- PTA Meeting: June 17th
The next PTA meeting will be June 17th at 6:30pm. Hightlights include:
- PTA elections will occur
- "Play Day" as streetplay.com will visit PS56 and teach classic games of stoopball, punchball, hopscotch, skelly, jump rope, hit the coin, and more. It should be a lot of fun for both the children and adults as well as a great way to have the kids learn some constructive activities right before the summer recess.
- Discussion of School Wide Projects Title 1 Funding
- Apply to be a "Parent Coordinator"
A new position has been established by the NYC Department of Education, under the new Children First school reform.
The position is a full-time at-school parent coordinator.
For details, click here.
- PS56 PTA Child Enrichment Events
As part the PS56 PTA Child Enrichment Program, the following performances will occur:
- Harlem Wizard, on May 21. This is an in school performance for students only. Students will see a basketball show linked with bringing students a postive message about school, their behavior, their health, etc.
- TheatreWorks/USA will return for a second performance. Earlier in the year, grades 2 and 3 saw "Jason and the Magic Fleece", adapted from Greek mythology. On May 28th, grades 4 and 5 willd see the performance of the play "Freedom Train". This is also an in-school performance for students only. It will be an excellent performance.
Your dues and your participation in fundraisers goes directly to these events. Thanks!
- PS56 2001-2002 Annual School Report
The Annual School Report for PS56, as prepared by the NYC Deartment of Education, has been released. It can be found here You will need Adobe Acrobat to read it, which can be found here.
- 5th Grade "Stepping Up"
For info on 5th grade "stepping up" activities click here.
- Emergency Considerations
The NYC Department of Education encourages parents to speak with their child's Principal about evacuation plans and notification procedures.
For thoughts on talking with your children about recent events,
you may want to have at look at this online article or this other online article
The PTA Executive Board has been in constant contact with Principal Leiter and the PS56 Safety Committee and we have each exchanged safety and emergency ideas since September.
The PTA represents the parents of PS56. Therefore, free free to contact me through email, or any other mechanism, about any safety issues and concerns that you may have, whether or not those concerns are general or specific.
- PS56 Glimpses Into The World of Dance
On Tuesday, March 18th, teaching dance artist Susan Thomasson, of the Joyce Theater, gave an excellent "movement" workshop. On an ongoing basis, Ms. Thomasson has been working with PS 56 Q students, Mrs. Bryan, Mrs. Alperstein, and Ms. Weiss providing a better understanding of modern dance as it relates to performances that PS56 students and parents have already attended.
Parents and their children attended this event, and details and pictures from this delightful evening can be seen here.
- Strengthening the Home-School Partnership
The 6th Annual UFT/Deal-A-Teacher Conference will take place on Saturday, Octoober 25, 2003, from 8am to 3pm, at the NY Sheraton, located at 52nd Street and 7th Ave in Manhattan. Admission is free but you must register to attend. Call 212-598-9205 for a registration packet. This citywide parent conference is for ADULTS ONLY. You will need to arrange for your own child care, or you can register in advance for CAMP-FOR-A-DAY (age appropriate activities for 5 to 12 year olds at a nearby YWCA, cost for the camp is $10 per child).
For details on workshops at the conference, see last year's workshops for more details.
- Great Work Mrs. Alperstein!
Wow! Mrs. Alperstein has been been named as a top ten NYC Innovative Teacher of the Year. She incorporates technology as a teaching tool in creative ways. Always dynamic, hardworking, and committed, she deserves this, and we must say thanks to her!
- IDEAS FOR TEACHER PROFESSIONAL PERIOD SOUGHT
In each school, teachers pick a "professional period". During that time, they are out of their class and work on out-of-class issues. For instance, curriculum, computer technology, staff development, student talent, etc. Principal Leiter has thoughtfully asked for PTA input into this process. Please email me areas that you believe are in need or you feel would be important to have covered at PS56.
- NEW MATH CURRICULUM!
The NYC Dept of Education has chosen a new math curriculum. It will be structured in 3 groups: grades K-5, grades 6-8, and high school. This new curriculim will begin in Fall 2003.
It promises to be "A new, coherent system-wide approach for mathematics instruction" For details, have a look at the links found here.
- Project Liberty -- Transitional Services
Transitional Services for New York, on 147th & Jamaica Avenue, is a health organization in affiliation with Project Liberty projects funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Center for Mental Health Services designed to provide counseling services to persons affected by the tragic events of September 11th and threats of terrorism. They can be reached at 718-526-8400.
- PS56 School Leadership Team
Two positions on the PS56 School Leadership Team have opened up. If you are interested in being a parent representative, please contact Greg for details.
- Dr. Kathleen Cashin appointed as Division 5 head
Superintendent Broome will be moved to Manhattan starting March 1 to head issues about school variances and the "No Child Left Behind" program. As per the Mayor and Chancellor's school reform, all districts will cease to exist on July 1 and will be replaced by Divisions. Dr. Kathleen Cashin, the current District 23 Superintendent, has been appointed as the Division 5 head. Read about the reform at http://www.comeaucomputing.com/ps56pta/newsletters/fyi2
- FREE BOOKS?
PS56 is interested in new, good quality, school age children's storybooks appropriate for our students.
Do you know a bookstore or corporation who would be willing make such a donation?
If so, please investigate and contact Greg or Principal Leiter.
- Report Cards
The DoE has revised report cards again. Read about it here. This revised new report card can be vied at http://www.nycenet.edu/dis/reportcards. Also, read about the reform at http://www.comeaucomputing.com/ps56pta/newsletters/fyi2.
Also, click here for a balanced article covering some issues about new report cards.
- Speak Out!
Attend hearings about the reform of the Community School Boards. Click here for info.
Also, the Department of Education is holding "parent engagement" meetings for the "Children First" program. Click here for details. Also, fill out the questionnaire.
- Children's Learning Center at Queensborough Community College
As Principal Leiter mentions in Parent Letter #32, Queensborough Community College, located in Bayside, offers various enrichment and remedial courses for children in math, reading, etc. For an internet link, see page 28 and 29 of http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/ContEd/ContEdDocs/CE Spring2003 pages revised.pdf. You'll need Adobe Acrobat to view it.
- "25 books", Project D.E.A.R and LONGER SCHOOL DAYS
D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything And Read. This is a new initiative occurring at PS56 in support of silent reading. It will occur every school day for 15 minutes. As such, the school day has been made 15 minutes longer.
BEGINNING NOV 13TH EVERY SCHOOL DAY WILL BE 15 MINUTES LONGER. PS56 WILL STILL START AT 8:05AM, HOWEVER, PS56 WILL HAVE 2:40PM DISMISSAL.
The Chancellor's goal is for students to read 25 books. Support your child in this endeavor.
In addition to short stories, suggest they try new genres of books, such as science books, history, biographies, sports, or poetry. When they get home, ask them questions about what they have read, about the characters, what they would do if they were part of the story, how they would have handled a problem they read about, etc. Find out if they have a favorite author or subject. Complement their book reading with children's magazines, digests and newpaper reading.
Parents are invited to share in this activity. D.E.A.R. occurs daily from 11:05am to 11:20am. You would need to arrive before 11am so that you could be ready and settled by 11:05am. Bring your book and demonstrate how much you value and enjoy reading.
- ONGOING FUNDRAISING
Did you know that various companies such as Campbell's, KMART, etc. will sent PS56 checks just by your using their products? Check out the PS56 PTA resources page for more details.
- Saturday Family Trip: March 29
A family trip is being planned by the school to go to the Liberty Science Center in NJ on Saturday March 29th. If you are going, you should already have tickets. The bus will leave PS56 at 8am. A pre-trip event will occur on Thursday March 20th at 7pm, and a post-trip event will occur on Thursday April 3 and/or Monday April 7 at 6:30. This is meant as a reminder. See the letter that was distributed for full details.
The trip was well attended and everybody had a fun and interesting time. Thank you Principal Leiter!!
- PTA Candy and Gift Fundraiser
Thanks to all for your support of our "candy" fundraiser!
And special thanks to those who stepped forward to volunteer:
Nancy Newman 5-203, Katherine Svenstrup 4-307, Sandra Naranjo 3-207, Doreen Ajodhia 2-101, Bibi Shakur 4-307, Martha Pineda 4-304, Bibi Khan 3-203, and Marisol Cordova 4-307.
- PS56 Book Fair! Thank you!
The PS56 Book Fair took place on March 10th, 11th, and 12th.
Thanks to Nancy Newman 5-302, Marisol Corvada 4-307, Doreen Asodhia 2-101, Laura Wise former PS56 PTA President, Mrs. R. Howard 5-302, Rooshi Karan 4-304, Gail Meyers 3-203, Katherine Svenstrup 4-307, Bibi Khan 3-203, Juanita Valladers 4-202, Nuirka Autezua 3-107, and Elizabeth Reyes for helping.
- HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE
Thank
You! | The PTA "Holiday Boutique" was held on Monday Dec 9, Tuesday Dec 10 and Wednesday Dec 11.
This involved many long and exhausting hours of work each day, including over the past weeks.
The work of volunteers therefore was essential.
This great group of people are:
Nancy Newman 5-302,
Marisol Cordova 4-307,
Norma Bosque 5-302,
Wendy Bowne 5T1,
John Cali 4-307,
Babara Cali 4-307,
Sanica Chan 3-203,
Fazia Khan 3-203,
Gail Meyers 3-203,
Savita Persaud 5-302,
Janet Rivera 4-104,
Nina Roberto 5-302,
Betty Sanchez 4-305,
Bibi Shakur 4-307,
Inara Souza 4-104,
Katherin Svenstrup 4-307,
Juanita Valladors 4-202,
Christine Watson
and Anamika (4-104 & 2-201)
(apologies if I left anybody out or spelled your name incorrectly).
THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS EVENT SUCCESSFUL! -- Greg Comeau |
- Photo Day...
Cheeeeeese....
Click! | PS56 PHOTO DAY, held on Friday Nov 8, was a smiling success! Especially so because of the help of Nancy Newman, Wendy Bowne, Marisol Cordova, Shaundel Seymour, Diana Conde, Gail Meyers, Sandra Naranjo, R. Howard, Lizette Lajes, Alba Lopez, Janet Pagan, Elizabeth Delgado, Nivedita Chandrappa, Norma Bosque, Jennifer Cepeda, Christine Watson, Nina Shneyerson, Nina Roberto, Aevind Kohli, Sala Assaedi and Elizabeth Reyes (apologies if I left anybody out or spelled your name incorrectly).
THANK YOU ALL! -- Greg |
- Thank you!
A well deserved thank you to Mrs Nancy Newman and Mrs. R. Howard for helping out with the Principal's Candy Drive on October 4th, 7th and 10th. Their many hours of hard work will serve to support the Principal's budget with much needed funds for the school. And thanks to all for supporting this fundraiser.
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