School Leadership Team Meeting Minutes

PS63 School Leadership Team

Meeting Minutes

April 20, 2026

In Attendance: Sara Palmese, Michelle LaMantia, Marykate Meyer, Clementina Wolf, Reshma Moonilalt, Loida Gonzalez, Lurdez Berrios, Saskia Rameshwar , Michelle Block, Patricia Diardini, Trudy Andrew, Souad Bouhayat

The meeting began at 2:35 pm. 

Palmese debriefed our second SLT Learning walk. Noticings from Reshma, I was pleasantly surprised that all of the students had specific groups/instructions,  SP noted the parallel teaching. 

Stations have an area where they are able to calm down and get themselves together. Noted the ability to read a book.  SP shared that we provide a safe space where students can feel comfortable. 

Look fors: ELA Grades 3-5

• Students citing text evidence
• Students explaining reasoning using details from the text
• Teacher questioning for deeper thinking
• Structured student discussion about the text
• Test strategy routines visible (Teacher and student)
• Underlining/Highlighting
• Annotating
• Locating Evidence
• Eliminating distractors
• Students Identifying the skill/standard (NGLS)
• Students referencing the text when explaining their questions
• Feedback (immediate for teachers)

Admin Team is using a checklist for test preparedness. Also using a checklist for K-2. Scaling this out schoolwide, focusing on R3 and R1 Scholars citing text evidence, and explaining reasoning using details from the text.  

Next year starting the Look Fors right away, immediate feedback.   

Classroom Look Fors: Math Grades 3-5

• Teacher questioning for deeper thinking

• Structured student discussion to share strategies 

and make thinking visible

Test strategy routines visible (Teacher / Student)

• Underlining / Highlighting
• Annotating
• Locating evidence
• Eliminating distractors
• Students identifying Skill/Standard (NGLS)
• Students referencing the problem & evidence 

when explaining their answer

Debrief from 2nd Learning walk, this time parents had the Look Fors that the admin uses. Positive feedback from Loida- Noted how unpacking the words was very effective in helping to understand the words. 

Saskia shared Look Fors from Siew and Fisher. Cross referencing from the text, focused on inferences. The visuals in the classroom and small charts on the table. Scholars were very engaged, and noticed almost every hand was up. 

Reshma shared Look Fors from 405, used text structure, problem and solution, citing text evidence, using RATTS strategy. Mentioned her son in third grade using the strategy. One of the scholars from 409 said that this year while preparing for the test they felt more organized,she knew how to pull out the text evidence. Parents discussed with the scholars how Kindergarten scholars are also using these strategies, and scholars were surprised. Iris and Ryan shared that if they started this structure earlier, imagine how much more advanced we would be if we used this structure to organize our responses. Suggestion from Saskia to provide parents with a rubric, the teacher lingo, one-pager, a break down for the families. This would make it less intimidating. Make it more granular for families. Share learning targets and purpose. Add it to the parents corner on the school website. Possibly share on card stock that would stand out, reference for families. 

Bridge to Practice-  Student council came up with a survey, Cracking the code to get feedback from scholars. They identified the top strategies that supported their understanding of text comprehension. Made a real world connection to cooking, setting up our scholars for college, career and future learning. Next year, the Color coding highlighting system will start in September. Andy wants to add visits to grades 2 and 3 to prepare them for grades 4 and 5. Intervisitation, Palmese will put out a survey to see who would be interested. 

Reshma added breaking apart the vocabulary and learning how to use parts of the words to learn new words. 

Next year we should make the acronym used  schoolwide. New date May 21st for our next SLT Learning walk. The Deputy Superintendent will join us in May for a SLT meeting. 

Went over important dates. April 23rd new movie night date. Need a date for Mother/Father’s Day Boutique, looking to have it May 6th. 

Important Dates:

April 20- SLT Meeting at 2:30pm

April 20-Meditation and Mindfulness with Erika 11am

April 21- Spring Picture Day

April 21-Summer Rising Offers Released

April 22-Climate Action Day/Wear Green/Earth Day

April 23- Introduction to NYC Special Education Services with BACDYS

April 24-Tropical Day (Wear Hawaiian T-shirts, Beach hats ,Sunglasses)

April 23- Movie Night Grades 3K-2 at 4:30pm: Moana 2 

April 27-PAC Meeting at 9am

April 28-29-NYS Math Exam Grades 3,4,5

April 30-Book Club 8:30am

April 30- PTA Meeting 6:30pm

May 1 - School Principal's Day

May 6-Mother’s Day /Father’s Day Boutique

May 8 - Teacher Appreciation Lunch 

                 (Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4 - 8)

May 12 - 5th Grade Science Test

May - SLT TBA

May 21 -  Multicultural Festival

May 22 - Field Day for 3,4,5

May 25 - No School - Memorial Day 

May 27 - No School Eid al- Adha

May 28 - PTA Meeting and Election (In-person)

Meeting concluded at 3:15pm

Next meeting date- TBA _May _,2026

PS63 School Leadership Team

Meeting Minutes

March 30, 2026

In Attendance: Sara Palmese, Michelle LaMantia, Marykate Meyer, Clementina Wolf, Reshma Moonilalt, Lurdez Berrios, Saskia Rameshwar , Michelle Block, Patricia Diardini, Trudy Andrews, Souad Bouhayat

The meeting began at 2:33 pm. 

Palmese debriefed SLT Learning walk. Noticings from Reshma, “I was pleasantly surprised that all of the students had specific groups/instructions”,  SP noted the parallel teaching. 

Saskia, “Stations have an area where they are able to calm down and get themselves together.” Noted the ability to read a book.  SP shared that we provide a safe space where students can feel comfortable. 

ELA/Math Test Preparedness  Discussed the difference between a reader v. Comprehensive reader. Deficit in our school standards- R2 & R3, taking time to elevate scholars' success, hoping to see more growth this year. Aligns with Math, has to pull out details and read with intention. Admin and AIS meeting with small groups, as well as, after school. These standards are being introduced in PreK, being exposed to texts. Building the stamina early on and being aligned throughout the grades, using the highlighting strategy. 

Trudy shared her input, happy to see that it is starting in small dosages at an early age.

Look fors…. Admin Team is using a checklist, positive feedback from 4th grade teachers. They were happy to get feedback right away and be able to use it to help their scholars. 

Bridge to Practice- New date April 20st for our next SLT Learning walk. The Deputy Superintendent will join us in May for a SLT meeting. 

Went over important dates.

April 1- Para Appreciation Day

April 1-Wear your clothes backwards or inside out for April Fools

April 3-12-Spring Recess

April 13- School Resumes

April 13-Wear Blue for Autism Awareness

April 14 and 15- NYS ELA Exams Grades 3,4,5

April 17-Met vs Yankee (Wear Your favorite Team Color)

April 17- Student of the Month

April 20- SLT Meeting at 2:30pm

April 20-Meditation and Mindfulness with Erika 11am

April 21- spring Picture Day

April 21-Summer Rising Offers Released

April 22-Climate Action Day/Wear Green/Earth Day

April 23- Introduction to NYC Special Education Services with BACDYS

April 24-Tropical Day (Wear Hawaiian T-shirts, Beach hats ,Sunglasses)

April 24- Movie Night Grades 3K-2 at 4:30pm: Moana 2 

April 27-PAC Meeting at 9am

April 28-29-NYS Math Exam Grades 3,4,5

April 30-Book Club 8:30am

April 30- PTA Meeting 6:30pm

Meeting concluded at 2:54pm

Next meeting date- April 20,2026

PS63 School Leadership Team

Meeting Minutes

March 2,2026

In Attendance: Sara Palmese, Michelle LaMantia, Marykate Meyer, Clementina Wolf, Reshma Moonilalt, Loida Gonzalez, Lurdez Berrios, Saskia Rameshwar , Michelle Block, Patricia Diardini, Mr.Khan

NOTE:  This meeting was previously scheduled for February 23,2026.  Due to the school closure for inclement weather, this meeting was postponed to Mar 2, 2026.

The meeting began at 2:37 pm. 

1. Introductions
2. Agreement of Confidentiality
3. Presentation of Candidate
4. Important Dates

Palmese went over C-30 Protocols and confidentiality agreement. Ms. Palmese notified the SLT members that interviews were conducted.  Four candidates applied for the position.  Three candidates complete the interview process.  One candidate did not show up for the interview..  After looking at feedback from the Level 2 selection, Carosone was selected.  The candidate gets presented to SLT before the School.. 

Next meeting date:  Mar 30, 2026 in the Learning Lounge

PS63 School Leadership Team

Meeting Minutes

January 26,2026

In Attendance: Sara Palmese, Michelle LaMantia, Marykate Meyer, Clementina Wolf, Reshma Moonilal, Souad Bouhayat, Loida Gonzalez, Susan Taraby,Lurdez Berrios, Saskia Rameshwar , Jeanne Carosone, Patricia Diardini, Mr.Khan

The meeting began at 2:44 pm. 

Palmese thanked everyone for doing a great job pivoting to remote. 

State Test Simulation will be given next week so students will have another opportunity to familiarize themselves with the testing platform,

ELA simulation exam will take place Tuesday, February 3rd. The Math simulation exam will take place Wednesday, February 4th.

Middle of Year Data, the team looked at the growth in ELA and Math. Ms.Palmese noted that our Kindergarten students and teachers are putting in the work, and clarified that the Kindergarten middle of the year assessment is different from the beginning of the year assessment. 

K-2 MOY DATA

• Kindergarten Acadience 
• BOY-MOY : 44%-40% (-4%)
• First Grade Acadience 
• BOY-MOY: 30%-55% (+ 25%)
• Second Grade Acadience 
• BOY-MOY: 61%-65% (+4%)
• Kindergarten I-Ready ELA
• BOY-MOY : 20%-41% (+21%)
• First Grade I-Ready ELA
• BOY-MOY: 10%-27% (+ 11%)
• Second Grade I-Ready ELA
• BOY-MOY: 21%-49% (+28%)
• Kindergarten I-Ready Math 
• BOY-MOY : 6%-14% (+8%)
• First Grade  I-Ready Math 
• BOY-MOY: 5%-21% (+ 16%)
• Second Grade  I-Ready Math 
• BOY-MOY: 6%-20% (+14%)

Grades 3-5 MOY Data

• Third Grade ELA
• BOY-MOY 40%-61%  (+21%)
• Fourth Grade ELA
• BOY-MOY 24%-32% (+8%)
• Fifth Grade ELA 
• BOY- MOY 30%-41%  (+11%)
• Third Grade Math
• BOY-MOY 8%-34% (+26%)
• Fourth Grade Math
• BOY-MOY 19%-28% (+9%)
• Fifth Grade Math
• BOY- MOY 24%-34% (+10%)

Parent Workshops- Palmese asked our families if they would be interested in visiting 2-3 classes for a learning walk, based on the school mission and vision. A survey will be sent out to get feedback and input from our SLT parents. 

Next meeting date:

IMPORTANT DATES: January 27- Parent Book Club

• January 28- Parent Workshop: Positive Behavior 

with Include NYC

• January 30- January Birthday Celebration/PTA 

Snack Sale

• February 2-13-Smile NY Dentist

PTA Valentine Sale

February 11- Energy Climate Action Day

February 13-Valentines Day Boutique

February 16-20 Mid Winter Recess

UPCOMING ATTENDANCE CHALLENGE DATE  Feb.23rd, after the February break.  (Ms. Lawrence and Ms. Woodyard)

Classes with 100% attendance will choose a  Spirit Day to participate in at the end of the month!  Students will also receive HOMEWORK PASSES!

A google form has been created for the team to use to share questions or suggestions, as well as drive the discussion at our following meeting. The link was shared to all members of the team via email after the meeting was adjourned.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 pm.

PS63 School Leadership Team

Meeting Minutes

December 15, 2025

In Attendance: Sara Palmese, Michelle LaMantia, Marykate Meyer, Clementina Wolf, Reshma Moonilal, Souad Bouhayat, Susan Taraby, Saskia Rameshawar, Jeanne Carosone and Trudy Andrews. 

The meeting began at 2:32 pm. 

Practice ELA and Math administered in Grades 3-5

Data was collected and used to drive instruction in prep for CBT simulation. Then MOCK in February. 

Grade 3- used a google form to build stamina then go to the other platform. 

Grades 4-5- used site we use for State testing. 

ROAR Screener Completed focused on scholars that scored 40% on the beginning of the year iReady assessment. It was able to be done on the computer so it was done quickly. Helps us to determine where our scholars are struggling and the correct intervention that can be done to support our scholars. 

Potential Class Size Reduction

Palmese sat with Ms.Wolf to look at grade levels and class sizes, the results show grade 1 and 4 have higher numbers. 

The plan is to focus on grade 1- 20 students and in grade 4- 23 students. 

Clusters and rooms may look different. Changes will be made to accommodate class size reduction. 

Family Literacy Night- Jan 7th from 4:30pm-5:30pm.

Families will engage in the read aloud, Thank You Omu!  Families will be bringing in bread. 

Important Dates

January will be a virtual SLT

Our next PTA meeting will be virtual. 

Meeting concluded at 2:47pm.

PS63 School Leadership Team

Meeting Minutes

November  17, 2025

In Attendance: Sara Palmese, Michelle LaMantia, MaryKate Meyer, Clementina Wolf, Reshma Moonilal, Souad Bouhayat, Loida Gonzalez,c Susan Taraby, Lurdez Berrios, Saskia Rameshwar , Jeanne Carosone, Patricia Diardini

The meeting began at 2:30 pm. 

Palmese discussed Literacy night 3K-K.

This year, a new idea- Breaking Bread.

Tataby shared Mayoral initiative. People come together and read a book. Have families bring in bread from their country and recipes. 

Text will be in English and Spanish. 

HMH Parent Workshops- Palmese- series of WS using feedback from families, What would they like to see moving forward. 

WS- transitioning to middle school. Tag in Lawrence

Trudy- shared how her son had a hard time, willing to share her input, and would like to help out. It's hard to switch classes and different teachers. Help parents,as well as students. 

Meet as a  team to come up with a plan. What to expect before we send them off. 

SAYA Update- Taraby will touch base in January to see if there are any openings. 160 max.

Tiger Trot- so far $980 raised. Spirit gear going on sale.

Prizes…. Chart

CEP Goals- Highlighted ELA, Math, Attendance.

10% is our goal however, expectation came from the district. Last year was 5%- this year 10%. 

We won an attendance award. SP notices the Monday/Friday pattern. Came up with the Attendance Award Cup in addition to Spirit days after a day off.  Berrios, Woodyard and the attendance team are working hard. Crucial for education, not expecting to come in sick.

Ms.Andrews- are we reaching out to families to see if there are transportation or barriers that our families need support.  Ms.Moquete has been reaching out. Teachers checking in. Maria making home visits. SBST helping too.

Next meeting date Dec. 15th

IMPORTANT DATES:

Nov. 19th Waste- Climate Action Day

• November 20- PTA meeting 9am Conversations with Ms. Morrongello at 10am

• November 21-October Birthday Celebration
• November 25 3K, Pre-k First Family Feast
• November 26- First Spelling Bee
• November 26- Tiger Trot
• November 27-28: Thanksgiving- No school
• December 3- Literacy Night 4:30pm
• December 4 Parent Teacher 
• December 15 SLT Meeting 

UPCOMING ATTENDANCE CHALLENGE DATES (Ms. Lawrence and Ms. Woodyard)

Classes with 100% attendance will choose a  Spirit Day to participate in at the end of the month!  Students will also receive HOMEWORK PASSES!

 

A google form has been created for the team to use to share questions or suggestions, as well as drive the discussion at our following meeting. The link was shared to all members of the team via email after the meeting was adjourned.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:54 pm.

PS63 School Leadership Team

Meeting Minutes

October  27, 2025

In Attendance: Sara Palmese, Michelle LaMantia, MaryKate Meyer, Clementina Wolf, Reshma Moonilal, Souad Bouhayat, Loida Gonzalez,c Susan Taraby,Lurdes Berrios, Saskia Rameshawar, Jeanne Carosone

The meeting began at 2:30 pm. 

EOY DATA

Acadience Grades K-2

Grade K

Percentage of students performing on or above grade level increased from 50% to 51% from the beginning of the school year. That is a 1% increase. 

Grade 1 

Percentage of students performing on or above grade level increased from 51% to 59% from the beginning of the school year. That is an 8% increase. 

Grade 2

Percentage of students performing on or above grade level decreased from 68% to 65% from the beginning of the school year.That is a 11% increase from the 24-25 school year.

2025 EOY Assessments - MAP ELA Grades 3-5

Grade 3

Percentage of students performing on or above grade remained the same from 51% to 51% from the beginning of the school year.

Grade 4 

Percentage of students performing on or above grade remained the same from 51% to 51% from the beginning of the school year.

Grade 5

Percentage of students performing on or above grade level decreased from 63% to 58% from the beginning of the school year.

EOY Math Data: Map Growth 2025

2025 EOY Assessments - MAP Math Grades k-2

Grade K

Percentage of students performing on or above grade level decreased from 43% to 41% from the beginning of the school year.

Grade 1 

Percentage of students performing on or above grade level increased from 42% to 44% from the beginning of the school year. That is a 2% increase!

Grade 2

Percentage of students performing on or above grade level increased from 54% to 58% from the beginning of the school year. That is a 4% increase!

2025 EOY Assessments - MAP Math Grades 3-5

Grade 3 

Percentage of students performing on or above grade level increased from 51% to 58% from the beginning of the school year.

Grade 4 

Percentage of students performing on or above grade level increased from 51% to 58% from the beginning of the school year.

Grade 5

Percentage of students performing on or above grade level decreased from 59% to 56% from the beginning of the school year.

NYS Exams Grades 3-5: ELA and Math

On the NYS ELA exam, 63 % of scholars in grades 3-5 are performing proficient. That is over 10 % growth from the previous year.

On the NYS Math exam, 61.9% of scholars in grades 3-5 are performing proficient.That is  6.8 % growth from the previous year.

SCHOOL BOY DATA

Students in Grades K-2 have begun Beginning of School Year Assessments in:

-Acadience (Reading)

-i-Ready (Reading-lexile level)

-i-ready (Math)

Students in Grades K-2 have begun Beginning of School Year Assessments in:

-I Ready (Reading)

-i-Ready (Reading-lexile level)

-i-ready (Math)

NOTE:  We saw a decrease in proficiency possibly due to the first time using iready as a screening tool.

FALL BOY DATA

2025 ELA BOY Assessments -Acadience Grades K-2

Grade K

44 % of students performing on or above grade level.

Grade 1 

31 % of students performing on or above grade level. 

Grade 2

61% of students performing on or above grade level.

2025 ELA BOY Assessments I-Ready Grades 3-5

Grade 3

40 % of students performing on or above grade level.

Grade 4 

24 % of students performing on

 or above grade level.

Grade 5

31 % of students performing on or above grade level

2025 MATH BOY Assessments Grades 3-5

Grade 3

8% of students performing on or above grade level. 

Grade 4 

19% of students performing on or above grade level. 

Grade 5

24% of students performing on or above grade level. . 

IMPORTANT DATES:

• October 29- Pumpkin Patch 3k-5 from 9am-12:30pm
• October 31- Costume Parade at 9am
• November 4- NO SCHOOL- Election Day 
• November  20-PTA Meeting at 2:30 (in person) 
• November 10, 12, 13, - Scholastic Book Fair
• November  15- Fall Festival 12-2pm
• November  17- Title 1: Parents Book Club
• November  17-  SLT Meeting at 2:30pm
• November  17-Parent Nutrition Workshop at 8:30am
• November 20- Conversations with Ms. Morrongello
• November 21-October Birthday Celebration
• November 24- 3K, Pre-k Family Feast
• November 26- Tiger Trot
• November 27-28: Thanksgiving- No school
• December 3- Literacy Night 4:30pm

UPCOMING ATTENDANCE CHALLENGE DATES (Ms. Lawrence and Ms. Woodyard)

November 5 and 11

Classes with 100% attendance will choose a  Spirit Day to participate in at the end of the month!  Students will also receive HOMEWORK PASSES!

PTA Update: Ms. Moonilal

• PTA Fall Festival will be on November 15. Letters will go home in the upcoming week.  Looking for volunteers. 

A google form has been created for the team to use to share questions or suggestions, as well as drive the discussion at our following meeting. The link was shared to all members of the team via email after the meeting was adjourned.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:50 pm.

PS63 School Leadership Team

Meeting Minutes

September 17, 2025

In Attendance: Sara Palmese, Michelle LaMantia, MaryKate Meyer, Clementina Wolf, Reshma Moonilal, Souad Bouhayat, Loida Gonzalez,Susan Taraby, Michelle Block, Lurdes Berrios, Saskia Rameshawar, Jeanne Carosone

The meeting began at 5:30 pm. All team members had the opportunity to introduce themselves and share their roles within our PS63 community..

■ After School -SAYA

• Ms. Palmese partnered with SAYA for our afterschool program this year after working closely with the program over the summer.  

■ Ms. LaMantia went over the tentative SLT dates and times for the 2025-2026 school year:

All meetings will be held on Monday at 2:25 pm in the Parent Lounge. We will offer a hybrid option this year.  You will also  receive an email with the link one week prior to the meeting for those members that cannot attend in person.

*Please let Ms. LaMantia know ASAP if you are unable to attend, as we need a quorum in order to hold our meetings.

September 17, 2025 (elections)

October 27, 2025

November 17, 2025

December 15, 2025

January  2026 (virtual)

February 23, 2026 

March 16, 2026

April 20, 2026

May 18, 2026

June 15, 2026

• Ms. LaMantia also reviewed important upcoming dates in the school calendar.
• September 15-19: Start with Hello Program
• September 17- Wear Green for Unity
• September 17 -PTA Meeting 5:30pm in auditorium
• September 17-Meet the Teacher 4:30-7:30pm
• September 18-PAC Meeting at 8:30am in the Learning Lounge
• September 19-Munchkins with Our Munchkins (3K, Pre-K)
• September 23 and 24- NO SCHOOL in observance of Rosh Hashanah
• September 26-August/September Birthday Celebration
• October 2- NO SCHOOL in observance of Yom Kippur
• October 3- Principal Breakfast/Title 1 Meeting

UPCOMING ATTENDANCE CHALLENGE DATES (Ms. Lawrence and Ms. Woodyard)

• September 25, October 14,  21
• Classes with 100% attendance will choose a  Spirit Day to participate in at the end of the month!  Students will also receive HOMEWORK PASSES!

• SLT PARENT ELECTION:  SLT team elections were held due to an open position on the SLT Committee. 

Trudy Andrews and Alexa ______ were considered for the role.

Trudy Andrews won the election 28 to 22.  She will be our new parent member on the SLT committee.

PTA Update: Ms. Gonzalez

• Pumpkin Patch will be for 3K and Pre-K

• Fall Festival intended for other grades

A google form has been created for the team to use to share questions or suggestions, as well as drive the discussion at our following meeting. The link was shared to all members of the team via email after the meeting was adjourned.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 pm.