Our School | P.S 315

Principal Judith Ranft-Quartana Smiling woman with dirty blonde hair and necklace

Principal’s Vision Statement

PS 315K envisions a school as a diverse educational community of collaborative learners where all members are engaged in the educational process. Staff, parents, and students are all focused and working toward getting our students college and career ready to meet the challenges of an ever changing technological 21st century society. Students will develop through an academically rigorous curriculum important decision making, critical thinking and technological skills enhanced through the fine arts and fostering the ability to communicate effectively.

All members of the school community will share accountability for creating a positive, supportive, nurturing,

and respectful school environment, and for achieving successful student outcomes through a high quality,

standards driven curriculum where the arts are celebrated and diversity embraced.

Our Mission Statement

The mission of PS 315K is to promote a safe and respectful learning environment where students are educated to be college and career ready. PS 315K strives to serve the needs of its students, parents, and the entire learning community. We envision a school environment which celebrates diversity and enables all constituents to learn from the past and be ready to face the challenges and technologies of the future. We believe that the performing arts, combined with standards-driven instruction , will serve as an integral part of our academic program, which will build self-esteem and further increase the academic achievement of our students. While the primary goal is the improvement of student performance in keeping with the New York State Next Generation Standards, we hope that through the emergence of the arts, our children will be afforded the opportunity to make valuable contributions to the community.

2025-2026
Instructional Focus

Improve teacher effectiveness in classroom pedagogy centered on data driven instructional practices with a focus on developing assessments and accountability systems to track student progress to enable teachers to discuss best instructional practices for increased student outcomes in ELA and Math.

January/February 2026

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026! It is hard to believe that we are already in January and nearly halfway through the 2025–2026 school year. As we begin this new year, we hope it brings safety, positivity, and success for our entire school community. We also welcome new leadership in New York City with Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead for our students and schools.

This time of year provides an opportunity to reflect on our goals and assess our progress. Academically, we continue to monitor our students’ growth toward proficiency. A key part of this work is our daily MTSS “WIN” period, during which teachers provide differentiated instruction based on individual student needs. Teachers will continue to closely progress-monitor students to ensure they are receiving the support necessary to succeed.

Middle-of-Year Screeners in English Language Arts and Mathematics will be administered throughout January as part of this progress-monitoring process. These assessments help us determine how students are progressing and allow us to adjust MTSS groupings across grade levels as needed. Following this, the Promotion in Doubt period will take place at the end of January. During this time, we will identify students who are not currently meeting progress benchmarks toward promotion in June. Meetings will be scheduled with parents and guardians of students identified as Promotion in Doubt to discuss next steps and supports.

We kindly ask for your continued support in ensuring that students attend school regularly, unless they are ill, and arrive on time. Instruction begins promptly at 8:00 a.m., and students arriving after 8:10 a.m. are marked late. These latenesses can add up and result in missed instructional time. Please remember to notify the school if your child is sick so absences can be properly documented.

This season also allows us to reflect on and celebrate the many diverse cultures that make up the PS 315K learning community. In January, we honor the legacy and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose vision reminds us that unity, peace, and respect across differences strengthen our nation. February marks African American History Month, during which we celebrate the many African American leaders and trailblazers who have helped shape our country. Throughout the month, students will learn about and honor notable individuals in African American history. Women’s History Month follows in March, recognizing the significant contributions of women to American history and culture. This year also marks the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, a nation founded on democratic ideals.

February is also an important month for “Respect for All.” This initiative highlights and honors the diversity of cultures, ethnicities, religions, gender identities, and beliefs within our school community. Respect for All Week will be observed from February 9 through February 13 in all New York City public schools. During this week—and throughout the month—we will emphasize the importance of creating and maintaining a respectful, inclusive school environment. Bullying, including cyberbullying, intimidation, and bias-based harassment, has no place in our school or community. Ensuring a safe, supportive learning environment free from harassment or discrimination is a top priority for all of us.

Respect for All Week is designed to reinforce the importance of respect, inclusion, and acceptance so that all members of the school community feel safe and valued. Teaching children to respect others is a shared responsibility between school and home. During this week, students will participate in activities such as creating kindness chains, giving “put-ups” instead of “put-downs,” and celebrating the diversity that makes our community unique. We ask that you reinforce these messages at home by reminding children that everyone deserves respect and that bullying, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination are never acceptable.

Thank you for your continued support of your child’s education. Please know that we remain united in our commitment to promoting respect for diversity and fostering inclusive learning environments for all students. We are dedicated to making African American History Month, Respect for All Week, and multicultural celebrations meaningful and impactful—not just during January and February, but throughout the entire school year.

I sincerely thank you for your partnership and for being your child’s first teachers and lifelong advocates. Your flexibility and support during these challenging times are deeply appreciated. It is my hope that 2026 will be a year filled with optimism and progress as the new mayor and chancellor work to support the education of the whole child.

Thank you for giving me the privilege of serving you and your children as Principal of PS 315.

Respectfully,

Judith Ranft-Quartana

Principal, PS 315K