Potential COVID Case

/ Ms. Choi

11/19/2021 3:32 PM

Dear P.S. 007 Louis F. Simeone at 80-55 CORNISH AVENUE Community: 

I hope you are staying healthy and safe. Today I am writing to inform you of a potential case of COVID-19 in our school community, and to let you know what will happen next.

Next Steps

We are working in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health) to confirm test results. At this time there are no plans for classroom or school closure, and students should continue to attend as regularly scheduled unless they are feeling ill. If a positive test result is confirmed, you will receive another update.

What if the case is confirmed?

In partnership with NYC Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and the NYC Test + Trace Corps, we will take all appropriate action, including:

  • Ensuring that any individual who tests positive for COVID-19 quarantines until they are no longer infectious, and it is safe for them to return to the school building.
  • Work to trace close contacts in our school.
  • Instruct close contacts to quarantine for 10 days since their last contact with the individual who tested positive (unless they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from a confirmed case of COVID during the last 90 days).

Please be assured that we are taking every precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including ensuring that anyone who feels sick in the school building isolates until they can leave the school.

It’s up to all of us to help keep our school community safe and healthy. Please continue to stay home if sick, stay at least 6 feet away from people who are not members of your household, wear a face covering, and practice healthy hand hygiene.

All New Yorkers age 5 or older are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19. If someone is fully vaccinated, they do not have to miss school, sports or work if there is a case in their classroom. People who are between 5 and 17 years old are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine only; all older ages are eligible for all three vaccines. Find a vaccine site today at https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/. There is no cost to be vaccinated.

We will continue to closely follow directions from public health experts, and proactively update you on any measures we are taking. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. For additional information on COVID-19, visit schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus or call 311. Finally, to ensure we can rapidly reach you via text and email, please set up a New York City Schools Account (NYCSA) as soon as possible by visiting schools.nyc.gov/nycsa.

Thank you for your cooperation. Health and safety will always come first in New York City public schools, no matter what. 

Sincerely, 

Robert Aiello

11/19/2021 3:38 PM

Dear P.S. 007 Louis F. Simeoneat 80-55 CORNISH AVENUE Community: 

The health and safety of our students and staff, and everyone in the DOE family across the city, is our top priority. We are committed to ensuring you have the information you need on COVID-19 as we continue to navigate this public health emergency together.

Today we are writing to inform you, out of an abundance of caution, that on 11/19/2021 3:37 PM a member of our school community was sent home with COVID-19 symptoms.

We are handling this situation with the utmost seriousness. At this time there are no plans for classroom or school closure, and students should continue to attend school as regularly scheduled unless they are feeling ill. If, and only if, the individual tests positive, you will receive another update informing you and framing the next steps.

Please be assured that we are taking every precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our school community, including ensuring that anyone who feels sick in the school building can isolate until they can leave the school building.

If the individual tests positive for COVID-19, they cannot return to the school until they have been isolated for 10 days and been fever-free for 24 hours without use of medication and their overall symptoms are improving.

It’s up to all of us to help keep our school community safe and healthy. Please remember to follow these important “Core Four” actions to prevent COVID-19 transmission:   

  • Stay home if sick: Monitor your and your child’s health and stay home if you are sick or keep them home if they are sick, except for getting essential medical care (including COVID-19 testing) and other essential needs. 
  • Physical distancing: Stay at least 6 feet away from people who are not members of your household. 
  • Wear a face covering: Protect those around you. Wearing a face covering helps reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially if you are sick and don’t have symptoms. For more information about face coverings, visit nyc.gov/health/coronavirus and look for “FAQ About Face Coverings.”  
  • Practice healthy hand hygiene: Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available; clean frequently touched surfaces regularly; avoid touching your face with unwashed hands; and cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hands. 

All New Yorkers age 5 and older are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19. If someone is fully vaccinated, they do not have to miss school, sports, or work if there is a case in their classroom. People who are between 5 and 17 years old are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine only; all older ages are eligible for all three vaccines. Find a vaccine site today at https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/. There is no cost to be vaccinated.

We will continue to closely follow directions from public health experts and proactively update you on any measures we are taking. To ensure we can reach you via text and email, please set up a New York City Schools Account (NYCSA) as soon as possible by visiting schools.nyc.gov/nycsa. 

For additional information on COVID-19, visit schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus or call 311.  

Thank you for your cooperation. Health and safety will always come first in New York City public schools, no matter what. 

Sincerely, 

Robert Aiello

Thanksgiving Food Giveaway

/ Ms. Choi

Thanksgiving food bags will be distributed at the NY Hall of Science. There will be interactive activities for children and families.

  • Date: Saturday, November 20, 2021
  • Time: 9am – 3pm
  • Where: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th Street, Corona NY 11368
  • Important: You must pick up a ticket for this event from La Jornada, 133-36 Roosevelt Avenue, Monday – Friday (9:00am – 5:00pm)

Click on a flyer below for more information:

English
Spanish

COVID Vaccine Referral Bonus

Featured / Ms. Choi

Dear Families of P.S. 7 Louis F. Simeone,

The PTA is happy to inform you that we are participating in the New York City’s Vaccine Referral Bonus Initiative Program. You can support our school’s association by scheduling anyone from your family age 5 and up for their 1st covid vaccine dose at one of the participating sites. You can even share the news with other families and friends.

Our school’s association will receive a $100 incentive bonus for all that include us as their referral. In addition, individuals getting the vaccine will receive a $100 incentive for themselves. You can schedule 1st dose appointment with a participating site at the following website: nyc.gov/vax4nyc

It is very important to inform the clinician to use the sponsorship field once at the site for any walk-in. When scheduling your appointment make sure to answer YES to the following question, (Were you referred for your vaccination by an organization as part of the NYC Vaccine Referral Bonus Program?) Then select our organization so that we can receive the bonus by inserting: Parents Association of P.S.7Q 

We thank you for your continued support and hope this has a successful turn out. If you have any questions or need help scheduling 1st vaccine dose to support our school’s association, please come to the school and ask to speak to PTA president Mrs. Puryear or our Parent Coordinator Mrs. Melito. We would be happy to assist you.

To find participating locations you can search on: vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. It must say $100 incentive available.

Here are a few participating locations in Queens: 

  • Elmhurst Hospital 79-01 Broadway
  • Queens Mall – Former Modell’s Location 58-56 92nd Street
  • Corona Health Center 34-33 junction Blvd
  • Long Island City 5-17 46th Road
  • Citi Field 36-02 126th St, Cars enter through gate 11
  • Free Synagogue of Flushing 41-60 Kissena Blvd
  • Korean Community Services 203-05 32nd Avenue
  • Queens Public Library at Ozone Park 92-24 Rockaway Boulevard
  • Beach 39th Street 39-20 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Sincerely,

PTA Committee

Guadalupe Puryear, PTA President

To view this letter in another language, click on one of the buttons below:

Spanish
Chinese
Bengali

Universal Mosaic Curriculum Community Engagement Town Halls

/ Ms. Choi

The DOE is developing the Universal Mosaic Curriculum program, a new comprehensive, culturally diverse English language arts (ELA) and math curriculum for all students in grades K–12, set to launch in fall 2023. In order to receive feedback from school communities, to guide the development of the new curriculum, the DOE is hosting four virtual town halls, with opening remarks from Chancellor Meisha Porter on all dates. The town halls will also provide opportunities for students to engage in small group dialogue, in order to center the student experience in the curriculum’s development.

The town halls will be hosted on the following dates:

  • November 9 from 6:30 p.m.–7:45 p.m. (English, Spanish);
  • November 13 from 1:00 p.m.–2:15 p.m. (English, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish); 
  • November 15 from 6:30 p.m.–7:45 p.m. (English, Arabic, Bangla, French, Sign Language); and
  • November 16 from 6:30 p.m.–7:45 p.m. (English, Haitian Creole, Korean, Urdu)

You can register through LearnDOE. Click on the flyer below for more information.

English
Spanish
Chinese
Bangla

For questions, email mosaiccurriculum@schools.nyc.gov.

Thanksgiving Luncheon – November 25, 2021

/ Ms. Choi
Plated dishes of cherry pie, pumpkin pie, and a cooked turkey

You are invited to come celebrate Thanksgiving Day with the staff of PS. 7 and P.S. 13.

  • Date: Thursday, November 25, 2021
  • Time: 11:00 – 2:00 PM
  • Where: P.S. 13Q Cafeteria (94-19 56th Avenue, Elmhurst, NY 11373)
  • All adults must be vaccinated to enter the building and proof of vaccination must be shown upon entering.

Space is limited, please indicate your interest in attending our luncheon by completing the form below by November 12.

Thanksgiving Day Luncheon Form

UPDATE: COVID Vaccine for Children

/ Ms. Choi

Mobile units for the Covid-19 vaccination will be parked outside the Main Building (at Exit 3) and at P.S. 7 Academy (at the corner of 51st Avenue and Jacobus Street) from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. today.


On Tuesday , November 9th from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., PS 7 will be a pop up vaccination site for families to bring their children to receive the first dose of the Pfizer Covid vaccine. It will only be on this day.

Please read the letter below from the NYCDOE Office of School Health for more information. Parents/guardians must accompany their child to receive the vaccine. Please send your child to school at the regular time on Tuesday.

If you would like your child to receive the vaccine, please bring the signed consent form and arrive at the school between 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Parents/guardians are also encouraged to take their child home after receiving vaccine.

NYC DOE Office of School Health Letter to Families

School Vaccine Sites

SLT – September 2021 Meeting Minutes

/ Ms. Choi

Members Present

  • Robert Aiello- Principal I.A.
  • Bridget Ruggiero- Assistant Principal
  • Fredda Pichardo-UFT Representative
  • Theresa Rugolo- Teacher
  • Lisa Catapano- Teacher
  • Jessica DiGiovanni- Teacher
  • Tanya Molito- Parent Coordinator
  • Guadelupe Puryear-PTA President
  • Annlex Arriagada-Parent
  • Jennifer Molina-Parent
  • Genny Martinez-Parent
  • Meeting start time: 4:00
  • Review of Today’s Agenda
  • Welcome and Introduction
  • R. Aiello: We need to establish roles for SLT
  • Bridget Ruggiero -chairperson
  • Lisa Catapano – recorder
  • Annlex Arriagada- timekeeper

R. Aiello: We need a copy of the bylaws.

F. Pichardo: I will have a copy sent to the members so we can review them next meeting.

Review of last meetings Minutes

Minutes approved

Principals Report

Homeless Encampments

R. Aiello: Homeless Problem is not getting better. There is a CEC meeting tonight and Ms. Chan is bringing up the issue at the meeting. It is not safe for our children to walk in the street, walk over liquor bottles or even human feces. Not much is being done so we need to make some more noise to motivate change. We need to provide these people with services and rehabilitation. There is so much garbage in the area.

People are dumping their refuse and garbage in the area. We are contacting the LIRR because a large area where there is dumping belongs to them.

G. Puryear: I have heard that the people who do outreach can’t force them to leave the area. Is there a way we could get politicians or police involved?

R. Aiello: Local representatives we have contacted have not responded. Daniel Dromm always helped us and he is retiring and can no longer help us. It will take a multitude of us to speak up and call 311 and email because if they see the numbers of people that are contacting them we may get results. We need to work together as a community to get this issue solved.

G. Martinez: Wondering if you think a petition could help? Maybe the local businesses could get involved because I am sure they are suffering as well with the issue.

R.Aiello: Yes, I think that politicians seeing hundreds of names on a petition would help. It is my responsibility to protect your children. I think getting a petition together is a great way to get our voice out there.

G. Martinez: I certainly don’t mind doing that but maybe someone could assist me.

F. Pichardo: I’ll help you Genny. I am also thinking of composing an email that the teachers and parents can send daily.

R. Aiello: I think a stock email would be great.

Bussing

R. Aiello: I am being told the main building busing should be fine. The situation at the Academy continues. The overall dispute is that transportation claims that children walking across Queens Boulevard is not a hazard, when I think it is a hazard. They do not want to provide the buses. We need to have the parents fill out the hazard exemption form to say we need buses there. They sent an additional crossing guard, but it is not the same as buses. It puts a hardship on the Academy for their dismissal. A majority of the students are dismissing from the building now. It’s been in place since 2004. So for 14 years they have been getting it and now they are saying we should not have been entitled from the beginning.

G. Martinez: There are so many parents double parked at dismissal, so maybe we could go car to car and hand out a form they could fill out.

B. Ruggiero: Thanks. We will make sure we have the forms available in all languages.

Covid Protocols/Vaccinations

R. Aiello: Yesterday the court refused to hear the argument against mandated vaccines. All staff must be vaccinated by Friday at 5pm. They must be uploaded by

11:59 pm. Anyone entering the building must be vaccinated. Parents entering must show proof of vaccination.

Any child who is sick during the day is sent to the nurse and she evaluates if there are Covid symptoms. We call it into situation room and send letters out to parents.

If a child is coughing, they will get sent to nurse and since that is a Covid symptom it will be called in to the situation room and it will be put on the school website. Even with all the safety measures in place there are still going to be Covid exposures. All staff members will be fully vaccinated by the end of this week so they do not quarantine unless they experience symptoms . They take a test after 3 days

There may be an example where 1 child attends academy and 1 attends main building and 1 child of your gets quarantined. That does not mean your other child quarantines. Only direct exposures quarantine.

A. Arriagada: If a teacher tests positive and is asymptomatic, will parents be notified?

R. Aiello: If a teacher is positive, they have to quarantine. If they are exposed and vaccinated, they don’t have to quarantine.

G. Martinez: If a teacher is exposed and our unvaccinated children are around them. Vaccinated people can be asymptomatic and then what if after 3 days they show symptoms- you can have a whole class that was exposed. Has this come up as an issue?

R. Aiello: The DOE is saying that from exposure the vaccinated teacher doesn’t need to quarantine because the risk is low enough that they want the staff member in the building for the gains the students will have in education. I think that’s what they are thinking

G. Martinez: I know positive cases get reported to the situation room, but if a teacher tests positive will they quarantine the whole class?

R. Aiello: Everything goes to the situation room. Anytime there is a positive case test and trace wanted a tracking form and everyone on the list would be quarantined except vaccinated individuals. Things will be different because now the students will be less.

G. Martinez: Do you envision losing a lot of staff?

R. Aiello: There’s a lot of privacy laws so I am limited. I can’t ask, but I do have a list of people who have uploaded their status. Fredda reached out to staff to ask them to let the administration know so we are prepared. We have called in extra substitute teachers and extra paraprofessionals this week. The rules keep changing so it’s been difficult. Now the date is Friday. So I called in subs and I have to keep them because I want to secure them so they do not get taken away by other schools. There will be some disruption come Monday.

G. Martinez: What is happening if you are noticing that parents are trying to keep their children home? I hear that some children have not gone in or are absent a lot.

R. Aiello: Children K and up are mandated to go to school. So if someone is keeping the child home then ACS will be contacted. If you do not send your child we call and identify and contact DOE central. They make home visits. Not sending your child to school is unacceptable. Fear is understandable, but then you have to make sure they are getting properly educated.

Expanded Halal Menu

R. Aiello: Met with head of dieticians and we are hoping that we can get a Halal menu. Staff shortages are delaying that, but we hope to get that before Christmas.

G. Puryear: What is the timeline regarding partitions?

R. Aiello- If not by Friday then within next week.

F. Pichardo: How do parents find out results for student Covid tests?

R. Aiello: Parents receive a letter when their child is tested. We are only informed if there is a positive case. If they are not getting results they should call the number on the letter receive when the child is tested. Testing is random. We may have same child getting tested each week and have a child who is never tested. We have been pressing for teachers and staff to get tested if they want to but they are denying the staff to get tested. We push it when we meet with the Superintendent and the Chancellor.

G. Puryear: If a parent gave consent and the child does not get chosen, can they reach out to you to let you know that their child hasn’t been tested so they can get tested?

R. Aiello: Unfortunately it can’t work that way because we get a list. ’m sure if a parent is concerned and they ask I may be able to help them. It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

A. Arriagada: Ms. Pichardo when Mia gets tested, I get a text with results.

F. Pichardo: Thank you for letting me know. The reason I ask is because I heard there is a lot of miscommunication with the parents, not as much with the school but more that they may not be getting results in their language.

R. Aiello: The situation room now closes at 3:30 so we have to wait and sometimes the letter is not sent home that day and it causes confusion.

The CEP and Budget

R. Aiello: The CEP is still being amended, but at the next meeting we will bring it up and discuss the goals. When it comes to the budget, we should have more information about after school for parents at the Thursday meeting with the parents. A posting has to go out to teachers and then they apply.

G. Puryear: Saturday programs in previous years was state test prep. Are parents asking for Saturday programs that are more fun for the kids or is it more test prep?

R. Aiello: I get both. Some parents think that their kids have lost so much academically that they need more academics and some parents think that their kids have been through so much so they need to socialize. We are trying to figure this all out. We have to figure out staffing as well. We could also have a CBO coming into the building but this would not be teachers but more of homework help and watching them in general.

PTA Report

G. Puryear: This week we gathered and sent out the membership envelopes. Tomorrow I’m meeting with the photography company. We are thinking of doing a yearbook, We are thinking of trying Spring pictures in April. Are there any dates we need to stay away from?

R. Aiello: I have to get dates for state tests- so that week and the week before I would not do.

G. Puryear-: At main building we had Santa come to school. Could we continue to do that?

R. Aiello: I would love to do that. It’s a positive experience. If you can’t find anyone I will be Santa.

G. Puryear: Before Covid at the Academy we had ice cream on Friday. Can we bring that back?

R. Aiello: I have to find out if that is something that we are allowed to do. There is talk about children under 12 getting vaccinated and that will open up a lot more for us to do.

G. Puryear: Regarding the report for the PTA, we have an opening balance of

$ 12,079.62. We always help the staff with anything they need for graduations and celebrations. We would love to help in other ways, maybe with an assembly or workshop with the kids or some other special event.

R. Aiello: What is nice about PTA is that you have more freedom on what you can spend money on. There are many things that we are limited in using our funding for, so I think you can use your funding for certain things we can’t , so we will get together and discuss.

Let’s come up with some dates for the rest of the year for our SLT.

  • October 26
  • November 30
  • Dec 21
  • Jan 25
  • Feb 15
  • March 29
  • April 26
  • May 31
  • June 21

Meeting End Time: 5:35

Nutrition Workshop – Saturdays at 9am

/ Ms. Choi

Cornell University Cooperative Extension offers FREE nutrition workshops via Zoom. The first workshop will start on Saturday, November 13th from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

You will:

  • Know what foods & amount to eat daily to be healthy
  • Learn to read food labels to choose healthier foods
  • Practice food safety to avoid food poisoning
  • Prepare a healthy snack with an easy recipe

There are 8 workshops, once a week for eight weeks. Those who attend 6 sessions will receive a certificate from Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Please note that there is a limit of 15-20 attendees so it is first come, first serve, according to responses received by Ms. Melito. If you are interested in attending, please email Ms. Melito (TMelito@schools.nyc.gov) by November 9th. Include your name, child’s name, and phone number.

Parent Teacher Conferences – November 30th

/ Ms. Choi

Our Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. You will be able to view your child’s report card on this date through NYCSA. Please note that parent teacher conferences will be held remotely through Zoom.

  • Students will be dismissed at 11:30am.
  • Afternoon Sessions will be from 1:00pm – 3:00pm.
  • Evening Sessions will be from 5:00 – 7:30pm.
Parent Teacher Conference text with colored pencils arranged on a desk