Principal's Message

 

Principal's Message

School Year 2025-2026

Welcome Back P.S. 223 Students and Families,

I am so excited to welcome you all back. Our doors will open to all of you on September 4, 2025. Last year was an amazing year for our students' staff and families. We focused on the Science of Reading, Multitiered Systems of Support schoolwide, strengthening students' fluency in Math and as a result we made academic progress schoolwide. Academics were our top priority, however our students had the opportunity to be part of enrichment clubs. We launched our girls' basketball team, student led nutrition club, Saturday Soccer and Coding program, nutrition workshops for families and our evening adult ESL classes. At 223, I focus on the “Whole Child,” by making sure that all their needs are met. We refined our SEL structures as we rolled out our MUSH program, which highlighted students who were Making Good Choices, Using Kind Language, Showing Responsibility, Helping Themselves and Others Stay Safe. We had a remarkable 202-2025 school year! This year we are "Boldly Moving Forward Together: United in Purpose, Committed to Excellence.

We will continue to build on the work we focused on last year around the science of reading, fluency in math, strengthening core instruction through data informed instructional practices, using MTSS to close the achievement gap and partnering with our families. This school year, we have adopted HMH Writing curriculum in grades K-5. Last year's schoolwide implementation of HMH Into Reading schoolwide demonstrated the effectiveness of this curriculum. As we saw an 18% increase in the number of students on or above grade level in grades 3-5 as demonstrated by their performance on the NYS ELA exam results. I am excited for what’s ahead for 223! We will implement some new programs and structures to support the academic, social and emotional needs of our students. With a continued emphasis on the arts and wellness activities for students, staff and families.

As the Principal of P.S. 223, it is my goal to ensure that every child receives a positive educational experience. A major focus will be to bridge the gap between school and home. Families are partners here! The entire staff is committed to engaging, educating, enriching and empowering every student. We want all students to make academic progress and with your support we can do this! The key to our students’ success is dependent on the collaboration of school staff and families. A strong partnership with families is essential for our students to thrive.

We will have our in person “Back to School Night,” on September 17th at 4:00 pm, we hope that you all will all join us. This year we will be communicating with you through the Next Generation Student Information System (NGSIS), email, Twitter, Google, Instagram, Facebook, Class Dojo, phone calls and our school website. Please ensure that all of your contact information is up to date. My goal is to keep you involved so that you can be a part of your child’s learning experience. When we work together, we accomplish more!

I look forward to a successful school year and our continued partnership. I am just a phone call and email away. Feel free to reach out to me to share ideas, concerns, or questions.

 

““Boldly Moving Forward Together: United in Purpose, Committed to Excellence.”