PS/IS 48 - William G. Wilcox

PS/IS 48 News Feed

• Engaging Math Practice Platform & Math Tournament ~ Firstinmath.com Info

  Good Evening Families,
  
  We wanted to invite you to explore an AMAZING program that students have access to called First In Math. Many of our students have already started to play! Starting next week, our Math Club will also visit classes to help them learn how to use all of the tools and games available.
  
  First in Math® online activities increase problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities and boost basic math skills. Children using this website show consistent improvement in math scores — from those needing to advance their skills, to the top students!
  
  To play games on First In Math, your child can login through their NYC Clever Accounts. 
  
  

  1. Click on this link (or Google "NYC Clever:) from your web browser.   NYC Clever Login
  2. Choose "Log in with NYCENET".
  3. Find First In Math and click on it.
  4. Play

  For more information, you can click on the following link.

  Our students have been invited to participate in the Virtual Regional Qualifying Event. This online event will present grade-appropriate challenges from the FIM SKILL SETS in an easy and FUN format! Grades 1-8 are eligible! Students who qualify are eligible for the in-person Statewide Championship Event, MAY 31, 2025, at the New York State Museum in Albany.

  STUDENTS: Students enter by clicking the "invitation" link in their FIM Notifications Mailbox (red envelope icon on homepage) between 10:00 am & 2:00 pm on THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025!

  HOW TO PREPARE: Students practice grade-appropriate SKILL SET games. Learn which games to practice & watch Skill Set how-to-play videos here.

  
  Hope that you enjoy using this tool with your children at home!

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• Save the Date - Senior Night

  Save the Date!

  PS/IS Varsity Basketball Teams Senior Night

  Tuesday January 21st, 2025 @ 3:00 p.m.

   

  There will be concession stands available to purchase food items from Chick-fil-A 

   

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• Stop Bullying Event

  District 31 and CEC 31 are hosting a Stop Bullying Event at Petrides, Borough Hall of Science on Wednesday, January 22nd at 5:30 PM. DA Community Liaison Agnus McBeth and Student Services Director Robert Laurenzano are the guest speakers for the evening. 
  
  

  Here is the virtual link for the event

  
  Here is the google registration form

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• State Test Memo

  Dear Parent/Guardian,

   

  Each spring, students take the English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics tests in grades 3-8 and the Science tests in grade 5 and 8. These tests are used to measure how well students perform on New York’s Next Generation Learning Standards.  Over the past few years, schools across New York have begun to give these state tests on a computer, and we are excited for our students to have that opportunity this year.      

   

  This year our students will take the New York State  test on the computer (or the paper version for certain grades) according to the list as follows:

        

  Grade	ELA April 29 and April 30	Type of Test	Math May 7 and May 8	Type of Test	Science May 13	Type of Test
  Grade 3	ELA	Paper	Math	Paper	N/A	—
  Grade 4	ELA	Computer	Math	Computer	N/A	—
  Grade 5	ELA	Computer	Math	Computer	Science	Computer
  Grade 6	ELA	Computer	Math	Computer	N/A	—
  Grade 7	ELA	Computer	Math	Paper	N/A	—-
  Grade 8	ELA	Computer	Algebra Regents on June 18, 2025	Paper	Science	Computer

   

  Please note the following:

   

  •  Practice: Before the test is given, your child will have a chance to practice taking the test on a computer while in school. This will help your child become familiar with the online testing format. Students, educators, and parents can review and practice using the online Question Sampler (https://ny.nextera.questarai.com/tds/#practice)

  •  Testing schedule: 

  ELA test will be given on April 29, 2024 - April 30, 2025. 

  Math test will be given  May 7, 2025 - May 8, 2025

  Science test will be given May 13, 2025

   

  Your child will have as much time as your child needs, within the limit of the school day, to complete the test.  

   Accommodations: All students who receive testing accommodations for New York State tests will receive accommodations for the test consistent with their 504 plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP).

   

  If you would like to learn more about the New York State 3-8 tests and the move to computer-based testing, see this New York State Education Department web site (https://www.nysed.gov/state-assessment/parent-resources).  If you have questions on the computer-based test, or about your child’s participation, please contact Tami Biancoviso, Test Coordinator. 

   

  Regards,

   

  Allison O’Donnell

  Principal

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• APPLICATION: MS Arts Audition Boot Camp 2025 - Open to Current Year 7th Graders

  The Arts Office is thrilled to launch the eleventh year of MS Arts Audition Boot Camp.    
  The application is attached.  Please note that the deadline to apply is March 28th.  Auditions are in person on April 5 and 6, and all students must apply online to get an audition appointment.   

   

  Please direct all questions to msartsbootcamp@schools.nyc.gov

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• Spring Fling information

  Our Annual Spring Fling is less than 3 months away!

  Please see the below information about our Spring Fling event.

   
  This year our Spring Fling will be held April 3, at The Crystal Room (67 Olympia Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10305)
   
  What is the Spring Fling?
  The Spring Fling is our annual "night out" dinner party for family, friends and staff, featuring a variety of baskets to be raffled off.  This is an adults only event.
  The Spring Fling is a great opportunity to gather together as a school community and help raise funds for our PS/IS 48 students while having a fun night out. 
   
  Why is the Spring Fling important?
  The Spring Fling is our biggest, most important fundraiser.  The money raised at the Spring Fling is used throughout the year to enrich the school experience of our PS/IS 48 students.
   
  How can I participate?
  You can help make our Spring Fling event a success in a variety of ways:

  • donate new items to be raffled off
  • if you or a family member own a business, consider donating a gift card or raffle prize from that business 
  • Class baskets are created by each class; please consider volunteering to collect for and create the basket from your child's class.
  • volunteer to help create and wrap raffle baskets
  • volunteer with decorating and set up for the event

   
  Most importantly, please attend our Spring Fling Event
  Spring Fling is open to any adult who would like to attend.   Please consider inviting relatives and friends to attend this event and help support PS/IS 48.   
   
  Ticket Pricing Information:

  • Tickets to attend the PS/IS 48 Spring Fling will cost $85 per person. 
  • This price includes a full sit down dinner & dessert, full open bar, DJ entertainment and dancing.
  • Tickets to attend the event will be sold beginning in February.   

   
  Raffle tickets for all prizes will be sold separately at the event.   
   
  Table Seating at the event:
  When purchasing tickets for the event, please let the PTA know what family and friends you'd like to be seated with for the evening in the notes section. Tables seat 10-12 people each.
   
  Attending alone?
  No problem. Contact the PTA with your child's grade and class information and we will do our best to sit you with other parents/guardians from their grade level.
  Contact the PS/IS 48 PTA with any additional questions at psis48pta@gmail.com.

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• Valentines for Veterans

  Collection for the Blue Star Families Food Pantry at Fort Wadsworth.  We have set our goal for 100 candy bars.  Please help us reach our goal!

   

  NEW MISSION: VALENTINES FOR VETERANS 

  TAKE OFF: JANUARY 13, 2025

  LANDING: FEBRUARY 3, 2025

   

  MISSION DETAILS:  1-Purchase Large Chocolate Bar 

                                      2-Make A Label with Valentine Wishes 

                                     3- Place your Label around your Chocolate Bar.

                                     4-Give them to Mrs. Reese or Mrs. Hionas

                                    5- Must have Fun!

                                    

   

  I hope you can join us on this next mission!

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• Beyond Access Series

  Note the following upcoming events:

  • Enhanced Community Engagement Supports in the Impartial Hearing Order Implementation Process (January 7)

  • Understanding Special Education: Resources and Cultural Conversations Across Communities (January 13) 

  • Empowering Independence: A Guide to Travel Training for Students with Disabilities (January 27) 

   

  These online events will be held via Zoom from 7:00–8:00 p.m. Details about the sessions can be found on the Beyond Access Series webpage. Families must register to attend.  

   

  Language access services are available in American Sign Language (ASL), Spanish, and Mandarin. For support in Arabic, Bangla, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Urdu, families should email beyondaccess@schools.nyc.gov at least five days before the event.

   

  For questions, email beyondaccess@schools.nyc.gov. 

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• Happy New Year!

  Hello Families,
  
  Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday season with your children. I am excited to start 2025 with all of you and look forward to another successful year ahead!
  
  I would like to take a moment to announce that Nurse Sophie has officially retired as of the end of 2024. We are deeply grateful for her many years of dedicated service to the children of PS/IS 48. The nursing supervisor has informed me that, until a permanent replacement is found, our school will be serviced by an agency nurse each day. Additionally, Nurse Leah, who serves as the District 75 nurse, will continue to support our students when needed.
  
  January will be an exciting month for our school community, filled with new learning opportunities. Our students will be taking the middle-of-the-year MAP Assessments in both ELA and Math.   We are thrilled to participate in the Great Kindness Challenge at the end of the month. We have special assemblies planned to help us share the message of kindness with our students. In addition, we are inviting elementary school parents (K-5) to join us for Family Math Day on the morning of January 17, 2025. More details will be shared soon!
  
  As we begin the new year, I’d like to remind everyone of a few important things:

  • Winter Clothing: We aim to get students outside for recess whenever possible, so please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather, including hats, scarves, and gloves. With more clothing being brought to school, there is an increased chance of lost items. Please help us by labeling all of your child's belongings with their name and class to make it easier for us to return any misplaced items.
  • Safety Reminder: Please avoid double or triple parking, or blocking driveways during drop-off and pick-up times. For the safety of all students, teachers are not able to dismiss students directly to cars parked near the dismissal doors. We kindly ask for your cooperation in keeping the area clear to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

  Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. I look forward to a wonderful month ahead and a year of continued growth for our students.
  
  I look forward to seeing your beautiful children tomorrow morning at 8:00am. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Allison O'Donnell
  Principal 

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox

• January Book of the Month

  Dear Families, 

  This month, we will continue our study of hidden voices. 

  We are going to continue to read special books or texts about hidden voices in history throughout the school year. These people are often hidden from the traditional historical record, and have shaped our history and identity. These lessons will teach students about important historical figures, help them make connections between the past and present, and encourage students to find their own voice. 

  
  January is Poverty in America Awareness Month. We will honor a hidden voice in history, Susie Rocco. Susie, like many other impoverished children in the 1800s worked to make money for her family. Students will engage in discussion and written activities that will teach them about the life of children in the 1800s. 

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

  Sincerely, 
  
  Mrs. Corson 

  P.S. 048 - William G. Wilcox