Summer reading is so important to keep learning going and to let imaginations run free! We are thrilled to make more e-books and audiobooks for all ages available for free this summer to all DOE families, and it’s easier than ever to access them. Please read on for more information, and visit Summer Reading for additional details to be posted on Monday, June 29.
Reading with Sora!
The e-book reader Sora has a diverse set of hundreds of resources available for grades 3K-12 in a multiple languages to help students see themselves and fellow students in the books they are reading. You can download an app to your device or access them via a web browser. All you have to do is log in with your student’s DOE ID; no additional sign up is necessary. Please visit Discover Sora to get started.
Need help finding your student’s DOElogin? If you received an iPad from DOE, it will have the Sora app automatically installed by July 1!
You may also visit Gale Pages to access additional e-book titles and databases provided by the New York City School Library System. To access e-books from any location and databases from outside of New York State, please email libraries@schools.nyc.gov for the username and password.
Please note that while some of these resources might only be available in English, we will continue to strive to make more resources available in home languages.
Take Advantage of Public Library Resources, Too!
New York City public library systems are also providing digital resources and free access to the tutoring platform Brainfuse through internet-enabled devices, including all DOE-issued iPads.
Brooklyn Public Library. To obtain a Brooklyn Public Library eCard, fill out the form at BPL website
The New York Public Library serving the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. To obtain a New York Public Library digital card through the free SimplyE app, please visit NYPL
Queens Public Library. To obtain a Queens Public Library eCard, fill out the form at Queens Library website.
Week 14 of Remote Learning Family Letter June 22 – June 26
Kindly read this letter in its entirety since it contains important updates as well as helpful reminders.
Dear TAOTS Families ,
June 19, 2020
I can’t believe that this is our final week of remote learning. As I reflect and think about these past few months, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your continued support during these unprecedented times. I am grateful that we have been able to keep in touch and connect on a weekly basis through my updates. As the principal of TAOTS, I am always here for you and look forward to returning back to school in the near future. Enjoy your summer!
I encourage you to keep yourselves informed and up to date by listening to your local news and following the directives of our Chancellor, Mayor, and Governor. School reopening procedures will continue to unfold throughout the summer months.
This week, Governor Cuomo signed an executive order declaring June 19th a holiday for state employees. Today, Mayor de Blasio declared Juneteenth an official NYC and school holiday beginning in 2021. According to Chancellor Carranza, “These announcements present a teachable moment for our students, as Juneteenth marked a significant turning point in the history of our country. Juneteenth marks the date when the emancipation of enslaved Africans in the confederate state of Texas learned of their freedom, two and a half years subsequent to President Lincoln’s proclamation. This news ultimately altered the trajectory of the lives of those who were enslaved. It also created challenges politically, socially and economically for ex-slaves, who struggled to assimilate in society post-slavery. Although the government attempted to provide solutions to these challenges through legislation and social programs, life continued to be an uphill battle. Hundreds of years later, we are still on the battlefield.”
I encourage you to spend some time over the weekend discussing the significance of Juneteenth with your child/ren. Here is a resource that may aid you in having these discussions.
CONGRATULATIONS to our 5th Grade Graduating Class of 2020 and to our Kindergarteners on their Stepping Up. Please refer to your itinerary that was emailed to you regarding Kindergarten Stepping Up Ceremony and 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony.
Our team here at TAOTS have been planning & preparing for the following events :
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 – 10am Kindergarten Virtual Stepping Up & Award Ceremony
Wednesday, June 24, 2020 –10am 5th Grade Virtual Graduation & Award Ceremony
Thursday, June 25, 2020 – Classroom Awards Grades 1-4 (unless otherwise specified by classroom teachers) except Class 1-217 . 1-217 will have their Classroom Awards on June 24.
Friday, June 26, 2020 – Last Day of School
Week of June 29, 2020 – Report Cards posted virtually on your NYCSA
Updates & Reminders:
From Parent Coordinator, Ms. Appelbaum & Community Coordinator, Mr. DeFeo – pandc@taots.org
Register for your NYCSA – NYC Schools Account : SUMMER SCHOOL UPDATES & REPORT CARDS WILL BE POSTED ON YOUR NYCSA. Please reach out to Ms. Melissa Appelbaum to register or reset your NYCSA. NYCSA allows parents and guardians to access their child’s past and present, grades, assessments, and attendance.
Please Complete Your Census : https://www1.nyc.gov/site/census/resources/resources.pageThe Census is Important – A complete count, ensures our city gets its fair share of $650 billion in federal funding for Title I programs, Head Start, special education, bilingual education, classroom technology, teacher training, preschool and after-school programs, and school lunch assistance services. A full census count also ensures our communities receive enough elected officials to represent and protect our interests. The census needs to count people of all ages, including visitors, foster children, and people not born in the US. No matter what your household looks like, please make sure to count everybody.
Library Resources: This resource is available seven days a week, from 2:00–11:00 p.m., and provides support to all grade levels in the following areas:
Homework Help: Interact with live tutors in math, science, reading/writing, social studies, PSAT/SAT, ACT, AP and state standardized tests.
Skills-Building: Choose your topic to receive real-time help.
Personalized eLearning Tools: My File Sharing, My Session Replay, My Tutoring Archive, My Tests Archive, and more.
24-Hour Writing Lab: Submit essays and other kinds of writing for constructive feedback.
Homework Questions: Submit homework questions for expertguidance.
Adult Learning Center: Access a library of rich, adult-learning content (GED), and live, professional assistance in resume/cover letter writing, U.S. citizenship prep, MS Office Essential Skills series, and more.
To access Brainfuse, New York State residents must sign up for a free library card in one of the three library systems. See below for information about how school communities in all five boroughs can obtain library cards at any of the three public library systems: Brooklyn Public Library: To obtain a Brooklyn Public Library eCard, fill out this form. Families and students mayaccessBrainfuseusing their Brooklyn Public Library eCard. For questions, please contact Brooklyn Public Library
Dial a Teacher Available for Grades K-5 The UFT has re-opened its Dial-A-Teacher program, a homework help line for students, run by classroom teachers. This resource is available from 4:00–7:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, for students in grades K–5. Due to limitations caused by school building closures, the help line is currently only available for ELA and math homework from teachers speaking English. The UFT is hoping to expand to other subjects, grades, and languages soon. Please share this optional resource with your school community.
1st Day School Supplies Online Store has opened up. Kindly visit www.1stDaySchoolSupplies.com. The deadline to purchase supplies is July 1, 2020. This link is also available on our website www.taots.org. Please reach out to mappelbaum@taots.orgfor assistance.
Recess at Home with Playworks. You can log on from Monday to Friday at; 12 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM to join in a Live Virtual Recess. Students will get to play and learn games in a virtual environment with a Live Playworks Coach. Click on the link for more information. Live Virtual Recess.
