BACK TO SCHOOL FAQ for 2023-24

We’re thrilled to welcome new & returning students, parents and staff to PS20 for the 2023-24 school year!

New Families

Have you registered your student and completed all the enrollment forms? Great! Then read on…

PS20 uses the Konstella platform for school announcements, class organizing, PTA committees and volunteer sign-up’s as well as parent-parent communications, so caregivers are invited to register for Konstella (look for “PS 20 The Clinton Hill School”). Konstella is available as an app on your mobile device or can be browsed online (a tutorial is in the works).

Important messages and monthly calendars are also printed out on hard copy and sent in your student’s backpacks.

Additionally, check the News section of our website often and follow us on Instagram at @ps20pta!

Key Dates

When is the first day of school?
when will i learn what classes my student is in?

An updated PS20 Calendar can be found online at ps20.org/calendar and monthly print-outs will be sent home with each student.

  • Late August / early September - Classroom Assignments
    PS20 administration will notify parents of their student’s classroom assignments - sit tight!

  • Early September - Class Orientations
    Parents and students will have the opportunity to meet their teachers and discuss any and all classroom logistics for the coming school year.

    • Wednesday, September 6: Kindergarten Families Meet & Greet. Please RSVP to Parent Coordinator, Karen Colon.

  • Thursday, September 7, 2023 - First Day of School for All Students (partial schedule for 3K + Pre-K students, full day for K-5 students)

Supplies

What does the school provide and what do families have to bring?

The PTA will be providing some bulk supplies for all grades and classes including but not limited to copy paper, facial tissues, sanitizing products, etc.

For individual students, families will be given plenty of time to get school supplies in the initial weeks of school. Refer to the following lists as general guides but please do not worry about having all your supplies for the first day!

Drop-Off & Pick-Up

DROP-OFF TIMEs:

  • 8:10am for 3-K and Pre-K students

  • 8:20am for Kindergarten through Grade 5 students

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS: 

Students will be entering and exiting the building through new exits this school year. Please see below for the exits that each grade level will be using to enter and exit the building. There will be signs indicating where your child’s class is located.

  • 3K + Pre-K + Kindergarten will be in the PS20 school yard (alongside the school building);

  • Grade 1 will be along the fence lining Willoughby Avenue;

  • Grade 2 will be along the fence lining Adelphi Street, on the side of the main entrance to the school closer to Willoughby Avenue;

  • Grade 3 will be along the fence lining Adelphi Street, on the side of the main entrance to the school closer to Parham Playground;

  • Grades 4 + 5 will be in the PS20 school yard (opposite the school building).   

IF YOU’RE RUNNING LATE:

If the drop-off time has passed and your student’s class has already gone inside the building, please wait until all classes have filed in before you proceed through the main entrance (exceptions being 3K + Pre-K students).

  • Arrivals after 8:45am require a late pass obtained from the office.

PICK-UP TIMEs & LOCATIONS:

  • 2:30pm for 3-K + Pre-K students

  • 2:40pm for Kindergarten through Grade 5 students

  • Students will be picked up at the same locations as drop-off. Please be sure to alert your child’s teacher about who is permitted to pick up your child, including any after-school programs you have planned for your child. Please do not be late!

  • Students who are not picked up in time will be brought to the school front office or auditorium.

Meals

NYC DOE offers FREE breakfast and lunch (and snacks!) to all students - there is no need to sign up or register in advance.

Breakfast

Free school breakfast is offered at “grab and go” stations in common ares for students to pick up and take to their classrooms. Students in 3K and Pre-K will have breakfasts brought directly to their classrooms and offered as desired.

Lunch

All students are eligible for DOE school lunches which are available in the cafeteria. Students in 3K and Pre-K will have lunches brought directly to their classrooms and offered as desired. Students can also bring their own food, abiding by allergen restrictions and guidelines set by the classroom, if any.

  • Students in 3K and Pre-K eat lunch in their classrooms, please ask teacher for specific daily schedule.

  • Students in Kindergarten will eat lunch in their classroom early in the school year, then have typically moved to the cafeteria and/or other outdoor open spaces later in the year.

  • Students in Grades 1 + 2 + 3 have both lunch and recess outdoors (weather-permitting) during 5th period which is 12:00pm-1:00pm. They will typically have an opportunity for snack in the mid-morning, as well.

  • Students in Grades 4 + 5 have both lunch and recess outdoors (weather-permitting) during 6th period, which is 1:00pm-2:00pm. They will typically have an opportunity for snack in the mid-morning, as well.

We recommend packing a reusable water bottle for your child to drink throughout the day, regardless of their lunch choice.

Volunteer opportunity! Parents & caregivers are invited to assist during lunch and recess periods, offering a very fun window into the daily lives of the students. Sign-up sheets are posted weekly on Konstella.

ALLERGIES and OUTSIDE FOOD

PS20 is sensitive to the needs of children with nut allergies; however, we are not a nut-free facility. Teachers will supervise lunch and ensure the safety of children with allergies. Please discuss all allergy needs directly with your child’s teacher at the beginning of the school year. For birthdays and other celebrations, please discuss with your child’s teacher about what’s allowed.

After School & Off-Campus Programs

WHAT AFTER SCHOOL OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

PS20 is pleased to host two in-house after school programs: Kaleidoscope and PTA-run Mosaic. Students are usually taken by program assistants directly from the students’ classrooms. Program directors will communicate parent/caregiver instructions after registration. There are several off-site organizations that pick up from PS20, as well!

For more information on Kaleidoscope, Mosaic and off-campus programs that pick up from PS20, check out the After School overview.

Volunteer opportunity! Mosaic is looking for parents to join the committee to assist and advise on program direction, management and other issues.

Health & Safety

PS20 follows NYC DOE guidelines for COVID and other health protocols.

WHAT IS THE MASK POLICY AT PS 20?

Wearing a face covering is optional and the decision of each individual is respected.

IS covid-19 VACCINATION REQUIRED FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF? what about testiNG?

As of February 10, 2023, vaccination against COVID-19 is no longer required for all DOE employees nor for visitors entering school buildings.

While COVID-19 testing is not required for families to enter school, testing is a critical component of preserving community health and low transmission rates. PS20 encourages all families and students to test themselves upon the onset of any symptoms of illness or known exposure.

FLU: Students and families are encouraged to get a flu shot because flu season begins in fall and many of the symptoms of COVID-19 and flu overlap. Call your pediatrician or primary care doctor for more information. Low cost options are also available through Health and Hospitals by calling (1-844-NYC-4NYC). 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THERE’S A POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE AT PS 20?

While PS 20’s school staff and administration are doing everything possible to create a safe learning environment for students, we know that positive cases can still happen, and there may be times when students and staff are asked to isolate due to sickness by and exposure to COVID-19. 

WHAT IF SOMEONE HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19?

Students and staff who are exposed to COVID-19 should get tested. These individuals should receive home tests from their school and take two tests, at least 24 hours apart on day 4 and day 5 of their exposure. All exposed individuals should monitor for fever and other COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after their exposure. If symptoms begin, they should not attend school and should isolate and get tested for COVID-19 again right away.

Outdoor Space

does PS20 have outdoor learning and recreation options?

The PTA has purchased tables and stools for use in the schoolyard as well as picnic tables and mulch installed in the adjacent Parham playground. These are used for lunchtime for grades 1-5, outdoor learning projects and afterschool programs. In inclement weather, lunch and recess is held indoors.

Volunteer opportunity! Our outdoor tables and chairs are set out by parents & caregivers in the schoolyard every morning after drop-off — this is a great way to start your day and meet other parents. Sign-up sheets are posted weekly on Konstella.

PS20 Community Involvement

How can parents be helpful right now?

Donate Your Time

Join a PTA committee! Become a Class Lead! Attend the monthly PTA General Meetings!
Our PS20 school community works incredibly hard to create a safe, joyful, and rewarding learning environment for our kids, and there are many areas where parent volunteers can show up for the students and each other.

If you’re interested in general volunteer opportunities, email us at volunteers@ps20.org or join a committee on Konstella.

Donate Your Funds

Become a $20for20 Monthly Supporter!
The PS20 PTA is committed to doing the best we can to have a successful, safe, and enriching school year. Donated funds are used to support all teachers, hire teacher assistants, purchase classroom resources, engage outdoor learning opportunities, art and gardening classes, host community events, offer mutual aid and much more.