Principal's Message

This year has presented many challenges for our school community and in particular for our students. We have experienced the effects of Covid-19, racial bias, and civil unrest in our country. Throughout it all, we have worked to support each other in the P.S.160 community. Our teachers moved from in person teaching to remote teaching without pause or hesitation, creating on-line classrooms which allowed our students to continue to learn at home. We supplied devices to every student who needed one and learned so much as we continued to provide a quality education, whether in-person or remotely, based on rigorous standards. In addition, we have supported our students and their families emotionally and socially. Social Emotional Learning is woven into every subject throughout the day and your child’s well-being is at the core of what we do. We are teaching our students the importance of self-care as well as the importance of being inclusive and culturally responsive. Our goal is to educate our students to make the world a better place. 

In addition to Social Emotion Learning, our school priority this year is to increase students' progress and reading ability using text-based evidence with an emphasis on academic vocabulary. In every classroom there are materials to support this goal. Our curriculum is very rigorous and challenges students daily to learn new words and use them in their writing and speaking. Students are reminded each morning to learn new amazing facts while they work and share their learning with their friends.

You can help your child by encouraging him/her to read more and to gather new words and information. We have purchased many websites to assist your child in finding reading materials.  Ask your child what they are reading and what they have learned. Urge them to speak to you about what they love about school and their concerns. Make sure they know who they should speak to if they are upset at school or in a virtual classroom. If you do not speak English, have these conversations in your home language. The purpose is to get the children talking. Please try to attend the monthly Parent Teacher Association meetings and workshops. There is valuable information shared during these sessions. You may also consider attending our Saturday ENL classes to help parents and guardians become fluent in the English language. 

As I have stated at all our PTA meetings, it is so important for the school and our families to work together. We are encouraging your child to work hard, and we are laying the foundation for them to graduate from college and contribute to their community. We cannot do this without our school families working with us. Please feel free to call

(718-438-0337) or email (mrusso@schools.nyc.gov) me with any questions, concerns or things you want to share about your child. Thank you again for entrusting your children to us every day. We are committed to working with you to ensure they receive a high-quality education which prepares them for the future.

Mrs. Margaret Russo