Weekly Newsletter

PS 154 Opt in to Hybrid Survey

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

Tuesday November 10 - SLT Meeting - 4:15 PM

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

Tuesday December 8 - SLT Meeting - 4:15 PM

Thursday December 16 - 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 FUNDED NATURE WALKS

NATURE WALKS RE-SCHEDULED

We are pleased to confirm that Fourth and Fifth Graders will get their opportunity to join in the exploration with Brooklyn Nature Days. The trip, which was cancelled this past Monday, has been re-scheduled for this coming Monday, November 9, from 9:00 AM -11:00 AM. Just a reminder that Brooklyn Nature Days requests that parents please fill out a release before children arrive at the park on Monday. Even for older grades, we need to know who is dropping off and picking up from the grassy area outside Vanderbilt Playground (enter at Vanderbilt and Prospect Park South West).

NEW TO YOU BOOK SWAP

BRING A BOOK, TAKE A BOOK!

Book Donations Drop Off: November 16 & 17

Do your kids need some new books to capture their imagination through Fall and Winter? Have they outgrown some books from previous years, and you need to clear some space for new ones? Exchanging books is a great way of helping our community to share resources. PS 154 teachers have been working with their classes to encourage them to recommend books to each other. So this is a great opportunity for them to seek out new books, and widen their horizons! Firstly, we are looking for book donations that we can sort and quarantine. We will announce dates and times for the New To You Book Swap soon. Please stay tuned for updates!

Book donations: Monday November 16 & Tuesday November 17 (book quarantine bins will be located in front of school)

**Bring A Book, Have A Look, Take A Book!**

NEW WINTER FAIR

SAVE THE DATE!

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

This December, we will be unveiling a New Winter Fair, a virtual event that promises to deliver some great seasonal fun for everyone of 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.

COMMUNITY CORNER

If you, like many others in your community and around the world, are nervously awaiting the results of the 2020 Election, please remember: Keep Calm and Have a Drink! PS 154 parent, Jeremiah Fox, who runs Juice Box Wine & Spirits, recommends that you use the Juice Box Wine & Spirits website, https://juice-box-wines-spirits.mybigcommerce.com
to purchase and pay for your items from the comfort and safety of your home, and then pick up your items at the store. No contact pick up is available. Bring your own bag(s), leave them at the front door and they will place your complete order outside for you to retrieve. Minimum purchase for deliveries is $39.99. No minimum for pick-up.

Please note that you will need your I.D. for proof of age.

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October 30, 2020

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Weekly Newsletter

October 30, 2020

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IMPORTANT DATES

November 2 - Week 1 of Hybrid Learning Schedule

Tuesday November 3 - Election Day - School is Closed - Remote learning for all

Thursday November 5 - Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences, all school ends at 11:50 AM

Tuesday November 10 - Virtual SLT Meeting, 4:15 PM (contact: SLT_Info@ps154.org)

Wednesday November 11 - School Closed - Veteran’s Day

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

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

Reminder: November 2 starts Week 1 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

Given the Mayor's announcement, you may have changed your preference for hybrid v. remote learning for your child. As you know, the Opt In period is November 2 - November 15. The DOE will send out their survey at that time.

For our school purposes and to help us plan for hybrid classes, please complete the survey below asap (this one is just for us):

*Please note, you only need to complete this survey if you are planning on making a change in your child's learning model.

RECENT COMMUNICATIONS

LATEST MESSAGES FROM MR. FOREMAN

Q&A Follow Up 10/28/20

10/27/20

MESSAGES FROM THE CHANCELLOR

DOH/DOE Safe Halloween Letter

Translations here: nyc.gov/health/Halloween

Edutopia Article - DIY Ways To Meet Your Childs Sensory Needs at Home

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

Thanks to PS 154 parent Hu Wong for donating this banner she created reminding us to plan to vote!

PTA UPDATES

VIRTUAL PTA GENERAL MEETINGS & SLT MEETINGS

Tuesday November 10 - SLT Meeting - 4:15 PM

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

Tuesday December 8 - SLT Meeting - 4:15 PM

Thursday December 16 - 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 FUNDED NATURE WALKS

REMOTE LEARNERS OUTDOOR EXPLORATION

Just a reminder that the PTA funded outdoor exploration with Brooklyn Nature Days are still ongoing. Brooklyn Nature Days encourages children to develop their social and emotional skills by discovering and exploring together. Second and Third Grade Remote Classes went on their trip this week. Fourth and Fifth Grade Remote Classes will get their chance to have fun interacting with each other, make discoveries together and running around in the fresh air in Prospect Park next week!

Upcoming Brooklyn Nature Day Walks:

Monday November 2

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Fourth Grade

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Fifth Grade

SEL RESOURCES

We encourage parents to check out some of the great resources, which address the social and emotional needs of our children, particularly during these challenging times. Award-winning filmmaker, George Lucas, is best known to us for the epic Star Wars series, but his George Lucas Education Foundation, which includes Edutopia, covers a wide range of learning topics and best practices, and is a useful tool for parents and educators. In the article below, occupational therapists and trauma-informed teachers weigh in on how to create sensory tools and spaces with what you have available at home.

COMMUNITY CORNER

If you are planning to celebrate Halloween, please consider buying candy for your kids or safe trick or treat baskets from Fferins of Brooklyn, owned by two PS 154 parents. There’s plenty to choose from including Halloween candy, DIY candy kits, old school favorites - and even British, Mexican and Japanese sweet delights! Check out: https://www.fferinsofbrooklyn.com

October 23, 2020

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Weekly Newsletter

October 23, 2020

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IMPORTANT DATES

Saturday October 24 - Boo Bash Socially Distant Parade, 11:00 AM

Monday October 26 - Week 3 of Hybrid Learning Schedule

Tuesday November 3 - Election Day - No students in the building - Remote learning for all

Thursday November 5 - Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences, all school dismissed at 11:50 AM

Tuesday November 10 - Virtual SLT Meeting, 4:15 PM (for information, please contact: SLT_Info@ps154.org)

Wednesday November 11 - School Closed - Veteran’s Day

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

Reminder: October 26 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

RECENT COMMUNICATIONS

LATEST MESSAGE FROM MR. FOREMAN

10/20/20 Family Update

10/23/20 Covid-19 Testing Update

MESSAGES FROM THE CHANCELLOR

Introduction to the PS 154 Equity Team

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

BOO BASH 2020

Saturday October 24

DEADLINE EXTENDED

You have until midnight tonight (Friday 10/23) to buy your Boo Bash merchandise! We have 20 Boo Bash in a Bag left. Please help us to reach our fundraising goal to sell them all! There’s still some Boo Bash T-shirts and School Spirit Face Masks to snag, and a couple of Boo Bash Photo Sessions available. Whether you’re planning on a virtual house party or an in person get together with your family or pod, there’s something fun for everyone! Visit ps154.org/shop (Please email dwattenbarger@ps154.org by the end of the school day if you would like a Boo Bas in a Bag, but need help financially.)

Please pick up your Boo Bash merchandise on Friday October 23 to prevent overcrowding at the Boo Bash Costume Parade on Saturday October 24. Last pick up is available from outside the front of the school on Friday October 23, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM. If you are unable to come then you could pick up from 8:30 AM -10 AM on Saturday October 24 but not during or after the Boo Bash Costume Parade.

BOO BASH PHOTO SESSIONS

These must be booked in advance through the ps154.org/shop . For those taking part, the entrance is on Sherman Street by the Cafeteria. Please be on time for your slot and wear masks and social distance when not in the photo session.

BOO BASH COSTUME PARADE

SATURDAY OCTOBER 24, 11:0OAM

Due to the large number of people that have signed up, the Boo Bash Costume Parade times will be staggered.

11:00 - K and 1st grade

11:20 - 2nd and 3rd grade

11:40 - 4th and 5th grade

Thank you to Karen Tingley and her team for organizing Boo Bash, and thanks to everyone who has supported us by making Boo Bash merchandise purchases or donating their time to volunteer!

FOR HEALTH & SAFETY, EVERYONE MUST SIGN UP IN ADVANCE, WEAR MASKS AND MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCE. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU HAVE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS, HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH ANYONE WITH COVID SYMPTOMS WITHIN THE LAST 14 DAYS, TRAVELLED INTERNATIONALLY OR VISITED ANY STATE ON NYS TRAVEL ADVISORY.

PTA FUNDED NATURE WALKS

REMOTE LEARNERS OUTDOOR EXPLORATION

There has been a lot of interest from families of remote learners to find ways to connect the classes offline. The PTA is using a portion of the money raised to collaborate with Brooklyn Nature Days, a forest school, which has a philosophy of using nature as a tool to learn. Brooklyn Nature Days encourages children to develop their social and emotional skills by discovering and exploring together. Kindergarten and First Grade Remote Classes have already had a fun time interacting with each other, make discoveries together and running around in the fresh air in Prospect Park!

Upcoming Brooklyn Nature Day Walks:

Monday October 26

9am - 11am, Second Grade

11am - 1pm, Third Grade

Monday November 2

9am - 11am, Fourth Grade

11am - 1pm, Fifth Grade

AFTER SCHOOL

OUTDOOR PLAY FOR REMOTE & HYBRID LEARNERS

So your child is a remote learner or a hybrid learner but it's your child's remote day. Playing outdoors at the After School program with fellow schoolmates is the perfect way to add some outdoor fun! Come to the PS 154 schoolyard from 2:15 PM - 4:15 PM for some games like Kickball, Taming the Dragon, Four Corners, and more. Open to all PS 154 students who are remote learners or hybrid learners on their remote day, rain, or shine, (stormy days are excluded). Pick your day of the week and pay as you go. That means if you miss a day for any reason you will not be charged.

What about the cold days in the winter? We will still be going outdoors. Our scheduled time for Outdoor Play just happens to be usually the warmest time of the day as well. So on cold days we still have sunlight and it's still fun to play with friends when dressed for the weather. That means layers, gloves and hats. Please be sure to label your children's stuff so if they ever forget something in the schoolyard we can contact you to collect it. What if my child's friend is not there? Reach out to your child's friends and see if they would like to join in on the fun. To sign up, visit: https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/regv2.asp?id=520685. For questions email Barbara McGouran at bmcgouranps154@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY CORNER

Thank you to PS 154 parent and PTA Chair of Programs, Sarah Shears, for organizing the Virtual Read Aloud of Book of the Month, Alma and How She Got Her Name, a picture book by Juana Martinez-Neal. Alma. whose full name is Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela, thinks she has too many names and so she asks her Dad about them. He explains the various people she was named to honor. Classes were invited to discuss the book with Mr. Foreman and Mr. Buckley. We have had a lot of positive feedback about the interactive reading. We hope to bring more inspirational stories and figures to your kids soon. If you have an interesting job that you would like to share with the children, or have any ideas about virtual programs, please email pta_info@ps154.org.

October 16, 2020

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Weekly Newsletter

October 16, 2020

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IMPORTANT DATES

Monday October 19 - Week 2 of Hybrid Learning Schedule

Wednesday October 21 - Virtual PTA General Meeting

Saturday October 24 - Boo Bash Socially Distant Parade, 11:00 AM

Tuesday November 3 - Election Day - No students in the building - Remote learning for all

Reminder: October 16 starts Week 2 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

LATEST MESSAGES FROM THE EQUITY TEAM

LATEST MESSAGES FROM THE CHANCELLOR