IMPORTANT DATES
Black History Month - runs through March 1
Tuesday, February 9 - Virtual SLT, 4:15 PM (contact: SLT_Info@ps154.org)
Wednesday, February 10 - PTA Virtual Exec Mtg, 6:30 PM
Friday, February 12 - Lunar New Year, School is Closed
Sunday, February 14 - READ-A-THON Ends (details below)
February 15 - 19 - Mid Winter Break, School is Closed
Wednesday, February 24 - PTA Virtual General Meeting, 6:30 PM
Find the A/B Cohort calendar here: Weekly Schedule
Please continue to check your Google Classrooms for information from your teacher. As a reminder, you should also check Mr. Foreman's Google Classroom for important updates: class code gk2k2sr
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Throughout this month, the Equity Committee and PTA are teaming up to bring as many resources as possible to expand your children’s knowledge of Black Lives Matter and Black History Month, both the notable and lesser known figures that deserve recognition. This month, the Equity Committee has recommended resources for use in school, as well as information about NYC-wide initiatives to participate in. The PTA has provided further reading lists and links to black-owned bookstores. This week, Theater teacher, Mr. Casey talks to his classes about Misty Copeland, the American Ballet Theater's first female African-American principal dancer through her book, Firebird.
DISTRICT & CITY UPDATES
CCEC APPLICATIONS
CCEC - City & Community Education Councils
Get involved and apply today.
This year, in order to submit an application, you will need an NYC Schools Account with all your children attending DOE schools registered to it.
Find out more here (new information dates): English & Español
DOE UNIVERSAL LITERACY INITIATIVE
Parent Workshops, February 10 & 25
Are you looking for ways to improve your child’s reading and writing skills? Are you searching for resources to help you work with your child at home? Then you have come to the right place. In this workshop, we will provide you with strategies to support your important work with your child at home. Check out the Universal Literacy Initiative flyer.
STEM ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Apply Now for Exciting STEM Enrichment Programs for Spring Break!
This spring break, (re)discover STEM with STEM Matters NYC! Kindergarten through grade 12 students can apply now to attend programs with STEM Matters NYC. Explore your passions and uncover new interests at the NYC Department of Education’s Genovesi Environmental Study Center; Audubon New York; Bronx Zoo; Central Park Zoo; Green-Wood Cemetery; GrowNYC Teaching Garden at Governors Island; Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; Makerspace NYC; New York Aquarium; New York Botanical Garden; Prospect Park Zoo; Queens Botanical Garden; Queens County Farm Museum; Queens Zoo; Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden; Solar One; Staten Island Museum; Staten Island Zoo; and Wave Hill. Meet and work with field experts in programs that feature real-world learning experiences.
STEM is taking over the city this spring break! Don’t miss out, spots are limited and the application deadline is Wednesday, February 10.
Download our flyer, learn more, and apply now. For questions, contact STEMMattersNYC@schools.nyc.gov.
SCHOOL-WIDE REMINDERS
In person students will need to complete their health screening at home every morning before they arrive in school. Click the link here: Online Health Screening
All families must complete the Family Income Inquiry Form, which helps schools receive money for their programs. This is the lunch form, but even if you do not receive school lunch, you still need to complete the form.
Zoom difficulties? Please reach out to Ms. Rached (lrached@ps154.org) with any issues joining Zoom meetings. This is a much faster way to get support than posting to the class stream.
Complete the Emergency Blue Card here: Emergency Blue Card. Please email the completed form to dwattenbarger@ps154.org
Schools.nyc.gov/freemeals
All families can continue to go to any school building (9:00 AM-12 PM on weekdays) to pick up three free grab-and-go meals. No identification or registration is necessary. Halal and kosher meals are available at some sites.
PTA UPDATES
PTA GENERAL MEETINGS & SLT MEETINGS
Friday, February 05, Emergency Virtual PTA Meeting, 6:30 PM (info below)
Tuesday, February 9 - Virtual SLT Meeting, 4:15 PM (contact: SLT_Info@ps154.org)
Wednesday, February 24 - PTA General Meeting, 6:30 PM
Tuesday, March 16 - Virtual SLT Meeting, 4:15 PM (contact: SLT_Info@ps154.org)
Wednesday, March 24 - PTA General Meeting, 6:30 PM
Zoom details will be provided in the days ahead of the PTA General Meetings.
Minutes from SLT Meetings are posted on the webpage: ps154.org/school-leadership-team-slt
Minutes from PTA General Meetings are posted on PTA’s webpage: ps154.org/your-pta
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM BUDGET VOTE
Friday, February 5, 6:30 PM
We will be reviewing and voting on a change in the budget to assist in keeping our After School program running.This special meeting is being held in accordance with our bylaws and should take less than 10 minutes. Please join us if you can. Additionally, please consider enrolling your children in our After School program. High enrollment numbers are the very best thing we can do to keep the program financially stable. Due to the current climate of our country, the program is taking a substantial hit and it is important to note that in the past, After School has funded an Academic Coach for the school as well as contributed $24k to our Makers Space program in 2019.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://nycdoe.zoom.us/j/3587937740?pwd=bHZLbnRzNHEvSzlUZTI0L3JhdnZiZz09
Meeting ID:358 793 7740
Passcode: 008889
PTA EVENTS
THE 2021 P.S. 154 READ-A-THON
Friday, January 15 - Sunday, February 14
It’s not too late to participate in the Annual P.S. 154 READ-A-THON, which is underway, and runs through to Valentine’s Day, February 14th. To feel inspired, view some of the videos from our past winners, please visit Mr. Foreman’s Google Classroom or follow us and like us on Facebook to see more stories: https://www.facebook.com/PTAofPS154Brooklyn.
To participate, there are three steps:
Step 1: Download the reading packet with all the information and forms you need from https://www.ps154.org/readathon-2021. Your child needs to keep a Reading Log of time they read in school and time they read out of school every day until SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14.
Step 2: Encourage family members and friends to sponsor your child for each minute they read on the Pledge Form. You can donate sponsorship money at any time during READ-A-THON, or at the end by clicking the SPONSOR A READER button at https://www.ps154.org/readathon-2021. (We can only accept online donations this year due to COVID-19.)
Step 3: Add up your child’s minutes and the total amount raised and send both your Completed Reading Log and Completed Pledge Form to readathon@ps154.org. ALL forms and donations must be received by SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21.
Each child that reads the most in his or her grade will receive a gift certificate to Terrace Books, and each grade's class that collectively read the most will get a special reading session with our own Principal Foreman. Please ask family and friends to sponsor your child’s reading per minute or make a fixed donation.
BOOKMARK DESIGN CONTEST
Friday, January 15 - Sunday February 14
Enzo won the Bookmark Design Contest last year when he was in 1st Grade. He discusses his enjoyment of both the READ-A-THON and the Bookmark Design Contest, It could be you, this year! One winner is selected from each grade based on how their design shows what their love of books and reading means to them. Every child in each grade will receive a copy of the winning bookmark. This year we will create a virtual gallery to share designs online. For information, visit: https://www.ps154.org/readathon-2021
The deadline for mailing the bookmarks to school, or sending them via email: MONDAY FEBRUARY 14TH. PLEASE SEND YOUR BOOKMARKS TO: pta_info@ps154.org
FUNDRAISING PROMOTIONS
YOU SHOP, WE SAVE WITH MINTED
Minted’s Fundraising Program will now be offered year-round, just in time for Valentine’s Day! It’s the perfect occasion to send personalized messages to loved ones, new mailable classroom valentines, limited supply bags & pouches, and custom heart-shaped puzzles, all while giving back to P.S.154. Visit https://www.minted.com and enjoy 20% OFF Minted cards & gifts throughout the year when you use your unique promo code FUNDRAISEPS154WTS at checkout, and 15% of each order will be donated back to our school!
COMMUNITY CORNER
Thank you from Brooklyn Relief Kitchen to everyone who donated supplies to the community!
