BACK TO SCHOOL FAQ for 2024-25

We’re thrilled to welcome new & returning students, parents and staff to PS20 for the 2024-25 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.

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 4, 2024 - Orientation for 3K + Pre-K + Kindergarten Families (more details to come)

    • Thursday, September 5, 2024 - First Day of School for All Students (full day schedule for all grades, including 3K + Pre-K students)

  • October - For Grade 5 only: Middle School Tours and Meetings

📓 Supplies

What does the PTA provide?

The PTA will provide bulk supplies for all grades and classes including but not limited to copy paper, facial tissues, wet wipes, sanitizing products and cleaning wipes, soap, paper towels, etc.

what do families have to bring?

Families will be given plenty of time to get school supplies in the initial weeks of school for their student and classroom. This year, we are partnering with Bright School Kits for one-click shopping (purchase by 7/29 for delivery directly to school)!

🚸 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 assigned doors, so please see below for the access points that each grade level will be using. There will be signs indicating where your child’s class is located.

  • 3K (8:10am) + Pre-K (8:10am) will line-up inside the PS20 school yard on Clermont Ave, closer to the school building;

  • Kindergarten will line-up inside the PS20 school yard on Clermont Ave, closer to the school building;

  • Grade 1 will enter via doors on Willoughby, line-up is along the fence lining Willoughby Avenue;

  • Grade 2 will enter via main entrance, line-up is along the fence lining Adelphi Street on the NORTH side of the main entrance, closer to Willoughby Avenue;

  • Grade 3 will enter via main entrance, line-up is along the fence lining Adelphi Street on the SOUTH side of the main entrance, closer to Parham Playground;

  • Grades 4 + 5 will line-up inside the PS20 school yard on Clermont Ave, closer to the outer gate.

PLEASE BE ON TIME, BUT 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.

🏀 Outdoor Time & Spaces

does PS20 have outdoor learning and recreation options?

All students in all grades have scheduled recess and outdoor play daily, weather-permitting.

  • Grades 3K + Pre-K typically enjoy games, tricycle riding and other activities in the enclosed & gated school yard under school supervision.

  • Grades K through 5 typically use the Parham playground at designated times and under staff & guided play supervision.

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.

🪁 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.

💉 ARE covid-19 + FLU VACCINATIONS REQUIRED FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF?

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

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 HAPPENS IF THERE’S A POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE?

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. 

PS20 encourages all families and students to test themselves upon the onset of any symptoms of illness or known 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.

🤕 WHAT ABOUT LICE?

New York City schools have a “no head lice” policy which means that any student who has lice in their hair or scalp is not allowed to attend school until they have received treatment. Following treatment, a child will be allowed back in school if his/her hair is free of live lice upon re-inspection.

FACTS:

  • Head lice occurs commonly among school-age children and anyone can get them, even adults!

  • Head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene.

  • Lice do not transmit other infections and do not endanger a person’s health.

  • Lice pass from person to person by direct contact, or by sharing clothing or bedding with lice on them. Head lice can’t swim, fly, hop or jump!

WHAT TO DO: Head lice causes itching, commonly at the back of the head and neck or behind the ears. Many effective creams and shampoos are available over the counter or by prescription from your doctor. We recommend that you remind your child not to share personal items such as brushes, combs or hats with other students. If you have any further questions, please consult your healthcare provider or contact the school nurse at 718-834-6744.

🤝 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.