Fifth Disease Letter
English • Chinese • Spanish
Dear Parent or Guardian,
An individual in your child’s school has been diagnosed with fifth disease, an infection caused by Parvovirus B19.
This virus is spread from person to person by contact with infected respiratory secretions (droplets from the nose and throat). In most children, fifth disease is very mild. Children may develop red (“slapped”) cheeks and a lacy rash which begins on the trunk and moves outward to the arms, buttocks, and thighs, which may come and go for several weeks. Many children have no symptoms.
Children are most contagious with Parvovirus B19 before they develop the distinctive rash of fifth disease. At that time, they may have fever, muscle aches, and headache. Once the rash develops, however, they are no longer contagious, and may return to school as long as they feel well.
Some groups of people are at risk for more severe disease following infection with Parvovirus B19. These include:
People with sickle cell disease – may have severe anemia (low red blood cell count) requiring medical treatment.
- People with weakened immune systems, including HIV infection – may have severe, chronic anemia requiring medical treatment.
- Pregnant women – the virus may have harmful effects on the unborn baby
- If you or your child have any of the conditions listed above, you should contact your health care provider to discuss the risks of exposure.
If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse at : 718-352-7800 (Ext 1172)
Fifth Disease Fact Sheet
English • Chinese • Spanish
Fifth Disease
What is fifth disease? Fifth disease is a mild rash illness caused by human parvovirus B19.
Who gets fifth disease? Anyone can be infected. Outbreaks that occur often involve elementary and intermediate school children.
How is the virus spread? The virus is most often spread by exposure to airborne droplets from the nose and throat of infected people.
What are the symptoms of fifth disease and when do they appear?
Initial symptoms of low grade fever, tiredness, headache and muscle aches develop 4 to 21 days after infection. About 7 to 10 days later, a red rash may appear on the cheeks giving a “slapped cheek” appearance. The rash may extend to the body and may fade and reappear over weeks or months. Sometimes, the rash is lacy in appearance and may be itchy. Joint aches or swelling occurs infrequently among children. Many infected children have only vague signs of illness or no symptoms at all.
When and for how long is a person able to spread the disease?
People with fifth disease are most contagious during the week before the rash appears. The typical rash appears as a result of a person’s immune response and marks the end of the contagious period. However, many people are unaware of their infection and develop an immune response without any symptoms or rash.
How is fifth disease diagnosed?
In most cases, the diagnosis is based on the typical appearance of the rash.
What is the treatment for fifth disease?
At this time, there is no specific treatment.
What complications are associated with fifth disease?
While there is no evidence that human parvovirus B19 infection is a significant cause of birth defects, infection during pregnancy may result in miscarriage or spontaneous abortion, especially if infection occurs early in the pregnancy. In people with chronic red blood cell disorders, such as sickle-cell disease, or immunocompromising conditions such as HIV infection, parvovirus B19 may cause severe anemia.
How can fifth disease be prevented?
Measures to effectively control fifth disease have not been developed yet. During outbreaks in
schools, pregnant school employees and people with chronic red blood cell disorders should consult their physicians and the health department for advice.
What should I do if I am exposed to a child with fifth disease during my pregnancy?
If you are exposed to a case or develop symptoms of fifth disease while pregnant, you should consult your doctor. Blood testing is available at some private laboratories and at the New York State Health Department laboratory to determine if you are already immune or infected with parvovirus B19.
Can a child with fifth disease remain in school?
Yes. A child who has symptoms of fifth disease is no longer contagious, and should not be excluded from school.
Roof repair letter to families
English • Chinese
Korean • Spanish
Dear P.S.184 Families,
As you may have noticed, our school is looking a bit different after spring vacation. The construction project to repair the school’s leaking roof along with work to eliminate our flooding issues has begun. Scaffolding and netting have been placed around the building to ensure safety and will remain up until the project is completed. They are estimating that this project will take at least two to three years to complete.
Currently, there are no changes to entry or dismissal. All school routines will remain unchanged. However, please be sure to look out for any Class Dojo messages in case future changes are needed.
We thank you for your patience and cooperation as we have these much-needed repairs done to our school building. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Sincerely,
Grace Lee-Sim
Principal
CBT Letter for Families
English • Chinese
Korean • Spanish
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Each spring, students take the English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics tests in grades 3-8 and the Science tests in grades 5 and 8. These tests are used to measure how well students perform on New York’s Next Generation Learning Standards.
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) We will conduct the Math Simulation for Grades 4 and 5 on Thursday, January 23rd. We will conduct the Science Simulation for Grade 5 on January 27th.
- Testing schedule: The ELA CBT test will be given on April 22-23. The Math CBT Test will be given on May 6-7. The Grade 5 Science CBT Test will be given on May 13. 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 ELA, Math and Science tests 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).http://bit.ly/NYSEDCBT If you have questions on the computer-based tests, or about your child’s participation, please contact Ms. Cregan, our Assistant Principal.
Regards,
Grace Lee-Sim
Principal
Casa Theater Letter
English • Chinese
Korean • Spanish
Dear Parents/Guardians of Grade 3 Students, November 2024
We are pleased to announce that P.S. 184 has once again been awarded a CASA grant by Councilman Vicki Paladino, providing us with funding for an after-school program through the Flushing Town Hall.
Students will have the opportunity to learn from a lead Teaching Artist, Gia Bonavita. Ms. Bonvita will work with the third grade students to write a script inspired by their improv and collaboration. She will be assisted by a Visual Arts Teaching Assistant, Suzanne DeMarco, who will help with sets and props that will be used to enhance the project.
The CASA program is open to all Grade 3 students; space is limited to 25 students. We will accept only those students who can commit to attending all sessions. This will be on a first come first serve basis. Students will meet with the teaching artists and participate in a weekly interactive workshop beginning in December and ending in April. The workshops will be Mondays from 2:35pm – 4:00pm. See exact dates below. The project will culminate with a student performance on April 7, 2025 for families. More information on the show will follow once we are closer to the show date.
Schedule:
December 2, 9, 16
January 6, 13, 27
February 3, 10, 24
March 3, 10, 17, 24
April 7 rehearsal + finale
Sincerely,
Caroline Cregan
Assistant Principal
P.S. 184Q – CASA Arts Program-Return to Ms. Cregan by Friday, November 22
Please send back ASAP as students are selected first come first serve
________ Yes, I want my child to participate. I understand that I am responsible for picking up my child promptly at 4:00p.m.
________ No, my child will not be able to participate.
Child’s Name __________________________________________ Class ________________
Parent Signature________________________________________ Date ________________
If your child is accepted, you will receive another letter confirming their participation.
Art Room Request Letter
English • Chinese
Korean • Spanish
Dear Families,
I hope this message finds you well! As we dive into our exciting art projects this year, we need some important supplies. To keep our art room running smoothly and to ensure that our students have the best experience possible, we kindly ask for your help.
If you can donate baby wipes, paper towels, or tissues for the Art room, it would be greatly appreciated! These items are essential for keeping our workspace clean and tidy, allowing our young artists to focus on their creative endeavors.
Thank you so much! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Warm regards,
Ms. Maris
Art Teacher
iReady Family Letter
English • Chinese
Korean • Spanish
Dear Families,
We are excited to share that our school will continue to utilize a program called iReady which helps us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth, and monitor their progress throughout the school year. iReady allows us to meet your child where they are and provides us with data to inform instruction.
- Students in K-5 will take the iReady Math diagnostic screener 3 times a year.
- Students in grades 3-5 will take the iReady ELA diagnostic screener 3 times a year. Lower grade students will continue to take the Acadience screener 3 times a year.
The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions based on student responses. Each item a student receives is based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier ones. The purpose of this is not to give your child a score or grade but to determine how to best support their learning.
What can I do to help?
To help prepare your child for the iReady Diagnostic, encourage them to:
- Get a good night’s sleep and eat a full breakfast the day of the assessment.
- Try their best on each question and try not to rush.
- Try not to worry about questions they do not know—remind them that it is expected they will get only about half of the questions correct.
- Be respectful of other students who take longer to finish.
- Encourage your child to use paper and pencil to show work for math questions for students in grade 3-5.
Thank you for your continued support and for being a partner in your child’s learning! We look forward to sharing i-Ready information with you throughout the year. Please be on the lookout for school offered and district offered iReady family workshops to help you understand your child’s results. You can also learn more about i-Ready by visiting i-ReadyCentral.com/FamilyCenter.
Sincerely,
Caroline Cregan
Assistant Principal
Welcoming Wednesday
Ipad Case Agreement
English • Chinese
Korean • Spanish
Loan Agreement for School-Owned iPad and Accessories
Your child has been given the privilege of being loaned an iPad for use in school or at home from the school with a case purchased by PS 184Q. The purpose of this letter is to state the responsibilities of students and families borrowing this equipment and accessories. If reasonable precautions and care are taken in the use of the device, case and charger, they should not experience physical damage. Each student as well as parents/guardians should review this form carefully, and parents should discuss the content with their student. Students are expected to follow the guidelines below and take any additional common-sense precautions to protect the device.
The device and accessories are loaned to the student for a period extending from September 2024 to the completion of the 2024-2025 school year.
Included will be:
- iPad
- Case with attached keyboard
- Charger
WE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THE ABOVE DEVICE AND ACCESSORIES AND AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:
- To be personally responsible for the safe-keeping of this device and case with keyboard and return it in the condition it was issued to me.
- To treat this device carefully and alert the NYCPS helpdesk at 718-935-5100 if there is any problem with the operation.
- To immediately return the device to the school upon request of the teacher or principal.
- To maintain good condition at all times including having it repaired as deemed necessary and as requested by the teacher or principal
- Understand that this device is property of the New York City Public Schools and should be treated as such. If a device is stolen, a police report must be filed.
- The financial responsibility of repair or replacement of the device and/or accessories is that of the family of the student. If a replacement is needed, please alert the school as soon as possible.
- To have the materials assessed by the school at the end of the contract period and pay a fair assessment for all damage in excess of normal wear and tear.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher.
Sincerely,
Ms. Caroline Cregan
Assistant Principal
Media Consent
English • Chinese
Korean • Spanish
Safer Access System
English • Chinese
Korean • Spanish
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.
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.
The Safter Access system has been installed as P.S. 184Q. Our school staff (including School Safety Agents) and students will receive training on using the system as well as how to support all visitors in accordance with our policy.
Beginning Tuesday, May 7, 2024, the main entrance doors of the school will be locked except during morning entry from 8:00am to 8:20am and dismissal from 2:20pm – 2:35pm. All visitors to the school will have to ring the doorbell, identify themselves, and state reason for visiting before the security agent will buzz them in. Once in the building, all visitors will have to show a valid government issued ID, be signed in by the security agent as we always have done.
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,
Grace Lee-Sim
Principal
Vaccine Notice
English • Chinese
Korean • Spanish
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Making sure your child is up to date on their vaccinations is critical to keeping them healthy. Vaccines prevent many life-threatening diseases from entering our schools and communities. Currently, there are measles outbreaks in several countries, including the U.S. In 2024, there have been four cases of measles in New York City (NYC). There also has been a recent increase in pertussis (whooping cough) in the U.S. and here in NYC. In 2022, there was even one case of polio in New York State, a dangerous disease that had not been seen in the U.S. since 2013. All these diseases are preventable through routine childhood vaccination.
As the City’s doctor and a parent of school-age children, I am asking for your help to make sure our children have the vaccines they need to protect themselves and our communities.
Please check your child’s immunization records and take your child to their health care provider to get any missing vaccines. If you do not have their records, contact your child’s provider so they can tell you if your child is up to date on their vaccinations or which vaccines they still need. You can also visit My Vaccine Record online at myvaccinerecord.cityofnewyork.us/myrecord to see your child’s records if your child was vaccinated in NYC or their provider entered their records from elsewhere. Your child’s school can also let you know which vaccines your child still needs for school attendance.
Decreases in measles vaccination rates around the world have led to outbreaks, which have increased the chances of unvaccinated travelers from the U.S. getting sick and spreading the virus when they get home. Measles is extremely contagious but almost entirely preventable by the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. The MMR vaccine is safe and provides 97% protection against measles after two doses. If you will be traveling this spring or summer, especially to other countries, make sure your child has had both doses of the MMR vaccine. Your child’s provider may recommend a modified vaccination schedule so your child is protected when traveling.
For information on NYC school vaccination requirements, visit schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/immunizations. If you do not have a provider, visit nychealthandhospitals.org/locations or call 844-NYC-4NYC (844-692-4692) to find an NYC Health + Hospitals location near you. You can also visit the NYC Health
Department’s Fort Greene Health Center in Brooklyn. Appointments are required: Visit nyc.gov/health and search for immunization clinics to fill out the online appointment form, or call 311 for questions about scheduling an appointment.
We encourage you to also talk to your child’s provider about other vaccines, such as COVID-19, influenza (flu) and HPV (human papillomavirus), which, although not required for school attendance, are important in protecting your child’s health. Only half of adolescents age 13 are up to date with their HPV vaccination, despite the HPV vaccine being extremely effective at preventing cancers caused by HPV.
We want you and your family to stay healthy this spring and beyond. I encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Information for Parents and Caregivers webpage at cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/caregivers for more information about vaccination.
I wish you and your family a safe and healthy spring recess.
Sincerely,
Ashwin Vasan, MD, PhD
Commissioner
New York City Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene
February 16th 2024 (HIV Notice)
PL#1 English • PL#1 Chinese
PL#1 Korean • PL#1 Spanish
Dear Parent or Guardian:
HIV and AIDS are among the most serious health problems Americans have ever faced. Advances in medicine now allow people with HIV to live long and healthy lives, but there is still no cure. Health education plays a critical role in helping students learn to make healthy choices and to protect themselves and others.
The New York State Education Department and New York City Public Schools require that HIV education be taught annually to all students in kindergarten through grade 12, as part of comprehensive health education. This year, your child will have the opportunity to learn from a new curriculum, called Growing Up and Staying Safe, that is medically accurate, inclusive, age-appropriate, and developed in partnership with national experts, local community leaders, parents/caregivers, and educators.
In the elementary grades, students learn how to stay healthy and avoid illnesses, develop self-worth and respect for their bodies, advocate for kindness and empathy, and communicate with trusted adults. Please review the included grade level overview(s) to learn more about the lessons. You can access them here: https://www.weteachnyc.org/resources/collection/grades-k-6-hiv-parent-notification-letters-growing-up-and-staying-safe/
We respect your role as parents/guardians in teaching your child about healthy behaviors that support your family’s beliefs and values. We encourage you to discuss with your child what they are learning in health class and share your beliefs and values with them.
Parents, guardians, and schools share a common goal: we want students of all ages to be healthy in all aspects of their lives. We encourage you to speak to your child’s teacher, parent coordinator, or me if you’d like to learn more about the curriculum. If you have any questions, please call me at 718.352.7800.
Sincerely,
Grace Lee-Sim
Principal
January 4th 2024 (PL#3) Save for College
All KINDERGARTEN, 1st and 2nd Grade Families can now easily activate your child’s
NYC Kids Rise Save for College account!
Dear P.S. 184 Families,
Each NYC Kindergartener and newly enrolled 1st grade student is gifted with a $100 scholarship and savings account to help encourage children to think of the possibilities of college education. This is a FREE initiative that began in Spring 2022 from NYC Department of Education and the Gray Foundation. During this SPECIAL ACTIVATION month of January 2024, we are excited for the possibilities of future education and encourage our P.S. 184Q families to activate their child’s account and earn another $25 reward just for activating!!
All you will need is
- your parent email.
- child’s date of birth
- student ID OSIS#
- home zip code
The process takes less than 5 minutes. You may also link to an existing 529 account to have all this information in 1 convenient location.
Visit www.nyckidsrise.org, click the ACTIVATE ACCOUNT button at the top, to get started. For your convenience you can change the language in the pink box on the top right.
When you activate let me know via email & please RETURN the special RED money Learning Leaf for the education tree” with your child’s name & drawing to decorate the money tree in our school.
Please contact me with any questions you may have or if you need help activating the account.
Sincerely,
Sandra Blanchet
Parent Coordinator.