Announcements

• Career Fair for those who are passionate about food!

  Here is a wonderful event taking place on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the W. 50^th St. Campus.

   

  The event is sponsored by the Food Education Fund, an extraordinary partner who's worked with Food and Finance HS to provide immeasurable opportunities to their scholars and has recently partnered with our high school. 

   

  Pre-registration is now open!!! 

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

• Pre-December Updates

  Dear LaGuardia Community,

  In the blink of an eye it will be December! Before we send everyone off to their Thanksgiving holidays, we have a few updates:

   

  NYC Stands with Asylum Seekers - 11/30-12/9

  In this season of gratitude, we are keeping in mind those who most need the support of a community. To support the needs of asylum seekers entering New York City, a student-led drive to collect NEW clothing, toiletry, and hygiene items is taking place at school from Monday, November 30, through Friday, December 9, 2022.  Collection boxes are located on tables just inside our front entrance.  All donated items will be delivered to city-approved dropoff locations.

  The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, in partnership with The City of New York, is directing people to donate cash to the following relief organization:  United Way of New York City.

  
  
  

  End of MP2 & Special Schedule - 12/2

  Families have shared how helpful it was to conference with teachers last week in between the first and second marking periods. Marking Period 2 ends on Friday, December 2, and on this day we will run a special schedule that ends after period 7 (1:43pm). This earlier dismissal will give students and teachers common time at the end of the marking period if they need to make any arrangements. It will also enable community members who are unable to stay for evening or weekend performances a chance to enjoy a matinee of the All-School Musical.

  
  
  

  CHICAGO, Teen Edition - 12/2~10

  A LaGuardia tradition is for our current families and our alum families to attend each year’s annual All-School Musical. This year’s performance is CHICAGO, Teen Edition. With the Broadway revival having played for over 25 years, this is the first time we have been able to secure the rights. 

  In considering which All-School Musical to stage, we look for a show that is not only visually and musically stunning, but also says something that is relevant. This year’s All-School Musical, Chicago: Teen Edition, fits the bill. This 1920’s story about sensationalizing media speaks directly to today’s social media stardom and deliberate spreading of fake news.  Over 100 years later, our world continues to grapple with truth and bias towards or against someone’s gender, race, gender identity, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, disability, family status, and age. In telling the story of real-life women in the jazz age, our student artists look past the razzle dazzle to the harsh consequences of deceit.

  When the curtains rise you will experience months of dedication by our students and educators. We have physically elevated our fabulous student musicians from the orchestra pit onto the stage, integrating them into the set. Our ingenious tech crew crafted the costumes, sound, lights, props, and set that bring the characters and setting to life. Every blinking light you see tonight has been individually hand-wired and connected by our resourceful students. Our discerning digital design students collaborated to capture the soul of the show through their gorgeous poster and playbill design. Don’t be surprised if you get a few goosebumps as the cast pours out their soul through dance, acting, and song!

  This year’s All-School Musical may have the glitter that we have come to expect from our Concert Hall stage, but it also speaks volumes as to the type of community we aim to be. 

  You may purchase tickets online or in-person with cash on Wednesdays in the Main Lobby. If the cost of admission, or transportation to the All-School Musical or any other school event, 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 community events and have set aside funds so we can all celebrate together.

  
  
  

  MP2 Progress Report Available 12/13

  Once teachers submit grades, NYCSA and Teachhub is scheduled to make the Progress Report Card available on Tuesday, December 13. We understand that in MP1 some families experienced delay in the availability of their Progress Report Cards in the NYCDOE system. We thank everyone for their patience and understanding.

  The final Marking Period of the semester, MP3, will end in January. The MP3 Report Card grades are the final semester grades that will be report to student transcripts.

  
  
  

  Post-Secondary Specialist Family Sessions - Fridays

  A reminder that Post-Secondary Specialist Ms. Kleiman is available to all families -- all grades, all studios -- anytime you would like to discuss post-high school plans. Our students go on to diverse futures at colleges and universities; art schools and conservatories; artistic companies, firms, and ensembles; military service; gap years; and more. Ms. Kleiman is ready to support exploration and preparation for any post-secondary plans.

  Ms. Kleiman also holds Zoom sessions every Friday around a designated post-secondary topic. We invite interested families to join these large group presentations on Fridays at 9 am or 12:30 pm. These two Zoom meetings cover the same content and are offered twice each week to accommodate parent/guardian schedules. They are also recorded and posted online in our Post-Secondary Parent/Guardian Zooms Recording Archive for any parent/guardian unable to attend live. Invitations are sent on Thursdays and following the sessions on Fridays an email summary with the presentation slides is also provided. Different weeks may be relevant to different audiences, and where appropriate, we also share recommended intended audience grade levels. The upcoming sessions are:

  December 2: Class of 2025 Information for 10th Grade Families (10)

  December 9: The Activities List (9-12)

  Email Ms. Kleiman (akleiman@schools.nyc.gov) to suggest a future topic!

   

  NYCDOE GAMA Current Features

  The Division of Instructional and Information Technology has completed rolling out Fall semester features on the Grades, Attendance, and Messaging Application (GAMA) that connects to parents/guardian’s NYCSA accounts and students’ and teachers’ Teachhub accounts. We know that some community members are able to access all of the features below, and some are able to access some but not all. We have already received positive feedback from families who are able to access features, and we thank our community once again for their continued patience and feedback as we work through the technical difficulties in the NYCDOE GAMA roll-out. Below are all the features that are available to students and parents/guardians:

  DOE Grades

  • View individual assignments and assignment grades
  • View progress reports

  DOE Messaging

  • Receive messages using custom distribution list, such as by grade level and studio
  • Option for staff  to enable ‘reply to the sender’ of messages directly
  • Enriched formatting capabilities including attachments and images
  • Auto-translate into the nine DOE languages.

   

  
  Thank you to each and every member of our community for believing in the importance of arts education for a better world. Wishing everyone a warm and joyous Thanksgiving with loved ones.

   

  Best,

  Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos

  Principal

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

• Accommodations Meeting on Dec 1

  Dear LaGuardia Families,

  We hope that you are all well.

  In our community of creative learners, accommodations support our neurodivergent students in demonstrating skills and attainment of knowledge. As part of a student’s IEP or 504 Plan, a student may be approved for school-based accommodations, such as breaks to administer medication and extended time on examinations. Approved accommodations are specific to the needs of the student. To support families in understanding accommodations and how they are administered, we will be hosting Accommodations Information Sessions.  We will also touch upon how we can support students who have school-based testing accommodations in applying for testing accommodations on private standardized exams such as SAT, PSAT10, CLEP, AP and ACT.

  On Thursday, December 1, 2022, please join us virtually by Zoom at either 7:30am, 1pm or 7pm, to learn more about accommodations. We know that having multiple sessions at different times of the day is supportive of families’ schedules. We understand that there may still be conflicts for some families, so we will also record the Information Session and make the materials available.

   

  You can join the Zoom meeting here:

  https://zoom.us/j/85799045605?pwd=RHBRTFdCMXM5eGhlMCsxM3YybDRudz09

  Meeting ID: 857 9904 5605

  Passcode: 870132

   

  We know that every LaGuardia student is unique. Every student has a different experience with accommodations and has a different set of accommodations. Please be reminded that accommodations are confidential and we will not be discussing individual families’ accommodation situations at these public Information Sessions. If after joining us for the Information Session, you would like to have a conversation about your child’s specific situation, we invite you to reach out to me directly to schedule a time to speak.

  
  Thank you - we look forward to you joining us.

   

  Best,

  Shoshana Seid

  Assistant Principal of Special Education, Programming, and Testing

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

• PSAT10/SAT School Day Letter to Families (2022-23 SY)

  Dear LaGuardia Students and Families,

   

  We hope that you are well.

   

  We have just received word that NYCDOE School Day administrations of the SAT and PSAT10 will continue in the 2022-23 school year.

   

  All students in 11th grade are automatically registered to take the SAT, and all students in 10th grade are automatically registered to take the PSAT10. The two exams are being offered to all 11th grade and 10th grade NYCDOE students free of charge, regardless of family financial status.

   

  These two College Board exams will be administered to 11th and 10th grade students at LaGuardia on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. The SAT exam administered to 11th grade students is an official SAT exam - if a student chooses not to apply to college with SAT test scores, the score will not be seen by any college. The PSAT10 exam administered to 10th grade students is a practice exam designed to help students identify standardized testing strengths and areas for improvement. The PSAT10 is not the same as the PSAT, and PSAT10 scores have no role in the National Merit Scholarship Competition or the college application process.

   

  If you would prefer that your 11th or 10th grade child opt-out of taking the SAT School Day exam or PSAT10 on April 25, 2023, please indicate that by filling out this form:  PSAT10/SAT School Day OPT-OUT Form (2022-23) by Friday, December 9, 2022.

   

  9th and 12th grade students will be engaged in other activities on this day, and we will keep you updated and informed as we get closer to the date.

   

  For students who need testing accommodations: a separate approval request must be submitted to the College Board. It is at the discretion of the College Board, a private testing company, whether they approve a testing accommodation request. Students who are approved for school-based testing accommodations via a 504 or IEP are not guaranteed approval for College Board testing accommodations. There is a request process that can take up to 11 weeks to receive a decision.

   

  For consent forms and information on requesting accommodations, please review instructions here:  Applying for Accommodations on College Board Exams by scrolling to the middle of the page.  Once College Board approves testing accommodations for a student, the approved testing accommodations apply to all future College Board exams, including AP Exams, College Board Exams, CLEP Exams, SAT Exams, and PSAT Exams. Approved College Board testing accommodations do NOT apply to ACT Exams, which are not administered by College Board.

   

  Please stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the date of these exams, Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

   

  Best,

   

  Shoshana Seid

  Assistant Principal of Special Education, Testing & Programming

  
  
  

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

• CATCH Program

  Greetings LaGuardia 9th Graders, 

  The Department of Health and Mental Health Office of School Health’s CATCH (Connecting Adolescents to Comprehensive Healthcare) Program provides free and confidential health services for high school students at selected CATCH sites.  These services include sexual and reproductive health education, reproductive health services (pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, some contraceptive methods), some mental health services and referrals for all health care.

  These services are provided by school nurses, school medical providers, health educators and public health advisors.  The CATCH program has recently trained one of the nurses currently staffing our school's medical room, to provide CATCH services on-site and to facilitate sessions when the OSH physician comes to the school.

  Last year LaGuardia completed another successful year of participation in the CATCH program and will continue to operate the CATCH program this year in the school's medical office.   

  Attached please find the updated CATCH Opt-out letter in English, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish.

  Regards,

  Shelliann Williams

  • Chinese- CATCH Opt-out.pdf
  • English-CATCH Opt-out.pdf
  • Russian- CATCH Opt-out.pdf
  • Spanish-CATCH Opt-out.pdf

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

• PSAT10/SAT School Day

  Dear LaGuardia Students and Families,

  We hope that you are well.

  We have just received word that NYCDOE School Day administrations of the SAT and PSAT10 will continue in the 2022-23 school year.

  All students in 11th grade are automatically registered to take the SAT, and all students in 10th grade are automatically registered to take the PSAT10. The two exams are being offered to all 11th grade and 10th grade NYCDOE students free of charge, regardless of family financial status.

  These two College Board exams will be administered to 11th and 10th grade students at LaGuardia on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. The SAT exam administered to 11th grade students is an official SAT exam - if a student chooses not to apply to college with SAT test scores, the score will not be seen by any college. The PSAT10 exam administered to 10th grade students is a practice exam designed to help students identify standardized testing strengths and areas for improvement. The PSAT10 is not the same as the PSAT, and PSAT10 scores have no role in the National Merit Scholarship Competition or the college application process.

  If you would prefer that your 11th or 10th grade child opt-out of taking the SAT School Day exam or PSAT10 on April 25, 2023, please indicate that by filling out this form:  PSAT10/SAT School Day OPT-OUT Form (2022-23) by Friday, December 9, 2022.

  9th and 12th grade students will be engaged in other activities on this day, and we will keep you updated and informed as we get closer to the date.

  For students who need testing accommodations: a separate approval request must be submitted to the College Board. It is at the discretion of the College Board, a private testing company, whether they approve a testing accommodation request. Students who are approved for school-based testing accommodations via a 504 or IEP are not guaranteed approval for College Board testing accommodations. There is a request process that can take up to 11 weeks to receive a decision.

  For consent forms and information on requesting accommodations, please review instructions here:  Applying for Accommodations on College Board Exams by scrolling to the middle of the page.  Once College Board approves testing accommodations for a student, the approved testing accommodations apply to all future College Board exams, including AP Exams, College Board Exams, CLEP Exams, SAT Exams, and PSAT Exams. Approved College Board testing accommodations do NOT apply to ACT Exams, which are not administered by College Board.

   Please stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the date of these exams, Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

   

  Best,

  Shoshana Seid

  Assistant Principal of Special Education, Testing & Programming

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

• PSAL- News

  Below is an opportunity for students interested in journalism. Please share the application with any interested students. 

  This application is to be filled out by the interested high school student only, not by a parent, guardian, teacher, or counselor. Please answer all of the questions below and hit submit.  Deadline: December 31, 2022
  
  Additional Information:
  The program will begin Feb 4, 2023, and go until March 11th, 2023, every Saturday from 9am-12pm at the CUNY J School 219 West 41st in Manhattan.
  
  The application for First Take is now open, please select the link below or copy and paste.
  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-f0klV88TuN9V3vSR2r6wdXLfWblaJ48T0mx6TS8lN8wSlw/viewform
  
  
  Thank you,
  
  Greg Brummell, Athletic Director

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

• School Spirit Shopping Day - 11/17

  This message is being sent on behalf of the Parents Association

   

  

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

• Fall Parent Teacher Conference Information

  Please click herefor the Fall PTC Directory, where you can find links to register for conferences this Thursday evening or Friday afternoon. If you experience any technical difficulties please email the teacher so we can troubleshoot as soon as possible and update the directory if necessary.

   

  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IgE0C76yW6T99tWZ9mMTfhe-8s9apvra23l7PtPqAm4/edit#gid=2038237878

   

  As a reminder, below is notice regarding Parent Teacher Conferences from our community updates. We look forward to meaningful connections with families this week.

   

  ****

   

  Parent Teacher Conferences - 11/17 & 11/18

   

  As we shared previously, all NYCDOE Parent Teacher Conferences are being conducted remotely. On Friday, November 10, we will share the Registration Directory so families who would like to meet with teachers can sign up for conference time slots. To increase flexibility in the scheduling of conferences, teachers will conduct conference on a staggered schedule as follows:

  • • Thursday, November 17, 4:30-8:00pm(conferences take place over 4 hours - each teacher is available for 2.5 hours during this time)

    • Friday, November 18, 1:00-4:00pm(conferences take place over 3 hours - each teacher is available for 2 hours during this time)

       

   

  On Friday, November 18, students will attend periods 7, 8, 3, 9, and 10. Students will be dismissed at 12:05pm.

   

  Please remember that families should notwait for Parent Teacher Conferences, nor should they rely on Parent Teacher Conferences, if they need to connect with teachers. It is a teacher’s professional responsibility to regularly communicate the progress of their students with their families. Please contact your child’s teacher at any time via email to further discuss details of your child’s progress - the Faculty and Staff Directorycan be found on our website.

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

• Whole School Trip to The Green Table - Nov 10

  Dear LaGuardia Community,

  As we get ready for fall Spirit Week, we are pleased to announce we have a remarkable upcoming opportunity to take ALL students, faculty, and staff, to a performance at Lincoln Center! Our long-time partner The Paul Taylor Dance Company will be presenting Kurt Jooss’ The Green Table, one of the most influential artistic works of the 20th century. To honor and revive this masterpiece, The Paul Taylor Dance Company recently presented The Green Table at Chatham, NY’s PS21, and at The 92nd Street Y. Now Paul Tayor is presenting it as part of Lincoln Center’s Fall 2022 season, and has scheduled a special, private performance just for LaGuardia. We are so grateful to be invited to this relevant and timeless example of how artists respond to war, conflict, reconciliation, and peace through their artistic medium.

  To accommodate this generous arrangement, on Thursday, November 10, we will have a special schedule. We will begin the day with Periods 1-6 (8:00am-12:54pm) on a regular schedule. Students who have period 7 lunch will take lunch during period 6. At the beginning of Period 7 (12:58pm), all students will report to their period 3 class to assemble for our walk across the street to David H. Koch Theater. The performance is scheduled to end by 2:50pm, at which time students will be dismissed directly from Lincoln Center to start their holiday weekend. Please be patient with dismissal as 2500 community members will be departing for home from a location slightly different from their regular commute. Students who have scheduled afterschool activities can return to the building.

  Never in the history of LaGuardia High School has the entire school - students from all 6 arts studio programs and all 4 grades - gone on a trip together. We are so excited to have this shared artistic experience for our school community! We wish we could extend this opportunity to ALL parents/guardians also, unfortunately there is a finite number of seats in the Koch Theater. We anticipate having a small number of extra seats available for parents/guardians who would like to serve as chaperones. We will need parent/guardian chaperones to be available from 12:15pm to 3:30pm. If you would like to be considered for a chaperone role, please contact Studio Budget Manager Debbie Teitelbaum (dteitelbaum2@schools.nyc.gov) by November 3.

  This coming Monday, 3rd period teachers will distribute Trip Consent Forms to all students. Please sign and return them to 3rd period teachers no later than Thursday, November 3. 

  We thank our Assistant Principals of Dance Michelle Mathesius and Greg Sinacori, The Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Lincoln Center for making this possible for all of our students, faculty, and staff. We look forward to this experience prompting engaging conversations and artistic creations around many perspectives.

  Best,

  Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos

  Principal

  P.S. If you can’t wait until November 10 to see a performance at Lincoln Center, bring the whole family to the David Geffen Hall Open House Weekend! LaGuardia’s Show Choir is collaborating with Talent Unlimited High School’s Musical Theatre Studio to be the closing act on Sunday, October 30, at 5pm.

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

• November Update

  You can also view this announcement on Google Doc here.

   

  Dear LaGuardia Community,

  As the leaves continue to change color and the temperature continues to fluctuate, there are also many changes in schools during November. This month’s update reminds families of some schedule adjustments, as well as consistent procedures to ensure we are supporting all of our families.

  
  
  

  Supporting Those In Need

  We thank everyone who has already completed their Family Income Inquiry Form and Housing Questionnaire. If you have not yet, please complete it as soon as possible. Even if your family does not qualify for assistance, your completion of the form ensures that we have more complete data that helps other families receive the resources they need.

  As the holiday season approaches, please keep in mind there are community members who may need assistance to access hot meals and holiday cheer. We will share more information about how you can contribute to LaGuardia community members and the greater NYC community. Free Thanksgiving Dinners and Turkeys can be found here: https://www.feedingamerica.org/need-help-find-food/thanksgiving. If you know of a LaGuardia family in need of support during the Holiday Season, please inform any faculty/staff member who will coordinate with Assistant Principal Shelliann Williams swillia35@schools.nyc.gov.

   

  Students Not In Attendance - 11/8, 11/11, 11/24 & 11/25

  Election Day on Tuesday, November 8, is a non-instructional day for all NYCDOE students. Faculty and staff will be engaging in professional activities, and students do NOT have asynchronous work to complete. This is a change from the previous two years.

  Veteran’s Day on Friday, November 11, is a federal holiday. We thank our veterans for their service!

  Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 24, is a federal holiday, and Friday, November 25, is a school holiday. We hope that everyone will be able to spend time with friends and family during this long weekend.

  
  
  

  School-Wide Trip to The Green Table - 11/10

  We are so excited about our historic school-wide trip to Lincoln Center with ALL students, faculty, and staff! All students should have submitted their Parent Consent Form to their Thursday, 3rd period teacher. A reminder that students will attend periods 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, then retrieve all their belongings and meet their Thursday, 3rd period teacher to walk to the Paul Taylor Company’s performance at David H. Koch Theater.  Students will be dismissed at 2:50pm from Lincoln Center.

  We hope that all students will attend. If a Parent Consent Form has not been submitted, please submit to the Thursday, 3rd period teacher, as soon as possible. If your child is unable to attend please inform the 3rd period teacher so we can ensure another community member can have the ticket. Students who do not submit a Parent Consent Form cannot attend the trip. Students who do not attend the trip will see a video presentation about The Green Table in the Little Flower Theater. 

  We will provide students with a logistics overview next week in preparation for the trip. If you have questions about the trip please contact Assistant Principals of Dance Michelle Mathesius mmathesius@schools.nyc.gov or Greg Sinacori gsinacori@schools.nyc.gov. 

  
  
  

  Parent Teacher Conferences - 11/17 & 11/18

  As we shared previously, all NYCDOE Parent Teacher Conferences are being conducted remotely. On Friday, November 10, we will share the Registration Directory so families who would like to meet with teachers can sign up for conference time slots. To increase flexibility in the scheduling of conferences, teachers will conduct conference on a staggered schedule as follows:

  • Thursday, November 17, 4:30-8:00pm (conferences take place over 4 hours  - each teacher is available for 2.5 hours during this time)
  • Friday, November 18, 1:00-4:00pm (conferences take place over 3 hours - each teacher is available for 2 hours during this time)

  On Friday, November 18, students will attend periods 7, 8, 3, 9, and 10. Students will be dismissed at 12:05pm.

  Please remember that families should not wait for Parent Teacher Conferences, nor should they rely on Parent Teacher Conferences, if they need to connect with teachers. It is a teacher’s professional responsibility to regularly communicate the progress of their students with their families. Please contact your child’s teacher at any time via email to further discuss details of your child’s progress - the Faculty and Staff Directory can be found on our website.

  
  
  

  DOE GAMA / NYCSA / Teachhub Known Technical Issues

  We know that it has been trying and frustrating for students, parents/guardians, and faculty/staff, awaiting the functions on the DOE GAMA system to sync with each stakeholder’s accounts. The attendance that is shown in GAMA is daily attendance, which is taken during Period 3 when all students are in the building.  We know that our community, and all NYCDOE communities, have been waiting for consistent, real-time updates of period attendance and assignment grades.

  On Election Day, we have scheduled special sessions with the NYCDOE Division of Instructional and Information Technology (DIIT) so the DOE can hear directly from LaGuardia faculty/staff about how the GAMA system can best support our community. One of the benefits of having the NYCDOE create this system is that DIIT has been very responsive in customizing the system based on input from stakeholders city-wide.  This also includes resolving known issues that impact the user’s experience.  Families are encouraged to complete a Helpdesk Ticket when they experience technical difficulties.

  For those who still need to set up their NYCSA, please contact any administrator, guidance counselor, or secretary. In addition to accessing information about your child, you will also receive important school-wide email announcements.

  
  
  

  Absences - Including COVID

  Illness and family circumstances can, at times, prevent a student from coming to school.  We are also noticing an increase of absences due to the flu and COVID-19 among our students and staff.  The empathy and understanding everyone is showing is greatly appreciated.

  Whenever a student is absent, it is most supportive to have the student email their teachers directly so they can make arrangements together to stay on pace with the class. The parent/guardian should contact Pupil Accounting Secretary Michelle Lopez mlopez3@schools.nyc.gov for Dance and Music, OR Taina Delesline tdelesline@schools.nyc.gov for Art and Theater, to document the reason for the absence. We understand that this is not always possible, and the parent/guardian may have to contact the teachers on their child’s behalf if their child is very ill.

  If the absence is due to COVID, please also email covid@laguardiahs.org as soon as possible. We will follow up with updated guidance on when you can return, and we are still required to report your case to the City. As of November 4, we have reported 158 cases in our community in the school year 2022-2023. Our teachers are experienced in supporting students who have extended absences due to COVID and other situations, so please do not hesitate to engage in a conversation to ensure a smooth transition back after a few days of absences.

  
  
  

  Library Now Open Period 10!

  We are so pleased that students have been making use of the resources that are available during lunch periods and when students are done with their last period of the day. As we take data on student usage, we will continue to make adjustments throughout the year. Starting Monday, November 7, the LaGuardia library will be opened during period 10. This is in addition to our local New York Public Library (NYPL) branches: the resourceful Riverside branch, that is excited about the increase in student use required as part of our partnership; as well as the stunning Performing Arts branch that we hope more of our students will explore! If you missed our Librarian Ms. Tamarkin’s welcome message, you can see it here and contact her at stamark@schools.nyc.gov.

   

   

  Emergencies - When FDNY and NYPD Arrive

  We are grateful that our location on 65th and Amsterdam ensures that we have immediate access to first-responders in the event of emergencies. Whenever EMS or firefighting personnel from FDNY arrive to assess safety situations, NYPD will also always arrive. Most of the time NYPD appears in the building, it is to support immediate medical attention to a student or adult. Some families have requested updates whenever emergencies occur - this is not possible due to privacy concerns, and it is not practical as families would be flooded with incident reports. NYCDOE schools are only permitted to send school-wide communications regarding emergencies when it is indicated by the Press and Legal Offices.

  We would like to remind all families to double check that their emergency contacts are up to date in NYCSA account. To ensure the safety of our community members, if we are unable to contact anyone on the emergency contact, we will reach out to a first-responder immediately. 

  For questions about safety and security, contact Assistant Principal Greg Brummell gbrumme@schools.nyc.gov.

  
  
  

  Early Release

  At times, students have obligations that require that they depart the building prior to the end of their school day. Students can only be released early from the school with parent/guardian permission.

  To pick up a student for early release, an authorized adult on the student’s emergency contact completes the Early Release Form at the front lobby. The student reports to the Attendance Office (Room 201) to sign out with a Pupil Accounting Secretary. Once the adult is verified to be authorized to pick up the student, we release the student to the adult. Once again it is important that your emergency contacts are up to date in NYCSA. If an adult is unable to physically come pick up the student, Pupil Accounting will work with you to confirm that you give permission for your child to leave without an adult.

  If a student needs to be released at Open Lunch, please follow the process above. We are expecting students to return to afternoon classes and not knowing they have left for the day is a major safety concern.

   

   

  Department/Studio Specific Communications

  We have received feedback how helpful it is to hear directly from the Assistant Principals of each Studio and Department. To support families in being able to quickly reference these updates that include policies, we have reorganized our website to include two sections called “Updates from Arts Studios & PE Department” and “Updates from Academic Departments.”  All School-Wide Communications will continue to be found under “Announcements.”

   

   

  MTA Resources

  Thank you to our community members for advocating for ways to ensure that transportation is not a barrier to access for our students and families.

  Students who are participating in school activities that end after 8:30pm, or take place on Saturdays and Sundays, are provided with special 2-fare MetroCards. Please see the faculty/staff members in charge of the activity. Students and family members who are attending a school event and need assistance with a Metrocard, please contact Assistant Principal Williams swillia35@schools.nyc.gov in Room 234B.

  Families who use LIRR and Metro-North can now utilize the online system for Mail & Ride. Just look for FH LAGUARDIA HIGH SCHOOL.

  Families who would like to join the effort for students to be eligible for Express Buses, can contact PA President Jamie McShane presidents@laguardiahspa.org

  
  
  
  

  I look forward to seeing many community members tonight at the Student Curated Art Show and Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Orchestra Concert! Please remember that the NYCDOE policy still requires adults to show ID and vaccination to enter any DOE building.

   

  Best,

  Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos

  Principal

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

• LaGuardia Lions Apparel & Accessories

  Dear LaGuardia Community,

  The LaGuardia Athletics department has officially launched a new catalog to advertise our LaGuardia Pride gear available to our community through Fancloth online. This is a historic and exciting opportunity to represent Artist Athletes. 

   

  Take Action: The campaign ends November 14, 2022 so be sure to run to the finish line to check out with your order. Don't get bumped on the way there. It will be a slam dunk to see everyone in Lion spirit gear cruising through the fast lanes of the LaGuardia courts! 

   

  Orders will be shipped after January 1, 2023.

   

  https://fancloth.shop/NACYW

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

• Marking Period 1

  Dear LaGuardia Students, Parents, and Guardians,

  We hope that this communication finds you all well.

  Friday, October 21, 2022 was the end of our 1st Marking Period. On Tuesday, November 1, 2022, students and families will have access to the 1st Marking Period Progress Report, where teachers report on student progress by providing a grade and comments. Families should schedule time to review this progress report together: determine next steps to celebrate the students’ areas of strength, and to put in place supports for areas that need improvement.

  For this 1st Marking Period, all grades are reported using the letters P, D, or F 

  • P is Passing. Students who are averaging a grade higher than 70 receive a P.
  • D is in Danger of Failing. Students who are averaging a grade between 65-69 receive a D.
  • F is Failing. Students who are averaging a grade below 65 receive an F.

  Teachers also had a bank of comments that they could choose from to capture the student’s progress in narrative form.

  Like many high schools, LaGuardia is semester-based. Students receive final grades at the end of each semester - Fall and Spring. Each semester has three marking periods. Progress reports are generated for the 1st and 2nd marking periods, followed by a final report card for the 3rd marking period. The grades on the 3rd Marking Period report card appear on the official transcript. The grades on the 1st and 2nd Marking Period progress reports do not appear on the official transcript.

  Students can access their marks by visiting Teach Hub, the DOE Portal used to support students.  Students should sign in with their DOE Student Accounts, and then navigate to Student Report Cards (available in the Student Documents icon).

  Parents/Guardians can access student marks by signing into their NYCSA account, which can be found at www.schoolsaccount.nyc and then navigating to the Grades button.

  Please contact the teacher directly if you have questions about your 1st Marking Period progress report grade and/or comments. Our faculty/staff directory can be found here: https://www.laguardiahs.org/directory/faculty

  We look forward to a productive school year.

  Best,

  Shoshana Seid

  Assistant Principal of Special Education, Programming, and Testing

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

• Lagoween

  The Art Department is doing a Lagoween Looks Contest open to all majors until November 5. The prizes are stated below in this graphic! Submit pictures of your Halloween Makeup or a DIY 3D Costume! We're excited to see everyone's craftiness and Halloween looks! 

   

  Here's the Link to submit your look.

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

• School Publications and Announcements Notice and Opt-Out Form

  The Opt Out Form is Attached

   

  School Year 2022-23

   

  LaGuardia Arts produces a number of school publications (such as yearbooks, playbills, graduation programs, sports team rosters, and school newspapers) and makes a number of announcements about your child’s achievements (for example, making honor roll or winning an award). We distribute these publications and make these announcements to the school community, including school staff, other parents and students, and guests, at school events. These publications may include certain information about your child, known as “directory information.” Directory information in these publications is limited to a student’s name, age and grade level, images of your child, information about their participation in school activities, and recognition of honors, awards, or other prizes they’ve received. Personal contact information, such as home addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers, will not be included in these publications.

   

  Federal law allows you to opt-out of having your child’s directory information included in our school’s publications. If you wish to keep your child’s “directory information” out of our school’s publications, you must complete the form below and return it to the Attendance Office, Room 201 by November 9, 2022. Students who are 18 or older must complete this form themselves.

   

  If you opt-out now and change your mind later, you may opt back in by submitting a signed, written letter to the Attendance Office, Room 201.

   

   

  Please complete one form per child if you wish to keep their directory information out of school publications. If you fill out and submit this form, then your child’s photograph, name and other directory information will NOT appear in the publications you check off. Students who are 18 or older must complete this form themselves.

   

  I do NOT want directory information to be included in the following:

  • Do not include directory information in yearbooks.
  • Do not include directory information in other school publications, website, email, posters, programs, etc.
  • Do not announce my child’s achievements or awards.

   

   

  • School Publications and Announcements Notice and Opt-Out Form.pdf

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

• Club List - Family Version Now Available

  While we share club information with all students, many families have requested to know the range of club offerings and schedule.  Students still are able to access complete information, including club emails, locations, etc, by using their laguardiahs.org Google Account, I have prepared a file to enable parents to have conversations with their children about what types of clubs an individual student may be interested in.

   

  Access Club List 22.23 (Parent Version)

   

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

• Student Club List Now Available

  Hello,

   

  Here is this year's version of our Club List. As information changes, I will be revising the Sheet so that the information is current.

   

  VIEW CLUB LIST 22.23 (The LaGuardiahs.org account must be open)

   

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

• Student Halloween Costume Guidelines

  It is quite the LaGuardia tradition that everyone dresses for Halloween, which is next Monday.  If you choose not to wear a costume, we suggest you wear all black.   Halloween at LaGuardia Arts has always been a special day with unique traditions.  Students and staff dress up in costumes inspired by that special creativity that sets LaGuardia apart from all other schools.   As usual, we want you to celebrate your creativity; however, please be aware that, at the same time, we expect you to be respectful of others and still adhere to the rules and regulations of the school and the Department of Education.

  
  
  

  • You may not wear a mask that covers your face. Face paint is allowed, as long as you’re still recognizable.
  • You may not wear a costume which is considered to be lewd, indecent, or offensive or one that interferes with the educational process. These include costumes which depict terrorists, religious figures, or any costume deemed to be sexually explicit.
  • Students dressed inappropriately will be required to change back into street clothes and their parents will be notified.
  • You may not have any item in school that is normally not allowed in school, namely cigarettes, lighters, handcuffs, masks, weapons or any other object with the potential to cause harm to oneself or to others, regardless of their authenticity. Such items will be confiscated and, depending on the item, may not be returned.  If a prop looks too real and may be viewed as a weapon or confused to be real, don’t bring it.
  • Students cannot leave class without a pass for any reason. Deans and security agents will be out patrolling the halls on that day looking for students who are not complying with school regulations.

   

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

• A Virtual Town Hall Event to Meet Your District Superintendent Candidates

  Good afternoon Manhattan High Schools Community, 

   

  I hope this email finds you all in good spirits.  The Town Hall interview for Manhattan High Schools Superintendent candidates will be held on Wednesday, October 26th at 7:00 pm.  Please share with the MHS community (flyer and registration attached).  Please share with your family and your community. 

   

  This is an opportunity to provide feedback, which can be used by parent leaders to support the superintendent hiring process! 

   

   

  Please register here for the event. 

   

  Submit your questions and comments here.
  

   

   

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

• Applications for Senior Class Secretary Now Available

  The Senior Secretary will be responsible for (1) attending SGO meetings (2) work with the other Senior Class officers on Senior-Specific Events (3) Works with Post-Secondary Specialist on maintaining various databases and disseminating various college-process information

   Application Process: 

  ・The Senior Class Secretary will be a non elected member of SGO.

  ・Applicants will be reviewed by a committee consisting of an SGO member, a teachers, and administrator.

  ・Certain applicants will be invited to an interview with this same committee.

  ・They can not hold another position on SGO

   Deadline to submit application: Tuesday, October 25, 2022; at 3:00 PM

  Apply for Senior Class Secretary

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