School Year 2022-2023

September 8, 2022

Dear PS 160 Families,

Welcome back to the 2022-2023 school year! I am forever grateful to be in this role as I enter my 10th year as Principal of the Walter Francis Bishop Magnet School of the Arts. This year, we will focus on Reimagining the Student Experience as we welcome the entire school community back. We will accomplish this goal by scaling and sustaining what works, prioritizing wellness and its impact on student success, and prioritizing our partnerships with you. Our initial focus will be centered around developing and strengthening a welcoming and affirming school environment as we get to know your children as individuals with identities and cultures. We will then shift our attention to ensuring that we maintain high expectations and design instruction with an asset-based mindset as we center student voice and collaboration.

Curriculum & Instruction

In ELA, we will use HMH Into Reading to offer a balanced approach to literacy instruction and support teachers in developing a learning culture.

In mathematics, we will use enVisionmath2020 to deepen our work around building conceptual understanding and solving multi-step word problems.

We will help our students explore and understand phenomenon through the use of Amplify Science and engage them in Project Based Learning units of study aligned to the NYS Social Studies Scope & Sequence.

As a professional learning community, we will strengthen our practices in the following areas: Employing CR-SE practices, Strengthening our Mathematics Planning & Instruction, Foundational Literacy & Student Discussion Protocols.

As we aim to transform the well-being of our school, we will follow the lessons designed by The Contentment Foundation. We will continue to use Brain Power to teach physical and mental brain breaks that support a positive classroom atmosphere. Two groups of student leaders will complete their training this Fall.

There will be a strong focus across the NYC Public School System as it pertains to the Chancellor’s Big Goals.

• All students will learn to read well.
• All students will be physically and emotionally safe.
• All students will have a high-quality academic experience.
• All students will graduate with a strong plan and pathway to economic security.
• Families can easily access the information and support they need from NYC schools and be empowered to help their children succeed.
• The NYC school system will reflect the diversity of the city it serves.

With that being said, I ask for your continued support and I hope you know that you are deeply appreciated.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Hicks

Principal.