The Wednesday Weekly
May 13, 2026
Dear PS 107 Families,
By the time you receive this week's letter, New York State testing will be (mostly) completed. Testing impacts our students annually in 3rd–5th grades, as well as our students who are learning English in all grades. We see testing as a useful tool in assessing how our students are doing and how well we are teaching them, but it is a significant operational undertaking each year. I am incredibly grateful to our Assistant Principal and Co-Testing Coordinator Rinah Fernandez-Vasquez, and our STEM teacher, Technology Coordinator, Library Coordinator, and Co-Testing Coordinator (whew!) Marybeth LoPorto, both of whom worked so hard to ensure NYS testing went smoothly. Thank you, Ms. Rinah and Ms. Marybeth!
As mentioned in recent issues of The Wednesday Weekly, we are seeing an unfortunate uptick in bias-related incidents in our school community. In addition to the measures we are taking during the school day, the new section below is part of our ongoing effort to address this together with families. .
Introducing a New Regular Reflection: Building an Inclusive Community
Our core values, curiosity, compassion, and community, guide how we learn, connect, and grow together. In partnership with families, we are committed to creating an environment where every child feels seen, respected, and a true sense of belonging.
Sometimes, this means pausing to name something directly. Harm can happen in everyday moments, even unintentionally. When it does, these moments become important opportunities to build awareness, practice empathy, and help our children understand the impact of their words and actions.
Every few weeks in the Wednesday Weekly, we’ll share a real-life, age-appropriate scenario from our school community to help spark conversation and reflection at home.
We invite you to read, reflect, and consider discussing the scenario below with your child.
A scenario to consider:
A child tells another child that brown skin looks like the color of poop.
Prompts to discuss with children:
What could you say if you heard someone say this?
How do you think that comment might make someone feel?
Why is comparing someone’s appearance to something gross different from just describing how someone looks?
Questions for grown-ups to consider:
How do we respond in the moment in a way that is calm but clear so the harm is not minimized?
How do we help children understand the impact of the words matter more than the intent behind them? That comparisons like this are harmful?
How do we reinforce that differences are something to celebrate, not label negatively?
Books to consider reading with your child:
A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory
All the Colors We Are/Todos Los Colores de Nuestra Piel: The Story of How We Get Our Skin Color by Katie Kissinger
Our Skin: A First Conversation about Race by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli
The books are available on Sora, which is available free to all New York City Public Schools students. Login with your child’s NYCPS email address and password.
Finally, one child who experienced a similar incident later told their parents that they felt “terrified” that a similar comment, comparing their skin to poop might happen again.
When a child’s skin color is compared to something disgusting, the message they may receive is that their body is something to be ashamed of. Comments like this can profoundly affect a child’s sense of belonging. Teaching children about the power of their words reflects PS 107’s commitment to inclusivity and equity.
TONIGHT! Parent Workshop: How to Talk to Your Kids about Gender and LGBTQ+ Identities
We know many of you were able to join this morning's parent workshop with History UnErased — and if you missed it, there's another session tonight! Join History Unerased tonight from 7-7:40 pm (with 20 minutes for Q&A).
Register here: https://unerased-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/CG2gJFlBR8iepHgNGAsCQQ
This session is designed to help families feel more confident and equipped when talking with their children about gender expansiveness and LGBTQ+ identities. Facilitators will share approachable, practical tools for these conversations, grounded in the New York State Dignity for All Students Act, and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.
Please complete this brief pre-session survey before joining tonight!
This Friday: Grandparents and Special Friends Day
We are really looking forward to Grandparents and Special Friends Day this Friday, May 15th! Please remind your child's guests to enter the school building through the main entrance on 8th Avenue at 8:20 am. We will have staff members posted around the building wearing PS 107 t-shirts to help visitors locate their grandchildren's classrooms. Directly after classroom visits, we invite everyone to join us for a performance and presentation in the Big Yard, where we look forward to showcasing what PS 107 is all about.
Screen Use Presentation at our May 21st PTA Meeting
Please mark your calendars for our upcoming PTA meeting on Thursday, May 21st at 9 am. In addition to PTA and SLT elections taking place, I will also be doing a presentation on how we currently use screens at PS 107, and the shifts that we are considering for the 2026-27 school year given the latest research on screen use and learning.
Questions? Concerns? Just want to say hello? My door is always open!
Warmly,
Ms. Joanna
NYC Kids Rise: Save for College Program
All students in Kindergarten through 4th grade are eligible to participate in the NYC Kids Rise Save for College Program, and we are working hard to get as many families as possible to activate their child's account. Their account starts with $100, and they will also receive a $25 reward just for activating it — no personal information required!
To activate your child's NYC Scholarship Account, follow these steps:
Go to nyckr.org/act-now
Enter your child's ZIP code, birthdate, and Student ID or OSIS number, then click Submit
Enter your name, email, and create a password
Read and accept the Terms of Use, then click Create User Profile
You can also watch a short video guide if you'd like a walkthrough.
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 MAY FAMILY UPDATE
This month’s letter features important information about the 2026–27 school year calendar, Summer Rising offers, admissions updates, Teacher Appreciation Week, Climate Action Day, and Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Please click here to access the May Update or open the attachment below.
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
- Missed the April PTA Meeting? You can check out the minutes here.
- Five Day Week April Edition
PARENT WORKSHOP: HOW TO TALK WITH YOUR KIDS ABOUT GENDER AND LGBTQ+ IDENTITIES
We're excited to invite all PS 107 families to a special parent session with History UnErased on May 13th — offered at two times so you can join whichever works best for you.
This session is designed to help families feel more confident and equipped when talking with their children about gender expansiveness and LGBTQ+ identities. Facilitators will share approachable, practical tools for these conversations — grounded in the New York State Dignity for All Students Act — and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.
Session 2 — 7:00–7:40 pm (with 20 minutes for Q&A), register here: https://unerased-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/CG2gJFlBR8iepHgNGAsCQQ
D15 STEM EXPLORATION DAY
Date: Saturday May 16,2026
Meeting Place: In front of NYC Harbor School, Governors Island, NYC
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Lunch will be served with vegetarian and vegan options. Bring a water bottle. If your child has special dietary restrictions, please pack a lunch.
We will be working with Billion Oyster Project NYC. https://www.billionoysterproject.org/
Here is the link to the event: https://forms.gle/vfjGENzE6LB8g63m7
FREE NDI DANCE & MUSIC SUMMER PROGRAM
From Monday, July 27th - Friday, August 7th, children will experience high-energy and engaging dance and music classes taught by a team of NDI Teachers and Musicians, who will take children on a thrilling, creative journey culminating in a performance.
*No previous dance or music experience is necessary.
Classes take place at the NDI Center on 217 W. 147th Street in Harlem from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. There will be a performance for families at 11:15am on Aug 7th.
Parents/guardians and children must attend a mandatory orientation on Wednesday, June 3 at 5:30-6:30 pm at the NDI Center.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Spots are limited and this program can fill up quickly!
MARBLE HEALTH PARENT/CAREGIVER WORKSHOPS
Finding Calm in Chaos: Helping Students Navigate Political Anxiety
TUESDAY, MAY 19 @ 7:00 PM EST
Friendships, Cliques & Conflict: Helping Kids Navigate their Social World
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 @ 8:00 PM EST
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)
Track is back!!! 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 have not yet reached our goal. Please help us get over the finish line with your donation! 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.
AAPI SNACK BAG DONATIONS AND PACKING PARTY
Do your kids love AAPI Snack Bags? This is a great fundraiser for the PTA and also a lot of fun to put together. If you have any Asian snacks to donate or want to join the snack bag packing party with your kid on Friday, May 15th at 6:15pm, please email Elaine Mui at elaine@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.
ART DAY
PS 107 Art Day is THIS Saturday, May 16th from 12-3pm in the Big Yard! Art Day is a FREE event when families can explore hands-on workshops led by our talented parents and local artists. Kids make art, try new materials, and let their imaginations run wild. Like all our events, we need volunteers for the day to come together! (You don't even have to be crafty: you can sign up to break a bag of ice or sell some pizza!) Please sign up on konstella to help make this special event happen! For more information, please reach out to Art Committee Co-Chairs: Sarah Baratti sarahkwarner@yahoo.com and Jiaomin Ni jiaomin.ni@gmail.com
SPRING FLING
Save the Date: This year's Spring Fling will take place Wednesday, June 3 from 6:30 to 9:00pm in the Big Yard. DJ, dancing, pizza, snacks, drinks. The whole school community, together in the big yard. We can't wait to see you there!
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!
**NEW 2026-2027 NYCPS CALENDAR - click here
2025-2026 NYCPS CALENDAR - click here
2025-2026 KONSTELLA/SCHOOL CALENDAR - click here
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 13 - Parent Workshop 7pm (zoom registration here )
May 15
- Grandparents /Special Friend Day 8:20 to 10 am
- 5th Grade Bake Sale at Arrival and Dismissal
May 16
- Art Day @ PS 107 12 to 3
- D15 STEM Exploration Day
May 18 - AAPI Heritage Month Performance
May 21 - PTA Meeting 9 am ( zoom)
May 28 - Choir Performances Grades 3 to 5 (Information provided by Mr. DiFranco)
June 2 - Kindergarten & Pre K Park Picnic ( more details from your child's teacher to follow)
June 3 - Spring Fling 6:30 pm
June 8 - Big Yard Games School event
HOLIDAYS / SCHOOL CLOSURES
May 25 - Memorial Day (school closed)
May 27 - Eid al Adha (school closed)
June 4 & 5 - Student Non-Attendance Days
JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM!
Scan the QR code and follow our 107 IG account!