Photo placeholderThe school’s own supply-list graphic, grade by grade,
would sit here.
Announcement
2026–2027 Supply List! (3K–5th Grade)
Please take a moment to check the supply list for each grade.
Home of the Panthers · Harlem, New York City
Where the search for knowledge begins and never ends
P.S. 200 The James McCune Smith School is a 3-K through 5th grade public elementary school on 7th Avenue in Harlem.
Drone video placeholder. Aerial footage of P.S. 200 at 2589 7th Avenue would play here, muted and looping, with a still image for anyone who prefers reduced motion. The illustration is a stand-in, not the school.
Home of the Panthers — where the search for knowledge begins and NEVER ends.
From the school office
News and announcements
Fifth grade
Fifth Grade Class of 2026 – Graduation & Senior Events
Our fifth graders are getting ready to celebrate their move to middle school. Here’s what’s coming up:
- Senior dues
- Due April 1 – May 27 (pay in full or installments)
- Senior trip — Signature Lunch Cruise
- Thursday, June 18, 2026, 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM at Pier 61, Chelsea Piers. Students meet at school at 8:00 AM.
- Graduation ceremony
- Monday, June 22, 2026, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, 679 Riverside Drive. Graduates must arrive by 9:00 AM.
Directions by car, bus, and train are available. Please reach out with any questions.
More announcements
- Arrival & Dismissal Notice Read the notice
- School Store Come inside to get your PS 200 S.W.A.G.
- Welcome to our wonderful community! How are you?
- All news and announcements Everything the office has posted
Citywide policy
New cell phone policy
NYC Public Schools are going distraction-free this year. Under a new citywide policy, students are not allowed to use personal cell phones or internet-enabled devices (like smartwatches or tablets) during the school day — from bell to bell. Devices can still be brought to school, but must be secured and stored properly during the day. Each school will provide:
- A safe way to store devices (pouches, bins, or lockers)
- A way for families to contact students if needed
Let’s work together to keep classrooms focused, engaged, and ready to learn. Read the full notice.
Our vision
Our vision
Support the whole student — socially, emotionally, physically, and academically.
“Our vision at PS 200 is to support the whole student—socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. We aim to cultivate a passion for learning and equip students with the necessary tools and experiences to thrive. By integrating technology and implementing innovative practices, we are committed to preparing our students to become successful, engaged, and contributing members of their community and the world.”
Signature section
A Panther day, hour by hour
Seven fifty-minute periods, then after school until five — the times the office publishes, laid out the way a family actually reads them.
- 8:00 AMPeriod 1 begins
- 50 minEach period, seven a day
- 2:20 PMPeriod 7 ends
- 2:30–5:00After school, by grade
| Period | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | 8:00 AM | 8:50 AM |
| Period 2 | 8:55 AM | 9:45 AM |
| Period 3 | 9:50 AM | 10:40 AM |
| Period 4 | 10:45 AM | 11:35 AM |
| Period 5 | 11:40 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Period 6 | 12:35 PM | 1:25 PM |
| Period 7 | 1:30 PM | 2:20 PM |
| Day | Grades | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Grades 1 & 2 | 150 min |
| Tuesday | Grades 3, 4, & 5 | 150 min |
| Wednesday | Grades 1 & 2 | 150 min |
| Thursday | Grades 3, 4, & 5 | 150 min |
| Friday | Grades 1–5 | 150 min |
Portrait placeholderThe school’s photograph of Principal Desiree
LaFontaine would sit here.
Principal’s Corner
A message from Principal LaFontaine
One of the things you will hear me say often is, Make good choices.
“It is a simple phrase, but it carries a powerful message. Making good choices means showing kindness, working hard, taking responsibility, learning from mistakes, and doing what is right even when no one is watching. These are the qualities that help our students become successful not only in school, but in life.”
“I believe every child deserves a school where they feel safe, valued, challenged, and loved. At P.S. 200, we are committed to educating the whole child by supporting students academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.”
Desiree LaFontaine Principal, P.S. 200 The James McCune Smith Community School
On the calendar
Upcoming events
-
Sep11
Attendance Assembly — Invitation Only
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM -
Oct9
Attendance Assembly — Invitation Only
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM - Oct12 Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Oct31 Halloween
- Nov11 Veterans Day
-
Nov13
Attendance Assembly — Invitation Only
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM - Nov26 Thanksgiving Holidays
- Nov27 Thanksgiving Holidays
Show the full calendar · School Year Calendar 2025–2026 (PDF)
Stay connected
Follow the Panthers
Day-to-day life at P.S. 200 — classrooms, celebrations, reminders — is posted to the school’s Instagram.
@harlemsps200Video placeholder. The school’s First Day of School clip would be embedded here from the school’s own video gallery.
Mission statement
Mission statement
“Our mission is to provide a positive, nurturing, and safe learning environment that activates students’ academic strengths and supports emotional well-being by providing rich learning experiences that develop and foster high academic achievements, incorporate student interests, and voice that builds self-confidence.”
Panther Links
The links the school points families to.
Also for families
PTA · Counseling · Supply Lists · Grade Levels · Photo Albums · Important Links
Map placeholderAn interactive map of 2589 7th Avenue would sit here, matching
the Directions page on the school’s site.
Visit and contact
Come see us in Harlem
- Address2589 7th Ave.
New York, NY 10039 - Phone(212) 491-6636
- Fax(212) 491-6925