The Wednesday Weekly
January 7, 2026
Dear PS 107 Families,
Happy New Year! I hope that 2026 is off to a good start for you and your family, and that the break provided moments of rest, connection, and joy. As we return to school, I’m feeling hopeful and excited for a year ahead filled with learning, growth, and many moments of joy for our students.
Lead Paint Update: Kindergarten Classrooms
Before the break, peeling or damaged lead-based paint was identified in two Kindergarten classrooms. I’m happy to share that all identified areas were fully abated over the break by an EPA-certified abatement contractor, and the rooms have since been cleared and deemed safe for reoccupancy.
Thank you to our families and staff for your flexibility and patience as this work was completed, and to our facilities partners for addressing the issue thoroughly and promptly. It feels like a very reassuring and positive way to start the New Year.
A New Year, a New Mayor, and a New NYCPS Chancellor
With the new year, we also have a new Mayor and new leadership for New York City Public Schools (NYCPS). Chancellor Kamar Samuels brings more than two decades of experience within NYCPS, first as a classroom teacher, then as a principal, and later as superintendent of District 13 in Brooklyn and District 3 in Manhattan. Chancellor Samuels is also a NYCPS parent, which brings an important and valuable perspective to the role. He is widely respected for his work around school integration, equity, and academic rigor, and we look forward to learning more about the priorities he will set for NYC Public Schools in the coming months.
For more information about Chancellor Samuels, you can visit here.
Gratitude for Our Staff Holiday Potluck
A heartfelt thank you to Kate Segal and Erica Miller for organizing the staff holiday potluck on December 19th, just before break. It was such a treat for me and my colleagues, and we are grateful to everyone who contributed such delicious breakfast and lunch items. Gestures like this mean more than you know and help our staff feel so appreciated.
FITNESSGRAM is Coming!
The Fitnessgram is an annual fitness assessment that all students in NYC Public Schools participate in every year during Physical Education classes. The purpose of the Fitnessgram is to help students and families develop personal goals related to lifelong health and fitness.
The Fitnessgram is not a graded test, and results are confidential. Families will be able to view results in their child’s New York City Schools Account (NYCSA) once all assessments are completed.
The assessments include:
Grades K–3: Measurement of height and weight only
Grades 4–5: Measurement of height and weight, plus five fitness activities that assess strength, endurance, flexibility, and aerobic capacity
We ensure complete privacy and confidentiality when measuring students’ height and weight, as we recognize that this can be a sensitive topic for students and families. Students in 4th and 5th grade will begin the additional fitness activities in PE classes over the next week.
If you have questions about the Fitnessgram or how it is conducted at PS 107, please reach out to Mr. Mark at
msacoto2@schools.nyc.gov
PE Program Update
While we’re on the topic of Physical Education, I’m pleased to share that Mr. Mark, who has been working daily at PS 107 as a PE teacher, but who was paid as a day-to-day substitute teacher, will now officially step into the role of full-time PE teacher for the remainder of the school year. We are thrilled to be able to formalize his role and recognize the important work he has already been doing with our students.
Because PS 107’s budget does not support two full-time PE teacher positions, the role of our second PE teacher for the remainder of the year will be filled by a small, experienced team:
Ms. Diane, our retired PE teacher who now works as a substitute teacher, and
Ms. Kate, our Afterschool Associate Director, who also substitutes at PS 107 and has extensive experience teaching PE.
We are also continuing to seek certified substitute teachers with PE experience to ensure consistency and high-quality instruction across our PE program. As we look ahead to the 2026–27 school year, we will reassess our PE staffing needs and make future hiring decisions in collaboration with our hiring committee.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions — or just to say hello. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead and a great start to the new year.
Warmly,
Ms. Joanna
INTRODUCTION FROM CHANCELLOR KAMAR H. SAMUELS
Please click here or download the attachment to view this introductory letter from the new NYCPS Chancellor, Kamar H. Samuels.
NYCPS JANUARY FAMILY UPDATE
Please click here or download the attachment to view the latest January update from the NYCPS.
NYC KIDS RISE SAVE FOR COLLEGE
Happy NYC Scholarship Month 2026! It’s time for families to activate their children’s NYC Scholarship Accounts and get money for college and career training as part of the Save for College Program. Let’s start the new year saving together.
This 2025-2026 school year, nearly every kindergarten through fourth grade student in NYC public schools (including participating charter schools) now has a free NYC Scholarship Account with an initial $100 for college and career training, no matter their family income or immigration status.
You can start TODAY to secure more money for your child’s college and career future. Take the first step by activating your child’s NYC Scholarship Account online.
Want to explore all that
How New York Families Can Save for College — and How Some Have $100 Already
Click here to view this informative article regarding the NYC Kids Rise Save for College program.
NYC SCHOOLS ACCOUNT - NYCSA
The NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) is a NYCPS parent account for students that enables parents/guardians to view all of their children’s records - grades, fitnessgrams, attendance, your child’s NYCPS email, etc.
At least one parent/guardian will need to have access to this account. We strongly encourage all parents/guardians to have their own account. Any custodial parent who does not have their own NYCSA , please contact Nadia for instructions and your unique account creation code.
To set up your account, you will need a unique account creation code and your child's OSIS # or Student ID.
- A letter with directions and with your unique account creation code will be sent to you.
- The OSIS# or Student ID is an 9 digit number that can be found in Operoo in the Student Profile.
DISTRICT 15 VIRTUAL FAMILY WORKSHOP: MATH WORKSHOP PART 2
Presented by the D15 Math Instructional Team
- Learn about the progression of multiplication and division.
- Learn about different strategies and models for multiplication and division to help you support your child at home.
- Q and A with the math team.
Day/Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time: 6:00pm - 07:00pm
*Click here to join.
- Date: January 13
- Time: 6:30 PM-9:30 PM
- In Person: P.S. 230 Lower School, 425 McDonald Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11218, USA
- Virtual: https://nycdoe.zoom.us/meeting/register/_D0kY38lRDKXwpZE5CpkAw
MARBLE HEALTH DECEMBER & JANUARY WORKSHOPS
Supporting Students with Academic and Test Anxiety
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7 @ 8:00 PM
Navigating the Autism Spectrum: Helping Your Child Learn, Connect & Thrive (New!)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14 @ 8:00 PM
Ayudando a los niños a tener éxito: Estrategias para la función ejecutiva (en español)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15 @ 7:00 PM
Helping Kids Succeed: Executive Function Strategies
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 @ 6:00 PM
Managing Screen Time
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 @ 8:00 PM
ABT RISE WORKSHOP - 2nd & 3rd Grade Students
ABT RISE Weekend Workshop on Monday, January 19th (MLK DAY)! This free workshop will host 80-100 second and third grade students from public schools across the five boroughs of New York City!
Students will have the opportunity to meet like-minded peers from across New York City and train with ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School Faculty and Guests.
We welcome all interested NYC public school second and third grade students to apply for a fun day of classes in the welcoming environment of ABT’s Studios. No dance experience required.
The workshop will take place on Monday, January 19th (MLK DAY), at ABT Studios, 890 Broadway, New York, NY 10003.
More information and how to apply can be found at https://www.abt.org/abtriseweekend
You may also sign up directly by visiting the link found here.
SCHOOL RESOURCES
HELPFUL TIPS
Please click here for helpful tips regarding, absences, late arrivals, and more!
PS 107 FOOD PANTRY
If your family is experiencing food insecurity, please stop by the food pantry!
It is stocked with shelf stable staples and reusable bags are provided.
Sign in with Agent Sharon and tell her that you are going to the cafeteria.
The pantry is located in the basement, across from the cafeteria. It is in the single student bathroom area, in the line of cabinets.
Food Pantry Hours: 8am to 10:30 am Monday through Friday
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!
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.
LEARNING RESOURCES
NEW SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING CURRICULUM
PurposeFull People: Gratitude
This month, our students are beginning the Gratitude unit in our PurposeFull People social-emotional learning curriculum. They’ll explore what it means to recognize and express appreciation — for people, experiences, and even small daily moments that bring joy.
Families can find ideas for extending these lessons at home here.
Previous Units:
- PurposeFull People’s Family Newsletter on Respect
- PurposeFull People Family Newsletter on Responsibility
SCHOOL NEWS
- Missed the December PTA Meeting? You can check out the minutes here.
CLUBS AND MEETINGS
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, 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!
PTA GENERAL MEETING
Please join us for the January PTA General meeting on Thursday, January 15th, at 9am. The meeting will take place IN PERSON in the PS 107 Cafeteria.
Missed the December PTA Meeting? You can check out the minutes here.
FUNDRAISERS
ANNUAL FUND
Contribute to the Annual Fund, which directly supports essential school programs and resources. 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.
SUMMER CAMP AUCTION
This year's online Camp Auction opens on Monday, January 12th and runs until Sunday, January 18th. Check out the catalog now and create an account to be ready to bid! You’ll find a vast selection on offer, from 4 weeks at sleepaway camp to $100s off at your local favorites. Every item is donated, so 100% of proceeds go to PS 107!!!
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:
Sandwiches, (please label w/ contents)
Bread Packages
Lunch Meat Packages
Eggs
Tortillas
Individually Portioned Prepared Meals, (please label w/ contents)
Microwavable meals
Jars of Peanut Butter and/or Jelly
Cereal/Instant Oatmeal
Shelf Stable Milk and Juice
Fruit Cups
Fresh Fruit
Individually Wrapped Snacks
Ziplock and Grocery Bags, and
Plastic cutlery
Paper towels
Lysol/clorox wipes
Ground coffee
Mac and cheese
Spaghetti sauce
Shelf stable milk (32oz)
Water (16.9 oz)
Canned beans
Pasta
Rice
Mayonnaise
Mustard
Canned meats (tuna/sardine/chicken)
Canned fruit
Canned soup
Eggs
Butter
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.
LICE CHECK
The PTA organizes school-wide lice checks as needed throughout the year to help prevent and/or contain the spread of lice around our school.
The next check will take place on Thursday, January 8th. If you have not already done so, please contribute to the cost of school-wide, professional lice checks by submitting a one time payment of $15 per child using this link: Lice Checks Once Annual Fee
NYC TRASH ACADEMY APPLICATIONS
NYC Trash Academy is a free eight-week educational series, offered online with in-person events, tailored for New Yorkers who are passionate about creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable city.
The program explores the far-reaching impacts of waste management on our environment, society, and economy; and walks you through some of the everyday questions we all have about waste like what really happens to our food scraps, old clothes, or broken electronics, and how companies and communities can help reduce what ends up in the trash.
NYC Trash Academy 2026 begins Tuesday, January 27 and runs through Wednesday, March 18. Participation is FREE, but the application window is only open for a limited time. Secure your spot by applying here by January 12, 2026.
HERITAGE DAY
Heritage Day, a long-loved PS 107 tradition, returns on Saturday, January 24th! If you've never attended before, Heritage Day is a volunteer-run event hosted by 107 families.
We take over the entire school building and families host rooms dedicated to their home country or state. In the past, Heritage Day has also been a great way for families that share backgrounds to team up and co-host. It's an opportunity to share your family's background and introduce our community to the wonderful traditions, foods, sights, and sounds that are your cultural touchstones.
If you are interested in hosting or co-hosting a room, please fill out this form: Heritage Day Hosting. If you have questions, email Brad Allen at bradallen1@gmail.com.
DISNEY ON ICE
Save the date: On Sunday, February 1st, at 3pm, join PS 107 families at the Barclays Center where Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party, a fast-paced, family-friendly production that follows the search for Tinker Bell through stunning worlds.
Explore the colorful spirit realm of Coco with Miguel, brave the ocean with Moana, marvel at Belle’s enchanted chandelier, sing with Elsa, and watch Stitch crash the action with mischievous surprises - all while raising money for the PTA.
Featuring spectacular ice skating, daring aerial stunts, and memorable moments from Aladdin, Toy Story, and The Little Mermaid, this is sure to be an event to remember! Tickets on sale NOW THROUGH JANUARY 21st on Zeffy.
LIVE BAND KARAOKE WITH THE OCCASIONALISTS
Warm up those vocals, book the babysitter and save the date for a fun night out to benefit the PS 107 PTA. On Friday, February 6, from 6-10pm, you can sing live band karaoke with The Occasionalists at Littlefield (635 Sackett St) -- or simply dance, drink and cheer on the talent. This event is open to everyone so if you have friends or family who would love a night out and to support PS 107, please invite them to save the date, too!
2025-2026 NYCPS CALENDAR - click here
2025-2026 KONSTELLA/SCHOOL CALENDAR - click here
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 8 - Schoolwide Lice Check
January 13
- District 15 Family Workshop 6-7 pm (virtual)
- CEC 15 Calendar & Business Meeting 6:30 - 9:30 pm
January 14 - 3-K and Pre-K Applications Open
January 15 - PTA Meeting 9 am (in person!)
January 23 - Kindergarten Application Closes
January 24 - Heritage Day
February 6 - Family Morning
HOLIDAYS / SCHOOL CLOSURES
January 19 - Martin Luther King Day (School Closed)
February 14-22 - Mid Winter Recess (School Closed)
JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM!
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