Don’t forget turn your clocks back an hour for Daylight Saving Time on Sunday morning.

• Monday, November 2, 2020- Blended Learning Opt In Window Opens.  2020-2021Family Guide  Opt-In to In-Person Learning: The NYC DOE has reported that Monday, November 2nd – Sunday, November 15th is the Opt-In Period, for Blended Learning. https://www.nycenet.edu/surveys/learningpreference  
  • If you DO NOT want to change your child’s program, there is no action needed. You do not need to complete the survey.
  • Families requesting to change from 100% remote to blended learning should complete and submit the NYC DOE Learning Preference Survey during this window. If you complete this survey prior to November 2, 2020 wanting 100% Remote learning, the change will go into effect immediately.
• Tuesday, November 3, 2020- Election Day Full Remote for ALL STUDENTS- Group A will join their Group A google classroom & Group B will join their Group B google classroom. No changes for Group D.
• Wednesday, November 4, 2020- Report Cards will be posted on your NYCSA mystudent.nyc.

• Thursday, November 5, 2020 – Early Dismissal for ALL Students due to Parent Teacher Conferences.
  • Please be sure to make an appointment to meet with your child’s teachers during one of the session times provided: Afternoon Virtual Sessions 1:30pm – 3:30pm & Evening Virtual Sessions 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Kindly indicate if a Translator is needed.
  • Please make necessary arrangements to pick up your children promptly. There will be bus service on this day. Please be sure to email admin@taots.org if your child WILL NOT TAKE THE BUS.
  • Grades K-2 dismissal in the yard at 11:10am
  • Grades 3-5 dismissal in yard at 11:20am
  • Group D Remote Learning Classes will end 11:20am
• Friday, November 6, 2020- Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend.

Important Reminders:

• All Blue Cards MUST Completed. It is mandatory that every parent submits Blue Cards!
• Complete the NYC DOE Health Screening: https://healthscreening.schools.nyc/  All students MUST complete a NYC DOE Health Screening via paper or your Phone in prior to entering the building.
• Complete the COVID Testing Consent Form via your NYCSA : https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/student-journey/nyc-schools-account  Here is another link with a useful video and more information to answer any questions that you may have regarding weekly random COVID testing in the school: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-year-20-21/return-to-school-2020/health-and-safety/covid-19-testing
• Please send an email to admin@taots.org when your child/children are absent.  
• If you are in need of an Electronic Device, please reach out to Mr. Aleksey Dikusar at  adikusar2@schools.nyc.gov
• Grading Policy Update-  https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/news/chancellor-s-message-for-families  Please refer to the chart below.
• Family Income Inquiry Form:  All families must complete a Family Income Inquiry Form.  Lunch is free for all students, however DOE requires all families to complete form, even if your child DOES NOT eat school lunch.  Our school will be considered out of compliance if you do not complete this form.  
  • Family Income Inquiry Form Link: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict  

                    School zip code : 11204
                    School DBN : 20K682
                    School Name : PS 682 The Academy of Talented Scholars

Important Dates to Remember:

• Tuesday, November 10, 2020 – 10am SLT Meeting
• Wednesday, November 11, 2020 – School Closed for Veteran’s Day
• Sunday, November 15, 2020 – Opt In to Blended Learning window CLOSES.
• Monday, November 16, 2020 – Sunday, November 29, 2020- The Virtual Scholastic Book Fair is Open!  The link will be shared soon.
• Thursday, November 19, 2020- 7pm Virtual PTO Meeting. 
• Thursday, November 26 & Friday, November 27, 2020 – School will be Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday.
• Monday, November 30, 2020- Blended Learning Cycle #2 Begins.

According to the latest shared from the NYC DOE, THIS WILL BE THE ONLY OPT-IN WINDOW for families this school year, through the last day in June of the 2020-2021 school year. We previously communicated as per the NYC DOE guidance that their would be multiple opportunities to opt in to blended learning through the year . However, this is no longer the case as per the NYC DOE. As a result, it is imperative that families give serious thought to your decision at this time. Opt-In to In-Person Learning: The NYC DOE has reported that Monday, November 2nd – Sunday, November 15th is the Opt-In Period, for Blended Learning.

• Student who are currently in the Blended Learning Program may still opt for fully remote learning at anytime.
• If you DO NOT want to change your child’s program, there is no action needed. You do not need to complete the survey.
• Families requesting to change from 100% remote to blended learning should complete and submit the NYC DOE Learning Preference Survey survey during this window. If you complete this survey prior to November 2, 2020 wanting 100% Remote learning, the change will go into effect immediately. Kindly wait until November 2 to make your decision. https://www.nycenet.edu/surveys/learningpreference  
• Schools will be able to review individual students’ updated learning preference on a rolling basis during this window.
• This will be the ONLY OPT-IN window for families this school year, through the last day of the 2020-2021 school year.

The week of November 30th and December 7th is when students who Opted-Back-In may start attending school within their assigned group. Please understand that we will make every effort to keep your children with their current Cohort/Teachers. However, we can’t make any guarantees that this will be possible due many factor. Please check and use the NYC DOE Learning Preference Portal, which should activate the ability to Opt-In starting Monday, November 2nd.

The Blended Learning Opt-In Period is Monday, 11/2/20 to Sunday 11/15/20.We want to provide information and resources that may help families come to a decision about whether their children should attend school remotely or in a blended learning model.

Monday, October 26, 2020- School will reopen at 8:30am on Stillwell Ave outside the school yard. Line Up will begin at 8:15am along the fence.  Please be sure to wear a face covering and maintain distance. This week will be following Week 2 Schedule beginning with Group B. Kindly refer to the model above and follow the Week 2 Schedule. 

Dismissal Procedures- Please be on time to pick up your children. Dismissal times are as follows in the school yard: K-2 pickup at 1:40pm and 3-5 pickup at 1:50pm.  To avoid overcrowding, please pick up your children and exit the school yard immediately.  If you would like to speak with your child’s teachers, please utilize the daily parent communication time from 2:00pm – 2:20pm by appointment.

​Monday, October 26 – 30, 2020​-   Blended Learning Opt-In Window for Quarter 2​: ​Learning Preference online form

Here are a few important procedures to remember when returning to the building:

Complete the NYC DOE Health Screening: https://healthscreening.schools.nyc

All students MUST complete a NYC DOE Health Screening via paper or your Phone in prior to entering the building.

Complete the COVID Testing Consent Form via your NYCSA : https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/student-journey/nyc-schools-account​ 

Here is another link with a useful video and more information to answer any questions that you may have regarding weekly random COVID testing in the school: ​https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-year-20-21/return-to-school-2020/health-and-safety/covid-19-testing