Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find a copy of the School Handbook?

Here is a link to the school handbook. Our PS3 community’s rules and guidelines can be found here.

I am a current parent and am not in the school’s email database. How do I subscribe?

Please email Christina Lowe, our Parent Coordinator.

What is the procedure to follow if my child will be absent?

DOE will track and follow up upon the attendance for every student every day (Monday through Friday), regardless as to whether those students are engaged in remote or in- person learning. The definition of “present” will be defined as: 

• In Person: student is physically present in the classroom / school learning environment for instruction during the scheduled school day. 
• Remote: student is virtually present in a virtual learning environment for synchronous instruction during the scheduled school day. 

Parents must notify Dawn Bridges in the office of any pre-planned absences.  She can be found in the main office. If your child has an unplanned absence, you can notify Dawn Bridges or email the school at absences@ps3charrettenyc.org as well as provide a signed note either from a doctor or a guardian to the classroom teacher. All absences must be documented in writing.

If your child will be out for more than three days, you are required to provide a written explanation. Families are strongly encouraged to use the DOE calendar for guidance when planning personal vacations. A student is considered truant if he or she is out of school without a valid reason (illness, religious holiday, family emergency). 

What is the procedure if my child needs to leave school early on a particular day?

Early pick-up should be reserved for emergencies. In the event that you need to pick up your child early, please call the office at (212) 691-1183 to alert the staff. Then a staff member will escort the child to the blue doors on Hudson St. You must pick up your child before 1:45 p.m. Should you arrive after 1:45pm to pick up your child, you will need to wait until the regular 2:00pm dismissal time. No exceptions!

How do I contact the School Nurse and where is the Nurse’s Office?

The School Nurse is located in Room 304. Generally, sick children will be brought to the main office to be picked up.

What school supplies are needed when school begins?

Your child’s teacher will email a list of necessary school supplies in the first days of school.

How does my child obtain breakfast and lunch?

Breakfast and Lunch are free in all New York City public schools. 

All meals are prepared on-site in our kitchen. Because of COVID-19, meals will be “Grab and Go” cold meals that are prepackaged. Please note that the NYC DOE is not nut free. 

Here is the breakfast menu.

Here is the lunch menu.

Breakfast Grab and Go meals will be available at ground level upon arrival. Lunch Grab and Go meals will be brought to students in their classrooms upon request.

• Breakfast and lunch will be served in classrooms, to support social distancing and minimize interaction between groups of students. During meals and snacks, students will be directed to not share food or beverages. 
• Grab-and-go meals will be available for breakfast and lunch each day, though students will also be permitted to bring their own lunch if preferred. Grab-and-go meals will be delivered to students in (PreK to K) classrooms, and pickup points within the school will be designated for grades (1-5).
• Students who are not receiving in person instruction can pick up a lunch from their home school or an identified school building near their home.
• After eating, staff and students will wipe down the area where they ate their meal with disinfectant wipes. Students will be expected to clean their hands before and after meals/snacks.

Where is the Lost and Found?

The Lost and Found is kept lobby. It may take a few days for items to make their way to the Lost and Found, so check back often. Items will be donated quarterly to charity.

How do I know if school has been canceled due to adverse weather conditions?

• Sign up at this link to receive emergency alerts for your school through the Notify NYC emergency alert system:
• Check the DOE’s website, as they will post school closing information on their homepage
• We will send a schoolwide email blast if possible.

What is the role of the Parent Coordinator?

The Parent Coordinator is an employee of the NYC Department of Education and works on-site under the direct supervision of the Principal. The Parent Coordinator is responsible for encouraging and promoting active involvement by the families in their children’s education and making school more welcoming to the families.

In addition to the Principal and the staff, the Parent Coordinator is an important point of contact for families of the school.

Unlike parent volunteers working in a school, the Parent Coordinator is on staff and can work within the school to direct the families to the appropriate places where they can find the information they are seeking.

How do I get or replace a yellow PS3 ID fob?

ID fobs are distributed at the beginning of the school year. If you need an additional one, they are available from Sheri in the main office for a nominal fee.

How do I set up an NYC Schools Account or a MySchools Account?

Read here about the NYC Schools Account. Read here about the MySchools Account. If you need help setting up either account, please email Christina Lowe, our Parent Coordinator.

We get so many forms each September. Can I fill out one set for both my kids?

No, it is imperative that the school has up-to-date information at the ready for each child. The lunch form is also important, even if your child brings his/her own lunch, as the Department of Education requires schools to have these on file.

When will my child need to get a late pass?

If your child is late and is in blended learning and does not get a late pass, your child is marked absent for the day. 

Lateness is disruptive to the entire community, but your child suffers most. A child who comes in late misses critical learning time, and the lateness can have an emotional impact as well. Children may experience a lingering feeling of being out of sorts, as he or she tries to catch up with everyone else and get into the rhythm of the day. 

• Late passes are issued at entrances beginning 10 minutes after arrival time. A staff member will be on hand to bring younger children to class.
• If you arrive after the office staff has left the entrance, the child needs to come  through the main doors on Hudson Street to get a late pass in the main office. School staff will bring younger children from the entrance to their classroom. Parents and caregivers cannot accompany late children to their classrooms.

What’s the earliest I can drop off my child at school?

Due to Covid-19, early drop off for breakfast is no longer available. Please make sure to arrive by your scheduled drop off time and stay with your child until their teacher comes to pick the class up. 

Can I get a message to my child during the day?

The office staff cannot transfer you to your child’s teacher, but will happily relay a message. Please call 212-691-1183 prior to 1:45 as after which they must turn their attention to dismissal.

My child usually brings in lunch but sometimes likes to eat hot lunch. Is that ok?

Yes, all lunch is free at New York City public schools. All meals are prepared on-site in our kitchen. Because of COVID-19, meals will be “Grab and Go” cold meals that are prepackaged. There will be no hot lunch for the time being. Please note that the NYC DOE is not nut free. The monthly school menu can be found here.

How does PS3 pay for all its wonderful enrichment programs, like clay and music?

One word: community. PS3 holds many events, like the Antiquarian Book Fair, PS3 Auction, and PS3 Marathon Team, to build our community and raise money necessary for our enrichment programs. Our most important fundraiser is the Direct Drive,  referred to as 3Fund. We simply ask each PS 3 family to give what they can. Donations range from $10 to $3,000 and every dollar is equally appreciated and crucial in making PS 3 an amazing place for our children to learn.

What is an IEP?

Kids with delayed skills or other disabilities might be eligible for special services that provide individualized education programs in public schools, free of charge to families. Parents work with educators to develop a plan — the individualized education plan (IEP) — to help kids succeed in school. The IEP describes the goals the team sets for a child during the school year, as well as any special support needed to help achieve them.

What is an ICT class?

Integrated Collaborative Teaching or ICT classes pair a general ed and special ed teacher in a classroom that has up to 40 percent children with IEPs. Both sets of students benefit from the smaller student to teacher ratio.