A cozy neighborhood school in trendy East Williamsburg - 196WBMS The Williamsburg Bridge Magnet School for Communication and Media Arts is a warm and friendly place where students receive a well-rounded education and individualized attention from their teachers. The school has the feel of a close-knit community where everyone works diligently to infuse learning with a sense of fun. Through the magnet program, students have access to hands on project based learning experiences that include technology, the arts, cooking and more!
Dear District 14 Families, Community Members, Students and Staff:
The Asian-American community has been experiencing unprecedented acts of violence against innocent people across the country. While there has been a lot of media attention very recently in response to the heinous attacks against Asian American women in metro Atlanta this week, this is not a new phenomenon. There is fear among our Asian-American families who are an integral part of our school and district community. As the District 14, we strongly say that hatred and racism will not be tolerated against any member of our community. We stand together and for each other and our schools must be safe spaces for all our diverse students, all our staff and family members. Today and always, we stand strong with our Asian-American families.
The Department of Education issued the following response to anti-Asian violence:
“Bigotry, bias, and bullying have no place in our schools or our communities and we stand in solidarity with our Asian- American students and families. We are working with the NYPD and School Safety Division to increase patrols around specific schools and transportation hubs to ensure student safety and well-being as our city confronts the recent increase in anti-Asian violence. Our schools play an important role in educating students about how the diversity of our differences makes us stronger, and we commend our dedicated educators and schools’ staff for making sure students are physically and emotionally safe during this time.”
District 14 Principals and Assistant Principals issued their response:
“On behalf of CSA in District 14, our Principals, Assistant Principals and Education Administrators condemn the violence against all Asian-Americans. These targeted racial attacks against innocent citizens should not be the norm nor supported by any group. As active members of the District 14 community, citizens of this city, and educators, we are unified and steadfastly committed to embracing and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will not support divisive rhetoric that leads toward unwarranted brutality against any Asian-American citizen. These residents help us create the diverse tapestry that is District 14. Our commitment in District 14 is to care for one another, and to look out for each person's well-being. We actively work to cultivate an environment where everyone is welcome regardless of identity, background, or race.”
The United Federation of Teachers said in their statement for the District 14 community:
“The UFT stands with our Asian-American brothers and sisters. Hate-speech and racially motivated violence have no place in our community. Together - educators, students, parents - we must speak out against such brutality and work to build an inclusive, just and welcoming society.”
All District 14 leaders, teachers, parent coordinators and guidance counselors received resources and a toolkit developed in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, New York City Commission on Human Rights, and Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, the NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes with all of our Respect for All liaisons across the city - Stop COVID Hate: A Toolkit for Addressing Anti-Asian Bias, Discrimination, and Hate. This toolkit and additional resources provides comprehensive information and educational material for both bystanders and those targeted by bias- motivated incidents; and infographics, media, and other digital campaigns against hate. These tools are continuously updated and are regularly shared with all school communities.
As a District 14 community, we SAY NO TO HATE.
Alicja Winnicki, Superintendent
Iradies Munet, UFT Representative
James Brown, CSA Representative
As per the DOE announcement, In order for your child to return to in-person learning, you must submit the consent form for in-school COVID-19 testing. Mandatory in-school testing will happen weekly for a random selection of staff and students in all reopened school buildings. The consent form can be found here: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-year-20-21/return-to-school-2020/health-and-safety/covid-19-testing
View the Parent Handbook on our website - available in the top navigation bar.
Please visit our COVID-19 Plan page to find all the critical information about how P.S. 196K is changing the way we operate to reduce the risk of COVID infection. We are doing everything we can to make sure staff, students, and families are safe.
Stay up to date with the latest news on reopening by visiting the NYC DOE Return to School 2020 page.
Principal Colon
Dear 196WBMS Families,
Spring has finally arrived after a long cold, snowy winter. I hope you are enjoying the sunshine and warm weather. I know that March has been difficult due to having to quarantine for most of the month. The last day of the quarantine period is Friday, March 26th for the students that come into the school building. I wanted to provide you with important updates and new information.
I am excited to announce that our school will have a 3-K program next year! Please click here for virtual tour dates and information. We also hope to provide after-school programs for 3K and PreK during the 2021-2022 school year.
Remote students will be able to opt back into in-person learning beginning Wednesday, March 24, 2021 to April 7, 2021. In order to opt your child back into full time in person learning, you must complete the Learning Preference Survey online. All students must consent to weekly Covid testing. The start dates for these students to return to school will be announced shortly.
Graduation dates have been scheduled. We will offer 2 options for parents - a virtual ceremony and a live ceremony in the park outside. Parents will pick which ceremony they would like their child to take part in. The in person ceremony will follow all safety protocols and guidelines.
The dates are as follows:
Pre K- June14th- (Rain date -June 15th)
Kindergarten- June 16th- (Rain date- June 17th)
Grade 5- June 21st- (Rain date-June 22nd)
MS 582-June 23rd- (Rain date June 24th)
NYS ELA and Math Exams
NYSED has determined that it will not be possible to administer any of this year’s State assessments remotely and, if they occur, assessments will be “school-based” and “in-person.” If the assessment waiver request is not granted by USDE, for the Spring 2021, schools will be required to administer only Session 1 of the ELA and Mathematics Tests to students. Only student scores on the Session 1 test questions will contribute to students’ total scores for the tests. In addition, the Spring 2021 Session 1 tests have been reduced in length by the removal of the embedded multiple-choice field test questions. The 2020-21 Elementary- and Intermediate-Level Testing Schedule, posted on the Department’s website, has been amended to reflect that schools may use the entire testing window, Monday, April 19 –Thursday, April 29 for ELA and Monday, May 3 – Friday, May 14 for Mathematics.
More information is forthcoming!! Teachers will reach out to parents once we return from Spring Break
Once again thank you so much for all of your support and cooperation throughout this school year! We are so happy that you are part of our 196WBMS family!
Enjoy the spring break and stay well!
Best,
Janine Colon
