Para español, haga clic aquí.Please scroll down and read through the whole newsletter to find out all that is going on in and around our school. Also, you can find all of our newsletters here.
IMPORTANT DATES
March 18 - Holi Celebration (details below)
March 23 - PTA General Meeting (Virtual), 6:30pm
March 25 - NYC School Survey is due!
March 29 - Virtual SLT Meeting, 4:30pm (check calendar for details)
March 29 - March 30 - ELA State Tests for 3rd-5th Grade
March 30 - Brooklyn Public Library “Understanding Your Child’s IEP” workshop
April 6 - Equity Meeting (Virtual), 4:30pm
April 6 - PTA Exec Meeting (Virtual), 6:30pm
April 13 - PTA General Meeting (Virtual) - Nominations, 6:30pm
April 15–April 22 - Spring Break, School is closed
April 25 - Back to School
SCHOOL UPDATES
Message from ms. rached: SUMMER RISING UPDATE
We were excited to hear this week's announcement about Summer Rising. Currently, we do not know if PS 154 will be selected as a Summer Rising site. Enrollment is slated to begin in April, so we expect to have more information by then. We will share information with families as we get it. In the meantime, I can describe what Summer Rising looked like last summer.
Last summer, PS 154 was a Summer Rising site, and I was the Principal in Charge of the program here. The day was 8am–6pm (schoolyard drop-off 8am–9am), with the first half of the day staffed and programmed by the DOE, and the second half of the program staffed and programmed by DYCD (Department of Youth and Community Development) though a CBO (Community-Based Organization). On Fridays, the CBO ran the entire program, and often took the students on field trips. Last summer, families were encouraged to sign up for the entire summer, but we were able to be flexible around summer plans that families had already made. This year, the Summer Rising programming for current K–5 students will be July 5–Aug. 19. If you have questions about Summer Rising, you can fill out this form. I will respond when I have more information to share. For general information about Summer programs in the DOE, you can check out this link here: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer
NYC SCHOOL SURVEY - DUE MARCH 25!
All families can take the survey online – in any of the nine NYCDOE supported languages – using their student’s nine-digit identification (OSIS) number. You can find the OSIS number on the report card, your NYCSA account, or you can call the school at 718-768-0057 and press 0 for the main office. Families completing the survey online should go to the NYC School Survey website (NYCSchoolSurvey.org), enter the letter “f” (lowercase) followed by their student’s nine-digit OSIS number, and complete the survey (e.g f123456789).
If needed, you can choose to complete the paper survey that is going home in your child’s backpack.
Please note, a survey must be completed for each child you have in public school (even if they are in the same school).
BPL SPECIAL EDUCATION WORKSHOP
Brooklyn Public Library and INCLUDEnyc are hosting a workshop “Understanding Your Child’s IEP” 5:00-6:30 PM on March 30. You can read more about it here.
BASIC NEEDS SURVEY
From Parent Coordinator Debby Wattenbarger: We have been dealing with the pandemic for 2 years now and it has been difficult for all. However, we know some families may be having more difficulties than others. I created this form as a way for you to let me know how you are doing outside the academic needs of your student(s). It's completely optional, and will be kept PRIVATE, but I do hope to hear from you if you are in need. Our PTA is starting a fundraising drive to provide gift cards to make sure families have a little extra to help going into this spring. Please complete your contact information, and then answer the questions so we can work out the best way to provide support. This information will be kept PRIVATE unless you give me permission to share it with others who may be able to provide further assistance. If you have questions, or would rather just email me, you can reach me at dwattenbarger@ps154.org or call me at 718-768-0057.
Complete the form here: Basic Needs Survey
HIGH-FILTRATION MASK BANK
Last month the PTA organized a "mask bank" for families and staff to come pick up high-filtration masks to wear at school. Thank you to all who have donated. We have plenty of masks in the bank at this time, and you may pick up what you need for your student(s) from Debby (Sherman side of the building) any weekday between 8 and 8:30am.
SCHOOL-WIDE REMINDERS
All students/staff/visitors must complete their health screening at home every morning before they arrive in school. Click the link here: Online Health Screening. Paper copies will be made available at school if needed.
Please notify Debby Wattenbarger as soon as possible if your child tests positive for Covid-19 or is exposed to someone who has tested positive.
Please complete your Covid-19 Testing Consent Form and return it to the main office. Forms were sent home this week for students who are missing consent. You can also provide consent online - go to schoolsaccount.nyc. Log in with your own email at the screen that looks like the DOE student login, then select the blue "my student" button. The link to the Covid-19 Testing Consent is at the top of that page.
All families must complete the Family Income Inquiry Form, which helps schools receive money for their programs regardless of if they qualify for free or reduced lunch. No need to sign up for school breakfast or lunch.
Complete the Emergency Blue Card here: Emergency Blue Card. We still need you to complete the entire form even if you updated this in your NYCSA. Please return the form to the main office, or email to fancona@ps154.org
PTA UPDATES
HOLI ASSEMBLY
Today at 2:30pm, our students will attend an assembly in the schoolyard to celebrate Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors. Many thanks to our Chair of Programs Sarah Shears for bringing this wonderful event to our school!
COMMUNITY GIVING AT PS 154
The PTA is collaborating with our parent coordinator, Debby Wattenbarger, to raise funds for PS 154 families in need. Please consider donating so we can give the gift of comfort and kindness to families in our school community that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you, as always, for being such a supportive community! The deadline to contribute is Friday, April 1.
(VIRTUAL) PTA GENERAL MEETING
Please join us for this month’s virtual PTA General Meeting on Wednesday, March 23, at 6:30pm. We are due for a review of our PTA bylaws, and we welcome participation from our school community.
Zoom link: https://nycdoe.zoom.us/j/89590415189?pwd=cE0yQW50QnhDNnltQUFLYkJkbTRHZz09
Meeting ID: 895 9041 5189
Passcode: 690174
GET INVOLVED
The PTA is starting to plan upcoming events for Spring 2022. If you’ve ever thought about volunteering with the PTA, please email pta_info@ps154.org for meeting times and zoom info. We'd love to work with you!