The Wednesday Weekly
September 24, 2025
Dear PS 107 Families,
L’Shana Tova to all of our families celebrating the Jewish New Year! As we begin this season of reflection and renewal, our hopes for the year at PS 107 are to carve out space for joyful learning, community, and kindness—especially amidst a world that can feel filled with negativity and uncertainty.
We’ve been hard at work helping students settle into the routines of the school year. This year, we’ve introduced some new schoolwide expectations to bring more consistency and clarity across classrooms and shared spaces. For example, students are now expected to walk quietly in the halls at all times so as not to disturb learning in progress. Every student has an assigned table, rug, and line spot that is shared with both classroom and specialty teachers, as well as lunch aides—so wherever they are in the building, they know exactly where to go. (Note that assigned rug and line spots are not new things, but these being shared across spaces is new, and it helps to reduce confusion and anxiety in our students as they move from space to space across the school.)
We’ve also made an adjustment to morning arrival for grades 2–5. Instead of entering the building on their own, these students now line up with their teachers in the Big Yard and head upstairs together. This change helps ensure calmer, smoother, and safer mornings, especially in our stairwells. Our Kindergarten and 1st grade students will continue entering the building independently. We’re already seeing a big difference, and it’s been wonderful to start each day in such a positive way.
To make the process even smoother, beginning this week we are asking 2nd–5th grade teachers to head upstairs at 8:22 am (instead of 8:25). Big Yard gates will now open around 8:19 am and close at 8:25 am. After that, students will enter through the main entrance—which also gets them to class quickly! (Note that the Garden gate will also be closing at 8:25 am daily. Kindergarten students can enter through the main entrance as well, if they arrive after the Garden gates have closed.) Please remember that the school day officially begins at 8:20 am, and students arriving after 8:25 will be marked late. Thank you for helping your children arrive on time each morning.
Our teachers are already diving deeply into curriculum, and you should expect to receive regular updates from them about what your children are learning. This year, we’ll also be offering a series of parent workshops to give you a closer look at our curriculum, the foundational skills it builds, and ways you can support learning at home.
Your first opportunity to learn more is Curriculum Night, next Tuesday, September 30th, from 4:30–7:30 pm. Please note that there will be no PSACC afterschool on 9/30, and all students must be picked up at 2:35 pm. Due to staffing and space, we are unable to provide childcare for Curriculum Night.
Curriculum Night Schedule:
Specialty Teachers (Art, Music, PE, STEM, Science): Panel presentation, 4:30–5:25 pm (4th Floor Art Room); Meet + Greet in teaching spaces (PE & STEM in Room 302, Art in the Library), 5:30–6:30 pm
PreK, 3rd, and 4th Grades: Classroom presentations, 5:30–6:25 pm; Meet + Greet in classrooms, 4:30–5:30 pm
5th Grade Teachers: Panel presentation, 5:30–6:25 pm (4th Floor Art Room); Meet + Greet in classrooms, 4:30–5:30 pm
Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grades: Classroom presentations, 6:30–7:25 pm; Meet + Greet in classrooms, 5:30–6:30 pm
Speech Teachers + School Counseling Team: Meet + Greet, 4:30–6:30 pm (Cafeteria)
Administrators: Ms. Rinah and I will be in the main office and hallways to say hello and connect with families.
At last week’s School Leadership Team (SLT) meeting, the committee approved PS 107’s Screen Use Policy, which you can read here.
Speaking of the School Leadership Team (SLT), this is a key collaborative team made up equally of parents and staff. Its main responsibility is to develop the Comprehensive Education Plan (CEP), a document that outlines our school’s priorities and aligns them with our budget. The SLT also discusses schoolwide policies that affect the entire community. If you’d like to raise an issue or question with the SLT, you can email sltparents@ps107.org, which is monitored by our parent representatives.
The agenda and minutes from each SLT meeting are posted on our school website. Meetings are open to all parents, who are welcome to attend in person or via Zoom (as observers, per SLT bylaws). You’ll also find a list of SLT members, meeting dates, and the Zoom link on our website.
One important issue the SLT is currently engaged with is how PS 107 will comply with New York State’s class size law. By the 2028–29 school year, all NYC elementary schools must have no more than 20 students in grades K–3 and 23 students in grades 4–5. As many of you know, PS 107 is not currently in compliance because of space limitations. Last year, our SLT put forward several proposals, but unfortunately none were approved by NYCPS. In next week’s Wednesday Weekly, I’ll share more details about the proposals we’ve made and the plans we’re considering this year.
Wishing you and your families a wonderful week!
Warmly,
Ms. Joanna
PS Save the date for our first Family Friday of the school year, next Friday, October 3rd, 8:20-9:10 am in your child’s classroom!
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!
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INFORMATION
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 nbenlarbi2@schools.nyc.gov 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
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 😊
BREAKFAST AT PS 107
As a reminder, if your child needs to eat breakfast at school, you may drop them off at the front entrance with Agent Sharon at 8 am, Monday through Friday, beginning on Monday, September 8th. Children will be served a hot breakfast and supervised in our Cafeteria.(Please see the PreK-8 Breakfast Menu here.) At 8:20 am, children will be dismissed from the Cafeteria to their classrooms. If your child arrives at school after 8:20 am and needs breakfast, we will have a limited supply of bagged breakfasts that they will eat in the classroom. While we know that it is sometimes difficult, we ask that you make every effort to get your child to school on time, by 8:20 am, as the morning transitional time is necessary to help children to get settled in their classrooms and ready to learn.
LUNCH AT PS 107
Lunch is also served daily at PS 107 and is free for all students. Please note that there can occasionally be last-minute changes to the School Food menus because of supply chain issues. Please prepare your child for this possibility. You can find the PreK-8 Lunch Menu here.
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!
CURRICULUM NIGHT
Please also mark your calendars for Curriculum Night on Tuesday, September 30th, from 4:30–7:30 pm, in person.
Curriculum Night Schedule:
Specialty Teachers (Art, Music, PE, STEM, Science): Panel presentation, 4:30–5:25 pm (4th Floor Art Room); Meet + Greet in teaching spaces (PE & STEM in Room 302, Art in the Library), 5:30–6:30 pm
PreK, 3rd, and 4th Grades: Classroom presentations, 5:30–6:25 pm; Meet + Greet in classrooms, 4:30–5:30 pm
5th Grade Teachers: Panel presentation, 5:30–6:25 pm (4th Floor Art Room); Meet + Greet in classrooms, 4:30–5:30 pm
Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grades: Classroom presentations, 6:30–7:25 pm; Meet + Greet in classrooms, 5:30–6:30 pm
Speech Teachers + School Counseling Team: Meet + Greet, 4:30–6:30 pm (Cafeteria)
Administrators: Ms. Rinah and I will be in the main office and hallways to say hello and connect with families.
In addition, all classroom teachers will hold open meet-and-greet sessions in their classrooms as listed above for families unable to attend their scheduled presentation. Please note: there will be no in-house afterschool with PSACC on September 30th due to space and staffing limitations; all students must be picked up at 2:35 pm. In addition, with apologies, PS 107 is unable to offer childcare for Curriculum Night this year due to staffing and space limitations.
MARBLE HEALTH WORKSHOPS
- Tuesday, September 30 @ 7pm - Developing Emotional Intelligence
Register at marblehealth.com/parent-workshops or share with your parent community!
CLUBS AND MEETINGS:
MATH MAGIC
Starting Wednesday, October 8th, join us weekly for Math Magic! 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)
Thursday Morning Runs begin this Thursday, September 18th. Every Thursday, 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 each Thursday at 7am, 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 in the part of 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 Monday, September 29th 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!
Show your school pride! We are happy to announce you can now order all your favorite gear online. Please use the link here for ordering.
PIXYIT FUNDRAISER
Your Child’s Art Can Give Back to PS107! With pixyit, your child’s artwork can be turned into keepsakes like lunch boxes, notebooks, t-shirts, and blankets. Just upload your child’s masterpiece to pixyit and select your desired products. 3% of proceeds go to your young artist and 10% goes to PS107's PTA. Click here to order.
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
FALL MOVIE NIGHT
On Friday, September 26th at 7pm, bring your blankets or chairs and get ready to watch an outdoor movie with PS 107 friends and families in the Big Yard! Volunteers will be selling pizza, popcorn, candy, and drinks at the event; all proceeds go to the PTA. Tickets for movie night have SOLD OUT and all volunteer positions have been filled (thank you!). Movie night Waitlist Here! If you have tickets or signed up to volunteer and can no longer make it, please email margaux@ps107.org and we can refund your ticket and make someone on the waitlist very happy!
FALL PICTURE DAY
Picture Day is around the corner: Ask your children to practice their smiles and dress to impress on Tuesday, September 30th.
Parent volunteers are welcome to help wrangle the talent; please sign up on Konstella.
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.
WORKSHOP: PHONES, SOCIAL MEDIA, and YOUR KIDS
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. A former media strategist, Max Stossel ran social media for big brands and helped design a social media notification system for a tech company before he began talking with kids, parents, and educators about social media's impact on our lives and how to manage that impact.
FREE to Parents and Caregivers for PS 39 and PS 107 and open to the community with a suggested donation of $10.
STOOP CRAWL
What is the Stoop Crawl? Think progressive dinner party… Brooklyn-style! The Stoop Crawl, taking place this year on Friday, October 17that 7pm, is a moving celebration where several PS 107 families open their homes as party hosts. Registered attendees are assigned to three different houses over the course of the evening, so the party literally comes alive as you go.
How it works:
Start small with an intimate gathering.
Mingle with parents from your child’s grade (we do our best to match you!).
End big — the third stop is one giant party with about 50 people.
Hosts travel, too! Depending on which round you host, you’ll be assigned to other homes for the rest of the night.
The Stoop Crawl has become a PS 107 tradition — the place where parents meet their people, spark friendships, and walk away saying: “Oh, we met at the Stoop Crawl!”
Questions? or want to host Email alyselaw@gmail.com
THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW.
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
September 26 - Family Movie Night 7pm
September 30
- School Picture Day
- Curriculum Night @ PS 107 4:30 to 7:30 pm
- CEC 15 Calendar Meeting 6:30 to 9:30 pm
October 3 - Family Morning 8:20 am
October 9 - Middle School Information Session 7pm - register here
October 17 - Stoop Crawl
October 25 - Fall Festival
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!