December 12, 2022 
Dear Parents and Guardians, 

The purpose of this email is to inform you of several important events taking place in the immediate or near future: 

1. Hour of Code 
Jocelyn Humphreys, John Jay Business and Computer Science teacher and advisor to the John Jay Computer Science Honor Society, will visit Van Wyck tomorrow with members of the "Society" to participate in the Hour of Code with select classes. We look forward to seeing Jocelyn and former Van Wyck students in our first ever Hour of Code. 

2. Good Citizens Breakfast 
The "Good Citizens" Breakfast and Award Ceremony for the month of November will be held this week on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. Students are nominated by their teachers and receive a letter in the mail inviting them to a small ceremony in the library. 

3. Behavior Code and Safety Assembly 
The Behavior Code and Safety Assembly will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2022, by grade level during Periods 1 and 2. Administration, along with our SRO and SSO, will review the WCSD Code of Behavior and school safety procedures. 

4. Academic Achievement Award Ceremony 
The Quarter 1 Academic Achievement Award Ceremony will take place on Friday, December 16, 2022. Students will be recognized for having the highest course average by team and subject, as well as students in both 7th and 8th grades who have the highest class average. Students being recognized will receive a letter in the mail from the main office. 

5. Perfect Attendance Award Ceremony 
The Perfect Attendance Award Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, for students who have perfect attendance for the 1st Quarter. Students being recognized will receive a letter in the mail from the main office. 

6. Computer-Based Testing 
This year, Van Wyck will pilot the NYS Grade 7 Computer-Based Test in English-Language Arts. This pilot is strategic since paper-based testing is being phased out over the next several years beginning with English-Language Arts. This pilot will allow us to become familiar with the process of preparing for and administering Computer-Based Testing. 
In order to fully prepare for the operational administration of Computer-Based testing in April, 2023, we are required to participate in a simulation test in January, 2023. The simulation will take up to one class period to administer. We plan to administer the simulation test on January 18, 2023. The simulation test will allow us to test our systems and processes in preparation for the operational test. Students do not receive a score on the simulation test. 

We have had a number of damaged Chromebooks reported to the school. Some of these Chromebooks are damaged beyond repair. Please remind your child to keep her/his Chromebook in its case for maximum protection. This will minimize accidental damage and loss of use. 

On behalf of faculty, staff, and administration, I wish you a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season. 

Respectfully,

Dr. Steven H. Shuchat, Principal