Family Newsletter

October Issue


Volume 4, Number 2, October 2024

Dear Families,


It has been a great first month of school here at APPA!  If you were unable to attend our Back to School Night last week, please know we are always here to work with you to support your student's success.  This month's newsletter has a number of ways you can be involved.  


One of the most important ways to support your student's success is by encouraging daily attendance.  We really need your student here every day.  Kids do get sick and that is understandable.  Whenever possible, please try to send students in on days when they have an appointment.  Coming late or leaving early is much better than not coming at all.  For the same reason, please try to schedule all family vacations for during school breaks.  


A student in deemed chronically absent when they miss 18 days of school a year.  That is two a month, which is why every day matters.  Every day out counts towards being chronically absent -- there is no such thing as an excused absence.  In other words, if you student missed 19 days, but 5 were for medical appointments with a note, your student is still chronically absent!


We have a number of people here at the school on the attendance team that work to support students being here daily.  If you would like some help with your student, please let us know!


Best,

M-J Mercanti-Anthony, Ed.D

Principal

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Queridas familias,


¡Ha sido un gran primer mes de clases aquí en APPA!  Si no pudo asistir a nuestra Noche de Regreso a Clases la semana pasada, sepa que siempre estamos aquí para trabajar con usted para apoyar el éxito de su estudiante.  El boletín de este mes tiene varias formas en las que usted puede participar.  


Una de las maneras más importantes de apoyar el éxito de su estudiante es fomentando la asistencia diaria.  Realmente necesitamos a su estudiante aquí todos los días.  Los niños se enferman y eso es comprensible.  Siempre que sea posible, intente enviar a los estudiantes los días en que tengan una cita.  Llegar tarde o salir temprano es mucho mejor que no venir.  Por la misma razón, intente programar todas las vacaciones familiares durante las vacaciones escolares.  


Un estudiante se considera ausente crónicamente cuando pierde 18 días de escuela al año.  Son dos al mes, por eso cada día importa.  Cada día libre cuenta para estar crónicamente ausente: no existen ausencias justificadas.  En otras palabras, si su estudiante faltó 19 días, pero 5 fueron por citas médicas con una nota, ¡su estudiante todavía está crónicamente ausente!


Tenemos varias personas aquí en la escuela en el equipo de asistencia que trabajan para ayudar a los estudiantes a estar aquí diariamente.  Si desea ayuda con su estudiante, ¡háganoslo saber!


Mejor,

MJ Mercanti-Anthony, Ed.D

Director



This Month's Important Parent Announcements

Parent Portal

Please be sure to click here to register for the city's new Parent Portal.  You will need your student's OSIS number to register.  If you have any issues, please reach out to our Parent Coordinator, Ms. Williams, here at the school  

APPA's Annual Fall Festival

Families are encouraged to join us out in the courtyard for our Annual Fall Festival on Friday, October 11th!  This fun event will feature carnival games, food, and community resources.  Come join us!  

Middle School families can join their students beginning at 11 am.  High School families can join us at 2 pm.  To RSVP, please email Ms. Williams at vwilliams7@schools.nyc.gov or call 929-333-2625. 

Parent Association Election

Elections for Officers for the Parent Association will take place on Thursday, October 10th at 6:00 pm.  Then join us for our regular monthly meeting at 6:00 pm on Wednesday the 30th.  Both events will be virtual -- look for a link to be emailed home soon!

8th Grade Parent Meeting

Please  join Ms. Muniz and Dr. M to discuss how to navigate the 8th grade year.  We will be discussing the high school application process, 8th grade events, and other important news!  The meeting will take place in person at the library at 5:30 pm on 

Military Opt-Out Letters

Please see the links below to review your right to opt your student out of military recruitment events.  To do so, please contact us at the school.  

Parenting Resources from our Community Partners

October Calendar 

Contact Information

Ms. Vivian Williams, Parent Coordinator vwilliams7@schools.nyc.gov 929-333-2625 

Dr. M-J Mercanti-Anthony, Principal mmercantianthony@schools.nyc.gov 718-824-3152  ext.22857

Adam Waterbury, Assistant Principal awaterbury2@schools.nyc.gov 718-824-3152 ext. 22903

Lissette Castillo, Assistant Principal I.A. lcastillo6@schools.nyc.gov 718-824-3152 ext. 12471

Maria Muniz,  Middle School Counselor mmuniz8@schools.nyc.gov 718-824-3152 ext. 12483

Yahaira Andrades, High School Counselor yandrades@schools.nyc.gov 718-824-3152 ext. 12981

Raquel Smith, PA President 718-824-3152 ext. 12904

Important School Links

Parent Resources