P.S. 150 Charles James Fox

Located in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx, the students and staff of PS 150 represent a rich, ethnically diverse mix of students, according to a yearly set of goals called the Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP).  As part of their lessons, students study another country, such as Nigeria, Greece, Egypt or Mexico, and share what they learn with each other. They also explore dance, music and foods typical of the country they study. 

In addition to regular academic classes, students take science, dance, technology, library, visual arts and physical education classes. The school has two technology labs and a science lab. Afro Latin Jazz Alliance provides music instruction in grades 3 and 4, using various wind and percussion instruments. Marquis Studios provides art education to students in grades 1 to 4, and students study chess, the CEP shows.

In the past decade the numbers of children with special needs has gone up. A literacy coach and math coach train classroom teachers across all grade levels and new teachers work with mentors. A Reading Recovery teacher provides tutoring to younger children who are behind in reading. The school has seen a overall rise in test scores in recent years, though progress is still up and down, school data shows.

An on-going struggle is attendance. Many students miss at least a month of school. The school sends notes and makes phone calls to follow up, and celebrates good attendance. 

Many after school and weekend programs are available to parents, such as technology instruction in basic word processing and English language classes. Other resources include a food pantry, assistance with immigration concerns, mental health services, parenting classes and housing information.

The school has a dietician who encourages children to try new foods, including dumplings, egg rolls and rice, as shown on the school’s Twitter feed. Parents may join nutrition classes with their children in the Cookshop program. In other photos, parents are shown participating in hands-on math workshops, using pattern blocks and fraction pieces, to learn how to support their children at home. 

ADMISSIONS:  Neighborhood school. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, October 2019)