The Wednesday Weekly
October 1, 2025
Dear PS 107 Families,
A few quick notes before I move into this week’s main topic:
It was wonderful seeing so many parents and guardians at last night’s Curriculum Night! We hope it gave you a good sense of what your child will be learning this year, as well as the space where they spend much of their days. Thank you for joining us!
We are looking forward to welcoming you to our first Family Friday of the school year this Friday, October 3rd, from 8:20–9:10 am. This year, NYPD School Safety is requiring that all parents and guardians enter only through the school’s main entrance on 8th Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets. This adds an additional layer of security during a time when there are concerns about immigration enforcement agents entering public schools. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
Per New York State law, schools are required to notify families one week in advance of scheduled emergency drills. Our first evacuation drill (fire drill) will take place between 10/9 and 10/10. Teachers will be preparing their students early next week. You can review all of the NYC Public Schools’ Emergency Readiness protocols here.
A big thank you to our Movie Night organizers, Catharina Oerlemans and Matthew Schneider! It was a beautiful evening under the stars in the PS 107 Big Yard!
The NYS Class Size Law
The bulk of this week’s letter is dedicated to an important issue that has generated a lot of discussion: the New York State law requiring NYC Public Schools to reduce class sizes to 20 students in Kindergarten–3rd grade and 23 students in 4th and 5th grade. All NYC schools must be fully in compliance by the 2028–29 school year.
The law does include temporary exemptions for schools that are overenrolled, have space limitations, or have oversubscribed programs. You can review the FAQs published by the United Federation of Teachers here.
As many of you know, PS 107 has significant space limitations. To comply fully with the law, we would need eight additional classrooms. Currently, we only have two rooms that could function as classrooms for K–5: our PreK room and our Science room.
During the 2024–25 school year, our School Leadership Team (SLT) explored several options for reducing class size at PS 107:
Constructing an annex in the PS 107 Big Yard. This proposal included eight classrooms, a gym, an auditorium, and a rooftop playground. You can read the full proposal submitted to the NYC School Construction Authority (SCA) here. Unfortunately, this proposal was rejected within hours because the SCA determined there was not adequate space in the yard for such a structure.
Identifying a nearby second site. Some NYC public schools operate across multiple sites, such as PS 321, which opened a lower school building on President Street in September 2024. While our SLT is open to considering this option, we view it as a last resort because of the many operational challenges of running a school across two buildings.
Dividing the 4th floor into smaller classrooms. This floor currently houses our Art room and our school library. While it could be reconfigured to gain two or three classrooms, the SLT rejected this option because it would mean losing our only large gathering space, as well as the Art room and library—spaces that are central to our school’s identity.
Reducing Kindergarten enrollment. Currently, PS 107 has 100 Kindergarten seats, which are centrally allocated by NYCPS. The SLT proposed reducing enrollment to 80 students, creating four classes of 20. This smaller cohort would then “trickle up” through the grades, eventually bringing us closer to compliance. The proposal would have required us to close our PreK class in order to add a fourth 2nd grade class, and by 3rd grade we would still need an exemption due to space limitations. Even so, we projected class sizes in 3rd–5th grades of 23–25 students—far closer to the mandate than the 29–31 students we currently see.
Currently, PS 107 admits between 55–65 zoned Kindergarteners each year out of 100 offers, plus 7–10 non-zoned siblings, which means we admit up to 35 non-zoned students annually. The SLT’s proposal maintained access for all zoned families and siblings while still allowing for new admissions.
Although NYCPS leadership initially indicated they would not consider proposals that reduce enrollment (citing a commitment to preserving parent choice citywide), our SLT, with strong advocacy from Superintendent Rafael Alvarez, formally submitted this plan in December 2024. Ultimately, it was denied because it required reducing Kindergarten seats.
Where We Are Now
Our SLT is once again back at the drawing board this year, and we welcome input from our parent community.
We are:
Re-examining the Big Yard footprint with external professionals to determine if some form of annex construction is possible.
Revisiting the enrollment reduction proposal, despite its initial rejection, as we continue to believe it represents the most viable path toward smaller class sizes at PS 107.
It is likely that we will need the support of our parent community in the months ahead to advocate for what we know is best for our students and teachers: smaller class sizes that allow for deeper learning, stronger relationships, and more joyful classrooms.
Thank you, as always, for your partnership, your trust, and your commitment to our school. Together, we will continue working to ensure that PS 107 remains a place where every child is known, valued, and supported.
Wishing you a wonderful week,
Warmly,
Ms. Joanna
SCHOOL INFORMATION
2025-2026 ANNUAL FORMS
If you haven't done so already, please be sure to complete these forms ASAP. Thank you
Emergency Blue Card (for grades 1-5)
Daily Dismissal form
Prospect Park and Neighborhood Walking Trip permission slip
Park Slope Armory YMCA consent form (for grades 1-5)
FIFTH GRADE MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION
Ms Sarah & Ms. Nadia will host a Middle School Information Session on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 7pm where they will go over the application and admissions process for the 25-26 school year. *Please register here to attend.
In November (date tbd), there will be a parent panel where former parents come and share information about their experiences with the D15 middle schools. This is a tradition of "giving back" that provides so much valuable information. We are immensely grateful to have their generous contributions 💙💛
Please see the information below regarding the Middle School admissions timeline.
Fall 2026 Middle School Admissions Timeline
Wednesday, October 15, 2025: Middle School Application Opens
Monday, November 3, 2025: Deadline to register to test for Mark Twain I.S. 239 (21K239) and District 21 Talent Tests
Friday, December 12, 2025: Middle School Application Closes
Wednesday, April 15, 2026: Middle School Offer Release
These dates are subject to change. Any changes will be announced and communicated directly to families. You can sign up for enrollment updates here and please be sure to check the NYCPS website as well for enrollment information.
You can also check the District 15 website here for NYCPS D15 middle school information. I am currently in collaboration with my fellow pc's to provide an updated spreadsheet with middle school information and will add tours or information sessions for NYCPS public schools to this document as they come in. Thank you for your patience.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Sarah or Nadia!
SAVE FOR COLLEGE - NYC Kids RISE
The NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program provides families, schools, and communities
with a way to work together to save for and invest in their children’s futures.
It is a scholarship and savings program designed to make college and career training more accessible for public school students. NYC Kids RISE, a non-profit organization, manages the Save for College Program in partnership with NYC Public Schools and the City of New York.
As of school year 2025-2026, students in kindergarten through fourth grade at NYC public schools
(including participating charter schools) are eligible to participate in the Program, no matter what their family income or immigration status is.
Please click below to view additional information regarding this very important initiative in your preferred language. Thank you!
PLEASE JOIN KONSTELLA!
Schoolwide parent to parent communication at PS 107 -- including all communication directly from the PTA -- is sent out via the Konstella platform. This is also where the school calendar "lives". We spend time with our PTA communications team every summer and throughout the year updating this calendar for your reference.
If you are not already signed up for Konstella, please follow the directions here. If you have difficulty or have any questions, please reach out to Nadia Benlarbi, PS 107’s Parent Coordinator at nbenlarbi2@schools.nyc.gov.
*Note that parents cannot connect with PS 107 school staff on the Konstella platform, but you will receive communication from your class parents on this platform!
NYCPS INFORMATION
Please click here to view this update from New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) that includes important dates on the 2025–26 school year calendar, upcoming admissions information, parent-teacher conferences, preparing for remote learning, vaccination requirements, and the new electronic device policy.
*When you click the link you can view the message in your preferred language.
NYC SCHOOLS ACCOUNT - NYCSA
This is a NYC DOE parent account for students grades K - 12 that enables parents/guardians to view all of their children’s records - grades, fitnessgrams, attendance, your child’s DOE email, etc. At least one parent/guardian will need to have access to this account. We strongly encourage all parents/guardians to have their own account. Any parent with children in grades 1-5 who does not have their own NYSCA , please contact Nadia for instructions and your unique account creation code.
PLEASE NOTE: Incoming PreK ,Kindergarten, and new to NYC Public School families will need to wait until the 2nd week of school when their child’s Student ID (aka OSIS number) will be generated. Once your child has been given their ID number, I will share directions along with unique account creation codes with you to set up your child’s NYSCA.
FAMILY INCOME FORMS
All families should complete the Family Income Inquiry Form, which helps schools receive money for their programs , whether or not they qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Completing this form each year ensures that the most accurate information is reflected. For our fifth grade families, family income plays a role in the offering of seats during the middle school process. It is truly in the best interest of our school community to complete these forms.
Please click the link above to access the form.
If you choose to opt out of completing the form and do not wish to provide your household information, please be sure to check the box as indicated in the displayed picture.
Thank you for your assistance! Nadia
FREE PAPER-SHREDDING EVENT!
Assemblymember Carroll will partner with DSNY for a free paper-shredding event.
Where: 416 7th Avenue, Brooklyn (between 13th and 14th Streets)
When: Friday, October 3rd from 9am to 12pm
What: DSNY will provide on-site document shredding – remove all metal and plastic. No magazines or cardboard.
CEC 15
CEC 15 Business Meeting
When: Tuesday, Oct 14th
Time: 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
Location: Brooklyn School District 15, 131 Livingston St Room 301, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
This meeting will be held in person with a livestream option via zoom, please register now using the following link: https://nycdoe.zoom.us/meeting/register/1pnPLXttSZCT8GhJFEy6YA
CEC 15 Calendar Meeting
When: Tuesday, Oct 28th
Time: 6:30 PM-9:30 PM
Where: 4222 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232, USA
This meeting will be held in person with a livestream option via zoom, please register now using the following link: https://nycdoe.zoom.us/meeting/register/q2E43ev8QoqZp0rPhJbYvg
D15 VIRTUAL FAMILY WORKSHOP
K-5 Math & Reading Family Overview
- Overview of the major work of each grade
- Ideas to support students at home
*Presented by the D15 Math and ELA Instructional Teams
When: Tuesday, October. 14, 2025
Time: 6:00pm - 07:00pm
Scan QR Code or Click the Link
JOIN US FOR THE PS 107 HALLOWEEN 4K LOOP HUSTLE!
When: Sunday, October 26
Where: Prospect Park - corner of west Drive & Center Drive (look for the 107 Track Tent)
Time: Check in begins at 1:30pm / Race begins at 2:00pm
Please sign up HERE!
*Scholarships available, please email leslie.a.mccleary@gmail.com
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
Please use this link to sign up to help on race day!
ALL ARE WELCOME! Run, walk, skip, stroll with your pup, (sorry, no bikes)
Costumes are encouraged!
TREATS & PRIZES! Earn your PS 107 Track Jacket if this is your first race with the team!
Enjoy cider and a donut at the end of the loop!
Prizes for the top finisher in each age group!
QUESTIONS?
Contact Coach Leslie (leslie.a.mccleary@gmail.com) or Ms Katie (kcoombe@ps107.org)
THANK YOU!
PS 107 Track Coaches, Ms Katie and Coach Leslie, are running the 2026 TCS London Marathon for Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF). 100% of the event proceeds go directly to CTF to support life changing and life saving research for those living with NF1 and NF2 tumor disorders. We thank you for your support in our effort to #ENDNF! To learn more, please visit www.ctf.org.
HELPFUL TIPS
ABSENCES
Please email your child's teacher and cc the parent coordinator, Nadia Benlarbi, to notify them of any absences. Please be sure to include your child's full name and class in the subject line of the absence notification. This is to ensure that our staff who is responsible for attendance keeping can locate the children easily to record it appropriately.
LATE ARRIVAL
Children who arrive late must be escorted into the building by their parent. We have a late arrival sign in sheet on the table located just inside of the main entrance. Parents will sign their child in and then bring them to the main office so the staff can send them up to their classroom. If there is a staff person located by the main entrance table, they can advise the student on next steps at that time.
SCHOOL DAY DISMISSAL/PICK-UP CHANGES
If there is a change to your child’s school day dismissal, please be sure to note the change on the Daily Dismissal form in Operoo.
If it is a same day change, please email your child’s teacher and cc Nadia at nbenlarbi2@schools.nyc.gov in addition to making any changes on the Daily Dismissal form.
You can also contact the main office at 718-499-2054.
AFTERSCHOOL DISMISSAL/PICK-UP CHANGES
Please be sure to notify Pamela Rosenberg of any dismissal or pick-up changes that will happen during afterschool specifically. Her email address is director@psafterschool.org .
If you need to add a new pick up person for your child in afterschool, please make sure to update this on 6Crickets (Click Here).
Afterschool and PS 107 partner in many ways, but not with our information applications. They can't access Operoo and we can't access 6Crickets.
Thank you for your assistance in ensuring your child's safety 😊
LOWER GRADES
Please be sure to send your children to school with a full change of clothes. Accidents can happen easily when they are younger as they often get distracted and don’t check in with their bodies. Please be sure to return your child with a new set the next day if they need to be replaced.
LABEL!
Please parents, remember to label your student’s water bottles, lunch boxes, backpacks, and clothing with their full name (last names are essential!) and if there is space, please include their class number. We want to be able to return all fabulous items to their rightful owner!
IDENTIFICATION
When entering the school building you must present your ID to the safety agent when signing in.
One helpful tip is to take a picture of your id. Often, we will have our phone with us even if we don’t have our id. This way, you always have it handy :)
RESOURCES
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.
AFTERSCHOOL - Tips for Success
Click this Konstella link to view the latest information from afterschool.
I have attached the pdf here as well.
LOST & FOUND
Did you Lose Me? Please check this document to see if there are any missing items that we have found 😄If you have already claimed an item included here, YAY!
Thank you!
SCHOOL NEWS
CLUBS AND MEETINGS:
MATH MAGIC
Join us weekly for Math Magic! Every Wednesday, from 7:30am until 8:20am, enjoy puzzles, games, coffee for the adults (bring your own reusable mug if possible), doughnuts, and Pi. All ages and skill levels welcome. Parents must stay with students—no drop-offs. Questions? Contact Elaine Mui at eemooey@gmail.com
THURSDAY MORNING TRACK RUN (TMTR)
Every Thursday at 7am, weather permitting, students in grades K-5 and their guardians are invited to join the legendary PS 107 Track Team for a weekly morning run in Prospect Park. TMTR will meet in front of PS 107 where participants will warm up before heading to Bartel-Pritchard Square for a 30 minute run/trot/jog. No running experience required - we hope to see you there!
AAPI AFFINITY GROUP FAMILY PICNIC
The AAPI Affinity Group would love to invite PS 107 kids who identify as AAPI and their families for a casual family picnic on Friday, October 3rd at 5pm. We will plan to meet at Prospect Park at the tables near the 9th street bike path. Please bring blankets, dinner, and drinks for your family and snacks to share. Any activities such as balls, jump ropes, and hula hoops would be great too! If you have any questions, please contact AAPI Affinity Group co-leads Neeta Menon (neetamenon1@gmail.com), Avon Khowong (akhowong@gmail.com), and Nisha Aoyama (nisha.lauren@gmail.com).
FUNDRAISERS
ANNUAL FUND - MATCHING GIFT CAMPAIGN!
From NOW through Friday, October 3rd, double your impact on PS 107's Annual Fund! This week, an extremely generous 107 family will anonymously match all Annual Fund gifts, dollar for dollar, until we reach $10,000. Donate now to ensure we fully meet this incredible match (and tell your family and friends)!
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 helping us meet our challenge match this week! Please contact PS 107 parent Betsy Goldfarb with any questions about the Annual Fund: betsy@ps107.org.
PS 107 GEAR - NOW ONLINE!
The Fall T-Shirt Special is here! Get your hands on the limited edition K-Pop Demon Hunters Themed T-Shirt – available NOW online or in person at Fall Festival!
IYKYK, and if you don't know…ask your kid! 😄 This will be a limited edition, so grab yours while you can and show your school spirit in style! Please use the link here for ordering.
TEA COLLECTION FUNDRAISER
The Tea Collection School Days Fundraiser is back! Use the promo code SDF25PS107 (valid NOW through Sunday, October 8th) to shop Tea Collection and get 20% off! After you check out, 15% of your purchase price will be donated back to the PS 107 PTA. It's a win-win.
PIXYIT FUNDRAISER
We’re excited to invite your children to join Passion in Color, a nationwide youth art competition launching October 3! As part of our partnership with pixyit, your family receives FREE entry with the coupon code on the attached flyer. Kids and teens (ages 5–18) can showcase their creativity, compete for exclusive prizes and join free art workshops announced after sign-up. Don’t miss this chance to inspire your young artist—sign up early and start drawing your passion in colors!
PTA FUN RUN
Join PS 107’s Track Team at this year’s PTA Fun Run on October 25th! (Bib pick-up at 9am, race starts 10am.) The Brooklyn PTA Fun Run is a family-friendly event where Brooklyn PTAs and community members of all ages come together to run/bike/scoot/walk around Prospect Park loop road (approximately 3.3 miles). The goal of the Fun Run is to raise PTA funds for Brooklyn schools with Title I status. This year's run is the same day as our fall festival -- join the run and then stop by the fall festival afterward! Runners from PS107 will gather at a picnic table by the splash pad of LeFrak Center so we can run together. Look for our sign after you pick up your bibs. You can sign up here. Financial assistance is also available. Please reach out to Mary Pratt, mary.pratt@gmail.com, with any questions.
SPECIAL EVENTS
COMMUNITY HELP IN PARK SLOPE (CHiPS) FOOD DRIVE
Every Wednesday at morning drop-off, rain or shine, the Community Outreach 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:
Sandwiches, (please label w/ contents)
Bread Packages
Lunch Meat Packages
Eggs
Tortillas
Individually Portioned Prepared Meals, (please label w/ contents)
Microwavable meals
Jars of Peanut Butter and/or Jelly
Cereal/Instant Oatmeal
Shelf Stable Milk and Juice
Fruit Cups
Fresh Fruit
Individually Wrapped Snacks
Ziplock and Grocery Bags, and
Plastic cutlery
CAFECITA & PAN DULCE (sponsored by the Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Committee)
The Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Committee will be handing out coffee & pan dulce (sweet bread & cookies) this Friday morning before Family Morning :)
Join us a little early to grab a coffee and sweet treat to celebrate Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month!
BROOKLYN FC
Join PS 107 in supporting the city's only professional women's soccer team on Saturday, October 4th at 6pm.
Tickets start at $24 and $7 from each ticket sold goes directly to the PTA!
Get your tickets here.
SOCIAL MEDIA PARENT TALK
When: Tuesday Oct 7 6:30 -7:30 pm
Where: MS 51 Auditorium (350 5th Ave)
Join fellow parents for an illuminating presentation on phone use, social media, and how to set safe and smart boundaries for our kids. Max Stossel from Social Awakening will illustrate some of the specific ways technology is designed to be addictive & distracting, highlight how that's impacting our kids’ minds, and give recommendations on how to address some of the challenges you and your family are facing. This presentation concludes with open space to discuss what’s working and not working in our households. FREE to Parents and Caregivers for PS 39 and PS 107 and open to the community with a suggested donation of $10.
STOOP CRAWL
TICKET SALES FOR THE STOOP CRAWL WILL CLOSE MONDAY OCTOBER 6TH! After closing, join the Waitlist for the Stoop Crawl here!
HOSTS WILL AUTOMATICALLY JUMP THE WAITLIST LINE and get into the event!
Questions? or want to host Email alyselaw@gmail.com
FALL FESTIVAL
Save the Date for the unbe-leaf-able PS 107 Fall Festival! Join us on October 25th, from 12-4pm, as we take over 14th Street and the Big Yard with food, music, games, inflatables, pumpkin painting, and more! We can't wait to celebrate fall and community with our school families, friends, and neighbors!
In addition to celebrating the season, the Fall Festival is an important fundraiser for the PS 107 PTA, and we are actively looking for sponsors.
JOIN THE PLANNING COMMITTEE to help with sponsor outreach and onsite activities - email Lisa Esterhuizen at lisa.k.esterhuizen@gmail.com for more information.
2025-2026 NYCPS CALENDAR - click here
2025-2026 KONSTELLA/SCHOOL CALENDAR - click here
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 3
- Cafecita & Pan Dulce 8am @ main entrance 8 am
- Family Morning 8:20 am (All Adults Please Enter Through the Main Entrance!)
October 9 - Middle School Information Session 7pm - register here
October 14
- D15 VIRTUAL FAMILY WORKSHOP 6 - 7 pm
- CEC 15 Business Meeting 6:30 to 8:30
October 17 - Stoop Crawl
October 25 - Fall Festival
October 28 - CEC 15 Calendar Meeting 6:30 to 9:30
SAVE THE DATE
October 29 - Celebrate Digital Citizenship Month
October 31- Park Slope Halloween Parade
HOLIDAYS / SCHOOL CLOSURES
October 2 - Yom Kippur - School closed
October 13 - Indigenous People's/Italian Heritage Day - School Closed
October 20 - Diwali - School Closed
JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM!
Scan the QR code and follow our 107 IG account!