In this Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Spirit Day - Jersey Day - Fri, Feb 7
Equity Committee Meeting - Wed, Feb 12, 6:30 pm Zoom
No School, Winter Break - Feb 17-21
PTA General Meeting - Wed, Feb 26, 6:30 pm, Zoom
No School, March 6 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
The Talk, Sex Ed 2.0: A Workshop for Parents - Tues, Mar 18, 6:30-8pm, MMR
A Note from Principal Fitzgerald
Read-A-Thon 2025 - THANK YOU!
A few tickets left: PS 154 Nets Game - Sun, Mar 16, 6 pm
Book Market Update
Spring Auction — Volunteers and Donations Needed!
Fifth Grade News
A Note from Principal Fitzgerald
Dear Families,
As we begin Black History Month this February, we embrace the opportunity to honor the rich legacy, culture, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. This month reminds us of the importance of recognizing and celebrating diversity, fostering understanding, and promoting equity in our community.
At P.S. 154, we are committed to nurturing the core values of care, curiosity, and courage in every student. As we explore the stories of Black leaders, innovators, artists, and visionaries, we encourage our students to approach these lessons with an open heart and an inquisitive mind. Let this be a time to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and develop a deeper understanding of the world around us.
By practicing care, we show respect and empathy toward one another, recognizing the shared humanity that binds us all. Through curiosity, we explore history with a sense of wonder, seeking to understand the complexity of experiences and perspectives that shape our society. And with courage, we continue to speak up for what is right, stand up against injustice, and create a space where all voices are heard and valued.
Let’s work together to make this Black History Month a time of meaningful reflection, learning, and growth for our entire community.
Thank you so much to the amazing volunteers who came in on Tuesday to help us with our wonderful Lunar New Year activity at lunch. It was a multistep project that we could not have accomplished without our amazing volunteers.
Reminder that this week we will host Family Mornings for Grades K-2! Do not forget to bring ID. As you visit your child’s classroom be sure to take some time to appreciate the bulletin boards put up in honor of Black History month by the Equity Team. Thank you very much to the parent volunteers who supported this project!
Friday is our next spirit day! We are excited for Jersey day! Wear your favorite team jersey to school on Friday.
Read-A-Thon 2025 - THANK YOU!
The Read-A-Thon ended today, and we just want to say - THANK YOU! It was a bit of a nail-biter, but when the dust settled, we exceeded all of our goals!
We tallied everything up, and PS 154 read more than 223,462 minutes, SMASHING our school-wide goal of 200,000 minutes. You know what that means: Principal Fitzgerald is getting S-L-I-M-E-D!!!
We also raised about $42,000, beating our fundraising goal of $40,000! This means our PTA President Sarah Gartenberg is getting S-L-I-M-E-D, too!!
We are still waiting for the system to process everything, but all the other winners will be announced soon.
Thank you so much to everyone who participated. If any parents have a cute story about their kids and their reading joy this month, we’d love to hear it—and see the photos, too! pta_info@ps154.org
A few tickets left: PS 154 Nets Game - Sun, Mar 16, 6 pm
Join your friends from PS 154 to watch the Brooklyn Nets play the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, March 16th, 6pm at the Barclays Center. We have a group of tickets in Sections 213 & 214 that will be distributed before the game. Tickets are $40 each.
We've already sold out twice, and there are just a few more left! Tickets are available here. Each purchase helps support our PTA.
Book Market Update
The book market is officially taking donations again! We are taking all books except picture books. We are especially in need of chapter books (all levels), graphic novels, and non-fiction (specifically I Survived series and Who Would Win series). As a reminder, we only accept books in great condition, and we do not accept board books, religious books, or workbooks. Please bring book donations to the MMR and leave the bag by the bins on the stage. Thank you, and happy reading!
Spring Auction — Volunteers and Donations Needed!
We are soliciting for the Spring Auction, one of our biggest fundraisers of the year! Can you help?
We need volunteers! No matter how much or how little time you have, there’s a role for you. We need people to:
Contact prior business/parent donors
Identify and/or reach out to potential new business donors by email or by walking around and speaking with (friendly!) neighborhood businesses.
Help with communications
We need donations! Are you willing to donate an item or experience for a silent auction? Examples include a gift card to a local business, tickets to a game or show, or a stay in your vacation home — just to name a few. Ask a friend, too! Or please pass on a name or idea using the form above and we can get in touch.
Please fill out this short form to let us know you’re willing to volunteer or donate. You can also email Auctions & Sponsorships Chair Judd Gartenberg (judd.gartenberg@gmail.com).
Fifth Grade Updates!
Hi 5th-grade parents!
Aquarium Overnight:
Tickets are on sale now (5th Grade only!)
5th Grade Dues:
This year, the 5th-grade dues will be $250/child. You can pay using this link or via Zelle: @pta_treasury@ps154.org. Please note dues were due by January 15, 2025.
A note on dues:
We want to ensure that every child can participate in these fantastic events. So, if you're facing financial challenges, don't hesitate to contact our Parent Coordinator, Tanica Gordon. We'll work together to find suitable options for you.
And if circumstances permit, we invite you to consider contributing extra dues to assist a family in need. Your generosity can make a meaningful difference. We're committed to ensuring all children can enjoy all the 5th-grade fun!
If you have any questions - please reach out: crystal.orraca@gmail.com