Dear Students, Parents, Guardians, and Families,
Welcome to Summer Rising at Edward Bleeker JHS 185. My name is Michael Leung, and I serve as Principal of JHS 185. I am proud to welcome you to this summer’s program in partnership with:
- Principal Ms. Nancy De Poalo of Adrien Block IS 25
- Ms. Kayla Dimuro, Summer Rising Site Supervisor and Assistant Principal of IS 25
- Ms. Patty Campopiano, Summer APO from JHS 185
- Ms. Mehak Mahmood, Director of The Child Center of New York
- Ms. Ashley Robertson, Assistant Director of The Child Center of New York
We are eager to begin the program tomorrow, Wednesday, July 2, and our entire team has been preparing with care and energy to create a welcoming and purposeful experience.
Tomorrow morning, your child should report to the school yard at 147th Street between 26th Ave. and 25th Dr. Students should look for signs with their class number, and meet their teacher. Staff will be present to assist with any questions, including class numbers.
The last day of the program will be Friday, August 8, 2025.
This summer, we aim to offer more than just academics. Our program is designed to support your child’s learning, creativity, and personal growth. Through academic support, social-emotional learning, and hands-on enrichment in the arts, sports, civics, and community projects, students will have many opportunities to explore interests, build confidence, and connect meaningfully with peers.
Key Information
School Name: JHS 185 Edward Bleeker
Address: 147-26 25th Drive, Flushing, NY 11354
Contact Methods:
- Phone: 718-445-3232
- Text: 646-450-0256
- Email: [email protected]
Program Schedule and Attendance
- Full-day participants (8:00 AM–6:00 PM) attend Monday through Friday, with afternoon programming led by our CBO partner, The Child Center of New York.
- Fridays are fully operated by CCNY, focusing on interest-based learning, creative projects, and peer interaction.
- Students in the morning-only program (8:00 AM–12:00 PM) attend Monday through Thursday.
- Regular attendance is expected for all participants, as each day is structured to build momentum and community.
Daily Routines
- Start Time: 8:00 AM. Students arriving early may use the schoolyard under supervision.
- Weather: On rainy or extreme heat days, supervised indoor spaces will be used.
- First Week: On Wednesday and Thursday, students will meet in the schoolyard and find their class by locating clearly posted signs (e.g., “702”).
- Hydration: Please send your child with a water bottle (no glass). Classrooms are air-conditioned, and bottle-filling stations are available.
- Meals:
- Breakfast is available during the first instructional period (8:00–9:00 AM) and will be served efficiently to maximize Summer Rising program utilization.
- Lunch is available for all students, including those in the morning-only schedule.
- JHS 185 also serves as a Free Meal Site for all residents in the neighborhood (more info here).
Transportation and OMNY Cards
- Students using yellow bus service will be dismissed at 3:00 PM.
- Students eligible for public transportation will receive an OMNY card for bus and subway travel. These cards will be distributed promptly.
Dismissal Times
- 12:00 PM – Morning-only students
- 3:00 PM – Students using yellow bus service
- 6:00 PM – Full-day participants
- Middle school students may independently travel home after 3:45 PM with guardian permission. Early dismissal before 3:45 PM should be incidental and requires additional coordination with CCNY staff.
Behavior, Safety, and Student Support
- Safety drills (such as evacuations and lockdowns) will be conducted as required, with families notified in advance. Please note: We will conduct an evacuation drill this week.
- We will continue to reinforce Citywide Behavioral Expectations with positive guidance, counseling, and restorative supports.
- Through supervised clubs, projects, and group activities, we will help students strengthen key social skills like respect, kindness, and teamwork.
- Our staff is committed to supporting your child—academically, socially, and emotionally—every step of the way.
Phones and Devices: A Focus on Learning and Growth
- To help students fully engage and connect without distraction, phones and smartwatches will be collected at the start of the day and securely stored in locked, sanitized, storage units within each classroom. Devices will be returned at dismissal, before students head home. Protocols are in place to efficiently and securely collect and return devices.
- If a student needs to contact a family member during the day, they may request to use one of several designated offices with support staff (such as counselor) to call home/family.
- Families can also reach us anytime via phone, text, or email. This practice allows our students to be present, participate fully, and strengthen focus—skills that benefit them not only in school, but in all areas of life. We appreciate your partnership in supporting this effort. (Reminder of methods: Phone: 718-445-3232 Text: 646-450-0256 Email: [email protected] )
Afternoon Program Reminder
- Students enrolled in the afternoon portion (12:00–6:00 PM) must submit a CCNY Supplementary Form in order to participate. This form is required citywide for all DYCD-run summer programs to ensure proper safety measures are in place.
- If you have not yet completed it, please do so at www.jhs185.org/ccnyform.
Thank you for reviewing this information and preparing your child for the start of Summer Rising. We are looking forward to a positive, enriching, and memorable summer with all of our students.
Warm regards,
Michael Leung
Principal, Edward Bleeker JHS 185
and the IS 25 and CCNY Summer Rising Team
www.jhs185.org | Follow us @BleekerPRIDE
