Weekly Update from the P.S./I.S. 217 (Roosevelt Island School) PTA

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL! WE HOPE YOU HAD AN AMAZING SPRING BREAK RIRA’s First Annual Cherry Blossom Festival will take place Saturday, April 30, 1-3pm. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to designated charities in support of the Japanese people who have suffered so much from the March 11 earthquake/tsunami/nuclear plant disruption. Festival attendance is FREE to all and will have something for both adults and children to enjoy: CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL PHOTO CONTEST: take a picture of RI on April 30 and submit it to win one of three prizes (including Fuji digital camera). HERE are the rules and registration form. The Contest is FREE for your child if you preregister before Friday, April 29 via paper to Ms. Lauraine or via e-mail to Summer Lord at summerday.lord@gmail.com. OTHER EVENTS INCLUDE: A very special music performance Origami lessons and folding of 1000 paper cranes, a tradition in the Japanese culture for special events. The cranes will be displayed at PS/IS 217 for all the island children to enjoy. Tea ceremony that will go on throughout the event. A grove of Cherry Blossom Trees, just across and north of the subway station, will be dedicated by RIRA and RIOC, with a plaque offering our support to the Japanese people. Children from the RI Youth Program will demonstrate their special Karate moves. Sushi rolls will be provided by Fuji East, sake (maybe a tasting to compare), and a beer tasting (not just Japanese) being offered by River Walk Bar & Grill. Island Starbucks will donate a gift basket to be raffled off. An auction at RIVAA Gallery on Main Street (previews start at 3:30pm). Please tweet, email and call, the old fashioned way, to invite your friends to come out and join and support the Japanese community and our neighbors on Roosevelt Island. If you want to volunteer at the Festival, please email Kristy Towey (kristi.pta217@gmail.com) or Summer Lord (summerday.lord@gmail.com) EXECUTIVE BOARD 2011/12 NOMINATIONS It has been a great year for the PS/IS 217 PTA, and we are expecting even more fresh ideas and support from our new PTA members in 2011/12. PTA is now accepting Executive Board nominations. The Executvie Board is the governing body of the PTA. Nominations will be open for the following seats on the Executive Board: Vice President, Public Relations & Events Vice President, Membership VP,Middle School Affairs Secretary Treasurer Fundraising Officer Newsletter Officer Grants Officer Parent Liaisons Website Maintenance Officer You can read the description of roles of Executive Board Officers in PTA Bylaws. Please, remember that every parent with a child at the Roosevelt Island School is a member of the PTA. If you are interested in nominating yourself or someone else for these positions, please email psis217info@gmail.com. We will elect a new Executive Board at the PTA meeting on June 2nd. HAVE A GREAT WEEK! ©2011 PS/IS 217 PTA | Roosevelt Island School