Welcome Back — First Week Recap & What's Next

Written By Nico Vansnick

And just like that, the 2026–27 school year is underway. Our 3K and Pre-K families kicked things off Wednesday morning with Meet & Greets, followed by Kindergarten, while grades 1–5 met their teachers in virtual orientations. That afternoon, families covered the sidewalks on Adelphi, Willoughby and Clermont with chalk messages for the first day. Thank you to everyone who came out to Chalk the Walk!

Thursday was the first day of school for everyone, with half-days (8:10–11:30am) on Thursday and Friday to ease in our littlest learners. The Chancellor's welcome letter to families is posted on Konstella.

Two things the school asked families to do this week:

  • Personal Electronics Free policy. PS 20 remains a Personal Electronics Free school, in line with NYC Public Schools and District 13 guidance. Students may bring a device, but it goes in a Yondr pouch on arrival and stays in their backpack until dismissal, including during after-school. Please review the policy with your child and return the signed acknowledgment form. Questions: Nichole Dembert, 718-834-6744.

  • Add your child to their classroom on Konstella. Classrooms are live; moving your student takes a minute on the desktop site and unlocks classroom-level messages from your teacher and class parent.

The school also shared a safety and security note: live cameras operate in common areas (hallways, stairwells, auditorium, cafeteria) and never in classrooms, restrooms, nursing or counseling spaces. Questions go to the main office.

After-school and enrichment. Mosaic registration opened Sept 2, CinemaKidz registration is open, and Mr. Chung is offering a Wednesday after-school dance program for grades 1–5 at Rikud Movement Studio on Vanderbilt (12 spots, financial assistance available — details on Konstella).

Coming up:

  • Tue 9/15 — Tech Tuesday, 9:00–10:00am

  • Fri 9/18 — PTA Families Breakfast; Back to School Movie Night (6pm-9pm)

  • Sun 9/20 — PS 20 Donation Day (ps20.org/donate)

  • Mon 9/21 — School closed, Yom Kippur

  • Thu 9/24 — PTA General Meeting (virtual), 6:00–7:00pm — Zoom link on Konstella

  • Mon 9/28 — SLT Meeting, 4:30–5:30pm

  • Wed 9/30 — Curriculum Night (virtual), 5:00–7:00pm; sessions recorded

Full details, flyers and sign-ups are on Konstella; the calendar is always at ps20.org/calendar.

Nico Vansnick
Next

Grades 1 - 5 Virtual Orientations