2025-2026 School Year Policies

Academic Expectations

At PS 59, we have high expectations for all students and believe that everyone is leader. Students are expected to put in their best effort each day, and to take every moment of educational time seriously. In addition, we are determined to provide all students with the academic and social skills necessary to be successful in middle school, high school, and college. Each school year, students will be asked to set specific academic goals in the areas of literacy and mathematics. Students and teachers will monitor the progress of these goals throughout the year. We believe that establishing a strong foundation in these two subject areas is critical to the future academic success of our students. 

Attendance

Attendance is essential to success in school.  All children are expected to be in school  starting at 8:00am every school day.

In order for your child to be successful in school, it is important that your child be in school regularly.  When your child is absent from school, please contact Ms. Monte.  You will also receive a call from our School Messenger system alerting you to whether or not your child was late or absent. Families check attendance on report cards, ask the school for attendance records, or view your child's attendance on your My Schools account.

 

Every absence counts. Excused absences are still absences.

Schools can excuse absences when a student misses school for religious, medical or emergency reasons, but the excused absences is a legal part of the student's record. Excused absences may not count against a student for school awards or participation in school activities. 

Homework Policy 

Homework is an extension of the learning that takes place in school. Homework provides practice and drill that reinforces classroom learning and can provide opportunities for independent study, research, and creative thinking. Parents can help their children by providing a quiet, comfortable place for children to work and by seeing that the assignments are completed. A specific time should be set aside each day for homework. The final grade on the child’s report card includes homework assignments.

 

Suggested Minimum Time Allotments:
Grade

Reading

Written

Kindergarten

10-15 minutes

15 minutes

First Grade

15-20 minutes

15-20 minutes

Second Grade

20-25 minutes

15-20 minutes

Third Grade

30-40 minutes

15-20 minutes

Fourth Grade

30-40 minutes

35 minutes

Fifth Grade

30-40 minutes

35 minutes

Report Cards

Report cards are distributed three times a year: November, March and June. Please make sure to review your child’s report card. Discuss any concerns you may have with your child’s teacher. You may also contact the school and request a meeting with your child’s Assistant Principal. Equally important are the parent teacher conferences scheduled in the fall and spring. Also you are able to view our child's report card by creating a NYC School Account. For more information or assistance please contact Mr.Robert at RRamirez9@schools.nyc.gov or at 973-963-7481.  

 

 

NY State and Local Test 2025-2026

Students in elementary grades take various NY State and local tests to support their instruction, to determine eligibility for certain programs, and to provide information on their progress toward mastering grade-level learning standards. The Department of Education explains in details the tests that student take in grades pre-k–5. At PS 59 Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade students are expected to take NY State Math/ELA exams, below is the NYC Testing Schedule for the 2025-2026 School year 

 

New York State Testing Dates: TBA

Test

Grades

Dates

ELA

3, 4, 5

TBA

 Math

3, 4, 5

TBA

NYSELAT (Speaking)

ELL - All grades

TBA

NYSELAT (Listening, Reading, Writing)

ELL- All grades

TBA

Science Performance

4

TBA

Science Written Exam

4

TBA

Arrival & Dismissal

Emergency Information

General Information

Dress Code

The appearance of a student is the responsibility of the parent. The Board of Education adopted a mandatory uniform policy on March 18, 1998. It applies to students in grades pre-K –5. Our school is implementing this uniform policy. The mandatory uniform policy is intended to

  • promote a more effective learning climate
  • foster school unity and pride
  • improve student performance
  • foster self-esteem
  • eliminate label competition
  • simplify dressing and minimize costs to parents
  • teach children appropriate dress and decorum in their “work” place; and help to improve student conduct and discipline. Information about where to purchase our school uniform can be obtained from the Parent’s Association and/or the Main Office.

 

At PS 59, the school uniform is a dark blue dress, skirt, or pants paired with a light blue button down or polo top. On the days, a student has gym they are allowed to wear loose, comfortable clothing with sneakers. If any student should want to wear skirts, they may do so, with spandex shorts/ leggings underneath. When the weather gets warmer  our dress code still applies.

Please ensure your student is not wearing clothing that is revealing even on Gym days, this means  NO spaghetti straps/tank tops and short shorts 

 

Please note: If a child comes to school wearing clothing that is deemed inappropriate a family member will be contacted, to make alternate arrangements.

 

Uniform Store Locations: School Uniforms can be purchased at the following locations:  Kid City and/or Cookie's Department Stores

 

Respect For All

It is the policy of the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) to maintain a safe and supportive learning and educational environment that is free from harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying committed by students against other students, and free from discrimination committed by students against other students on account of actual or perceived race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, or weight.

Discrimination, harassment, intimidation and/or bullying is prohibited in school, during school hours before or after school, while traveling in vehicles funded by the DOE and on other than school property when such behavior disrupts or would foreseeably disrupt the educational process or endangers or would foreseeably endanger the health, safety, morality, or welfare of the school community.

The following NYC DOE policies further define and prohibit bullying behavior in our school communities, and establish protocols for responding to incidents:

  • Chancellor’s Regulation A-832 outlines conduct that constitutes student-to-student discrimination, harassment, intimidation and/or bullying, and describes the procedure for reporting, investigating, and resolving complaints of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying.
  • Chancellor’s Regulation A-831 outlines conduct and communication that constitutes student-to-student sexual harassment, and describes the procedure for reporting, investigating, and resolving complaints of peer sexual harassment at the school level.

The Citywide Standards of Intervention and Discipline Measures includes the Discipline Code as well as the Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, which promotes re­sponsible student behavior and an atmosphere of dignity and respect by establishing guidelines to help students as they strive to become productive citizens in a diverse society.

  • The Respect for All Liaison is Ms. Lugo. Please contact her at 718-584-4730 ext. 0 or email her at llugo3@schools.nyc.gov for more information.

Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, in accordance with New York State law,(Open external link) New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is updating its policy regarding the use of internet-enabled electronic devices—including cell phones—in school. This change supports the State's intent to create distraction-free schools(Open external link) and aims to ensure safe and focused learning environments across all NYCPS schools. Under the updated policy, Chancellor's Regulation A-413, students are not permitted to use personal internet-enabled electronic devices during the school day. This includes devices such as cell phones, laptops, tablets, and portable music and entertainment systems.

For more information regarding this new policy please refer to Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy.

 

 Announcement about new cell phone and electronic device policy. 

 

 

 

 

P.S.59 Ladder of Discipline 

If a student fails to follow the rules in the P.S. 59 Student Handbook these are the consequences.

P.S.59 LADDER OF DISCIPLINE

  • First infraction: The teacher speaks to the student.
  • Second infraction: Teacher contacts the Dean and interventions are implemented.
  • Third infraction: Dean contacts the parent, or (depending on behavior) a written report to Assistant Principal(s)

Continuous Misbehavior:

  • The teacher will report in writing to the Dean and /or Guidance Counselor a description of the problem with the student and the disposition of phone conversation with parent. Dean and /or Guidance Counselor will meet with the student and contact the parent. The Dean and/or Guidance Counselor will notify the assistant principal of continuous problem with the student.
  • The assistant principal will call a meeting of the Instructional Support/RTI Team with the teacher and the parent, to determine strategies to assist the student.
  • As a last resort, the principal will be notified based on the severity of the behaviors, the child may be suspended for a short period.
  •  

DEAN OF STUDENTS – Ms. Walsh: 718-584-4730

The dean of students plays a variety of roles within the school community. It is the dean's job to ensure that students have all of the necessary tools for academic and personal growth. The dean also serves as liaison between students, parents and faculty members. In our school, the dean of students takes on a mentorship role with the students. It is the dean's job to make sure the school policies are upheld and to implement the school's discipline policies if they are breached. The dean must then oversee all student disciplinary matters and make sure to communicate all concerns with parents.