P.S. 128K The Bensonhurst School

Announcements

• REMINDER: NOVEMBER 6 is a HALF DAY. PICK UP IS PROMPTLY AT 11:20 A.M. FOR ALL STUDENTS.

  JCH AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM WILL NOT BE PICKING UP STUDENTS AT 11:20 A.M. 

  P.S. 128K Bensonhurst

• The Leader in Me

  What is The Leader in Me™?

  The Leader in Me™ is a whole-school transformation model that acts like the operating system of a computer — it improves performance of all other programs. Based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®, The Leader in Me™ produces transformational results such as higher academic achievement, fewer discipline problems, and increased engagement among teachers and parents. Better yet, The Leader in Me™ equips students with the self-confidence and skills they need to thrive in the 21st century economy.

  What would be possible if our school was filled with students who were responsible, who showed initiative, who were creative, who knew how to set goals and meet them, who got along with people of various backgrounds and cultures, and who could resolve conflicts and solve problems? That is exactly what we’re going to achieve using The Leader in Me™ program.

  The Leader in Me™ program teaches the following 7 Habits: 1.  Be Proactive 2.  Begin with the End in Mind 3.  Put First Things First 4.  Think Win-Win 5.  Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood 6.  Synergize 7.  Sharpen the Saw

  Parent’s Guide to The Leader in Me

  This guide is an excellent resource for families of students at Leader in Me schools. It provides information about the 7 Habits and Parent-Child Activities for each Habit along with book lists and web resources. 

  P.S. 128K Bensonhurst

• The Middle School Application is Now Open for 5th Grade Families!

  You can browse and select your choices in MySchools to build your application.  Check your email and your child's backpack for updates regarding open houses, fairs, and testing/audition options. 

  P.S. 128K Bensonhurst

• Crisis or Traumatic Event

  General Overview - Crisis or Traumatic Event

  A school crisis can disrupt the normal functioning of students and staff, thereby requiring immediate response and support. Examples of crises include: bereavement caused by the death of a loved one or community member, a catastrophic environmental event, or a threat to physical safety.

  Suicide Awareness and Prevention

  NYC Public School-Based Efforts:

  • In accordance with Chancellor’s Regulation A-755(Open external link), NYC Public Schools are required to designate a full-time staff member from the school’s crisis team to serve as a Suicide Prevention Liaison.
  • In addition, the Suicide Liaison Poster(Open external link) identifies the school's Suicide Prevention Liaison and highlights resources to hep recognize signs and symptoms, reduce stigma, and where to go for help (including the new national suicide and crisis lifeline, 988). 

  Know the Facts - Recognizing the Warning Signs of Suicide

  Are you concerned that someone you know may be at risk for suicide? Your first step in helping may be as simple as learning FACTS or the warning signs of suicide. The following signs may mean that someone is at risk for suicide.

  • Feelings: Expressing hopelessness about the future.
  • Actions: Displaying severe/overwhelming pain or distress.
  • Changes: Showing worrisome behavioral cues or marked changes in behavior. Threats: Talking about, writing about, or making plans for suicide.
  • Situations: Experiencing stressful situations such as loss, change, personal humiliation, trouble at home, in school, or with the law.

  SUICIDE CAN BE PREVENTABLE!

  If you or anyone you know are experiencing any of these warning signs, please reach out to your child’s school suicide liaison, school counselor, or school administrator.

  External Agencies/Resources:

  • National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988>
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  • Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips for Parents & Educators (National Association of School Psychologists
  • Samaritans Suicide Prevention Center: NYC Guide to Suicide Prevention, Services & Resources
  • School Mental Health
  • Suicide Prevention Resource Center
  • The Trevor Project – provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people. Text (678-678), chat or call (1-866-488-7386) anytime to reach a trained counselor.

  Supporting your Child in a Crisis

  One of the difficulties that parents experience during crises is that they have not had adequate time to deal with their own reactions when they are called upon to help their child. Here are some of the things you can do to help your child deal with the impact of a crisis:

  • encourage your child to express their feelings through talking, drawing, and playing
  • be attentive and encourage your child to ask questions
  • offer support as your child interprets the events
  • find out what your child may be thinking and feeling in reaction to the traumatic event
  • be direct and give honest information
  • reassure your child that you will do everything possible to ensure their safety and that other adult authority figures (elected officials, school officials, the police) will do the same
  • do not flood your child with too many television images of the tragic event
  • acknowledge normal feelings and reactions
  • encourage healthy ways to cope

  The resources below can support you and your family through a crisis. Every school is required to have a Crisis Team. If additional support is needed, you may contact your child’s counselor and/or the crisis team at your child’s school.

  Crisis Support Referrals and Resources

  • 988 is New York City’s free, confidential support, crisis intervention, and information and referral service for anyone seeking help for mental health and/or substance misuse concerns, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
  • Crisis Text Line(Open external link) connects you with a trained crisis counselor for free 24/7. Text HOME to 741-741.
  • Health Information Tools for Empowerment (HITE)(Open external link) is a resource for medical, mental health and related services in New York.
  • Communilife(Open external link) services include "Life is Precious," a Latina Suicide Prevention Program, and the VIDA Guidance Center.
  • The Trevor Project(Open external link) provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people. Text (678-678), chat or call (1-866-488-7386) anytime to reach a trained counselor.
  • The Samaritans of New York(Open external link) offers a Suicide Prevention Hotline, which can be reached at 212-673-3000, 24 hours/7 days.

  Natural Disasters

  • Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event(Open external link)
  • What You Should Know About Hurricanes(Open external link)

  Shootings and Violent Tragedies in the News

  • Guide: Talking to Kids about Tragedies (such as school shootings and terror attacks) in the News(Open external link)
  • Tips for Parents to Help Children Manage Distress After School Shootings(Open external link)
  • Talking to Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers(Open external link)

  Trauma

  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network(Open external link)
  • Helping Children Exposed to Shocking Events

   

  P.S. 128K Bensonhurst

• Respect for All

  Respect for All in NYC Public Schools

  Each student and staff member brings to our public school community the richness of our city’s cultural diversity and the desire for respect.

  It is the policy of the Department to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and/or bullying and from discrimination on account of actual or perceived race, color, citizenship/immigration status, religion, creed, national origin, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or weight. The policy prohibits such behavior by students against other students and by staff against students.

  Respect: esteem for or sense of worth or excellence of a person; proper acceptance or courtesy; regard for the dignity of another’s character; acknowledgment; the condition of being esteemed or honored; to show regard or consideration for another.

  Such discrimination, harassment, intimidation and/or bullying is prohibited in school, during school hours, before or after school, while on school property, at school sponsored events, or while traveling on vehicles funded by the Department of Education.

  It is also prohibited on other than school property when such behavior disrupts or would foreseeably disrupt the educational process or endangers or would foreseeably endanger the health, safety, morality or welfare of the school community.

  This Frequently Asked Questions is a resource for students and parents about how to report incidents, the investigation process, and supports and interventions to prevent and address student-to-student sexual harassment and student-to-student gender-based harassment, bullying, intimidation, and/or discrimination.

   

  Respect for All

  Students who believe they have been the victim of harassment, discrimination, intimidation and/or bullying by another student or by a staff member, and all students who see or know of such behavior, should report the incident to a school staff member immediately.

  It is the policy of the Department of Education to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and/or bullying and from discrimination on account of actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability or weight.

  The policy prohibits such behavior by students against other students and by staff against students. Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited, to: physical violence; verbal or physical conduct that threatens another with harm; hazing; taunting; exclusion from peer groups designed to humiliate or isolate; using derogatory or discriminatory language to humiliate or harass. This policy is set forth in Chancellor’s Regulations and the Citywide Standards of Intervention and Discipline Measures (The Discipline Code.)

  Staff members who witness or learn about harassment, discrimination, bullying and/or intimidating behavior will take appropriate action to intervene to stop such behavior, including promptly reporting the behavior to appropriate school staff within one school day. Students who engaged in prohibited behavior are subject to appropriate intervention and disciplinary action consistent with the Citywide Behavioral Expectations to Support Student Learning (Discipline Code) and Chancellor’s Regulation A-443.

  To report an incident

  If you need help because someone has discriminated against, harassed, bullied or intimidated you, or if you have concerns about such behavior, you can submit a complaint online at: https://www.nycenet.edu/bullyingreporting or call 718-935-2288 or email RespectForAll@schools.nyc.gov.

  Respect for All Sexual Harassment

  Each student in NYC public schools brings to our school community the richness of our city’s cultural diversity and the desire for respect. It is the policy of the New York City Department of Education to maintain a safe and supportive learning and educational environment that is free from sexual harassment committed by students against other students. Such harassment is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated.

  It is a violation of Chancellor’s A-831 Regulation and the Citywide Standards of Discipline and Intervention Measures for a student to harass another student through conduct or communication of a sexual nature, as defined below.

  Students found guilty of violating this regulation will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action consistent with the Discipline Code and Chancellor’s Regulation A-443. (Sexual harassment of a student by an employee is prohibited, as set forth in Chancellor’s Regulation A-830.)

  This policy is in effect on school grounds, school buses and at all school sponsored activities, programs and events.

  A copy of Chancellor’s Regulations and the Discipline Code are available in the principal’s office and online at https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/rules-for-students/discipline-code

  What is sexual harassment?

  Student-to-student sexual harassment is conduct and/or communication by a student directed against another student. It may be unwelcome and uninvited sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct and other verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature which is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent to:

  • substantially interfere with a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program, school sponsored activity or any other aspect of a student’s education; or
  • create a hostile, offensive, or intimidating school environment; or
  • otherwise adversely affect a student’s educational opportunities.

  Such behavior can constitute sexual harassment whether it is directed at persons of the same or opposite sex.

  What are some examples of banned behaviors?

  Sexually harassing behavior may take many forms, including but not limited to:

  • engaging in physical conduct of a sexual nature such as patting, pinching, grabbing, brushing up against another person in a sexual way;
  • making sexual comments, remarks, insults, and/ or jokes;
  • displaying, or distributing sexually oriented or suggestive objects, pictures, drawings;
  • making obscene gestures; pressuring for sexual activity; spreading rumors of a sexual nature;
  • engaging in sexually violent or coercive behavior (assault, rape).
  • engaging in a pattern of threatened or actual physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse to control a dating partner

  What should you do if you believe you have been sexually harassed?

  It is the responsibility of each principal to designate a staff member to whom reports of student-to-student sexual harassment can be made.

  Any student who believes that she/he has been the victim of sexual harassment by another student should immediately report the incident to the designated staff member or to any other school staff.

  Complaints should be reported as soon as possible after the incident(s) so they can be effectively investigated and addressed.

  Complaints of harassment may be made verbally or in writing using the Student Complaint/Reporting Form (A-831 and A-832).

  • Student and Parent Complaint - Reporting Form  available in:
    • English

      EnglishDocument
      (Open external link)
    • Español

      SpanishDocument
      (Open external link)
    • العربية

      ArabicDocument
      (Open external link)
    • বাংলা

      BanglaDocument
      (Open external link)
    • 中文 - 繁體

      Chinese TraditionalDocument
      (Open external link)
    • Français

      FrenchDocument
      (Open external link)
    • Kreyòl

      Haitian CreoleDocument
      (Open external link)
    • 한국어

      KoreanDocument
      (Open external link)
    • Русский

      RussianDocument
      (Open external link)
    • اُردُو

      UrduDocument
      (Open external link)

  Any staff member who witnesses student-to-student sexual harassment or who has knowledge or information or receives notice that a student may have been the victim of such behavior by another student is required to promptly verbally report the alleged act to the Sexual Harassment Prevention liaison or to the principal/designee within one (1) school day and submit the above form describing the incident to the RFA liaison or the principal/designee no later than two (2) school days after making the verbal report.

  What happens to a student who sexually harasses another student?

  The Department of Education prohibits this behavior. Students who violate the Discipline Code will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action as outlined in the Citywide Standards and Chancellor’s Regulation A-831.

  What happens after a complaint is made?

  All reports of sexual harassment will be investigated as soon as possible, but not later than five days after the complaint is made. The principal/designee must take the investigative steps as stated in Chancellor’s Regulation A-831.

  If the principal believes that the alleged conduct constitutes criminal activity, she/he must contact the police. Following completion of the investigation, the principal must issue a written report of his/her findings. This report must be issued within ten school days of receipt of the complaint. The school shall report the results of its investigation of each complaint filed under these procedures in writing to the complainant in accordance with state and federal laws regarding data or records privacy and consistent with the privacy of the alleged harasser.

  The report shall include a determination of whether the allegations have been substantiated and whether they appear to be violations of Chancellor’s Regulation A-831.

  What help is available for students? 

  The student who is victimized, the student who engages in the prohibited behavior, and student witnesses are entitled to receive appropriate supports and interventions, which may include referral to separate school based counseling and/or community-based agencies for counseling, support, and education. These supports can be provided before, during and after the school's investigation of the incident, as needed.

  Retaliation against someone who reports an incident of harassment, bullying, intimidation or discriminatory behavior or who helps in an investigation is prohibited. Students who believe they have been retaliated against should immediately contact a school administrator.

  To file a report, or if you need help getting support, you may request assistance by: 

  • File a complaint online at schools.nyc.gov/Safety

  • Call: Anti-Hate Hotline at 718-935-2889

  • Calling the P311 bullying support line at (718)-935-2288

  • Email: RespectforAll@schools.nyc.gov

  • Tell your Respect for All Liaison or a caring adult

  As noted below, parents may also use the Request for Escalation Staff Assistance Form to get additional help.

  Confidentiality: It is the NYC Public Schools’ policy to respect the privacy of all parties and witnesses to complaints brought under this policy. However, sometimes, we may need to share information in order to resolve a complaint. Therefore, information regarding a complaint may be disclosed in appropriate circumstance to individuals with the need to know. 

  In accordance with state and federal laws protecting the confidentiality of student record information; the parents of the alleged victim may only be notified of any follow-up action, interventions or supports that pertain to the alleged victim and the parents of the accused student may only be notified of any follow-up action, interventions or supports that pertain to the accused student. 

  Sexual Harassment 

  Sexual harassment includes unwelcome and uninvited sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct and other verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature. It is a violation of DOE policy for students to engage in this behavior on school property or off-school grounds when the behavior disrupts or endangers the school community. If you feel that you have been the victim of, or witnessed, such behavior by another student, please let your teacher, counselor, the school-designated staff member listed below or someone else on the school staff know.

  If you feel uncomfortable making a report to a school staff member, you may confidentially contact the Office of Safety and Youth Development by emailing your complaint to RespectforAll@schools.nyc.gov(Open external link). You may also make a confidential written report. Copies of the complaint form and Chancellor’s Regulation A-831 are available in the principal’s office or on the DOE’s website.

  To file a report, or if you need help getting support, you may request assistance by:

  • Submitting a complaint online at https://www.nycenet.edu/bullyingreporting
    • You may scan the QR code for complaint form
  • Calling (718) 935-2288
  • Emailing RespectForAll@schools.nyc.gov 
  • Tellin a staff member at your school
  • Calling the UFT BRAVE Hotline (212) 709-3222
    • Monday through Friday: 2:30PM - 9:30PM 

  As noted below, parents may also use the Request for Escalation Staff Assistance Form to get additional help.

  Confidentiality: It is the NYC Public Schools’ policy to respect the privacy of all parties and witnesses to complaints brought under this policy. However, sometimes, we may need to share information in order to resolve a complaint. Therefore, information regarding a complaint may be disclosed in appropriate circumstance to individuals with the need to know. 

  In accordance with state and federal laws protecting the confidentiality of student record information; the parents of the alleged victim may only be notified of any follow-up action, interventions or supports that pertain to the alleged victim and the parents of the accused student may only be notified of any follow-up action, interventions or supports that pertain to the accused student. 

  Escalation Assistance

  You may seek assistance from escalation staff to coordinate the completion of an open investigation of a complaint of student-to-student harassment, discrimination, intimidation and/or bullying (A-832 Complaint), including sexual harassment (A-831 Complaint) if:

  • You believe school staff retaliated against you or your child for making a prior A-831 or A-832 Complaint at the same school; or
  • Your child has been the victim of two or more A-831 or A-832 Complaints in the same school year that were determined to be material incidents (i.e., violations of Chancellor’s Regulations A-831 or A-832); or
  • You did not receive a Notice of Determination from the school within 10 school days of the school’s receipt of the open A-831 or A-832 Complaint; or
  • Your child as the victim, accused, and/or witness need additional help accessing supports and interventions regarding an A-831 or A-832 Complaint reported to the school.

  Please complete this form below and email it to the Family Support Coordinator for the superintendent that oversees your school:

  • Request for Escalation Staff Assistance Form(Open external link)

  The list of superintendents and their Family Support Coordinators can be found on the Superintendents page of the DOE website. You can also find your Family Support Coordinator on your school’s webpage, which can be located with the Find A School tool.

  Additional Resources

  For additional resources please visit our Respect for All website.

  A copy of Chancellor’s Regulations and the Discipline Code are available in the principal’s office and online.

  P.S. 128K Bensonhurst

• ATTENDANCE MATTERS

  Missing a day of school here and there may not seem like much, but absences add up!

  When a student misses 2 days a month...they will miss 20 days a year!  They will miss 30 hours of math over the school year!  They will miss 60 hours of reading and writing over the school year!  They will miss over 1 year of school by graduation!

  Everyday of school counts!

   

  P.S. 128K Bensonhurst

• Attendance Shout Outs to the following Grades for having the TOP attendance Percentages for the month of September

  Attendance shout outs to the following Grades for having the TOP attendance percentages for the month of September:

  1st Place:  2nd grade with 96%

  2nd Place:  Kindergarten with 94.80%

  3rd Place:  3rd grade with 94.67%

  Our overall attendance for the month of September was 92.75%

  Help us reach our schoolwide attendance goal of 95% and remember every student every day COUNTS!

  P.S. 128K Bensonhurst

• FDNY Open House 2025

  On Saturday October 18^th or Sunday October 19^th more than 200 Firehouses and EMS locations will open their doors to the public from 11:00am to 1:00pm or from 1:00pm to 3:00pm for the 2025 FDNY Open House.  

  Firefighters, EMTs and paramedics will be educating the public about fire and life safety, conducting demonstrations, discussing careers within the Department, and offering tours of FDNY Engines, Ladder Trucks and EMS Stations.  

   Find the open house location near you: FDNY 2025 Open House Find A Location Near You

  P.S. 128K Bensonhurst

• District 21 Middle School Fair Schedule 2025 is Now Available

  Please see the attached document.

  • District 21 Middle School Fair Schedule 2025.docx

  P.S. 128K Bensonhurst

• District 21 Middle School Fair Schedule 2025 is Now Available

  Please see the attached notice. 

  • Disrtrict 21 Middle School Fair Schedule 2025.docx

  P.S. 128K Bensonhurst