PS 121
An Outstanding School
Where Learning Takes Place
About Our School
An OUTSTANDING School Where Learning Takes Place
Here at PS121, we offer our students an eclectic learning environment, filled with a variety of support and services. The transformative learning experiences at PS121 are designed to help our students grow, both in and out of the classroom. PS121 is located in the heart of Ozone Park and serves students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. With nearly 1,000 students and a staff of 100, we are here to help our students make an impact on the world. Do you want your child to succeed? This is the place to be!
Mission Statement
P.S. 121 is committed in ensuring that every student is provided with the skill sets to achieve grade level expectations in a safe, diverse, nurturing, and supportive environment, that takes into account each child's unique learning needs and fosters creativity, accountability, and a sense of community in order for them to become successful lifelong learners.
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A Message from our Principal
Mr. Nicholas J. Patrello
September 2022
Dear P.S. 121Q Families,
Welcome Back! I hope you were able to enjoy a fun-filled summer where you had an opportunity to not only rest, relax and recharge! Mrs. Brand and I had a busy summer serving as Principal in Charge and Site Supervisor for Summer Rising at PS 182Q. I did enjoy some downtime – I went to Ft. Lauderdale, Montreal and Punta Cana!
This year, we have a lot of exciting things planned for the P.S. 121Q community. We are strategically focusing on vocabulary as a vehicle to improve our overall literacy skills and language modalities. We will also dig deeper into Project Based Learning (PBL), building student agency, text complexity and much more! We will continue to educate the whole child – tapping into their Social Emotional needs and well-being and working collaboratively to develop student support plans to ensure that all voices are validated and feelings/emotions are considered.
I am very happy to announce and welcome the following new additions to P.S. 121Q:
Victoria Yegewel (Kindergarten Gen Ed); Rio Calderon (Grade 5 Gen Ed); Jessica McCarthy (Grade 5 ICT – Special Ed); Brian Aberger (Physical Education – Grades K-2); Alletta Hall (Social Worker – Mon & Wed). Tara Brinkmann is our new Instructional Coach and Christina Ponte (Physical Education – Grades 3-5) has also returned to the P.S. 121Q community!
Mr. Joshua Atlas is our Interim Acting Assistant Principal. Mr. Atlas comes with a wide variety of experiences and qualifications that will be an asset to our amazing school community.
Let’s work together to welcome them to P.S. 121Q!
As of now, we do plan on reopening under Pre-Covid guidance. I am thrilled and excited to bring back Hot Breakfast in the Cafeteria, (HOPEFULLY) outdoor recess (contingent on the complete removal of the scaffolding), student collaboration, discussions, meeting areas!!, etc. I will inform you, of course, in the event that any guidance changes.
Looking forward to a WONDERFUL year together!
In Partnership,
Nicholas J. Patrello,
Principal, P.S. 121Q
Our Vision
Our vision is to equip children for the demands and opportunities of the 21st century by offering a differentiated, effective and rigorous curriculum to be committed learners for life. We believe that through hard work, determination and discipline our students will succeed!
Philosophy
We believe that students learn best when they are provided access points to support learning. To support this belief, we have chosen an instructional focus that ensures teachers' use of discussion protocols, depth of knowledge (DOK) wheel, and conversational prompts. We believe students need to be actively engaged in lessons and tasks that are differentiated and meet the demands of the Common Core Learning Standards.
