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
April 29 - New-to-You Book Fair and Movie Night in the schoolyard (scroll down for details) 📚 Book fair: 6:30pm, 📽 Movie: 7:45pm
May 2 - Eid al-Fitr - School is Closed
May 3–6 Teacher Appreciation Week
May 3 - SLT Meeting (virtual), 4:30pm (check calendar for details)
May 4 - PTA Executive Board Mtg (virtual), 6:30pm
May 10 - Virtual Author Visit for 3rd - 5th grades, 10am
May 11 - Equity Meeting (virtual), 4:30pm
May 13 - Game Night & Potluck (save the date - info to come)
May 15 - Annual PS 154 Chess Tournament! (Register here)
May 16 - May 20 - Field Days! Check calendar for grade specific dates (calendar) More information coming soon!
May 18 - PTA General Meeting (virtual) - Election Meeting, 6:30pm
May 20 - PS 154 Brooklyn Cyclones Game - Run the Bases! 7pm (details and ticket link below)
May 30 - Memorial Day - School is Closed
SCHOOL UPDATES
SUMMER RISING - ENROLLMENT IS OPEN
PS 154 is NOT a Summer Rising Site. You can still register for another site in our area. Registration is done online only and is first come, first served. Please find out more information here:
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer/grades-k-8
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ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL REMINDERS
Our side doors close by 8:30am. If you know you are running late (even by a minute), please enter through the main entrance.
Please manage your dogs both at arrival & dismissal. If you must bring your dog to school, please keep them on a short leash and remember to pick up after them. While we love pets, sometimes dogs can be intimidating to some in our community.
At dismissal, please wait until your child’s class is all the way out and at their line spots before picking them up off the line. And remember, to make sure your child’s teacher knows you are taking them. Please remind your students as well so they don’t run to you before it’s time.
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SCIENCE WEEK!
We are so excited about Science Week, May 22–27. This week full of science learning will include science projects in every classroom, a STEM career day (grades 3–5), an egg-drop challenge, and a rocket propulsion activity. We will be kicking off the week with a science fair for grades 3–5 on Sunday, May 22, 1–3PM, in the cafeteria. If your 3–5th grader is interested in doing a science fair project, please see this document for the timeline.
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STEM CAREER DAY FOR 3RD–5TH GRADES, MAY 24
STEM Professionals - We need YOU!
Volunteer to share your STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) career! We would like to introduce PS154 kids to the wide variety of STEM careers available to them. If you work in Tech, Medicine, Research & Development, Engineering or any job you got with training or a degree in a STEM field, come share it with 3rd-5th grade students! You would attend a virtual event on Tuesday, May 24th, roughly 10am-12pm, but your actual time commitment would probably be shorter. Please email Christine Ponder (cponder@me.com) if interested and/or if you have any questions.
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SCHOOLYARD EQUIPMENT UPDATE
Our students LOVE playing in the schoolyard during drop-off and lunch/recess. Recently, we've had a number of injuries, and several near-misses involving hard balls. In order to maintain a safe and fun environment in the schoolyard, we are asking that students not bring their own equipment to the schoolyard, beginning Tuesday, May 3.
Thankfully, your PTA money is being put to good use by stocking the recess cart with equipment for students to use. Your child can request a ball from the staff who are outside with them.
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ARE YOU LEAVING PS 154?
If you are moving away or changing schools (and your child is not in 5th grade currently), please call the office to let them know so we can start planning for next year. Please call 718-768-0057 and press 0 for the main office any weekday before 2pm.
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HIGH-FILTRATION MASK BANK
In January 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 school day 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
BECOME A PTA BOARD CHAIR!
We need you! Yes, you! As you check out all the upcoming events below, take a moment to consider running for a role in the PTA. Without all the organization and planning by our board members and committees, these events and other valuable school programs would not be possible. Please add your voice and talents to our amazing team!
We'd love to answer your questions and help you figure out which role is best for you. Open roles include marketing & communications, fundraising, events, and president-elect.
These roles do not need to be a huge time commitment; many of us in parent leadership are full-time working parents, parents of multiple kids, or both! No experience is necessary—and we encourage diverse candidates. Please read this message from PTA President Cara Zwerling, for all the details. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Cara at pta_info@ps154.org.
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TONIGHT! NEW-TO-YOU BOOK FAIR AND MOVIE NIGHT
Join us in the PS 154 schoolyard, and bring a sleeping bag or blankets to keep warm!
📚 Gates open at 6:30pm for free books and free play
📽 Movie starts at 7:45pm
Suggested donation: $5 per person (age 3 and up)
All books are free!
Concessions will be sold
Please note: This is not a drop-off event; every child needs an adult chaperone.
You can still drop off your books from 4–6pm at the schoolyard gate. Look for the volunteers setting up. Please follow these guidelines:
Sort books into age/grade groups: K–2 and 3–5.
Place books in sturdy boxes or Fresh Direct bags.
Group them together, spines facing up, and label the box/bag with their grade level (K–2 or 3–5), your name, and phone number. If you have a series, group them all together.
No dictionaries, textbooks, religious themed books, workbooks, or very well-loved books please.
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POTLUCK & GAME NIGHT - Save the date!
Friday, May 13th from 6–8pm in the PS 154 Schoolyard
Join us for a night filled with delicious food and friendly competition! Stay tuned for details.
Potluck contact: Inna Kalin, innkalin2@gmail.com
Game contact: Emi Young, abundanthabitat@gmail.com
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ANNUAL PS 154 CHESS TOURNAMENT
Sunday, May 15, 12–4 PM in the PS 154 Schoolyard
$25.00 entry fee
Open to ALL students GRADES K-5 (PS 154 students and their siblings only)
4 sections: Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2+3, and 4+5
Online registration only - ends May 1 (no day-of registration). One order per player. Contact dani.leeds.kim@gmail.com with any questions.
The tournament will last 4 hours. No eliminations - everyone plays 4 games. Trophies awarded to the top 3 players in each category, prizes for everyone!
Participants should plan to stay for the entire tournament. There will be snacks for sale between games.
We need volunteers to make the tournament a success! Sign up for a volunteer shift here.
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PS 154 BROOKLYN CYCLONES GAME
Friday, May 20 at 7pm
Come join your classmates, teachers, family and friends from PS 154 for the Brooklyn Cyclones game and raise money for the PTA!
Tickets are just $20 and after the game has concluded everyone in attendance will get a chance to RUN THE BASES! Each ticket comes with a free Brooklyn Cyclones hat.
Buy your tickets here: https://fevo.me/ps154wt
For additional information contact Sarah Gartenberg at (518) 424-8027 or email at Sarah.Gartenberg@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you at the game! LET'S GO CYCLONES!
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SAVE THE DATE FOR SPRING GALA
Thursday, June 2nd from 6:30–9pm at Industry City
DID SOMEONE SAY ‘80s RETRO GAME NIGHT?! Get ready to blast into the past with your favorite ‘80s music, classic arcade games, and a fierce ping-pong tournament at the Industry City Frying Pan and Game Room while enjoying finger food and drinks. Hang out with fellow PS 154 parents in the outdoor courtyard and take part in raffles, a paddle raise, and our incredible silent auction to raise funds for the school!
Contact danielle.mendez@gmail.com with any questions.
