PTA Newsletter N.9 - 1/22/23
Dear BNS Families,
We have had a busy January, with bake sales, movie nights, and more. Plus, we are already starting to plan for spring events like our next movie night 3/10, annual Makerfest 3/25, Spring Fling in May (TBD), and Family Dance Party 6/2. Read more below, and consider getting involved!
Click here for Diane and Malika's Letter
Sincerely,
Your BNS PTA
Pre-K Application Opens This Week
If you have a younger child ready for pre-K, get ready to apply. Be sure to list your older child on your application to qualify for the sibling priority. For more information, click here.
Save the Date for Makerfest March 25th 2023!
On Saturday, March 25th, BNS will hold its annual Makerfest. Families are invited to participate in arts and craft, STEM and cooking activities. There will also be a clothing swap, bake sale, and merch sale! Let us know if you would like to lead an activity - from woodworking to robotics to printmaking to friendship bracelets. If you aren't crafty, there are tons of other ways to help with set-up, sales, and organization. Sign up here!
Annual Appeal
Every year, the parents and friends of the Brooklyn New School make tax-deductible donations to supplement the funds provided by the DOE. While public schools remain underfunded, the BNS community creates a bridge through our year-round fundraising. The funds we raise together go towards experiential, hands-on learning that focuses on children's individual needs and interests. Funds raised by the PTA go directly to pay for our science teachers, our performing arts programs, school, office, art and science supplies, professional development for our faculty, our farming and garden program, and many, many other resources that give our students such a rich educational experience.
Our school still relies on the vital funds raised by BNS families. We are asking every family to set up a monthly contribution as they are able. Recurring donations are valuable because they are predictable revenue the PTA can rely on when calculating how much supplemental fundraising will be needed to cover our commitments to school support.
Please contribute what you can; every dollar counts and we are grateful for each family's contribution!
SLT Meeting Monday, 1/23, 4:30 PM on Zoom
The School Leadership Team (SLT) is a group of parents, teachers and administrators who gather for monthly meetings to discuss topics that are currently engaging the BNS community. The primary job of the SLT is to oversee and participate in reports about the school’s Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP) goals, which are set at the end of a school year. Learn more about the SLT - including ways to get involved. The Zoom link can be found on this Konstella page.
PTA Meeting Tuesday, 1/24, 8:20 AM, Room 105B
Please join the PTA Meeting this Tuesday at 8:20 a.m. in person in the Art Studio (105B). We'll be talking about Makerfest, the Spring Fling/Auction, and other upcoming events.
BNS PTA Merch Shop - New Gear in Stock!
The BNS PTA Merch Shop is back with new Winter gear!
Show your school spirit and help pay for all of the enrichment programs from BAX, Music, Science, field trips and more!
Purchase here and we will deliver to your child's classroom to bring home in their backpack. Please remember to put their name, their teacher's name and their classroom number in the notes. Thank you!
Needs in the BNS Counseling Space
We would love it if there are any donations of (gently used) throw pillows, meditation cushions, or decorative pillows for our calming corner. We also welcome any fabric/tapestries and clothespins. We also need double AA and triple AAA batteries (or rechargeable batteries). We are also looking for magnet tiles, floor lamps, & playdough (or art supplies).
Donations can be left in the main office marked for the Counseling Space.
How can you help?
Lost and Found Volunteers Needed
We are looking for volunteers to take 5-10 minutes on Wednesdays and Fridays either am or pm to spruce up the content of the Lost and Found shed. You can volunteer directly on the Lost & Found Social group on Konstella for a single week or multiple weeks.
Join Adult Chorus
Please come! This is not a chorus for people who are 'singers,' it is a chorus for PEOPLE. Please come and sing, and don't worry if you can't carry a tune to save your life - that's the point, to sing together in community because it feels good and we are all learning together.
Wednesdays, 4:30-5:15 in Room 213.
Enter the building at the main entrance on Henry St. and 4th Place.
Mindfulness for Families Thursday Mornings
If you haven't gotten the chance to check out Mindfulness for Families on Thursday mornings 8:30-9:30, you should give it a try! It's a great way to center yourself and bring home strategies for your whole family. Please note, Mindfulness for Families will now meet in the Art Room (105B), not the Lower Gym.
DOE's School COVID Policy
If your child tests positive for COVID, please email dandm@bns146.org as soon as possible. Anyone who tests positive needs to stay home for at least 5 days after the positive test or start of symptoms. Anyone who tests positive must have improved symptoms and must continue to wear a mask through day 10.
BNS will notify all families in a class impacted by a case, whether a student or a staff member tests positive. We will also send home 2 home test kits with each member of the classroom. Current DOE/DOH policy prompts families to test children on day 4 and day 5 after exposure. Children do not need to stay home after exposure as long as they are symptom-free. It is strongly recommended that anyone exposed to COVID wear a mask for 10 days after exposure.
You can check the DOE's COVID Safety website for updates about these policies:
LOOKING AHEAD:
Bookmark the 2022–2023 DOE school calendar here. BNS events and important dates are also on the Konstella calendar.
Mon, Jan 23: SLT (School Leadership Team) Meeting, 4:30pm, Diane’s Zoom Room
Mon, Jan 23: DEI Meeting, 5:30pm, contact jade.c.h@gmail.comfor details
Tues, Jan 24: PTA Meeting, 8:20 a.m. IN PERSON in the Art Studio (Room 105B, first floor)
Wed, Jan 26: Annual BNS/BCS Building Safety Meeting, , 3:15pm on Zoom
Mon, Jan 30: Spring After school Workshops Begin
Fri, Feb 3: Bake Sale
BNS PTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, 2022–2023
MAHSHAD HALL, Co-President, Mom to Ruby (1st grade)
CHRISTIAN LEUE, Co-President, Dad to Max (Kindergarten)
KRYSTINA ATHAS, Co-Treasurer, mom to Alexander & Liam (4th & 2nd grade)
HANNAH LANE, Recording Secretary, mom to Leo (pre-K)
JESSICA SMITH, Correspondence Secretary, mom to Henry (1st grade)
ELYSE NEIMAN SEITER, Social Media Co-Chair, mom to Aidan (5th grade) & Lola (BNS grad)
MERVE KAYAN, Social Media Co-Chair, mom to Leyla (2nd grade)
HANNAH NUDELL, Communications Co-Chair, mom to Eliza & Gideon (4th grade & Kindergarten)
AMY OSEKOWSKY DAVIS, Communications Co-Chair, mom to Emily Davis (Pre-K)
MAGGIE ROSS NEWVILLE, Class Parent Coordinator, mom to Axel & Magnus (3rd grade & BNS grad)
SARA KRAVIG GABLE, Fundraising Co-Chair, mom to Captain (1st grade)
ELENA TATE, Fundraising Co-Chair, mom to Hans (1st grade)
CATHERINE HELLEUX, mom to Bretton (1st grade)
TANICA GORDON, mom to Josiah (1st grade)
