Technology and Communication
AT PS 131
COMMUNICATION
Please ensure to regularly check your child's backpack, phone messages, and your email for direct communication from your child's teacher, school administrators, the PTA, and the DOE.
NYC Public Schools GAMA: You will receive emails, phone messages, and texts at various times via the NYC Messaging system.
NYCSA - New York City Schools Account: You will receive emails, phone messages, and texts at various times via the NYC Messaging system.
NYCSA - New York City Schools Account: This essential account enables you to access your child's report card, state test results, biographical and attendance data, IEP, and more! Access this account at http://schoolsaccount.nyc
Please follow this link for step-by-step instructions on creating your NYCSA account. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you will find links to the instructions in all DOE languages.
Letters containing access codes are sent home with your child in September. If you cannot locate that letter, you can still set up the account and then contact our Parent Coordinator, Astrid Mesones, at amesones@schools.nyc.gov to request the account creation code.
Please inform your child's teacher (or any staff member) if you require Translation and Interpretation services. We can provide document translation, bilingual staff members, and utilize the DOE's over-the-phone interpretation service to ensure clearer communication with parents.
NYC Department of Education: The DOE also offers valuable information and resources for you at schools.nyc.gov. You can access important DOE letters and notices translated into various languages at schools.nyc.gov/messagesforfamilies. If you are not receiving emails or phone calls, or if you need assistance accessing the NYCSA, please contact Ms. Mesones at amesones@schools.nyc.gov. Make sure to include your child's full name in the message. Thank you!
STUDENT ACCOUNT LETTER 2024-2025
Dear Parent/Guardian of PS 131 Student,
Welcome back to the 2024-2025 school year! This year, we are continuing to utilize
nycstudents.net accounts for all students. These accounts will be accessed by students throughout
the school year, both at school and at home, in the event of an emergency school closure.
To access the nycstudents.net accounts:
Go to classroom.google.com
Click Sign in to Classroom.
Enter the nycstudents.net-mail address found in the box on your personalized
letter. Samplestudent@nycstudents.net (use the email address provided in your letter)Click Next.
Enter your password:
Click Next.
If there is a welcome message, review it.
Click Accept.
If you decide to reset your child’s password, please ensure that it is easily memorable for them.
Forgotten passwords will need to be changed by school staff to allow your child to access their
devices while in the school building. For instructions on how to reset your child’s account,
please refer to the information below:
How to Reset Your Child’s Password in NYCSA
You can reset your student password easily by following these instructions:
Click on Settings.
Click on Student Password.
Select the child whose password you want to update.
Enter a new password. Your password must:
o Contain between 8–32 characters.o Contain at least one number (0–9).
o Contain at least one lowercase letter (a–z).
o Contain at least one uppercase letter (A–Z).
Retype the new password.
Click on Save.
That’s it! Your password has been reset.
DEVICE REQUESTS & RETURNS
R If you would like to request a device for a PS 131 student in your family to use this school year, please send an email to Mr. Kenny at cleung10@schools.nyc.gov with the following information:
Child's full name and date of birth
Parent's name, email, phone number, and address
Do you have wifi available in your home? Yes/No
Returns:
All laptops and iPads loaned to students must be returned to the school if you discharge from the NYC Public School System.
If you are moving to another NYC Public School, you can bring any iPad with the asset tag beginning DOE-COV, DOE-R2, DOE-ACB with you as these iPads were issued by DOE central.
All laptops (asset tag beginning DOE-LN) and iPads (asset tag beginning DOE-AP) belong to PS 131 and must be returned to our building.
You may also wish to return a device that is not working well or is no longer needed.
Please bring the device and charger to the school and ask for Mr. Kenny. We will give you a receipt when you return the device.
NEED TECHNOLOGY HELP?
Broken Device?
Lost or Stolen Device?
Need help with an application?
The DOE can help!
The DOE now offers a Remote Learning Technical Support system for families. You can request help with various issues like application support, lost or broken devices, and delivery status through the Technical Support for Families Page. When you choose a topic and problem in the form, it suggests common solutions. If these don't work, you can still submit a tech support ticket by completing the form.
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/digital-learning/applications-and-platforms/supporthub.
You may also contact our technology teacher, Mr. Kenny, at cleung10@schools.nyc.gov with any technology-related questions.
KEY CONTACTS
You may call the main office at 718-431-1960 or contact Parent Coordinator Astrid Mesones by email amesones@schools.nyc.gov with your questions and concerns.For tech help (whether you are using a DOE, school issued or personal device) please see the link for DOE Tech support below, or contact Mr. Kenny at cleung10@schools.nyc.gov.
TECH TIPS FOR FAMILIES
This year, the DOE is using Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet for virtual meetings and classes. Parents often ask how to hide their background during these sessions. Here are simple instructions on creating virtual backgrounds:
· Background Effects in MS Teams
· Background Effects in Google Meet
Have multiple Google accounts -- Work, school, personal? Find the solution below in just one minute
Avoid conflicts by creating a Google Chrome profile for each user. Access here for a video
about how to manage multiple accounts. Access here for a video about how to switch
accounts on a shared device.
Visit the Google Junior Training Series for other helpful videos