The Fashionable Times Blog Principal's Message 1.29.17

Greetings Fashion Families from your Principal, Daryl Blank. 

Just a reminder that the Spring term begins Tuesday, January 31.  There is no school for students on Monday, January 30.  Students are to report to school at 9:00 am and go to their OP (Organizational Period) classroom.  Students will receive their Fall term report card, their Spring schedule and Spring term Metrocard.

There will be regular classes on Tuesday beginning Period 3 after their Organizational Period.  Students will finish school at the regular time.  Students who finish the school day after 8^th period are done at 2:47 pm.  Students who finish the school day after 9^th period are done at 3:37 pm. 

The Air Conditioner campaign is making good progress with over $15,000 raised.  With the matching donation up to $50,000, we have an excellent chance to get the whole building air conditioned.  I did the math – if every HSFI family contributed $12 each, we would have enough for air conditioners throughout the school.  That is right, $12 per family.  Thank you to all the Fashion families that have given what they could for this campaign.  Encourage your child to use this time off from school to fund raise for this goal.  Just think how nice it would be for them to sit in an air conditioned classroom and think how uncomfortable, hot and sticky it would be for them to sit in a classroom WITHOUT AC!  Every little bit helps! No amount is too small!  SPREAD THE WORD TO FAMILY & FRIENDS!

If you or someone you know wants to contribute cash, please bring the money to Room 819 where we can give you receipt.  If you want to write a check to contribute to the campaign, the check should be made out to HSFI Alumni Association.  Your child can drop it off in Room 819 or it can be mailed to the school at 225 West 24^th Street, New York, NY 10011 and made to Attention to me, Daryl Blank, Principal.  Remember, only $12 is needed from each HSFI family.

Link to the GoFundMe Campaign:

https://www.gofundme.com/air-conditioners-fashion-high

Link to the DNA Info article on the AC Campaign:

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170105/chelsea/high-school-of-fashion-industries-air-conditioner-fundraiser

Our Social Emotional Learning efforts continue.  Most students were taught 2 lessons about Social-Emotional Learning during the Fall term and they will be taught an additional 2 lessons on this topic come February in their major classes.  Our goal is that HSFI is a community that values how every single student feels and helps all students understand their feelings and has strategies to handle these feelings in a positive way.  One goal for the Spring term is to create a document that outlines what every student wants to feel at HSFI and what we are going to do to help students achieve these feelings.  To begin this dialogue about how students feel when they are at HSFI, I emailed students a 2-minute survey – please encourage them to fill out the survey.  I look forward to working with you on helping HSFI continue to develop as a community where emotions matter!

In exciting news, we will be giving Fashion families an opportunity in March to come and observe HSFI classes.  I approached the teaching staff at the school about HSFI parents having a chance to visit classes and their response was all positive.  Since this was something I just proposed, we will be working out the details with the Parents Association and our staff.  I hope many of you are able to attend these visitations and see our staff and your children in action.  I am very excited about this event that will bring the school and our families closer together.  Details coming soon!

As usual, every week I am going to highlight the ways in which our HSFI families can volunteer to support the school.  On Monday, February 6^th from 9 am to Noon, seniors will be getting their caps and gowns measured in the student lounge - volunteers are needed to help organize students as well as manage the photo station that will be set up for the day.  We have a Homecoming Dance scheduled for Saturday, February 11 – we would appreciate any parents who would be willing to chaperone the dance.  Please contact me directly if you are interested in these volunteer opportunities.

Make sure you and your child are checking Jupiter Grades to know where they stand in their classes.  Students should be checking their HSFI email every day.

We maintain a weekly blog for HSFI Parents - the link is: http://hsfifashionabletimes.blogspot.com/

The school website has a section specifically for HSFI Parents – the link is: www.fashionhighschool.net

Thank you!