PTA Newsletter | No. 21
Dear BNS Families,
Welcome back from Spring Break. Hopefully adventures were had and time to rest was taken. There are some exciting things on the horizon as we go into the final stretch of the school year. If you haven't already, please consider donating something for our May 5 Bid Bash. If you want to come and support your school while you party, get your tickets via Konstella.
Remember: We're always here for you! Reach out to your PTA presidents with questions, concerns or feedback (richambler@gmail.com and mahshad.vakili@gmail.com).
Sincerely,
Your BNS PTA
p.s. Please remember to COVID test before your kid returns on Monday!
The BNS Spring Auction (Bid Bash) is May 5, Volunteers & Donations Needed!
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 including special margaritas to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a taco food truck, DJs and a live & silent auction.
Tickets to the fundraiser are on sale - suggested price $65, with tiered levels available if that is too steep or you want to give more! Get your tickets via Konstella.
Join us to help us ask for donations (learn how, here!).
Consider collecting JUST 1 donation yourself. Here are some of the items donated so far, just to give you an idea: Tutoring classes, art classes, gym classes, yoga classes membership to the MOMA and the Whitney Art Museums, cases of wine, a food and history walking tour, gift cards from local restaurants, jewelry and accessories, a super cool red glide bike, 2 hours of FREE karaoke, a 2 night stay in a vacation home near Hunter, in the Catskills set on 43 private acres, a 2 night stay at an historic old Mill House in Callicoon in the Western Catskills, and one week at the Brooklyn Arts for kids Summer camp!
Have questions? Nicole Galluccio (nggalluccio@gmail.com) is coordinating this effort, so please contact her to contribute your time and/or how to donate an auction item! Have something to donate? Here's the receipt to fill out!
BNS 2022 Read A Thon: Start Collecting Sponsorship Money
Kudos on all the reading done. Now we're ready for is the time for kids to start collecting sponsorship money. It is quick and easy! Sponsors need to get the link below with a request to donate according to the student's grade.
SHARE LINK: https://www.konstella.com/app/school/5bf31afde4b0dcc4a138cf23/sales-sheets/625f0106421af25b4ada3b63
These dollars go to fund the programs that make learning at BNS fun and exciting: field trips, our farm, food for our hens, our science and sustainability programs, author visits, guest speakers, art supplies, music programs, project based learning and our BAX residency that keeps us dancing, singing and moving all year long.
Reminder: Ramadan is Observed Until May 2
Ramadan began on April 2 and ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr on May 2 (school is closed this day). During this religious period, some Muslim students may choose to observe Ramadan by fasting from sunrise to sunset and will go without eating or drinking throughout the school day. School staff will continue to provide a supportive environment for Ramadan-observing students during this period.
BNS Hoodies and Totes are the Best! Buy one to Support Our School
The BNS PTA is having a Springtime Hoodie and Tote Bag sale. All hoodies and totes will be delivered via backpack to your kid. Help us pay for all of the enrichment programs from BAX, Music, Science to the farm, field trips and more! Interested? Click here to pick up your favorite BNS swag today! And, we're also offering the option to donate a hoodie. All donated hoodies will be distributed by Diane and Malika. To request a hoodie, please email familiesforfamilies@bns146.org. This is a confidential email address, and no parents or PTA members are involved.
The New York State Math Tests are Scheduled for April 26 & 27 for 3rd-5th Graders
If you would like your child to take the Math test, you don’t have to do anything. Make sure your child has a good night's sleep and a good breakfast before the test. Parents have the right to opt their children out of the test.
If you have already filled out the form to opt out of the tests, you DO NOT have to fill out another form to opt out of the math test.
If your child took the ELA teat and you would like to opt out of the math test, please fill out the Opt Out form here.
Please Take the BNS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council Survey
The DEI Council launched in 2019 and a lot of progress has been made 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 that are inclusive, equitable and impactful. Please take this quick survey to help in this process--and thanks to those of you who have already done so.
☑️ 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 April
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.
Looking Ahead
Bookmark the 2021–2022 DOE school calendar here. BNS events and important dates are also on the Konstella calendar.
April 26-27: The New York State Math Tests for 3rd-5th Graders
April 27: Green & Food Committee Meeting 2:45-4:00pm
May 2: Eid al-Fitr - No School
May 3: General PTA Meeting @8:20am
May 5: Cinco de Mayo Spring Fundraiser
May 5: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion General Meeting via Zoom @7:00pm
May 11: 9am BAX Virtual Gender Expression Workshop for Families and Caregivers
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
