PTA Newsletter No. 13 - 3/26/23
Dear BNS Families,
Dear BNS Families,
A reminder to all: The NYC School Survey needs to be completed by each family by March 31st. Filling out this survey helps BNS's DOE school rating - we need all families to complete the survey! More information here.
Your BNS PTA
Standardized testing season is coming up soon! Will your family opt out? Testing Opt Out Q&A This Tuesday 3/28 6-7 p.m. on Zoom
- Will opting-out affect Middle School?
- Shouldn’t my child practice taking tests?
- How can I know where my child stacks up against other children?
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://NewSchool.zoom.us/j/99625245216?pwd=RDJ2bHB4ZHBVUWhzOVozZE1YYjZzdz09
Meeting ID: 996 2524 5216 Password: PAC
Each 3rd-5th grade family can make a choice about whether their child will take the New York State English Language Arts and Math exams coming up in April and May. All parents have the right to refuse these state tests. In previous years, over 90% of BNS parents have chosen to refuse or opt their children out of the tests. Those choices have empowered BNS teachers to engage in the kind of inquiry and project-based learning that we all know and love. If you would like to opt your child out, please fill out this form.
PTA Meeting This Tuesday 3/28 at 8:20 - Learn About Literacy Across the Grades
Come to the Art Room (Room 105 B) this Tuesday for our monthly PTA meeting. Join the BNS literacy team to hear more about how reading and writing concepts and skills are developed through the grades.
This Weekend's Makerfest Was a Smashing Success!
Thanks to all the volunteers and staff who went above and beyond from both BNS and PS29, as well as Mixteca and KoKoNYC!
Parking Etiquette at BNS
Please remember you are part of a community - hundreds of other parents and children and the neighbors around 610 Henry.
Remember
- Do not park at the barricades. Your car may block an emergency vehicle.
- Do not double park in front of our school building. A double parked car blocked an ambulance in the fall carrying a neighbor on Rapelye Street to the hospital.
- Do not block the crosswalks when you park. We have no crossing guard to help families navigate Henry Street right now, so it's especially important to leave the crosswalks open.
Let's not be selfish; let's be kind and generous.
The BNS Green and Food Committees Have Joined Forces!
Here is a little about why we are here...to work towards a more sustainable, green, and healthy school.
BNS has an eco-casita, (that has a green roof), rain barrels, gardens, decorated tree pits, chickens, green studio, recycling bins in classrooms, and hallways, recycling at most major school events, compost collection and composting, Ecorama (BNS's earth day), farm stand, in-class cooking activities and more. We need your help to keep this and more going and also would love to hear and work on new ideas that you may bring.
Come join us, and build an even more green and healthy school environment. We aim to have monthly in-person meetings usually at dismissal time, 2:45pm. Stay Tuned!
Join BNS Adult Chorus on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.
Whether you've sung in choir before or only sing in the shower, you are welcome to join us at the BNS Adult Chorus - every Wednesday from 4:30 - 5:15! During chorus, we do physical and vocal warm-ups, tuning exercises, rehearse 2 and 3-part songs, and most of all - have fun! Some of the songs we are currently singing include "Over the Rainbow", "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Hey Jude", "Pure Imagination", and "Wanting Memories". Your children are welcome to attend and sing along as well.
Band Fundraising Raffle and Spring Band Share This Wednesday 3/29!
Band Fundraising Raffle - please buy tickets to see if your family can win a Chocolate Tasting with Belgian Chocolatier Genevieve Louloup, of ChocoMotions!
We are raffling off tickets at school dismissal on Wednesdays, at band dismissal on Wed., and online: click here for the Konstella donate link for Konstella members, use this link for family / friends who want to contribute who are not part of BNS Konstella! (Click "donate" for the option to tell us how many tix you are buying.)
- $5/ticket or 5 tickets for $25.
LOOKING AHEAD
Bookmark the 2022–2023 DOE school calendar here. BNS events and important dates are also on the Konstella calendar.
Tues, Mar 28: PTA General Meeting, 8:30 a.m., Room 105B (art room)
Tues Mar 28: Testing Opt Out Q&A, 6 p.m., Zoom
Wed, Mar 29: BNS Band Spring Share, 4:30 p.m.
Thurs, Apr 6-Fri, Apr 14: Spring Break, No School
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)
Contact the 2022–2023 BNS PTA at pta2022@bns146.org
