Parent Education
Welcome back to P.S. 249K The Caton School for the 2024 - 2025 school year!
Please visit the page often for important information about our school and community event!
01/08/2025:
Dear PS 249 family,
I hope this message finds you well! My name is Zenobia Slade, and I am the Community Liaison for The Yard - East Flatbush Family Enrichment Center (FEC), located at 3521 Church Avenue.
At The Yard, we are proud to be a warm and welcoming community space dedicated to supporting individuals and families in the East Flatbush community. Our center is a hub for connection, empowerment, and growth, where everyone is encouraged to contribute, connect, and thrive.
Here’s what makes The Yard (FEC) unique and beneficial:
- Free Programs and Resources: We offer a variety of free services to meet the needs of our community, such as skill-building workshops (e.g., wig-making classes), support groups (e.g., peer group for men), and access to resources like food pantries and giveaways.
- Community-Driven Approach: All our programs are shaped by the community’s needs and aspirations, ensuring that every participant feels valued and heard.
- Safe and Inclusive Space: The Yard is a space where individuals and families can access support, resources, and activities without judgment or obligation. Our goal is to foster well-being and resilience in a way that feels natural and inviting.
- Youth-Focused Programs: We provide initiatives like the Teen Circle Program, a free virtual group that helps teens reflect, set goals, and build meaningful connections while navigating this important stage of life.
- Hybrid Offerings: Offerings are what we call events because anything we do is free to the community and those who come join. Whether it’s virtual, in-person, or hybrid, we strive to meet the community where they are.
We’d love to collaborate with you to share these benefits with as many individuals and families as possible. If you’d like to learn more about what we offer or discuss potential partnerships, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Attached to this email is the flyer I gave to Principal DeJesus this morning as well as a few other things already in motion for January. As the year continues, there will be a whole lot of offerings that your students and families can benefit from. The Yard will also be a place where community members can come to have a home away from home!
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to an opportunity to work together to support our community!
12/16/2024:
We are so excited to share with you that the Save for College Program is available to families at P.S. 249. This scholarship and savings program provides families, schools, and communities with a way to work together to invest in their children’s futures. It is managed by the nonprofit NYC Kids RISE in partnership with NYC Public Schools and the City of New York. Every kindergarten and new first, second and third grade student at NYC public schools is eligible to participate in the Program, regardless of family income or immigration status. If your child is currently in first grade, second grade, or third grade; they attended an NYC public school (or participating charter school) last school year; and you did not opt out of the Program, you can activate and view your child’s NYC Scholarship Account now!
This program has two parts: a scholarship account and a savings account. To get every family started, your child will be automatically enrolled in the Program and receive an NYC Scholarship Account with an initial $100 from NYC Kids RISE. Programs like these are more important than ever in supporting families with resources to create a financial foundation for students’ educational futures.
What’s next? Your child will be automatically enrolled in the Program unless you choose not to participate by “opting out.” This means that your child will automatically be enrolled as long as you TOOK NO ACTION during the Opt-out Period.
You can activate and view your child’s NYC Scholarship Account in January 2025! Your school and NYC Kids RISE will notify you when your child’s account is ready to activate.
If you have any questions, call NYC Kids RISE at 833-543-7473, email [email protected] , or visit their website: https://nyckidsrise.org/
Here are some common FAQ'S:
What do I need to activate my child’s account?
- Your child’s nine-digit Student ID Number (OSIS number). This is the number you used to activate your child’s NYC Schools Account. If you don’t have it, you can find this number by logging onto your NYC Schools Account at mystudent.nyc, on your child’s report card, or by asking your child’s Parent Coordinator or school.
- Your child’s home ZIP code
- Your child’s date of birth
- Your email address
If you are not able to activate your child’s account, check to make sure the information you entered is accurate. If you are still having trouble, please contact your child’s school to confirm that your child is enrolled in the Save for College Program.
When can I activate my child’s free NYC Scholarship Account?
- My child started kindergarten or recently started 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Grade in a NYC public school (or participating charter school) for the first time:
- You can activate and view your child’s NYC Scholarship Account in January 2025!
- Your school and NYC Kids RISE will notify you when your child’s account is ready to activate.
- My child is currently in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade and they attended a NYC public school (or participating charter school) last school year:
- Congratulations! If you did not opt out of the Program, your child already has a free NYC Scholarship Account with an initial $100 for college and career training.
Who can participate?
- As of school year 2024-2025, students in kindergarten through third grade at NYC public schools (including participating charter schools) are eligible to participate in the Program, no matter what their family income or immigration status is.
Click on the photo to be taken directly to the NYC Kids RISE website:
11/13/2024:
Families,
Click on the photo below to learn more about hearing loss in children, what causes it, and how it can be prevented.
10/08/2024:
Please see these resources for help with family engagement and literacy!
September 20th, 2024:
Please see the following Notice of Non Discrimination issued by the NYC DOE below:
September 10th, 2024:
Please see the two flyers below, detailing information about a Back to School Backpack giveaway and Parent Learning Event relating to their child's reading curriculum.