Valerie Vanderpuije, Principal

I hope you and your family have been having a joyful and restful summer break.

As the days draw closer to the beginning of the school year, I want to send a quick update about what you can expect this year. I have been spending time in the school building preparing, but I have not been alone. Various staff members including custodians, teachers, our school aides - Ms. Caban and Mr. Coleman, and the parent coordinator, Ms. Marrero have been working to ensure a smooth transition into the new school year.

There are so many wonderful events to look forward to in the coming year. We have completed our first year of the pilot Dyslexia program and will continue to work to strengthen the process of using our growing knowledge of Science of Reading principles to make changes that inform our practices in ways that support not only students that may be at risk of Dyslexia, but all of our students. Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, we enjoyed so many incredible events including the Spring Arts Festival and International Potluck, Fitness Day, and the school Music Share. We hope to continue helping students build skills including reading, writing, and collaborative problem solving through those programs and more in the coming year. Thanks to the return of Ms. Barton-Landfield, PS 295 will add a Winter performance to the myriad events we have planned.

I would also like to share some reminders about the first days of school. The first day of school will be September 7, 2023. The gates on the 19th Street side of the building will open at 7:45. As there is a skeleton crew in the courtyard at this time, parents are strongly encouraged to remain with their child until the school day begins at 8:20. Students may enter the school building to have breakfast from 8:00 - 815. Parents may not accompany the children into the school building. Dismissal will begin at 2:35 in the 19th St. schoolyard. NIA will continue to provide PS 295 with after-school programming during the school year. If you would like your child to be part of the NIA after-school program, please contact Ms. Morel, the Program Director at 646-584-5537 or nia.ps295k@NIABklyn.org.

I look forward to seeing you all again in September

Sincerely,

Valerie Vanderpuije

Valerie Vanderpuije

Principal, PS 295