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.
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
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
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.
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
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%) 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
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
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:
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
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?
What should I do if my child tests positive on one of the tests?
Where can I find instructions about the test kit?
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
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.
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.
|
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
Dear LaGuardia Families,
Due to scheduling conflicts, we are changing the schedule and format of the virtual information session on Accommodations. In lieu of multiple Zoom sessions originally planned for Thursday, December 1, we will share a recorded presentation and additional information next week that families can view at their own time.
We thank you for your understanding and engagement.
Below is the original announcement about the Accommodations Information Sessions.
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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
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:
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
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
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
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
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
This message is being sent on behalf of the Parents Association
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.
As a reminder, below is notice regarding Parent Teacher Conferences from our community updates. We look forward to meaningful connections with families this week.
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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.
No student shall be subjected to harassment, discrimination, or bullying, including cyberbullying by employees or students on school property or at a school function or off school property where such acts create or would foreseeably create a risk of substantial disruption within the school environment or where it is foreseeable that the conduct, threats, intimidation or abuse might reach school property; nor shall any student be subjected to discrimination based on a person's actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex by school employees or students on school property or at a school function. (Dignity for All Students Act effective July 1, 2013)
Chris Gonzalez, Guidance Counselor
Thomas Pappas, Guidance Counselor
If you need help because someone has discriminated against, harassed, bullied or intimidated you, or if you have concerns about such behavior, you can go to one of our Respect For All liaisons or any staff member you feel comfortable speaking with.
Click here to view the Events Calendar in Month View
All Administrators, Guidance Staff, and Secretaries can assist with account access and reset.
Being registered and active in NYCSA (https://www.schoolsaccount.nyc/) will ensure that you have access to all of your child’s academic and attendance records, updating emergency contacts, receiving official communications from the school, and more.
The DOE has recently posted three forms that families should complete on NYCSA:
If you have already created an account and should click on “Forgot your password” to reset your account.
Knowing your login for nycstudents.net ensures that students have access to their academic and attendance records, receiving official communications from the school, and more. Students will also need to use their nycstudents.net account to access Google Classroom and DOE Zoom and Teams meetings.
If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it through Student Self-Service, ask your parent/guardian to reset it in NYCSA.
