Curriculum Night, Crazy Sock Day and What We Learned at the PTA Meeting
It was a full week at PS 20. On Wednesday evening, teachers welcomed families to Curriculum Night on Zoom, walking through what children will study this year, the trips they can look forward to, and what is expected of them in each grade. The sessions were recorded, so families who could not make it can still catch up through their child's teacher.
Meanwhile, the PTA shared its notes from September's General Membership Meeting. Ms. Blyden, our principal, reported real progress on the school's three-year accessibility project, which brings accessible elevators, chairlifts, accessible bathrooms, facade work, security cameras and a rooftop garden. The 3rd floor bathrooms have already reopened, and the 2nd floor should follow in mid October. She also spoke plainly about this year's budget. Deep cuts from the DOE, and no small class size grant, mean fewer classes and larger class sizes in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th grades. The school is responding with a Strategic Instructional Period that groups students by need, and PTA members voted to put reserve funds toward substitute teachers so classes stay covered all year.
The week ended on a cheerful note. Friday was Crazy Sock Day for Fun First Friday, and it was also Custodian Appreciation Day, a fitting time to thank the people who keep our building clean and safe.
Here is what the next few weeks look like.
Half days and no school
• Fri 10/9: 11:40am dismissal (PROSE)
• Mon 10/12: No school (Italian Heritage / Indigenous Peoples' Day)
Important dates
• Mon 10/5 to Fri 10/9: Evacuation drills (exact day not announced)
• Tue 10/13, 9-10am: Safety Protocol Info Meeting for Parents
• Tue 10/13, 5:30-7pm: D13 Middle School Fair, MS 113
• Wed 10/14: Middle school applications open
• Sat 10/17, 11am-3pm: Octoberfest
• Thu 10/22, 6-7pm: PTA General Meeting (Zoom link on Konstella)
To do this week
Bring gently used fall/winter clothing and costumes for the Community Closet drive, Mon 10/5 to Fri 10/9.
Talk through the evacuation drill with your child using the NYC Public Schools General Response Protocols guide.
Remind your child to stay off the scaffolding around the building before and after school.
Read the school's Remote Learning Plan letter, posted on Konstella.
A half day, then a long weekend. Friday 10/9 is the first of this year's PROSE planning days. Students are dismissed at 11:40am so teachers can spend the afternoon on IB inquiry and on shaping instruction around what their students need. Ms. Blyden explained at the PTA meeting that these half days will come up several times through the year. School is then closed on Monday 10/12 for Italian Heritage Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day, and classes pick up again on Tuesday.
Practicing for safety. During the week of 10/5 the school will hold emergency evacuation drills. The Main Office asks families to talk through the city's General Response Protocols with children beforehand, so the drill feels familiar instead of startling. The administration also asks for help with one everyday habit: the scaffolding around our building is part of an active construction site, and children should not climb, sit or play on it before or after school. Parents who want to learn more about how the school keeps students safe can join the Safety Protocol Info Meeting on Tuesday 10/13 from 9:00 to 10:00am.
Octoberfest is coming. The PTA's annual fall festival takes over the play yard on Saturday 10/17 from 11:00am to 3:00pm, with the entrance on Clermont Avenue between Willoughby and DeKalb (activities move indoors if it rains). There will be a pumpkin patch with pumpkin painting, a bounce house and obstacle course, a photo booth, music, fall treats, PS 20 merch and honey from our Green Arts bees, plus a costume giveaway and activities hosted by PTA committees. Every dollar raised goes back to PS 20. Details and RSVP are at ps20.org/octoberfest.
From the principal. Beyond the meeting updates above, the school has shared its Remote Learning Plan for 2026-27, a letter describing how learning would continue if the school ever needed to switch to remote instruction. It is a good read to tuck away before winter. The September meeting minutes, slides and recording are available to families on Konstella. Questions for Ms. Blyden ahead of the next PTA General Meeting on Thursday 10/22 can be sent to board@ps20.org.
Around the community. The Community Closet's Fall/Winter Clothing and Costume Drive runs all week, a chance to pass along outgrown coats, boots and last year's costumes to families who can use them. 5th grade families should note the District 13 Middle School Fair on Tuesday 10/13 at MS 113, the day before middle school applications open. Looking further ahead, October wraps up with Families as Learning Partners on 10/16, a Halloween Movie Night on 10/23, a learn-to-bike afternoon from the Safe Streets Committee on 10/25, and the Literacy Day Parade on 10/30.
Full details, flyers and sign-ups are on Konstella; the calendar is always at ps20.org/calendar.
