PS/IS 48 - William G. Wilcox

PS/IS 48 News Feed

• ATTN: 7th Graders

  NOTRE DAME ACADEMY STATEN ISLAND

  Spring in is the air! Please share the below 7th Grade Spring Open House information with your 7th grade students and their parents via all communication platforms. This is an excellent opportunity for your students to learn more about NDA!

  Please contact Jessica Vulpis, High School Admissions Coordinator, with any admissions questions at jvulpis@notredameacademy.org

  We look forward to meeting your students!

  Sincerely,

  Mrs. O'Brien

  Principal

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• School-Wide Food Drive

  2025 BREAD OF LIFE FOOD DRIVE

  FOOD ITEMS NEEDED FOR OUR SCHOOL

  • PASTA: PRE K & KINDERGARTEN
  • RICE: 1ST & 2ND GRADE
  • PEANUT BUTTER: 3RD GRADE
  • CEREAL: 4TH GRADE
  • CANNED SOUPS: 5TH GRADE
  • CANNED VEGETABLES: 6TH GRADE
  • CANNED FRUITS: 7TH & 8TH GRADE

  Please drop off in the lobby by April 11

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• April Book of the Month

  Dear Families, 

   

   In the month of April, we will celebrate diversity.  We will learn about world class fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad. We will read an article from the National Women’s History Museum that honors the challenges and accomplishments that Ibtihaj Muhammad has experienced in her life. 

  Ibtihaj Muhammad is also a New York Times best selling author and many of our students have read her book, “The Proudest Blue”, so it is fitting to learn about her life. We are excited to begin this work with your child.

   

  Thank you for your continued support and please reach out if you have any questions! 

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• Safer Access System

  Dear Families, 

  
  

  We have some important news to share regarding the safety measures at our school. In line with our commitment to enhance security practices, all NYC Public Schools will have a Safer Access system installed during the 2023-25 school years. The Safer Access system is designed to strengthen our existing safety and security practices as part of the overall visitor protocols at our school. 

  
  Our Safer Access system was installed and is now operational.  Our school staff (including School Safety Agents) have been trained on using the system as well as how to support all visitors in accordance with our policy.  We will begin using the Safer Access system on Monday, April 7, 2025.  The system is easy to use, simply push the doorbell and wait for the safety officer to respond.
  

  

  
  

  What is Safer Access? 

  The primary objective of the Safer Access system is to ensure that all doors remain locked outside of the morning-entry and afternoon-dismissal periods. When school doors are locked, visitors wishing to gain access to the building will ring the intercom at the main entrance door (or ADA-accessibility entrance if applicable) and identify themselves before access is granted into the school building. Safer Access allows our dedicated staff assigned to the main desk (School Safety Agents and/or school staff) to be able to see and speak with visitors before granting them access inside. Please be assured that all visitors to our school will continue to be treated with courtesy, professionalism, and respect while awaiting entry into our building. In addition to enhancing safety, this system allows for easy access for first responders during an emergency. 

  
  

  We believe Safer Access will greatly contribute to maintaining a secure learning environment for our students and staff. 

  
  

  We look forward to the NYC Public Schools Safer Access system creating a safer environment for everyone. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued support in keeping our school community safe. 

  
  

  Warm regards,

  
  

  Allison O’Donnell

  Principal 

   

   

   

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• Earth Day Events!

  Hi Lions!

  Do you want to have fur while learning, cool things about the Earth?

  Join us on Earth Day--April 22nd--for fun activities that will remind us how to repurpose and recycle!
  • Pre-K, Kindergarten & Grade I = Nature Simon Says Competition
  • Grades 2 & 3 = Bottle Bowling, Contest (2-liter soda bottle donations needed--with cap and cleaned!)
  • Grades 4 & 5 = Great Cardboard Challenge (empty box donations reeded!)
  REMINDER! Make sure to dress for Earth Day! Wear blue, green, or clothing with nature or animal images

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• Art Fair!

  Who? Any student K-8

  When? May 1st

  Where? Lobby /Cafeteria

  We are Accepting:  2D, 3D, Digital Works of Art (printed out at home) created by our very own student artist!

  Anyone interested must submit art for approval from Mr. Garfinkel (room 411) no later than Friday April 25th.

  Make sure to include your full and class on your art!

  Art will only be accepted before or after official school hours or during period 6.

   

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• Spring Fling Tonight!

  Tonight is the big night!

  PS/IS 48 PTA's Annual Spring Fling
  Basket Raffle Fundraiser Event

  Thursday, April 3, 2025
  7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

  The Crystal Room
  67 Olympia Blvd

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• New Dorp High School Freshman Orientation

  Please SAVE THE DATE!  New Dorp High School Orientation:
  June 11, 2025  6:00-8:00pm on the Football Field.

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• Dave and Buster's Fundraiser till 3/27

  Get Your Dave & Buster's Power Cards Today!
  (Last Day to Purchase is Thursday, March 27th)

  Purchase your Power Cards through our fundraiser, and be ahead of the game! Power Cards are available in $10 and $20 amounts.
  
  THE STUDENT WHO SELLS THE MOST POWER CARDS WILL WIN A $20 POWER CARD!
  
   Buy as many as you like, and let the fun begin!
  
  Use the order form your child brought home to purchase your Power Cards. (Order form is also attached to this post.) 
   Encourage family members and friends to purchase too! 50% of sales support our school and its programs!
  
  Please send in payments by cash (no coins) or by check made payable to PS/IS 48 PTA.
  
  Power Cards will be distributed before Spring Break. 
  
  Turn in your form with full payment by March 27th

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• Make Your Voice Heard

  Dear Families and Colleagues,

  When I was a teacher, principal, and district leader, I was always looking for ways to make improvements—how to structure more engaging lessons, how to strengthen school culture, how to respond to families’ needs, and more. I knew that for students to learn, for colleagues to do their best work, and for families to be true partners, I needed to make sure I listened. Their input and ideas made my classroom and school community stronger. That’s a major reason why family and community empowerment is one of my three commitments as Chancellor.

  To that end, I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to fill out the NYC School Survey by Friday, April 4. Last year, we had over 864,000 students, families, and staff members complete the survey—and we want to exceed that number this time around! The more feedback you share, the more useful it will be as your school leaders plan for next year. And remember, we won’t see your individual responses, so feel free to share openly and honestly. Visit www.nycschoolsurvey.org to make your voice heard.

   

  In partnership,

  Melissa Aviles-Ramos

  Chancellor

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox