P.S. 81 Robert J. Christen School

At PS 81 we want all students to be engaged and feel safe every day. Student cell phones and smart watches have led to social and academic distractions. For this reason, PS 81 teachers will begin to implement smart device policies school-wide.

Students will have personal smart devices collected by their classroom teacher each morning. These devices will be placed in a designated locked area in the classroom and returned to students at the end of the day. We understand that many families may need to communicate dismissal and other changes for their child during the day. Any communication should be done by calling the main office.

Family support is essential to the success of PS 81’s smart device policy. Be sure to review the policy as a family. Consider:
- Proactively talking with your student about after school plans, lunch planning, appointments, or activities in advance of arrival to school.
- Reminding your student that you can reach them in case of an emergency through the school office.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in facilitating a safe and supportive learning environment.

In addition, we will be conducting a virtual safety meeting on Wednesday, September 18th at 6:00 pm. The school's safety protocols are our number one priority. We feel it is important that we communicate these protocols with our entire school community. We will share a link for the meeting next week.

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We are so proud of how well our students have transitioned into the 2024-2025 school year! Thank you for your support and patience during the first two days.

Starting Monday, 9/9 our doors will open at 7:50 am for arrival. It is expected that students be with their teacher at 8:00 am. We encourage all students to be on time.
-Kindergarten, first and second grade students will enter through the door on 256th street. Students who arrive after 8:00 am will have to enter through the main door. This structure has to be in place to ensure safety for all students.
-Third, fourth and fifth grade will continue to enter through the main door on Riverdale Ave.

During the school day, please contact the main office for routine concerns. For example, changes in dismissal patterns, student absences, student account questions, etc. Please inform the main office of any dismissal changes by 1:30 pm.

Our Back to School Night is Thursday, September 12, 2024. During this evening, teachers will provide families with an overview of the curriculum and review the structures and events for the year. Teachers will provide the same presentation for their families from 4:30-5:00, 5:00-5:30 and 6:30-7:00. Our cluster teachers (art, physical education, music, Spanish and science) will present their curriculum from 5:30-6:30. Both teachers and clusters will send the links to join their presentations next week.

* DISMISSAL *
- Every day there will be a staggered dismissal. Please see the times below:
* Kindergarten - 2:05 dismissed in the school yard
* 1st and 2nd grade - 2:10 dismissed through exits on Riverdale Ave
* 3rd, 4th and 5th grade - 2:15 dismissed through exits on Riverdale Ave
- Please inform your child’s teacher how they will be dismissed on the first day of school.
- There is NO late room, so please be on time to pick up your child every day.

Click Here to find your child's Supply List for the 2024-25 School Year

There is an APP for you to access your New York City Schools Account NYSCA

NYC DOE 2024-2025 School Calendar

NYC DOE 2025-2026 School Calendar

Click Here to see ALL Correspondence from Mrs. Kirrane & The NYC Schools Chancellor