Please see the important dates and upcoming events on the School Calendar!
Save the date for our annual Trunk or Treat celebration!!
October 25th, 2025
2:00-4:00
Keep an eye out for a parent square post to sign up for volunteering and to purchase tickets!
Hello families! On September 8th we will begin our "World's Finest Chocolate" fundraiser!! All funds raised will be used to help pay for our amazing programs like Ballroom dancing and Because We Can Sports!
If you would like to participate in this fundraiser, please fill out the electronic form attached to this post. Distribution will begin on September 11th, we will send home the box of chocolate with your child!
In addition to the prizes on the flyer, EVERY child who sells just ONE box of chocolate will receive a HOMEWORK PASS after the sale is over!!
Moving forward, if you would like additional boxes of chocolate, please send a message to our PTA President via Parent Square and they will be happy to send you more! Payment can be made via cash, or check made out to PTA of PS/IS 48. We look forward to selling (and eating!) lots of chocolate with you this year!
World’s Finest Chocolate 60 bar Variety Pack ($1.00 per bar) - (case cost $60.00)
Don't forget to request a box of world's finest chocolate on this post!! Win cool prizes AND help raise money for our school! The PTA needs your help and support for this fundraiser!
Please see the ParentSquare post to request a box of chocolate.
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Parents/Guardians are invited to meet teachers, visit classrooms, and learn about the curriculum for the school year.
4:30 PM – PTA Meeting
First PTA Meeting of the School Year - Meet the PTA and learn about our goals for the school year
5:15 PM – Curriculum Conference Session 1
Meet teachers, learn about curriculum, and explore classrooms
6:15 PM – Curriculum Conference Session 2
(Repeat of Session 1 for families with multiple children)
Families are welcome to visit specialty clusters (art, music, dance, theater, multimedia, physical education) throughout the evening.
Dear 8th Grade Families,
High School Enrollment has planned a virtual information sessions about high school admissions in New York City! During these sessions High School Enrollment will explore how to register for the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT), the exam,and how offers are made. After each presentation, High Enrollment will respond to your questions.
Date:10/9/2025
Time: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Public Zoom: https://bit.ly/2025FallHSEvents.
● Webinar ID: 940 1208 2547
● Passcode: 12345
● US: +16469313860
● Conference Line: 99012616744#
● Passcode: 123456#
Language Interpretation Lines:
● Arabic call in: +1 347-966-4114
● Phone Conference ID: 922 518 443#
● Bangla call in: +1 347-966-4114
● Phone Conference ID: 471 030 757#
● Russian call in: +1 347-966-4114
● Phone Conference ID: 476 034 381#
● Spanish call in: +1 347-966-4114
● Phone Conference ID: 682 163 489#
Hello PS/IS 48 Families,
We’re excited to announce that “Pretzel Day” will be on September 26th!
Pretzels will not be available for purchase on the dat of the event & we will not accept cash.
Unfortunately, refunds cannot be provided if your child is absent on pretzel day, as pretzels are ordered in advance. Please specify your child's NAME and CLASS in the notes section when making your payment.
Please place your order by Monday, September 22nd.
For allergen and ingredient information.
Please use the ParentSquare link to make your purchase.
The Community Education Council of District 31 is hosting a Town Hall with Chancellor Aviles-Ramos on October 6th. In order to provide the families of our district an informative and engaging Town Hall, we are requesting your participation in the following survey, Your valuable feedback ensures that we will be able to provide clarity on current issues and address the concerns of our community. CEC31 thanks you in advance for your participation.
https://forms.gle/yLRjB3X4pktzhs1PA
Warmest Regards,
Lucia Curatolo-Boylan
CEC31 President
Dear Families,
Welcome back and we hope you all had a wonderful and restful summer break! We are very excited to let you know that we will be reading a special book/text each month that will help support our students. The book/text of the month will incorporate many important ideas that build cultures and understand each other’s identity but also supports social emotional learning.
The first text we will be reading is called “Name/Nombres” by Julia Alvarez. Julia Alvarez’s “Names/Nombres” is a short story that reflects the personal events of the author's true life and experiences to assert the notion that one’s name is central to one’s identity. The story chronicle’s her experience adapting to life as an immigrant in America from the Dominican Republic, and how her language and name were used against her by others in order to hurt her. She tries to adapt by using nicknames and minimizing her heritage to avoid harassment. By the end of the story, Julia has learned to accept her multiple identities and to embrace her real name and her nicknames, as they all are an equal part of her identity.
Throughout their time in middle school, students are learning how to accept themselves and their identity, which is difficult during a period when you're hyper obsessed with how your peers perceive you. It doesn’t make it any easier when students are ridiculed or shamed for having the unique identities and characteristics that make them so special. One of the themes illustrated throughout Alvarez’s short story is that the voice of yourself is stronger than the voices of anyone else. This text emphasizes how staying true to your own voice even in the face of adversity is important because at the end of the day nobody can ever say anything that can change who you really are, and the confidence you have in embracing your truest self.
Thank you for your continued support and please reach out if you have any questions!
Dear Families,
We are very excited to let you know that we will be reading a special book each month. The book of the month will incorporate many important themes and ideas, as well as social emotional learning. We encourage you to talk to your child about these books as they will be an exciting part of our curriculum.
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we will be exploring the rich traditions, history, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino individuals. Our theme for September is “Celebrating Hispanic Voices Through Music, Culture, and Storytelling.”
The first book we will be reading is “My Name is Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz” by Monica Brown. This beautifully illustrated, bilingual story shares the inspiring life of Celia Cruz, a world-renowned Cuban singer known as the “Queen of Salsa.” Students will learn about Celia’s love for music, her cultural roots, and how she used her voice to bring joy and unity to people around the world.
While spending time with your child this month, we encourage you to have discussions about the theme of cultural pride and how music, traditions, and stories help us celebrate who we are. Talk about your family’s heritage, favorite songs, or even listen to some of Celia Cruz’s music together!
Thank you for partnering with us in helping students embrace diversity and appreciate the contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.
Thank you for your continued support!
PS/IS 48 is honored to have been recognized as a Kindness Certified School in 2025; Kindness Grows Here!
Principal: Ms. O'Donnell
Middle School AP: Ms. Corson
Elementary School AP: Ms. Iacoviello
Guidance Councilor & RFA Liaison: Ms. Reese
Parent Coordinator: Ms. Hionas
School Phone Number: (718) 447-8323
Fax: (718) 815-3956
Address: 1050 Targee Street, Staten Island, NY 10304
To contact individual staff members, please use the ParentSquare Staff Directory Page
Dear PS/IS 48 Families,
As part of a statewide mandate to support safe, focused, and healthy learning environments, our school will implement a bell-to-bell cell phone and personal electronic device policy beginning September 2025. This policy is in alignment with New York Education Law Section 2803 and Chancellor's Regulation A-413. For more information on this policy, visit the NYCDOE Family-Facing Page.
Legal Background New York Education Law Section 2803, enacted in May 2025, requires all public schools to prohibit the use of personal internet-enabled devices (such as smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets) by students during the school day, with exceptions only for educational use, medical needs, emergencies, or legal requirements. Chancellor's Regulation A-413, revised in June 2025, mandates secure storage of student devices, clear communication procedures for families, and written policies shared with all stakeholders.
PS/IS 48 is committed to fostering a safe, distraction-free, and respectful learning environment. To that end, personal electronic devices (cell phones, smartwatches, AirPods, etc.) are not to be used, seen, or heard during the instructional school day.
Effective the first day of school, September 4, 2025:
School hours: 8:00am-2:20pm
Students will place their devices in a school-issued pouch and secure it in front of school staff during morning arrival. Pouches will be issued on the first day of school.
Students will store their tight velcro locked pouches in their school bags for the entire school day.
At the end of the school day, students will open their pouches at the end of period 8 in front of school staff.
Students will remove their device(s) and place their pouches in their schoolbag before leaving the building.
Students with approved early dismissal will be able to open their pouch in the main office or at the Dean’s/Assistant Principal’s Office.
In the event that the pouch is lost or damaged, the school will collect a $5 replacement fee.
Student Contact with Families:
If a student needs to contact their parent or guardian during the school day, they may request to use the designated phone in the Main Office or Assistant Principal's office with the permission of their classroom teacher.
Elementary Assistant Principal - Danielle Iacoviello - Office 221 DIacoviello2@schools.nyc.gov
Middle School Assistant Principal - Marilyn Corson - Office 321 MCorson@schools.nyc.gov
In the event of an emergency or extenuating circumstances, parents or guardians can call the main office at (718) 447-8323 extension 0 to reach their child.
Emergency Communication:
In the event of a school emergency (such as an evacuation, lockdown, or shelter-in-place), we will notify all parents and guardians via Parent Square, Operoo and NYCPS Schools Account with updates and instructions.
Please ensure your contact information is up to date in Parent Square, Operoo and https://www.schoolsaccount.nyc/
If you have issues with any of our communication platforms, please contact Parent Coordinator Maria Hionas at MHionas2@schools.nyc.gov
Progressive Discipline Policy:
Students who use electronic devices in violation of the NYCPS Discipline Code, the school's policy, Chancellor’s Regulation A-413 , and/or the NYCPS Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy ("IAUSP") will be subject to progressive discipline. This means that the disciplinary responses will escalate based on the nature and frequency of the violation.
Progressive Response to Policy Violations
1st Offense:
Verbal reminder and redirection
Parent contact
2nd Offense:
Dean notified; written documentation
Parent contact
Progressive discipline and behavioral intervention
3rd Offense:
Device turned in at the Dean’s Office upon arrival
Parent conference
Progressive discipline and behavioral intervention
4th Offense:
Mandatory guardian pickup of the device
Student may be restricted from extracurriculars and school privileges
Student placed on an individual compliance plan
Progressive discipline and behavioral intervention
Other- Lost or Stolen:
In the unlikely event that an electronic device is stolen or damaged at school, parents can submit a claim to the Comptroller’s Office. More information on submitting a claim is available on the Comptroller's Web Page
Sincerely,
Allison O’Donnell
Principal
Welcome to Middle School!
Please view the presentation from our
"Welcome to Middle School Transition- Family Workshop".
Communication
Parent/Guardian Communication will be using:
ParentSquare
Email Blast from our PTA
Operoo - an online system for communicating forms and information to our families. All documents will be sent out digitally through this system. Operoo will make it easy for you to receive forms and notices and keep your emergency cards up to date!
Contact Information:
Principal Allison O’Donnell
Assistant Principal IA PreK - 4 Ms. Iacoviello
Assistant Principal 5-8 Marilyn Corson
Parent Coordinator Maria Hionas
Guidance Counselor Christine Reese
Pupil Accounting Secretary Donna Cusick
Attendance Coordinator Diane Barone
My Student Account:
If you have not created an account on mystudent.nyc. Please contact Parent Coordinator, Maria Hionas for the creation code. On this site you can view attendance, grades, and more. This is where you will see your child’s report card in November.
Student Email Addresses:
All students will receive a NYC DOE email address this year
Important Student Information
Official School Hours - 8:00am-2:00pm
We are working to make this website easier to access for people with disabilities, and will follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. If you need assistance with a particular page or document on our current site, please contact us by phone (718) 447-8323, email or mail at PS/IS 48, 1050 Targee Street, Staten Island, New York 10304 to request assistance.
