Dear MS 172 Families:
As our country continues to recover from Covid 19, we are acutely aware that not all nations are in the same stage of recovery. Our thoughts go out to all who are suffering and especially those so heavily impacted in India. Our thoughts are also with those in our MS 172 community who have family and friends in India. Please be aware that as with all crises, MS 172 is ready to support our students and families. Please feel free to contact Mr. Slivko, our guidance counselors, the Assistant Principals and Ms. Hochrad to discuss any student or family issues regarding this critical challenge where the school can assist.
For those of you who would like to help, there are many organizations supporting the effort. Always check into the organization before you donate. Please see the list below.
International organizations
- United Nations agencies, including UNICEF and the World Health Organization, are delivering personal protective equipment kits, oxygen concentrators, diagnostic testing systems and other supplies to India’s frontline health care workers.
- PATH, a global health nonprofit based in Seattle, says it has a team of more than 200 people working in India to procure oxygen supplies and accelerate Covid-19 testing and surveillance.
- The International Medical Corps, which works in conflict areas around the world, is raising money for a campaign to help provide medical equipment, P.P.E., isolation facilities and other essential supplies in India.
- Care India says it has supplied hospitals and frontline workers in India with more than 39,000 P.P.E. kits, along with masks and other supplies.
- The Association for India’s Development, a Maryland-based charity that partners with nonprofits in India, says it has volunteers distributing food and protective equipment in most of India’s 29 states.
- Project HOPE, also in Maryland, is a nonprofit providing medical training, health education and humanitarian assistance around the world. The group says it has given Covid-related assistance in 150 countries during the pandemic, including India.
- GIVE.asia, a fund-raising platform in Singapore for causes across the Asia-Pacific region, says it is working with the Singapore Red Cross to send ventilators, oxygen concentrators and oxygen generators to India. The platform also hosts fund-raising campaigns by individuals.
- Americares, a nongovernmental organization based in Connecticut that specializes in emergency medical response work, says it is working in several Indian states to deliver P.P.E., ventilators and other medical equipment, as well as to educate people on how to prevent the spread of the virus.
- Vibha, an aid group in California, has partnered with the New York-based celebrity chef Vikas Khanna to raise money to buy oxygen concentrators, P.P.E. kits and other supplies. Last year, Mr. Khanna ran a relief effort for poor Indians who were suffering under coronavirus lockdowns.
- The Indian Red Cross Society has staff and volunteers running blood drives, delivering aid and medical supplies, along with providing other essential services across the country.
- Youth Feed India and Helping Hands Charitable Trust are delivering ration kits to vulnerable residents of Mumbai. Each kit includes staples like rice and dal, and feeds a family of four for 15 days. Donate here in a variety of ways, including through Google Pay.
- Ketto, a fund-raising platform in Mumbai, a hot spot of the country’s latest Covid outbreak, is shepherding a campaign by hundreds of entrepreneurs to purchase 3,000 oxygen concentrators. (The organizers are tweeting live updates.)
- OxygenForIndia delivers medical oxygen for free to patients in seven Indian cities. The group was founded by Ramanan Laxminarayan, an economist and epidemiologist who directs the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy, a research outfit based in Washington and New Delhi.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households. If your household is eligible, you can receive:
- Up to a $50/month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
- Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
The FCC has announced that consumers can begin applying for and enrolling in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program on May 12, 2021. The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.
https://getemergencybroadband.org/
3/19/2021 10:47 AM
Subject: School Building Cleared for Reopening
Dear J.H.S. 172 - QUEENS at 81-14 257 Street Families:
Today I am writing to share an important update about our school building. Since closing the building following multiple unlinked COVID-19 cases in our school community, the NYC Test + Trace Corps (T2) and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) have completed a thorough investigation. They have determined that the building is clear to reopen for regularly scheduled activities on 3/20/2021.
Here is guidance from DOHMH, T2, and the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to help clarify next steps:Anyone with a positive COVID-19 test will not return to the school until they are no longer infectious. Close contacts of the person who tested positive have been notified and will continue their 10-day quarantine period. If additional close contacts are identified, they will also be instructed to quarantine for 10 days.
The NYC Test + Trace Corps partners with community-based organizations to connect quarantining New Yorkers to resources like food, medicine, and health care. To connect with resources, you can call 1-212-COVID19 (212-268-4319). How Do We Stay Healthy?
Please remember to follow these important “Core Four” actions to prevent COVID-19 transmission: Stay home if sick (except to get essential medical care, including COVID-19 testing).
Practice social distancing: Stay at least 6 feet away from people who are not members of your household.
Wear a face covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Practice healthy hand hygiene: Wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; avoid touching your face; and cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hands. How can I stay updated?
We will continue to closely follow directions from public health experts and proactively update you on any measures we are taking. To ensure we can reach you via text and email, please create a New York City Schools Account (NYCSA) as soon as possible by visiting schools.nyc.gov/nycsa.
For additional information on COVID-19, visit schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus or call 311.
Sincerely,
Update for Families December 2020 from the Chancellor
Update 2
Update 3
Update 4
Update 5
Chancellor's letter Page 1
Chancellor's letter Page 2
November 18, 2020
Dear Families,
I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.
All of us at the Department of Education have been so proud to witness the joy of students and educators reuniting and learning together this year. We have been the only major school district in the nation to reopen our buildings. The benefit to hundreds of thousands of students is incredible, as school communities have reconnected in person for learning, growing, and supporting one another.
All along, we have kept health and safety at the forefront of everything we do. That includes carefully monitoring COVID-19 transmission rates across the city and, when necessary in response to infections, temporarily closing our school buildings and transitioning students to fully remote learning.
Given recent increases in transmission, we have reached a point in our City’s infection rate that requires all students to transition to remote learning. Beginning Thursday, November 19, all school buildings will be closed, and all learning will proceed remotely for all students, until further notice. You will hear from your principal shortly about next steps for you and your student. Please note that this is a temporary closure, and school buildings will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
I am sure you have many questions, and below you can find some important guidance to provide some answers. As always, we are committed to academic excellence, community-building, and social-emotional support for your child—no matter where they are learning.
Devices for Remote Learning
Do you need a device, need technical support or to fix a broken device, or are dealing with a lost or stolen device? Call DOE’s IT Help desk at 718-935-5100 and press 5 to get assistance.
You can also get quick help online:
Browse tech support topics: schools.nyc.gov/technicaltools
File a tech support ticket: schools.nyc.gov/techsupport
Request a device: schools.nyc.gov/devices
Get support with a DOE-issued iPad: schools.nyc.gov/ipadfixes
Issues with your Internet connection: schools.nyc.gov/internet
We are committed to ensuring every student is learning 5 days a week. Your child’s school will support you in remote learning if you currently don’t have a device by providing paper-based work. Contact your school for more info.
Free Meals for Students and Families
All families and students can continue to go to any school building between 9:00 a.m. and noon on weekdays to pick up three free grab-and-go meals. No identification or registration is necessary. Halal and kosher meals are available at some sites, which are listed at schools.nyc.gov/freemeals. From 3-5 p.m., New Yorkers of all ages can pick up free meals at 260 Community Meals sites across the city. For a list of sites, please visit schools.nyc.gov/freemeals.
Learning Bridges
Learning Bridges, the City’s free childcare program for children in 3-K through 8th grade, will continue to serve families enrolled in blended learning. We will continue to give priority to children of essential workers, as well as students in temporary housing or residing in NYCHA developments, children in foster care or receiving child welfare services, and students with disabilities. Families can learn more and apply at schools.nyc.gov/learningbridges, and new offers will be made to families weekly as seats are available.
Early Childhood Education
3-K and Pre-K classrooms in district schools and DOE Pre-K Centers will be closed. If your child attends a program in a community-based center that is not located in a public school, or attends a family childcare program that is part of a DOE network, it will remain open. If you are not sure which type of program your child attends or have questions about your child’s services, please contact your program directly. Strong supports are in place to ensure that these sites can continue operating safely.
Although we are temporarily shifting to fully remote teaching and learning for all students, if you have recently elected to enroll your child in blended learning, your child will be able to begin in-person learning after we reopen. I know that for many of you, this decision to temporarily close school buildings that we recently opened up will be disappointing, and I understand. But by confronting these challenges together, we can continue to fight back against COVID-19. And I am confident that before long, we will be able to safely reopen our school buildings again.
Please remember the “Core Four”: wash your hands, wear a face covering, keep six feet of distance from others, and stay home if you’re feeling sick.These are critically important steps that all of us can take every day.
We will continue to provide updates, supporting you and everyone in the DOE family as this public health crisis continues to evolve. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school with any questions or concerns. We are grateful for your partnership and all you do for our city.
Sincerely,
Richard A. Carranza
Chancellor
New York City Department of Education
To view a copy of this document in your language, visit schools.nyc.gov/messagesfo
October 22, 2020
Dear Families,
As part of New York City’s ongoing effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, and ensure the health and safety of our community, COVID-19 testing of staff and students will be conducted in our school once a month from now through the end of the school year. We have been notified that the testing provider will be at our school within the next week. Please note that only New York City public school students from grades 1-12 are eligible to be tested.
As the September 29, 2020 letter co-signed by NYC Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza, Executive Director Ted Long of New York City Test + Trace Corps, and Dr. Dave Chokshi, Commissioner of NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene stated, the test is easy, quick, and safe. A “short swab” (similar to a Q-tip) will be inserted into the front part of the nose for five to ten seconds. Later this school year, it is possible that tests will be administered by collecting a small amount of saliva (spit).
Only students and school-based staff members with signed and submitted consent forms are eligible to be tested (schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting). Your child will not be tested if they are uncomfortable or become distressed at any point during the process. If that happens, we will work with you to address any potential concerns so that your child is comfortable participating in future testing.
If your child is tested at school, information about the testing process, and when and how you will receive the results, will be sent home with your child. The majority of all testing results will be available within 48 hours. If your child tests positive for COVID-19, the testing provider will notify you via a telephone call, and NYC Test & Trace Corps will call to provide your family with resources and support.
If any member of the school community tests positive during this testing process, our school community will continue to follow the guidelines outlined on the Health & Safety section of the website www.schools.nyc.gov/school-year-20-21/return-to-school-2020/health-and-safety
We deeply appreciate your partnership and your commitment to keeping your school community safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey D. Slivko
Principal
What you need to know about COVID-19
105 PRECINCT
Dear Our 105 Precinct Community Members,
As we know, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency in New York as officials seek to combat the spreading coronavirus. We want our community members to know we are here to help get through these tough times. The Coronavirus is likely to spread from person to person, but it is currently unclear how easily it spreads. 80% of people with COVID-19 will feel like they have a bad cold or flu like symptoms. People who are at a higher risk of severe illness are the elderly or have other underlying health conditions.
What should New Yorkers do?
1 Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
2 Use alcohol based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
2 Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow/sleeve (not your hands).
3 Get the flu shot-it is not too late. Although the shot will not protect you from COVID-19, it can help prevent the flu which has similar symptoms to the coronavirus.
4 Refrain from touching your face, eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
5 If you feel sick, stay home and keep distance from others.
6 If you have a fever, cough and/or shortness of breath, and recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread of coronavirus, or have been in close contact with someone who recently has, go to your doctor immediately.
7 If you have these symptoms, but no travel history, still take it seriously. Stay home and call your doctor. 8If you need connection to a health care provider, call 311.
8 Hospital staff will not ask about immigration status. Receiving health care is not a public benefit identified by the public charge test. Please get the facts about COVID-19 in real-time & ignore the rumors.
9 Text ‘COVID’ to 692-692 (NYC-NYC) for accurate, real-time updates from @NotifyNYC & the NYC OEM. Please do not share unconfirmed information you might read.
10 Visit http://nyc.gov/coronavirus for more informatiion
Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome (PMIS) Update
NYC families: if your child has a persistent fever, rash, abdominal pain, vomiting or other symptoms, call your doctor immediately. If you don’t have a doctor, call 311. So far there have been 110 cases of multi-system inflammatory syndrome have been detected in children in NYC hospitals.
Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Fact Sheet (PDF, May 11)
Expanded COVID-19 Testing
Visit nyc.gov/covidtest to find a community testing site near you.
The City will double its testing capacity at NYC Health + Hospitals and will open 12 new testing sites by May 25. Beginning the week of May 18, 2 new COVID-19 testing sites will be open.
All City MD sites to have tests 7 days a week
· 123 sites across all 5 boroughs
· Walk-ins welcome
· No cost for the uninsured
· Find locations at citymd.co
NYC LGBTQ+ COVID-19 Guide
On May 12, the NYC Unity Project in the NYC Mayor’s Office, in partnership with representatives from 15 city agencies and over 200 LGBTQ+ community partners across NYC, launched the NYC LGBTQ+ COVID-19 Guide: nyc.gov/lgbtqcovid
New COVID-19 Resources by Neighborhood
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has created a comprehensive resource guide. The guide includes resources currently available in specific communities, listed by zip code. Some resources are available for in-person services, while others offer remote and delivery options.
Visit the DOHMH COVID-19 Community and Business webpage to view the guides available by borough, neighborhood, and by language. More translations will be available soon.