Friday Newsletter

Families — If your child will not be here on the last day of school, please give the Main Office a self-addressed postage paid envelope with your child’s name so they can send home the report card.
 
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
If you did not send Debby your email address so she can send your class assignments in August, she’ll contact you via snail mail. If you prefer email, email the following info to debbywattenbarger@gmail.com: Child’s Name, Current Class, Your Name, Email Address

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!!!

June 26 - Eid al Fitr - NO SCHOOL
June 26 - PS 154 at the Cyclones, 6pm - tickets
June 27 - Please check Lost & Found before you leave for summer!
June 28 - Last Day of School, 11:30am dismissal
 

BIKE LANE PROPOSAL — PASSED!

Thank you to Principal Havlik and parent activist Anne Lanier for your many months of effort to make our streets safer. And a huge thank you to the many other 154 parents and community members who took the time to go to meetings this past week at our school and the Greenwood Cemetery chapel to ensure the success of DOT’s new 10th and 11th Ave Bike Lane proposal, designed to slow traffic and make our streets safer. We did it! The proposal was approved by our Community Board 7 on Wednesday. Check out the plan here.
 

RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM TEACHER TRAINING — SCHEDULED!

Response Classroom, described by experts as one of the most “well-designed evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) programs” is coming to 154 in the 2017-18 school year, thanks to the Social and Emotional Experience (SEE) Committee of the School Leadership Team. The teacher training will take place Nov. 7-8, 2017 and June 6-7, 2018. Here are more details about the training. Our teachers, administration, staff and parents have worked so hard to realize this goal, and we couldn’t do it without YOU funding it.

HELP ART TEACHER MS. KELLY JUNE 29

If you’re available the day after school lets out, Thursday June 29, please consider spending an hour helping Ms. Kelly move art supplies from her room in the MMR into the regular classroom she will be occupy in September. Kids may pitch in, or hang out and draw while the grown ups work. Sign up here.

SCHOOL TOOLKITS — DEADLINE JUNE 30

You can order school supplies from Edukit now so you won’t have to do school shopping at the end of the summer, and your child’s supplies will be delivered right to the classroom. Plus, part of your payment benefits the PTA. Ordering a toolkit is not mandatory! You will get a list of the items in August if you prefer to buy on your own.
 

A REMINDER FOR SUMMER: SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL WHILE YOU SHOP!

This August when you're doing your back-to-school shopping, don't forget about our "free money" fundraisers:
 
AMAZON SMILE: Use this link instead of the regular Amazon site and they will donate a portion of your purchase to our school. Be sure to bookmark the link and use it every time you shop. And feel free to tell relatives and friends who might want to contribute as well!
 
MABEL'S LABELS: These personalized, dishwasher- and washer/dryer-safe labels will keep your kid's clothes, containers, backpack, and lunchbox from going missing. And, if you click "Support a Fundraiser" on the top right corner of the page and select PS 154 Brooklyn, they'll donate 20% of the sale to our school!

FATHER’S DAY COOKIE SALE THANK YOU

Thank you to 1st grade dad Alex Costas for single-handedly selling hundreds of cookies to benefit our school last Friday. Thank you also to Meg Moorhouse for the awesome designs. And thank you, PS 154 families, for your generosity with this fundraiser! We cleared more than $2,000 that will benefit the school via PTA-sponsored programs.
 
If you find yourself in need of beautifully designed, delicious cookies, Eleni’s Cookies, the bakery that gave our school the cookies at a great discount, has given us a coupon code, “PS154” which will give you a 10% discount on any order between now and next June.

FIFTH GRADE GRADUATION LIP SYNC PERFORMANCES

Our beloved 5th grade teachers, Assistant Principal Michael Buckley, and Principal Eric Havlik went all out for our graduates. Check out clips from the graduation performances here and here! Thank you parent Eric Harris for the videography.

THANK YOU!

It has been my honor to serve as your PTA president. Thank you to our committed and creative exec board for rolling up their sleeves, trying new things, and getting SO much done in partnership with our wonderful school administration. Have a beautiful summer!
 
Jodi Harris

FRIDAY NEWSLETTER

Please note, the most recent lunch bills went home in backpacks this week. Payments by check or cash must be received by 6/23/17. Or pay online here: MySchoolBucks
 
Frazzled by fractions and other math related problems? We are happy to tell you that help is on way! As a part of PS 154’s Algebra for All grant, the school purchased copies of It’s Elementary: A Parent’s Guide to K-5 Mathematics for every K-4 family. Look out for your family copy of the book coming home in backpacks soon.

NEXT WEEK

June 19 - 4th Grade Hip-Hop Share, 9am
June 19 - Community Board 7 Meeting at PS 154 6:30pm details
June 20 - 5th Grade Graduation (Bishop Ford)
June 21 - New Kindergarten Parent Orientation, 9am in the MMR
June 21 - 5th Grade v. Staff Kickball Game Rescheduled, 9am in the School Yard
June 22 - K-101 & K-201 Stepping Up, 9am (MMR)
June 23 - K-110 & K-210 Stepping Up, 9am (MMR)
June 23 - 5th Grade Class Picnic

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!!!

June 26 - Eid al Fitr - NO SCHOOL
June 26 - PS 154 at the Cyclones, 6pm
June 27 - Please check Lost & Found before you leave for summer!
June 28 - Last Day of School, 11:30am Dismissal
 

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 - BIKE LANE VOTE (TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE)
MON, JUNE 19 @ 6:30PM IN THE PS 154 MMR 

Our Community Board 7 will meet at PS 154 THIS COMING MONDAY for a presentation by the DOT on the proposed bike lanes for 10th & 11th Aves. Are you a PS154 family that lives on 11th or 10th Ave? Please contact Anne Lanier ASAP at annelanier@gmail.com.

Following the presentation and comments from the public, the committee will vote to approve the bike lanes – which will then go to a vote by the full committee 2 days later on Wednesday, June 21st.

Last fall, more than 500 of you signed a petition to encourage the DOT to enact traffic calming measures.  This bike lane proposal is a direct result of activism by our school community for the safety of our children.  However, the bike lane still requires a vote from our local community board.  If you happen to live on 10th Ave or 11th Ave, your voice will be particularly important to the committee.  

As bike lanes remain unpopular with some people in our district, we expect to hear strong opposition.  But there is good news for all!  Here's what the bike lanes will bring to Windsor Terrace:

1. We will not lose a single parking space on either avenue.  In fact we will gain up to 19 spaces as the DOT will add parking on the bridge.

2. Bike lanes will narrow the avenues, which will reduce speeding and accidents.

3. Bike lanes will improve safety and accessibility for all bikers, big and small.

4. The project implementation is quick and painless to the community.

5. This project has the full support of both Council Member Brad Lander and Assembly Member Robert Carroll.

We hope to see you on the 19th! Questions or ideas? Please contact Anne Lanier annelanier@gmail.com

BUY MABEL'S LABELS FOR CAMP & BENEFIT PS 154

Shopping for camp? Don't forget your Mabel's Labels. These personalized, dishwasher- and washer/dryer-safe labels will keep your kid's clothes, containers, backpack, and lunchbox from going missing. And, if you click "Support a Fundraiser" on the top right corner of the page and select PS 154 Brooklyn, they'll donate 20% of the sale to our school!

6/22 DIVERSITY COMMITTEE MEETING CANCELED

Unfortunately, due to conflicting schedules, we have to cancel the 6/22 full-group meeting. However, Committee Chairperson Nicole Cartagna will send out an all-school mailing summarizing what the committee has been up to soon! Please reach out to Nicole Cartagna at ps154pta.diversity@gmail.com if you’d like to get more involved.

FRIDAY NEWSLETTER - CYCLONES DEADLINE EXTENDED, TALENT SHOW PHOTOS, CHESS TOURNAMENT WINNERS, AND MORE!

June is busy! Check the school calendar so you don’t miss anything!

No school for students on Monday, June 12. Enjoy the long weekend!

NEXT WEEK

June 12 - Clerical Day - No School for Students
June 13 - PTA Exec Board Meeting (Home of Jodi Harris)
June 14 - 5th Grade v. Teacher Kickball Game
June 15 - 5th Grade Ballroom Performance, 6pm at K-280
June 16 - 2nd Grade NYC Performance, 9am
June 16 - Father’s Day Cookie Sale details

COMING UP

June 19 - 4th Grade Hip-Hop Share, 9am
June 19 - Community Board 7 Meeting at PS154, 6:30pm details
June 20 - 5th Grade Graduation (Bishop Ford)
June 22 - Diversity Committee, 6:30pm
June 22 - K-101 & K-201 Stepping Up
June 23 - K-110 & K-210 Stepping Up
June 23 - 5th Grade Class Picnic
June 26 - Eid al Fitr - No School
June 26 - PS 154 at the Cyclones, 6pm details
June 28 - Last Day of School, 11:30am Dismissal

ORDER MASCOT DESIGN TEES & SWEATSHIRTS FOR KIDS & ADULTS BY SUNDAY, JUNE 11!

By popular demand, we’ve made our PS 154 mascot shirt design available for special order. Order adult tees, kids’ tees and sweatshirts by THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 11, and we’ll deliver to your child by the end of the school year! Order here.

PS 154’S 2ND ANNUAL FATHER'S DAY COOKIE SALE
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 8:20 AM – 4 PM

The sale is a great way to show appreciation for fathers — or anyone who deserves a treat — and raise some money for PTA programming! Each class will have the chance to shop the sale during the school day. Please consider sending your child in with some spending money. Cookies are $5 each and are kosher, peanut and tree nut free, and made in a peanut and tree nut free facility.
 

BROOKLYN CYCLONES - MORE TICKETS AVAILABLE!
MONDAY, JUNE 26

The deadline for paper form sales has passed, but you can order ONLINE until JUNE 14! We’ve sold so many tickets that Principal Havlik is invited to throw the first pitch!

5:30 pm Gate opens; 6:15 Pre-game “School Spirit Parade” around the field, 7:00 pm GAME TIME!

Buy tix online at https://groupmatics.events/ using code “Windsor.”
Questions? Danny Segelin, Cyclones Game Organizer dsegelin@gmail.com

AFTER SCHOOL TALENT SHOW

We were so proud to see so many of the kids involved in our After School program participate in the talent show last weekend. From singing and dancing, storytelling, and rollerskating, the kids displayed such courage, poise, and skill. Thank you to Barbara McGouran, Heather Swain, Coach Sean, Miss Hannah and all of the After School program instructors for organizing! Some great pics from PS 154 dad Jason Roth are here.
 

2nd-3rd grade winner, Jeremy Oppenzato

CHESS TOURNAMENT WRAP UP

Thank you to parent Tina March and PS 154’s chess instructor, Jairo Moreira, for organizing another great chess tournament for the kids last weekend! Big congratulations to our winners — your skills, focus, and determination paid off!

Kindergarten: Brian Lam and Benjamin Colt
1st Graders: Jonah Barazani, Carter Shapiro and  Hayden OConnor
2nd-3rd: Jeremy Oppenzato
4th-5th: Kento Carrera

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 - BIKE LANE VOTE (Transportation Committee)
JUNE 19 @ 6:30pm in the PS 154 MMR 

Our Community Board 7 will meet at PS 154 THIS COMING MONDAY for a presentation by the DOT on the proposed bike lanes for 10th & 11th Aves. Are you a PS154 family that lives on 11th or 10th Ave? Please contact Anne Lanier ASAP at annelanier@gmail.com.

Following the presentation and comments from the public, the committee will vote to approve the bike lanes – which will then go to a vote by the full committee 2 days later on Wednesday, June 21st.

Last fall, more than 500 of you signed a petition to encourage the DOT to enact traffic calming measures.  This bike lane proposal is a direct result of activism by our school community for the safety of our children.  However, the bike lane still requires a vote from our local community board.  If you happen to live on 10th Ave or 11th Ave, your voice will be particularly important to the committee.  

As bike lanes remain unpopular with some people in our district, we expect to hear strong opposition.  But there is good news for all!  Here's what the bike lanes will bring to Windsor Terrace:

1. We will not lose a single parking space on either avenue.  In fact we will gain up to 19 spaces as the DOT will add parking on the bridge.

2. Bike lanes will narrow the avenues, which will reduce speeding and accidents.

3. Bike lanes will improve safety and accessibility for all bikers, big and small.

4. The project implementation is quick and painless to the community.

5. This project has the full support of both Council Member Brad Lander and Assembly Member Robert Carroll.

We hope to see you on the 19th! Questions or ideas? Please contact Anne Lanier annelanier@gmail.com

AROUND THE CITY FUN & FREE

OUTDOORS FOR AUTISM
JUNE 10

You bring a blanket, we'll bring the fun! INCLUDEnyc invites you to our very first Outdoors for Autism.  Join us June 10th at Morningside Park from 11 AM - 3 PM for an afternoon of fun, entertainment, and connection. There will be sporting events, music, arts activities, informational resources, and more. Click here to register. Hope to see you there! Details

CENTRAL BROOKLYN ARTS & CULTURE WEEKEND
JUNE 10-11

The Central Brooklyn Arts & Culture Weekend begins with “Movie Night Under the Stars” on Saturday June 10th and ends on Sunday, June 11th with the main festival, which will start at the famed Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch at Grand Army Plaza and continue along the Eastern Parkway corridor from Flatbush Avenue to Washington Avenue. This route is home to the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, the spectacular Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the world-famed Brooklyn Museum, and Ronald E. McNair Park. Additionally, art, crafts, and featured performances will be provided by the Prospect Park Zoo, the Jewish Children’s Museum, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and the New York Aquarium. Details

Viewpoints: Latin America in Photographs

Visit the New York Public Library, Astor Hall to view over 100 images from the 1860s through the present. The exhibition, drawn exclusively from the Library’s immense Photography Collection, is the first devoted solely to the subject of Latin America. The exhibit is open until June 28th. Find out more here.

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FRIDAY NEWSLETTER - RACCOON GEAR FOR THE FAM, CYCLONES, AND MORE!

MAY & JUNE ARE BUSY! CHECK THE SCHOOL CALENDAR SO YOU DON’T MISS ANYTHING!

NEXT WEEK

June 4 - Chess Tournament
June 5 - 2nd Grade Author Visit
June 5 - 4th Grade Written Science Test
June 6 - K & 1 Armory Visit - Sign Up (We need more help at 10:40am)
June 6 - 2-203, 2-206, & 2-207 Music Concert, 9am
June 7 - 1st Grade Music Concert, 9am
June 8 - Anniversary Day (Student Non-Attendance Day)
June 9 - Artists by Any Other Name: Music & Dance Assembly sponsored by our PTA

COMING UP

June 12 - Clerical Day (Student Non-Attendance Day)
June 13 - PTA Exec Board Meeting (Home of Jodi Harris)
June 14 - 5th Grade v. Teacher Kickball Game (more details to follow)
June 15 - Ballroom Performance, 6pm at K280
June 16 - 2nd Grade NYC Performance, 9am
June 16 - Father’s Day Cookie Sale
June 19 - Community Board 7 Meeting at PS154
June 20 - 5th Grade Graduation
June 22 - Diversity Committee, 6:30pm
June 22 - K-101 & K-201 Stepping Up
June 23 - K-110 & K-210 Stepping Up
June 23 - 5th Grade Class Picnic
June 26 - Eid al Fitr (SCHOOL is CLOSED)
June 26 - PS 154 at the Cyclones 6pm
June 28 - Last Day of School - 11:30am Dismissal
 

SPECIAL ORDER! MASCOT DESIGN TEES & SWEATSHIRTS FOR KIDS & ADULTS

By popular demand, we’ve made our PS 154 mascot shirt design available for special order. Order adult tees, kids’ tees and sweatshirts by JUNE 11, and we’ll deliver to your child by the end of the school year! Order here.
 

BROOKLYN CYCLONES
MONDAY, JUNE 26

Payment due: WEDNESDAY JUNE 7

5:30 pm Gate opens; 6:15 Pre-game “School Spirit Parade” around the field, 7:00 pm GAME TIME!

Buy tix (1) online at https://groupmatics.events/ using code “Windsor” or (2) via payment form via check to “PTA of PS 154 Brooklyn, Inc.” or CC (NO cash!). Don’t forget your child’s name & class, and return your envelope with form and payment to your teacher or main office.

$17/person (please add $2.57 per ticket when using CC).

If you are NOT able to provide payment via check or CC, contact Debby at DWattenbarger@schools.nyc.gov

Thanks, and see you at the game!
Danny Segelin, Cyclones Game Organizer (dsegelin@gmail.com)

CAMP SUMMER FRIENDSHIP AT PS 154 - NOW OPEN TO RISING 2nd GRADERS

OPEN TO KIDS FROM ALL SCHOOLS

A summer camp for rising Kindergartners, 1st and 2nd graders. Daily activities include art, music, nature walks in the park, playground games, and dynamic movement, all designed to help young campers practice the social skills that are so important for school readiness -- and have a great time! Lead counselors are experienced instructors and professional teaching artists from PS 154 and the PS 154 After-School Program.

MONDAY - FRIDAY, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Details here 
 

PTA AND SLT ELECTION RESULTS

Thank you to those who came out to review our 2017-2018 proposed PTA budget and vote in the PTA 2017-18 board and new SLT Members. 6 more members-at-large will be elected in the fall. There are still so many more ways to get involved? Check out our Help Wanted listings.

PTA Exec Board members for 2017-18 are:
Zoë Kashner, President; Nicole Brier, President Elect; Lisa Rochlin, Recording Secretary; Alexandra Meeks, Chair of Operations; Pacts Cartagna, Treasurer; Amy May, Treasurer-Elect; Crystal Orraca, Chair of Fundraising; Maggie Ross Newville, Chair of Events; Sarah Kagan, Chair of Events Elect; Meg Moorhouse, Chair of Marketing; Jodi Harris, Chair of Auctions and Sponsorships; Amy Gleeson, Chair of After School; Teri Roth, Membership Coordinator; Willy Schwenzfeier, Chair of Technology, and Jenny Robinson-Hartley, Chair of Programs.

SLT Parent Members for 2017-18 are:
Anne Lanier, Gretchen Aguiar, and Erin Mears (2nd year members); and Jane Bliss Birk, Geoff Debery, and Jesse Farrell (1st year members).

EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT (ESSA) PUBLIC HEARING
JUNE 6, 6-8:30PM

Prospect Heights Educational Campus, 883 Classon Ave

Several PS 154 parents are meeting up at 154 at 5:15 pm to travel to the hearing together. Questions? Email 154 dad Geoff DeBery at gdebery@gmail.com.

ESSA is the Obama administration's signature education law that was developed to replace No Child Left Behind. It allows states to craft their own “state plan” detailing education policy reforms and specifying how those reforms tie into federal funding. This is an important opportunity for New York State to enhance Social Emotional Learning (SEL) by incorporating goals that articulate a well-rounded vision of student success and providing professional development to increase educator capacity for SEL.

The New York State Education Department drafted a plan and is holding hearings across the state over the coming weeks to give parents an opportunity to learn more about it and to provide public comments that may shape future revisions. For more information, click here. For more information about SEL and ESSA, click here.

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 - BIKE LANE VOTE (Transportation Committee)
JUNE 19 @ 6:30pm in the MMR at PS 154

Mark your calendars. Our Community Board 7 will meet at PS 154 for a presentation by the DOT on the proposed bike lanes for 10th & 11th Aves.  Following the presentation and comments from the public, the committee will vote to approve the bike lanes – which will then go to a vote by the full committee 2 days later on Wednesday, June 21st.

Last fall, more than 500 of you signed a petition to encourage the DOT to enact traffic calming measures.  This bike lane proposal is a direct result of activism by our school community for the safety of our children.  However, the bike lane still requires a vote from our local community board.  If you happen to live on 10th Ave or 11th Ave, your voice will be particularly important to the committee.  

As bike lanes remain unpopular with some people in our district, we expect to hear strong opposition.  But there is good news for all!  Here's what the bike lanes will bring to Windsor Terrace:

1. We will not lose a single parking space on either avenue.  In fact we will gain up to 19 spaces as the DOT will add parking on the bridge.
2. Bike lanes will narrow the avenues, which will reduce speeding and accidents.
3. Bike lanes will improve safety and accessibility for all bikers, big and small.
4. The project implementation is quick and painless to the community.
5. This project has the full support of both Council Member Brad Lander and Assembly Member Robert Carroll.

We hope to see you on the 19th! Questions or ideas? Please contact Anne Lanier annelanier@gmail.com

AROUND THE CITY FUN & FREE

WORLD SCIENCE FESTIVAL

The World Science Festival is celebrating its 10th Anniversary on May 30 to June 4, 2017, and we want you to join us! Explore New York City’s waterways, gaze at the stars in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and let your inner scientist out at our FREE Youth and Family Events. There’s something for everyone in every borough!
WSF Family Flyer
WSF Fish Count Flyer

SUMMER READING KICKOFF CELEBRATION AT THE BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY
JUNE 9

Summer Reading at Brooklyn Public Library kicks off on Thursday, June 9 (when children are off from school), with FREE, fun activities and entertainment from 10 am - 3:30 pm on the Central Library Plaza. Get in the Game as the plaza will be transformed into a game playground featuring a live chess game and a variety of games for all ages. Details

OUTDOORS FOR AUTISM
JUNE 10

You bring a blanket, we'll bring the fun! INCLUDEnyc invites you to our very first Outdoors for Autism.  Join us June 10th at Morningside Park from 11 AM - 3 PM for an afternoon of fun, entertainment, and connection. There will be sporting events, music, arts activities, informational resources, and more. Click here to register. Hope to see you there! Details

CENTRAL BROOKLYN ARTS & CULTURE WEEKEND
JUNE 10-11

The Central Brooklyn Arts & Culture Weekend begins with “Movie Night Under the Stars” on Saturday June 10th and ends on Sunday, June 11th with the main festival, which will start at the famed Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch at Grand Army Plaza and continue along the Eastern Parkway corridor from Flatbush Avenue to Washington Avenue. This route is home to the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, the spectacular Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the world-famed Brooklyn Museum, and Ronald E. McNair Park. Additionally, art, crafts, and featured performances will be provided by the Prospect Park Zoo, the Jewish Children’s Museum, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and the New York Aquarium. Details