Mr. Mac's Weekly Wrap Up

Good afternoon Castlewood 🏰,

Hope springs eternal as our local baseball teams take the field for what looks to be an exciting year for both the Yankees and the Mets. It is a great start to the season with both teams winning their first games, so let’s hope that continues as we move into spring!

I want to give a huge shout-out to all our Kindergarten, First, and Second-grade students who wowed our audience today with their awesome performances. This has become an annual tradition that everyone looks forward to, and seeing the talent and confidence of our youngest learners is truly a highlight of the year.

Next week, we are excited to celebrate Neurodiversity! Between March 26th and April 1st, students will participate in a fun and meaningful activity exploring how our brains work and what makes each of us unique. As a class, they’ll read Some Brains, a story that celebrates the different ways we think and learn. Following the read-aloud, our K–2 students will design their own “brains” filled with things they are proud of, while our 3–5 students will write "thank you" letters to their brains for all the amazing things they help them do. Please remember that Monday, March 30th, is a Spirit Day! Check the flyer for details on how to show your support.

We have some important deadlines and updates regarding school communication. Club forms were sent out this week—please ensure these are submitted by Monday, March 30th, at 12:30 PM. I am also thrilled to remind parents that the PTA has officially started Class Dojo! This is another easy way to stay connected with all things Castlewood. Please scan the attached QR code and join our digital community today!

Let's celebrate the arts! Congratulations to Bethannie! Her beautiful sculpture, "Fancy Flamingo," was accepted into the Queens Borough Arts Festival. It will be displayed at the Queens Museum starting April 28th. We are so proud of your creativity and hard work, Bethannie!

On Saturday, March 28th, the Queens County Farm will have a Barnyard Egg Hunt from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Kids and their grown-ups can hunt for colorful, prize-filled eggs in Queens Farm’s historic orchard, snap photos with Whiskers the Bunny, and enjoy outdoor games. On Sunday, March 29th from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., visit the Roy Wilkins Recreation Center for a free event, Discovery Hike: Pond Ecology. Join the Rangers for a closer look at the varied pond life at Roy Wilkins Park - from slugs and flies, to fish and fowl. Get ready to get your hands a bit wet and dirty as you dig into the fascinating world of pond ecology. Our Lost & Found is overflowing! If your child is missing outerwear, sweatshirts, accessories, etc., please stop by the Lost & Found in the auditorium. If you can’t make it to the school to check it, feel free to contact me with a description and I’ll help you find it. We plan to donate everything after Spring Recess. Have a great weekend! Lisa Kruger, Parent Coordinator, [email protected]

I am incredibly proud to share that Castlewood has been named an All Star Move to Improve School! Our teachers use the "Move-to-Improve" program to enhance lessons by adding intentional physical activity—like aerobic movements during math or yoga during ELA. This program is inclusive for all students from Kindergarten through 5th grade, regardless of physical ability. It is a wonderful way to keep our bodies moving while our minds are growing! To learn more about the program feel free to visit NYC Public Schools. 

We need your voice! The NYC Learning Environment Survey is only open for another week. Your feedback is essential in helping us understand what we are doing well and how we can improve. Currently, we have only heard from 61 out of 310 families (20%). We want to ensure our school’s plans truly reflect our entire community, so please take a few minutes to complete the survey today. 

Have a great weekend everyone