Dear PS 107 Families,
Welcome back from Spring Vacation! I hope you are enjoying this beautiful spring week. As we move through the final months of the school year, I’m continually inspired by the energy, joy, and learning happening throughout our building. Thank you for being such engaged partners in our work.
Today is Administrative Professionals Day, and I want to take a moment to recognize someone who is truly the heartbeat of our school: Ms. Donna Bruno. Whether she’s managing the front office, comforting a nervous student, or answering late-night texts and emails, Donna is on call 24/7 to keep PS 107 running smoothly. Nobody works harder or is more dedicated to our school than Ms. Donna, and we are so lucky to have her. If you have a moment, I encourage you to stop by or send a quick note of thanks—she deserves all the appreciation in the world.
I also want to share an important update regarding the mandated class size reduction that all NYC public schools must implement by 2028. New York State legislation requires a maximum of 20 students per class in grades K–3 and 23 in grades 4–5. Our School Leadership Team (SLT) has been actively working on this issue since the end of last school year. After exploring several options—including constructing an annex in our Big Yard, acquiring a second site, and building additional classrooms on our 4th floor—we proposed reducing our incoming Kindergarten cohort from 100 to 80 students. This would have allowed us to begin phasing in smaller classes in a sustainable, equitable way.
Unfortunately, our plan was rejected by the Division of School Leadership, as they are not currently approving proposals that reduce a school’s enrollment—even when the school has no viable space for new classrooms. Like many of you, we are deeply disappointed. Our SLT is now back to the drawing board, and we remain committed to finding a workable solution. We’ll continue to keep you updated as this conversation evolves, as the outcome will have a significant impact on our community.
You may have noticed on the NYC Public Schools calendar that there is an Evening Parent-Teacher Conference for elementary schools scheduled for Thursday, May 1st, from 4:30–7:30 p.m. These conferences are by invitation only. Teachers will be meeting with families of students for whom there have been academic and/or social-emotional concerns—this includes students whose promotion may be in doubt or families who have already had additional meetings with teachers this year. Teachers will reach out directly to schedule conferences. We kindly ask that families do not reach out to teachers to request a meeting unless invited. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Lastly, a reminder to vote in the upcoming Community Education Council (CEC) elections, which run from April 25th through May 13th. Voting takes place through your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA). I’m excited to share that one of our own—third grade parent to Lucy and PS 107 alum Angelica Cesario—is running for a seat on the District 15 CEC. These councils play an important role in shaping school policy and advocating for families. To learn more and cast your vote, visit the CEC Elections Information site.
Thank you, as always, for your partnership, your feedback, and your continued support of PS 107. It’s a privilege to lead this community, and I look forward to seeing many of you at the many celebratory events that we have coming up to close out the 2024-2025 school year.
Warmly,
Ms Joanna
2025 NYC SCHOOL SURVEY EXTENDED! ITS NOT TOO LATE TO WIN THAT PIZZA PARTY!
The 2025 NYC School Survey administration window has been extended to Friday May 2, 2025!
This year, the PTA has agreed to once again sponsor a pizza party for the classes that achieve a 95% completion rate!
Key Reminders for the 2025 NYC School Survey
- How can you take the survey? Families can take the survey online OR by completing a paper survey that was sent home. Families should 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? Everyone can 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.
We look forward to hearing from you!
THE PS 1.07 MILE RACE – 5/4 at 10 am
This beloved race just over 1 mile is open to kids and adults and is a team favorite especially as it is the shortest race to earn your jacket! Once again Student Coach Cullen, the Race Director, with his sister Josie as Apprentice Race Director, will make sure you all have a great time.
The 3rd installation of the PS 1.07 Mile Trial is on Sunday, May 4th at 10am in Prospect Park.
Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ps-107-mile-trial-tickets-1313204793889?aff=oddtdtcreator
And GREAT NEWS – this is open to everyone not just Track and PS 107 so if you have any friends who wan to join send them the link! Entry is just $25 and proceeds go to the Children's Tumor Foundation.
SIGN UP TODAY!!
LOST & FOUND - Updated 4-22-25
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 SCHOOL EVENTS
FAMILY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
PARA TODOS and EAS Inc. invites you to save the dates and register now for the Family Leadership Institute! In partnership with PARA TODOS LTC Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch (ret.) invites you to six days of engaging virtual workshops.
The workshops will help you and your family learn how to communicate better with your children, school, and community.
Come join us for action, motivation, and inspiration!
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Eastern Time
Dates:
- April 29
- May 6
- May 13
- May 20
- May 27
Register today by scanning the QR code or online at https://bit.ly/Todos2025
PS 958 AUTISM PARENT PANEL
PS958 will host a panel featuring incredible parents who will discuss their journeys through the Autism diagnosis process, OPWDD, and the art of advocacy. This is a fantastic opportunity for parents to gain insights and connect with others who have navigated similar experiences.
When: April 24, 2025
Time: 9:00-10:00 am
Where: 840 5th avenue Brooklyn, New York 11232
Link to RSVP: Autism Parent Panel - Google Forms
*Zoom link will be shared with RSVP only.
P.S. 295 Fitness Day – April 26, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
We will have activities for children and a prize for all those who complete the course. We are working on providing healthy snacks from the Office of Food and Nutrition Service (NYC DOE) and collateral from the Brooklyn Nets. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please register to ensure we have enough supplies for all.
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD‘S EDUCATION DURING THE SUMMER
Join us for a helpful and engaging session designed for Mandarin-speaking families! We will share practice tips to support your child during the summer!
- HELPING CHILDREN STAY ACTIVE AND ENGAGED DURING SUMMER
- SIMPLE STRATEGIES FOR SUMMER ROUTINES
- FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESOURCES: MUSEUM, PARKS AND LOCAL CITY TRIPS
DATE: Friday, May 2nd, 2025
TIME: 9:00 AM
LOCATION: P.S. 94 The Henry Longfellow Auditorium, 5010 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220
OPEN TO ALL D15 FAMILIES!
NYCPS/ DISTRICT 15 / COMMUNITY
CEC ELECTIONS
Voting in the CEC elections begins on April 25th and runs through May 13th. You can vote in the elections from your NYCSA account. Need a resource to inform your choices? Please see the recordings from the candidate forums below.
CEC 15 Candidate Forums
- CEC 15 Candidate Forum Recording from Wednesday, March 12, 2025
- CEC 15 Candidate Forum Recording from Monday, March 17, 2025
Join Us to Activate Your Child’s NYC Scholarship Account! (Grades K to 3 only)
Your Child Has a Free NYC Scholarship Account with Money for College and Career Training
Students automatically received an NYC Scholarship Account (unless you chose not to participate) with an initial $100 + opportunities to receive more rewards over time!
Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 9 AM
Please register in advance for this workshop:
Https://zoom.us/meeting/register/8TTyNowsQ0uu3CEovuiccQ
*Interpretation will be available in Spanish, Mandarin and Arabic.
D15 STEM EXPLORATION DAY - An Opportunity for our 4th and 5th graders
A selective science engagement event for all grades 4th - 12th from District 15 public schools.
Students will get to participate in hands-on activities with passionate real-world scientists in this NYC STEM Institution Fair on Governors Island.
Date: Saturday, May 10th, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM -2:00 PM
Location: New York Harbor School Governors Island
Application Deadline: April 28th, 2025
Decision Released: May 2nd, 2025
*Please scan the QR code to register or click here.
Family Connectors are community volunteers trained on the wide range of resources our State, City, and NYC Public Schools have to offer - serving as valuable resources within their communities to support and guide others. Join us in making a difference - sign up today!
Family Connectors training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting April 22nd through May 22nd.
Families can register here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=tyxJGEXvYUWFcQxC5fesB3PLbQgGBx1GrwhnGdrnhw5UN0RNNzY0R1AxWjZYV1Y4U0k2MUU1UFdCQyQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl
PTA GENERAL MEETING
Please join us on Thursday, April 24th at 6:30pm for our April PTA General Meeting. Zoom link here.
PARENT/CAREGIVER WORKSHOP SERIES: BUILDING A MORE INCLUSIVE AND COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY
Please join the DEI Committee for the final session of a three-part workshop series, led by teacher educator Kass Minor, a local D15 parent and author of Teaching Fiercely: Spreading Joy and Justice in Our Schools. The PTA and PS 107 school leadership have invested to provide this workshop to our community because we want all students to feel that they belong.
All parents and caregivers are welcome, including those who missed the first workshops. We hope to see you there! The workshop will take place on Thursday, May 1st from 7-8:30pm (on Zoom). Please sign up here.
SUPPORTING ALL LEARNERS: A WORKSHOP ON NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS
Join Dr. Kluger and the team at Interactive Discovery on our new date, Friday, May 30th at 9:30am, for a parent-focused workshop that explores the role of neuropsychological assessments in supporting a child's learning journey. In "Supporting All Learners," participants will learn what neuropsychological assessments are and how they can be of benefit, explore different learning profiles and how they impact education, and discover ways to interpret assessment results and collaborate with educators for effective support. This workshop offers insights and practical tips to empower you as a parent in navigating your child's educational path. It will be available both in-person in the cafeteria of PS 107 and live-streamed. Find out more on Konstella.
FUNDRAISERS
ANNUAL FUND
Please contribute to the Annual Fund, which directly supports essential school programs and resources. We are less than 10K away from reaching our fundraising goal for this year, please help get us over the finish line! 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.
SPRING MOVIE NIGHT
On Friday, May 16th at 7pm, bring your picnic blankets and folding chairs and get ready to watch 'Dogman' with PS107 friends and families on the big screen in the Big Yard . Volunteers will be on site selling pizza, popcorn, candy, and drinks with all proceeds from the event going to the PTA. Tickets always sell out, so please secure your seats ASAP using one of the following methods:
1. Volunteer (sign up to come soon!) to get a free ticket for you and guaranteed tickets for your family.
2. Buy tickets in the first wave on Wednesday May 7th @ 8:30pm (watch Konstella for the link).
3. Buy tickets in the second wave on Thursday May 8th @ 12:30pm.
*In the event of an inclement forecast, Spring Movie Night will be cancelled and everyone will receive a refund. The event will not be rescheduled.
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
o 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 lice check took place TODAY, Wednesday, April 23rd . 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.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
For Teacher Appreciation Week, Monday, May 5th through Friday, May 9th, we recognize PS 107's fantastic teachers and staff with a week-long celebration that includes daily treats and surprises - including PS 107's famed pot luck! Please stay tuned for details about how you can help with celebration, sign-ups will be coming soon on Konstella.
ART DAY
The Art Committee is busy planning a day of creative fun for the annual PS107 Art Day on Saturday, May 10 from 12-3pm, in the Big Yard! We are looking for workshop leaders who will guide kids in art and craft based activities in a variety of materials. If you are interested in hosting a workshop, please sign the Konstella form here and the Art Committee will be in touch about planning and securing supplies for your workshop. Please reach out to the following committee co-chairs with any questions: sarahkwarner@yahoo.com, jiaomin.ni@gmail.com, and kgwilkes@gmail.com. Thank you for your consideration!
2024-2025 NYCPS CALENDAR
Please click here for the complete 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school year calendars.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT EVENTS
April 24 - PTA Meeting 6:30 pm (zoom)
April 24 & 25 - 4th & 5th Grade NYS ELA Testing Dates
April 29 & 30 - 3rd Grade NYS ELA Testing Dates
May 1
- NYC KIDS RISE Seminar 9 am
- The Minor Collective 7 to 8:30 pm
May 10 - ART DAY
May 16 - Spring Movie Night
May 22 - Fifth Grade Talent Show 7pm
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
May 26 - Memorial Day (School Closed)