In this Newsletter
A Note from Ms. Rached
Upcoming Events
📣 Family Mornings - Friday, November 10 - Friday, November 17*
🎉🧦 Spirit Day - Silly Sock Day - Friday, November 17th*
🎉 🥸 Spirit Day- Wacky Wednesday - Wednesday, November 22nd*
Thanksgiving Recess - Thursday, November 23 - Friday, November 24
General PTA Meeting - Wednesday, November 29 at 6:30 via Zoom
Equity Meeting - Thursday, November 30 at 9AM via Zoom
❄️ Winter Market!
Book Market - Call for Graphic Novels & Chapter Books 📚
5th Grade Update
A Note from Ms. Rached
Lead Testing Update
Please see the attached lead testing report. Elevated lead levels were found in one of 52 water outlets tested. That fixture (a water fountain) had been taken out of service, and will be remediated.
PS 154 Community Cares
The PTA is collaborating with our parent coordinator, Tanica Gordon, to raise funds for PS 154 families who are facing economic hardships. Through your generous donations, we can tangibly support our fellow families, ensuring they have adequate resources during the holiday season. Your donation will be converted into gift cards for families to buy the coats, hats, gloves, or supplies they need.
Your contribution will not only provide much-needed relief but also demonstrate the strength of our PS154 community. We thank you in advance for your generous donations. Together, we can create a nurturing environment where every member of our school community feels supported and cared for.
The deadline to contribute is Saturday, November 25th.
You can make online donations to the Community Cares Drive. While we prefer online donations, donations of cash/checks can be dropped off directly to Kelly Pearn in the main office on weekdays before 2 p.m. Checks should be made payable to The PTA of PS 154 (note on check: “Community Cares”).
If you are a PS 154 family that is struggling with providing basic needs for your family, please contact Tanica directly.
Coat and Clothing Drive
PS 154 is partnering up with another school in our district that has enrolled a large number of students in temporary housing. We are collecting coats and clothing to make sure these students can stay warm this winter.
Currently, we are accepting all donations but are especially in need of extra small and small children's winter gear. Jackets, hoodies, sweat suits, sweaters and any variety of layered winter clothing would also be greatly appreciated. Socks and underwear of all sizes are also needed but must be new—we are unable to accept used undergarments.
Drop Off starts this Friday, November 10th and ends Friday, December 1st. Please drop off donations during first period in the PS 154 administrative office.
*If anyone has trouble with dropping off items they can contact Sheila Fedele and she will help coordinate a pickup.
Volunteer Edukit Coordinator Needed
Our beloved Edukit Program, which simplifies back-to-school shopping and supports families in need, is at risk. We urgently need one or two dedicated parents to step up as Edukit Coordinators to ensure its future.
Why is your help crucial?
✅ Stress-Free Back-to-School: Edukits have been a game-changer for PS154 families, offering a hassle-free back-to-school supply shopping for the school and for families.
✅ Supporting Families in Need: The Edukit Program doesn't just benefit most of our families; it also offers a lifeline to those facing financial hardships by providing free kits.
Join Us in Preserving this Program! Email pta_info@ps154.org if you are interested or want to learn more.
Set It & Forget It
’Tis a gift to be simple—so let’s simplify your gift-giving.
At PS154, we offer an easy option to set up monthly donations to benefit all our amazing PTA-funded programs from Music to Chess to Media Arts and more—all of which hang in the balance.
To keep PTA-funded activities at our current level, we are asking every family that can to give $350/child each year through our annual campaign. If you set a monthly recurring gift today to $35/child, you’ll get there without a second thought.
So, please set up your recurring gift here today! (Don’t forget to click the “Make it a monthly payment” box.)
Set it and forget it—and help us keep PS154 the incredibly special place it is today for our kids. Without a second thought, you can make all the difference!
*Contribution is not a requirement for membership in the PTA and does not affect voting or running for office. The PTA of PS154 is a 501c3 organization and your contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
Upcoming Events
Family Mornings! Nov. 10-17
Mark you calendars! We are delighted to invite families for our first family mornings! We will be spreading our family morning across a week (+ a day) so that the number of building visitors is manageable. For our November Family Mornings, students will paint on a Diwali diya (oil lamp). Diwali originated as a Hindu celebration of light, and is celebrated in Southern and Southeast Asia, and across the world. During Family Morning, we are inviting one parent per child to come into the classrooms during first period, to participate and help with the activity.
Please see below for the Family Morning Schedule:
Friday, November 10: Kindergarten
Monday, November 13: 2nd Grade
Tuesday, November 14: 1st Grade
Wednesday, November 15: 5th Grade
Thursday, November 16: 3rd Grade
Friday, November 17: 4th Grade
Mark the date: Graduation, Retake & Sibling Picture Day 📸 - Tuesday, November 14 (School Pics Are Ready!)
School pictures are ready to view! Spoiler alert — they are AWESOME.
If, for any reason, we missed capturing the perfect shot, or you have multiple children at the school, join us Tuesday, November 14th for retake and sibling photo day. The deadline to sign-up for Retakes and Sibling Photos is Friday, November 10th, so be sure to secure your spot and capture those special moments with a smile! 😁📸
For comprehensive information regarding the Graduation Photos, please refer to the 5th-grade section 🎓.
To place your order, find out about order deadlines, estimated arrivals, schedule retakes and sibling pictures, please visit our school's Picture Day page!
TO VIEW YOUR PHOTOS, CLICK ON "VIEW AND PURCHASE" AND ENTER ONLINE CODE:
PS154 + FIRST FOUR LETTERS OF CHILD'S FIRST NAME + FIRST FOUR LETTERS OF CHILD'S LAST NAME
e.g., Jane Smith = PS154JaneSmit
For first or last names that have less than 4 letters, use the # of letters in the name
(e.g. Jo Kay = PS154JoKay)
November Spirit Days!
We're gearing up for some exciting November Spirit Days, and we want you to join in the fun! Mark your calendars for two special days:
🧦 Spirit Day - Silly Sock Day - Friday, November 17th
On November 17, it's time to dig into your sock drawer and bring out your quirkiest, silliest, and most colorful socks! Whether they have crazy patterns, mismatched colors, or even a few funny surprises, we can't wait to see our students' feet stepping into school with their unique and fun sock styles
🎉 Spirit Day- Wacky Wednesday - Wednesday, November 22nd
Wacky Wednesday is the day to let your creativity run wild! We encourage our students to wear their zaniest outfits, mix and match patterns, wear their clothes inside out, or just go all-out wacky! It's a chance to show off their unique personalities and school spirit in the most fun way possible.
Let's make these Spirit Days a huge success by marking your calendars and encouraging your children to participate. We look forward to seeing our school filled with laughter, enthusiasm, and the joy of togetherness.
Spring Auction - Volunteers Needed!
It’s almost spring, when the daffodils emerge and we can shed some layers of outerwear. Yes, we choose simply to ignore winter and are starting to plan the spring auction - one of our biggest fundraisers of the year!
We need volunteers to solicit auction items from families at the school, local businesses, as well as national businesses. This work can be done via email, and there are also roles that involve walking around and speaking with (friendly!) local businesses.
Please fill out this short form to let us know you’re willing to volunteer or email Auction and Sponsorship Chair Alice Lincoln.
5th Grade Update
Graduation photos
Tuesday, November, 14th - Graduation Photo Day. Mark your calendars for graduation photo day! Our 5th graders will be photographed wearing a cap and gown as is customary for our school's yearbook. To ensure you're well-prepared for this important day, please visit the 5th Grade website to view the Graduation Photo Guide. Please note there will be NO makeup picture day for graduation photos.
Class Dues
Wow, 5th Grade Superstars and Supporters 🌟🏆!
We're excited to report that your dedication has helped us reach over 75% of families who've submitted their 5th Grade Dues! 🚀 Your unwavering commitment to an unforgettable year is truly remarkable.
We're on the cusp of reaching the 100% mark, and we're calling on all families who haven't yet submitted their child's dues to come on board. Your child’s thrilling 5th-grade adventure beckons, and we’ve got graduation gear, Yearbooks, T-shirts, and loads of fun ready and waiting. Let’s make this year epic submit your child’s dues TODAY! Click [5th Grade Dues — PS 154], and let’s cross that finish line together.
Thanks for being a vital part of the 5th-grade journey! 🌟🏆. We appreciate your amazing support!
Middle School Preparation
Join us in preparing your child for Middle School:
View PS154 - 5th Grade Website: https://www.ps154.org/fifth-grade-2024 (Middle Schools applications open on October 11th)
View PS154 - Middle School Website: https://www.ps154.org/middle-school (helpful videos are available)
MySchools Creation Codes were sent home via back-pack. View the Middle School Website to learn how to set up your account.
