Wortman Elementary | East New York Brooklyn
Wortman Elementary | East New York Brooklyn Wortman Elementary | East New York Brooklyn Wortman Elementary | East New York Brooklyn
🚀 Wortman Is Ready to Wow this School Year! 🚀
P.S. 273 Mission Statement
Our mission is to empower all students to become critical thinkers, to continuously develop our staff, and to engage and partner with our parents to create a high-achieving, safe, caring, and culturally diverse environment for ALL.
Community School District 19
East New York Brooklyn
District 19 school communities and partners will work together to provide our scholars and families with academic, social/emotional resources and offer support to foster learning inside and outside of the traditional classroom in order to ensure access to high quality blended learning opportunities. Our Scholars will be equipped with the skills needed to move towards mastery, excel at the next level and expand their knowledge of technology as we work to close the digital divide and sustain students’ path towards college and career readiness.
Our School
P.S. 273 is proudly rooted in the heart of East New York City—a neighborhood full of history, culture, and extraordinary talent. As our community continues to grow with new investments and opportunities, we stand as a beacon of learning, creativity, and hope for the future.
We are a Title I school family of 320 incredible scholars, each bringing energy, curiosity, and brilliance to our halls every day. Our vibrant student body reflects the beautiful diversity of New York City: 70% Black, 26% Hispanic, and 4% from other rich cultural backgrounds.
We are especially proud of our inclusive learning environment. With 26% of our students identified as having disabilities, we celebrate the unique strengths, voices, and perspectives each child contributes to our school community. At P.S. 273, every student belongs, every student is valued, and every student is empowered to shine.
Visitors
📍 Location
923 Jerome Street, Brooklyn, NY 11207
(Between Wortman Ave. & Cozine Ave.)
Phone(718) 649-5739
- Breakfast : 7:30 to 7:55 AM
- K to 5th Lunch Time: 11:45 AM
- Class Start Time: 8:00 AM
- Class Dismissal Time: 2:20 PM
🛡️ Visitor Policy
All visitors must present a valid ID and sign in at the security desk upon arrival. For the safety of our students, visitors are not permitted to loiter or chat in the hallways.
For safety reasons, visitors and guardians are only permitted in the Main Office and may not walk through the building unless escorted by a staff member.Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and focused learning environment for all students.
Graduation and Stepping Up Ceremonies
End of Year Celebrations
3K: Stepping up: June 25 @ 11AM💛
Pre-K Stepping UP; June 25 @9:00AM
Kindergarten Graduation: June 23
March
Apply to Summer rising by 3/27
We are on a mission to revolutionize the way people live, work, and play. Our vision is to create a world where everyone has access to innovative products and services that enhance their lives.
PA Meeting 3/25/25
In-Person PA Meeting 5;30 3/25
Women's History Month Celebration 3/27
Postponed
Every Day Counts 3/24
Invited by Dr. Jean-Jacques
School Spirit 3/23
All Invited
SLT 3/18
All Invited
School Spirit 3/27
All Invited
🌸 March 2026
📌 Important Reminders
- Submit Parent Surveys
- Apply to Summer Rising before 3/27
🗓️ March 2026 School Calendar
March 2 (Monday)
📖 National Read Across America Day | Book Buddies Gifting for School Store Participants
March 3 (Tuesday)
☀️ Summer Rising Applications Open
Apply via MySchools
- Applications open: March 3
- Applications close: March 27
March 4 (Wednesday)
✍️ National Grammar Day
March 5 (Thursday) HALF DAY
👨🏫 Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Afternoon & evening sessions
- Early dismissal (3 hours early) for students
March 6 (Friday)
Student of the Month Assembly
Session 1: 8:45 A.M. 3K-2
Session 2: 9:15 A.M. Grades 3-5
March 6 (Friday)
🎓 Parent Workshop
Facilitated by Elevate Education
🕘 9:30 AM | 📍 Room 200
Topic: Learning Tools
March 8 (Sunday)
🌷 Women’s History Day
⏰ Daylight Saving Time Begins
(Clocks spring forward one hour at 2:00 AM)
Civics Week 2026: March 9th - 13th
March 10 (Tuesday)
🖤 District 19
100 Years of Strong Black Voices
Black History Month Showcase
March 13 (Friday)
🏫 Community Education Council (CEC)
- 6:00 PM – Calendar Meeting
- 7:30 PM – Business Meeting
📍 P.S. 13
March 14 (Saturday)
🥧 National Pi Day
March 17 (Tuesday)
🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Spirit Day
🎩 Dress Like Mr. Paterson Day (A gym teacher, green inspired)
March 18 (Wednesday)
- School Leadership Team (SLT) – Room 200
- Parent Association (PA) – Virtual
March 20 (Friday)
🌙 Eid al-Fitr – Schools Closed
🌼 First Day of Spring
March 23 (Monday)
🎉 Spirit Day CRAZY HAIR DAY
March 31 (Monday)
🎉 Women's Empowerment Forum hosted by Dr. Jean-Jacques
Looking ahead: Thursday April 2–10Thursday–FridaySpring Recess schools closed
👨👩👧 MARCH Parent Coordinator Events / Dates to be Announced
- Women’s Empowerment Forum Returns with host Dr. Jean-Jacques
- Family Fun Night
- Parent Workshop: Friends of Bright Minds
CPR Foundation Cold Weather Comfort at Wortman
A partnership that fits like a glove!
On January 28, 2026, CPR Foundation representatives and local NYPD visited our school, delivering boxes of coats, food, hygiene items, gloves for students across the school, and sensory toys to support students with special needs during icy days. 💛
Success Starts at Wortman
Our scholars deserve the best
At P.S. 273, student success is our top priority. From engaging classrooms to supportive programs and family partnerships, we provide every child with the tools, resources, and encouragement they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Wortman: What, When, WHY
Daily
Monthly
Weekly
At P.S. 273, our days are structured for learning, growth, and community spirit.
Daily Flow:
- Eight (8) class periods with a dedicated lunch break.
- We begin each morning with the Pledge of Allegiance, birthday shout-outs for students and faculty, announcements for special events, and sometimes poetry or uplifting affirmations — especially during testing season — to remind our kids to believe in themselves.
- Every grade and class follows a daily routine aligned with Chancellor’s Regulations, District 19 methods, and school-wide goals.
- Each grade is assigned a specific arrival and dismissal door for safety and efficiency.
Lunchtime
- 3K and Pre-K enjoy lunch in their classrooms.
- Kindergarten–5th Grade have lunch in the cafeteria and, weather permitting, can play outside during lunch recess.
Weekly
Monthly
Weekly
PARENT-TEACHER TUESDAYS
Take advantage of our schools weekly parent-teacher appointments to connect, discuss progress, and support student success. 2:30-3:00 PM by phone or in-person according to teacher's availability.
Monthly
Monthly
STUDENT OF THE MONTH ASSEMBLY
Our Student of the Month Assembly is a high-energy celebration that shines a spotlight on excellence and growth! We recognize students with 100% attendance, those showing the most improvement, and entire classes that show up every day ready for success. The assembly is filled with upbeat music, dancing, and interactive games, with awards that light up and respond to movement — making the moment even more magical.
Parents are warmly invited to join in, cheer from the stands, and feel the joy of watching their children celebrated.
Bi-Monthly
Twice a month, our Parent Workshop Series turns learning into a family adventure!
From creating inspiring vision boards, to whipping up delicious meals, to gathering in empowering women’s circles — we explore it all. We’ll dive into professional development for parents, share creative ways to make learning at home more fun, and connect families with services that help students thrive. Think of it as a mix of life skills, academic boosts, and community building — all designed to help our kids (and the grown-ups who love them) shine
Seasonally
Seasonally
✨ Seasonal Happenings at Wortman
At Wortman, learning goes far beyond the classroom. Throughout the year, students take part in seasonal field trips, in-school and off-site programs with partners like GEMS, MBK, and other community-based organizations. Our faculty knows that learning is boundless—not limited to the traditional bell schedule. We also invite workshop facilitators to introduce students to a wide range of topics, from arts, culture, dance, and fitness to academic enrichment and exploration.
Annually
Seasonally
LEARNING, EXPRESSION, ARTS, CULTURE, MEMORY
Each year, P.S. 273 bursts with school spirit, hosting a variety of events that bring students and families together. From our celebrated Spring Sustainable Fashion Show and Art Show, to our vibrant Juneteenth celebration in June, plus literacy nights, bingo fun, and so much more — there’s always something exciting happening to inspire, connect, and celebrate our community.
Principals on Purpose
Leaders by Design fit for the future of East New York
The fabric of our P.S. 273 leadership is by design. Our Principal, Melessa Avery, a Southern-born creative and dedicated child advocate, and seasoned New York City educator, is supported by two incredible leaders: Dr. Katia Jean-Jacques, a Haitian-born veteran NYC public school leader, and Assistant Principal Sekou Smith, a son of East New York who was born and raised in the very community where Wortman is located. Together, this trio brings warmth, vision, and a wealth of experience to every decision, inspiring students, teachers, and families alike to imagine, create, and thrive.
The most incredible testament to our story is teachers like Mr. Ellis, who retired in June 2025 after 30 years of dedicated service. He was once an elementary school student here, and his mother was an educator with us. Many other students have returned as teachers, and countless families continue enrolling their children to uphold our tradition of success. We are truly a community school, demonstrating that the power of the village still thrives—right here in East New York, in the great borough of Brooklyn, in the greatest city in the world
🔑 Opportunity Gateways
imagination & Expression
Special Education Services
Special Education Services
Imagination and self-expression are central to our school’s approach. Whether through the arts, dance, acting, robotics, STEM, or even cooking, we create programs that allow students to explore, dream, and build skills. Our goal is to help them imagine the future, embrace the possibilities ahead, and enjoy the joyful present they deserve.
Special Education Services
Special Education Services
Special Education Services
- Focus: Supporting students with disabilities or special needs.
- Services: SETSS (Special Education Teacher Support Services), resource room support, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling.
- Topics: Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), learning strategies, social skills development, and progress monitoring.
Academic Support
Special Education Services
Counseling and Social-Emotional Support
- Focus: Helping students succeed in core subjects like reading, writing, math, and science.
- Services: Tutoring, small group instruction, homework help, Academic Intervention Services (AIS), and learning accommodations for students with IEPs.
- Topics: Study skills, test preparation, literacy support, math intervention, and classroom strategies.
Counseling and Social-Emotional Support
Counseling and Social-Emotional Support
Counseling and Social-Emotional Support
- Focus: Supporting students’ mental health, social skills, and emotional well-being.
- Services: Individual or group counseling, crisis intervention, mentoring, and behavioral support.
- Topics: Stress management, conflict resolution, self-esteem, bullying prevention, and coping strategies.
Health and Wellness Support
Counseling and Social-Emotional Support
English Language Learner (ELL) Support
- Focus: Ensuring students are healthy and ready to learn.
- Services: School nurse, FREE vision/dental screenings, health education, and nutrition programs.
- Topics: Vaccinations, Physical health, hygiene, nutrition, safety, and fitness activities.
English Language Learner (ELL) Support
Counseling and Social-Emotional Support
English Language Learner (ELL) Support
- Focus: Helping students whose first language is not English.
- Services: English as a New Language (ENL) classes, bilingual support, and language acquisition programs.
- Topics: Reading, writing, listening, speaking skills, and integration into academic classes.
New Student Registration
We’re saving your child a seat at P.S. 273
Registration begins after we determine the student is zoned to our school and that our faculty can meet your child’s academic needs.
📝 Applications & Enrollment
Kindergarten Applications
The kindergarten application is open!
Children born in 2021 who live in NYC are eligible for Fall 2026 enrollment.
🗓️ Apply by January 23, 2026
Middle School Applications
Applications closed December 12
📬 Offer Release: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Summer Rising
📣 Expect program communication by late February
News
Best Attendance Since the Pandemic!
Thanks to your commitment, our school reached an incredible 93% attendance on Nov. 5, 2025 — our first time surpassing 90% since the pandemic! This milestone reflects the dedication of our families, students, and staff who show up each day, helping us end chronic absenteeism and build a stronger foundation for success.
Stay informed
New York City Dept. Of Ed.
School District 19
Dr. Tamra S. Collins, Superintendent
Irene K. Spence, Deputy Superintendent
P.S. 273
P.S. 273
Melessa Avery, Principal
Dr. Katia Jean-Jacques, Assistant Principal
Sekou Smith, Assistant Principal
Janice Perez, Parent Coordinator