

   

  Sincerely,

   

  Gregory Brummell,

  Assistant Principal, Athletic Director

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• Student Privacy Incident

  January 18, 2023

   

  Dear families of LaGuardia High School 9th and 10th grade students,

   

  I am writing to notify you of an incident in which your child’s New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) records were accidentally shared with the LaGuardia High School community on January 17, 2023. This email outlines what happened and what our school is doing to rectify the situation. We sincerely regret that your child’s personal information was involved in this incident.

   

  On January 17, 2023, families and students of 9th and 10th graders were messaged a link that directed them to a Google Sheet with the date, time, and room number for students to take city-wide periodic assessments in English and Math, called MAP Growth Assessments. This Google Sheet contained students’ last names, first initials, and last four digits of their student ID numbers. A link to the Google Sheet document was also posted on our school’s homepage (www.laguardiahs.org).

   

  Later in the day, as soon as we realized the Google Sheet contained personal information, we immediately disabled the link and removed student information. If you viewed this Google Sheet, please disregard all information you saw. You must also delete/destroy any copies, physical or digital, of the information. This includes emptying your “trash” folder.

   

  Students and families should access the revised sheet (Student Information for MAP Growth Testing (January 2023)) for information on where they should report and what time they should be at the Computer Lab they are assigned to for the MAP Growth Assessments. The assignments are organized by Math and English course name, class period, section, and teacher name. No student information is listed.

   

  We take the privacy of our students very seriously. LaGuardia High School is committed to ensuring no student information is inappropriately disclosed or shared when communicating with our families. 

   

  For more information, please reach out to Ms. Phenix, Parent Coordinator, at jphenix@laguardiahs.org. We sincerely apologize for accidentally disclosing your child’s information. 

   

  Best,

   

  Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos, Principal

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• MAP Testing email to community 01.13.23

  Dear LaGuardia 9th and 10th Grade Students and Families,

  We are now in the testing window period for 9th and 10th grade students city-wide to take periodic assessments in English and Math, called MAP Growth Assessments. In order to minimize disruption to regular classroom instruction, the majority of LaGuardia students will take these assessments during Regents Week (January 24 - January 27). Those not scheduled between these dates will take their MAP Growth Assessments the following week when regular school resumes.

  Students should not prepare/study for these assessments and should not be concerned about their performance on the exam. The assessments are diagnostic and have no effect on class grades or future class placement. The results are not recorded on transcripts, nor are they shared with colleges.

   

  Students and families should access this sheet, on a computer, which will tell them when they are scheduled to take their MAP Growth Assessments, where they should report, and what time they should be at the Computer Lab they are assigned to.  Students can identify themselves by their Math and English course name, class period, section, and teacher name here: Student Information for MAP Growth Testing (January 2023).

   

  Based on experience from administering this electronic exam in the past, we anticipate some unavoidable technical difficulties that may delay the start of the exam or extend the end time of the exam. Please plan accordingly.

   

  Most LaGuardia students complete each MAP Growth Assessment in 25 minutes.  Students are scheduled for a total of 50 min in their testing session. If you do not want your student participating in MAP Growth Assessments, please use this form to opt-out by Friday, January 20, 2023:  MAP Growth Testing OPT-OUT Form (2022-23)

   

  We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we gather information that will assist teachers in adjusting instruction to the students in front of them.

   

  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.

   

  Thank you.

   

  Best,

   

  Shoshana Seid

  Assistant Principal for Special Education, Programming & Testing

  
  
  

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• Encourage Families to Run for a Community or Citywide Education Council Seat

  January 13, 2023

  Dear Families,

  One of our core pillars is to engage you as our true partners. You are the experts on your children and their education, and your involvement can help them thrive inside and outside of school. That is why I am encouraging you to take a leadership role in our public schools by applying to run for a seat on one of the City’s 36 Community or Citywide Education Councils (CCEC).

  The Councils are made up of elected and appointed parent volunteers just like you. If you win a seat, you will play a vital role in shaping important decisions in your school district. For example, you could approve zoning lines or review improvements to your child’s school building, as happened recently in the northwestern portion of District 15.

  To raise enrollment and promote more diversity, Community Education Council (CEC) 15 members worked with New York City Public Schools, education researchers, and community leaders to develop an elementary school rezoning plan. The CEC also successfully advocated for a much-needed middle school option in the Red Hook, Brooklyn neighborhood. These are the kind of policy changes that make a real difference in the lives of our children.

  To bring even more diversity to our Education Councils, I’m excited to share that for the first time ever, families with a child in a District 75 school or program can vote for a District 75 representative to sit on each local Council. This is a big win for our families, and I encourage eligible parents to run for a designated District 75 seat.

  Our Family and Community Engagement team is providing a host of resources to walk you through the election and voting process. These include information sessions via Zoom in different languages and more details on the structure and roles of the Education Councils, eligibility guidelines, key dates, and Frequently Asked Questions. You can access all of this and submit your application at schools.nyc.gov/elections2023 through February 13.

  As parents, I believe we all share a loving mission: to help young people flourish and succeed. When you run for a seat on an Education Council, you commit to being a voice for change in your child’s education. When you lend your voice to the important issues affecting our schools by voting and sharing your opinions with your CCEC representatives, you show your communities that you are part of the solution. Please consider running for a Council seat and help put all our students on a path to the bright futures they deserve.

  Soaring high,

  David C. Banks
  New York City Schools Chancellor

   

  The PDF version of this letter is attached.

  • 2023 CCEC Elections.pdf

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• Mid-January Updates

  Dear LaGuardia Arts Community,

   

  This Monday, as schools close in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we hope everyone will find time to reflect on his legacy of peace and action. How fortunate we are, to be part of a community where we use the power of the arts to fight for social justice.

   

   

   

  Introducing Our New Parent Coordinator!

   

  Thank you to our Parent Coordinator Interview Committee and the District 3 Community Education Council for their support in finding a compassionate, newest member of our family. After two robust rounds of searches, we are pleased to introduce our new Parent Coordinator, Ms. Jerrianna Phenix! While we await her DOE credentials to be set up, Ms. Phenix can be reached at jphenix@laguardiahs.org and (212)496-0700 x 7209. Please see her welcome message below:

   

  Hello LaGuardia Community!

   

  My name is Jerrianna Phenix and I am thrilled to announce my new position as Parent Coordinator. This week marks a collaborative journey as we strive together to ensure that our mission of engagement allows each family to feel like a vital part of this iconic school’s artistic family. As a parent myself, I know what a significant impact that can have for a family; feeling heard by school representatives and connected to a school community has always been central to my daughter’s positive school experiences. My goal is straightforward: I want to ensure that parents have the ultimate support experience. 

   

  Each time a question or concern arises, I want families to have confidence that I’m here as their advocate – and, hopefully, in time, their friend. I’ve learned that this type of relationship building begins with the heart. So, I’m looking forward to not only figuring out a student’s best path forward but also to nurturing the involvement and enthusiasm of the adults in their life. Please be on the lookout for upcoming coffee and donut chats. I'm eager to get the dialogue started and find out what is on your minds!

   

  All my very best,

  Jerrianna Phenix

   

   

   

  End of January School Year Calendar Highlights

   

  Monday, January 16 - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Schools Closed

  Monday, January 23 - End of Marking Period 3

  Tuesday, January 24 - Friday, January 27 - Regents Week (see schedule, below)

  Friday, January 27 - End of Fall Semester

  Monday, January 30 - Professional Development Day for high schools. No students attend.

  Tuesday, January 31 - First day of Spring Semester, Marking Period 1. Metrocards distributed.

   

  *Final report card grades, which are reported to transcripts, will be available in February.

  *Families of students who wish to select “CR” to replace any passing numeric grade are eligible to make the selection once final grades are released.

  *Families of senior students who wish to select “CR” to replace any passing numeric grade will have a short-window of time to make the selection before the transcript is sent to colleges.

   

   

   

  January Regents Week 1/24-1/27

   

  The draft of the Regents Week Schedule can be viewed here. The schedule is organized by grade (please click on the tab that corresponds to your grade). Students will only report based on their scheduled activities. Every student will have a different schedule depending on the arts courses they are enrolled in, and additional academic opportunities they would like to take advantage of. 

   

  All students will attend a Guidance Meeting via Zoom with their Guidance Counselor, except for Juniors who will have an in-person Post-Secondary Kick-Off Session.

   

  Please note that for some of the activities, students are scheduled individually with their own specific reporting time. If there is a conflict between two scheduled activities, the student should inform the teacher in charge of the individually scheduled activity so that an alternate time can be arranged.

   

  We will continue to update the schedule as more information available, and the draft will be finalized at the end of next week.

   

   

   

  End of January Curricular Performances

   

  We look forward to our final performances of the fall semester:

   

  • Friday, January 20 (4pm & 7pm) & Saturday, January 21 (2pm) - Winter Dance Showcase

  • Wednesday, January 25 (6:30pm) - New Music Showcase

  • Thursday, January 26 (6:30pm) - Symphonic Band & Wind Symphony Concert

  •  

  We encourage community members to purchase tickets online in-advance at (https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/laguardiahs/699). The ‘day of the performance’ tickets are available in-person one hour prior to start time.  Students may also purchase tickets in-person using cash at our Main Lobby Box Office during lunch periods on Wednesdays. 

   

  A reminder that if the cost of admission, or transportation to the performance, causes a financial hardship for your family, please reach out to Assistant Principal Shelliann Wiliams (swillia35@schools.nyc.gov). We want all of our community members to be able to attend performances and have set aside funds so we can all celebrate together.

   

  Please remember that as per NYCDOE policy, all adults must continue to show ID and proof of COVID vaccination to enter DOE buildings.

   

   

   

  COVID-19 Cases Year-To-Date

   

  Below are the COVID-19 cases reported at LaGuardia each month of the 2022-2023 school year:

  • September - 74 cases

  • October - 69 cases

  • November - 84 cases

  • December - 87 cases

  • January (as of January 12) - 30 cases

   

  Schools are required to continue reporting all cases of COVID-19. Please continue to inform us if a staff or student tests positive for COVID-19 by emailing covid@laguardiahs.org with:

  • date of symptom onset, 

  • date last in school, 

  • date of positive COVID-19 test, and 

  • type of COVID-19 test.

   

   

   

   

  Questions for Town Hall with Chancellor 

   

  The Citywide Council on High Schools is collecting questions for their upcoming Town Hall meeting with Chancellor David C. Banks on February 7. Please click on this form and submit your question(s) by January 31.

   

   

   

  Have a restful three-day weekend.

   

  Best,

  Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos

  Principal

   

   

   

  ON OUR WEBSITE www.laguardiahs.org: Announcements / Events Calendar / Faculty & Staff Directory / Weekly Counseling Newsletter

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• January Math/Science Grading 2023

  Dear LaGuardia Students and Families,

   

  I hope that your holiday break was filled with rest, relaxation and time for family and friends. At LaGuardia, we know how much our community cares about authentic academic growth to set students up for success in college, conservatory, and the workplace. We have also heard the community reiterate the importance of LaGuardia being a school with rigorous academics exposing students to high academic standards. As we approach the end of the Fall Semester, this is a follow-up to the Math and Science Grading Policy memo from early October.

   

  This year’s Math and Science Grading Policy was initiated by years of community feedback, informed by best practices in current educational literature, and developed by our expert math and science teachers. This policy supports student achievement and improvement in current and future courses.  Since the adoption of the new grading policy, we have continuously received invaluable feedback from students and families. We all agree that it is necessary to meet the unique needs of individual students with differentiated support, and ensure that all students receive rigorous instruction daily. The feedback also highlighted the need to reinforce that as per NYCDOE Academic Policy, grades must be accurate and be primarily based on demonstration of learning.

   

  Students and families have shared that they would like to see examples of earned grades in different measures and how that contributes to a student’s final grade. Below I have shared a more detailed breakdown of grading in Regents Math and Science courses. Students are graded based on projects, retakes, exams, laboratory reports, and assignments. Projects and retakes may be new to some families, and we are thrilled to share that students have performed exceptionally well on these opportunities. We are grateful to our teachers for supporting these additional ways for students to show they have learned the material and to be motivated to revisit challenging content and skills. 

   

  Regents Math Course - Fall Semester Grading Measures at a Glance
  (11.67%) 1 Project	(23.34%) 2 Retakes OR  1 Retake, 1 Exam OR 2 Exams	(35%) 3 Exams	(30%) 3-5 Assignments Per Week
  Scenario A :  Student shows an improvement on both retakes and two exams are dropped.
  Project 90/100	Retake I 75/100 Retake II 85/100 Exam I 65/100 Exam III 74/100	Exam II 70/100 Exam IV 78/100 Exam V 85/100	Assignment Average 85/100
  90 * 11.67% = 10.50	[(75+85)/2] * 23.34% = 18.67	[(70+78+85)/3] * 35% = 27.18	85 * 30% = 25.5
  FINAL GRADE = 10.50 + 18.67 + 27.18 + 25.5 = 81.85
  Scenario B:  Student shows improvement on one retake and one exam is dropped.
  Project 95/100	Retake I 75/100 Retake II 90/100 Exam I 85/100 Exam V 80/100	Exam II 90/100 Exam III 85/100 Exam IV 95/100	Assignment Average 93/100
  95 * 11.67% = 11.09	[(90+85)/2] * 23.34% = 20.42	[(90+85+95)/3] * 35% = 31.5	93 * 30% = 27.9
  FINAL GRADE = 11.09 + 20.42 + 31.5 + 27.9 = 90.91

   

  Regents Science Course - Fall Semester Grading Measures at a Glance
  (14%) 1 Project	(28%) 2 Retakes OR 1 Retake, 1 Exam OR 2 Exams	(28%) 2 Exams	(15%) 14-16 Laboratory Reports	(15%) 2-5 Assignments Per Week
  Scenario A :  Student shows an improvement on both retakes and two exams are dropped.
  Project 85/100	Retake I 75/100 Retake II 90/100 Exam I 70/100 Exam III 80/100	Exam II 85/100 Exam IV 90/100	Lab Average 90/100	Assignment Average 85/100
  85 * 14% = 11.9	[(75+90)/2] * 28% = 23.1	[(85+90)/2] * 28% = 24.5	90 * 15% = 13.5	85*15% = 12.75
  FINAL GRADE  = 11.9 + 23.1 + 24.5 + 13.5 + 12.75 = 85.75
  Scenario B:  Student shows improvement on one retake and one exam is dropped.
  Project 95/100	Retake I 75/100 Retake II 90/100 Exam I 85/100 Exam III 65/100	Exam II 90/100 Exam IV 90/100	Lab Average 95/100	Assignment Average 90/100
  95 * 14% = 13.3	[(90+85)/2] * 28% = 24.5	[(90+90)/2] * 28% = 25.2	95 * 15% = 14.25	90*15% = 13.5
  FINAL GRADE = 13.3 + 24.5 + 25.2 + 14.25 + 13.5 = 90.75

   

  We also understand that it is important for families to have access to student grades in each class. Our teachers are doing their best to post on the new NYCDOE GAMA Grades program. Most teachers are also recording grades in Google Classroom. We encourage you to set time aside periodically to review Google Classroom together as a family.  Individual grades for each assignment, laboratory report, exam, retake, and project are available for review.

   

  We hope that this detailed breakdown is helpful. The best way for students to be successful is to have direct communications about progress and achievement. Please feel free to reach out to our math and science teachers or myself anytime. As per Principal Vasconcelos’ January update, I will also be present at the January Principal’s Office Hours on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at 7:30am, 12pm, or 7pm. Please use the Zoom link below to join the session. (https://zoom.us/j/83138114097?pwd=UmViYm5yRXRJampkMzVSU09kdkxqdz09).

   

  We look forward to continuing to support student success in their math and science studies.

   

  Sincerely,

  Alyssa Collins

  acollins10@schools.nyc.gov

   

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• January 2023 Update

  
  
  

  Dear LaGuardia Arts Community,

   

  Happy New Year! We hope that everyone is having a safe and healthy start to 2023. 

  
  
  
  

  January’s Principal’s Office Hours 1/11 - Math/Science Grading Policy

   

  Back by popular demand, I am hosting monthly, virtual Principal’s Office Hours on the second Wednesday of every month during breakfast, lunch, and dinner times.  You can join me at 7:30am, 12pm, or 7pm on Zoom.  Use this link to join:  https://zoom.us/j/83138114097?pwd=UmViYm5yRXRJampkMzVSU09kdkxqdz09

   

  The next Office Hours will take place on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.  The January topic is the grading policy that teachers have been implementing to support math and science achievement and preparation for future opportunities. Assistant Principal of Math and Science Alyssa Collins will be joining me for these Office Hours. Later this week we will send an email that expands on the details of the Math and Science Grading Policy shared in the fall.

   

  We understand that the grading policy was discussed at the Parent Association’s special end-of-December Academic Forum meeting that school staff was not available to attend. We hope the special meeting was informative, and that the Academic Forum and Superintendent Beidleman conveyed the conversation they had with school staff in mid-December.

  
  
  
  

  January School Year Calendar Highlights

   

  Monday, January 16 - Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Schools Closed

  Monday, January 23 - End of Marking Period 3

  Tuesday, January 24 - Friday, January 27 - Regents Week

  Friday, January 27 - End of Fall Semester

  Monday, January 30 - Professional Development Day for high schools. No students attend.

  Tuesday, January 31 - First day of Spring Semester, Marking Period 1

  
  
  
  

  January Regents Week 1/24-1/27

   

  During Regents Week, students only attend scheduled activities. These activities include but are not limited to

   

  • MAP Growth Testing (9th and 10th grade students)
  • Arts Commencement/NOCTI Examinations (12th grade students)
  • Make-up Regents Examinations
  • Make-up Classroom Assessments
  • Dance Evaluations, Dance Auditions, Dance Conferences
  • Drama Rehearsals
  • Fine Arts Senior Show Meetings
  • Music Juries & Rehearsals
  • Technical Theatre Builds
  • Guidance Zoom Workshops (by grade)

   

  As with all logistics at our complex organization, there are many moving pieces we need to consider and await guidance on to finalize a schedule for the entire school. Detailed schedules will be shared mid-month.

  
  
  
  

  January Curricular Performances

   

  In December we celebrated with the spectacular All-School Musical - Chicago: Teen Edition featuring students from every studio, the sensational Winter Semi-Annual Art Show, and the phenomenal Winter Semi-Annual Philharmonic Orchestra and Senior Chorus Concert. We also had an amazing LaGmas featuring members of our Show Choir, Wind Symphony, Chamber Winds, and Jazz Orchestra, as well as the ingenious light board from Chicago transformed for holiday cheers. These events would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, alumni, and families.

   

  January is a bustling month of continued performances featuring students from the Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Dance, and Technical Theatre studios:

   

  • Friday, January 6 (6:30pm) - Winter Gospel Choir Concert
  • Tuesday, January 10 (6pm) - Winter Musicale #1
    • Concert Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Mixed Chorus, Operetta Workshop, Treble Chorus
  • Thursday, January 12 (6pm) - Winter Musicale #2
    • String Orchestra, Concert Band, Cantare, Elementary Chorus
  • Friday, January 20 (4pm & 7pm) & Saturday, January 21 (2pm) - Winter Dance Showcase
  • Wednesday, January 25 (6:30pm) - New Music Showcase
  • Thursday, January 26 (6:30pm) - Symphonic Band & Wind Symphony Concert

   

  We encourage community members to purchase tickets online in-advance at (https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/laguardiahs/699). The ‘day of the performance’ tickets are available in-person one hour prior to start time.  Students may also purchase tickets in-person using cash at our Main Lobby Box Office during lunch periods on Wednesdays. 

   

  Please remember that as per NYCDOE policy, all adults must continue to show ID and proof of COVID vaccination to enter DOE buildings.

  
  
  
  

  January Traveling Performances

   

  At LaGuardia, it is vital that our students experience sharing their artistic gifts to bring together communities for important causes. 

   

  The LaGuardia Dance Ensemble will be performing at Dancing Beyond 2023, the annual benefit for The American Cancer Society and Dance Against Cancer, hosted by Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance (EMDOD). This 10th anniversary event features world premieres by EMDOD Commissioned Choreographers Alexander Anderson, Danielle Diniz, Tsai-Hsi Hung, and Jie-Hung Connie Shiau, alongside schools, arts organizations, and international companies. The performances take place January 12-15 at Manhattan Movement Arts Center https://www.diversityofdance.org/shop.

   

  The LaGuardia Senior Chorus will be performing at We Are Here: Songs from the Holocaust, to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The concert, presented by The Museum of Jewish Heritage, features songs written in the ghettos and camps of Nazi-occupied Europe performed by top cantors alongside pop and Broadway talent. The performance takes place January 26 at Carnegie Hall. https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2023/01/26/We-Are-Here-Songs-from-the-Holocaust-0730PM 

  
  
  
  

  COVID-19 Reporting Continues

   

  The DOE has communicated that community members will no longer receive Schoolwide Notifications or Exposure Notifications of COVID-19 cases. 

   

  However, schools are required to continue reporting all cases of COVID-19. Please continue to inform us if a staff or student tests positive for COVID-19 by emailing covid@laguardiahs.org with the date of symptom onset, date last in school, date of positive COVID-19 test, and type of COVID-19 test.

  
  
  
  

  Phoning the School

   

  Based on current feedback from families, we are working with the phone vendor to revise caller options on the prompt. 

   

  At any time, during school hours, you may dial “0” to be connected to a staff member who can redirect your call. Please keep the phone lines cleared for families with urgent communications. Please keep in mind that the best way to reach a staff member is via email, listed in our Faculty and Staff Directory.

  
  
  
  

  Weekly Counseling Newsletters

   

  Our Guidance Department is the backbone of our arts and academics program. Students are assigned to a Guidance Counselor based on their studio, who follows them all four years providing academic, social-emotional, and college counseling. Our Guidance Department also includes three Social Workers, a Post-Secondary Specialist, a Substance Abuse Prevention & Intervention Specialist (SAPIS), and an Assistant Principal of Guidance.

   

  The Weekly Counseling Newsletter is a great source of new information and reminders. All newsletters are archived on the school website at www.laguardiahs.org >> MyLaGuardia >> Guidance Supports >> Guidance Department

  https://www.laguardiahs.org/guidance_department

  
  Looking forward to seeing many families at this month's events!
  
  

  Best,

  Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos

  Principal

  
  
  

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• DOE Winter Test Kit Letter

  December 20, 2022

   

  Dear Families,

   

  To keep our school communities safe following the winter break, we strongly encourage all students to get tested for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status, especially after travelling and/or attending large gatherings. Your child can get tested by a health care provider or use the two COVID-19 at-home tests that your child will bring home from school this week.

   

  When should my child take the tests?

  • Take the first test at least 48 hours after a gathering or known exposure to COVID-19.
  • Take the second test 24-48 hours after the first test.
  • Children can continue attending school unless they have symptoms or a positive test.
  • Please note, if your child has recovered from a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the last 90 days, they do not need to take a test and should attend school after Winter Recess if they are feeling well.
  • If your child develops symptoms, they should stay home and get tested; have them take an at-home test or talk to your provider about testing.

   

  What should I do if my child tests positive on one of the tests?

  • Students who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for at least 5 days following the first day of symptoms (or the day they tested positive, if they had no symptoms). They can return to school on day 6 if they have no symptoms or symptoms are improving, their symptoms do not include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, and they have not had a fever for at least 24 hours.
  • They should wear a mask through day 10 after symptom onset or the positive test date if they had no symptoms. Masks may be removed after day 5 if your child has received two negative rapid tests 48 hours apart. To learn more about length of isolation and steps that should be taken to protect others, see gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html.
  • Inform the school that your child has tested positive so your school community can be appropriately notified of possible exposure.

   

  Where can I find instructions about the test kit?

  • The test kits come with printed instructions that you should follow when administering the test. You can also watch videos in multiple languages on how to use your test kit at nyc.gov/HomeRapidTestKits. For more information about at-home tests, including how to interpret results, see nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-testing.page.

   

  As a reminder, staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations is still the best tool we have to fight COVID-19 and to keep our schools safe for all our students. Children aged 6 months and older are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. If your child is eligible but not yet vaccinated against COVID-19, please take the opportunity to make an appointment at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or call 311 to find a vaccine site near you. COVID-19 vaccination is free to all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration or insurance status. We also encourage everyone aged 5 and older to get the updated COVID-19 booster shot if they received their last vaccine dose at least 2 months ago. Please visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html for more information on COVID-19 vaccination schedules.

   

  Finally, the fall and winter seasons coincide with an increase in other respiratory viruses such as the flu, otherwise known as influenza (nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/flu-seasonal.page) and RSV (nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/respiratory-syncytial-virus.page). As the flu and COVID-19 are both circulating at this time, getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever. Vaccination is the best way to protect against the flu, which can be particularly dangerous for young children, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised. The flu vaccine will not prevent COVID-19, but it will help decrease the risk of you and your family suffering from severe flu symptoms that may necessitate medical care.You can safely receive the flu vaccine at the same time as all other vaccines, including the vaccine and booster for COVID-19 (nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccines.page).

   

  To protect against these and other viruses, and in alignment with the recent health department advisory, we strongly recommend that everyone wear a mask when in a crowded, public indoor space, including at school, practice frequent handwashing, and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

   

  We wish you and your child a healthy and restful break.

   

   

  Sincerely,

  Tracy Agerton

  Assistant Commissioner

  Office of School Health

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• DOE Family Letter December

  What’s Happening in NYC Public Schools

  (See attachments for PDFs in English, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish)

  Week of December 12, 2022

   

  As we head into winter, we may have snowstorms or other weather conditions that require school buildings to close for the day. This year, if New York City public school buildings are closed due to inclement weather, remote learning will be conducted on that day. Students in kindergarten and above will be expected to log on and participate in their classes from home. Children attending LYFE or a 3K or Pre-K program in an elementary school or Pre-K Center should participate in the remote learning experiences outlined by their program.

   

  Our ability to teach and learn remotely across the system allows us to continue working with our students even when school buildings are closed. As in previous years, you will be notified when NYC Department of Education (DOE) school buildings are closed due to bad weather, and your school will provide you additional information. Please do not hesitate to contact your principal if you have any questions. To help families prepare, this letter explains how to access remote learning tools and platforms and how to

  ensure you receive the latest information regarding school building closures and other important news from NYC Public Schools.

   

  Additionally, we are sharing updated recommendations on masking in schools and other indoor settings, given the high rates of flu and other respiratory viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), this season.

   

   

  Remote Learning

   

  Internet-Enabled Devices

   

  To participate in remote learning, students will need access to a computer, laptop, or iPad that can connect to the internet. If your child does not have an internet-ready device at home, you can request a DOE-loaned device from your school. If your child needs a DOE device, please ask your school now, to ensure your family is prepared; do not wait for a weather closure. You can find guidance on how to get started using your DOE-loaned iPad or laptop at schools.nyc.gov/ipad.

  DOE Student Accounts

  Students can access all the DOE technology platforms they will need for remote learning through their DOE account, which is created automatically when your child enrolls in school. You can access your child’s DOE account by signing in to TeachHub (teachhub.schools.nyc) using the username and password that your school provided. (If you are not sure of your child’s username and password, please visit selfservice.schools.nyc or ask your school for help.) From there, students and families can connect to all DOE applications with one click. Platforms include, but are not limited to: • TeachHub • Google for Education (including Google Classroom) • iLearnNYC • Microsoft Office • Zoom Learn more about DOE accounts at schools.nyc.gov/studentaccounts.

   

  Technology Support

   

  Having trouble with a DOE device or online learning platform? We can help! You can find answers to many common questions or open a support ticket at SupportHub: supporthub.schools.nyc.

   

  Stay Connected

   

  New York City Schools Account

   

  O

  What’s Happening in NYC Public Schools

  ne of the easiest ways to learn about school building closures is through your New York City Schools account, or NYCSA: schoolsaccount.nyc. If you do not yet have a NYCSA account and want to learn more, visit schools.nyc.gov/nycsa. We strongly urge all families to set up a NYCSA account to stay connected with your school, keep track of your child’s grades, and receive other important news and information such as alerts regarding building closures.

   

  NYC Public Schools Online

   

  Keep up with what’s happening in NYC public schools! Check out our website and follow @NYCschools on social media for all the latest news—including urgent information about school building closures—from the NYC Department of Education. Find us: ▪ On our official website: schools.nyc.gov ▪ On Twitter: twitter.com/nycschools ▪ On Facebook: facebook.com/nycschools ▪ On Instagram: instagram.com/nycschools

   

  Update on Mask Guidance for Students and Families

   

  The safety of our students and staff is our absolute top priority. Given the high rates of flu and other respiratory conditions viruses as we head into winter, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has issued a universal indoor masking recommendation (nyc.gov/site/doh/about/press/pr2022/health-department-issues-commissioners-advisory.page) for all indoor settings, including schools and daycare centers.

   

  As always, we follow the guidance of our health experts, and at the recommendation of our partners at DOHMH, we strongly encourage every student and staff member to mask wear a well-fitting mask indoors. All our schools have masks available––if your child needs a mask, they should reach out to school staff for assistance. We also encourage all members of our school community to stay up to date with vaccinations, including flu and COVID-19.

   

  For more information about COVID-19 health and safety precautions and guidance at New York City public schools, please visit schools.nyc.gov/covid19.

   

   

  • 35021 DOE Family Update Week of December 12 2022__English.pdf
  • 35021-doe-family-update-week-of-december-12-2022-chinese.pdf
  • 35021-doe-family-update-week-of-december-12-2022-russian.pdf
  • 35021-doe-family-update-week-of-december-12-2022-spanish.pdf

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts

• Music Studio Letter to Community #4

  It is hard to believe that Winter Break is just around the corner, which means that our performance season is in full swing!  Below you will find information about upcoming performances, an in person audition opportunity for Interlochen Arts Camp, and staff updates.

   

  Upcoming Performances

  Tickets are on sale now for all Music Studio concerts through 1/26.  Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/laguardiahs/699 until 10am the day before the concert.  They can also be purchased in person beginning one hour before the concert. 

  • Please be reminded that all adults must present an ID and proof of vaccination to enter LaGuardia.
  • Please be reminded that there are no refunds so make sure that you double check the concert that you are purchasing before finalizing your order.
  • Students in New Music will be provided with tickets to distribute for the 1/25 concert.  Tickets will not be available online.

  Concert	Concert Date	Class/Group	Time
  Winter Semi-Annual Concert	December 21 & 22	Senior Chorus Philharmonic Orchestra	6:30
  Winter Gospel Choir Concert	January 6	Gospel Choir	6:30
  Winter Musicale #1	January 10	Concert Orchestra Treble Chorus Mixed Chorus Symphony Orchestra	6:00
  Winter Musicale #2	January 12	String Orchestra Concert Band Operetta Workshop Elementary Chorus Cantare	6:00
  New Music Ensemble Winter Showcase	January 25	New Music Ensemble Winter Workshop	6:00
  Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony Winter Concert	January 26	Symphonic Band Wind Symphony	6:30

   

  Interlochen Arts Camp In Person Auditions at LaGuardia 1/13

  As announced in my last letter, LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and Interlochen Center for the Arts have formed a new partnership culminating in an opportunity for our students to be awarded scholarships to attend Interlochen Arts Camp this summer.

   

  As a partner of Interlochen, our students are eligible for a limited number of full tuition scholarships to attend camp in summer 2023. In order to be considered for this scholarship opportunity, you must complete an APPLICATION by January 15, 2023. Use the code LaGuardia23 to waive the application fee. 

   

  As part of the application, students must submit an audition or audition in person.  Interlochen Arts Camp will hold in person auditions here at LaGuardia on January 13, 2022 (during the school day).  Please fill out this form by December 20 if you would like to audition in person on January 13th: https://forms.gle/BjrE6AbdSkKHrksB9 

   

  Faculty Update

  Please join me in welcoming Dr. Christopher Koelzer to the LaGuardia Music Faculty as Collaborative Piano Teacher and Accompanist!  

   

  Solo and collaborative pianist Christopher Koelzer hails from the San Francisco Bay Area, and performs, records, and coaches regularly in the New York City and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas. Christopher received his Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance, studying with Dr. Irene Peery-Fox at Brigham Young University, and holds Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music Degrees in Collaborative Piano from University of Maryland, College Park, and where he studied with Professor Rita Sloan.

   

  Christopher has performed across the world as a solo and collaborative pianist. He attended Aspen Music Festival and School with full scholarship from 2011-2012, returning as Vocal Fellow in 2014. Christopher was a Coaching Fellow at Wolf Trap Opera in 2017, and selected for Merola Opera Program in 2019 as Apprentice Coach, premiering Jake Heggie’s If I Were You. He has premiered several operas, as vocal coach for the World Premiere of Mazzoli/Vavrek’s Proving Up at Washington National Opera, 2018, and as a Chorus Master for the World Premiere of Kaminsky/Reed’s Hometown to the World, Town Hall, NYC, 2022.

   

  Christopher has worked as assistant conductor and vocal coach with many companies, including Washington National Opera, Northern Lights Music Festival, Maryland Lyric Opera, and Berkshire Opera Festival. Christopher was trained at Washington National Opera’s Cafritz Young Artist Program from 2017-19. He was nominated for a 2019 GRAMMY® Award for Best Orchestral Performance on RUGGLES, STUCKY & HARBISON: ORCHESTRAL WORKS. Christopher works as Assistant Conductor with Maryland Lyric Opera since 2019. Christopher recently performed at Carnegie Hall as pianist and organist. In 2022, Christopher joined the Voice Faculty at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan.

   

  Please do not hesitate to contact me at Bschott@schools.nyc.gov if you have any questions or concerns.

   

  Sincerely,

  Benjamin Schott

  Assistant Principal - Music

  
  
  

  Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts