PTA Newsletter No.1
Dear BNS Families,
Welcome to the 2022–2023 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” weekly read if you can. Please join us for our in-person PTA meeting on Tuesday, September 20th at 8:20 a.m. in the Art Studio (Room 105B) and 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/TUESDAY
All NYC public schools will be closed on Monday, September 26 and Tuesday, September 27, in observance of Rosh Hashanah.
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.
Save the Date: BNS / BCS Unity Fest
Oct 1, 11am-3pm in the 610 Henry Street school yards
Entry is by donation at the gate near the gym.
Unity Fest is the reboot of AppleFest! Join us for a day of food, arts & crafts, face painting, robot sightings, a clothing swap and so much more. Think about how you can help out, and come hear more details at our next PTA meeting on September 20th at 8:20 a.m. in the art studio (Room 105B).
There is an Amazon Wish List with materials we need for arts and crafts and face painting (items will automatically be shipped to school): https://www.konstella.com/go?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fhz%2Fwishlist%2Fls%2FWX69HNQ4TUM0?ref_=wl_share
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 PTA2021@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:
Co-Treasurer
Communications Co-Chair
Fundraising Co-Chair
Remember, many hands make light work. We’re all in this together to help our children have a great school year at BNS!
Join the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
BNS is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee supports the needs of students, parents, educators, teachers, and administrators to foster a school community where diversity is uniquely acknowledged and celebrated each and every day—in how our students learn and interact with one another and how our teachers engage with parents and teachers who are black/brown and marginalized.
All families are encouraged to join the Konstella committee here to get involved.
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: Maggie Ross Newville (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.
https://www.konstella.com/app/school/5bf31afde4b0dcc4a138cf23/donations/631fbd6c78b88fded13c01ce
If your family can afford to donate time, please contact the PTA co-presidents, Mahshad 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.
Little Amal Walks New York
Please join BNS 4th and 5th graders in Green-Wood Cemetery on Friday, Sept 23 at 3:30pm. This event is free. All are welcome.
DOE's School COVID Policy
If your child tests positive for COVID, please email dandm@bns146.org as soon as possible. Anyone who tests positive needs to stay home for at least 5 days after the positive test or start of symptoms. Anyone who tests positive must have improved symptoms and must continue to wear a mask through day 10.
BNS will notify all families in a class impacted by a case, whether a student or a staff member tests positive. We will also send home 2 home test kits with each member of the classroom. Current DOE/DOH policy prompts families to test children on day 4 and day 5 after exposure. Children do not need to stay home after exposure as long as they are symptom-free. It is strongly recommended that anyone exposed to COVID wear a mask for 10 days after exposure.
You can check the DOE's COVID Safety website for updates about these policies:
DOE’s School Visitor Policy
All visitors must show proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination to enter a DOE building. Visitors do not include students attending school in a DOE building.
Acceptable proof of vaccination is one of the following:
A CDC Vaccination Card; a photo or photocopy is also acceptable.
A NYC Vaccination Record or other official immunization record from within or outside the US, including from a healthcare provider. A photo or photocopy of this card is also acceptable.
An acceptable COVID-19 vaccination includes one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine fully authorized or authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO. For more on school health and safety, go here.
LOOKING AHEAD
Bookmark the 2022–2023 DOE school calendar here. BNS events and important dates are also on the Konstella calendar.
September 19-22: Book Fair in the Health Studio, Room 124
September 20: PTA Meeting (in-person, 8:20 a.m., Art Studio, Room 105B)
September 26-27: No School (Rosh Hashanah)
October 1: BNS/BCS Unityfest (formerly Applefest)
October 5: No School (Yom Kippur)
October 10: No School (Indigenous People’s Day)
October 18: PTA Meeting (in-person, 8:20 a.m.)
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 Chair, mom to Eliza & Gideon (4th grade & Kindergarten)
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)
CATHERINE HELLEUX, mom to Bretton (1st grade)
TANICA GORDON, mom to Josiah (1st grade)
Contact the 2022–2023 BNS PTA at pta2021@bns146.org
