Home Page - P.S. 242- The Young Diplomats Magnet Academy

Hello everyone,

I hope that you are enjoying the summer and getting ready for a fabulous school year! We are all delighted that you are part of our learning community! As September is just around the corner, I'd like to welcome you to Young Diplomats Magnet Academy. Our faculty are looking forward to hearing about your summer adventures and meeting our newest Diplomats while catching up with our current students. It is our goal to create an enriched learning environment that engages each student.

Parents and family members play a key role in the academic success of our students; therefore, school/ parent communication is crucial. Make sure to look out for our monthly newsletter which includes information about the current units of study in each grade, workshops being offered, and all upcoming events. It is important to check your child's "Homework folder" which will have notices that might require your signature. All our teachers will be using Class Dojo to keep you informed of your child's daily progress. Make sure that you accept the Class Dojo invitation from them to receive all updates and communication.

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Monday- Friday 8:10am- 2:30 pm
Arrival & Breakfast 8:10am
Academic Enrichment (After School students in K-5th): 2:30 pm- 5:30 pm
Lunch: 11:10 pm- 12:00 pm
Nap (Pre-K students): 12:00 pm- 1:00pm

IMPORTANT DATES:

SEPTEMBER 5TH	1ST DAY OF SCHOOL
SEPTEMBER 12TH	BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
SEPTEMBER 19TH	DAD TAKE YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL DAY

ARRIVAL/ DISMISSAL PROCEDURES:

Upon arrival, all Pre-K and Kindergarten students enter through our small yard on 121st street between Lenox ave. and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. Students in grades 1st- 5th will enter through the large yard on 121st street. Families and students should line up along the gate.

If you are running late, enter through the main entrance on 122nd street. Breakfast will be served at 8:15 am; late students will also receive breakfast. Students in grades Pre-K and K will be dismissed from the small yard and students in grades 1st-5th will be dismissed from the large yard. Please notify teachers in writing whenever there is a change in pick up person.

DURING THE FIRST WEEK:

Parents should notify the school regarding medical conditions, dietary restrictions (i.e. dairy, no pork)
Parents should fill out the emergency contact form and return it to the school.

EVERYDAY ITEMS:

A backpack with their name on it.
A change of clothes.
Emergency contact name and phone number in their backpack.

CODE OF CONDUCT:

Please review the expectations and norms for our school with your child.

Listen and follow the essential agreements created as a school community.
Refrain from play fighting, horse playing or any other inappropriate physical contact to others.
Be respectful and use caring words towards one another.
Electronic games or toys should stay at home.

MEALS

Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
If your child has dietary restrictions, please provide them with lunch and a letter stating your child's dietary restrictions.
Please refrain from sending sweets and unhealthy snacks.

COMMUNICATION

Parents will receive communication through phone calls, email, and Class Dojo.
Contact information below:
- Principal: Mrs. D. Desjardin- dgomez5@schools.nyc.gov
- Assistant Principal: Mrs. L. Ellman- lellman2@schools.nyc.gov
- School Secretary: Mrs. Celeste Ortega- cortega2@schools.nyc.gov
- YDMA phone # (212)678-2908 press 0 to reach the main office.

UNIFORM

Young Diplomats Magnet Academy is a uniform school. Our school uniform consists of a purple polo, grey pants/ skirt, or gym uniform which consists of a grey tee shirt and grey sweatpants on days that your child is scheduled for PE. Students can wear shirts without our logo which can be purchased at Cookies, Youngland, Lazarus or Burlington Coat Factory.

We are looking forward to a successful school year!

Upcoming Events

Oct 31

BOOK-O-WEEN

DRESS UP AS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK CHARACTER!

PS242 (03M242) - Young Diplomats Magnet Academy

View Monthly Calendar

Principal's Message

Welcome Back, YDMA families!

It’s hard to believe how quickly September came and went.We spent the month readjusting to routines, reuniting with old friends and becoming acquainted with new friends.This year there are many new initiatives at YDMA.

We are embarking on a new journey with literacy through the Wit and Wisdom Curriculum. As an IB school this will not change our transdisciplinary approach to learning in which our students explore the topics and themes they are learning about across subject areas and through inquiry-based activities.

We are also excited that our new music program with Ms. C is off to a great start! Our first performance celebrating Hispanic Heritage, will be October 24th.

Our Italian Dual Language program is growing as we have added a First-Grade dual language class this year.

Lastly, we are pleased to welcome Ms. Sartor, our new Italian teacher. She is joining us this month and we are excited for her work with our students to begin.As you read on, you will find out more about what each class is doing this month and the ways in which you can support learning at home. We are always so grateful for your partnership and collaboration as we work together on the most important goal, the education of your children!

A couple of important reminders:

During morning arrival, the gate will now close promptly at 8:15. Therefore, we strongly encourage that you arrive on time with your child.Please make sure your child(ren) are here on time and ready to learn every day. Many students have been arriving late which is resulting in them losing instructional time.Please also remember that lunch is available every day for all of our students. If you are packing lunch or snacks from home, please refrain from sending candies, sweets and chips such as Takis. These are not allowed in school. We want everyone to get be fueled up with healthy energy after lunch!

Important Dates Ahead:

October 3 and 4: No School: Rosh Hashanah
October 14: No School: Indigenous People’s Day/Italian American Heritage Day
October 16: Coffee and Tea with Ms. D and Ms. Ellman: “What’s New? Exciting New Programs at YDMA”
October 24: Hispanic Heritage Performance
October 31: Spirit Day: Book-o-Ween: Come to school dressed as your favorite character from a book.November 1: No School: Diwali

Quick Links

COMMUNITY NEWSFEED- READ WHAT OUR SCHOOL HAS PLANNED!

COMMUNITY NEWSFEED:

IMPORTANT DATES:

OCTOBER 14TH	NO SCHOOL- ITALIAN HERITAGE/ INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY
OCTOBER 16TH	COFFEE & TEA BREAK WITH MRS. D AND MRS. ELLMAN
OCTOBER 22ND	HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH PERFORMANCE
OCTOBER 22ND	BOOK FAIR
OCTOBER 31ST	BOOK-O-WEEN

WELCOMING OUR NEW MUSIC PROGRAM!

Welcome to YDMA's brand-new music classroom! I'm thrilled to join the faculty as YDMA's music teacher, and I look forward to bringing your students a music-filled year.

A little about me: I'm an opera singer with a bachelors and masters in music! Music brings me so much joy, and teaching has always felt like the perfect way to pass that joy on to others.

I'm excited to share a preview of our classroom materials! Let's take a walk around the classroom:

Here is our collection of ukuleles - or as many students might think at first glance, tiny guitars! Ukuleles are fun to play and a great introduction to string instruments.

Bucket drums are a fan favorite, and for good reason. Using these buckets, students will jam along to all their favorite songs and make a whole lot of sound!

We have a large collection of recorders! Like ukuleles, recorders are also a great introductory instrument - this time to the wind instrument family!

And my personal favorite: xylophones!

When your students step into the music classroom, they will be inspired to create, play, and explore! I’m looking forward to embarking on a new adventure with your musicians!

Yours in music-making,

Ms. C