The Wednesday Weekly
June 10, 2026
PS 107 Families,
It is with a full heart that I share some bittersweet news. Our beloved Assistant Principal, Rinah Fernandez-Vasquez, will be leaving the PS 107 community at the end of this year to take a position in an NYCPS district office closer to her home. Ms. Rinah has been commuting from the Bronx every single day for her 8 years at PS 107, and she has decided it's time for a role that doesn't start with such a long drive. She has also served as an Assistant Principal for 17 years (!) across several schools and is ready to learn and grow in new ways.
It is impossible to overstate how much we will miss Ms. Rinah's kindness, her understanding, and her deep knowledge in her areas of supervision, particularly special education. Please join me in wishing her so much happiness in this next chapter!
Ms Rinah’s shoes will be next to impossible to fill, though we will try. We have actively begun the search for her replacement, and several candidates will be spending time during the school day at PS 107 over the next couple of weeks so we can assess whether they are a good fit for our community.
Introducing ParentSquare: One Platform for All Communications
I'm pleased to announce that PS 107 will be adopting a new parent communication tool for the 2026-27 school year: ParentSquare! No more juggling two platforms (goodbye, Konstella and Operoo). Starting next year, all school, classroom, and PTA communications will be consolidated in one place, translated into your preferred language, and available by email, text, app, or web.
With ParentSquare, you'll be able to stay up to date on news and events, send and receive messages with teachers and staff, fill out forms and permission slips, sign up for conferences and volunteer opportunities, and view calendar items and photos from school. The PTA will also be using ParentSquare for all parent-to-parent communications, so we can truly offer one platform for everything.
To get the most out of ParentSquare, we encourage you to download the free mobile app, available for iOS and Android. You can also access it from your web browser at https://www.parentsquare.com/. We'll be sharing more information soon, including how to set up your account and customize your notification preferences.
Please Return School-Issued Devices
Switching gears to a practical matter: as the year wraps up, we need any school-issued devices and chargers that your child is no longer using at home returned to us as soon as possible, regardless of their condition. This includes iPads or Chromebooks (and chargers) issued by PS 107 or New York City Public Schools. Even if a device is damaged, not charging, missing keys, or no longer working, please send it back. We are updating our inventory and need everything accounted for.
We are especially asking for returns if your child is graduating, will not be returning to PS 107 in the fall, or if your family no longer needs the device at home. Devices can be sent in with your child and given to their classroom teacher, who will make sure they get to the right place.
A couple of important things to keep in mind. If your child has an Assistive Technology device provided through their IEP and is continuing at another New York City Public School, please do not return it to PS 107. That device travels with your child to their next school. If your child is leaving the NYCPS system entirely, you may return the Assistive Technology device to us and we will assist with the return process.
Also, please remember that during the 2026-2027 school year, students will need access to a device at home for remote learning days, including Election Day 2026, which is scheduled as a remote instructional day. If your family plans to continue using the device you currently have, please hold on to it. If your child will need to borrow a device for next year, information about how to request one will be shared in September.
Thank you for helping us keep our technology inventory up to date and ensuring devices are available for the students who need them.
What Are You Grateful For?
As the year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on how fortunate we are to be part of this community. I'd love to hear from you, too. What are you grateful for this school year? Please take a moment to complete this short survey, and I'll share some of your responses (along with my own) in my final letter of the year.
Warmly,
Ms Joanna
4TH GRADE FAMILIES: DONT MISS OUT!
Activate your child’s free NYC Scholarship Account with money for college and career training before the end of this school year.
If you are not interested in participating, please opt out through your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA): log in, click the "Postsecondary Planning" tile, then click "NYC Kids Rise Save for College Program" to review the program information and opt out – or print and complete this form and return it to your child’s teacher.
NYCPS JUNE FAMILY UPDATE
This month’s letter features important information about the end of the 2025–26 school year, Summer Meals, Summer Rising, summer school, admissions updates for fall 2026, PSAL High School Summer Program, and summer reading.
SUMMER WATER SAFETY TIPS
Please watch this NYCPS video on water safety.
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!
PARK PICNICS 2026
Please see the dates below and save the date!
Your child's teacher or class parents will share specifics for the day.
June 16 - Third Grade Park Picnic
June 17 - Fourth Grade Park Picnic
DJ MARC BARS & CELEBRATE BROOKLYN
We’re excited to share that on Saturday, June 13, at 3pm, our very own resident DJ, enrichment, and after school teacher Mr. Marc will be taking the stage at Celebrate Brooklyn for what he expects to be the biggest multigenerational family dance party Brooklyn has ever seen!
As your Park Slope neighbor and part of the PS 107 community, Mr. Marc wanted to personally invite the entire school community to come out to the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park and celebrate together.
Grab the kids, bring the grandparents, invite the cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends — and come ready to dance. Mr. Marc is bringing music, energy, surprises, and one giant dance floor for Brooklyn.
We’re told if he sees you in the crowd he may just give you a shout out on the big stage!
Throw on your dancing shoes and join us for what’s shaping up to be one of the highlights of the summer.
See you June 13 💃🕺
KEY TO THE CITY COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR
DATE: Saturday, June 13
TIME: 12 pm - 3 pm
LOCATION: 44th St between 5th and 6th Avenue in Sunset Park
Connect with:
- Education & Youth Programming
- Public Benefit Enrollment
- Health Access
- Free Hygiene Products: Diapers, Clothing, Books, and more! ( While Supplies Last)
- Free Produce and Groceries (While Supplies Last)
- Live Music and Dance
MARBLE HEALTH PARENT/CAREGIVER WORKSHOPS
Managing Screen Time Over the Summer
TUESDAY, JUNE 16 @ 7:00 PM EST
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TRAINING
Date: Thursday, June 18
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: 245 23rd Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11215
RSVP: http://bit.ly/BPBKKYR
*Please note this event will be held in person. We recognize that individuals may have varying levels of comfort with attending public events and encourage everyone to make the decision that feels right for them.
SCHOOL RESOURCES
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.
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.
ACADEMIC & SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING RESOURCES
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
MATH MAGIC
Join us weekly in the PS 107 Art Room 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, from now to the end of the school year (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!
FUNDRAISERS
ANNUAL FUND
Contribute to the Annual Fund, which directly supports essential school programs and resources. We are nearing the end of the year but there is still time to donate! 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.
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.
SPECIAL EVENTS
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.
COMMUNITY CLOTHING SWAP @ PS 124
Please join us in the PS 124 School Yard on on Saturday, June 13th from 10-12:30pmfor the Mutual Aid Clothing and Housewares Swap! You are welcome to donate clean, gently used summer clothing, "shop" for items your family needs, or both! There is no obligation to donate in order to take items home. Participate by volunteering with your child (sort and fold clothes for at least 20 minutes to earn a Clothing Drive Merit Pin) or dropping off donations pre-sorted by size and gender. (Please bring only clean, in-season, high-quality items.) We hope to see you there!
GREEN COMMITTEE: PARK CLEAN UP
Join the PS 107 Trash Troop! Students and grownups will meet on Sunday, June 14th between 9:00 and 11:00 to clear litter from Prospect Park. Bring your own gloves and trash bags and join us! Volunteers will meet at 9:00am, but feel free to join later, and stay as long as you can. Signup on Konstella encouraged but not required. Grownups - please share the attached safety info with your kids beforehand.
**NEW 2026-2027 NYCPS CALENDAR - click here
2025-2026 NYCPS CALENDAR - click here
2025-2026 KONSTELLA/SCHOOL CALENDAR - click here
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 11 - Fifth Grade Park Picnic (more details from your child's teacher to follow)
June 12 - Welcome Breakfast in the Big Yard for New Families 9am
June 16 - Third Grade Park Picnic (more details from your child's teacher to follow)
June 17 - Fourth Grade Park Picnic (more details from your child's teacher to follow)
June 18 - Know Your Rights Training Workshop 5:30pm to 7:30pm
HOLIDAYS / SCHOOL CLOSURES
June 19 - Juneteenth - School Closed
June 26 - Last Day of School
JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM!
Scan the QR code and follow our 107 IG account!