ANNIVERSARY DAY/CHANCELLOR'S CONFERENCE DAY
CLERICAL DAY
JUNETEENTH
If you are interested in attending our school and your child is in 1st to 5th Grade, please fill out an application today.
Depending on availability you will receive an email in June if you were accepted.
Any questions, please reach call the school at 718-558-7088.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
A group of public school parents created a volunteer assistance program. If you need help with translation, interpretation, internet connectivity and/or remote learning platform, you can request free assistance from volunteers. Please fill out the request form on our website at www.parentvolunteers.nyc/. A volunteer will be contacting you within two to three days.
If you have any questions, please email hello@parentvolunteers.nyc.
Parent Volunteers NYC Team
All Families need to fill out a lunch form as soon as possible even if you are remote. The lunch forms effect our school budget. So Please take a minute to fill it out! Thank you!
https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict
Tips for Parents & Caregivers
Even during challenging times, take steps to be your best for yourself and your kids!
1. Take time each day to do something for yourself, such as exercise, stretching, talking to friends, and reading.
2. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, give yourself a timeout, even if it’s just stepping into another room for a few minutes of peace and quiet.
3. Keep your sense of humor when things don’t go as planned. No one is a perfect parent—or a perfect child.
4. Accept that children sometimes make mistakes, are inconsistent, and act thoughtlessly—this is part of being a child.
5. Count to 10 before you react when you get angry.
6. Ease tension with a smile or joke, or by changing the subject.
7. Listen to your child and show you value your conversations. Good communication can prevent conflict.
8. Schedule in family fun and fitness.
9. Learn how children mature so your expectations for your child’s behavior are realistic.
10. Make household chores part of your children’s day so less busy work falls to you.
Stay Healthy, Stay Connected
Take care of yourself by washing your hands often, not touching your face, getting enough sleep, eating well-balanced meals, and staying active. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-level activity five days a week.
Positive social interactions help relieve stress, depression, and anxiety. Maintain a support system of friends and family—keep in touch via phone calls, texts, email, and social media. Open up about how you’re feeling. If you’re in a relationship, make time for your partner without distractions. And if you need help, ask
© Positive Promotions, Inc. • All rights reserved. • Parent & Caregiver Support Series Tip Sheet 2
How to reach school staff
In all communication, include your first and last name, child’s first and last name, and grade.
School Leadership
Principal: Nicole Grant
Questions about a class should start with the class teacher. Once you've done that, if you still need help, please reach out to me via email or Class Dojo.
Assistant Principal: Prince Canty
Questions about a class should start with the class teacher. Once you've done that, if you still need help, please reach out to me via email or Class Dojo.
Parent Coordinator: Vivian Alvarez
Questions about a class should start with the class teacher. Once you've done that, if you still need help, please reach out to me via email or Class Dojo.
Technology Coordinator : Christina Tracy
Questions about technology please reach out to me via email or Class Dojo. Additional Technology Support please contact NYC DOE Help Desk: 718-938-5100 or NYC DOE Technical Support for Families.
Guidance Counselor : Maureen Abernethy
Questions about Attendance, Special Education, Middle School please reach out to me via email or Class Dojo.
School Secretary: Margo Dodell
Questions about Registration, Immunization please reach out to me via email .
Social Worker : Ms. Avrill Blondell
Questions about Wellness & Mentoring, Family Support , Crisis Intervention please reach out to me via email or Class Dojo.
Teachers
Teachers hold "office hours' via google meet Wednesdays from 7:30am to 8:00am. Reach out to your child's teacher to set up on appointment through Class Dojo.
Stay Connected
Stay Connected on Class Dojo with Daily Updates and QE Magnet School Website.
Katerina from K-011 
. Janine from Pre-K 
Mahjubah from Class 203 Free breakfast & lunch for all students! See the breakfast and lunch menus:
We are proud to have been named in the top 1% of Citywide Elementary Schools for Spring 2019—one of just 6 schools in the city to achieve this distinction! We were named in the top 5% each year for 2015 – 2018, based on MOSL scores and ratings from administrator visits. Thank you to our hardworking staff and students for demonstrating what inquiry and service learning can achieve!
It's a Doggy Dog World
Thank you for your constant support.
Dear Queens Explorers Families,
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself! My name is Maureen Abernethy and I am the 3K-5 Elementary School Counselor. I am so excited to be part of the Queens Explorers family; it is so apparent how close-knit and welcoming this school community is, I feel very lucky to be part of it!
My passion for school counseling began during my time as a student at St John’s University where I received my Bachelors of Science degree in Education and then at Brooklyn College College where I earned my Masters of Science and Certificate of Advanced Study in School Counseling. I have 26 years combined school counseling and teaching experience. What I love most about the Queens Explorers is the genuine curiosity students have in their learning and the world around them, as well as the opportunity for early intervention support that can have a lifetime positive impact on a child.
As a School Counselor, my primary responsibility is to promote the academic, career, and social/emotional development of all students. Many times I get puzzled looks when I say I provide career development at the elementary level, but it is never too early for children to be exposed to the opportunities their futures will hold! I look forward to offering support to the students, staff, families, and community. I will be meeting with students individually and in small groups, conducting classroom counseling lessons, meeting with parents, collaborating with teachers and staff, and consulting with community organizations to benefit and meet the needs of all Queens Explorers students.
You may have noticed above that I put in bold and underlined the word, “all” students. Sometimes when the term “counselor” is heard, some may perceive that a counselor may only work with a select few students in a 1:1 counseling capacity, but that is not the case! School Counseling programs reach and meet the needs of all students in a school through many various ways, including those listed above. I am here to advocate for all students. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call (718) 558-7088 or email me maberne@schools.nyc.gov at any time.
I have many roles and responsibilities at Queens Explorers. Some of my roles that support students and families are:
· Attendance Coordinator
· Respect for All Liaison
· 504 Coordinator
· Middle School Articulation Coordinator
· Special Education Liaison
· Safety Coordinator & BRT Leader
· Restorative Circle Facilitator
Transportation Coordinator
I am so excited to work with your children and get to know you throughout the school year!
All the best,
Maureen Abernethy
3K-5 School Counselor
Dear Queens Explorers parents and students,
I would like to introduce myself! My name is Avril Blondell and I am your child’s School Social Worker and I am super excited to be a part of Queens Explorers Elementary family. I’ve worked with children and families for many years in a variety of settings and bring years of experience to the school community.
My goal is to promote the Social Emotional wellbeing of our students and to provide services which promote the development of the school environment, create a sense of belonging and connectedness, develop positive relationships, enhance self- esteem, and empower every member of the school community which include you the parents.
There have been many changes for all of us over these past few years and together we will get through this! Remember, I am here to advocate and lend support the entire family which means collaborating with you about what works best for the student academically, socially, and emotionally!
Looking forward to collaborating with you in the future!
I can be reached @ Ablondell@schools.nyc.gov or 718-558-7088
I would like to take a couple of minutes of your time to introduce myself. My name is Vivian Alvarez, and I am the Parent Coordinator for Queen's Explorer since September 2021. I would share a little bit about myself to give you a better understanding of who I am.
I'm a proud parent of twin nine-year-old girls that this school. I've also been involved in the school as a PTA member in 2017 and as the PTA President for the last three years. As well as Treasurer with the District 27 President Council.
In addition, I have over 10 years of human resources and support administrative experience which has allowed me to interact with customers and address their concerns. In my prior positions, I was also a junior programmer in different industries.
As a parent, I understand your concerns and as a professional and I am here to assist you. I'm looking forward to making a difference to bridge the gap with parents and school communication.
Sincerely,
Vivian Alvarez
