PS 191Q
The Mayflower School
2025-2026
School Opening Reference Guide
Welcome Back!
We are thrilled to welcome students back to PS 191 – The Mayflower School. We understand you have many questions about this school year, and we are committed to making it a special and wonderful time for your entire family. Below, you'll find important information for the start of the school year.
Pre-K Orientation: Thursday, August 28th at 8:30 AM
Kindergarten Orientation: Thursday, August 28th at 10:00 AM
Meet the Principal and Assistant Principal in the Playground Thursday, August 28th at 11:30AM
First Day of School: Thursday, September 4th
Schedule for Grades K-5:
School begins at 8:15 am
September 4th and 5th: Students will meet their teachers in the schoolyards at 8:15am.
Grades K-2: Line up in the schoolyard near the playground.
Grades 3-5: Line up in the schoolyard on East Williston Avenue.
Starting Monday, September 8th: All students in grades K-5 will enter through Exit 10 on 259th Street between 7:55am and 8:15am. For the safety of our students, the door will close at 8:15am sharp daily.
Schedule for Pre-K Students:
First day of School: Thursday, September 4th
Special schedule for September 4th and 5th:
Drop-off at 9:00am
Pick-up at 1:30pm
One parent may stay in the classroom until 9:30am to help ease the transition.
Starting Monday, September 8th:
Full Day schedule from 8:15am to 2:35pm
Pre-K will enter and exit at Exit 13, near 258th Street and the schoolyard.
Dismissal will begin no earlier than 2:30pm
Drop-Off Schedule and Procedure:
Grades K-5:
Drop-Off Start Time: 7:55 am
Expected Entry Time: No later than 8:15 am
Use exit 10
Pre-K:
Drop-Off Start Time: 8:15 am
Expected Entry Time: No later than 8:15 am
Use exit 13
Parental Guidelines:
Parents will not be allowed in the building during arrival time. Please say goodbye to your child at the gate.
If you need to go to the main office, please have a photo ID and sign in at security using exit 1 located on 258th Street.
We will continue to use the safer access door at exit 1. These directions will be on the door:
To enter the school building:
Please ring the bell
You will be asked to face the camera and identify yourself
When the door is unlocked, please enter the building and stop at the main desk to complete the sign-in process.
The directions are written in different languages.
The bell is located to the left of the main entrance. Once the door is unlocked, please enter the building through the door on the right-hand side.
Once the door is unlocked and you enter the building, the school safety agent will ask for your identification and will help you sign in.
Late Arrivals:
If your child arrives after 8:15 am, they will need to enter the building using exit 1 located on 258th Street.
They will receive a late pass and will be marked late.
Dismissal Procedure:
All students will be dismissed from the exits listed below.
Teachers will dismiss one student at a time when they see a parent or authorized person.
Please be patient and instruct your child to wait until the teacher sends him/her to meet you.
For students in grades 4-5, if you would like your child to walk home, please send a note to school. Unless we have written permission, we will not allow your child to walk home.
Please be prompt at dismissal. The best way to ensure safety is to pick up your child promptly at the designated dismissal time.
If you arrive after 2:35pm to pick up your child, your child will be waiting in the cafeteria to be picked up. You will need to sign in with security and then sign your child out in the cafeteria.
Try to come 5 minutes early. It is safer for you to wait for your child than for your child to wait for you.
Dismissal times will be staggered as indicated below:
Grade Exit Dismissal Time
Pre-K 13 2:30pm
K 11 2:30pm
1st 10 2:30pm
2nd 10 2:30pm
3rd 2 2:32pm
4th 1 2:32pm
5th 4 2:32pm
Early Pick-Up:
To ensure the safety and smooth operation of our school, we kindly request that you follow these procedures for picking up your child:
1. Notification Process:
Notify your child’s teacher about the early pick-up.
Call the main office in advance to inform them of the pick-up time.
2. Arrival Protocol:
Please call the main office before arriving at the school.
Bring your Photo ID for identification purposes.
3. Authorization Requirement:
Your child will only be released to individuals listed on the authorized list (blue card).
4. Minimizing Disruption:
We ask that you only pick up your child early if it is absolutely necessary to minimize disruption to their learning and the classroom.
5. Communication with Teachers:
If you need to speak with your child’s teacher, please send a letter to schedule a call or conference.
These measures prioritize the safety and well-being of all students and staff members. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and adherence to these guidelines.
Meal Procedures:
BREAKFAST
Students will be given breakfast in a bag as they enter the school building each morning. Students will eat breakfast in their classrooms.
LUNCH
Pre-K students will eat lunch in their classroom.
Students of grades K-5 will eat lunch in the cafeteria.
Outdoor Recess Policy, Dress Code, and Footwear Recommendation:
We encourage students to wear closed shoes such as sneakers daily. Students go outside daily for recess, even in cold temperatures. Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. All children participate in recess unless medical documentation from a physician indicates otherwise.
Student Supplies:
Students should bring their supplies daily. The grade-appropriate supply list is available on the website ps191q.com
All supplies should be clearly labeled with the child’s name and class.
Some supplies will be supplied by PS 191 and will be in your child’s classroom for them.
Student Attendance Policy
Regular daily attendance is crucial for your child's academic success. If your child is sick, please keep them at home and notify the main office of their absence by calling 718-831-4032.
Attendance letters are periodically sent home to address frequent absences. Please avoid taking your child out of school for vacations or extended periods, as this can negatively impact their academic progress and will not be approved.
Birthday parties
In-school birthday celebrations are a brief acknowledgment of a student’s birthday and not their official party. Celebrations last 15 minutes. Students may bring individually wrapped small snacks and/or mini water or juice boxes for their classmates.
Approved snacks include store-bought, single-serving treats like cupcakes, donuts, cookies, or muffins. Whole cakes, large water bottles, ice cream, and frozen desserts are not allowed. Teachers will address any food allergies.
Treats should be identical for all students. Goody bags, balloons, and decorations are not permitted.
Parents must inform the classroom teacher at least two weeks in advance via letter or email. The teacher will schedule the celebration based on class and school calendars and inform parents of any allergies.
On the day of the event, parents should bring the pre-approved snacks to the main office for delivery to the classroom.
Policy for Use of Cell Phones, Computing Devices and Portable Music and Entertainment Systems on School Property
NOTE: PS191 will not be liable for any lost or stolen cell phones or electronic devices.
Permitted Electronic Items:
Students are permitted to bring the following electronic item to school:
Cell phones
Prohibited Electronic Items
Students are not permitted to bring the following electronic items to school unless approved under certain circumstances:
Laptops, tablets, Kindles, iPads, and other similar computing devices.
Portable music and entertainment systems, such as iPods, MP3 players, PSP, and Nintendo DS
Smartwatches
Cell Phone Policy
The use of cell phones at school is subject to the following conditions:
Cell phones may not be turned on or used during the school day or during before/after-school programs. This includes using cell phones for photography or video recording.
Cell phones must remain turned off, stored in student backpacks, and placed in the classroom closet during the school day and before/after-school programs.
Student who violate any part of the DOE's discipline Code, school policy, Chancellor's Regulation A-413, and/or the DOE's Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy (IAUSP) in connection with their cell phone use will be subject to disciplinary action according to the guidelines set forth in the Discipline Code.
Confiscation and Return of Cell Phones
Students using their cell phones in violation of school policy will face the following consequences:
First Infraction - Verbal warning issued to the student, incident documented by teacher/staff member and shared with the Assistant Principal or Principal.
Second Infraction - Cell phone confiscated by a teacher or staff member and sent to the Principal's office. Parents will be notified. The phone will be returned to the student at the end of the school day.
Third Infraction - Cell phone confiscated and sent to the Principal's office. Parents will be notified. The phone will only be returned to a parent at the end of the school day.
Fourth Infraction - Cell phone confiscated and sent to the Principal's office. Parents will be notified. The phone will be returned to a parent at the end of the school day. The student's cell phone privileges will be revoked for one month or longer, depending on the severity and frequency of violations. In-school disciplinary actions will follow according to the NYC Discipline Code, which my include class removal or a Principal's Suspension.
Confiscation and Return of Other Electronic Items (Non-Cell Phones)
Students who bring unauthorized electronic devices to school or to before/after-school programs will face the following consequences:
First Infraction - Device confiscated by a teacher or staff member and send to the Principal's office. Parents will be notified. The device will be returned to the student at the end of the school day.
Second Infraction - Device confiscated and sent to Principal's office. Parents will be notified. The device will only be returned to a parent at the end of the school day.
Third Infraction - Device confiscated and sent to the Principal's office. Parents will be notified. The device will be returned to a parent at the end of the school day. The student will also face in-school disciplinary consequences in accordance with the NYC Discipline Code. This may include class removal or a Principal's Suspension.
MEET THE TEACHER:
All parents will have an opportunity to meet their child’s teacher in-person on Wednesday, September 17th. You will be receiving more information to follow.
Please find more information at:
Please follow our Social Media Accounts:
PLEASE NOTE: All procedures and protocols indicated in this document are subject to changes and revisions in an effort to improve practices.