Principal’s Message   

Dearest P.S. 56 School Family,

 Happy Summer Everyone!  An amazing school year has ended, and preparations for our new school year have already begun.  The last weeks of June were overflowing with an abundance of special and memorable events.  The final days were extra-special as we celebrated our sensational grade 5 students - the Class of 2026.  Our Closing Exercise ceremonies were absolutely beautiful and were perfect celebrations of our amazing grade 5 students!  Our gymnatorium was overflowing with so much joy and love.  The standing ovation our students received in recognition of their resilience and dedication to excellence was so well-deserved.  Our pride and love are immeasurable!

     And this pride and love extends to all our students, grades K - 5!  They have been incredible super stars this entire school year!  I have watched them in awe this entire school year.  They filled every moment of every school day with joyful learning, and they have all grown in leaps and bounds this year as learners.  They have also formed lasting friendships and strong positive relationships with peers and staff.  #BestStudentsEver!   

            Below are some important reminders and updates:

• Report cards are available on your child’s New York City Student Account (NYCSA). 

• Kindergarten registration and registration for new students grades 1 - 5 will resume the week of August 31, 2026, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.         

• Research shows that all children are at-risk of losing some of what they have learned this past school year during summer vacation.  Researchers call it the summer slide, but there are some ways we can help our children avoid any significant loss of learning.

* Encourage our children to read every day and to read books and stories that they enjoy.  Twenty to thirty minutes a day can support our children’s reading skills while also supporting their lifelong love of reading.  This includes listening to a story too! 

* Games and puzzles are a great way for our children to strengthen their critical thinking skills while also having lots of FUN!  

* Outdoor activities provide an opportunity for all of us to turn off our devices and enjoy the summer sun, while engaging in conversations that strengthen our children’s listening and speaking skills. 

     As a grandmother, I know the most important summer assignment for our children is to HAVE FUN with family and friends!  Those fun moments will become lifelong cherished memories!  Our children have worked hard all year and we want them to have a summer vacation overflowing with R & R, laughter, and fun in the sun!

• Your child’s class assignment and teacher for the 2026-2027 school year will be shared with you via email on Friday, September 4.

• The 2026-2027 School Year officially begins for all students on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.    

     Please note:  For the first two days of school, our kindergarten students will arrive in our school yard at 9:00 a.m. on September 10 and September 11 to support their transition into their new academic home away from home.  This delayed arrival time on September 10 and September 11 is only for our kindergarten students.  Beginning Monday, September 14, the kindergarten arrival time will be at 8 a.m. 

Breakfast will be served every day in all our classrooms.

     Dismissal times are as follows:

Kindergarten: 2 p.m.

Grade 1:  2:10 p.m.

Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5: 2:15-2:20 p.m.

• Hot and cold lunches are prepared and served by our P.S. 56 Top Chefs every day. 

• Breakfasts-To-Go are available every morning for all our students and are eaten in our classrooms.
• You can continue to contact me throughout the summer with any questions, concerns and/or suggestions you might have at 1-914-570-4527.  My email address is mbyrneoneil@schools.nyc.gov. 

     From my heart to your hearts - thank you everyone!  I know I have THE best job in the world because I work with THE best staff in the world, and together we serve THE best students and THE best families in the world!  I am so blessed!  Together we truly did come so very far.  And together is truly the most wonderful place to be!  I wish you all the most wonder-filled summer.  May it be especially happy and healthy.  May it be overflowing with the best of times with family and friends, and may every moment become a cherished memory.  You are loved and appreciated more than words can ever say.

Fondly, 

Maureen O’Neill

Principal