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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to questions frequently asked by PS29 families. We want to make sure you always know 
WHERE to go or WHO to talk to at PS 29! 
 
If you have a question that is not answered here, please
email parent coordinator Janet (Jeehyun) Cavanagh at
jcavanagh@ps29bk.org.

FAQ’s  for Current Families

FAQ’s for New Families

FAQs for Prospective Families

Ps 29 school building facade

Current Families FAQs

 

What time will the school day start this year?

The schedule for this school year will be as follows:

Pre-K: 8:28 am - 2:45 pm

Kindergarten: 8:30 am – 2:50 pm

Grades 1st–5th: 8:27 am – 2:50 pm

Please be sure to refer to our Arrival + Dismissal procedures for further details. 

Who is the parent coordinator?

Janet (Jeehyun) Cavanagh is our parent coordinator. She can be found greeting families at drop-off and pick-up. She is always available to answer any questions. Janet is the liaison between parents and the principal, administration, teachers and the DOE. You can always talk to Janet if you have any concerns, if you want to volunteer but don’t know where to start, or for anything at all!  You can drop by Janet's office in room 105 or email her at jcavanagh@ps29bk.org. Janet also sends out a weekly newsletter to keep you in the loop about all that goes on at PS 29 and posts photos and videos about all the great school events on our Instagram and  Facebook.

How do I get in touch with my child’s teacher?

Each teacher has a preference for keeping in touch and will let you know the best way to establish communication (e.g. notes via your child’s homework folder, email, phone).  If you have a specific concern about your child’s work or behavior in a specialty class such as library, music, science, chess or PE, speak with that teacher directly. Every teacher will share their PS29 email address.  If you are not sure what to do, speak with our parent coordinator, Janet Cavanagh. You can reach her at jcavanagh@ps29bk.org.

 

Who should I talk to if I have a concern or a question about my child’s education and experience at PS 29?

If you have any concerns about your child, talk to your teacher first before reaching out to anyone on the administration team. Your classroom teacher is the person that knows your child best at school, and strives to be a strong partner in your child's education. If you feel you need further assistance, you can contact one of our assistant principals. Dawn Pender is the assistant principal for 3rd to 5th grades and Halee Hochman is the assistant principal for grades Pre-K–2. You can always reach out to our parent coordinator Janet Cavanagh at jcavanagh@ps29bk.organd she can arrange a meeting with someone on the administration team. Our principal, Rebecca Fagin is also available to meet with parents. Call the office (718-330-9277) to arrange an appointment.

Can I ask for a change in my child’s class placement?

Our administration and teachers go through a very thoughtful process and work hard to make sure all classes are balanced. There are NO changes to classes.

Should I call the school if my child is absent?

No. When your child returns to school after one or two days, provide your classroom teacher with a note stating the date(s) of and reason for the absence (e.g. illness, family emergency, trip). When appropriate, include a doctor’s note. For extended absences, which should be avoided whenever possible, please contact your child's classroom teacher. 

I have a question related to the After School Program (PS 29 Plus), should I call the main office?

No. Please send all your PS 29 Plus questions to our after school program manager, Marie Isner. She can be reached at marie@ps29plus.com or call (917) 412-0054 (until 6:00 pm).

I am moving out of the PS 29 zone, can my child and her siblings still come to PS 29?

PS 29 is a zoned school and follows the DOE zoning priorities. If your child is applying for Pre-K, we only have 36 spots as of September 2024 and zoned siblings have first priority.  If you move out of the zone, you lose your zoned-sibling priority status. The same applies to Kindergarten, though in Kindergarten we do have more spots.  To find out more about zoning priorities, please visit our Registration page.

What is the Free Breakfast program and what time does it start?

Breakfast is served starting at 7:45 am. All students who come in early may be dropped off directly to the cafeteria where they will be encouraged to participate in our universal breakfast program. There are also board games during this time in the cafeteria.  School aides are present to supervise students. Pre-K and Kindergarten students are escorted by school aides to their classrooms. There is no need to register for the FREE breakfast program.

 

What is an ICT class? Why does the ICT class have two teachers?

In an Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) classroom, 60% of students are in general education and 40% have an individualized education plan (IEP). ICT classes have two teachers, one licensed in general education and one licensed in special education. Our inclusion classes provide the same curriculum as our other classes, with the added benefit of a higher staffing ratio and a great deal of support.

Children at PS 29 29 are likely, at some point in their school career, to be in an ICT class.

What is the total student population at PS 29?

We have about 720 students, but enrollment fluctuates so it is hard to give a number.

Can I park my scooter or skateboard in front of the school?

There are no scooters, skateboards or ripsticks allowed in the school building at any time. For safety reasons we ask that all scooters and skateboards be left outside in the “Scooter Parking” on the Baltic St. and Kane St. sides of the school. NO scooters should be left in the garden areas in front of the school. Please note that you are leaving your scooters and skateboards at your own risk and PS 29 is not responsible for lost or stolen objects. Many parents lock up these items.

 

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New Families FAQs 

We are so happy to welcome you to the PS 29 community! 

Here are answers to some questions frequently asked by new families:

When is the first day of school? 

The first day of school is Thursday, September 8th and is a full day for all students in grades Kindergarten-5th.  PreK students will have a half-day.

What time does the school day start and end? 

For Pre-K, the school day starts at 8:28 am and ends at 2:45 pm. The Kindergarten school day starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 2:50 PM.  For grades 1-5, the school day starts at 8:30AM and ends at 2:50PM, with dismissal in the schoolyard. Please read our detailed Arrival + Dismissal procedures for more information. 

 

Do I need to buy any school supplies before the first day of school? 

No, our teachers buy all school supplies in bulk, so you do not need to buy any school supplies except a backpack, and a lunch box if your child will be bringing lunch from home.  Our PTA will be sending a letter with more details on your suggested $65 contribution per student to cover the cost of school supplies. 

 

Is there school lunch available for students? 

You may choose to send a lunch from home or your child can have school lunch. Lunch is now FREE for every child. However, every family will receive a lunch form that MUST be filled out and returned in September, as required by the DOE. Kindergarten and 1st grade have lunch and recess from 11:00-12:00 daily. 

Is there an early drop-off option for students?

Yes, all students can be dropped off at school, in the cafeteria, starting at 7:45 AM in the morning. Children can enjoy a free breakfast if they are dropped off early. There is no need to register for early drop-off or breakfast, and there is no charge for this.

When will I know which class and teacher my child has been assigned to?

You will be receiving a class placement email at the beginning of September, followed by an email from your child's new teacher a few days later.  If you have not received your class placement by the Tuesday before school begins, please contact our Parent Coordinator, Janet (Jeehyun) Cavanagh at jcavanagh@ps29bk.org. 

Can I ask for a specific teacher or a request a change of class?

Our administration and teachers go through a very thoughtful process and work hard to make sure all

classes are balanced. There are no changes to class assignments

Is there an after school program at PS 29? How and when do I register my child?

Yes, PS 29 has a PTA-run after school program called PS 29 Plus, which offers Kids Club (after school childcare) and Courses (enrichment classes).  Please visit PS29Plus.com for in depth information about Courses and Kids Club programming.  Please send all after school inquiries to info@ps29lus.com.

 

Have questions about how to help your child transition to school? 

 

Transitioning To School - This is a handout with tips to help your child transition to elementary school, put together by former PS29 parent and  LCSW-R, Maura Sheehy.

If you have any other questions or need assistance with anything related to PS 29, please feel free to email our Parent Coordinator, Janet (Jeehyun) Cavanagh, at jcavanagh@ps29bk.org

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Prospective Families FAQs

 

Do I have to live in the PS 29 zone to attend?

Yes, PS 29 is a zoned school that follows DOE zoned schools policies. 

The list below shows the order applicants are considered for placement by the DOE.

  1. Zoned students whose verified siblings will be enrolled in grades K-5 in the school in September of the school year the sibling would start to attend school at PS 29. 

  2. Zoned students without siblings in the school;

  3. Students whose verified siblings will be enrolled in grades K-5 in the school in September 2018 who are not zoned to the school but are residents of the district.

 

How do I find out if I am zoned for PS 29?

Use the NYCDOE School Finder and enter your address in the “School Search” form to find out your zoned school.

 

I live in the PS 29 zone, do I have a guaranteed spot in Pre-K?

Unfortunately, no.  PS 29 only has 36 Pre-K spots and we have many more applicants than spots. Applicants are considered using the priorities listed above. Seats are often filled with zoned sibling families.

I live in the PS 29 zone, will my child have a spot in Kindergarten?

As more families move to the PS 29 zone, it is hard to determine if we will be able to take all our zoned Kindergarten students for the next school year.

 

Does PS 29 have a school tour?

Yes, PS 29 holds one school tour during the fall.  Please see our School Tours page. The date is posted on our website after the start of the school year.

 

I missed the PS 29 tour, could I schedule a private tour?

We only allow visits during our official school tour.  We are unable to accommodate requests for private tours as it disrupts the school day.

What specialty classes does the school offer?

We have wonderful, dedicated specialty teachers who facilitate enriching classes in Art, Science, Library and Technology, Physical Education and Music. Please visit our Academics page for further details.

We are moving to NYC from abroad, what do we do to register?

Please contact parent coordinator Janet (Jeehyun) Cavanagh jcavanagh@ps29bk.org if you are moving from a different city or a different country. She can help you navigate the system and answer any questions.

 

We are applying to PS 29 but are coming from a private school where the birthdate cut-off is different. Can I request that my child be placed in a different grade than the one specified by the DOE’s birthday cut-off date?

The DOE has strict rules regarding birthday cut-off dates and the system will not allow us to register a child outside the required birthdate for Pre-K and Kindergarten.  In grades 1st through 5th, we assess the placement of the child on a case-by-case basis and use the report card of the last grade the child attended as a reference point.

 

Do you have an after school program?

Yes. The PS29+ After School Program is a fun, safe, enriching experience for all PS29 students. Offerings include Kids Club – a scheduled, supervised aftercare program, and a wide range of PS29+ Courses for K – 5th Graders, taught by PS29 teachers and professional partners, which cover a variety of interests. 

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