As we welcome our new students to HSFI, we created a list of Frequently Asked Questions with answers to those questions.
If you are a new student or family member and do not see a question / answer that you want to know about, please contact:
Assistant Principal of Family Engagement, Ms. Danielle Silva - dsilva3@schools.nyc.gov / 347-841-6851
or
Principal Daryl Blank - dblank@schools.nyc.gov
WHEN IS THE SUMMER BRIDGE PROGRAM? HOW DO I SIGN UP?
During Summer Bridge students will have an opportunity to make friends with their new classmates, meet some of our amazing teachers and counselors as well as get comfortable with the building as they engage in activities to learn about what it means to be a 9th grader at Fashion.
Summer Bridge has two sessions, each three days long. Week one takes place July 16th through July 18th. Week two takes place July 23rd through July 25th. You sign up for either a morning or afternoon session for only one three day session. Once students are accepted to HSFI, they will receive an email inviting them to register for HSFI’s Summer Bridge. If you have not yet received this invitation, please contact Assistant Principal Ms. Silva at dsilva3@schools.nyc.gov.
Families are also welcome to register their child using this link:
HSFI 2024 Summer Bridge Registration link
IF MY CHILD CANNOT ATTEND THE SUMMER BRIDGE PROGRAM, WHEN CAN I VISIT THE SCHOOL BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL?
Students and families new to HSFI have the opportunity to take a tour and practice commuting to the school building on Wednesday, August 28 and Thursday, August 29 from 10:00 am until Noon. Current HSFI students will run the tours and answer any questions you may have.
WHEN IS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL?
The first day of school is Thursday, September 5. The school will be in touch with HSFI families about the arrival time on September 5th.
WHAT ARE FASHION DOLLARS?
Fashion Dollars is the monetary currency at HSFI - students earn Fashion Dollars for positive behavior connected to our Success Skills. Success Skills are the skills that lead to success in high school, work, college and life. We have identified these skills at HSFI:
Be KIND
Be CREATIVE
Be an effective COMMUNICATOR
Be a constructive PROBLEM-SOLVER
WORK HARD
Be DEPENDABLE
Embrace TECHNOLOGY
Be an INFORMED and CONTRIBUTING member of society
Students use their Fashion Dollars at our FLY School Store to buy HSFI gear including t-shirts, sweatshirts and various merchandise.
HOW DO STUDENTS KNOW ABOUT HSFI CLUBS & ACTIVITIES?
HSFI will run a Club & Activities Fair during the second week of school where students will be able to learn all about our clubs and activities. HSFI students can participate in as many activities as they wish. HSFI clubs and activities take place after school.
WHAT SPORTS DOES HSFI HAVE?
HSFI has 17 sports teams. Sports teams in New York City take place during the Fall, Winter and Spring seasons.
Our Fall sports: Girls Varsity Cross Country Track; Girls Varsity Soccer; Girls Varsity Swimming; Girls Varsity Volleyball; Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball; Girls Varsity Bowling; Boys Varsity Bowling; Boys Varsity Badminton
Our Winter sports: Girls Varsity Basketball; Girls Varsity Indoor Track; Boys Varsity Basketball
Our Spring sports: Girls Varsity Outdoor Track; Girls Varsity Softball; Girls Varsity Wrestling; Boys Varsity Volleyball; Co-Ed Stunts
HOW DOES A STUDENT PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL SPORTS?
Students can participate in one sport per season (Fall, Winter & Spring).
Students must try out for each team. To be eligible to try out for a sport, students must have (1) A valid sports physical using a specific form that the school can provide; (2) A signed parental consent form; and (3) Specific grade and attendance requirements.
9th grade students entering high school are immediately eligible to play on sports teams.
HOW DO I KNOW MY CHILD’S MAJOR?
Students majors in 9th grade are based on which program code they were accepted in during the high school application process: Art, Photography, and Graphic Design (M68J), Business Marketing and Visual Merchandising (M68M), and Fashion Design and Accessories (M68L).
These three program codes align to three of our six majors - Art & Design, Fashion Marketing & Management, and Fashion Design. HSFI also has Photography, Visual Presentation, and Software Development. All 9th grade students will take the same two art courses mixed by the accepted program to experience all six of HSFI's majors before reapplying for Sophomore year.
All students in all accepted programs have access to all six majors with priority access going to students with strong attendance, being on time every day to all classes, and being academically successful in their 9th grade art courses.
If you would like to the sequence of classes for all of our 6 majors, please visit our HSFI Pathways Profile using this link - the list of classes is on the second page of this document:
DOES HSFI OFFER ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND HONORS COURSES?
Yes, below is a listing of all the Advanced Placement courses and which grade students are eligible to take these classes. As you can see, the higher the grade, the more a student can take Advanced Placement classes.
Honors sections are created for each Regents course, so a student is eligible to be in them whenever they reach that course in the sequence (i.e. Trigonometry Honors would be primarily for 11th graders, however a 10th grader who entered high school with Algebra credit could technically be eligible for entry to Trigonometry honors if they met the academic criteria).
DOES HSFI OFFER COLLEGE CLASSES?
Yes, HSFI does offer college classes through a program called College Now. College Now is a collaborative program between the City University of New York (CUNY) and the New York City Department of Education. College Now offers high school students an opportunity to experience college life by making it possible for them to take college preparatory and college-level courses. Successful students can earn college credits at CUNY before graduating from high school. Students can also attend orientation and special events on CUNY campuses.
These courses are offered tuition free to the students and are held after the regular school day or on Saturdays. HSFI partners with Baruch College, City College, Hunter College and LaGuardia Community College, but students have the opportunity to participate in any of the College Now Programs throughout NYC.
Find more information here: https://k16.cuny.edu/collegenow/
WHO CAN I CONTACT IF MY CHILD HAS AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN AND/OR 504?
HSFI has a specific department devoted to supporting students with Individualized Education Plans and 504s. The Assistant Principal is Ms. McGuinness who can be reached at BMcguinness3@schools.nyc.gov.
At HSFI, students with disabilities have access to the same curriculum and high expectations as their peers, while receiving the support they need to succeed outlined in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) in the least restrictive environment. In addition, we offer various related services for students who qualify. We have numerous educational settings to best address the needs of our students which include, ICT, SETSS and 15:1 Special Class. In addition, we have a trained staff of psychologists, a social worker, counselors and teachers who work closely with our students to ensure their needs are being met within our challenging academic environment. We receive access to your child’s IEP if they are entering from a NYC Department of Education school. If your child is coming from a private or charter school, we suggest connecting with Ms. McGuinness to discuss services.
If your child had 504 accommodations while in 8th grade, we ask that you submit the most recent plan and updated 504 accommodation forms. Once received, a HSFI staff member will contact you to schedule a meeting.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY CHILD’S SCHEDULE IF THEY PASSED A REGENTS EXAM IN MIDDLE SCHOOL?
If a student passes a Regents Exam in middle school AND passes the corresponding high school level course in middle school, they will have fulfilled that graduation requirement, and will be promoted to the next course in the sequence.
If your child attended a NYC public middle school, we will automatically have access to their middle school transcript which includes the Regents Exams and courses. However, students who attended a catholic school, charter school, or a middle school outside of NYC, must provide HSFI with an official transcript before any programming changes will be made.
WHAT TIME DOES SCHOOL START EVERYDAY? WHAT TIME DOES SCHOOL END?
□ It depends on the day of the week. Monday is a different schedule than Tuesday-Friday because we do professional development with all staff on Monday mornings from 8:50 am to 9:40 am.
□ It also depends on whether a student has an ‘early’ or ‘late’ schedule. Students have an ‘early’ or ‘late’ schedule depending on when the classes that they need are given. Students and families can request an early or late schedule, but there are no guarantees that we can fulfill the request because a student’s schedule depends on when the classes that they need are given.
□ Mondays
Students who have an early schedule that start with first period will start their school day at 9:45 am and finish their day at 3:00 pm
Students who have a late schedule that start with second period will start their school day at 10:25 am and finish their day at 3:40 pm
□ Tuesday - Friday
Students who have a late schedule that start with first period will start their school day at 8:10 am and finish their day at 2:50 pm
Students who have a late schedule that start with second period will start their school day at 9:00 am and finish their day at 3:40 pm
WHAT IS THE EARLIEST THAT MY CHILD CAN COME INTO THE SCHOOL BUILDING?
7:30 am - this is when the building officially opens. Students can go to the cafeteria to eat breakfast at this time. Breakfast is free for all students.
WHEN WILL MY CHILD RECEIVE A STUDENT IDENTIFICATION CARD?
New students should receive a HSFI student identification card within the first 2 weeks of school.
HOW DO STUDENTS ENTER THE BUILDING?
All students enter through the center entrance on West 24th Street. They will scan their ID card when they walk in. New students will show their programs until they get an ID card. If a student does not have their ID card, they must type in their 9 digit identification number.
HOW DO STUDENTS EXIT THE BUILDING?
All students exit the building through the two side exits on West 24th Street. One side is dedicated to students who want to use their ID cards where they will scan their ID card when they walk out. The other side is dedicated to students who choose not to use their ID card - these students will type in their 9 digit identification number.
CAN STUDENTS GO OUT TO LUNCH?
Going out to lunch is a privilege, not a right. HSFI students are eligible to go out for lunch based on completing necessary paperwork including signed family permission slip, no disciplinary concerns, and attendance & academic performance. 9th grade students can become eligible after the first marking period.
(1) Pass all their classes (including Equity and Emotions)
(2) Attend each class period more than 90% of the time
(3) Be on time to each classes period more than 80% of the time
(4) Do not have any behavior problems
(5) Return to school on time everyday when they go out to lunch
Lunch passes can be taken away as a consequence for violating classroom and school rules such as pass usage, cell phone usage, and other matters. Lunch passes can be reinstated after completing the restorative justice process. Lunch passes reset each marking period based on the previous marking period results so all students can become eligible.
DOES MY CHILD GET A METROCARD? WHEN DO THEY GET IT?
Yes, all students get MetroCards. MetroCards will be given out on the first day of school.
MetroCards are good for three free rides each school day, between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Four-ride passes and extended hours are also available for students whose trip to school requires more than one transfer each way and for special programs upon request to the school's transportation coordinator at the student's school. This includes a free transfer between the subway and local, limited, and Select bus service, or a free transfer between buses.
MetroCards are valid for one term. The one you get on the first day of school will be good through January 2025. You will get a new one in February during the Spring term.
If your card is lost, stolen or does not work, go to HSFI’s main office in Room 125 and we will get you a replacement.
IS THERE A UNIFORM STUDENTS MUST WEAR TO SCHOOL?
No, HSFI students do not wear uniforms. The school does have a Dress Code that we expect all students to follow - here is the link: https://www.hsfi.nyc/page/dress-code
There is a uniform for Physical Education / Gym class - students must wear:
(1) Sneakers
(2) Shorts, leggings or sweatpants
(3) A shirt or sweatshirt that has the HSFI logo on it. The school will provide a HSFI t-shirt to all new students when they begin school.
Students will be marked unprepared for Physical Education / Gym class if they do not have a uniform.
DO HSFI STUDENTS GET A LOCKER TO PUT THEIR PERSONAL ITEMS IN?
Yes, all students that want a hallway locker, receive a hallway locker to put their personal belongings in. Locks for the hallway lockers will be provided to students.
When students attend Physical Education / Gym class, they will have a locker in the locker room to put their personal belongings in. When Physical Education / Gym class is over, students’ personal belongings should be removed from the locker. Locks for the gymnasium lockers will be provided to students. Students should NEVER leave their gymnasium locker unlocked.
HOW DO STUDENTS & PARENTS KEEP TRACK OF GRADES AND HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS?
HSFI utilizes Jupiter Grades to track assignments, real time period attendance, and for messaging students and families. New students receive information on how to set up their student and family member accounts on the first day.
HOW DO TEACHERS & THE SCHOOL COMMUNICATE WITH STUDENTS & FAMILIES?
Jupiter Grades and NYC Department of Education email are the main ways HSFI staff communicates with students and families.
Principal Blank sends phone calls and emails to HSFI Families through a system called School Messenger. HSFI Families can expect a phone call and email from Principal Blank every Sunday during the school year about what is happening at the school that week.
WHAT IS THE SCHOOL’S CELL PHONE POLICY?
HSFI is working on a new cell phone policy. After speaking with students, families and staff, the general consensus about our new policy is that students should be allowed to keep possession of their phones, but they should put their phones away in a storage area during class time. The expectation is that all students follow this policy or face disciplinary action.
The link to last year’s cell phone policy is below:
WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT FROM SCHOOL?
If you know your child is going to be absent, please fill out the online Absentee Form so the school knows that your child will not be in. Here is the website link to this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhY1aj0Kjlh2RB5eySzbXiZvT9ealF0EM9s6OsiQY4M4EyBg/viewform
WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU WANT YOUR CHILD DISMISSED EARLY FROM SCHOOL?
If you want your child to be dismissed from school early, please fill out the online Early Dismissal Form. A HSFI staff member will call you to confirm your child should be dismissed early. Students will go to the main office (Room 125 on the 1st floor) when they want to be dismissed early. A staff member in the main office will let our safety agents know that the student is allowed to leave the building.
Here is the website link to this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfY2MAncebta0svo4yVf--LWFAQJWVG1lpgN1TqzgXmn0vchw/viewform
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD DOES NOT FEEL WELL AT SCHOOL?
If your child does not feel well while they are in school, they should go to HSFI’s School Based Health Center called the Falcon Health Center. This health center is run by The Institute for Family Health (institute.org) and is part of the Mount Sinai Hospital division. The Falcon Health Center provides quality, confidential health care at no cost to students or their families, regardless of insurance status. It is open every school day between the hours of 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. It is located on the third floor of the building in room 343. The center’s phone number is 212-206-2910 to make an appointment or ask a question about the Falcon Health Center.