News and Events » Mr. Mac's Weekly Wrap Up

Mr. Mac's Weekly Wrap Up

Good afternoon Castlewood 🏰,

"Formal education itself is not the key to greatness. Instead, it helps build knowledge, intelligence, and character"- Martin Luther King Jr.

Given the fact that we will be celebrating the great Martin Luther King Jr. this Monday, I thought it only apropos to share this quote from him.  College and career readiness lays the foundation for a future filled with possibilities- empowering our children to adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing world. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who volunteered their time and energy to make Career Day at Castlewood Elementary School an unforgettable experience. Your willingness to share your careers and life stories left a lasting impact on our students

I want to thank our School Leadership Team (SLT) for collaborating with us to increase the approved birthday treats list. The updated list available on our family handbook. Thank you to our School Leadership Team (SLT) for collaborating to enhance many aspects of our school community. SLT minutes are available online, and families are encouraged to attend meetings at the school.

Calling all snack lovers…..Snack Sales Are Back! Effective this Tuesday, we will resume selling snacks in the auditorium during morning arrivals. All bags of chips will be $2.00, with proceeds supporting student events at PS 186.

Field trips are a vital part of children’s learning, offering them opportunities to explore and engage with cultural institutions around us. I want to thank my field trip committee for partnering with me to create a variety of field trips that will enrich students' Castlewood experience for years to come.  

Shout out to our after school program Ultimate Enrichment!  Kudos for the amazing “Glow and Groove” performance! On Tuesday night, parents were treated to an incredible showcase of dance, music, and instruments by the children. I am truly thankful that we have partnered with ultimate enrichment as they added another layer on to all the amazing things happening here at Castlewood while providing a safe and nurturing environment for an after school program right here within our walls. 

Happy Friday! Thank you to all of the wonderful parent volunteers for presenting their careers to our students this morning at our annual Career Day. We also had a member of the NYPD 105th Precinct Highway Patrol, which was very exciting. Our Student Council did a fantastic job organizing today’s event and for greeting the volunteers. Thank you to everyone involved for making  Career Day a huge success! 

Tickets and merchandise for the Castlewood Players production of The Lion King are on sale. Please check your child’s backpack for the flyers with the details. Please send exact cash or a check payable to PS186QPTA in an envelope addressed to: Lion King - Castlewood PTA.

Everyone, enjoy your holiday weekend!

Good afternoon Castlewood 🏰,

First off I want to express my sincere condolences to the people in southern California affected by the wildfires taking place.  Our hearts are heavy as we can only watch these devastating events unfold and hope for everyone's safety.  It is without question that these wildfires are taking an immense toll on so many lives.  

Parents, it’s essential that we have up-to-date emergency contact information for every student. Please ensure your emergency contact information is current on your NYCSA account as well as the emergency contact card at the school. A letter with more details was sent home with students today. If you need assistance accessing your NYCSA account contact Lisa Kruger for support. Thank you for helping us keep your children safe and secure!

Congratulations to the Castlewood Knights basketball team for their outstanding victory against PS 205, with a final score of 28-10! This win brings our Knights to an impressive 2-1 record for the season. A huge shoutout to Coach Gomes and all the players for their hard work and teamwork. Way to go, Knights! Our cheerleading squad also added to the excitement with their enthusiastic cheers throughout the game and an incredible halftime show featuring a dance and cheer routine. Under the guidance of Coach Oliveira, it’s clear that the squad is improving with every performance. Special thanks to the PTA for providing the new pom-poms and to Julie Sanchez for designing the beautiful bows that added a touch of sparkle to the squad’s uniforms.

A heartfelt thank you to all the students who took the time to write letters to our local NYPD and FDNY stations. Your thoughtful messages of gratitude and support are sure to be deeply appreciated by the men and women who work tirelessly to protect and serve our community. Great job, Castlewood students

Ms. Cageao is trying out an online art gallery/portfolio called Artsonia. It manages student art portfolios in a safe, educational environment. Students will be able to upload their artwork in class. Once the work is uploaded, parents and relatives can view student artwork online, leave comments and order keepsakes with art imprinted. This will be a great way to connect you to the art studio! 

Good afternoon Castlewood 🏰,

Computer science is not just about coding; it’s about solving problems, empowering innovation, and shaping the future of how we live, work, and connect. Students and teachers alike had a blast this week with fun activities including coding.  Thank you Ms. Chung for making this week such a great experience for all our Castlewood computer science heroes. Here is the link to the P.S.186 technology site where students and families can get access to all of the CSED Week activities and some additional activities to try at home

Our Multicultural day celebration will be held on Friday, December 20th. Families are encouraged to share a food, a craft or a brief presentation that represents their culture.  

Our annual Castlewood Caroling event will take place at Tribute Triangle Park (corner of Little Neck Parkway and 254th Street)  on Wednesday December 18th 5:00 pm.


Our next PTA meeting will be held on December 19th at 7:00pm.  Mrs. Kruger will also send out the link on the day of the meeting via email as well.  The staff of Castlewood would also like to thank the PTA for the awesome bagel breakfast and hot cocoa sticks we were treated to this week.  Your support and love for Castlewood is amazing!   

Our next School Leadership Team (SLT) meeting is next Tuesday in the art studio at 3:05.  Any parent who wishes to attend these meetings as an observer is welcome to do so. 

Our CHAMPS morning fitness program is underway for grades 3-5 on Wednesdays through Fridays. Sessions for Kindergarten and Grade 1 students will begin soon on Mondays and Tuesdays. Families in grades K & 1 should be on the lookout for a Google sign-up sheet from Mrs. Kruger.

Report cards have been released to your child's NYCSA account today and as a courtesy we have also printed and backpacked them home.

As the holiday season approaches, we are thrilled to share a lineup of fun and festive events happening at our school next week! Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating this joyous time of year with your children and the Castlewood community. Starting on Monday, December 16th, join us for the PTA Smashburger Fundraiser from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Treat your family to a delicious meal and support our school at the same time! On Tuesday, December 17th, it’s Student Council Spirit Day, and we encourage everyone to show their holiday cheer by wearing a funny or ugly sweater. Let’s see those creative and festive outfits! On Wednesday, December 18th, we have our 3K/Pre-K Holiday Concert. Families of those children participating in the show are warmly invited to attend this special event and enjoy the adorable performances by our youngest students. On Thursday, December 19th, it’s Picture Retake Day. If your child is having their photo retaken, please send them in with the photo package you received (except for the group class photo). 

Have a great weekend

Good afternoon Castlewood families 🏰,


Get ready for next week! Computer Science Education Week is finally here and Ms. Chung has planned a few exciting activities for everyone to explore the wonderful world of coding! Students will learn about some important people that have impacted the Computer Science world and learn why they are called "heroes". Computer Science Education Week will take place all week when your child has their Technology period. Be sure to ask them about the activities they do and try them out by going to the P.S.186 Tech Site. You too can become a Computer Science Hero!


Calling all parents!  Our Multicultural Celebration is  around the corner!


Report cards will be released on your child's NYCSA account next week on December 13th.  As a courtesy to all families we will also be backpacking them home on that day.


Our morning Champs fitness  program will begin on Wednesday, December 11th for grades 3-5.  If  you are interested in having your child participate please email Mr. Gomes at [email protected]


I want to thank our PTA for all their efforts in supporting our school.  They are currently conducting several fundraisers that help support our school. 


The Student Council is excited to introduce “Special Guest Fridays!” Each week, one student who is not on Student Council or the Kindness Committee will be selected to announce the weather, date, and recess information on Friday mornings. 

Over the past several months, I’ve had the opportunity to gather feedback from families through surveys and conversations about school field trips. Many families have expressed interest in expanding the types of trips we offer. With that in mind, we are forming a committee of teachers to plan next year’s field trips. Our goal is to provide a diverse range of experiences that will engage and inspire our students. 

Lisa Kruger's PC News

Happy Friday! I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and the 4-day weekend. The PTA has four fundraisers happening this month: Five Below, Dave & Buster’s, Smashburger, and the Holiday Boutique at school. We backpacked home all of the flyers together this week. The PTA  appreciates your ongoing support. Have a wonderful weekend!

Dear Castlewood Families,
What an incredible week it has been at Castlewood! It was a jam-packed week full of activities, learning, and fun that brought our school community together in so many meaningful ways. This week was particularly special as we celebrated our amazing principal, Mr. McLaughlin, for his dedication, leadership, and all he does to make Castlewood such a wonderful place. I feel so lucky to have the honor of writing the Weekly Wrap-Up this week to share these highlights with you all. Thank you for your continued support and for being such an integral part of our Castlewood family!

Principal’s Appreciation Day

Principal's Appreciation day/month is a special time to honor the leader of our school who goes above and beyond for everyone. This week we officially celebrated Mr. McLaughlin!  Classes created posters which were hung up in the hallways, main office and his office to show how great of a principal Mr. McLaughlin has been and will continue to be.  When looking at the posters, classes referenced that Mr. McLaughlin is not just a great leader but also nice, funny, helpful, and friendly. It is clear how much he cares about creating a positive environment for us all. It is safe to say that the lyric, "You've got a friend in me," perfectly captures how his support makes us feel valued and heard. We are lucky to have someone who treats everyone with respect, making our school a place we can all be proud of! Thank you to Maria Montes and Student Council for helping to organize this day! 


Principal’s Performance Observation

Castlewood was recently visited by Superintendent Anthony Inzerillo!  He visited classrooms, teacher meetings, met with some of our Student Council members and with a group of parents from our school community. Thank you to the parents, Marie Sovulj, Randy Sosa, Stephanie Freeman, Cathy Debasse and Leslie Durand for being open and honest about our school's journey and ways we can become an even stronger school community!


Castlewood Events & Activities

Council Member Linda Lee

Our Student Council President, Jordan, Mrs. Tewksbury, Mrs. Montes, Mr. McLaughlin, Mrs. Lisa Kruger and myself, had lunch this past Monday with Councilmember Linda Lee.  We discussed our concerns such as our outdated PA system and our register number and spoke about possible solutions!  She wants to make sure Castlewood has the tools to inspire future generations of students!


Castlewood Knights Basketball Team!

The Castlewood knights basketball team kicked off the season with an exciting game against PS 18, setting the tone for a great year ahead. It was a nail-biter until the very end, but our team pulled off a thrilling 24-23 victory! The players' energy and teamwork were truly inspiring, leaving everyone excited for what’s to come. Thank you to Coach Gomes, our MC, Mr. Bogart and Ms. Cat for keeping score!


Cheerleading!

Our first-year cheerleading team made an unforgettable debut at homecoming by creating a vibrant banner that set the tone for the game. They energized the crowd with a powerful cheer to kick off the basketball game, boosting team spirit. Their enthusiasm on the sidelines helped inspire our basketball team to a thrilling victory! Thank you to Cheer Coach, Mrs. Oliveira for leading and inspiring our cheer squad!


Balloons Over Broadway
Balloons Over Broadway was another resounding success this year! Inspired by Melissa Sweet’s book about Tony Sarg, the original puppeteer behind the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons, classes  created their own colorful balloons. They proudly paraded them down the main hallway while our classes and staff  cheered them on. The event brought the Thanksgiving spirit to life and showcased our students' creativity and enthusiasm!


Ballet

Our 3rd graders who took part in the Ballet Program completed their 6 week Ballet Program.  They ended with a culminating class showing families and teachers what they have learned!


Student Council

We’re thrilled to introduce this year’s Student Council officers: President, Jordan, Vice President, Divyanka, Treasurer, Aaryan, and Secretary, Zidan, who are leading with enthusiasm and creativity.  Our other incredible members include Aahil, Esha, Leonard, McKenzie, Mila, Sarah, Scarlett, and Selena.  Student Council has been hard at work organizing thoughtful initiatives, including celebrating Principal’s Appreciation Day, developing plans to promote sustainability/recycling, enhancing college and career readiness, and delivering engaging morning announcements (our PA system has been fixed!) to start each day with positivity!  Thank you to Mrs. Montes for leading and guiding our student leaders!

 

PTA:  Book Vending Machine
Our PTA continues to be outstanding! This week, PTA members were at school helping students celebrate their birthdays by letting them pick a book from the vending machine—a special tradition that happens each month at Castlewood!


Castlewood’s Upcoming Events


Music Monday with Mr. Zwang (11/25 at 7:00 PM)

Please join Mr. Zwang for the first virtual Music Monday of the 2024-2025 school year. Music Monday is an opportunity for you to learn more about the music program at Castlewood. The discussion around how Castlewood can best serve the musical needs and wishes of the students and the community will also take place.
PTA Pie Sale (11/26)

Don’t forget that this Tuesday, 11/26, you can pick up any pies/desserts you ordered.  Pick-up will be held at the ramp door on the side of the building.  The time of pick-up will come soon.  Mrs. Kruger and/or the PTA will let you know!

Town Hall FDNY Safety Meeting (11/27 at 8:30 AM)

Our in person safety meeting will take place on 11/27 at 8:30 AM in our cafeteria. The FDNY will join us to share safety tips and information with the Castlewood community.  Please join us!  If you plan on attending, and haven’t already, please fill out the google form.

Friendsgiving (11/27) 

Friendsgiving is a celebration where friends gather to give thanks.  Our school Friendsgiving event will take place in classrooms with staff and students.  Please remember that treats being sent in should be from the approved list. Classes will also have the opportunity to participate in a fun and engaging craft activity, fostering creativity as well!
Computer Science Education Week (CSED)

It's almost that time of year to celebrate CSED Week! This year's theme is Computer Science Heroes! Students will learn about some important people who are "heroes" in the Computer Science world. They will all become CS Heroes at Castlewood as they complete the exciting activities Ms. Chung has planned!  Computer Science Education Week will take place from December 9 - 13, 2024.

Lisa Kruger's PC News 

It’s been an exciting week at Castlewood! It’s always nice to see so many Castlewood families daily at arrival and dismissal.

  • There are many items piling up in our Lost & Found, so let me know if you would like to come in and look through what we have collected recently.
  • A friendly reminder to label your child’s coats, jackets, hats, gloves, etc. which will help us return lost items to your child. Happy Friday!

Good afternoon Castlewood families🏰,

As we approach the holiday season, we are reminded of the joy and warmth that this special time of year brings to our lives. It’s a season of togetherness, gratitude, and giving, when we cherish the connections that unite us as a community. At Castlewood Elementary, we are grateful for the support and partnership of our families, who help create a nurturing environment for our students to grow and thrive. Let’s take this season as an opportunity to celebrate the traditions and values that make our school community so special.


Castlewood held an open house for prospective 3K, Pre-K and Kindergarten families on Wednesday night.  We had many families who expressed interest about the potential of joining our Castlewood community.  I want to thank the staff and parents of Castlewood for all their support in making this such an incredible evening for these families.  In particular I want to thank Mr. Bogart, Mrs. Verde and Ms. Siciliano for their efforts in supporting the open house evening. 


We’re committed to keeping our school community safe for everyone, and we invite families to join us for an upcoming Town Hall Safety Meeting. Town Hall Safety Meeting On Thursday, November 27th, at 8:30am.  We will be joined by the FDNY for a presentation on fire safety in the home and we will also be discussing the purpose of the school safety committee at Castlewood.  


Next week, we will be conducting emergency readiness drills to ensure that students and staff are well-prepared and knowledgeable about safety procedures. These drills are part of our ongoing commitment to maintain a safe and secure learning environment.

The Castlewood spelling bee is here!!! This beloved event is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their hard work, expand their vocabulary, and build confidence in a supportive and fun atmosphere. It's always inspiring to see the enthusiasm and dedication of each participant, from those just beginning their spelling journey to our seasoned competitors. The Spelling Bee fosters not only academic growth but also teamwork and school spirit. A big thank you to Mrs. Cutrone for organizing our annual Spelling Bee! 

This week, we celebrated National School Psychologist Week, and we’re grateful for our fantastic school psychologist’s Mrs. Shukla and Mrs Krup. Through their support we are able to help our students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Thank you for all that you do!


We held our latest Coffee and Conversation event on Thursday, November 13th. The discussions around the new math curriculum, school field trips, HMH curriculum and many other topics were enlightening. It is always so nice to connect with families to discuss school initiatives and hear your feedback. We look forward to more opportunities to chat and collaborate!  

Good afternoon Castlewood 🏰,


“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.”

‒ Abraham Lincoln


As Veterans Day approaches, we want to take a moment to reflect on the importance of honoring those who have served in the armed forces. This day holds significant meaning as we recognize the courage, dedication, and sacrifices made by veterans in defending our country and preserving our freedoms. I encourage you to discuss the importance of this day with your children and to consider ways in which your family might observe it, whether through participating in local events, writing letters of thanks to veterans, or simply reflecting on what this day represents.

This week, Castlewood students have an incredible opportunity to practice leadership skills and engage in our democratic process! Student Council speeches were presented this past Wednesday followed by voting. This is an exciting moment for our young leaders to share their ideas and aspirations with their peers. We encourage you to talk with your children about the importance of voting and supporting their classmates.  Good luck to all of our candidates!

Your feedback matters! As we strive to make Castlewood Elementary the best it can be, we need insights from our families. Your responses help me to reflect on my leadership and to help me better serve our students and community. Surveys will be open through next Tuesday, November 12th.  Thank you for your partnership and your commitment to making Castlewood a wonderful place to learn and grow.

PS 186 is committed to providing the highest quality of education for every student. To determine if students are meeting grade-level benchmarks, every child will be screened three times per year (fall, winter, spring) to measure their progress.  Our teachers provide a variety of approaches to ensure student success. When screenings show that strategic support or interventions are needed, some may take place within the classroom and some may take place outside the classroom with an instructional specialist.

 

Good afternoon Castlewood families 🏰 ,


May your coffee be stronger than your kids on a sugar high . Happy Halloween from the school that loves your little monsters! 🎃


I want to send a HUGE thank you to the PTA for making the Halloween dance and Halloween/Fall walk so much fun!  It is the commitment of the PTA and parents that participate/volunteer that makes these events as special as they are.   


As part of my commitment to our community, I pledge to continue to make every effort to grow and learn as a school building leader. In order to do so I need feedback from you which is why every Fall and Spring I ask you to complete the “Principal Performance Survey” This survey is completely anonymous and will be used to improve my leadership.


The November newsletters will be posted on the school website next week.  Parents please be sure to review these newsletters and click on the underlined links that will bring you to family letters for literacy and math.   These  resources will help you to engage with your child and their school work which is critical to strengthen the home-school connection. 

Good afternoon Castlewood🏰,


“Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical”- Yogi Berra


I am not sure about Yogi’s math but he certainly knew how to give a quote that would make you  think and laugh for sure.  Congratulations to the New York Yankees as they will begin their quest tonight for their 28th championship against the Los Angeles Dodgers!!! This match up brings back great memories of sitting with my dad watching old Brooklyn Dodger World Series games. 


We want to welcome our new SLT parent member Marie Sovulj.  Marie brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team not only as a parent but also a former teacher and guidance counselor. We also want to encourage parents to join us at our SLT meetings.


Halloween walk celebration is scheduled for Thursday, October 31st. 



Please do not double park outside on 72nd avenue during dismissal.  Not only is this unsafe for families, it is also causing traffic and at times it leads to staff members and other parents being blocked in.  We encourage everyone to park on Little Neck Parkway but if you must double park please pick up your child and return to your car immediately.



As a reminder if you are planning on picking your child up early from school please do not use the class Dojo app to communicate with teachers.  Teachers may not check their dojo in time and the message will not be received.  Instead, please  call the office and one of the staff members there will assist you.



You should have received a letter notifying you about parent teacher conferences scheduled for Thursday November 7th.  Please sign up with your teacher and dojo your child's clutter teachers to set up an appointment.   



I am excited to announce that we will now include a parent resource section to my weekly wrap up. Our parent coordinator, Lisa Kruger will provide resources and upcoming family events in the community for you to read about.   

 

Good afternoon Castlewood 🏰 ,

"Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower" – Albert Camus. 

This is such a wonderful time of year to appreciate nature. The crisp air, the vibrant fall colors—it's the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. I encourage you all to take some time this weekend to soak it all in!

A big thank you to our amazing PTA for organizing the pumpkin patch yesterday—it was such a fun event for our students!

This week we celebrated the Citizens of the Month. Congratulations again to all those students who received an award and for those that were recognized for perfect attendance!  Please remember to check our instagram page for photos of all the special events taking place at Castlewood!

Lastly, I want to thank all the staff and students for their cooperation during today's soft lockdown drill. You all did a fantastic job!

We will be conducting another emergency preparedness drill next week.

Thank you for everything you do for our students and community. Have a wonderful weekend!

Good afternoon Castlewood families 🏰,

“Nature is the source of all true knowledge.” –Leonardo da Vinci 

As a former middle school science teacher, and lover of all things nature, last night's aurora borealis effect from the solar storms was astonishing (see the pic on our Castlewood instagram page).  I encourage you to discuss this amazing phenomenon with your children this weekend. 

Last night we had our annual book of the month celebration accompanied by the scavenger hunt.  The event was a tremendous success due in large part to this wonderful  community and the commitment of teachers like Mrs. Montes, Mrs. Castillo and Ms. Pollock. Thank you to all who came out and supported the event.  I also want to thank our amazing student council members for their commitment to making Castlewood such a fun place to learn and grow.  

SAVE THE DATE!  Our first coffee and conversation will take place on Thursday, November 14th, at 8:30am.  Parents will receive a google form to RSVP as well as share topics they would like to be discussed.  As always, coffee and some sweet treats will be on the menu!

All classes are invited to have a halloween/fall celebration period 7 on Thursday, October 31st.  Students may bring in treats in accordance with the approved birthday/celebration list as well as do a craft  with their classes.  All students will also receive a goody bag from the PTA after the halloween parade on Thursday.


Grade 5 families…. Due to MySchools having technical issues this week, the opening of the middle school application has been delayed to next week. You will receive an email from NYC Public Schools on Tuesday 10/15 with more information. Thank you to those families that attended our virtual “Middle School Application Workshop” on Monday night.  If you missed it the entire presentation was sent to your email.

There are many important upcoming dates to keep in mind. 

 

Lastly, I would like to congratulate both the Mets and Yankees for moving on to their respective  league championship series!!!!  What an exciting time of year to be a New York sports fan.  With any luck both teams will  make it to the World Series and then the fun will really ramp up!

Have a great extended weekend everyone!

Good afternoon Castlewood families🏰,


I would like to wish all those that celebrate Rosh Hashanah a happy new year!  The Jewish New Year is a festive time of introspection and preparation for the year ahead. Rosh Hashanah is often treated as a time to reflect on the previous year and focus on hopes for the coming year.  My hopes are for a successful year for our entire school community filled with joy!


I want to take a moment to thank our wonderful custodians as we celebrate national custodial recognition day.  Much of the work they do goes on behind the scenes but without their efforts our building would not be as beautiful, clean and safe as it is.  


Calling all 5th grade families!!!  As a reminder, we will be holding our fifth grade Informational workshop on the middle school application process on October 7th.            


Our recess clubs are slated to begin on October 7th (Friday clubs will begin 10/18).  At this time our clubs are at capacity but we will reopen them in the winter for students who did not have an opportunity to join.  

Our book of the month event and student council scavenger hunt will take place at Castlewood on Thursday, October 10th, at 5:00pm in the cafeteria.  We hope to see you all there! 


I hope you all enjoy a long weekend and make time for yourselves and your loved ones.

Good afternoon Castlewood 🏰,


“No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.” —Buddha

Last night we met with third grade families on zoom to discuss the status of their child’s classrooms and teachers.  In order to keep the meeting organized for those families only, a message was sent out to all parents letting them know that they need not attend if they did not receive the link.  I want to  apologize if this caused some confusion but we wanted to ensure that the meeting was attended by appropriate families only. 


As you know this year we began our new math curriculum known as Illustrative Math (or, IM).  Families, the following link will bring you to a family resource page which will provide you with an overview of the IM curriculum and problem-based learning, family support materials for each grade, and family support material pages for each unit that can help you support your child with key concepts and ideas in each unit


Recess Clubs - Our content specialists have grouped students based on choices.  Recess clubs will begin Monday, October 7th.  Chorus will begin to meet this Monday, September 30th.  


The cheerleading club is still accepting students from grades 4 and 5.  Please speak with your child and if they are interested in  cheerleading email Ms. Gerlach by Wednesday, October 2, 2024.


We had our first evacuation drill this past week. Staff and students did an excellent job exciting the building.   A special shoutout to our 3K and Pre-K students as they walked quickly and safely to their designated area.  We will have evacuation drills next week as well.

Good afternoon Castlewood families 🏰,

I want to thank the school leadership team for a productive first meeting on Tuesday.  The SLT meets monthly and helps to provide parent and teacher perspective to our decision making process.

As a friendly reminder, please do not double park on the street at arrival and pick up. Double parking not only causes traffic congestion but it is also not safe for our children.  

I am excited to announce that our lunchtime clubs for grades 1-5  are back this year!  Please see the forms below if you are interested in having your child participate in one of these cubs.  Please fill these forms out by Monday so we can have our officially begin!

Grade 1 form

Grades 2 - 3 form

Grades 4 - 5 form

Have a great weekend everyone

Good afternoon Castlewood families🏰,


Happy Friday everyone!  As we settle into the rhythm of the new school year! We’ve just completed our first full week, and I’m thrilled to share how smoothly things are going. It has been wonderful to see students re-engaging with their learning, making new friends, and embracing the energy that a fresh school year brings.


This week, we were all very excited to host our first Back-to-School Night in person since 2019. It was a pleasure to welcome so many of you into our school to meet your child’s teachers, learn about the curriculum, and hear about the exciting things we have planned for this year. The sense of community we all felt was a reminder of how much we’ve missed these face-to-face connections, and I thank each of you for making the evening a success.  We also hosted our fist carnival to kick start the school year today.  Based on the children's smiling face I think it's safe to say they had a blast.  Be sure to check out photos from the events and others like it on our instagram page @castlewoodps186.  


Monday, September 16th we will have the first day of early morning drop off for parents who received an email confirming their acceptance to the program.  Parents please be mindful that you cannot drop your child off before 7:05 or after 7:30.  Tuesday, September 17th the student council presents “New York Spirit Day” so be sure to wear something that represents New York.  I think I have the perfect Yankee jersey for the occasion😁.


As we embark on this new school year, I want to thank you for your continued support and partnership. I also want to thank the PTA for all they do to help make Castlewood an amazing place for our students to thrive. Of course I also want to thank the amazing teachers and staff of PS 186.  Without heir hard work and dedication to the families of Castlewood none of this would be possible.  Together, we will make this year one of the best yet for our students and our Castlewood community.


Have a great weekend!

Welcome back Castlewood 🏰!!!


No matter how many years pass, the opening of school is so exciting and this year was no exception!  It is a renewal, an opportunity to start fresh and bring our best selves to the table in an effort to provide a robust, diverse educational experience for your children and we welcome that opportunity with open arms. 


As we gear up for another exciting school year, I wanted to take a moment to share some updates and news from Castlewood that I know will make our year even better!


We are thrilled to announce the opening of a brand-new ART STUDIO room! We are in the process of designing a space to inspire our students to explore their artistic talents and express themselves through a variety of mediums. We have also created a parent handbook that I shared in my welcome back letter. This handbook will help you stay informed on important policies and procedures of Castlewood. 


The safety of our students and staff is always a top priority. I’m pleased to share that our safer access door system has been installed at the main entrance. This will allow us to control access to the building and ensure that everyone entering the school is properly identified. We are confident that this added layer of security will make our campus safer for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation as we implement these important changes.


As many of you know, we have been undergoing construction over the past two years and I am happy to say that the School Construction Authority (SCA) has made a lot of progress.  We have installed new windows throughout most of the building and will begin installing new exterior doors shortly.  We have also continued to paint much of the building including classroom spaces and I am very thankful to our amazing custodial team for working so diligently to make this happen in such a short time.   I’m happy to report that we are on track for the completion of many of these projects in the coming months and while there may still be some ongoing work as we start the year, we are excited for the enhancements these updates will bring to our learning environment.


I want to extend a warm welcome back to all of our dedicated staff. We are fortunate to have such a talented and caring team here at Castlewood, and I know they are excited for another school year and another opportunity to make a positive impact on your childrens’ lives. Their passion and commitment are what make Castlewood such a special place for learning.  I want to extend a special welcome back to Deidre Graham who has been a member of the Castlewood family for many years.  Mrs. Graham brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and excitement to our first grade team!


Next Thursday, September 12th will be our first in person back to school night since the pandemic!!!  This is a huge milestone moment for all of us and we hope to see you there at 4:00.  We will follow our first back to school night with a carnival for all PS 186 students on Friday, September 13th!  Be sure to follow us on instagram @Castlewoodps186 to see all the great photos of what's happening at Castlewood!


Thank you for your continued support of our school community. I look forward to seeing you and your children soon and to another great year at Castlewood


Have a great weekend!