Dear PS 107 Families,
Happy-day-before-Halloween! We are all gearing up for a celebratory day at PS 107 tomorrow. A reminder that students can wear costumes, but please ensure that you follow this guidance:
No masks or heavy make-up
No weapons or anything that can be used as a weapon; no wands or items that can poke other children
No costumes that are overly gory, bloody, or frightening
Costumes must be comfortable enough for children to wear all day (we cannot manage children changing in and out of costumes during the day)
If children do not want to wear a costume, we also encourage them to wear orange/black or Halloween-themed clothing instead of costumes
Students will have a regular day of instruction, though some teachers may choose to celebrate Halloween in the afternoon.
Please also consider joining PS 107 as we march for the first time ever in the Park Slope Halloween Parade! We are also the only school marching in this year’s parade and feel very honored to have been asked. If you’d like to join us, please sign up here. We will line up on 14th Street and 7th Avenue before 6:30 pm, when the parade gets going. If you are watching from the sidelines, please make sure to snap some photos of us as we march by and send them to me or to Angela Im-Skobac, our social media lead, at social@ps107.org.
HAPPY DIWALI!
The day after Halloween is when the NYC Public Schools honors Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated by Hindu people around the world. This is a day off from school for staff and students. Wishing a bright and happy Diwali to the members of our community who are celebrating!
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARDS
This year, PE Teacher Ali Annunziato, brought to me the idea of awarding a monthly “most valuable player” award to at least one student in each grade. MPVs are determined based on students’ sportsmanship, perseverance, openness to learning new skills, and improvement in PE. The purpose of this award is to make clear that our school values hard work, improvement, and kindness in this environment. We honored our MVPs for September in early October, and will be sharing our MVPs for October in early November! If your child is selected as an MVP for the month, you’ll receive a congratulatory email from me and Ms Ali.
EMERGENCY CHILDCARE REGISTRATION FOR THURSDAY, 11/7
As you may remember, PS 107 staff voted that Thursday, 11/7, usually a half-day for students with Parent-Teacher Conferences in the afternoon and evening, will be a non-attendance day for students. We are offering emergency childcare that morning, 8:20-11:35 am, if any of our families are in need of this. Please complete this brief form to indicate whether your family will need emergency childcare on Thursday, 11/7, so that we can hire the appropriate number of substitute teachers to supervise children that day. Children will be in multi-age classrooms, with the appropriate student-teacher ratio, and will engage in age-appropriate educational activities (some of which may include educational videos).
THANK YOU PSSE COMMITTEE!
As I wrap up this week’s letter, an enormous THANK YOU to Julie Fields and Lisa Uribe, PS 107’s Parents Supporting Special Education (PSSE) Committee leads for all of their work honoring Dyslexia Awareness Week last week! I am so proud of what our school has done to shift our literacy curriculum so that it meets the needs of all students, including students with dyslexia or other language-based learning disabilities. For too long, New York City’s public schools were not required to do this, and I’m thrilled that PS 107 is leading the charge with this incredibly important work. We believe that literacy is a civil right.
Have a wonderful week!
Warmly,
Ms Joanna
SCHOOL INFORMATION
PS 107 PARENT WORKSHOP : GENDER 101
Please join us for our next parent/caregiver workshop called Gender 101, presented by the Ackerman Institute’s Gender and Family Project.
According to the Gender and Family Project, the purpose of training is to increase awareness of gender. This training provides basic information on gender including terminology, language, pronouns, and the impact of gender roles and expectations.
When: Tuesday, November 12th, 5:30-7 pm
Where: Virtual, please scan the QR code to register and receive a zoom link or view the attached flyer.
FIFTH GRADE & MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
- NEW! Middle School Admissions Timeline
- October 15, 2024: Middle school application opened
- November 8, 2024: Deadline to register to test for Mark Twain I.S. 239 (21K239) and District 21 Talent Tests
- December 20, 2024: Middle school application closes
- April 9, 2025: Middle school offer release
- D15 Middle School Virtual Fair Tonight!
- October 30, 2024 6:30 to 8:00 pm
- See photo and attached flyer for details
- New! PS 107 PARENT PANEL w/Sarah Green
- Thursday, November 14, 2024 - 7 to 9 pm - Click here to register
PS 107 FARMSTAND
Did you know that PS 107 now has a weekly farmstand?
Proceeds benefit the PS 107 Garden!
When: Wednesdays, from 2:35 to 4:00 pm.
Location: 8th Avenue by The Big Yard Entrance.
Want to volunteer to assist with this new venture? Sign up here
Come by and support your school garden!
LOST & FOUND - Updated 10/30/24
Older items in the lost & found are going out for donation. Thank you Larisa Fromovsky and Julie Fields for assisting with getting the lost & found out this morning and bagged for donation. We still have many jackets here, so come and check them out!
Check this document for some updated pictures : Did You Lose Me?
*If you see an item you now have in your possession, please just ignore the picture in the document
The FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes and celebrates extraordinary public school teachers who inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment.
One grand-prize winner from each of the five NYC boroughs will receive a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize, and their schools will receive a $10,000 grant designated for use in an arts-based initiative designed by each winner.
The nomination process is open until November 24, 2024.
Click here if you would like to nominate a teacher: https://flagaward.org/
CAFETERIA SURVEY
Please provide your feedback regarding cafeteria offerings via this survey (available in all DOE languages).
Note: The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete and will be open until December 13.
DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION at GREENWOOD CEMETERY
The celebration will feature a variety of engaging activities, crafts, and performances that reflect the spirit of this meaningful occasion. It is an opportunity to come together to celebrate life, love, and remembrance in a warm and welcoming environment. Here is the link to the page on the Greenwood Cemetery website : https://www.green-wood.com/event/day-of-the-dead-family-celebration-2/
*Please click here for the flyer in English and Spanish.
D15 FAMILY WORKSHOP : LUNCH & LEARN SERIES
This 7 part series will share ideas & strategies to positively support your child's behavior at home.
Join us Friday's at 12pm : Nov 8 & 22 , Dec 6 & 20
Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/93903954056?pwd=GKhLyG6NlUSeb9gw0fvNlO1339A2X3.1#success
NYCPS is hosting a citywide family and community resource fair at Murry Bergtraum High School (411 Pearl Street; New York, NY 10038) on November 16 from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
If you are interested please register (https://bit.ly/FACEResourceFair ) by November 15.
The event will be a space for all school families to have fun and connect with NYCPS offices, community-based organizations, city agencies, cultural institutions, and more.
CEC15
CEC15 VACANCY
CEC15 currently has a vacant seat on the council for the parent of a Multi Lingual Learner student and is accepting applications. Please apply to the DOE directly at CCECinfo@schools.nyc.gov. Do not submit the application to CEC15. Eligible candidates will be invited to attend a candidate forum (date to be determined). Do not delay your application.
*Applications in nine languages and all information about eligibility to CECs can be found here. Please also visit CECd15.org to learn more about our organization.
Basic eligibility rules require that the applicant be a parent of a student in grades Kindergarten through 8th, or in a Pre-K program, who currently attends a non-charter public school or Pre-K program in the district where the applicant wishes to serve on the CEC. Please follow the links for more requirements.
** See attachment below for translated flyers
FAIR FARES NYC
Fair Fares NYC is a City program created to help New Yorkers with low incomes manage their transportation costs. For more information, please visit the FAIR FARES NYC website.
CLUBS AND MEETINGS
THURSDAY MORNING TRACK RUN (TMTR)
Every Thursday, rain or shine, students and 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 45 minute run/trot/jog. No running experience required - we hope to see you there!
BOOK CLUBS
Everyone is a reader – some just haven’t found their favorite book yet! If your child is looking for literary inspiration or loves to talk about a good book with friends, please consider joining us for monthly book club meetings Tuesday mornings.
Meetings are underway for Grades K, 1, 3, and 5; registration information and meeting details for these grades have already been emailed. Note: Participating students in all grades must remain with a parent or guardian throughout book club meetings.
Want to be a PS 107 Literacy Legend and lead a book club for grade 2 or 4? Sign up using the link here.
MATH MAGIC
On Wednesday mornings from 7:30-8:20am, join us in the 4th floor art room for games, puzzles, worksheets, coffee, doughnuts, and Pi. (Bring your own reusable mug, if possible.) Sharpen your math skills with friends and mingle with kids and parents from other grades. All ages and proficiencies welcome.
Please note: Participating kiddos are asked to remain in the art room until 8:20am and parents or guardians of students in all grades are asked to stay for the duration. We hope to see you there!
PARENTS SUPPORTING SPECIAL EDUCATION (PSSE) MEETING
Please join us for a general neurodiversity Q&A with PS107 parent Dr. Erica Miller, licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in neuropsychological assessments and evidence-based treatments, as well as updates on the new sensory area and upcoming PSSE projects and events.
- Thursday, November 14th at 12pm via zoom.
FUNDRAISERS
ANNUAL FUND
Contribute to the Annual Fund, which directly supports essential school programs and resources. Here’s how:
- Donate via Konstella here,
- Share this link with non-Konstella using friends and family, or
- Leave a check made out to PS 107 PTA with Ms. Nadia in the office.
- We also accept gifts of stock here - stock donations are tax-free!
YOUR GIFT MATTERS! Many thanks to our amazing school community for all of the ways you contribute.
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:
o Sandwiches, (please label w/ contents)
o Bread Packages
o Lunch Meat Packages
o Eggs
o Tortillas
o Individually Portioned Prepared Meals, (please label w/ contents)
o Microwavable meals
o Jars of Peanut Butter and/or Jelly
o Cereal/Instant Oatmeal
o Shelf Stable Milk and Juice
o Fruit Cups
o Fresh Fruit
o Individually Wrapped Snacks
o Ziplock and Grocery Bags, and Plastic cutlery
PARK SLOPE HALLOWEEN PARADE
Join Ms. Joanna and friends from PS 107 to march in the annual Park Slope Halloween Parade. This year's theme is "Park Slope, Back to Life" and we can't wait to see all the creative ways our community will represent! On Thursday, October 31st at 5:30 pm, (after trick-or-treating!) participants can queue up for the parade at 14th Street and 7th Avenue. The Halloween Parade starts at 6:30pm; the route begins at 14th Street and 7th Avenue and ends at the Old Stone House on 3rd street and 7th Avenue. Register to march here; all students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to participate. We hope to see you there!
BROOKLYN NETS
Attention all basketball fans! On Sunday, November 3rd at 3:30pm, please join the PS 107 community in cheering on the Brooklyn Nets as they take on the Detroit Pistons at the Barclays Center. On top of enjoying an NBA game, you will also help raise funds for our school. Tickets can be purchased here; $10 from each ticket will support PS 107. If you need financial assistance to attend the game, please contact parent coordinator, Nadia Benlarbi (nbenlarbi@schools.nyc.gov). Reach out to Rebecca (rcetta@gmail.com) with questions.
DISNEY ON ICE
Step inside the magical adventures of Disney'sFrozen and Encanto as they are brought to life like never before at Disney On Ice. Join other PS 107 families at the show on Saturday, January 18th at 7pm at the Barlcays Center. Tickets can be purchased through Zeffy for $45 each, with $11 per ticket going to the PTA.
If you would like to attend but need financial assistance, please contact Parent Coordinator, Nadia Benlarbi.
2024-2025 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
CLASS PARENTS
Class parents are still needed for the following classes: 3-304, 4-303, 4-307, 5-301, and 5-305.
If you are the parent of a child in one of the above classes, please consider volunteering as a class parent using the link here.
SPECIAL EVENT LEADS
PS 107 is a school like no other thanks in large part to the generous efforts of our school community. We are currently looking for leads/planners for the following school events; please consider donating your time using the links below:
Winter Craft Fair (Saturday, December 7th)
During the Winter Craft Fair, the big yard becomes a seasonal holiday marketplace where teachers, students, guardians, and members of the school community come together to buy and sell their home-made wares.
UNLESS ONE OR TWO EVENT LEADS STEPFORWARD, THE CRAFT FAIR WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE THIS YEAR!
If you are able to help plan this charming, beloved event, please sign up on Konstella here. If you would like to help but want more information on that is involved first, please contact PTA Event Leads Gemma and Audrey.
STEM Day (Saturday, March 15th)
During STEM Day, PS107 will turn into an interactive Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics Extravaganza! If you have a background in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and are willing to help organize this interdisciplinary event, please sign up on Konstella here.
Spring Auction
Our auction in the spring is the single largest fundraising event of the year. We will need leaders to make it a success, so if you are interested in getting involved in a high impact fundraiser for the school, this is the event for you! Please sign up on Konstella here.