The Wednesday Weekly

Dear PS 107 Families,

Welcome to Black History Month! Black History Month was made official by President Gerald Ford in 1976, but its origins go all the way back to 1926. Please take a look at the New York City Public Schools resources for Black History Month, which include special events and exhibitions happening all around the city, as well as books that you can read at home with your children. Please also make sure to check out the Black History Month newsletter written by PS 107 parent Paul Ryan, and shared by the parent DEI Team on Monday via Konstella.

Here at PS 107, we believe that Black history should be part of what we teach daily, not just during one month, and our teachers have ensured that it is being incorporated across our curriculum. This month, we will also be celebrating with regular morning announcements highlighting Black Americans who have made an impact on our nation and presentations for all students about important Black figures in history. Our parent DEI Team has done an amazing job filling our school with beautiful posters about influential Black Americans, and they created a powerful bulletin board that greets everyone who enters our building, pictured on the right. Thank you to the parent team who worked on this: Tre Johnson, Carolyn Vadino, Anaïs Casimir, Ben Saunders, Jessica Saunders, Paul Ryan, Michelle Watsula, Sompon Oerlemans, and Christine Canedo-Pullan.

During this particular Black History Month, it is critical for all of us to remember, as the poet Amanda Gorman wrote, “There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” Let’s be the light we all need right now.

RESIDENCIES ARE UNDERWAY!

Several of our in-school residences have begun in the last couple of weeks:

• Teaching artists from the Brooklyn Arts Exchange are working weekly with all of our students in Pre-K and 2nd grade.

• Educators from The Tiny Scientist are getting our kindergarteners and first graders excited about science!

Ask your children what they are learning in their residencies! We are so grateful to our PTA for funding these residencies. They may spark hidden passions, reveal undiscovered talents, and generate even more excitement about school. Thank you to our entire parent community for your donations to the PTA, which make experiences like these possible for your children.

PROMOTION-IN-DOUBT PROCESS

Though we are only halfway through the school year, this is the time of year when schools begin to think about next year. Teachers have been asked to identify students who may be at risk of not meeting promotional criteria by the end of the year and notify parents that their child’s promotion is “in doubt.”

If your child’s promotion to the next grade is in doubt, you will hear from your child’s teacher before next week, and you can expect a formal letter to come home the week of February 10th with additional details. Please note that this does not mean that your child will automatically be retained in their current grade. Schools are required to provide an early warning that children are at-risk for being retained. We then provide even more support to your child and make the decision about grade retention in collaboration with you in early June. In general, our experience shows that the majority of students who are identified as “promotion-in-doubt” in January make enough progress to be promoted to the next grade by June.

UPCOMING DISTRICT 15 WORKSHOP ON BULLYING

Please consider joining an important workshop on bullying being run by District 15 Student Services managers on Tuesday, February 11, 10-11 am, on Zoom. This workshop will address:

• Understanding Bullying: Definition and Warning Signs

• Responding to Bullying: Steps to Take and How to Report

• Cyberbullying: Recognizing and Addressing Online Harm

• How to seek help for cyberbullying and steps for removing offensive content.

You can join the meeting using this Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/7268853826? pwd=N0hhMDZCSzZ2NUtvNEJLSGpoYU NoZz09&omn=97459126863

Meeting ID: 726 885 3826 Passcode: 251368

THIS FRIDAY! JOIN US AT FAMILY MORNING

This Friday, February 7th is our third Family Morning of the school year. Parents and caregivers are invited into their children’s classrooms for the first period of the day, 8:20-9:10 am. A few reminders:

• Please enter the school building with your child at their regular entry location so that we can match children to family members and ensure that unauthorized people are not entering the building.

• We ask that you minimize the number of adults accompanying students to avoid overcrowding (we recommend one adult per child, but no more than two, please!)

• If you aren’t feeling 100% or are just getting over an illness, we recommend wearing a mask, as a great deal of illness has been circulating in our community.

• Please leave younger siblings at home if at all possible.

I’m so looking forward to seeing many of you this Friday!

Warmly,

Ms Joanna

EMERGENCY BLUE CARD AND DAILY DISMISSAL INFORMATION

In an effort to ensure we have the most accurate and up to date information, please be sure to check that your emergency blue cards and daily dismissal forms in Operoo are completely up to date and have the most accurate and current information. Thank you 😊

KINDNESS CLUB BRACELET & BUTTONS SALE - FEBRUARY 6 (RAINDATE FEBRUARY 7) at arrival

The amazing children in the Kindness Club have been helping to make bracelets & buttons to raise money for an LA based community-based organization called Baby 2 Baby. https://baby2baby.org/

The bracelets & buttons will also help us spread messages of kindness, respect, and positive affirmations within our school community. They are also celebrating the fact that we are a No Place for Hate school.

So far, they look amazing!

On Thursday, February 6 (raindate February 7) at arrival, they will be selling these bracelets and pins that they’ve made with messages of kindness on them.

As a reminder, all of the proceeds will go to Baby2Baby, an organization that is supporting emergency relief efforts in Los Angeles, so stop by and show your support 💗

PS 107 PARENT WORKSHOP SERIES WITH DR. ERICA MILLER

Dr. Erica Miller is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in neuropsychological assessment, positive parenting practices and evidenced-based treatments.

Her primary goal is to help parents better understand their child and to empower parents to meet their child’s needs with connection and empathy.

Topics will include: frustration tolerance, working through power struggles, confidence building, and preparing for the tween/teen years.

Workshop Dates:

• February 27, 2025
• During this workshop, we will focus on reframing and building confidence. As parents, we want our children to grow up to be confident. But what does that mean and how do we do it? We are hearing so many conflicting messages regarding praise, and reassurance. Participants will become equipped with a new framework confidence and explicit strategies to help kids build it from the inside out.

• March 27,2025
• During this conversation, we will focus on understanding our sensitive and big feeling kids. We will talk about child and parent regulation skills, the difference between feelings and behaviors, and strategies for helping everyone through these tough moments will be discussed.

2025 NYC SCHOOL SURVEY!

The 2025 NYC School Survey administration window opens next week on Monday, February 10 and will close on Friday, April 4. We will continue to offer families both paper and online survey options this year.

Key Reminders for the 2025 NYC School Survey

• When will the survey launch? The survey will launch on Monday, February 10 and continue through Friday, April 4, 2025.
• How can you take the survey? Families can take the survey online OR by completing a paper survey. Families will use a lower case "f" followed by their child's OSIS number as an access code when taking the survey online.
• Where do you take the survey online? On February 10, everyone will be able to access the survey at nycschoolsurvey.org. You only need to click on the button that says, "Take the NYC School Survey." Then you can enter your access code.

SUMMER RISING 2025

#SummerRising is BACK and open to all NYC students from K-8!

🌟Full day, in-person programs

🤸‍♂️Fun and enriching activities

🚌Local field trips

🍎Free breakfast, lunch, and snacks

Families will be able to apply for Summer Rising seats in MySchools starting on Tuesday, March 4, and until Friday, March 28, 2025.

Learn more: schools.nyc.gov/SummerRising

THE SCIENCE OF READING WORKSHOPS

Join New York City Public Schools, Office of Family and Community Empowerment for a 7-week virtual workshop designed to help parents and caretakers to understand the science of reading and equip them with the knowledge and tools to support their children’s literacy at home.

Workshop Details:

📅 When: Thursday evening from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, February 6th – March 27th

💻 Where: Online – join from the comfort of your home!

👉 Register here: Click to Sign Up

🎯 What to Expect:

• 45-minute sessions covering key aspects of the science of reading
• Expert guidance from Braintrust Tutors on why reading can be challenging, especially in English
• Practical strategies to boost your child’s confidence in reading using free local resources
• A chance to connect with other parents and learn together

This is a fantastic and limited opportunity to gain new skills, ask questions, and make reading more enjoyable for your child!

To confirm your spot, please register here, find more details in the attached flyer. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Nisaa Jackson, Njackson29@schools.nyc.gov, or Rafael Dobles, Rdobles3@schools.nyc.gov.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

LOST & FOUND - Updated 2-4-25

We will donate more lost & found items before our mid-winter recess. Please be sure to check the lost & found when you come in for Family Friday this 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

• DOE Protocols for Non-Local Law Enforcement
• Know Your Rights A Guide to Your Rights When Interacting with Law Enforcement-English
• Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs
• Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs - Know Your Rights

• NYCPS Guidelines on Gender

• NYCPS Guidelines to Support Transgender and Gender Expansive Students

• NYCPS LGBTQ+ Supports

• Respect for All: Preventing and Addressing Student-to-Student Discrimination, Sexual and Other Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

NON-SPECIFIC RESOURCES

• Free and Low-Cost Internet Options

• Guidelines for Playing Outside in Cold Weather

• SAFETY DURING AFTERSCHOOL PICKUPS - Sent 1/20/25
• DEI COMMITTEE - KONSTELLA UPDATE & BLACK HISTORY MONTH NEWSLETTER - 2/4/25

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS - February 2025

Please see the attached Family Update that provides important information about Summer Rising 2025, the annual NYC School Survey, Education Council Elections, Respect for All Week, and key enrollment dates.

You can also view this message here : https://schools.nyc.gov/MessagesForFamilies

LIGHT THE WAY BK - COMMUNITY TOWN HALL

Join the Office of Council Member Hanif, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, and State Senator Andrew Gounardes for Light the Way BK, a Community Town Hall Discussion on reproductive health, education, and immigration, where we'll explore concrete ways to organize, build power, and create lasting, collective change in our communities.

When: Sunday, February 9th, 2025 from 12 PM to 2 PM

Where: MS 51 Auditorium, 350 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Space is limited, so please RSVP in advance.

D15 FAMILY WORKSHOP RESPECT FOR ALL: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – PARENTS AS PARTNERS

Day/Date: Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025

Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

• Understanding Bullying: Definition and Warning Signs

• Responding to Bullying: Steps to Take and How to Report

• Cyberbullying: Recognizing and Addressing Online Harm

• How to seek help for cyberbullying and steps for removing offensive content.

Presented by: D15 Student Services Managers - Donna Dawson and Zachary Miller

https://zoom.us/j/7268853826? pwd=N0hhMDZCSzZ2NUtvNEJLSGpoYU NoZz09&omn=97459126863

Meeting ID: 726 885 3826 Passcode: 251368

DISTRICT 15 ARTS SHOWCASE

VISUAL AND FINE ARTS - DANCE - DRAMA- INSTRUMENTAL - MUSICAL THEATRE - VOCAL

Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025

Time: Elementary Schools: 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM / Middle and High Schools: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Location: Brooklyn High School of the Arts - 345 Dean St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

2025 CCEC ELECTIONS

Want to learn more about the CEC? Attend the meeting below! You can attend in person or via live stream.

CEC 15 BUSINESS MEETING

When: February 11th @ 6:30 pm

Where: 131 Livingston St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA

https://cecd15.org/

*This meeting will be held in person with a livestream option via zoom, please register now using the following link: https://nycdoe.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwtcuCurjsqHdGJKyPaYQCVihj-1fLiGknJ

CAREGIVER WORKSHOP SERIES - Hosted by: The Central Crisis Support Team

Explore new themes each month with our engaging weekly presentations. Enhance your skills to support your child's growth and connect with a community of parents and caregivers!

Time/Zoom information:

• Mon 5PM: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0vc-Gsrj8sH9OMo9OXbIzisuI5n5fyT3s6
• Tues 7:30pm: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYvdO6orT4sEtJ0AHga6aG3yRVGFe1Tcl29
• Thurs 11AM: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIlcO2hpzsiGdNkKvZToV-RuTpg-0eBb4xq

*Please see the image or flyer for more information.

SPRING FOOD SERVICE MENU UPDATES

The DOE is committed to the health and well-being of every child, and continues to provide free, nutritious meals to all students every day. In an effort to inform families about spring school menus, please view the Menus page — please note that the menus will be updated at the beginning of each month to showcase new dining options.

Additionally, you may refer to the Menus page for updated information on how to learn more about the school food menus and use the spring survey link for students and parents to provide feedback on menu options, make suggestions for additions to the menu, and share your dining experience in school cafeterias.

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/food/menus

NYC SCHOOLS ACCOUNT - NYCSA

This is a NYC DOE parent account for students grades K - 12 that enables parents/guardians to view all of their children’s records - grades, fitnessgrams, attendance, your child’s DOE 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 parent with children in grades k-5 who does not have their own NYSCA , please contact nbenlarbi2@schools.nyc.gov for instructions and your unique account creation code.

OPEROO

Please email Nadia if you would like to be added to Operoo for your child. When families apply in MySchools, only one parent is listed and that is the parent that rolls up to Operoo. If you send a request to be added to an account, it will usually be completed within a 24 hour timeframe on school days :)

NEW POLICY ALERT: PARENT VOLUNTEERS FOR PE

Parents who are volunteering for PE classes at the Armory must sign in with Agent Sharon at PS 107 before proceeding to the Armory. This is because the Armory is considered an annex of PS 107, and we must have an accurate accounting of who has entered the school to work with students. Please remember to sign in with Agent Sharon before you head over to the Armory.

LATE ARRIVAL POLICY

Please be reminded that the school day begins at 8:20 am. All exterior gates will continue to close at 8:25 am, and we will now close our main school door at 8:30 am. Parents who drop off their children after the main door is closed must sign in their children in the main entrance. This is very important so that we mark students late rather than absent!

MAKING SCHOOL DAY DISMISSAL PICK-UP CHANGES

If there is a change to your child’s dismissal, please be sure to note the change on the Daily Dismissal form in Operoo. If it is a same day change, please email your child’s teacher and cc Nadia at nbenlarbi2@schools.nyc.gov in addition to making any changes on the Daily Dismissal form. You can also contact the main office at 718-499-2054.

MAKING AFTERSCHOOL DISMISSAL CHANGES

If you need to add a new pick up person for your child in afterschool, please make sure to update this on 6Crickets (Click Here). Afterschool and PS 107 partner in many ways, but not with our information applications. They can't access Operoo and we can't access 6Crickets.

Thank you for your assistance in ensuring your child's safety 😊

LOWER GRADES

Please be sure to send your children to school with a full change of clothes. Accidents can happen easily when they are younger as they often get distracted and don’t check in with their bodies. Please be sure to return your child with a new set the next day if they need to be replaced.

LABEL!

Please parents, remember to label your student’s water bottles, lunch boxes, backpacks, and clothing with their full name (last names are essential!) and if there is space, please include their class number. We want to be able to return all fabulous items to their rightful owner!

IDENTIFICATION

When entering the school building you must present your ID to the safety agent when signing in.

One helpful tip is to take a picture of your id. Often, we will have our phone with us even if we don’t have our id. This way, you always have it handy :)

• Book Club Meetings – MONTHLY: Tuesdays, 7:30am

• Math Magic Meeting – WEEKLY: Wednesdays, 7:30am

• CHiPS Food Drive – WEEKLY: Wednesdays, 8:20am

• Summer Camp Auction - NOW through Sunday, February 9

• STEM Day - Saturday, February 8, 12pm

• GEAR SALE - Monday, February 10 at arrival and dismissal

• Annual Fund Matching Gift Campaign - Monday, February 10 through Friday, February 14
• PTA General Meeting - Thursday, February 13, 6:30pm (Zoom)

• Read-A-Thon - Friday, February 18 through Tuesday, March 18

• Live Band Karaoke - Wednesday, March 12, 7:30pm

  
  

PTA MEETING MINUTES - January

Did you miss January's PTA meeting? You can find notes here.

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, 4, and 5. Please check Konstella for grade level messages with details about meetings. 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? 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

February's PTA General Meeting will take place on Thursday, February 13th @ 6:30pm (on Zoom). Please stay tuned for meeting agenda.

ANNUAL FUND

Contribute to the Annual Fund, which directly supports essential school programs and resources. From Monday, February 10th through Friday, December 14th all donations will be MATCHED by an anonymous team of PS 107 families until we reach 5K. Here’s how you can make your contribution:

• 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.

GARDENING HELP NEEDED

Our chicks are growing fast! If you would like to help support our growing chicks and our growing garden, please check out Ms. A's Amazon Wishlist and consider making a donation!

Thank you!

PS 107 GEAR SALE

Including limited edition Lunar New Year Gear!

Everyone loves PS 107 Gear, and no one has more school pride than our staff! Show your appreciation for all that they do by giving our Teachers and Staff a "High Five" through a $5 donation to the PS 107 Staff Gear Fund.

All proceeds go to outfitting our amazing staff in a hat, T-Shirt or sweatshirt of their choice.

HIGH FIVE DONATIONS ($5) can be made using the QR Code below and through Zeffy at our upcoming Gear Sale on February 10th at morning Drop Off and Pick Up.

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

o Plastic cutlery

PS 107's 5th graders will be making sandwiches for CHiPS on Monday, February 10th and we would love your help to support their efforts. If you are able to donate, the extra supplies requested are: sandwich bread, peanut butter, jelly, mayo, mustard, cheese and turkey slices (if expiration dates allow), and ziplock bags.

Thank you for your gracious consideration!

SUMMER CAMP AUCTION

The Summer Camp Auction is NOW OPEN and will run until Sunday, February 9th at 9PM. Almost $20,000 worth of camp gift certificates are available to bid on with 100% of proceeds going to the PTA. See the camps that have donated and place your bids on Zeffy.

STEM DAY

Please join us for STEM fun this Saturday, February 8th from 12 to 3pm at PS 107. Activities on offer will include the ever popular Star Lab, hands-on experiments with Tiny Scientist, Brooklyn Game Lab's 'Battle Lab', a scratch coding challenge with The Coding Space, fossil jackets, not to mention fun with The Robot Foundry, Audubon New York, Curious Jane and more!

To ensure a prompt start to STEM Day and to ensure as many students as possible get to enjoy their favorite activities, please register your child(ren) in advance for the 12pm sessions using the link here. (You'll be able to sign up for subsequent sessions, in person, on Saturday. Activities will be on a first come, first served basis.)

*This event is staffed entirely by volunteers and without your help it cannot take place. If you are available to lend a hand, please sign up on Konstella.

LIVE BAND KARAOKE

Warm up those vocals, book the babysitter, and get ready for a fun night out to benefit the PS 107 PTA. On Wednesday, March 12th, join us at Littlefield (635 Sackett St) for live band karaoke with The Occasionalists. Doors open at 6:30pm, festivities begin at 7:30pm. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door, tickets are available here. [Half-priced tickets will be available for volunteers willing to take tickets at the door for an hour - contact Gemma or Audrey if interested.] This event is open to everyone; if you have friends or family who would love a night out to support PS 107, please invite them along!

2024-2025 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

SPECIAL EVENT: SPRING AUCTION

Our Spring Auction in April is the single largest fundraising event of the year. We need these contributions to make it a success:

Help plan the event - signup on Konstella to lead or join the committee. Our growing team has already booked a venue, started soliciting donations and begun planning food, beverages and decor. Join them!

Donate an auction item - can you - or someone you know - donate a vacation home stay, tickets for a show or game, a hospitality or entertainment gift, or any other service/experience/item? Please use this Item Donation Link to make your gift!

For more information, please contact Audrey or Gemma.

SUPPORTING THE PTA = SUPPORTING PS 107

Thank you to everyone in our school community for all of the ways you show up!

2024-2025 NYCPS CALENDAR

For the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar, please click here.

*Please note that Parent Teacher Conference Day on 3/6 is a non-attendance days for students. This is not reflected in the DOE calendar but was a school based decision.

For the complete 2025-2026 school year calendar, please click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 6 (rain date Feb 7) - Kindness Club Bracelet Sale 8:20 am

February 7 - Family Morning 8:20 to 9:10 am

February 7 - 3-208 Bake Sale 2:35 pm

February 8 - STEM Day

February 10 - NYC School Survey Opens

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

February 17 to February 21 - Mid Winter Recess (School Closed)

March 6 - Parent Teacher Conferences (School Closed for students)

March 31 - Eid al-Fitr