Daily School Schedule

The PS 256 uniform is a light blue top (blouse/shirt) and navy bottoms (pants/skirt). Uniforms are worn every day unless otherwise stated. Please contact the Parent Coordinator if you need assistance with purchasing the uniform. Discount coupons are also available in the main office.

Please remember to use good judgment when choosing appropriate clothes for your child to wear to school. Clothing should be safe for themselves and the children around them. Casual, loose clothing that allows children to move and play comfortably is recommended. Shoes should be safe for recess and physical education. Close-toed shoes are best for school and are required for gym. Flip-flops, shoes without a heel strap, boots, "wheelies," dress shoes or shoes with high heels are not safe.

Homework is a vital part of student learning. Homework allows your child to review and practice content that has been covered in class. It also helps your child to develop study skills and habits. Homework enables parents to learn more about what their child/ren are learning in school.

Homework is given on a daily basis. All students are expected to complete all assignments given for homework. We ask that parents ensure that homework is being completed on time so that teachers can focus on helping students master content.

New York City Public Schools offer free breakfast, lunch and after school meals to all NYC public school students during the school year. Please view Daily School Schedule at top of page.

In the event of an emergency and you need to get a message to your child during the school day, please contact the Main Office at 718-857-9820 or 718-623-5240 and leave a message for his/her teacher. The teacher will relay the message to your child.

It is extremely important for consistent attendance by students. If your child is ill and unable to come to school, please send a note explaining the reason for the absence upon their return. In the event of a lengthy absence, please notify the school and check with your child’s teacher as soon as possible.

The New York City Department of Education has lifted the ban on cell phones in public schools. However, the PS 256 cell phone policy remains that ALL cell phones must be turned off and secured in students’ book bags. Phones are not to be visible or used during the day.

Any violation of our cell phone policy will result in the cell phone being confiscated by school personnel. PS 256 school staff are not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen phones.

Report cards are issued three times a year, in November, March and June, for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. 3K and Pre-K students do not receive report cards but parents will learn about their child’s progress during parent-teacher conferences in November and March.

Please contact the school secretary if you need information or forms on transportation options that may be available for your child. The Office of Pupil Transportation http://www.opt-osfns.org provides information for families eligible for the school transportation.

View our Parent Handbook to read a more detailed description of school policies and additional important information about our school, curriculum, and programming.

The Lost & Found is located below the staff mailboxes in the main office of the school. Please label everything with your child’s first and last names. All unclaimed items will be donated to charity after 30 days.

The Chancellor’s Citywide Behavioral Expectations to Support Student Learning (Blue Book) which outlines student intervention procedures and discipline policies is distributed at the beginning of every school year to all students. This document includes the DOE’s citywide “Discipline Code” as well as the “Bill of Student Rights and Responsibilities, K-12.” This document is available on the DOE’s website in ten languages.

All staff members and adults in PS 256 serve as facilitators for conflicts occurring between students. If a problem cannot be resolved, it is then taken to the assistant principal or principal.

Our school nurse is on duty from 7:45am to 4:45 pm daily. If your child falls ill during the school day, they will be escorted to the medical office to be evaluated by the Nurse. The School Nurse will take the necessary course of action to treat your child. If your child needs to be picked up from school, they will be made comfortable until an adult arrives. In all cases, either a phone call will be made to the parent or a note will be sent home. In emergency cases, parents will be notified by phone and in writing by the Nurse. If a major emergency occurs, a school staff member will call EMS.