Dear PS 107 Families,
It is November and with Thanksgiving around the corner, all of us at PS 107 are reminding ourselves of the importance of having a gratitude practice. Expressing gratitude is so important because our brains are wired to focus on the negative – this helped us to remember threats to our safety and survive thousands of years ago. But in modern times, that negativity “bias” is a bit too strong, and we need to actively combat it with our own gratitude practice. Research shows that having a regular gratitude practice helps to boost self-confidence, improves patience and resilience, reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, and fosters a more optimistic outlook on life, even during difficult times.
Starting this past Monday through the Thanksgiving holiday, we are expressing our gratitude for one another at PS 107, leaving little messages of appreciation for our colleagues in their mailboxes, and sharing a daily morning announcement about gratitude. Some of our teachers are doing this as well in their classrooms! If you don’t already have a gratitude practice at home that involves your kids, I encourage you to start one. (Here are some tips on how to do so.) It’s really remarkable how much our mindset shifts with regular reminders of what we appreciate in life.
On that note, last week, one of my supervisors from the District 15 superintendent’s office visited PS 107 for my first performance evaluation of the school year. Together, we visited several classrooms and observed one of our core teams, our Instructional Leadership Team, in action. I share this because this is something for which I am extremely grateful – our incredibly dedicated and talented staff! While the superintendent’s office was visiting to see my leadership practices in action, it was our staff who were the real stars. In every teaching move, in every discussion with students, in every conversation with pedagogues and educational assistants, it was evident that our school’s instructional focus for this year – data-driven small group instruction to improve outcomes for all students – was living and breathing in all that we do at PS 107. I was so proud to show off the important work that we are doing – and so grateful to our staff for making it come alive.
UPCOMING DRILLS
Please note that we will hold our second soft lockdown drill of the fall term next week, before the Thanksgiving break. Teachers will review procedures with students, and if students have questions about why we are doing these kinds of drills, I have asked teachers to share that the purpose of a soft lockdown is to keep them safe in the event that someone gets into the building who shouldn’t be there. It gives time for Agent Sharon and our Building Response Team (BRT) to make sure all students and teachers stay safe. Teachers will also remind students that this is a drill, just like a fire drill. Fires in schools almost never happen — and this kind of danger almost never happens either. But we practice so that we can be safe.
Last but not least, we are still collecting individually-wrapped candy for our main office! Thanks to those of you who have already dropped off treats – we are so grateful.
With so much appreciation for this kind and generous community,
Ms Joanna
PSACC WILL CLOSE EARLY at 4:30PM Nov 27
On Wednesday, 11/27 there will be no programs, just free play and we will close at 4:30pm.
All children will need to be picked up by this time
*Click the link to view the
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.
LOST & FOUND - Updated 11-19-24
The older items in the lost & found will be donated to the PS 124 clothing swap at the end of the week.
Please 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
NYCPS / DISTRICT 15 / COMMUNITY
CHANCELLOR'S FIVE-BOROUGH LISTENING TOURS
This fall, Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos will be engaging in a Five-Borough Listening Tour designed to foster open dialogue between the Chancellor and school communities across New York City’s five boroughs. This series will provide a platform for parents, educators, students, and local leaders to share their perspectives on key educational issues. Each event will feature structured discussions on various topics such as safety and wellness, support for teachers, in addition to family and community empowerment. The discussions will culminate in a Q&A session with Chancellor Aviles-Ramos and NYCPS leaders.
The listening tours will be held from 6:00–8:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) on the following dates; interested participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible as space is limited:
- November 19: The Manhattan session will take place at the High School of Graphic Communication Arts (439 W 49th Street, New York, NY 10019);
- November 26: The Brooklyn session will take place at Thomas Jefferson High School (400 Granville Payne Ave (Pennsylvania Avenue), Brooklyn, NY 11207);
- December 3: The Queens session will take place at the Academy of American Studies High School (40-11 28th Street, Astoria, NY 11101);
- December 10: The Bronx session will take place at P.S. 306 (40 W Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY 10453); and
- December 17: The Staten Island session will take place at Curtis High School
(105 Hamilton Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301).
DROUGHT WARNING
On November 18, Mayor Eric Adams issued a drought warning for New York City.A drought warning is the second of three levels of water conservation declarations by the city.
As conditions continue to evolve, the city may declare a drought emergency, which involves escalating requirements to reduce water usage.
All New Yorkers are encouraged to conserve water.
Based on Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) guidance, please adopt water-saving habits to reducing water use:
Report open fire hydrants and street leaks to 311.
Limit unnecessary flushing, as toilets account for a major portion of water use.
Reduce shower times.
Turn off faucets: Avoid running water while brushing teeth or washing hands.
Fix leaks promptly: Report and repair any dripping faucets or running toilets.
Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full.
Additional tips for reducing water use can be found at nyc.gov/savewater.
PAS FOOD PANTRY
We’re reaching out on behalf of the PAS Food Pantry in regard to their annual Thanksgiving food distribution.
They will be distributing turkeys, pies, and other assorted goods for anyone in need on Wednesday, November 27th. Details can be found in the attached image.
*Please use the qr code on the flyer to register
DISTRICT 15 FAMILY WORKSHOP
Special Education Process Overview
- Referral and Evaluation:The student is evaluated to determine if they need special education services
- IEP Creation: If eligible, an Individual Education Program (IEP) is developed with input from parents and staff
- Service Implementation: The student receives services based on their IEP, such as special education support or therapies
- Monitoring and Review: Progress is regularly checked, and the IEP is reviewed annually to ensure continued support
When: December 10, 2024 at 10 am
Where: Zoom Link Here
- Meeting ID: 726 885 3826
- Password: 251368
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 22 , Dec 6 & 20
- Click here for Zoom
- Click for Lunch & Learn Flyer
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!
PTA GENERAL MEETING
Please join us on Thursday, November 21st from 9am to 10am for our November PTA General Meeting. Meeting will take place on Zoom, please use the link here to join.
FUNDRAISERS
ANNUAL FUND
Contribute to the Annual Fund, which directly supports essential school programs and resources.
From Monday, November 18th through Friday, November 22nd, all donations will be MATCHED by an anonymous team of PS 107 families until we reach 8K! 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.
PS 107 GEAR SALE
Wednesday, November 20th from 2:30-5:30pm, PS 107 gear will be on sale in front of the main entrance.
New designs and colors available as well as giftable seasonal items like hats and mugs. Don’t forget Grandma, Grandpa, Bubbie, Zadie, Abuela, Abuelo, Nainai, YeYe, Daadee, Daada, Nonna, Nonno, Aljada, Aljadu, and all caregivers, family and friends this holiday season!
P.S. Teachers need gear too! Please help them with school pride and support them by buying a PS 107 Gear item for your kid's teacher/para/etc.
SUPPORT THE CHICKS!
Our 6 chicks are growing bigger and are looking forward to moving into their swanky new coop in the garden at the kindergarten entrance.
If you would like to help support the chicks and our growing garden, please check out Ms. A's Amazon Wishlist!
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
PSSE SPECIAL EDUCATION MIDDLE SCHOOL PANEL
Join the PSSE Special Education Middle School Panel on Wednesday, November 20th from 7-8:30pm on Google Meet to hear from current Middle School parents on their special education experiences at local Middle Schools.
PS 124 WINTER CLOTHING SWAP
Donations needed for the Winter Clothing Swap at PS 124 this Saturday, November 23rd.
Clothing swap will take place from 10:30-12:30pm; donations can be made from 9-11am.
We are looking for in-season clothing that is clean and free from stains, holes, and tears, and for houseware items including silverware, towels/linens, and working kitchen appliances.
*Please pre-sort clothing donations according to gender and size.
POWERHOUSE BOOK FAIR
From Monday, December 2nd through Friday, December 6th PS 107 students have been invited to attend the annual Powerhouse Book Fair!
We are still hard at work scheduling the date and time for each class to visit Powerhouse; please be on the lookout for additional trip details from your child's teacher in the upcoming weeks.
Two parent chaperones are requested to escort each class, stay tuned for sign-up information.
TEACHER AND STAFF HOLIDAY POTLUCK
PS 107's annual Teacher and Staff Holiday Potluck is coming up on Friday, December 13th. It includes breakfast, lunch, and afternoon treats contributed by PS 107 families. Please be on the look out for sign-up details and volunteer opportunities coming out soon. Contact Megan Hartley (megan.hartley@gmail.com) or Diana Gatschey (dlgatschet@gmail.com) with questions.
ART & CRAFT FAIR
Join the PS107 community for our Art & Craft Fair on Saturday, December 14, from 12-3pm. Are you a maker, artist, or local small business? Come be a part of this art-mazing event! Contact Francesca (craft.fair@ps107.org) with questions.
Sign Up to Host a Table - Comple this form by November 29th to sign up as vendor.
Participate in the Kids Art & Photo Contest - Send a photo of your child's artwork or photography to craft.fair@ps107.org and we’ll feature it as part of our art and photo contest!
Donate to the Bake Sale - Sign up to drop off a treat or snack here.
Volunteer - This event is being run 100% by volunteers! If you would like to lend a hand, please sign up here.
DISNEY ON ICE
Step inside the magical adventures of Disney's Frozen and Encanto as they are brought to life like never before at Disney On Ice. Over 140 tickets have already been purchased by PS 107 families; join in the fun 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.
SPECIAL EVENT: SPRING AUCTION
Our auction in the spring is the single largest fundraising event of the year. We will need a lead 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.
If you are unable to lead the event but want to help out, consider signing up to help get some great items for auction! This is a flexible volunteer role that can be done around your schedule. Sign up to be an auction donations volunteer on Konstella here. Join us for a Zoom call on Monday, November 25th at 8pm to find out more: https://zoom.us/j/99862383804