The Wednesday Weekly
June 17, 2026
Dear PS 107 Families,
What a celebratory week it has been at PS 107, full of Big Yard Games, our annual Rainbow Takeover honoring Pride Month, gradewide picnics, and end of year trips. Thank you to everyone who helped make it so joyful.
I am also thrilled to share that the PTA's Annual Fund has reached its fundraising goal for the 2025-26 school year. This would not have been possible without the determination of parent Annual Fund lead Betsy Goldfarb, and the generosity of all of you. Because of the way NYC public schools are funded, your contributions make it possible for our students to access not only essential resources but also the joyful extras that make PS 107 such a special place.
And there is still more to look forward to! On Monday, June 22nd, we will gather for a schoolwide Moko Jumbie stilt dancing performance to honor Caribbean-American Heritage Month, a tradition we are so excited to share with our students. And on Tuesday, June 23rd, we will celebrate our 5th grade graduation. (<sniff> We will miss our graduates so much!)
An Update on Class Size Reduction Funding
I shared this with you recently and want to make sure it reaches everyone. We recently learned that PS 107 will not receive funding from the city to reduce class size for the 2026-27 school year. To say this was disappointing would be putting it mildly, especially as we had hoped to open two additional classrooms and have spent countless hours working toward that goal this year.
As many of you know from my letters and from news coverage, New York City had a significant budget gap to close this year. In part to help close that gap, the Mayor sought an extension from New York State on implementing the class size law, and the deadline to comply has now been pushed to the 2029-30 school year. (You can read more here.) For context, only four of the 41 schools in District 15 received this funding this year, so this reflects a district-wide reality rather than something specific to our school. The city has shared that it directed its limited FY27 funding first by economic need, consistent with the law's focus on schools serving students with the highest economic needs, and then by available space, with the goal of supporting the schools that need it most.
I informed our School Leadership Team about this last Friday. We are now waiting on our complete budget before we can determine what is possible in terms of self-funding at least one additional classroom. Once we receive it, we will look carefully at what we can do to reduce class size where possible. I want to be honest that this is a complex process and I do not have all the answers yet, but please know that doing what is right for our students and our teachers is at the center of every decision we make. I will share more as soon as I have greater clarity, and in the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions.
A Reminder About School-Issued Devices
As the year wraps up, please return any school-issued devices and chargers your child is no longer using at home, regardless of condition. This includes iPads or Chromebooks (and chargers) issued by PS 107 or NYC Public Schools, even if a device is damaged, not charging, or no longer working. We are updating our inventory and need everything accounted for. We are especially asking for returns if your child is graduating, will not be returning to PS 107 in the fall, or if your family no longer needs the device at home. Devices can be sent in with your child and given to their classroom teacher.
A few things to keep in mind. If your child has an Assistive Technology device through their IEP and is continuing at another NYC Public School, please do not return it to PS 107, as it travels with your child to their next school. If your child is leaving the NYCPS system entirely, you may return it to us and we will assist with the process. Also, please remember that during the 2026-27 school year students will need a device at home for remote learning days, including Election Day 2026, which is scheduled as a remote instructional day. If your family plans to keep using the device you currently have, please hold on to it. If your child will need to borrow a device for next year, information about how to request one will be shared in September. Thank you for helping us keep our inventory up to date and our devices available for the students who need them.
Reminder: What Are You Grateful For?
A quick reminder: I would still love to hear what you are grateful for this school year. If you have not yet had a chance, please take a moment to complete this short survey by next Tuesday, June 23rd. I will gather your responses, along with my own, to share in my final letter of the year, next week.
Warmly,
Joanna
PARENTSQUARE: ONE PLATFORM FOR ALL COMMUNICATIONS
PS 107 will be adopting a new parent communication tool for the 2026-27 school year: ParentSquare! No more juggling two platforms (goodbye, Konstella and Operoo). Starting next year, all school, classroom, and PTA communications will be consolidated in one place, translated into your preferred language, and available by email, text, app, or web.
With ParentSquare, you'll be able to stay up to date on news and events, send and receive messages with teachers and staff, fill out forms and permission slips, sign up for conferences and volunteer opportunities, and view calendar items and photos from school. The PTA will also be using ParentSquare for all parent-to-parent communications, so we can truly offer one platform for everything.
To get the most out of ParentSquare, we encourage you to download the free mobile app, available for iOS and Android. You can also access it from your web browser at https://www.parentsquare.com/.
We'll be sharing more information soon, including how to set up your account and customize your notification preferences.
4TH GRADE FAMILIES: DONT MISS OUT!
Activate your child’s free NYC Scholarship Account with money for college and career training before the end of this school year.
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.
FIND SOMETHING COOL TO DO THIS SUMMER
New York City has tons of free or cheap summer programming for young people. We’ve compiled them all in one easy place.
Click here to find the best programming for your family.
SUMMER AND TRAVEL SAFETY TIPS
Please see the attached document to keep your family safe and healthy this summer whether you are staying in New York City or traveling! Travelers may need to take extra precautions due to the increased risk of some infections.
NYCPS JUNE FAMILY UPDATE
This month’s letter features important information about the end of the 2025–26 school year, Summer Meals, Summer Rising, summer school, admissions updates for fall 2026, PSAL High School Summer Program, and summer reading.
LOST & FOUND: ITEMS WILL BE DONATED IF NOT CLAIMED!
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!
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TRAINING
Date: Thursday, June 18
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: 245 23rd Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11215
RSVP: http://bit.ly/BPBKKYR
*Please note this event will be held in person. We recognize that individuals may have varying levels of comfort with attending public events and encourage everyone to make the decision that feels right for them.
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
CLUBS AND MEETINGS
PTA GENERAL MEETING
Join us for the final PTA General Meeting of the school year on Thursday, June 18, now at 9:00 AM. The meeting will take place on Zoom.
In addition to regular PTA business, members will vote on proposed updates to the PTA bylaws. The changes are primarily minor revisions and include the addition of a new Class Parent Coordinator Board position and the creation of a Nominating Committee for future Board elections. (See attached bylaws for review.)
Missed the May PTA Meeting? You can check out the minutes here.
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, 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 there is still time to donate! 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.
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.
**NEW 2026-2027 NYCPS CALENDAR - click here
2025-2026 NYCPS CALENDAR - click here
2025-2026 KONSTELLA/SCHOOL CALENDAR - click here
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 18
- PTA General Meeting 9am via Zoom
- Know Your Rights Training Workshop 5:30pm to 7:30pm
June 22 - Caribbean American Heritage Month Performance 7th Period
June 23 - Fifth Grade Graduation
June 26 - Fifth Grade Clap Out
HOLIDAYS / SCHOOL CLOSURES
June 19 - Juneteenth - School Closed
June 26 - Last Day of School
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