Saturday, October 21, 2017 9:00 A.M.
Monday, November 13, 2017 5:00 P.M.
Good Afternoon LAMS Family Members,
We have created a survey for families, in both English and Spanish, that have two or more children in their household that will be attending LAMS blended learning in the upcoming school year and would like them to be on the same blended learning schedules for busing purposes. Below is the link to the survey. In order for us to make bus arrangements, it is crucial that you fill this form out by Friday, August 14th if you would like your children to be attending school on the same days and on the same bus. We will make every attempt to accommodate your requests. If you do not respond to the survey, I cannot guarantee that your children will be on the same schedule.
Click here for families who will be returning to school in September and would like their children to be on the same bus. Please note, this is only for families who have children who live in the same household.
If link does not work, please copy and paste the below into your browser:
As we continue to plan and work together as a school family, I hope you find this information helpful….. Ms. Ponella
Good Afternoon LAMS Family Members,
Thank you to those who were able to attend our Parent Information Session last night and apologies to those who were not able to get into the meeting. Attached you will find the power point presentation that has information to help you make a decision to keep your child at home to learn remotely or to have them return to school in a blended learning model. Please view the power point presentation for information that is not included in the Q&A below.
Since we finished the school year, I have been working with our School Leadership Team, PTA Executive Board, and School Re-opening Planning Committee to ensure we are adhering to NYC DOE and CDC guidelines to ensure your child is as safe as possible should you send your child back to in person learning. Their dedication, willingness to help think of plan, edit the plan, revisit the plan, and give insight is greatly appreciated and vital to our reopening. All three groups collectively consisted of parents, teachers, administrators, UFT representation, our amazing Parent Coordinator Ms. Cataldo and Building response Team members. I truly believe in giving honor where honor is due and I want to thank them for coming together to take on this Herculean task. It truly does take a village to raise a child and your voice matters. I have been sending updates from our meetings and guidance documents via your Pupil Path email account. Please make sure you check your Pupil Path gmail account at least weekly. If you are a new family to LAMS, Ms. Cataldo has been sending you the information from Pupil Path until you are able to set up a Pupil Path account.
As a leader, I take the health and safety of my students and staff very seriously. The other day, I was on the phone with a parent who had some concerns and questions about her options. During the conversation, I expressed to her that when I walk into our building or a class, I immediately place my son in that class and think how would I want him to be taught, treated and most importantly is he safe.. Please know, I come with the heart of a parent in my leadership and collaborations. There are many things that we do know at this time and many things we still don’t know and it will ultimately be your decision whether to send your child back to school or to keep your child at home to continue with remote learning. Considering, we do not have enough information or guidance at this time, it will not be an easy decision. But remember, we are Louis Armstrong. We are strong. We will continue to come together as a family and work through this together. We need each other and we will continue to do what's best for your child and school staff.
I know the information presented and the Q&A below, doesn’t answer all your questions, but it is my hope that regardless of whatever you choose, your child is a member of our LAMS family and the same expectations of student achievement, nurturing the whole child and most importantly keeping your child safe will be paramount. Should schools reopen in the fall, we will be hosting another meeting prior to its reopening with precise protocols for your child’s first day, expectations, and health guidance and assurances. Stay safe, continue to check the NYC DOE website, Pupil Path and our School Website for updates. Remember the deadline to apply for remote learning is tomorrow. You can apply at: https://www.nycenet.edu/surveys/learningpreference
Parent Questions and Answers - If you have additional questions, please know you can always reach out to me.
1. If I choose remote learning, can my child be able to go back into blended learning?
Ans. Yes. Families will be given an opportunity quarterly to opt back into blended learning.
2. Will students have their temperatures taken?
Ans. We are waiting for guidance. Since we are using multiple entrances for arrival and dismissal to ensure social distancing, that would require multiple people to at each egress/entrances. We are also waiting for guidance on who can take the temperatures. I would encourage parents to take their child’s temperatures each morning prior to coming to school for their health safety and the safety of others.
3. Will children be required to wear masks? Can they wear their own?
Ans. Everyone will be required to wear masks, with exceptions for students who need medical accommodations. I don’t think it would matter if a child wears their own mask as long as it covers their nose and mouth. However, I will ask for clarification. Also, masks will be provided for all schools.
4. Can my child get detention for not wearing a mask?
Ans. The masks are required unless your child has a medically excused condition. The Chancellor stated that students who refuse to wear masks, the student will be sent home and receive remote learning.
5. How do I make sure my child’s room is in a room with windows and ventilation?
Ans. All schools have had their ventilation systems cleaned and air conditioning filters changed. However, I have escalated my concerns about our school’s ventilation system. Our 6 grade classrooms and a few other rooms have air conditioning units. Our 7 and 8 grade classrooms do not. Since heat rises, our third and fourth floors get extremely hot. I went into the school this past week and used a temperature gun to take classroom temperatures. The outdoor temperature was 86 degrees and some of the classrooms exceeded 95 degrees. Considering adults and children will be required to wear masks, I consider this a health risk. Only classrooms with windows will be used for instruction and/or AC.
6. Are all students using Google Classrooms?
Ans. Yes, we are Google Classroom School.
7. Will my child still receive breakfast and Lunch?
Ans. Yes, grab and go breakfast and lunch will be provided. Students will have lunch during an instructional period in their classroom.
8. My child has a severe peanut allergy. Are there going to be rooms without peanut butter?
Ans. We take the health and safety of all our students seriously. Yes. Accommodations will be made for children with food allergies.
9. How do I find out about my child’s school bus?
Ans. Once we receive more guidance for the DOE and OPT, Ms. Cataldo will be informing you of your child’s bus route. Please know yellow buses have to adhere to CDC guidelines. Each bus will be running at 25% capacity. The Mayor is encouraging parents who can provide transportation to do so. I’m not sure if the MTA has to abide by the CDC guidelines.
10. Do I have to give back my child’s iPad to his previous school.
Ans. No. As long as your child is attending a NYC DOE public school, the iPad will stay with your child. If your child does not have technology to use to sign into their remote classes, a link will be sent via Pupil Path and the Website to order one from the DOE.
11. How are you going to hold gym, band, chorus?
Ans. These courses require 12 feet between students. With smaller classes, gym will still be able to be held in the gymnasium and be held outside whenever possible (weather pending). Band will be in the cafeteria. Chorus will be held in the auditorium.
12. Will there be more live teaching for remote learning?
Ans. Yes. Here at LAMS, our teachers are encouraged to go live. They understand the value and the need to have virtual face to face interactions with their students to get to know them well.
13. Will LAMS teachers be teaching the remote classes?
Ans. We are still waiting for guidance on this. Currently, we have 24 staff members applying for reasonable accommodations to teach remotely in September, and few others who have not put in their paper work. I do not know who will be filling their place for in person teaching nor if they will be teaching LAMS students remotely. I would hope they would remain teaching our LAMS students. I have escalated this concern.
14. When will students be able to go back and get their belongings from their lockers?
Ans. We are still waiting for guidance on this. It is my hope that it is sooner than later. It will take a lot of coordination for our students to enter our building safely and have the needed staff on hand.
Supply List for 5th Grade
2020/2021
The following is a list of basic supplies that students will need in 5th grade. These are the supplies needed for Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies and Art. Teachers of other subjects may request additional supplies.
Please be reminded that it is the student’s responsibility to replace all supplies as needed.
Thank you,
The 5th Grade Teachers
Supply List for 6th Grade
2020/2021
The following is a list of basic supplies that students will need in 6th grade. These are the supplies needed for Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies and Art. Teachers of other subjects may request additional supplies.
Please be reminded that it is the student’s responsibility to replace all supplies as needed.
Please also keep at home: notebook, loose-leaf, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, post-its, construction paper, scissors and coloring pencils.
Supplies need for classroom use. OPTIONAL but greatly appreciated
Thank you,
The 6th Grade Teachers
Supply List for 7th Grade
2020/2021
The following is a list of basic supplies that students will need in 7th grade. These are the supplies needed for Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies, Spanish and Art. Teachers of other subjects may request additional supplies.
Please be reminded that it is the student’s responsibility to replace all supplies as needed.
Please also keep at home: notebook, loose-leaf, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, construction paper, scissors and coloring pencils.
Supplies need for classroom use. OPTIONAL but greatly appreciated
Thank you,
The 7th Grade Teachers
Supply List for 8th Grade
2020/2021
The following is a list of basic supplies that students will need in 8th grade. These are the supplies needed for Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies, Spanish and Art. Teachers of other subjects may request additional supplies.
Please be reminded that it is the student’s responsibility to replace all supplies as needed.
Please also keep at home: notebook, loose-leaf, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, construction paper, scissors and coloring pencils.
Supplies need for classroom use. OPTIONAL but greatly appreciated
Thank you,
The 8th Grade Teachers
The Mission of the Louis Armstrong Middle School is to bring together a group of culturally diverse children to help them grow academically, emotionally, physically and socially. Our five school goals are: improving literacy and numeracy, fostering caring and ethical citizenship, encouraging substantive parent involvement, practicing the arts in all curriculum areas and growing technologically.
