PTA Newsletter No. 5 - 3/17/2025
It's March! The excitement of the start of the school year has faded and we're not yet into the excitement of the end of the school year. The weather is up and down. There is a lot going on in the world (to say the least). Given all of that, it makes sense that attendance at PTA meetings is down and committee chairs are struggling to find volunteers.
But we NEED you! We need you even if you have never helped out at school before. We need you even if you don't know anyone on the PTA. We need you even if you don't think you have the right skills. We need you even if you only have an hour to give.
At the beginning of the year, we asked every caregiver to plan to give 8 hours of their time this year to the school. So many of you have done that and more - thank you! If you're still looking for ways to volunteer, check out bns146.org/volunteer, email BNSPTA2024@bns146.org, or join the BNS Volunteer Corps on Konstella (under “Committees”) to get notifications about opportunities to help.
Thank you for being part of this community. We are stronger because of you.
Sincerely,
Your BNS PTA
🔦 SPOTLIGHT ON 2nd GRADE 🔦
Diane and the second grade team recently met with families to talk about all the exciting things second graders are working on. After completing their tree study in science, students are moving on to simple machines, with hands-on experiments exploring levers and wheels. Soon, they’ll dive into bridge science, conducting experiments and learning key engineering principles through interactive activities. In writing and art, students are studying comics and storytelling. In reading, they’re focusing on Toon Books, which align well with second-grade reading levels. Math lessons continue to build foundational skills in place value, moving from understanding numbers within 100 to working toward 1,000.
Swimming is a highlight of second grade! Different groups of students are getting a chance to swim on Fridays. They’ve also been learning biking with Anna and have made great progress. In the arts, kids have been participating in Art & Activism class each week, and recently saw an amazing performance at Carnegie Hall as part of their Musical Explorers program. Join our next family meeting on Friday 3/28!
🎭 MakerFest is coming up! 🎨
MakerFest will take place Sat. 3/22 from 1-4 pm. This awesome annual event features local makers and businesses, parents, and artists of all kinds offering opportunities for children from our community and beyond to come together to craft with their hands at different maker stations, including activities by KoKoNYC, MakerSpace NYC, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, MAKE IT! Studio and more.
Get your tickets HERE!
Volunteers will be guaranteed FREE ENTRY + Food at event -> SIGN UP HERE
✋ Get involved in the PTA! ✋
Thank you to everyone who came to the March PTA meeting. If you missed it, you can check out the slides here and the notes here!
Here are some concrete ways you can help (email BNSPTA2024@bns146.org if you're interested):
MakerFest (Sat. 3/ 22): Help us collect and organized recycled materials over the next two weeks; host a table of activities; volunteer at the PTA table.
Spring Fling: Collect auction items!
Communications: Help print and distribute backpack mail fliers (approximately 45 min every 2 weeks). Help create a monthly calendar of events (1 hour/month).
Social Media: Create and post content to tell the story of BNS and keep families informed
Co-Treasurer: We are looking for someone to team up with our Treasurer to make sure the books are balanced. No experience with fancy math required, just a love for helping out and a good laugh!
🚰 Clean water at BNS 🚰
The DOE regularly tests all water sources in schools for the presence of lead and completes remediation work where needed. Remediation has been completed at BNS and final tests showed no elevated levels of lead in any faucets or water fountains. A letter detailing the remediation work and the final results was sent home in backpack mail.
📚 BNS Staff Book Study Groups 📚
Reading a text together and meeting to discuss is one way that BNS teachers continue to learn, grow, and collaborate. So far this year, we have two book groups underway - one group is reading Unearthing Joy by Gholdy Muhammad, a follow-up to last year’s whole-staff read, Cultivating Genius. The second group is reading Knowing Silence by Ariana Mangual Figueroa. We like to share what we are reading in case any families would like to read along with us.
🐕🦺 Welcoming our therapy dog 🐕🦺
The BNS Counseling Team has partnered with The Good Dog Foundation to bring in a therapy dog right here at BNS! Sienna, a black Lab, has been brought in by veterinarian/owner Julie for two visits so far, and the children (and adults) have already fallen in love with her. Therapy dogs help lower anxiety, boost moods, teach empathy and compassion, and provide comfort and sensory support for students with special needs. We look forward to continuing to have time with this special visitor throughout the upcoming weeks and months!
🍪 Bake Sale 🍪
Mark your calendars for our next bake sale, Thursday, March 27 from 2:30-4 pm on the corner of Henry & Rapeleye. Afterschool and kids riding the bus will get to visit the bake sale!
Proceeds help fund PTA activities, like swimming for 2nd graders. We need your help making it a success! Can you send in baked goods (storebought is fine!) or help out at the sale? Contact caitlin.c.drumm@gmail.com or sheilalavu@gmail.com.
🎨 Save the date for Spring Fling! 🎨
Friends of BNS is excited to invite you to our annual Spring Fling & Silent Auction. Join us on Thursday, May 22nd from 7-10 at Littlefield for a night of light bites, drinks, dancing, and great company. Check out the Spring Fling website for more information on sponsorships, item donations and tickets.
We're also soliciting donations for the Silent Auction, which is our biggest fundraiser for the year. If you are interested in helping us reach out to businesses or have items/services to offer, please get in touch with fundraising@bns146.org!
💯 Opting out of testing 💯
State tests are scheduled to begin in April. To opt out your 3rd, 4th or 5th grader, please fill out this form.
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS 📅
Tues. 3/18: Open library (2:30 pm)
Tues. 3/18: SLT meeting (room 401)
Wed. 3/19: DEI meeting (7:30 pm, zoom)
Thurs. 3/20: Evening parent/teacher conferences
Fri. 3/21: 5th grade family meeting (8:20 am, room 124)
Sat. 3/22: MakerFest at BNS (1-4 pm)
Mon. 3/24: Friends of BNS fundraising meeting (8:30 am)
Tues. 3/25: Open library (2:30 pm)
Wed. 3/26: Family chorus (4:45 pm)
Thurs: 3/27: Bake sale (2:30-4 pm)
Mon: 3/31: SCHOOL CLOSED for Eid al-Fitr
🔗 HELPFUL LINKS 🔗
Get four free COVID tests sent to you by mail
Fourth graders: Get a free pass to our national parks for a year!
See what’s on the menu at the cafeteria this week (note BNS serves the “high school hot lunch” menu). Remember, FREE breakfast and lunch are available for all students!
