Due to recent increases in COVID-19 cases in New York City, the city is now at a COVID-19 high (orange) alert level. This means there is significant spread of COVID-19 in the city. Thank you, as always, for doing your part to keep our MS74 Community safe!
With the developing situation in Ukraine following invasion by the Russian Federation, we all may find ourselves with the same questions that arise when international conflicts, war, or humanitarian crises make the news: Why is this happening? To what extent is the U.S. involved? How will this impact me? Are we safe?
As often is the case, some of these questions are easier to answer than others. What we all agree on, is that schools must be places where students feel safe to bring up ideas and engage in productive conversations to help them make meaning. To that end, below is a Resource Guide that is meant to help us better understand the current issues and events surrounding the geopolitical tensions developing over Ukraine involving the Russian Federation, the United States, the United Kingdom, and others. The resources in this guide not only provide context and understanding of the invasion currently unfolding across the media landscape, but also of the broader conflict informing and shaping the events that have transpired.
It is our sincere hope that the entire TEAM 74 family will embrace the many teachable moments and opportunities for learning that can hopefully bring about positive changes. In that spirit, we wanted to highlight some resources that may be helpful for families looking to continue this conversation with your children at home:
Parents - Please sign up for PupilPath if you have not already. MS74 uses PupilPath as a method of communication between teachers-staff-families AND it is a tool for parents-students to access the most up-to-date grade and attendance information.
If you have issues logging in or do not have a user name and password yet, please contact our parent coordinator, Ms. JC DiCicco at jdicicco@schools.nyc.gov
See the amazing artwork of our studio art students by following them on Instagram: Code A Major Art on Instragram.
The NYC Department of Education is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and/or bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination on account of actual or perceived race, color, age, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, or weight.
The NYCDOE Respect for All (RFA) program was launched to build the capacity of staff and students to actively promote a community of inclusion in each of our schools. The importance of promoting respect for diversity in our daily practice is vital to creating and sustaining an inclusive school climate and culture in each of our schools so that all students feel valued, supported and safe.
MS 74 has proudly been a Respect for All School since 2013
I’m valuable.
I will take care of myself, my school and my community;
I pledge to respect myself and at all times have the best interest of others in mind.
I will give my teachers and peers the respect and gratitude which is their due;
I will not bully, and will not be a bystander ; instead I will forever stand up for the victims of bullying.
Short description of what my poster means to me:
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see,” states Edgar Degas, a French Artist. I believe that this sentence perfectly summarizes my intentions with my poster. Less is more in this case. I incorporated heavy symbolism that doesn’t need words to describe what I am trying to convey. From the color scheme to the location of the background text, my poster establishes a strong theme using the most minimum of techniques. Although it looks simple, my poster makes a person stop and think about its message. No words are necessary, and silence is golden. That’s the beauty of art.
From Bystanders to Allies
Flashing back to last year, in the sixth grade, during the summer time, my friends and I decided to match bathing suits at the pool. Disregarding my body structure, my 2 friends and I walked near the deep end. Before jumping in, I remember my friend turning to me with her hand on her mouth, whispering in my ear, “You should not wear that type of bathing suit, it does not look good on your body.” Reluctantly giggling along with her, despite feeling the shatter of my heart, I started to stretch out my skin, which I forced myself were rolls of fat, and sucked my stomach in. Forcing a smile, Ava (made up name)peered over at us after hearing us exchange laughs. Wondering why I was laughing and would not defend myself she quickly added, “Why would you say something like that.” Emily (made up name) responded, “We are joking.” In disbelief Ava explained that jokes should not be used to an extent where you make someone feel insecure based on their appearance. She then claimed that every body is beautiful despite their differences in any aspect. Carefully listening and taking into account everything Ava had mentioned, I perceived that I should have spoken up and said something in regards to how I felt in response to what Emily said. This also applies to anytime someone says something offensive about others’ appearance, personality, or makes an unnecessary and offensive comment on something that is different about them. As people made in the image of God, we should all conceive of our differences and our unique characteristics and understand that those make us up and are valuable parts of us! I clenched my eyes tightly struggling to visualize my home screen that read, “Be proud of who you are, and not ashamed of how someone else sees you.”
Bullying is an everyday problem that people all over the world either spectate or take part in daily, which is damaging to the mental health of people. We need to start addressing these situations, and taking action in these scenarios, whether you see bullying online or verbally.
Please click the link below to view the 2020-2021 Respect for All Parent and Student Letter
For more information on the RFA Anti-Bullying Essay and Poster Contest, please see the link below. Submissions can be uploaded to your grade specific Respect for All Google Classroom page. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Benson.
For the Respect for All: Making Schools Safe and Supportive presentation, please click the link below
For the Respect for All: Parents as Partners presentation, please click the link below
For the Respect for All: Understanding and Preventing Sexual Harassment presentation, please click the link below
