October 13th, 2023 - ALERT: P.S. 211 Safety Update Regarding Current Events

Dear Families,

Our top priority is the safety and well-being of every student and staff member in our school community. As the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate and we are seeing increased news coverage of social media posts promoting violence, I am writing to provide you with information on how we are monitoring the events and to share some resources that may be helpful for you in discussion with your children.

First, please be reassured that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) actively monitors social media sites and threats of violence. We remain in constant communication with the NYPD, and at this time, there are no specific threats against our schools.

In times of great upheaval and uncertainty, it is easy for fear and rumors to flourish. It is important that students are equipped with the tools they need to discern fact from fiction. We encourage you to visit the NYC Department of Education Digital Citizenship page for more information on how to support your child in building their skills in media literacy and safe online behaviors.

We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for our students at all times. Additional resources supporting thoughtful instruction and students’ mental health in the face of disturbing current events can be found on the NYC Department of Education Current Events page.

I urge all members of our school community to explore these resources, lean on one another, and continue to engage in open dialogue. Together, we can navigate these challenging times.

For more information, feel free to contact Ms. Gisella Catarine, our school’s Parent Coordinator, at 929-260-0084 or through our various communication apps such as our school’s very own Elm Tree Elementary phone application.

Sincerely, 

Kristen Niven 

Principal Elm Tree Elementary School