PTA Newsletter | No. 18
Dear BNS Families,
Mask policies are changing. As of March 7, students at New York Public Schools have the option of going without their masks. Nearly three years after the first lock down we are starting to see glimmers of hope. This is a big transition for all of us! A reminder to all: The NYC School Survey needs to be completed by each family. by March 25. More information can be found here. We are also seeking a volunteer who can go into the school this week to coordinate backpack mail. Drop a note to Rich (email below). Don't ever hesitate to reach out to your PTA presidents with questions, concerns or feedback (richambler@gmail.com and mahshad.vakili@gmail.com).
Sincerely,
Your BNS PTA
READ-A-THON 2022 BEGINS APRIL 2
Read-A-Thon is back again this year for all grades. It begins April 2 and runs until April 15. Last year we raised over $28,000, all by kids diving into a good book! We are hoping to push even further and bring in $30,000 this year. The event will kick off with a community-led Book Swap in Prospect Park at the Bandshell on Saturday, April 2. Kids should collect sponsors between March 13 and April 2. More details are up on our newly designed website. Check it out here.
TAKE THE BNS DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION (DE&I) COUNCIL SURVEY
The DEI Council launched in 2019 and we’ve made a lot of progress thus far. As we continue to think about the future, we’d like your input to ensure we are creating a DEI Council that is diverse and the initiatives and solutions are inclusive, equitable and impactful. This survey will help us do that so your feedback is extremely important. Please take this quick survey by clicking here.
CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO AND RAISE FUNDS AT THE BNS SPRING AUCTION ON MAY 5
The BNS Spring Auction is back on Thursday, May 5 from 7:00pm - 11:00pm . The party will be held at The Green Building in Gowanus. We'll have a free bar, a taco food truck, DJs and a live auction with special guests. Look out for information on how you can volunteer by collecting donations for the auction and organizing the party. We'll also be sending a link out to buy tickets soon!
NEXT PTA GENERAL MEETING IS MARCH 8!
The next PTA General meeting is Tuesday March 8 at 8.20am in the cafeteria at BNS. Tuesday's meeting will include a special session on sharing mindful practice with Diana Nikkhah (who has been working with BNS teachers this year as part of her internship from NYU). A zoom link will be shared for those who cannot attend in person (see Konstella).
BNS SOCIAL MEDIA, KONSTELLA TEAMS NEEDS HELP
Konstella has been a great platform to connect parents to each other and stay connected to what’s going on at BNS. We need a volunteer to help manage Konstella communications and the calendar. If you are interested, please reach out to Radhika Chalasani (rc@radhikachalasani.com). We are also looking for 1-2 parents who would be willing to help with weekly posts on BNS' social channels. This is a low commitment, virtual and creative way to help out BNS. Email Elyse at Photos@bns146.org if interested.
MAKERFEST 2022 IS APRIL 9 FROM 12PM-4PM
BNS Makerfest is returning Saturday, April 9 from 12-4pm! Makerfest is an amazing afternoon where parents, teachers, and other BNS community members lead maker activities like knitting, pressed flowers, hat making, leather-working, butter making, jewelry making, and more! Makerfest 2019 photos are here (thank you Justin).
We’re looking for parent volunteers to:
Lead activities: If you have arts, crafts, science or engineering talent or interest, we can help you get the materials you need and figure out how to organize your station.
Set-up, work the door, provide extra support at activity stations, provide food, sell food, clean-up.
Please fill out this Google form to show your interest and availability, and join our first planning meeting on Thursday 3/10 at 8:45 a.m. on Zoom (see Konstella for link).
FOURTH GRADE MUSICAL IS MARCH 16 & 17
Celebrating 29 years of musical and movement collaboration and expression, the Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) / Brooklyn New School partnership continues with:"I Celebrate Myself. We are Joy!" directed and Choreographed by José Joaquin Garcia and Donna Costello with musical direction by David Haiman. There will be two shows:
Wednesday, March 16, 5pm: Kristen and Lindsey & Damaris’ Class
Thursday, March 17, 5pm: Josh & Candy and Kaelyn & Zack’s Class
Families of performers are invited to attend on the night their child is performing. Masks and proof of vaccination are required. Each family can bring two guests (so two parents and two guests).
Free - no ticketing required. Location is BNS, 610 Henry Street. Auditorium doors open at 4:45pm. The Musical will be livestreamed for the BNS community. Click here for the link to view the livestream. The auditorium is not an accessible space. If you or a guest need assistance with entering the building or finding a seat, please contact Amy Sumner.
BNS Virtual Open Houses Continue; Share the News
Spread the word to your friends: BNS Virtual Open Houses are underway. The DOE has not released deadlines for applications yet.
Brooklyn New School Virtual Open House Dates:
Wednesday, March 16 @ 9 am: Register Here
Health & Safety Information
DAILY HEALTH SCREENER
Please fill out NYC DOE Health Screening ahead of time every day. If you need a printout of the paper screener, please ask your child's teacher.
WEEKLY COVID TESTING
The DOE now conducts random COVID-19 testing for students in grades 1–5 every week. Only students whose families have provided an updated testing consent form can be tested. You are strongly encouraged to provide this consent for your child. Go to your child's NYCSA at http://mystudent.nyc/ to give consent for random COVID testing in school. If you gave testing consent last year, you will need to submit again for this school year. You can also fill out a paper consent form—email it to Janine at janine@bns146.org or return it to school in your child's backpack.
☑️ REMINDERS
LEADERSHIP'S LETTER TO THE BNS COMMUNITY: Read Diane and Malika's weekly letter.
SCHOOL FOOD MENUS: Check what's on the menu in March
LOOKING AHEAD
Bookmark the 2021–2022 DOE school calendar here. BNS events and important dates are also on the Konstella calendar.
March 8: PTA General Meeting @8:20am
March 13: Read-A-Thon sponsor collecting begins
March 16-17: 4th Grade Musical @4:45pm
March 24: DEI Meeting @7pm
April 9: Makerfest @12pm
April 2-15: Read-A-Thon 2022
April 15-22: Spring Recess (No School)
BNS PTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, 2021–2022
Co-Presidents:
Rich Ambler, parent of Elena (2nd grade, Andrew and Greta)
Mahshad Hall, parent of Ruby (Kindergarten, Mary Ann)
Co-Treasurers:
Laura Trevino, parent of Emilia (1st grade, Jessica B)
Krystina Athas, parent of Liam (1st grade, Valerie and Carrie) and Alexander (3rd grade, Claudia and Jennifer P)
Co-Recording Secretaries:
Cherrelle Hall, parent of Dylan (pre-K, Tammy)
Jessica Smith, parent of Henry (Kindergarten, Kori and Jenn)
DEI Co-Chairs:
Jade Harris, parent of Miller (2nd grade, Penina and Amy)
Leslie King, parent of Frederica (5th grade, Nneka)
Fundraising Chair:
Sarah Gable, parent of Captain (Kindergarten, Kori and Jenn)
Correspondence Secretary:
Nicole Cohen, parent of George (3rd grade, Claudia and Jennifer P)
Communications Chair:
Radhika Chalasani, parent of Anila (3rd grade, Nancy and Alex)
Web Editors:
Sherri Powell, parent of Tekla (pre-K, Skye)
Corissa Trani, parent of Logan (pre-K, Skye)
Patty Lin, parent of Deren (Kindergarten, Doug)
Social Media Manager:
Elyse Neiman Seiter, parent of Aidan (4th grade, Kristen) and Lola (BNS grad)
Food Sales Chair:
Carolyn McGown, parent of Lorelai (5th grade, Laurie and Navika) and Ophelia (BNS grad)
Class Parent Coordinator:
Margie Dotter, parent of Cliona (5th grade, Nancy and Rachael), Juniper (1st grade, Jessica B), and Abby (BNS grad)
Members at Large:
Candybelle Acevedo, parent of Emilia (4th grade, Zack and Kaelyn) and Isabelle (1st grade, Abby and Jennifer D)
Maggie Ross Newville, parent of Magnus (5th grade, Laurie and Navika) and Axel (2nd grade, Amanda)
Hannah Nudell, parent of Eliza (3rd grade, Katherine) and Gideon (pre-K, Skye)
Linnea Veder, parent of Leo (pre-K, Jennifer G)
Contact the 2021–2022 BNS PTA at pta2021@bns146.org
