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
December 12 - Winter Fair{ground}: A Good Ole County Fair, 1–4pm (now on Sunday; info below)
December 15 - PTA Virtual General Mtg, 6:30pm (Zoom link below)
December 16 - School Tour for Prospective Families, 3:30pm (Sign Up)
December 16 - D15 Superintendent Skop virtual meeting, 5pm (check calendar for details)
December 16 - Photo retakes, sibling pics, and 5th grade graduation photos
December 21 - Virtual SLT Meeting, 4:30pm (check calendar for details)
December 23 - LabQ Free PCR Testing Van at PS 154, 7:30–9:30am
December 24–December 31 - School is Closed for Winter Break
January 3 - Return to School
January 4 - School Tour for Prospective Families, 3:30pm (Sign Up)
January 6 - School Tour for Prospective Families, 3:30pm (Sign Up)
SCHOOL UPDATES
ELEMENTARY ENROLLMENT
Beginning Wednesday, December 8th, children born in 2017 can apply to kindergarten for the 2022-23 school year.
The application deadline is Tuesday, January 18, 2022. All families who apply by the deadline will receive a kindergarten offer in April.
All families should participate in kindergarten admissions, including children currently attending pre-K, students with disabilities, English Language Learners, and students with accessibility needs.
MySchools.nyc includes an online directory tool that allows families to explore program choices, save programs of interest and submit their application, all on the same site.
Families can apply to Kindergarten in two ways, online at MySchools and over the phone by calling 718-935-2009. Here is a flyer about virtual admissions events: English, Spanish
MESSAGE FROM MS. RACHED
Hello Families,
This week, I have been delighted to see some wonderful projects the students are engaged in and the progress they are making. Yesterday afternoon, 5th graders from our Student Action Team made an announcement to the whole school over the PA system about the new-to-you outerwear drive, and in doing so, exemplified the caring, curious, courageous spirit of PS 154!
Next week we have an outdoor Klezmer Band performance to look forward to. Klezmer music originates from Ashkenazi Jewish culture in Central and Easteern Europe. What a great way to learn about a culture that is an important part of our city!
With our vaccination rate now over approaching 75%, and the weather getting colder, our safety committee convened this week to establish new lunchtime protocols, which will give students more choice and flexibility around where they eat. *Our new lunch plan applies to all students, regardless of vaccination status.*
Each lunch period includes 2 full grades (total of 150-160 students), and is split into 2 x 25 minute shifts. During these two shifts, one grade eats while the other grade plays, and then they switch, so that each grade gets time for eating and time for recess.
The main difference in our new plan is that all students will be given the choice to eat inside or outside. We will be taking the following precautions to make the cafeteria as safe as possible:
The PTA is working on and voting on the purchase of air purification units in the cafeteria in addition to the ones provided by the DOE.
Students will be encouraged to eat and then go play straight away, (rather than waiting until the end of their lunch shift as in previous years).
Students will be distanced in the cafeteria, and will be seated with students from their class.
Cafeteria windows and school yard doors will be open.
Students will still be allowed to eat outside if they choose, and they can use the picnic tables to do so. Any families who want their children to eat outside should discuss this with their children, and make sure their children know they should go outside to eat.
In cases of extreme weather (precipitation, strong wind, extreme cold), all students will take shifts eating indoors and going to the MMR for indoor recess.
Please reach out to me with any questions.
Thank you!
Leila
SCHOOL PICTURES
If you missed Picture Day or would like a retake, you can sign up to be photographed during makeup day HERE. PLEASE NOTE: RETAKE DAY HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED AND WILL NOW TAKE PLACE ON 12/16.
To place your order, find out about deadlines, estimated arrivals, retakes and more, please visit our school's Picture Day page: https://iloveschoolpictures.com/PS154
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
Eli Smith = PS154EliSmit
DID YOU KNOW that Stomping Ground donates a portion of the photo package proceeds to our PTA fund? Be sure to buy your prints by the final order deadline on January 10th!
COVID TESTING POP-UP
The COVID testing van will be set up outside of PS 154 Thursday, 12/23, from 7:30–9:30am. Registration is suggested, but walk-ups are also accepted! Register HERE!
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 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
Please join us for this month’s virtual PTA General Meeting on December 15th at 6:30pm.
Zoom link: https://nycdoe.zoom.us/j/89590415189?pwd=cE0yQW50QnhDNnltQUFLYkJkbTRHZz09
Meeting ID: 895 9041 5189
Passcode: 690174
Please reach out to pta_info@ps154.org if you're interested or want more information on how to get involved with the PTA. Please remember we cannot run our school without volunteers!
FUNDRAISERS
WINTER FAIR{GROUND} is now THIS SUNDAY from 1–4 PM!
**Folks who preorder your tickets before the Saturday 12pm deadline should enter through the Sherman Street gate. Your tickets will be handed to you upon entry. Those who still need to buy tickets should enter at Windsor Place.**
We still need A TON of volunteers to make the fair run smoothly! Please sign up for a shift HERE.
Purchase tickets and cookie kits, and sign up for a cook-off HERE. *NOTE: The deadline for cookie kit orders is TODAY at 5pm! And the ticket order deadline is tomorrow at 12pm.*
Help expedite Vaccine Screening at the entrances: Get the NYC COVID Safe App to keep your whole family’s vaccine info within reach: Android | iOS.
Your Bake Sale goodies will help us raise even more money for the PTA! (Store bought is totally okay too!) Please drop them off between 12 and 1 on Sunday.
The 2021 holiday season is here, and it’s the perfect time to raise funds for the PS 154 PTA simply by shopping at participating vendors!
Minted: Order holiday cards + custom gifts at 20% off, and Minted will donate 15% of each purchase to our PTA!
Share our unique code with friends, family, and on social media as early as you can! FUNDRAISEPS154WTS
Shutterfly: Order seasonal and special occasions items through our dedicated storefront HERE, and 8% of all proceeds will be donated to our school!
Foley Firs:
COMMUNITY
CAMP FRIENDSHIP’S HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE
The toy drive is up and running! Click HERE for details!
FREE AFTER-SCHOOL BASKETBALL PROGRAM
Grade 3–5 Families: Learn about a FREE after-school basketball program with South Brooklyn Basketball Academy here!
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING WORKSHOP
The MS 839 PTA would like to invite you to a workshop (on Zoom) next Thursday, December 16, from 6-7 PM entitled How to Effectively Engage Youth Around Issues of Race and Social Justice.
This is the second in the workshop series, however, attendance at the first workshop is NOT required to attend this event. It's an ongoing conversation that we are having in our community and we invite all with an open heart to jump into the conversation with us! PDFs of the event flier are attached. Please feel free to share them + the RSVP link with your friends and families.
Spanish interpreting will be available.
