News For TAPCo Parents
January 31, 2023
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Dear TAPCo Parents & Family Members,
Today marks the beginning of a new semester! It's time to set new goals as a school community so that all of our students finish the year strong as prepared as they can be for the next leg of their educational journey. I want to bring to your attention the very important topics of attendance, New York State tests, and safety.
Attendance Matters
By coming to school and attending class regularly, your child is more likely to keep up with daily lessons and assignments and take quizzes and tests on time.
Research has shown that your child's regular attendance may be the greatest factor influencing their academic success.
The New York City Department of Education defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10% or more of school over the course of an academic year for any reason (excused or unexcused) which is 2 days missed per month.
TAPCo has created incentives for students who have borderline chronic absenteeism which include trips, pizza parties, and a special program call the CHAMPS program.
The CHAMPS program officially begins on Tuesday morning February 14th at 8:20 am. There are 85 students in the CHAMPS program. TAPCo teachers have volunteered to have breakfast and have supportive conversations with students who are borderline chronically absent. Parents will receive an email later this week from me if their child is in the CHAMPS program including who the staff member is that will be supporting your child.
If your child is the CHAMPS program, please send them to school for breakfast with their CHAMPION teacher beginning Tuesday February 14th at 8:20 AM.
The CHAMPS program has been at TAPCo in years prior to great success. It will:
- Build a caring a supportive relationship.
- Encourage your child to grow as an individual and identify their strengths
- Help your child find ways to solve problems that do not create new ones
- Ensure that your child is comfortable and knowledgeable about our school setting
- Introduce your child to all TAPCo activities and support them in accessing our programs.
New York State Academic Tests
Beginning in February, we will share with all students and parents the dates for NY State test prep which will take place after school and on Saturdays. I strongly encourage all families to take advantage of these additional opportunities to prepare for NY State exams.
Below, please find the calendars for Middle and High School testing.
MIDDLE SCHOOL TEST DATES
NYSAA English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science
Monday, March 13 – Friday, June 9
Grades 3-8 English Language Arts
Wednesday, April 19 – Friday, April 21
Grades 3-8 Mathematics
Tuesday, May 2 – Thursday, May 4
NYSESLAT Speaking
Monday, April 17 – Friday, May 26
NYSESLAT Listening, Reading, Writing
Monday, May 15 – Friday, May 26
Grade 8 Science Performance Test
Tuesday, May 23 – Friday, June 2
Grade 8 Science Written Test
Monday, June 5
HIGH SCHOOL
U.S. History
June 1
Living Environment
June 14
Global History II
June 15
Earth Science
June 16th
Geometry
June 20
Algebra II / Trigonemtry
June 21
Physics
June 22
Safety
Schools across the country have experienced challenges with upticks in disruptive behaviors. To be as prepared as possible, the following are important points:
- Please make sure that your child takes appropriate action during all drills and announcements for directed action to keep them safe.
- Make sure that you a NYSCA account so that we can reach you in the event of an emergency. Please call Parent Coordinator Roque Bonilla if you need assistance in setting up an account. He can be reached at 718-584-0832 extension extension 3500 or rbonilla@schools.nyc.gov.
Parent Association President Jacqueline Artis Abreu with her daughter TAPCo Senior Mia Abreu!
Parent Dinner and a Concert!
At the dinner, PA President Jacqueline Abreu and Parent Coordinator Roque Bonilla will present to TAPCo parents about why it's important to become involved in the TAPCo parent association. Some of the reasons include:
- Learning about what's happening at TAPCo for the remainder of the school year.
- Organizing special events based on TAPCo parent interests and needs.
- Discovering resources at TAPCo for families.
- Becoming part of a network of parents to share ideas, concerns, and experiences.
- Advocating for parent needs related to your role in raising your child.
- Attending workshops that are being offered at TAPCo through June.
Tuesday, Feb 7, 2023, 05:00 PM
TAPCo- 2190 Folin Street, The Bronx, NY, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Upcoming Parent Association Meetings
Click on this Zoom link to virtually join the 6 pm Thursday meetings below.
January 26, 2023
February 16, 2023
March 30, 2023
April 27 ,2023
May 25, 3023
June 22, 2023