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!
The NYC Department of Education has issued their guidance on returning to school for the 2021-2022 school year. Please visit their website to learn more about health and safety, Covid-19 testing in schools and other important information for families.
View the Parent Handbook on our website - available in the top navigation bar.
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
