October Principal’s Message

Dear PS 174 Families, Students, Staff, and Community Partners,

As we begin October, I want to thank our entire school community for helping us launch a strong school year. Every day, we see students engaged in learning, educators committed to excellence, families supporting learning at home, and community partners enriching opportunities for our children. Together, we are creating the conditions for every student to thrive.

This year, Public School 174 will strengthen instructional practice through a coordinated cycle of goal setting, high-quality instruction, progress monitoring, and responsive support. Using state, school, and classroom data, we will identify areas of need, establish measurable goals, and monitor student growth throughout the year. Our professional learning and collaborative structures will support teachers in making purposeful instructional decisions that lead to strong outcomes for every student.

Our Instructional Priorities
1. Rigorous, Explicit Instruction

We will ensure that all students have access to rigorous, grade-level instruction through clear modeling, purposeful questioning, guided practice, checks for understanding, and opportunities to apply learning independently. Instruction will focus on developing conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and student ownership of learning. Students will engage daily with clear learning targets so they understand what they are learning and why it matters.

How Families Can Support

• Ask your child about the learning target they worked on each day.
• Encourage your child to explain their thinking and problem-solving process.
• Support regular attendance and punctuality to maximize learning opportunities.

How Students Can Support

• Be able to explain the day's learning target.
• Participate actively and ask questions when something is unclear.
• Challenge yourself to persevere through difficult tasks.

2. Assessment, Goal Setting & Progress Monitoring

We will use state assessment results, classroom assessments, and ongoing checks for understanding to establish goals and monitor student growth. Teachers and instructional teams will regularly analyze student performance, identify trends, and determine instructional next steps.

How Families Can Support

• Review progress reports and assessment feedback with your child.
• Celebrate effort, growth, and achievement.
• Attend parent workshops and conferences to better understand your child's progress.

How Students Can Support

• Learn and monitor your academic goals.
• Reflect on feedback and use it to improve.
• Take ownership of your progress toward learning targets.

3. Responsive Instruction & Targeted Support

Evidence of student learning will guide responsive instruction. Teachers will provide targeted small-group instruction, intervention, enrichment, scaffolds, and reteaching opportunities to ensure students receive the support they need while maintaining access to grade-level standards.

How Families Can Support

• Maintain communication with your child's teacher.
• Encourage your child to take advantage of intervention and enrichment opportunities.
• Ensure homework and independent practice are completed consistently.

How Students Can Support

• Participate fully in small-group learning opportunities.
• Use teacher feedback to strengthen your understanding.
• Seek help when needed and take responsibility for your learning.

4. Collaborative Professional Learning & Collective Accountability

Our staff will engage in ongoing coaching, collaborative planning, inquiry, and reflection aligned to student needs and school priorities. Through collective accountability and shared responsibility, we will continue improving outcomes for every student.

How Community Partners Can Support

• Continue providing programs and experiences that enrich student learning.
• Partner with us to support family engagement and student wellness.
• Help create opportunities that connect classroom learning to real-world experiences.

Working Together for Student Success

At PS 174, we believe that student success is a shared responsibility. When students understand their learning targets, teachers work collaboratively, families stay engaged, and community partners remain invested. We create conditions for all children to achieve their full potential.

Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and commitment to our students. Together, we will ensure that every child grows academically, socially, and emotionally throughout the 2026-2027 school year.

Warm regards,

Dr. Hazel Ann Lewis-28Q174 Principal