The Wednesday Weekly

Celebrating Arab-American Heritage Month at PS 107

April is Arab-American Heritage Month, and we are thrilled to be celebrating it here at PS 107! When you are next in the building, please take a moment to admire our beautiful new front bulletin board, designed by our parent Arab-American Affinity Group, as well as posters of notable Arab-Americans displayed throughout our halls.

All of our students are reading and discussing The Arabic Quilt by Aya Khalil as part of our One Book, One School Community project this month. Please see the discussion guide that was shared with teachers here. This Friday during Family Friday, every class will take part in a schoolwide activity where students and caregivers will design their own Arabic quilt squares or tiles, inspired by the book. We cannot wait to see what our community creates together!

To round out the month, on Monday, April 27th, all of our students will be treated to a live Dabke performance during the school day. Dabke is a traditional Arab folk dance originating in the Levant region. It is a communal line dance performed at celebrations like weddings and festivals, where dancers link arms and stomp rhythmically to lively music. The word dabke comes from the Arabic for "stomping of the feet," and the dance is known for its energetic footwork, synchronized movement, and joyful spirit. Dabke is more than just a dance; it is a living expression of cultural heritage, community, and pride, passed down through generations and cherished by Arab communities around the world. We are so excited to share this experience with our students!

Finally, I would like to extend an invitation to PS 107 families and caregivers who identify as part of the Arab-American community to join me, Assistant Principal Ms. Rinah, and Parent Coordinator Nadia Benlarbi for tea and pastries from neighborhood favorite Zatar, directly following Family Friday this week, at 9:15 am in my office. Please come! We would love to sit together, connect, and hear from you.

A Fond Farewell to our Custodian Frankie Colonna

We have some bittersweet news to share with our PS 107 community. Our beloved custodian, Frankie Colonna, will be leaving PS 107 this week to take on a well-deserved promotion. He will be stepping into the role of Fireman (a higher-level custodial position) at IS 98, Bay Academy in Sheepshead Bay. Frankie's last day with us is tomorrow, Thursday, April 16th.

If you have ever arrived at school to find the Big Yard freshly cleared, the sidewalks and crosswalks shoveled after a snowstorm, the hallways spotless, or the building running smoothly behind the scenes, you have Frankie to thank. No matter the weather (and we have had some weather this year!), Frankie showed up and made sure our school was safe, clean, and ready for our children. He has been an irreplaceable part of our community, and his hard work, warmth, and dedication have touched all of us. We are so proud of him and so grateful for everything he has given to PS 107. Please join us in wishing Frankie all the very best in this exciting next chapter. He has more than earned it!

NYC School Survey: There’s Still Time – Deadline This Friday, April 17th!

There is still time to complete the NYC School Survey, but the deadline is this Friday, April 17th — so please don't wait! Our current parent response rate is 51%, up from 44% before Spring Break, which is real progress. But our goal remains at 70%, and we need every family to help us get there.

Your feedback shapes how we think about our school, and the survey takes just a few minutes. If you received a paper copy in your child's backpack, you can complete it that way — or go online at NYCSchoolSurvey.org,

click "Take the 2026 NYC School Survey," and enter your access code: a lowercase "f" followed by your child's OSIS number.

Remember: the PTA is sponsoring a pizza party for every class that reaches a 95% completion rate. No class has qualified yet — there is still time to make it happen for your child's class!

Screen Use Survey & NYCPS AI Guidance

Thank you to all the families who completed our School Leadership Team’s (SLT) Screen Use Survey before the break! We will be reviewing your responses at our next SLT meeting and using them to plan a family information session later this spring.

In related news, just before Spring Break, NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) released new guidance on Artificial Intelligence, which we strongly encourage all families to read. It is an important and timely resource as AI becomes an increasingly present part of our lives.. You can find the guidance here. There is also a feedback survey at the bottom of the page. Please share your thoughts with NYCPS directly!

Family Friday This Week — A Few Reminders

I look forward to seeing so many of you this Friday at Family Friday! As a reminder, all adults must enter through the main entrance of the building. I apologize in advance for the inevitable bottleneck — your patience is always so appreciated.

And if you happen to have any leftover Easter candy at home, please drop it off with Ms. Nadia in the main office! We love sharing treats with our hardworking staff when they need a little something to keep going. 🐣

Wishing everyone a beautiful week ahead — see you Friday!

Warmly,

Ms. Joanna

2026 NYC SCHOOL SURVEY : LAST DAY FRIDAY!

Key Reminders for the 2025 NYC School Survey

• How can you take the survey? Families may complete the survey online or on paper. For online surveys, families use a lowercase “f” followed by their child’s OSIS number as their access code.
• Where do you take the survey online? Beginning February 9, a link to the survey will be available at NYCSchoolSurvey.org. Families should click “Take the 2026 NYC School Survey” and enter their access code.

DID SOMEBODY SAY PIZZA PARTY?!?

Once again, the PTA has agreed to sponsor a pizza party for the classes that achieve a 95% completion rate for the NYC School Survey :)

Win this party for your child's class and complete the survey!

Thank you to the PTA for their generosity 🫶

NYCPS APRIL FAMILY UPDATE

This month’s letter features important information about Summer Rising offers, admissions updates, the NYC School Survey, a new automated language assistant, and April events.

Please click here to access the April Update or open the attachment below.

Please click here to review the NYCPS guidance.

Share your thoughts, suggestions, and insights(Open external link)

NYC SCHOOLS ACCOUNT - NYCSA

The NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) is a NYCPS parent account for students that enables parents/guardians to view all of their children’s records - grades, fitnessgrams, attendance, your child’s NYCPS email, etc. We strongly encourage all parents/guardians to have their own account. Any custodial parent who does not have their own NYCSA , please contact Nadia for instructions and your unique account creation code.

To set up your account, you will need a unique account creation code and your child's OSIS # or Student ID.

• A letter with directions and with your unique account creation code will be sent to you.
• The OSIS# or Student ID is an 9 digit number that can be found in Operoo in the Student Profile.

DISTRICT 39 PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING: VOTE NOW!

Make your voice heard and vote in Participatory Budgeting from Saturday, April 11th - Sunday, April 19th! If you live in or have a special connection (go to school, work, etc) in City Council District 39, you can vote on how to spend $1.5 million on projects to improve our community. Everyone age 11 and older can vote, regardless of citizenship or voter registration status. Projects have been proposed by community members to respond to important needs in our neighborhoods. This year there are proposals addressing local educational, economic justice, arts & culture, and environmental issues. Participatory Budgeting gives people a real say in how real money is spent! Vote on the digital ballot at vote.pbnyc.org or vote in person.

Come to the PB Expo on Wednesday, 4/15, at our office, 197 Bond Street from 5:30 to 7:30 PM to learn about the projects from volunteers. You can also see details and the full in-person voting schedule on the website.

Read about the projects on the ballot in our project zine."

• Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026

• Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

• Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/98626896236?pwd=oQxwNlCMBRTj97Gz2aZ37qWs7Mr5b1.1

• Interpretation will be provided in Spanish, Mandarin, and Bangla.

2026 MULTILINGUAL FAMILY CONFERENCE

We are excited to share that the Office of Multilingual Learners (OML) will host its annual Family Conference on April 22 from 10 AM-12 PM at Fordham University. This event is a joyful opportunity to celebrate multilingualism and culture while connecting families to valuable school- and community-based resources.

The conference will include engaging workshops, community resource tables, cultural celebrations, and family-friendly activities. There will be food, fun, and meaningful opportunities for families to build connections and access information that supports their children’s success.

Encontrar la calma en el caos: Ayudar a los estudiantes a gestionar la ansiedad política (En español)

MARTES, 21 DE ABRIL A LAS 7:00PM

SIGN UP HERE

Helping Kids Succeed: Executive Function Strategies

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 @ 7:00 PM

SIGN UP HERE

HELPFUL TIPS

Please click here for helpful tips regarding, absences, late arrivals, and more!

PARENT/CAREGIVER HANDBOOK & DEVICE/SCREEN USE POLICY

If you have questions about school operations, policies, or procedures, be sure to check our Parent Handbook first. Please click this link to view our Device Policy as well : PS 107 Cell Phone, Smart Watch, and Other Device Policy

If you don’t see the answer there, feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher if it is classroom-specific or Nadia Benlarbi, Parent Coordinator, if you have more of a school-wide question, at nbenlarbi2@schools.nyc.gov.

Please click here for student email account and google classroom tech support information.

MUTUAL AID RESOURCES

Please use this resource list compiled by District 15 Parent Coordinators: Resources for Mutual Aid.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Please see the attached important update from the NYCPS Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Please feel free to reach out to Nadia if you have any concerns or questions.

NEW SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING CURRICULUM

Our school community has moved into a new and important chapter of our PurposeFull People character education curriculum: the value of Honesty.

For more on our Honesty module, please take a look at the PurposeFull People parent newsletter here, which includes activities that you can do at home as a family to reinforce this value. And feel free to reach out to your child's teacher to learn more about what their specific grade is exploring.

Previous Units:

• PurposeFull People’s Family Newsletter on Respect
• PurposeFull People Family Newsletter on Responsibility
• PurposeFull People Family Newsletter on Gratitude
• PurposeFull People Family Newsletter on Empathy
• PurposeFull People Family Newsletter on Perseverance

• Family Math Guides

• Family Literacy Guide and Resource

• ELA Caregivers Guide
  

WIT & WISDOM WORKSHOP with ANNA SCHIDLOVSKY

On February 10th, we held a workshop for our Wit & Wisdom curriculum, led by our instructional coach, Anna Schidlovsky from Teaching Matters. If you missed the workshop and would like to learn more about our core ELA curriculum, Wit + Wisdom (known as Arts + Letters in Kindergarten), please review the meeting recording and the presentation slides.

PS 107 PARENT WORKSHOP: MAKE MATH FUN at HOME

We recently held a Math Workshop presented by Ed Schulz, PS 107 5th grade math teacher and math leader.

Grades K to 2

Here is the presentation for grades K - 2 : Family Math K to 2
This is the video from the presentation: Make Math Fun at Home (K to 2)

Grades 3 to 5

Here is the presentation for grades 3 to 5 : Family Math 3 to 5

This is the video from the presentation: Make Math Fun at Home (3 to 5)

• CHiPS Food Drive – WEEKLY: Wednesdays, 8:20am

• Math Magic - CANCELLED THIS WEEK FOR STATE TESTING

• Lice Checks - Friday, April 17

• Time with Teacher Raffle - Due: April 24

• Wine Donations (Collection Point: Rider) - NOW through Thursday, April 23, 12pm-7pm

• PTA Meeting - Thursday, April 23, 7:30pm

• Spring Auction and Gala - Friday, April 24, 7pm

• PSSE Meeting - Friday, May 1, 8:30am

• Spring Movie Night - Friday, May 1, 7pm; Ticket Drop: April 21 and April 22

• Brooklyn Cyclones Fundraiser Game - Saturday, May 2

• NY Liberty Fundraiser Game - Sunday, June 14, 3pm

A Note on School Safety Agent Sharon Hosannah's Family

As many of you may have seen on our Instagram page, our beloved School Safety Agent Sharon Hosannah's daughter's family recently lost their home and all of their possessions in a devastating house fire. If you are in a position to help them get back on their feet, please consider donating to their GoFundMe page here. Every amount, large or small, makes a difference.

Thank you for the generosity and care that you always show for our extended PS 107 family.

PTA MEETING

Join us for the April PTA Meeting on Thursday, April 23rd at 7:30pm. This meeting will take place on zoom.

Missed the March PTA Meeting? You can check out the minutes here.

PSSE MEETING

Friday, May 1st after morning drop-off, please join PSSE for an informal gathering at Pasta Louise on 12th Street. PSSE creates a safe space where parents can discuss successes and challenges and offer each other support. The group welcomes families of PS 107 students with or without an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), with or without a diagnosis, or anyone looking to connect and learn more. All are welcome!

ANNUAL FUND

Contribute to the Annual Fund, which directly supports essential school programs and resources. We are nearing the end of the year but have not yet reached our goal. Please help us get over the finish line with your donation! Here’s how:

• Make a one-time or monthly donation online via Konstella by clicking here.

• Share this public link with non-Konstella users (e.g. extended family and friends).

• Make a gift of stock here.

• Find out if your employer offers a matching gift program - if so, taking the extra step to secure a corporate match makes a huge difference!

Why support the Annual Fund?

PS 107 relies on PTA support to supplement DOE funding, which consistently falls short of what's needed. This partnership between families and the school makes possible important programs such as Art and Science, as well as supplies, curriculum materials, extra classroom support, and so much more. THANK YOU in advance for your contribution! Please contact PS 107 parent Betsy Goldfarb with any questions about the Annual Fund: betsy@ps107.org.

TIME WITH TEACHER RAFFLE

The 'Time with Teacher Raffle' gives your child a chance to win a special experience with PS 107 teachers, administration, and staff! To enter, please fill out the form coming home in your child's backpack this week and indicate how many “tickets” you’d like to purchase for each experience. Payment can be made by cash or check (payable to PS 107 PTA) and returned to your child’s teacher or handed to Margaux Turchiano or Sarah Liebel at morning drop-off during the week of April 20–24. Tickets may also be purchased online via Zeffy. For confidential financial assistance, please contact Parent Coordinator Nadia Benlarbi at NBenlarbi2@schools.nyc.gov. Email Margaux (margaux@ps107.org) or Sarah (sarah.l.liebel@gmail.com) with questions.

BROOKLYN CYCLONES FUNDRAISER GAME

On Saturday May 2nd, Come enjoy an evening at the Ballpark with fellow 107 families cheering on the Brooklyn Cyclones. A portion of ticket sales support our school. Get your tickets here.

NEW YORK LIBERTY FUNDRAISER GAME

On Sunday, June 14th, come out to Barclays Center and watch the New York Liberty with the 107 community. Tickets purchased help raise funds for the PTA. Get your tickets here.

COMMUNITY HELP IN PARK SLOPE (CHiPS) FOOD DRIVE

Every Wednesday at morning drop-off, rain or shine, the Aid and Action Committee will be collecting food donations for CHiPS, a soup kitchen and food pantry which helps support neighbors currently experiencing food insecurity. Find volunteers by the school’s main entrance where they will be collecting the items detailed above.

Please note: Students can now earn the Food Drive Merit Pin by volunteering at the CHiPS collection table on Wednesday mornings. Email Julie Mee Schmidt (juliem@ps107.org) if your child would like to volunteer for this service project.

SCHOOLWIDE LICE CHECKS

The PTA organizes school-wide lice checks as needed throughout the year to help prevent and/or contain the spread of lice around our school. The next of such checks will take place on Friday, April 17th. If you have not already done so, please contribute to the cost of school-wide, professional lice checks by submitting a one time payment of $15 per child using the link here.

SPRING AUCTION AND GALA

The Spring Auction on Friday, April 24th at 7pm is officially sold out. If you would like to join the waitlist, fill out this Google form to be added. Waitlist tickets will be released based on the timestamp of your submission. There are 2 check-out volunteer tickets available for $100/person. Volunteers are needed at the end of the night (across two shifts between 10 PM - 12 AM) to help check guests out as they leave. In this role you would need to ensure guests are checked out and have paid for any items they’ve won, and are given those items to take home. You’ll be briefed ahead of time on how to use our auction software, and you will need to be sober(ish). If you’re interested, please email juliem@ps107.org.

SPRING MOVIE NIGHT

Save the date and get ready to enjoy "The Secret Life of Pets" with PS107 friends and families on Friday, May 1st at 7:30pm. (Doors open at 7pm.)
The PTA organizes 'Movie Nights' twice a year. These are fun nights out for families and raise some money for the PTA. This spring, you and your kiddos can enjoy the big screen, outdoors, in PS 107's Big Yard! Volunteers will be selling pizza, popcorn, candy and drinks. All proceeds go to the PTA. Be sure to watch for the ticket drop on Konstella on Tuesday April 21st and Wednesday April 22nd - they are sure to sell out fast!

Spring Auction Donations Needed:

WINE WALL

Please consider donating a bottle of wine to help stock the Wine Wall. Every bottle — at any price point — helps make this exciting new feature a success and supports our school. Wine donations will be collected at RIDER (1016 8th Ave, between 10th & 11th St) from NOW until the week of Auction during store hours: 12pm - 7pm. Thank you for helping us raise a glass to something new at this year’s Gala!

SUPPORTING THE PTA = SUPPORTING PS 107

Thank you to everyone in our school community for all of the ways you show up!

2025-2026 NYCPS CALENDAR - click here

2025-2026 KONSTELLA/SCHOOL CALENDAR - click here

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 15 & 16 - NYS ELA Testing for Grades 3 to 5

April 17

• Family Friday 8:20 to 9:10 am
• School Wide Lice Check

April 21 - District 15 Virtual Town Hall with Superintendent Alvarez 6 to 7:30 pm (virtual)

April 22 - 2026 MULTILINGUAL FAMILY CONFERENCE 10 AM-12 PM

April 30 & May 1- NYS Math Test for Grades 3 to 5

May 1 - Spring Movie Night in the Big Yard

May 13 - NYS Science Test — Grade 5 only

HOLIDAYS / SCHOOL CLOSURES

May 25 - Memorial Day (school closed)

May 27 - Eid al Adha (school closed)

• CHiPS Food Drive – WEEKLY: Wednesdays, 8:20am

• Math Magic - CANCELLED THIS WEEK FOR STATE TESTING

• Lice Checks - Friday, April 17

• Time with Teacher Raffle - Due: April 24

• Wine Donations (Collection Point: Rider) - NOW through Thursday, April 23, 12pm-7pm

• PTA Meeting - Thursday, April 23, 7:30pm

• Spring Auction and Gala - Friday, April 24, 7pm

• PSSE Meeting - Friday, May 1, 8:30am

• Spring Movie Night - Friday, May 1, 7pm; Ticket Drop: April 21 and April 22

• Brooklyn Cyclones Fundraiser Game - Saturday, May 2

• NY Liberty Fundraiser Game - Sunday, June 14, 3pm

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