The Wednesday Weekly
January 21, 2026
Dear PS 107 Families,
I hope you are staying warm during this very chilly stretch of January. As always, thank you for your partnership and for all the ways you support our school community.
It’s Very Cold — Please Bundle Up!
We try to take students outside for recess as often as it is safe to do so, even in winter weather. Fresh air and movement are essential parts of our school day. Please be sure to send your children to school with warm layers, hats, gloves or mittens, and scarves.
And please label all of these smaller items, which are easily misplaced. Thank you!
REMINDER: Snow Days Are Out; Remote Learning Is In
Please make sure your child has what they need at home! As shared last week, NYCPS no longer calls traditional snow days. If travel becomes unsafe, including with the possible storm forecast for Sunday into Monday, school will shift to remote learning for the day.
A brief reminder:
If your child needs a school-issued device for home use, PS 107 can loan an NYCPS-managed iPad (preloaded apps only; no App Store access; used solely for schoolwork).
A limited number of Chromebooks may be available for upper-grade students, depending on inventory.
If your child needs a device, please complete the request form as soon as possible.
If your family has a school-issued device that you no longer need, please return it to the main office with the charger.
Damaged devices should still be returned, no questions asked. If you have questions, please contact our Technology Lead, Marybeth LoPorto, at mloporto2@schools.nyc.gov
Class Size Information Session: Wednesday, January 28th
A reminder that the PS 107 School Leadership Team (SLT) will host a Class Size Information Session on Wednesday, January 28th, 7:30–8:30 pm on Zoom. Advance registration is required, so please register here if you have not already done so: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/6A7D6No2Q5aSdPwrrQrrLA
During the session, we will:
Share all options under consideration for reducing class size in 2026–27
Answer community questions
Gather additional ideas and feedback from families
The session will be recorded for those who cannot attend. The SLT will also release a one-page document summarizing all class size reduction efforts by the end of this week.
Share Your Feedback on School Meals
If you or your child have thoughts about the food served in the PS 107 Cafeteria, NYCPS wants to hear from you! Please take the Food Services Survey, open to both parents and students here. (When asked, our geographical district is 15, and our school code is 15K107).
Update on Acadience & MAP Growth Mid-Year Reports and Report Cards
A quick update about mid-year academic screener reports: PS 107 will not be sending home schoolwide paper reports for mid-year or end-of-year Acadience or MAP Growth screening assessments.
This decision reflects both the significant amount of paper required and the fact that report cards already provide detailed progress information during these windows. Families may request their child’s individual screener report at any time, and teachers will download and email it. Once the testing window closes, families will also be able to view high-level screener results – such as whether your child is above/on/below/well below benchmark — through your New York City Schools Account (NYCSA).
Some teachers may choose to send home individual Acadience and MAP Growth screener reports, but it is not a schoolwide requirement. Teachers may also reference screener data points in report card comments whenever it helps clarify progress.
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On Monday, we reflected on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose work continues to guide and inspire the values we uphold at PS 107: justice, equality, empathy, and belonging.
Dr. King reminded us that strong communities are built with intention. At PS 107, our core values — Curiosity, Compassion, and Community — reflect this commitment. In a moment in history where division often feels amplified, our greatest strength is the way we care for one another, seek to understand one another, and assume positive intent.
I also want to gently reiterate something I shared earlier this week: conversations on neighborhood or school WhatsApp groups can sometimes spread incomplete or inaccurate information. If you ever have questions, concerns, or need clarity about something you’ve heard, please come directly to me. My door is always open, and I am committed to transparency within the bounds of confidentiality.
Thank you for all you do every day to help PS 107 remain a community where every child and every family feels they belong!
Warmly,
Ms. Joanna
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Please see the attached important update from the NYCPS Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs.
A Friendly Reminder About Dogs on or near School Grounds
Please be mindful of your dog’s behavior during crowded times, especially during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.Whenever possible, it’s best to leave dogs at home during these busy windows. If you do need to bring your dog, please keep them close to you and under control at all times.
Please also remember: DO NOT tie dogs to the school fence or to signs outside of the school and leave them unattended. This is a safety issue, and we appreciate your cooperation.
2026 NYC SCHOOL SURVEY!
The 2026 NYC School Survey administration window will open on Monday, February 9th. 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 9 and continue through Wednesday, April 1, 2026
- How can you take the survey? Families may complete the survey online or on paper. For online surveys, families use a lowercase “f” followed by their child’s OSIS number as their access code.
- Where do you take the survey online? Beginning February 9, a link to the survey will be available at NYCSchoolSurvey.org. Families should click “Take the 2026 NYC School Survey” and enter their access code.
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
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.
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!
MARBLE HEALTH JANUARY WORKSHOPS
Helping Kids Succeed: Executive Function Strategies
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 @ 6:00 PM
Managing Screen Time
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 @ 8:00 PM
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.
LEARNING RESOURCES
NEW SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING CURRICULUM
PurposeFull People: Empathy
One way to think about empathy is “understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings.” Empathy is a practice that helps build strong relationships and a caring community. Empathy is one of the three core traits that supports students in being kind, and across grade levels, students will be developing skills such as:
Perspective-taking
Conflict resolution
Leadership
Families can learn more and continue these conversations at home by reviewing the PurposeFull People Family Newsletter on Empathy here.
Previous Units:
- PurposeFull People’s Family Newsletter on Respect
- PurposeFull People Family Newsletter on Responsibility
- PurposeFull People Family Newsletter on Gratitude
SCHOOL NEWS
- Missed the December PTA Meeting? You can check out the minutes here.
- Safety During Afterschool Pick Ups
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
TRASH TROOP - PARK CLEAN UP
Students and grownups meet on the first Sunday of each month between 9:00 and 11:00 to clear litter from Prospect Park. Bring your own gloves and trash bags and join us! Come once, or join every month. Volunteers will meet at 9:00am, but feel free to join later, and stay as long as you can.
Students will earn their Action Volunteer pin (if they don't already have it). Signup on Konstella encouraged but not required.
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.
5TH GRADE COMMITTEE VALENTINES DAY FUNDRAISER
In order to simplify the holiday for parents and make it greener, the 5th Grade Committee suggests donating to the 5th grade class fund, who will create candy bags with uplifting messages for every PS 107 student this Valentine's Day! Bags will be distributed on Friday, February 13th.
All students will receive a bag, regardless of donation status, and all bags will be nut-free (with bags available to accommodate gluten and dairy allergies as well). Donations are voluntary and any amount is appreciated. If you wish to contribute, please venmo @alexandra-varipapa or zelle alexandra@varipapa.com by Friday, January 30th.
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.
HERITAGE DAY
Heritage Day, a long-loved PS 107 tradition, returns this Saturday, January 24th from 12pm to 3pm! 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
Join PS 107 for Disney on Ice at the Barclays Center Sunday, February 1st at 3pm! Tickets are ALMOST SOLD OUT and sales will close January 21st at 10PM. Get yours while you still can and come watch spectacular ice skating, daring aerial stunts, and memorable moments from Aladdin, Toy Story, and The Little Mermaid! A portion of ticket sales will benefit the PTA through Zeffy...get 'em while you can! For confidential financial assistance, please contact nbenlarbi2@schools.nyc.gov .
BROOKLYN NETS GAME
The NBA is back! On Saturday, February 7th at 3pm, join us at the Barclays Center to cheer on the Brooklyn Nets while supporting our school at PS 107's annual fundraiser game.
The deadline to purchase tickets in the PS 107 sections has passed, but if you’re still interested, please email Rebecca at rcetta@gmail.com. We’ll do our best to help find seats for you.
*For those who have already purchased tickets, they will be emailed at the beginning of February.
LIVE BAND KARAOKE WITH THE OCCASIONALISTS
Do you dream of rock star-dom? Was American Idol your favorite show in high school? Want to see your friends and neighbors belt their hearts out to Journey on a Friday night? Join the PS 107 PTA for Live Rock Karaoke Friday, February 6th from 6-10PM! Get ready for Valentine's Day with South Park Slope's Premier Live Rock Karaoke Band -The Occasionalists- playing all your favorite Love Songs & Heartbreak Hits that YOU get to sing! Book your sitter and join us at Littlefield (635 Sackett St) to rock out and raise money for our school. This event is open to everyone: share this link with friends and family who would love a night out and to support our school! Secure your tickets ahead of time now for just $20! or they'll be more expensive at the door!
For confidential financial assistance, please contact nbenlarbi2@schools.nyc.gov .
AID AND ACTION COMMITTEE
This January and February, our school is turning our commitment to "Active Citizenship" into real world support. We are coming together to assemble Bundles of Hope - personal care kits for women at our local shelters. These bundles provide more than just essentials; they provide dignity and a reminder that our community cares. Every kit will be hand packed by our students with items that offer comfort to women in transition.
We are collecting the following items to fill our kits. Please consider sending one or two items from the list below with your student by Friday, February 6th. (Look for the "Bundles of Hope" box in the main lobby to drop-off your donations!)
Personal Care (Travel Size Preferred)
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Body Wash or Bar Soap
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Fragrance-free Lotion
- Lip Balm (Chapstick)
Daily Essentials
- Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads/Tampons)
- Travel Tissues
- Hair Ties or a Hairbrush
- Laundry Pods (2–3 in a sealed Ziploc bag)
Granola, protein bars, or other non-perishable snacks
Extra Special Touch
- A card or drawing from your student with a simple message like “You are brave" or "Thinking of you"
2025-2026 NYCPS CALENDAR - click here
2025-2026 KONSTELLA/SCHOOL CALENDAR - click here
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 23 - Kindergarten Application Closes
January 24 - Heritage Day
January 28 - SLT Class Size Reduction Discussion 7:30-8:30 pm (zoom)
February 6 - Family Morning
February 9 to April 1 - School Survey Process Open
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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