Dear PS 107 Families,
Happy New Year! I hope that you had a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday season and that you are feeling ready to tackle 2025 and all that it has in store for us. We have had a smooth return to school at PS 107, with a noticeable increase in kindness, caring, and thoughtfulness among students. Our focus on kindness during the month of December made an enormous difference, and we have witnessed too many acts of kindness to count! Our Kindness Club (which now includes 2nd through 5th graders) will keep up this important work throughout the year so that we continue to keep the emphasis on ways to be kind to one another.
THE POWER OF OUR WORDS
In keeping with this, in January, our staff Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team will launch a new campaign entitled The Power of our Words. We are planning lessons for classes that will teach students how harmful and hurtful certain words can be and the importance of acknowledging when we’ve said something unkind and repairing the harm we may have caused to another person. On January 17th, students in 3rd through 5th grades will also engage in a special activity with the organization Stay Fit Culture and the District 15 DEI Director, in which they’ll combine fitness and a discussion about the harmful impact of microaggressions on individuals and our larger school community. Our student Equity Team is already designing posters to hang around our school that educate students about microaggressions and their alienating effect. We will certainly share more information and photos of this important work!
IMPORTANT: 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! We have adjusted our sign-in protocols after this morning, during which many families got stuck waiting in line to sign in their children.
We hope that these new procedures will make the late sign-in process a bit easier. Please make a New Years’ resolution to ensure your children get to school on time so that they can participate in morning transition activities which will make their whole day go more smoothly! If your child is having a difficult time getting out of the house on a regular basis, consider reaching out to our counseling team who can help you develop a plan to address this challenge. You can reach School Counselor Sarah Green at sgreen15@schools.nyc.gov and Social Worker Colleen Dondero at cdondero3@schools.nyc.gov.
NEURODIVERSITY AWARENESS IN JANUARY
In January, PS 107 will also teach students about neurodiversity and the many different ways our brains work. Our staff DEI Team developed a slideshow on various types of neurodiversity, from autism, anxiety, and ADHD to dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. We are excited to share with students that while these ways of being present a wide range of challenges, they can also be our superpowers, bringing with them high levels of creativity, sensitivity, and thoughtfulness. (As the mom of a child with anxiety, ADHD, and dyscalculia, this topic is near and dear to my heart – and so important to teach our children about.)
PS 107 is leading with kindness and compassion in 2025, and we are looking forward to a terrific new year!
Warmly,
Ms Joanna
LOST & FOUND - Updated 1-8-24
We have a tremendous amount of winter weather accessories in the lost & found. We will include pictures in next weeks Wednesday Weekly edition, but if you come into the school, please be sure to take a peek in the bins for your child's lost hat ;)
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
DISTRICT 15 FAMILY WORKSHOP
Understanding Your Child's IEP (Individualized Education Program)
- Overview of what an IEP is and its purpose.
- Explanation of the IEP components (e.g., goals, accommodations, services).
- The importance of measurable goals and progress monitoring.
- Step-by-step breakdown of a sample IEP document.
**If possible, bring a copy of your child's IEP to this meeting to follow along.**
Presented by: Johanna E. Rodriguez from the Special Education Office (SEO) Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning (DIAL)
Date: Wednesday January 15, 2025
Time: 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/7268853826?%20pwd=N0hhMDZCSzZ2NUtvNEJLSGpoYU%20NoZz09&omn=98513435339
Meeting ID: 726 885 3826 Passcode: 251368
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!
January: Foundations of Trauma
February: Creating Trauma Responsive Communities
March: Empower Through Play
*Please see the image or flyer for more information.
SHARE THE WARMTH EVENT - PS 295
As the weather gets colder, we know many families are struggling to stay warm. We want to offer a helping hand by providing gently used coats, sweaters, and accessories to those who need them.
If you or your loved ones are in need of winter clothing, please come by and see if we have something that will help keep you warm this season. Our doors are open to offer support, and we hope to make the winter months a little brighter for everyone.
When: Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Where: 330-18th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215 (School Gym)
Time: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
BIG APPLE AWARDS
As in prior years, the DOE recognizes and celebrates teacher excellence through the Big Apple Awards (BAA). The BAA nomination process for the upcoming cohort of fellows for the 2025–26 school year is now open through January 21. You are invited to nominate a teacher for the Big Apple Award by completing this nomination form by January 21.
Nominated teachers will receive an email from bigappleteachers@schools.nyc.gov with a request to complete a nomination application by February 24. All winning fellows will receive surprise visits to their classrooms in May and June 2025.
*Please see the attached flyer for more details!
ABT (AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE) RISE
ABT RISE Workshops are a series of complimentary dance classes offered to students that have historically been underrepresented in classical ballet. These workshops align with ABT’s mission to bring classical dance to the widest possible audience by supporting students of all abilities and skill levels in their quest to engage in the performing arts.
This free dance workshop will host 80- 100 second and third grade students from public schools across the five boroughs of New York City! 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.
The workshop will take place on Monday, January 20th 12:45-4:00 pm at ABT Studios located at 890 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. The workshops will offer two complimentary classes for students, a ballet technique class and a second foundational dance class in modern or character dance.
*No dance experience required!
LET"S LEARN WORKSHOP WITH PBS KIDS
Please join Let’s Learn for an exciting virtual session on how to support your children’s learning at home. Let’s Learn is a public television series for children ages 3 to 7 that offers fun, interactive lessons by NYC Public School educators and teaching artists.
Date/time: February 3, 2025, 12-1pm
Format/platform: Online seminar, Zoom
*Register today by completing this form
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, 4, and 5. 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!
PS 107 PARENT WORKSHOP SERIES: BUILDING FRUSTRATION TOLERANCE
Please join Dr Erica Miller, licensed clinical psychologist specializing in neuropsychological assessments, evidence-based treatments, and building positive relationships, on Thursday, January 23 at 8:45am for the first of a three part parent workshop series at PS 107. The focus of this workshop is 'Building Frustration Tolerance.' Participants will join in an interactive discussion where they can ask questions, get support with issues, and learn applicable strategies including: 1) concrete, in-the-moment strategies caregivers can use to help de-escalate a frustrated child, and 2) strategies caregivers can use to help support their child/children build frustration tolerance so that they can more productively tolerate distress as it comes. We hope to see you there!
DEI COMMITTEE: PARENT/CAREGIVER WORKSHOP
Join the DEI Committee and The Minor Collective for a 3-workshop series focused on building a school community where everyone belongs. This is a unique opportunity to come together as parents, educators and caregivers to raise thoughtful, compassionate kids who embrace diversity and understanding. Save these dates:
February 4th, 7-8:30pm (Zoom)
March 4th, 7-8:30pm (Zoom)
May 1st, 7-8:30pm (Zoom)
FUNDRAISERS
ANNUAL FUND
Contribute to the Annual Fund, which directly supports essential school programs and resources. 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.
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
SCHOOL-WIDE 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 Monday January 13 th. 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 here.
HERITAGE DAY
Heritage Day, a long-loved PS 107 tradition, returns on Saturday, January 25th from 12 to 3pm. On Heritage Day, volunteers from our school community take over the building to host rooms highlighting their family's home country or state. Students are offered an opportunity to visit these destinations - all in one afternoon - with a passport to prove it!
Heritage Day allows our diverse school community to share traditions and expose others to the sights, sounds, foods, stories, and music that are our unique cultural touchstones. We would love to invite all members of the school community to contribute.
If you would like to host or co-host a room, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/pTNaoJXqr61QyhTv9 to apply.
If you are unable to host but would like to help, please consider volunteering at the event.
E-mail Brad Allen (bradallen1@gmail.com) for further information. We hope to see you all there!
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT PS 39: CAMP AND AFTER SCHOOL FAIR AT CAMP FRIENDSHIP
Join our friends at PS 39 on Sunday, January 26th from 3-5pm at Camp Friendship, (339 8th Street), to learn more about local summer camps, holiday camps, and after school programs.
Attendees will be able to meet program staff and will also be offered discount opportunities for some programs.
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? Complete this form to tell us about your donation or get in touch to discuss how we can turn your connections into a cool auction lot!
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
January 13 - School-wide Lice Check Rescheduled
January 13 - CCEC Webinar
January 15 - D15 Family Workshop
January 16 - PTA Meeting 9:00 am (virtual)
January 23 - Parent Workshop conducted by Dr. Erica Miller 8:45 am (in person)
January 25 - Heritage Day
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
January 20 - MLK Day (School Closed)
January 29 - Lunar New Year (School Closed)