The French Dual Language Program at MS 256, located on Manhattan's Upper West Side, is open to all students who are residents of Manhattan and applicants will be screened to establish their proficiency in both English and French. The program is open to participants of elementary school French Dual Language and Bilingual Programs as well as English Language Learners and French heritage language speakers. Students are expected to be proficient or fluent in reading, writing and speaking French prior to entering the program.

The French dual language program at MS 256 will offer students two courses taught in French - Advanced French Language Arts and World Culture/History. All other subject areas - English Language Arts, Math, Science, Physical Education and electives - will be taught in English.

Additionally, MS 256 offers an after-school French Club and a French Homework Help program.

For September 2014, MS 256's French Dual Language Program will expand to 6th and 7th grades.

Principal Frith has set school tour dates for October 22 and 24; November 5, 12 and 19 at 9:30am.

The school is located in the Joan of Arc Complex at 154 West 93rd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam. 212.222.2857

For additional information please contact:

Ms. Starrlynn Fikaris, Parent Coordinator, sfikaris@schools.nyc.gov

Ms. Candida Frith, Principal, cfrith@schools.nyc.gov

Download the brochure: MS256Brochure.pdf

We are extremely pleased to share two significant achievements for MS256. First, we are thrilled to announce that MS 256 has been accepted into the Teacher Leadership Program (TLP) for 2013-14. Second, The American Society of the French Order of Merit (ASFOM) has awarded MS 256 a $5000 scholarship.

The mission of the Teacher Leadership Program (TLP) is to expand the positive impact and influence teacher leaders have in New York City Schools as they encounter the complex challenges of urban education.  The training is designed to support the school's work around building effective teacher teams, foster a school community that inspires effective teaching and improved student outcomes, and design professional development opportunities for teachers that are aligned to the school's goals and the citywide instructional expectations. The Teacher Leadership Program is an important step in the education leadership pipeline in New York City and MS256 id honored to be a part of this initiative.

The American Society of the French Order of Merit (ASFOM) awarded MS 256 a $5000 scholarship dedicated to the purchase of fifteen (15) iPad minis. These iPads will help provide the French Dual Language students with the tools and skills they need to learn and compete in a competitive, global environment - allowing students to research information in both English and French, as well as support them in translation and word definition.  Applications will enable students to supplement their language practice by engaging in drills and other interactive language development routines, such as reviewing grammatical or syntactical structures, practicing vocabulary or idiomatic phrases, or developing better pronunciation or listening skills.

Additionally, the iPads will provide students with interactive opportunities to explore the what life is like in France and other French-speaking nations, as well as experience the cultural contributions (specifically in the arts) that France has made to the world at large.

Combined with the funds allocated from the previously announced NYC Department of Education Bilingual Language Planning Grant, this scholarship ensures that ALL students enrolled at the start of the 2013 school year in the French Dual Language Program at MS 256 will be provided with an iPad mini to support their academic growth and development.

The President of ASFOM, Mr. George Sape, in the presence of French government officials, will present this award to MS 256 on Wednesday, June 26^th at 5pm at the Links Club at 36 East 62^nd Street.

For information on 6th grade French Dual Language Programenrollment please contact Starrlynn Fikaris at sfikaris@schools.nyc.gov or online at  http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/03/M256/default.htm

MS 256, a screened middle school located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, will launch a new French Dual Language Program this fall (2013) for incoming sixth grade students. The program is open to participants of elementary school French Dual Language and Bilingual programs, as well as English Language Learners and French heritage language speakers. Students are expected to be proficient or fluent in reading, writing, and speaking French prior to entering the program. Spaces are available and students are encouraged to apply now.

An extension of the successful Manhattan elementary school French dual language program at the Lillian Webster School for the Arts, PS 84, the program at MS 256 is designed to provide advanced French education for middle school students already fluent in the language.

The Dual Language Program will have four components: Advanced French Language Arts, Math and Social Studies taught in French and optional after school programs in French.  It is also our intent to offer students a one-of-a-kind culminating trip to France at the conclusion of eighth grade.

MS256 was awarded a $20,000 Bilingual Education Program Grant from the Department of Education to support the development of the program. In addition, Principal Perl has applied for a grant to further incorporate technology into the curriculum.

The program will begin with one French Dual Language class in grade six in the fall of 2013.  In 2014, we will accept another class, encompassing grades six and seven.  By 2015, we anticipate having one class in each grade; our first Dual Language class will graduate in June, 2016.  

Spaces are currently available. Please apply for admission on the MS 256 website,

http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/03/M256/default.htm

or by emailing the school’s parent coordinator: Starrlynn Fikaris at sfikaris@schools.nyc.gov.  

MS 256 is located in the Joan of Arc Educational Complex at 154 West 93rd Street, between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.

Click here to download the brochure and application

The new French Dual Language Middle School program on the Upper West Side of Manhattan is looking for a Francophone classroom teacher. Please read below for the details.

MS 256, a screened public middle school (grades six through eight) on the upper west side of Manhattan is looking for a francophone classroom teacher with NYS certification (or in the process) – Grades K-6 – to join us in launching our French Dual Language Program this September.  Expertise in French Language Arts (reading, writing, and literature) and Mathematics preferred (training will be provided for Mathematics).  Please contact the principal – Jeffrey Perl – at jperl2@schools.nyc.gov for more information or to apply.

The French Dual Language Middle School program opening at MS 256 Academic & Athletic Excellence on the Upper West Side is hosting an Open House tomorrow, April 5.

Interested families of current 5th Graders - parents and students - are encouraged to attend.

OPEN HOUSE

MS 256 Academic & Athletic Excellence

Joan of Arc Educational Complex

154 W. 93rd Street (between Columbus & Amsterdam Avenues)

Friday, April 5th at 9:15am

The French Dual Language program is currently accepting applications for 6th grade. The program is scheduled to open in September 2013.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact the parent coordinator at sfikaris@schools.nyc.gov

Here's the latest news on the French Dual Language (DL) middle school program opening at MS 256, a screened middle school located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, in the fall of 2013 for incoming sixth grade students.

OPEN HOUSE

Date: Friday, April 5th

Time: 9:15am

Location: MS 256

154 West 93^rd Street, between Columbus & Amsterdam

Principal Perl will host the morning event to update and inform 5^th grade students and their families about the French DL program opening fall of 2013. Designed to advance French education for middle school students already fluent in the language, the program will be an extension of the successful French DL program at PS 84 (also located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan).

ENROLLMENT

While Middle School Choice Applications have already been submitted, there is an opportunity for students in District 3 to add the new French DL program to their list of choice schools through the supplemental application for newly designated programs.

Additionally, MS 256 will post an application designed for students (not attending the PS 84 French DL program) who are interested in the program and meet the French DL eligibility requirements. It will be available on MS 256's DOE web site the week of March 11^th.

For more information about the Open House or to receive the application for admission please email the school’s parent coordinator at sfikaris@schools.nyc.gov. 

We encourage you to come explore the new MS 256 French DL opportunity!

MS 256 French Dual Language Middle School Program in Manhattan for Fall 2013
School Tour Schedule for January 2013

Families interested in a new French Dual Language - Middle School program in Manhattan for Fall 2013 are invited to tour MS 256 on the following dates in January:

Tuesday, 1/8
Thursday, 1/10
Tuesday, 1/15
Tuesday, 1/22

MS 256 is located at 154 W. 93rd Street in Manhattan. The school is easily reached by public transportation including the 1,2,3, B and C subway lines.

All tours will take place at 10am.

Please contact Starrlynn Fikaris, Parent Coordinator, at sfikaris@schools.nyc.gov if you are interested. Please let her know:

Child's name
Current school grade
Who will be attending / total number of people
1st and 2nd choice of dates

The program is open to participants of elementary school French DL and bilingual programs, as well as English Language Learners and French heritage language speakers. Students are expected to be proficient or fluent in reading, writing and speaking French prior to entering the DL Program. Preference is given to PS84 and District 3 students, but the school is permitted to accept out of district students who meet the French DL eligibility. The program is anticipated to start with one French dual language class in grade six in the fall of 2013. In 2014, the program would accept another class to encompass grades 6 and 7. By 2015, there would be one class in each grade 6, 7 and 8.

Previous post:

http://www.newyorkinfrench.net/profiles/blogs/making-the-dual-language-french-program-at-ms-256-into-a-reality

After an extremely well attended Open House earlier this week, we would like to share the dates for upcoming MS 256 school tours.

MS 256 School Tours
The best way to evaluate if a school is the right fit for your child, is to see the school in action. MS 256 on the Upper West Side in Manhattan is pleased to offer the following school tours in January:

Tuesday, January 8
Thursday, January 10
Tuesday, January 15
Tuesday, January 22

All tours will take place at 10am. Please contact Starrlynn Fikaris, Parent Coordinator, at sfikaris@schools.nyc.gov if you are interested. Please let her know:

Child's name
Current school grade
Who will be attending / total number of people
1st and 2nd choice of dates

All the best for the holidays!

Last night's Open House at MS 256 was a great success! 

This morning we had our first meeting with Principal Perl and the DOE at MS 256 to visit and discuss creating a Dual Language - French program for middle school.

In preparation for the meeting, we provided Principal Perl with many questions covering topics from his educational philosophy, academics/curriculum, teacher qualification to safety and of course, the Dual Language - French program. 

Over the weekend, Principal Perl responded in writing to all our questions! His candid and thoughtful replies were enormously appreciated. He understands that families need to make informed decisions and his timely, transparent responses enabled us to focus today's meeting on visiting the school and discussing next steps.

We had a positive meeting with Principal Perl and met Mr. Lanvin, the teacher who is fully certified to teach French as well as Math. They are both tremendously excited at the prospect of extending PS 84's successful Dual Language program through grades 6 - 8. 

MS 256's classrooms were bright and cheery, decorated with lots of print/curriculum materials. We observed students working in groups and teachers demonstrating good classroom management. PS 84's Principal Sundick was warmly greeted by a number of PS 84 alumni now attending MS 256.

We encourage you all to come see for yourselves tomorrow evening at the Open House - meet Principal Perl, teachers, students and their families:

Open House
MS 256
154 West 93rd Street
Tuesday, December 18th
5:00 - 7:00pm

No RSVP required. Refreshments will be provided. Children/Students are welcome.

Principal Perl will offer several school tours in early January for parents and students to see the school in action. We'll follow up with the dates shortly. 

The objective is to begin the program in Fall 2013 with one 6th grade Dual Language - French class with a minimum of 12-15 students. The students would move from subject to subject as a cohort - much as they have at PS 84.

Our next steps, in coordination with Principals Perl and Sundick, the DOE and with the ongoing input from the Dual Language - French families at PS 84, will be to discuss the curriculum and resources. In order to take advantage of various funding opportunities, these efforts are anticipated to begin in early January.

We have a dynamic opportunity to inform and impact the development of this Dual Language - French program!

More updates to follow after the Open House!

Wonderful news in the quest to create a Dual Language - French Middle School Program in Manhattan! MS256 Academic & Athletic Excellence on the Upper West Side is looking to add a Dual Language - French Program for Fall 2013. The program would begin with 6th grade.

On behalf of Principal Perl at MS 256, we would like to invite interested families to a Meet & Greet/Open House on Tuesday, December 18th.  This event will take place from 5:00pm – 7:00pm and refreshments will be served. It will be an opportunity to meet with some of MS 256's teachers, students and families. 

MS 256 Meet & Greet/Open House

154 West 93rd Street

Tuesday, December 18

5:00-7:00pm

RSVP - not required

Principal Perl is aware that the deadline for middle school admissions is fast approaching and wants all parents to make informed choices. Of note to parents at PS 84, Principal Perl has reached out to the Placement Office about creating an exception to the choice process which would essentially create a system whereby students in the French Dual Language Program at PS 84 would have seats reserved for them at the French Dual Language Program at MS 256.  Of course, students could apply to other schools and decide whether or not they wanted to continue with the Dual Language Program, but they would be guaranteed the right to do so if that is what the family wanted.  He informed us that the Placement Office is VERY open to making this happen.

Recently, Principal Perl had the opportunity to visit PS 84, met with some of the teachers and the fifth grade Dual Language - French students. He was very impressed. He is excited about the opportunity to extend what is already an amazing Dual Language - French program into middle school. 

Please feel free to share this information with anyone who may have a child in an elementary school dual language and/or bilingual French program.

PS84’s French-English dual language program, a recipient of the prestigious FrancEducation Label from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in recognition of its outstanding efforts in French language education, will have its first fifth grade class this Fall.  

Unfortunately, these students are challenged to continue their dual language education, as there is no French-English public middle school program currently available in Manhattan. Considering all the studies on the benefits of bilingualism, it would be a travesty if their dual language education ended.

To better understand and measure parents’ interest in Dual Language Middle School programs, particularly the creation of a French-English option, a survey was conducted of PS84’s K-4 dual language classes (French and Spanish). The survey follows in the footsteps of last year’s 500+ signature petition seeking the expansion of PS84 and dual language programs into middle school.

The survey results were resoundingly positive. Families’ overall interest in a dual language middle school program was 92% very/extremely interested with 80% extremely interested. Families with children enrolled in the French dual language program expressed overall interest at 99% very/extremely interested with 87% extremely interested.

The survey further aimed to measure parents’ interest in three possible models for a dual language middle school program: expansion of PS84, an existing District 3 middle school (nicknamed the Brooklyn model for their French-English middle school adoption effort) and a new District 3 middle school. When asked to rank their choices, parents of dual language students chose the expansion of PS84 as #1, an existing middle school as #2 and a new middle school as #3.

Alas, like many New York City public school’s PS84 faces space limitations and the Department of Education (DOE) declined the school’s request to expand to serve grades K-8. Undeterred, a group of parents is continuing to work closely with Principal Sundick and various offices of the DOE to collaborate and explore middle school options for the students in the French Dual Language program.

More to follow in the months ahead….

PS84 Dual Language Middle School Options Committee