Dear PS 107 Families,
In November, we have been honoring Native American Heritage Month at PS 107 with regular morning announcements and read alouds in the classrooms. This week, teachers chose from the following texts and shared them with their classes:
Kindergarten-2nd Grade:
Third-Fifth Grades:
For additional resources to share with your children about Native American Heritage Month, please see the NYC Public Schools page here.
CLASS SIZE REDUCTION AT PS 107
Some of you may be aware that the New York City Public Schools are working towards complying with the New York State Class Size Reduction Act, which, by the 2028-2029 school year, requires that elementary schools reduce class sizes to 20 students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade and to 23 students in 4th and 5th grades. Currently, class size caps are 25 students in Kindergarten and 32 students in grades 1-5.
At PS 107, we believe strongly in the benefits of smaller class sizes, and we are working towards implementing the changes required by the law. Our School Leadership Team (SLT) has been discussing our strategy for doing so at our meetings this year, and we have identified our biggest implementation challenge, which is adequate space/classrooms in the building, as well as inadequate funding to pay for the additional teachers we will need. In order to fully implement the class size law, we will need four additional classrooms and at least four additional teachers, and we will need to accept fewer Kindergarten students. Currently, we accept up to 100 Kindergarteners who are placed into 4 classes. To implement the new law, we will need to accept 80 Kindergartners who would be placed into our existing 4 classes.
I know that some of you do not currently live in the PS 107 zone but have younger children who you are hoping to enroll at PS 107 in future years. Based on our historical admissions data, it appears that we will still be able to enroll close to 30 out-of-zone students each year, even if we reduce our total number of Kindergarten students admitted to 80 students from 100. This means that we anticipate having more than enough seats to accommodate out-of-zone siblings going forward. Still, to ensure that we have accurate data about the number of prospective incoming out-of-zone Kindergarteners in the years ahead, please complete this brief form if you live outside of the PS 107 zone and have a younger child you are hoping to enroll at PS 107 in the future. You do not have to provide your name or email address on the form if you prefer not to. Thank you for helping our School Leadership Team to assess the feasibility of reducing the number of Kindergarten students PS 107 accepts while minimizing the disruption to our existing community of families!
SCHOOL INFORMATION
GENDER 101
Please see the attached resources provided by the Ackerman Institute from our Gender 101 workshop that was held on November 12th.
They include a handout with terminology regarding gender and sexuality and a list of books that discuss gender expansive identities (organized by age). The Gender Astronaut image was provided as well.
If you would like to learn more about this organization, please visit their website and they encourage you to reach out if you have an interest in joining their caregiver groups or beginning family therapy.
FAMILY INCOME FORMS
All families should complete the Family Income Inquiry Form, which helps schools receive money for a variety of programs and educational initiatives, whether or not they qualify for free or reduced lunch. The deadline for submission is December 13 and we strongly encourage all families to complete the form.
If you are opting out and do not want to disclose your household's financial information, your child will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch. Breakfast and lunch are free for ALL NYC students regardless of what you put on the form.
You can opt out by clicking the box that says "I do not wish to provide my household information" but then you need to complete filling out the form by listing all of your children who attend NYC public school along with their DOB and OSIS (Student ID). You can find your child's Student ID in Operoo or your NYCSA accounts. At the end of the form you need to digitally certify and submit. You will receive a receipt in your email in-box if you have correctly submitted the form.
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.
LOST & FOUND - Updated 11-26-24
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
NYCPS / DISTRICT 15 / COMMUNITY
CHANCELLOR'S FIVE-BOROUGH LISTENING TOURS
This fall, Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos will be engaging in a Five-Borough Listening Tour designed to foster open dialogue between the Chancellor and school communities across New York City’s five boroughs. This series will provide a platform for parents, educators, students, and local leaders to share their perspectives on key educational issues. Each event will feature structured discussions on various topics such as safety and wellness, support for teachers, in addition to family and community empowerment. The discussions will culminate in a Q&A session with Chancellor Aviles-Ramos and NYCPS leaders.
The listening tours will be held from 6:00–8:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) on the following dates; interested participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible as space is limited:
- November 19: The Manhattan session will take place at the High School of Graphic Communication Arts (439 W 49th Street, New York, NY 10019);
- November 26: The Brooklyn session will take place at Thomas Jefferson High School (400 Granville Payne Ave (Pennsylvania Avenue), Brooklyn, NY 11207);
- December 3: The Queens session will take place at the Academy of American Studies High School (40-11 28th Street, Astoria, NY 11101);
- December 10: The Bronx session will take place at P.S. 306 (40 W Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY 10453); and
- December 17: The Staten Island session will take place at Curtis High School
(105 Hamilton Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301).
DROUGHT WARNING
On November 18, Mayor Eric Adams issued a drought warning for New York City.A drought warning is the second of three levels of water conservation declarations by the city.
As conditions continue to evolve, the city may declare a drought emergency, which involves escalating requirements to reduce water usage.
All New Yorkers are encouraged to conserve water.
Based on Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) guidance, please adopt water-saving habits to reducing water use:
Report open fire hydrants and street leaks to 311.
Limit unnecessary flushing, as toilets account for a major portion of water use.
Reduce shower times.
Turn off faucets: Avoid running water while brushing teeth or washing hands.
Fix leaks promptly: Report and repair any dripping faucets or running toilets.
Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full.
Additional tips for reducing water use can be found at nyc.gov/savewater.
CAFETERIA SURVEY
Please provide your feedback regarding cafeteria offerings via this survey (available in all DOE languages).
Note: The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete and will be open until December 13.
DISTRICT 15 FAMILY WORKSHOP
Special Education Process Overview
- Referral and Evaluation:The student is evaluated to determine if they need special education services
- IEP Creation: If eligible, an Individual Education Program (IEP) is developed with input from parents and staff
- Service Implementation: The student receives services based on their IEP, such as special education support or therapies
- Monitoring and Review: Progress is regularly checked, and the IEP is reviewed annually to ensure continued support
When: December 10, 2024 at 10 am
Where: Zoom Link Here
- Meeting ID: 726 885 3826
- Password: 251368
D15 FAMILY WORKSHOP : LUNCH & LEARN SERIES
This 7 part series will share ideas & strategies to positively support your child's behavior at home.
Join us Friday's at 12pm : Dec 6 & 20
- Click here for Zoom
- Click for Lunch & Learn Flyer
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
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, 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 or 4? 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!
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.
FOLEY FIRS CHRISTMAS TREE SALE
If you are planning to purchase a Christmas tree this holiday season, Foley Firs is partnering with PS 107 to help raise money for our school. From Friday, November 29th through Monday, December 23rd, mention PS 107 and sign the school’s fundraiser list when purchasing your tree at Foley Firs and THE PS 107 PTA will receive a $10 donation.
Foley Firs is located on the corner of 8th Street and 8th Avenue; free tree delivery is available. You can also order online - be sure to enter PS107 during checkout.
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!
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
POWERHOUSE BOOK FAIR
From Monday, December 2nd through Friday, December 6th PS 107 students have been invited to attend the annual Powerhouse Book Fair! 20% of all sales support the PS 107 PTA.
We are looking for TWO parent chaperones for each class to escort students to Powerhouse during your child's assigned day and time that week. Parent chaperones assist in bringing children to the store, help them choose a book, manage the line at the register, and will briefly tidy up at the end of the shopping trip.
If you'd like to volunteer to go with your child's class, you can sign up here! If you have any questions, contact Tyler Mills (tyler.c.mills@gmail.com).
TEACHER AND STAFF HOLIDAY POTLUCK
PS 107's annual Teacher and Staff Holiday Potluck is coming up on Friday, December 13th.
It includes breakfast, lunch, and afternoon treats contributed by PS 107 families.
If you would like to make an item to contribute or volunteer to assist with the event, please use the Pot Luck Sign Up here.
Contact Megan Hartley (megan.hartley@gmail.com) or Diana Gatschey (dlgatschet@gmail.com) with questions.
ART & CRAFT FAIR
Join the PS107 community for our Art & Craft Fair on Saturday, December 14, from 12-3pm. Are you a maker, artist, or local small business? Come be a part of this art-mazing event! Contact Francesca (craft.fair@ps107.org) with questions.
Sign Up to Host a Table - Comple this form by Tuesday, December 3rd to sign up as vendor.
Participate in the Kids Art & Photo Contest - Send a photo of your child's artwork or photography to craft.fair@ps107.org by Sunday, December 8th and we’ll feature it as part of our art and photo contest! Amazing prizes will be awarded to the winner(s)!
Donate to the Bake Sale - Sign up to drop off a treat or snack here.
Volunteer - This event is being run 100% by volunteers! If you would like to lend a hand, please sign up here.
DISNEY ON ICE
Step inside the magical adventures of Disney's Frozen and Encanto as they are brought to life like never before at Disney On Ice. Nearly 160 tickets have already been purchased by PS 107 families; join in the fun on Saturday, January 18th at 7pm at the Barlcays Center.
Tickets can be purchased through Zeffy for $45 each, with $11 per ticket going to the PTA. If you would like to attend but need financial assistance, please contact Parent Coordinator, Nadia Benlarbi.
SPECIAL EVENT: SPRING AUCTION
Our auction in the spring is the single largest fundraising event of the year. We will need a lead to make it a success, so if you are interested in getting involved in a high impact fundraiser for the school, this is the event for you! Please sign up on Konstella here.
If you are unable to lead the event but want to help out, consider signing up to help get some great items for auction! This is a flexible volunteer role that can be done around your schedule. Sign up to be an auction donations volunteer on Konstella here.
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
December 2 to 6 - Powerhouse Book Fair
December 6 - Family Morning 8:20 am
December 10 - DISTRICT 15 FAMILY WORKSHOP Special Education Process Overview 10 am
December 14 - Holiday Craft Fair 12-3
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
November 28 & 29 - Thanksgiving Recess - School Closed
December 23 to January 1 - Winter Recess - School Closed