Weekly Newsletter

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IMPORTANT DATES

Monday November 16 - Week 3 Hybrid Learning Scheduled Begins

Monday November 16 & Tuesday November 17 - Book Drop off for the Book Swap

Tuesday November 17 - Virtual General PTA Meeting, 6:30 PM

Thursday November 19 - 5th Grade Virtual Middle School Info Session

Saturday November 20 & Sunday November 21 - Book Swap, Details to follow

Thursday November 26 & Friday November 27 - Thanksgiving Break - No School

Saturday December 5 - Virtual Holiday Hangout, Information to follow

Tuesday December 8 - Virtual SLT Meeting, 4:15 PM (contact: SLT_Info@ps154.org)

Wednesday December 9 - Virtual PTA Exec Meeting, 6:30 PM

Wednesday December 16 - PTA Virtual Meeting, 6:30 PM

HYBRID LEARNING REMINDER

Reminder: November 16 starts Week 3 of Hybrid Learning.

Check the link here for the update: Weekly Schedule-Calendar

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

Hybrid Learning Opt In Period/ Período de elección de aprendizaje híbrido

The Blended Learning Opt-In Period is Monday, 11/2/20 to Sunday 11/15/20. 

Y no olvide que el período de elección de aprendizaje combinado es del lunes 2/11/20 al domingo 15/11/20.

RECENT COMMUNICATIONS

LATEST MESSAGES FROM MR. FOREMAN

Q&A Follow Up 10/28/20

10/27/20


MESSAGES FROM THE CHANCELLOR

Big Apple Awards for Teachers & Staff

Students, families, educators, school staff, and community members can nominate teachers and counselors by visiting the Big Apple Awards website today through January 10, 2021. Nominees must be current, full-time public school teachers or college counselors in a district school, charter school or early childhood education center in New York City who demonstrate exceptional success in the classroom. 

Messages for Families

Pledge/Promes

Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year

SCHOOL-WIDE REMINDERS

  • COVID-19 random testing for in person staff and students will begin soon. Please click here for the consent form: Student Covid-19 Testing Consent 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 streams.

  • 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

  • Complete the Emergency Blue Card here:  Emergency Blue Card. Please email the completed form to dwattenbarger@ps154.org

PTA UPDATES

PTA GENERAL MEETINGS & SLT MEETINGS

Thursday November 17 - Virtual General PTA Meeting - 6:30 PM

Please note that we will vote on support for the After School program. All welcome.

Tuesday December 8 - Virtual SLT Meeting - 4:15 PM

Thursday December 16 - Virtual General PTA Meeting - 6:30 PM

Zoom details will be provided in the days ahead of the PTA General Meetings.

Minutes from PTA General Meetings and SLT meetings are posted on the PTA webpage https://www.ps154.org/your-pta

PTA EVENTS

NEW TO YOU BOOK SWAP

DONATE YOUR BOOKS - NOVEMBER 16 - 17

SAT & SUN NOVEMBER 21 - 22, SCHEDULED SLOTS BY GRADE

SAT & SUN NOVEMBER 21 - 22, SCHEDULED SLOTS BY GRADE

Please bring your good-condition books to the drop off point at the front of school:

MONDAY & TUESDAY NOVEMBER 16 - 17

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM - 3:00PM

We’re gearing up for our third PS 154 New To You Book Swap. This year, we will be taking added precautions by putting the books into quarantine, and ensuring the safe handling of them both before and during the event. We are collecting books a week ahead of the New To You Book Swap, so please start sorting through your shelves for books that your children have outgrown. We already have a number of books left over from last year but we are looking in particular for kindergarten and lower grade level books.

Save the date for the PS 154 Book Swap:

SATURDAY & SUNDAY November 21 - 22

We will notify you next week about the time-slots for your grade to visit the New To You Book Swap. Free for all kids!

VOLUNTEERING FOR THE NEW TO YOU BOOK SWAP

Please consider volunteering for handling the book drop off on November 16 & 17. or for supervising a time slot on the weekend of the New To You Book Swap on November 21 & 22.

HOLIDAY HANGOUT

SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday December 5, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

This December, we will be unveiling the PS 154 Holiday Hangout on December 5th. We will offer four digital experiences and dinner, adding up to a night of holiday merriment, as we launch our auction, a great opportunity for gift giving. There will be fun for all age groups! Please save the date for Saturday December 5, 3:00 PM - 7.00 PM. Join us online for an evening together apart for the whole family. More details to follow soon.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

MINDFULNESS TALK: AN EVENING WITH SHARON SALZBERG VIA ZOOM

NOVEMBER 19, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

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Our friends at PS 321 are hosting an event with mindfulness teacher and best-selling author, Sharon Salzberg on Thursday November 19, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. It is open to everyone in the community. To register, visit ps321.org

COMMUNITY CORNER

With fall well upon us, and winter nights ahead, please support our local businesses as you choose to dine out or enjoy a take out at home. PS 154 parents, Kevin and Georgia Read, run Hamiltons on Fort Hamilton Parkway. As well as offering ample outdoor dining, they offer an online menu through their website, hamiltonsbrooklyn.com where you can choose to order and pick up, or receive delivery via GrubHub or caviar.

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Weekly Newsletter

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IMPORTANT DATES

Monday October 12 - School Closed

Tuesday October 13 - Week 1 of Hybrid Learning Schedule Begins

Tuesday October 13 - Virtual SLT Meeting, 4:15pm (Contact slt_info@ps154.org for more information)

Wednesday October 14 - Virtual PTA Executive Meeting

Wednesday October 21 - Virtual PTA General Meeting

Saturday October 24 - Boo Bash Socially Distant Parade, 11am


Reminder: October 13 starts Week 1 of Hybrid Learning Cycle.

Check the link here for the update: Weekly Schedule-Calendar


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

RECENT COMMUNICATIONS

MESSAGES FROM THE CHANCELLOR

Messages for Families

Pledge/Promes

Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year

SCHOOL-WIDE REMINDERS

  • Covid-19 random testing for in person staff and students will begin soon. Please click here for the consent form: Student Covid-19 Testing Consent Form

  • Experiencing 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 streams.

  • 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

  • Complete the Emergency Blue Card here:  Emergency Blue Card. Please email the completed form to dwattenbarger@ps154.org

  • Remember, families need to complete a 2020-2021 Family Income Inquiry Form (formerly known as School Meals Form).  Submit only one form for all children in the household attending school in grades Pre-K through High School.  Complete online HERE. Please email dwattenbarger@ps154.org

PTA OVERVIEW

PTA VIRTUAL MEETINGS

Tuesday October 13 - Virtual SLT Meeting, 4:15pm (Contact slt_info@ps154.org for questions or more information)

Wednesday October 14 - Virtual PTA Executive Meeting

Wednesday October 21 - Virtual PTA General Meeting

AFTER SCHOOL

FIRST DAY OF AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

Tuesday October 13 

We are excited to welcome back your families. Our fall programming includes Cohort Extended Day, Outdoor Play for Remote Learners, In-Person Instrumental Band Outdoors, Online Cartooning and Online Chess.  Clubs like Outdoor Photography, Outdoor Bit-Bots, Outdoor Filming and On-Line Broadway Junior will not run due to low enrollment.  Our program runs M-F when schools are in session.

1.55 PM - Students enrolled for Cohort Extended Day - get picked up from their classroom and taken to the lunchroom

2:15 PM - Students signed up for Outdoor Play - enter the schoolyard on Windsor Place (once school dismissal is complete)

4:15 PM - Outdoor Play Students Dismissal from Sherman Street / Students in Cohort Extended Day do homework outside or indoors

5:00 PM - Second Dismissal time from Sherman Street

5:45 PM.  Last Dismissal from Sherman Street

Snacks will be provided to all children in extended day but if your child has a restricted diet, please send them with two snacks for After School. .

Safety is always our first priority. Our program will be adhering to the safety guidelines set by the CDC on COVID protection:

  • Scheduling hand washing / sanitizing between activities

  • Children and staff must wear a mask in the schoolyard/lunchroom

We appreciate your support and participation and look forward to seeing you next week! For any questions or concerns please email Barbara McGouran at bmcgouranps154@gmail.com.

BOO BASH 2020

Saturday October 24

TREATS FOR EVERYONE AT PS 154 SHOP!

PS 154’s Annual Halloween Celebration is back in this new and spooky world where zoom monsters have taken over! While we can’t celebrate in the traditional way, we have dreamt up new ways to have a safe and enjoyable Boo Bash and create some happy memories of this time!

Please help support our school by purchasing Boo Bash gear and experiences at ps154.org/shop.

BOO BASH IN A BAG - Who doesn’t love a take out? Treat your loved ones to a specially designed bag of treats to create your own Halloween ghoul fest with your family or pod! Items include: T-shirt, 154 mask, candy and prizes, a “How to make a Boo Bash in your home guide,” light up ring, decoration, and tote bag. (Items are perfect for 1 person) Cost $50 per kit. Order by 10/19. Pick up at PS 154 on 10/22 and 10/23.

BOO BASH 2020 LIMITED EDITION T-SHIRT - Snag additional Boo Bash T-shirts, featuring the crazy zoom monsters. Why not get one for all the family, friends or just for yourself to wear in your home office/school? There are limited supplies so shop now to get the sizes you want!

BOO BASH PHOTO SESSION - Finally, we were able to keep one tradition alive - we’ll once again give PS 154 families the opportunity to sign up for the Annual Boo Bash Photo Session. We’ll decorate the garden* and PS 154 parent and photographer, Jason Roth, will take a family and friends photo that will be emailed to you. 

While we know that this isn’t exactly how we pictured Boo Bash at this time last year, we’re hopeful that families will take part in ways that they are comfortable. 

  • Please note that the building will not be accessible and families cannot use the playground.  

BOO BASH COSTUME PARADE & MASK

Saturday October 24, 11:0OAM

We want to provide the PS 154 community with an opportunity to dress up, meet up, and have a safe time outside. What better way to do that than in our first ever socially distanced Boo Bash Costume Parade! Get a newly designed School Spirit Face Mask to keep you protected, or a Fully Zipped Script Hoodie to keep you warm from our school shop.  Please sign up in advance below so that we know how many people are arriving.

Everyone must wear masks - so be creative with those costumes!

EVENT: PS 154 BOO BASH COSTUME PARADE

LOCATION: Start at the front entrance of PS154 and continue through Windsor Terrace to Prospect Park

DATE: SATURDAY OCTOBER 24

TIME: 11:00AM

PRICE: FREE

FUNDRAISE WHILE YOU SHOP

We are fortunate to have some great retail partners who contribute to the PS 154 PTA so we can both save while you shop!

TEA COLLECTION PROMOTION

Last chance to save 15% and earn 15% back for our school on adorable items from the Tea Collection. Please remember to use the code below for our school. Visit Tea Collection before October 12.

To find out more about how you can contribute to PS 154’s PTA while you shop, please check out the full list of all our retail partners, including Amazon Smile, Amazon Fresh, Mabels Labels and more at ps154.org/donate

VOLUNTEERS WANTED!

BOO BASH HANDLERS

We couldn’t do this without all of you in our beloved PS 154 community. Karen Tingley and her team need help both before and on the day of Boo Bash to make sure everything runs smoothly. Please can you contribute a little of your time to help make this a memorable Boo Bash for our children and families!

COMMUNITY CORNER

We would like to thank PS 154 parent Hong Wu for her generous donation of a banner to our school. It’s a simple but important message to everyone in our community. Please remember that today (Friday October 9) is the last day to REGISTER to vote. Early voting starts October 24. Hong Wu has her own store on Etsy, which carries artwork in multiple languages reminding everyone of the importance of voting in the upcoming election. Please visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/CHELStudioLLC.

A reminder to our community, courtesy of Hong Wu

A reminder to our community, courtesy of Hong Wu

Weekly Newsletter

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IMPORTANT DATES

October 5 - Week 3 of Hybrid Learning, Cohort C in attendance on Monday

Wednesday October 7 - Virtual Educational Workshop for K Parents/Guardians, 9am (Info Below)

Monday October 12 - School Closed

Wednesday October 14 - PTA Executive Meeting

Wednesday October 21 - PTA General Meeting

Saturday October 24 - Boo Bash

Reminder: October 5 starts Week 3 of Hybrid Learning.

Check the link here for the update: Weekly Schedule-Calendar

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

NEW BEGINNINGS

Thank you to all the teachers, staff and parents for all their patience and hard work to make this a smooth start to a challenging 2020/21 school year for both remote and hybrid learners! This has involved collaboration to get the technology up and running for remote learning, and following the necessary protocols for the approximately 70 students per day in the building. Our goal is to create opportunities for all your children to feel engaged, connected and inspired however they are learning.

First Grade In Person Theater Class in Action

First Grade Hybrid Theater Class in Action

RECENT COMMUNICATIONS

LATEST MESSAGE FROM MR. FOREMAN

9/28/20 Reminders

MESSAGES FROM THE CHANCELLOR

Messages for Families

Pledge/Promes

Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year

KINDERGARTEN WORKSHOP

Read, Write Inc Virtual Workshop for Parents/Guardians of Kindergarten Students

October 7, 9am - 10am

You will learn how to introduce your child to early sounds, blending, and phonics. Supporting their first steps in learning to read and write, we will practice how to:

  • Crack the English Code

  • Play early literacy games

  • Teach your child to read and write sounds in less than 5 mins a day

  • Make learning to read fun!

We believe every child's experience with a book should be positive. Using Read Write Inc. Phonics, UK's leading synthetic phonics literacy program, we will work together to start your child's reading journey with confidence and passion.

Please complete this form to register: https://forms.gle/qANBr3BtgjnyAPqV9

SCHOOL-WIDE REMINDERS

  • Covid-19 random testing for in person staff and students will begin soon. Please click here for the consent form: Student Covid-19 Testing Consent Form

  • Are you experiencing 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 streams.

  • 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

  • Complete the Emergency Blue Card here:  Emergency Blue Card Email the completed form to dwattenbarger@ps154.org

  • If you received a DOE iPad last school year and do not need it this year, please return it to our school as soon as possible. You can drop it off at school any week day between 8am - 2pm. Contact dwattenbarger@ps154.org if you have questions.

PTA OVERVIEW

PTA GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

Thanks to all of you who joined us for the first PTA General Meeting on Tuesday September 29 via Zoom. It was good to see some familiar and new faces amongst our amazing PS 154 community!

For those of you that missed it, Mr. Foreman was able to answer questions about hybrid and remote learning and Barbara McGouran was able to rally support to bring back our After School Program. This just shows how parent contributions really do make a big difference!

Mark your calendars for the next PTA General Meetings for 2020:

Wednesday October 21 - 6:30pm

Tuesday November 17 - 6:30pm

Wednesday December 16 - 6:30pm

Please find the PTA General Meeting Minutes for September 29, 2020 here.

AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM

Anticipated start date - Tuesday, October 13

We are delighted that the DOE has approved our After School Program and at a more affordable cost. Registration will remain open for all of our offerings and let the club instructors know we are opening again.  Let’s please increase enrollment for Band, Cartooning, Chess and Child's Play Flat Stanley and The Big Twist.  

To register for cohort extended day, in-person outdoor clubs and online clubs please go here 
https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/regv2.asp?id=520685

For questions email Barbara McGouran at bmcgouranps154@gmail.com

FUNDRAISING

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SAVE THE DATE FOR BOO BASH!

Saturday, October 24

Boo Bash is legendary and one of the highlights of the school calendar for children and parents alike! This is a very different year for school events, and long-time Boo Bash mastermind, Karen Tingley and her team have been dreaming up creative ideas to keep Halloween fun, while keeping the community safe. More information to follow shortly!

SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL

Thanks to all of you who made a donation following our first fundraising campaign. The PTA budget includes a line item that gives Mr. Foreman the flexibility to bring in more help, buy sanitation supplies, fund more online programs and ensure that all kids at PS 154 have the opportunity to learn. This flexible spending line is key to keeping the school agile and responsive to the needs of our kids.

In a typical year we would encourage each family to donate $500 per child, the cost of PTA programming, but we know that 2020 is different so we encourage you to give what you can. Please consider:

  • ONE TIME GIFT - Early donations help us with our planing and budgets

  • MONTHLY DONATIONS - Help sustain the PTA throughout the year

No matter how you give, or what you give, we thank you for your gift and your investment in our kids.

COMMUNITY CORNER

Community bookstore

Please shop locally at Community Bookstore with a convenient option to order online and pick up your order at Terrace Books on Prospect Park West.  Community Bookstore and Terrace Books have been long standing supporters of PS 154 and now is our time to give back! 

Please visit https://www.communitybookstore.net

PROSPECT GYMNASTICS

Do your children need more exercise right now? Prospect Gymnastics still has spots in its Fall Session. Class sizes have been reduced to 4 - 6 students. 

To reserve your spot, check out https://www.prospectgymnastics.com

Weekly Newsletter

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IMPORTANT DATES

Monday September 28 - School is Closed

Tuesday September 29 - In Person School Begins with Week 2 of our Schedule

Tuesday September 29 - PTA Virtual Meeting, 6:30pm

Wednesday October 7 - Virtual Educational Workshop for K Parents/Guardians, 9am (Info Below)

Reminder: In Person Cohorts start on Tuesday, September 29

Stay tuned for an update from Mr. Foreman later today. We are keeping the same calendar, so our in-person learning schedule starts with Week 2. Cohort C starts on Tuesday, September 29. Check the link here for the update: Weekly Schedule-Calendar

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

RECENT COMMUNICATIONS


MESSAGEs FROM THE CHANCELLOR

Messages for Families

Pledge/Promes

Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year

Kindergarten Workshop

Read, Write Inc Virtual Workshop for Parents/Guardians of Kindergarten Students

Wednesday October 7, 9am - 10am

You will learn how to introduce your child to early sounds, blending, and phonics. Supporting their first steps in learning to read and write, we will practice how to:

  • Crack the English Code

  • Play early literacy games

  • Teach your child to read and write sounds in less than 5 mins a day

  • Make learning to read fun!

We believe every child's experience with a book should be positive. Using Read Write Inc. Phonics, UK's leading synthetic phonics literacy program, we will work together to start your child's reading journey with confidence and passion.

Please complete this form to register: https://forms.gle/qANBr3BtgjnyAPqV9

School-Wide Reminders

  • Experiencing Zoom difficulties? Please reach out to Ms. Rached at lrached@ps154.org with any issues joining Zoom meetings. This is a much faster way to get support than posting to the class streams.

  • 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

  • Complete the Emergency Blue Card here:  Emergency Blue Card Email the completed form to dwattenbarger@ps154.org

  • If you received a DOE iPad last school year and do not need it this year, please return it to our school as soon as possible. You can drop it off at school any week day between 8am - 2pm. Contact dwattenbarger@ps154.org if you have questions.

  • If you haven’t done so yet, please sign up for a NYC Schools Account (NYCSA). With NYCSA, you can access your child’s grades, test scores, schedules, transportation information, and more—from anywhere, and in all nine standard DOE language translations. This will also be the best way the DOE can contact you via phone, email, or text message.

    Sign up for your NYC Schools Account today!


PTA Overview

PTA GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday September 29, 6:30PM via Zoom

Join us as we welcome back students and families and introduce our new families to the amazing PS 154 community! We now have the new PTA Executive Board and School Leadership Team (SLT) Parent Representatives on board. We hope to involve as many of the rest of you as possible in activities to support our school during this crucial year!

The PTA of PS 154 serves an important fundraising, communications, and at times, problem-solving role for our school. It organizes and supports PTA-funded programs that benefit our students, and a number of events throughout the year to raise funds and build community.

Zoom details will be sent out on the morning of Tuesday September 29. We look forward to connecting!

Fundraising

calling all medal winners

A huge thank you to all of you who started the school year off by participating in the PTA’s first virtual 5k fundraiser, A Race Back To School, which helped us to raise much needed funds for the PTA, as well as connect our incredible community! We came close to meeting our $2,000 goal for this event. To reward you for your efforts, please collect your well deserved custom PS 154 medals! 

Please email us at pta_info@ps154.org to arrange pick up or drop of your medals.

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SEL COMMITTEE

HEALTHY ROUTINES AND SLEEP PATTERNS

As the new school year gets underway in a new way, the Social & Emotional Committee (SEL), recommends some resources including articles and tips on the importance of establishing healthy routines and sleep patterns for your family, as well as how to help your child/children cope with changes. The following articles from Child Mind Institute and Understood provide some useful advice to help children transition back into school, which are especially useful during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Helping Kids Back Into the School Routine 

Encouraging Good Sleep Habits

Helping Students Cope with Change and Disruption

Community corner

Help your children and our community to be as successful as possible this fall. Your child/children’s teacher(s) are encouraging them to continue to read books in addition to both online and in-person learning. If you decide to purchase books, please support our beloved local business Terrace Books.

 
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