Dear PS 107 Families,
What an incredible Fall Festival we had on Saturday! The weather was perfect, the vibe was celebratory, the chili and pies were spectacular (and I know because I tasted every single one of them). Thank you, thank you, thank you to Lisa Krinsky Esterhuizen, the Fall Festival event lead (what a remarkable feat to coordinate this all on her own), along with her core team, Lisa Bol, Amber Fox, Francesca Furian, Sarah Liebel, Brian Manchester, Ligia Mathias, and Stephanie Shaw. In addition, this year, the Fall Festival team partnered with several PS 107 parent committees, including our AAPI team, Art Committee, Community Outreach, DEI Team, Fifth Grade Committee, Hispanic Heritage Month team, and the Parent Special Education Support Team. The Fall Festival is a true example of PS 107’s Core Value of Community. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and supported this wonderful event.
THANK YOU HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH COMMITTEE
I was also remiss in not thanking the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee in last week’s Wednesday Weekly! I am so grateful to Christine Canedo-Pullan and Caroline Reginelli, the committee leads, along with Emily Medina, Magda Rangel-Hendrick, Bethany Arazoza, Angelica Cesario, and Carolyn Vadino. We loved reading the posters of PS 107 students with Latin heritage, showcasing the special traditions that they and their families enjoy, along with the pride they have in their cultures. Our 2nd through 5th graders were also treated to a performance of Latin dances in the Big Yard with dancers from Salsa Salsa. We look forward to celebrating the unique and beautiful identities of all of our students and families throughout the school year!
PS 107 CHICKS
As many of you know from our Instagram account, six sweet little chicks arrived at PS 107 yesterday! Our Garden Committee, led by Ali Annunziato on the staff side and Catharine Kendall Hanoosh on the parent side, is working hard to spruce up the garden, make it more interactive, and turn it into a school day learning space. Once our chicks are big enough, they will be moved to their luxury coop in the garden where they will be cared for by our students and the Garden Committee. I also have to give a shoutout to PS 107 Educational Assistant Rashad St Edwards, who is keeping us up to speed on chicken care, along with 5th grade teacher Ed Schulz, who is ensuring we are providing an ethical and humane environment for our girls. (They are all hens, as roosters are not permitted in New York City.) We’ll be naming the chicks as a school in the coming weeks – stay tuned!
SPECIALTY TEACHER WISHLISTS
Chickens do require a lot of supplies, so please consider purchasing some items from Ms Ali’s wishlist (there are some PE supplies on there as well). We will be sharing more wishlists from all of our specialty teachers in the coming weeks. And you can always find these wishlists on our website.
A few quick reminders for the coming weeks:
Halloween is next week and students are permitted to dress up! Keep in mind the following guidelines for costumes:
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
Tuesday, November 5th, Election Day, is a non-attendance day for students, and a professional learning day for staff. And … please make sure to vote!
Thursday, November 7th, which is the day of Parent-Teacher Conferences, is also a non-attendance day for students. In the past, students had a half-day, but PS 107 staff (along with many other schools across the city) voted in favor of holding staff professional learning that morning. Our March Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, March 6th will also be a non-attendance day for students.
During the 2021-22 school year, PS 107’s School Leadership Team decided to disconnect report cards from Parent-Teacher Conferences, so you will not receive your child’s first report card on November 7th. Their first report card will be issued on January 31st, per PS 107’s grading policy. At this initial Parent-Teacher Conference, your child’s teacher will give you a sense of how they are settling into the school year and how they are doing in reading, writing, and math.
If they haven’t done so already, teachers will be reaching out to parents soon to schedule Parent-Teacher conferences. Conferences are held remotely, but parents have the option to request an in-person conference at a mutually-agreed-upon time. If you would like to schedule a conference with a specialty teacher, please email them directly using the following contact information (remember that PS 107 staff are not permitted to communicate with parents via Konstella as it is not an NYCPS-approved platform):
Ali Annunziato, Physical Education, aannunziato@schools.nyc.gov
Mark Sacoto, Physical Education, msacoto2@schools.nyc.gov
Crystal Barnes, Science, cbarnes13@schools.nyc.gov
Julie Brunner Cross, Art, jbrunnercross@schools.nyc.gov
Gary DiFranco, Music, gdifranco2@schools.nyc.gov
Peg Galella, Library + English as a New Language, mgalell@schools.nyc.gov
As always, I feel so grateful to be a part of this warm and supportive community. Have a wonderful week!
Yours,
Ms Joanna
SCHOOL INFORMATION
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR NEXT PARENT EVENT: 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 platform, please scan the QR code to register.
*Please scan the QR code to register and receive a zoom link.
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
- Wednesday, 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, zoom link to follow
THE FIVE DAY WEEK
PS 107’s Student Newspaper
October Edition
Puzzles, Debates, Comics, and Stories: Get excited to read it!
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 10/22/24
We will have the Lost & Found items outside by the CHiPS donation tables on Wednesday, 10/30/24, at arrival (8:00am)
Please come and check for your lost items! The lost and found will go out for DONATION that day! If it is difficult to check in person, please check the lost and found document below :)
*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.
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 : 10/25, Nov 8 & 22 , Dec 6 & 20
Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/93903954056?pwd=GKhLyG6NlUSeb9gw0fvNlO1339A2X3.1#success
SAFE STREETS SAFE SCHOOLS: A COMMUNITY CALL TO ACTION
On Saturday, October 26 (8am to 2pm) at the High School for Fashion Industries, NYC Public Schools will be hosting a community forum: At this event, families will have an opportunity to hear from NYC Public Schools and other city agencies on interventions and resources for students and families available through schools and community partners to mitigate community violence.
*Translated Documents available, please email Nadia for your language preference.
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.
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!
FUNDRAISERS
ANNUAL FUND
Contribute to the Annual Fund, which directly supports essential school programs and resources. NOW through Friday, October 25th, all donations will be MATCHED by an anonymous team of PS 107 families until we reach 10K! 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.
PTA FUN RUN
Join us on Saturday, October 26th for the Brooklyn PTA Fun Run! The Fun Run is a family-friendly event where Brooklyn PTAs and community members of all ages come together to run/bike/scoot/walk around Prospect Park Loop Road to raise funds for Brooklyn schools with Title I status. This year, PS 107’s Track Team and Community Outreach Committee are teaming up to raise funds for our sister school, PS 124. Participants will meet in LeFrak Center at 9am for bib pick up; race starts at 10am.
Students raising the most money get a prize. Sign up here.
*Financial assistance is also available. Please reach out to Mary Pratt (mary.pratt@gmail.com) with questions.
OWN A LOCAL BUSINESS? LIST IT ON KONSTELLA
If you own a local business and want to advertise to the families of our 540+ students, consider listing on Konstella. Businesses that offer a promotion to our community typically pay $259 per year and Konstella donates 50% of the earnings to our school. Participating businesses are advertised on the Konstella app and website, appear on all school wide emails, and a dedicated email featuring sponsoring businesses is sent to all users four times per year.
To register, visit https://www.konstella.com/business/introduction/plans and select PS107.
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
Dyslexia Awareness Day
Dyslexia Awareness Week is Monday, October 21st - Friday, October 25th and our students have been learning about this important initiative this week through bulletin boards, posters, and morning announcements.
On Friday, October 25th, please help spread awareness by dressing your child in red. Staff will be wearing red ribbons on Friday morning and there will be a bracelet giveaway for students at Friday dismissal!
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's Frozen 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: 3-204, 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 is transformed into 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 AN EVENT LEAD STEPS FORWARD, 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.
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.