This message is sent both via NYCSA and our temporary mailing list. We will be phasing out our temporary mailing list at the end of the month. If you need assistance accessing NYCSA, please contact any administrator, guidance counselor, or secretary.
Dear LaGuardia Community,
This week concludes our first full week of school! Thank you to our entire community - students, faculty/staff, parents/guardians, alumni, partners - for making our opening a huge success. Everywhere in the building young people are creating, exploring, connecting, and most importantly, caring for one another!
In addition to the endless artistic endeavors within the walls of LaGuardia, today two student groups shared their talents with New York City. The cast of our All-School Musical joined a diverse group of student and Broadway artists to welcome Little Amal, an international symbol of human rights, to Times Square. Then, our Jazz Orchestra performed at the designation of the new New York Postmaster Wanda Diaz and commemoration of the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. Using the power of the arts to bring attention to the refugee crisis and diverse representation, exemplifies the civic responsibility at the core of our community. Thank you to all the faculty and staff who helped our students master new repertoire within the first week of school!
If you missed our lovely New Family Welcome evening and morning hosting by the Parent Association, here is the presentation of key information to know about First Point of Contact, Administrators, Schedule Programs and Events Calendar, Progress Reporting, and Staying Connected. This is also a great refresher for returning families!
Before the end of the month, Assistant Principals of each of the academic departments and arts studios will be sharing a welcome letter. They will stagger their schedule of sending the letters so families have time to process the information. We will also post the welcome messages on theschool website.
This coming week we will informally begin enrichment and support programs during the day. By the end of the month we will also be communicating a formalized schedule of locations and times that students can access Language Lab, Math and Science Support, Social Studies Support, Writing Center, and Arts Open Studios and Practice Rooms. Club Applications have been released and all club leaders should complete the application as soon as possible so they can be included in the Club Fair coming up in two weeks.
A reminder that COVID-19 is still a public health concern and schools are responsible for reporting cases. Extended absences, delays in processes, and the need for makeup opportunities will continue to be part of our reality. Since the first day of school, LaGuardia has reported 34 positive cases. If you test positive for COVID, isolate and take care of yourself! Students please email your teachers to stay on pace with the class, and email covid@laguardiahs.org with your date of symptom onset, last date in the building, date of test, and type of test. We will then confirm with the latest guidance regarding return to the school building.
Finally, I have news to share about personnel:
The Parent Coordinator is a unique role that works tirelessly to create a welcoming environment for parents and guardians. After serving the LaGuardia community for six and a half years, Parent Coordinator Allison Price will be starting a new position at the end of the month. Please join me in thanking Ms. Price for her work reassuring and connecting families, and wishing her the best in her professional and personal journey! We are starting the search for a new Parent Coordinator and will share more about the official job posting and forming an interview committee.
At LaGuardia, we celebrate together and support our community members together through challenges. Our Assistant Principal of English Julissa Marrero needs us to keep her family in our thoughts while she takes a leave of absence to care for her mother. In the coming weeks, please respect Ms. Marrero and her family’s time and privacy. In her absence, please contact Assistant Principals Alyssa Collins for curricular matters, Justin W. Mackey for procedural matters, and Mark Stricklin for items related to student activities.
As we recognize the work and commitment of our faculty and staff, I am pleased to name Eli Schreiner the Interim Acting Assistant Principal of Career and Technical Education. In this role Mr. Schreiner oversees the Technical Theatre studio, develops authentic industry experiences for students across studios, and ensures all LaGuardia productions are of the highest caliber. His leadership emphasizes showcasing student creativity, artistic exploration, and professional execution. Here’s more information about Mr. Schreiner:
Eli Schreiner has been a member of the LaGuardia community since 2015. Mr. Schreiner started as a freelance teaching artist, quickly transitioned to the Production Facilities Manager role, then became a Teacher in the Technical Theater studio.
Mr. Schreiner received a BFA from SUNY Purchase and an MsEd in Theater Education. After volunteering in the Peace Corps, Mr. Schreiner served his City as an FDNY EMT. Once he returned fulltime to the theater, he worked on a number of professional productions including Breaking Surface, FuerzaBruta, and Sleep No More.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Best,
Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos
Principal
