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Please be advised of a policy change regarding New York City Public School (NYCPS) student devices. Students must return any NYCPS issued educational technology devices (iPads, Chromebooks, laptops, etc.) to P.S. 56 Norwood Heights School .

Collecting these devices will allow us to assess device condition, address any necessary repairs and maintenance, update device software and operating systems, and prepare for distribution at the start of the new school year.

We want to assure you that if a student lacks a personal device at home and needs a school-issued device to complete their schoolwork, one will be assigned from the new school they attend. If the student is returning back to P.S. 56 in September, they will receive their device back to continue using for the new school year.

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or Mr. Kazi via email at akazi2@schools.nyc.gov or call 845-581-0056 (Please leave a text or voice message if unable to speak directly).

Note: If your child received any NYCPS devices during Pre-K through 5th grade, it remains recorded in the DOE system that it was assigned to them. It is best to return the device at the end of the school year to ensure the record is updated to reflect the status of the device. If a device in your posession is damaged, missing or stolen, please let your child's teacher know promtly so that you can get the help and guidance you need in addressing those issues.

Principal's Corner

Principal’s Message

Dearest P.S. 56 School Family,

Happy Summer Everyone! An amazing school year has ended, and preparations for our new school year have already begun. The last weeks of June were overflowing with an abundance of special and memorable events. The final days were extra-special as we celebrated our sensational grade 5 students - the Class of 2025. Our Closing Exercise ceremonies were absolutely beautiful and were perfect celebrations of our amazing grade 5 students! Our gymnatorium was overflowing with so much joy and love. The standing ovation our students received in recognition of their resilience and dedication to excellence was so well-deserved. Our pride and love are immeasurable!

And this pride and love extends to all our students, grades K - 5! They have been incredible super stars this entire school year! I have watched them in awe this entire school year. They filled every moment of every school day with joyful learning, and they have all grown in leaps and bounds this year as learners. They have also formed lasting friendships and strong positive relationships with peers and staff. #BestStudentsEver!

Our 2024-2025 school year ended with a very important and very special announcement from the NYC DOE. Ms. Tashima Nole has been selected as a Big Apple District Champion for the 2025–2026 school year. As a Big Apple District Champion Ms. Nole is being recognized for her leadership both inside and outside the classroom, as well as for her dedication to academic excellence and commitment to student academic and social emotional success. This awesome announcement was truly a glorious way to end our 2024~2025 School Year! And our amazing Ms. Nole is so deserving of this recognition and honor. We are looking forward to celebrating with her when we return in September!

Below are some important reminders and updates:

Report cards are available on your child’s New York City Student Account (NYCSA).

Kindergarten registration and registration for new students grades 1 - 5 will resume the week of August 25, 2025, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Research shows that all children are at-risk of losing some of what they have learned this past school year during summer vacation. Researchers call it the summer slide, but there are some ways we can help our children avoid any significant loss of learning.

* Encourage our children to read every day and to read books and stories that they enjoy. Twenty to thirty minutes a day can support our children’s reading skills while also supporting their lifelong love of reading. This includes listening to a story too!

* Games and puzzles are a great way for our children to strengthen their critical thinking skills while also having lots of FUN!

* Outdoor activities provide an opportunity for all of us to turn off our devices and enjoy the summer sun, while engaging in conversations that strengthen our children’s listening and speaking skills.

As a grandmother, I know the most important summer assignment for our children is to HAVE FUN with family and friends! Those fun moments will become lifelong cherished memories! Our children have worked hard all year and we want them to have a summer vacation overflowing with R & R, laughter, and fun in the sun!

Your child’s class assignment and teacher for the 2025-2026 school year will be shared with you via email on Friday, August 29.

The 2025-2026 School Year officially begins for all students on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

Please note: For the first two days of school, our kindergarten students will arrive in our school yard at 9:00 a.m. on September 4 and September 5 to support their transition into their new academic home away from home. This delayed arrival time on September 4 and September 5 is only for our kindergarten students.

Breakfast will be served every day in all our classrooms.

Dismissal times are as follows:

Kindergarten: 2 p.m.

Grade 1: 2:10 p.m.

Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5: 2:20 p.m.

Hot and cold lunches are prepared and served by our P.S. 56 Top Chefs every day.

Breakfasts-To-Go are available every morning for all our students and are eaten in our classrooms.
You can continue to contact me throughout the summer with any questions, concerns and/or suggestions you might have at 1-914-570-4527. My email address is mbyrneoneil@schools.nyc.gov.

From my heart to your hearts - thank you everyone! I know I have THE best job in the world because I work with THE best staff in the world, and together we serve THE best students and THE best families in the world! I am so blessed! Together we truly did come so very far. And together is truly the most wonderful place to be! I wish you all the most wonder-filled summer. May it be especially happy and healthy. May it be overflowing with the best of times with family and friends, and may every moment become a cherished memory. You are loved and appreciated more than words can ever say.

Fondly,

Maureen O’Neill

Principal

Contact Information

Principal 914-570-4527

Main Office 718-920-1100

Parent Coordinator 347-685-5983

School Nurse: 718-920-1100 x1011

School Based Support Team: 718-920-1100 x5104

Guidance Office: 718-920-1100 x5022

DOE Help Desk: 718-935-5100

Technology Support: 845-581-0056

Parent Coordinator: Sherica Martinez

Email: smartinez103@schools.nyc.gov

Parent Association Executive Board:

Email: 10x056PA@schools.nyc.gov

President: TBD

Recording Secretary: Estefany Rodriguez

Treasurer: TBD

Title 1 Representative: TBD

Title 1 Alternate: TBD

Parent Flyers & Updates

Quick Links

Mission Statement

“Our mission is to educate the whole child, develop his/her self-esteem, social responsibility; sense of community; values, mental and physical health, citizenship, and instill a life-long love of reading and learning. We will accomplish our mission through cooperative planning, both short and long-term, parent and community involvement, and respect for all members of the PS 56 community. It is our goal to make our school an exciting place to learn and work.”