PTA Newsletter No. 1 - 9/17/23
Dear BNS Families,
Welcome to the 2023–2024 school year at BNS! We hope you and your family have had an enjoyable summer and are ready to come together for an amazing year of learning and community.
The start of school brings new teachers, new classrooms, and of course, new friends. The first few weeks of school will focus on building our classroom communities and adjusting to new routines.
Here’s our first BNS PTA newsletter hot off the press. As always, it’s packed with lots of important info. We know you get a ton of emails, so this newsletter attempts to bring you everything you need to know in one easy-to-find place. Make it your “not to be missed” bi-weekly read if you can. Please join us for our in-person PTA meeting on Tuesday, September 19th at 8:20 a.m. in the cafeteria. Again, a very warm and big welcome to the BNS school community!
Sincerely,
Your BNS PTA
Please Fill Out All Forms
BNS PERMISSIONS
Every family should fill out the BNS permission forms for walking trips, library access, and more here.
INCOME VERIFICATION
To receive the federal, state, and city funds BNS is entitled to, we need every family to fill out the annual income verification form (formerly known as the lunch form). Our school DBN is 15K146.
⭐NO SCHOOL NEXT MONDAY⭐
All NYC public schools will be closed on Monday, September 25 in observance of Yom Kippur.
Register for the AfterSchool Program
Our regular AfterSchool program is available every day for all children who attend Brooklyn New School (grades pre-K through 5). Younger and older students are separated into smaller groups, making the program more developmentally appropriate for all children. Each afternoon will include a snack, outdoor free play, and quiet time for homework or choice time.
Register here. For more information, pricing, and scholarship info, click here.
Contact Shalisha at shalisha@bns146.org with questions.
Join Konstella for School Communications
Konstella is a private app for the BNS community, which includes families, teachers, staff, and administrators. Konstella is a closed system—no one can login or create an account without administrator approval. This is the primary way you’ll receive school information. You can use Konstella from your computer or download the app to your phone. If you don’t register for Konstella, you will still receive school messages to your regular email address, but using Konstella will let you control how and when you receive notifications.
ON THE WEB: To get started with Konstella, go to the website at www.KONSTELLA.com and select ‘Find Your School’ in the upper right hand corner. Complete the form!
MOBILE APP: To register for the mobile app – download the iOS or Android App Konstella, tap on “join” in your confirmation email.
ALREADY ON KONSTELLA? Make sure to update your child(ren)’s classroom(s) in your Konstella settings so you can receive classroom and grade level communications.
Volunteer for the PTA
As the parent or guardian of a BNS student, you are already a member of the PTA—yes, you! The PTA organizes community events and fundraising opportunities to support our school. We are run by parent volunteers and we need your help! Getting involved with the PTA is a wonderful way to make a difference in our school and to support your child’s school experience.
If you’re interested in a leadership role, please reach out to pta2023@bns146.org. We have something for everyone, whether you’re a people person or a behind-the-scenes type, whether you have a lot of time or just a little.
The following positions are open:
- Social Media co-Coordinator
Remember, many hands make light work. We’re all in this together to help our children have a great school year at BNS!
Volunteer to Be a Class Parent
Thanks to all of you who have volunteered to serve as Class Parents for our heroic teachers! This volunteer role is a light lift and helps you to forge relationships with your teachers and class families. Some classes do not yet have Class Parents. This is a great opportunity for you to partner with your children's teachers and assist them throughout the year with communications and other needs. Please reach out to: Laura Wood (PTA Class Parent Coordinator),Shelley Bissessar (BNS Community Coordinator), and Amy Sumner (BNS Parent Coordinator) to volunteer to be a Class Parent! Thank you!
New Families Partnership
New to BNS and looking for someone more experienced to talk to? New Families Partnership is a buddy system that provides a supportive network where new BNS parents are matched with returning BNS parents. This ensures that parents new to our school have the option to buddy up with a parent they can go to for questions and support. If you'd like to sign up, as either a new parent or a returning parent who is willing to help a new family navigate the BNS world, go to tinyurl.com/BNSnewfamilies and fill out the short form. You'll be matched with another BNS parent via email and you both take it from there!
Social Media
BNS is on Social Media! Follow us and stay informed on all BNS happenings. Find us on Instagram (@thebrooklynnewschool) and Facebook (TheBrooklynNewSchool). We are always looking to source and post great photos of your kids involved with BNS activities, so feel free to email them anytime to the Social Media Team: Photos@bns146.org.
Donate to the Annual Appeal
While public schools remain underfunded, the BNS community creates a bridge through our year-round fundraising. BNS believes in reasonable class sizes, diverse curriculum and well-rounded education. The funds we raise together go towards experiential, hands-on learning that focuses on children's individual needs and interests.
School supplies (projectors, cameras, copy paper, pens, ink-jet cartridges, pencils, and more), Farm Study, Science, Brooklyn Art Exchange, Sustainability Program, Spanish-Enrichment Classes (K-5), Substitute Teachers, Math Workshops, Graduation Festivities, Arts Materials, Teacher Training, Library (new books and technology updates, and Intervention.
If your family can afford to give financially, your generosity will directly create the education and the future we want for our kids. Please consider setting up monthly giving, which gives our administrators a dependable source of funds throughout the school year.
This link takes you to the Annual Appeal donation page on Konstella.
If your family can afford to donate time, please contact the PTA co-presidents, Elena and Christian to hear about the wide variety of needs and opportunities to serve in our community.
Whatever your family is able to contribute, know that you are welcome and appreciated at BNS.
LOOKING AHEAD
Bookmark the 2023–2024 DOE school calendar here. BNS events and important dates are also on the Konstella calendar.
September 18-21: BNS/BCS Book Fair in the Health Studio (Room 124)
September 19: PTA Meeting (in-person, 8:20am, Cafeteria)
September 20: BNS Farmstand (2:00pm on Rapelye St)
September 25: No School (Yom Kippur)
September 28: Class Parent Breakfast (8:20-9:30am in School Library, Room 401)
September 30: BNS/BCS Unityfest (11:00am-3:00pm in the Big Yard)
October 4/5: Band Program Starts (K-5)
October 9: No School (Indigenous People’s Day)
October 17: PTA Meeting (zoom, 7:30-8:30pm)
BNS PTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, 2023–2024
CHRISTIAN LEUE, Co-President, Dad to Max (1st grade)
ELENA TATE, Co-President
KRYSTINA ATHAS, Co-Treasurer, mom to Alexander & Liam (5th & 3nd grade)
HANNAH LANE, Recording Secretary, mom to Leo (pre-K)
MERVE KAYAN, Social Media Co-Chair, mom to Leyla (2nd grade)
HANNAH NUDELL, Communications Chair, mom to Eliza & Gideon (5th grade & 1st Grade)
AMY OSENKOWSKY DAVIS, Communications Co-Chair & Fundraising Co-Chair, mom to Emily (Pre-K)
SARA KRAVIG GABLE, Fundraising Co-Chair, mom to Captain (2nd grade)
NIKA WHITEHEAD-CLARKE, Fundraising Co-Chair, mom to Nicquel (2nd grade)
ABBY COOVER, Newsletter Chair, mom to Valen, Varro & Vesper (toddler, 5th grade & BNS Grad)
LAURA WOOD, Class Parent Coordinator, mom to Phoebe & Sally (4th grade & 1st grade)
NILI OHAYON, Farm Stand Coordinator, mom to Livia (2nd grade)
CORISSA TRANI, Web Master, mom to Logan (Kindergarten)
PATTY LIN, Web Master, mom to Deren (Kindergarten)
CLARA PLANEL, Web Master, mom to Olivia (Kindergarten)
TARYN ORGAN, Community Engagement Artist, mom to Azusa
CATHERINE HELLEUX, Sustainability Initiatives Co-Coordinator, mom to Bretton
LISA WALSH, Sustainability Initiatives Co-Coordinator, mom to Max
DIANDRA VERWAYNE, Member-at-Large, mom to Ethan (2nd Grade)
MAHSHAD VAKILI HALL, Member-at-Large, mom to Ruby (1st Grade)
ANDREA GRANDE-CAPONE, Face Painting Chairperson
EMILY DEL VALLE, Co-Chair, Events Committee
Contact the 2023–2024 BNS PTA at pta2023@bns146.org
