FAQ - School Re-opening 2024-2025

2024 - 2025 FAQ

Updated August 2024

When is the first day of school for students?  Thursday, September 5, 2024

Where can I find the DOE School Calendar?  DOE School Calendar

What time does school begin?  School begins at 8:00 a.m. for all students

Does my child qualify for bus service? Bus service is determined by the home address of the child.  Click on this link to see if you meet the criteria: Bus Eligibility

Where can I locate my child's bus route? To view information on your child’s transportation services and busing information log into your NYCSA account.  My Student NYC Account

How will meals be at PS 144? Students will use the cafeteria and sit at round tables with their class.  Students will have 30 minutes to eat their lunch.  Breakfast will be served at  7:30 a.m. using the Main Entrance doors.  Breakfast is a hot meal between 7:30 - 8:00 a.m.  After 8:00 a.m. students will be provided a cold Grab and Go meal; which they eat in their classroom.    Lunch will be a hot lunch and students will have cold lunch choices as well such a cheese sandwich, hummus, etc.    Students will eat snack in the classrooms. NYC DOE Lunch Menu

Arrival?  We will have 4 gates open for access to the courtyard area.  2 on Kessel and 2 on Juno.  Students will line up and then enter the building no earlier than 8:00 a.m. 

Morning Arrival: Doors will open at 7:58 a.m. 

    • PreK- Enter through PreK ramp. The paraprofessionals will walk the students into the building

    • Grades K-2 will enter through the side Auditorium Door in the inner courtyard.  Students will wait for their teacher in the auditorium by class. 
    • Grades 3-5 will enter through the inner courtyard ramp door. Students will walk upstairs to their classroom.

What doors will the students be using for dismissal in the afternoon? Each teacher is assigned to a specific space in which they will line-up. We ask the parents to please not call your child from afar and instead walk up to the teacher and ask for your child. Signs will be posted where each class will be dismissed from. To make dismissal run smoothly we ask parents come with a sign with your child's name the first week of school.   

• Pre-K: Dismissal at 2:05 p.m. Teachers will dismiss students through the exit door in the back of the building. Parents need to wait in the Large Schoolyard (closer to Juno Street). Look for the class sign on the fence to know what area to wait for your child. The signs will be on purple paper.

• K: Dismissal at 2:10 p.m. Students will be dismissed from the back school doors. Parents need to wait in the small school yard area - look for the class sign on the fence to know what area to wait for your child. The signs will be on pink paper.

• 1st grade: Dismissal at 2:10 p.m. Students will be dismissed from the back school doors. Parents need to wait in the Large Schoolyard (Closer to Kessel Street) - look for the class sign on the fence to know what area to wait for your child. The signs will be on red paper.

• 2nd grade: Dismissal at 2:10 p.m. Students will be dismissed from the back school doors. Parents need to wait in the Large Schoolyard by the full basketball court area (Closer to Kessel Street)- look for the class sign on the fence to know what area to wait for your child. The signs will be on orange paper.

• 3rd grade: Dismissal at 2:15 p.m. Teachers will dismiss students through the exit door in the back of the building. Parents need to wait in the small school yard area. Look for the class number on the building to know what area to wait for your child. The signs will be on yellow paper.

• 4th grade: Dismissal at 2:15 p.m. Teachers will dismiss students through the exit door in the back of the building. Parents need to wait in the small school yard area. Look for the class number on the building to know what area to wait for your child. The signs will be on green paper.

• 5th grade: Dismissal at 2:15 p.m. Teachers will dismiss students through the exit door in the back of the building. Parents need to wait in the small school yard area. Look for the class number on the building to know what area to wait for your child. The signs will be on blue paper.

What is the weather guideline for students to go outside?  Children benefit from vigorous exercise and should be given the opportunity to play outside whenever possible. . Unless it is snowing, or there is ice on the playground, or the wind chill factor produces an effective temperature below zero degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius), temperature alone should not be a barrier to outdoor play.

The staff is encouraged to maintain outdoor play periods.  Please make sure your child dresses warm and  ensure that they are appropriately dressed on very cold days. When outdoors, ensure that your child covers exposed skin, wear warm clothing, and use multiple layers to maintain warmth. Students should also continue to adhere to physical distancing requirements by remaining at least six feet apart at all times.​​​​​​​ 

Do students have to wear a mask all day? No, masks are optional. 

Will my child be permitted to use the bathroom during the day? Students in Pre-K and Kindergarten have bathrooms in their classrooms and can use the bathroom anytime during the school day.  Students in Grades 1 – 5 can also go to the bathroom at any time during the school day.   Students will be reminded of proper hand washing throughout the day.  

What supplies does my child need?  Click on the link and scroll down to your grade.  Pre-K does not need to bring in any supplies.  Supply List

When will we be notified who my child's teacher is? On the first day of school you will find out who your child's teacher is.  As stated on the report card class placements are  subject to change as we get closer to the opening of school.  If your child is in Pre-K or Kindergarten letters will be emailed to the families at the end of August by August 30th. 

My child will no longer be attending PS 144 and I need to return the iPad or Chromebook; how do I do it?  We would prefer all iPads and Chromebooks of students moving be returned to our building.  If that is not possible please click on this link on how to return the iPad. IPAD Return

My child did not get a seat in the G and T class but qualifies for the program. How will PS 144 help my child be challenged?
All teachers have
  • knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of gifted students; 
  • the skills for planning, providing and coordinating differentiated teaching and learning environments that appropriately challenge gifted students so they achieve at high levels; and  
  • abilities to collaborate with families and school staff to provide individualized instruction for gifted students
Students will receive instruction with adjustments to content, process, products, activities to meet their individualized needs.
 
Will parents of Pre-K be able to drop off at the classroom door?  PreK will meet staff  by the ramp in the small courtyard. 
 
Will there be afterschool in the building this year? CommonPoint Queens will run the Afterschool Program 5 days a week for the 2024-2025 school year at P.S. 144Q.  Please visit our afterschool page for more information: Afterschool Information

Where does the Afterschool Program dismiss? The afterschool program will use the main entrance on Juno Street for dismissal.  Please wait on the sidewalk until the children exit the building.

Where do I find information on PA events and meetings? Please visit the events page on our website for more information: PA Events Page

What is the visitor policy? As per the DOE all visitors to the building must show Government issued I.D.  The I.D. must be a physical card and can not be a photo on the phone. This item must be a legal document such as a driver’s license, non-driver ID card or passport.

What is the student Behavioral Expectations? P.S. 144 follows the Citywide Behavioral Expectations. For move information: Behavioral Expectations