The Roosevelt Island School G&T Program Blog

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

2011-11-14T13:31:00.000-05:00

Dear PS/IS 217 Parents and Teachers

THIS WEEK:

NOVEMBER 15, Tuesday - BREAKFAST WITH THE PRINCIPAL
8:10 - 8:50 am in the Art Room
Progress Report, School Budget and School Goals will be discussed. You can drop your child in the cafeteria before the meeting.

PIE SALE HAS BEEN EXTENDED!

All Pie Sales will be accepted until Thursday, November 17th.
Pick up the form at school or print out the pdf. file to make your order. Please send in your orders to your child's classroom teacher, or please hand it to Nikki Leopold.

If you have any questions, please email nikkipta@gmail.com.

NOVEMBER 17, Thursday - Parent Teacher Conferences

Early release at 11:38 am!!

NOVEMBER 17, Thursday - BAKE SALE
1 - 3 pm, during afternoon Parent Teacher conference

We are in need of donated items for the Bake Sale. Examples are: juice boxes, water bottles, packed crackers or treats (muffins, rice krispies, etc.), and purchased or home baked cookies or cupcakes. If your item includes nuts - PLEASE be sure to make a note on the item due to nut allergies.

Please drop-off donations in the school lobby during the following times:

drinks and non-perishable items - Wednesday morning or afternoon.
baked goods - Thursday morning or pick-up at 11:38am.

Volunteers Needed! Please let us know if you can volunteer time during the Bake Sale on Thursday afternoon, 1 - 3pm. Whether you have 30 minutes or an hour, please contact Summer Lord at summerday.lord@gmail.com.

NOVEMBER 17, Thursday - SPAGHETTI DINNER 5:30 - 7pm
Middle School Fundraiser
$5/ plate (will include bread and one soda )

We need volunteers to help with this Middle School Fundraiser. Please contact Shirley Payne at paynekidz@gmail.com, if you can help bring food, cook or help during the event.
We are looking for cooked or uncooked pasta, meat sauce, pasta sauces. Please drop-off donated uncooked items to the school by Wedensday; bread should be sent to school on Thursday morning with the child. Thank you for your support!

DO NOT FORGET!
The PAJAMA DRIVE continues through Tuesday, November 22nd
To read more go to ps217pta.org
This year goal is 100 pajamas! Please help us to reach our goal. DONATE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

NOVEMBER 18, Friday - School Leadership Team Meeting 7:30 am

CANNED FOOD DRIVE starts this Monday, November 14.

Have a great week!

Disclaimer: All the information distributed in these messages originates from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Executive Board. The information, opinions, data, and statements contained herein are not necessarily those of the PS/IS217 administration and should not be interpreted, acted on or represented as such. List members are reminded of their responsibility to critically evaluate the content of the postings.

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

2011-11-07T22:37:00.003-05:00

Dear PS/IS 217 Parents and Teachers

Here are two important things that had been left out of this week Hawks' Happennings:

Once again, our school will take part in the Thanksgiving Pie Sale Fundraiser. Last year event was an overwhelming success and we hope that you will participate again this year. As you might remember, the cakes, pies and cookies are delicious and our PTA makes a 50% profit from every item sold.

Please pick up the form at school or print out the pdf. file to make your order. The cost of each item is $15.00. Starting on Friday, November 4th, a table has been set up in the school main entrance before and after school to collect your orders. Please place your orders no later than Thursday, November 10th. Your order will be available for pick up on Tuesday, November 22nd.

Please do no leave orders with your child's teacher or in the main office. If you cannot get to the chool to hand your order, p;ease e-mail Nikki Leopold at nikkipta@gmail.comto make alternative arrangements. Checks should be made out to PS/IS 217 PTA.

Thank you in advance for supporting our school through this important fundraiser. If you have any questions, please email nikkipta@gmail.com.

Message from Ms. Lauraine:

Once again we are very excited to be participating in the can food drive. Last year we donated 200 pounds of food to City Harvest. This year our goal is 1000 pounds of food.
The food drive will run from Monday, November 14th through Friday, January 6th. Please bring all canned goods to Ms. Lauraine in the main office.
All goods will be donated to City Harvest.

Thank you,
Lauraine Rademaker, Parent Coordinator

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

2011-11-01T22:35:00.001-04:00

Tues., November 8th - NO SCHOOL, Election Day
Fri., November 11th - NO SCHOOL, Veteran's Day
Thurs., November 17th - Dismissal: 11:38am (half-day)
Thurs., November 17th - Parent Teacher Conferences 1-3pm and 5:30 - 8pm
Thurs., November 17th - Spaghetti Dinner - Middle School Fundraiser 5:30 -7:00pm
Fri., November 18th - School Leadership Team Meeting, 7:30am
Mon., November 21st - Dare to Care Assembly (8:40am - 1st-5th grades, 10:00am - kindergarten)
Tues., November 22nd - School Picture Retakes
Tues., November 22nd - PTA Executive Board Meeting, 8:40am (Library)
Tues. & Wed., November 22nd and 23rd - Pie Sale Pick-Up (8:30 - 9am and 2:30 - 3pm in the PTA Room)
Wed., November 23rd at 8:30am - Don Duerr workshop & Coffee Hour at the Library
Thurs. & Fri., November 24th & 25th - Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
Tues., November 29th - Elementary School Tour, 8:40am
Tues., November 29th - PTA General Meeting, 6:00pm (Auditorium)

This year 1st grade classes are holding the Scholastic “The Great Bedtime Story” Pajama Drive.

The PJ Drive is one of the philanthropic classroom programs that aims to teach kids the value of giving and the gift of reading (http://www.scholastic.com/pjdrive/). Scholastic will match a book with every pair of pajamas collected, and new pajamas and new books will be distributed to children in need, infants through age 17.

"But the goal isn't just to clothe them. It's to give the children, who've faced abuse, abandonment, neglect and other hardships, the comfort of a bedtime ritual that most take for granted", - says Genevieve Piturro, an executive director of Pajama Program. - "These children live in various situations including group homes, shelters, and temporary housing facilities and are shuffled often from one place to another. Many of them have been abandoned, abused, or neglected. Most of these children have never enjoyed the simple comfort of having a mother or father tuck them in at bedtime with warm, clean pajamas and a bedtime story".

This year goal is 100 pajamas! Please help us to reach our goal. DONATE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

What we need:

Brand-new flame-retardant pajamas in all sizes from newborn to adult.
Pajamas should be a complete set—a top and bottom or an appropriate nightgown.
Pajamas for all seasons, but especially for the winter months.

Many companies (e.g. Target, Children's Palce) are willing and able to match individual donations. Please inquire and help to bring more pajamas and book to kids.

The drive continues through Tuesday, November 22nd!

You can give the pajamas to Ms. Zucknovich (Class 103) or Ms. Bloom (Class K10) or put them in the collection box in the lobby. If you have any questions, please email psis217info@gmail.com

FREE UFT WORKSHOP ON TOURETTE SYNDROME

When: Monday, Nov. 7
Time: 4:15 pm - 6:15 pm
Where: UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway.

Tourette syndrome and co-occurring conditions like OCD and ADHD. For more information, call 212-701-9464 or email at fstreich@uft.org.

UFT PARENT MEETING

When: Wednesday, Nov. 9
Time: 9 a.m and again at 6:30 p.m. (choose what works for you!)
Where: UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway.

Agenda:

Presentation by Helaine Doran, formerly of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity regarding the “Fair Funding Formula”
Presentation by Leoni Haimson on the Campaign for Excellence (C4E) at the 9 a.m. meeting
School Leadership Team reports: Follow-up from our last workshop
Proposed mid-year budget cuts -What can be done to fight them? -Community and school campaigns -Reports on the Occupy Wall Street activity
Assessment on parent friendly schools and parent involvement

MANHATTAN PARENT CONFERENCE

When: Saturday, Dec. 3
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Where: UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway.

The conference has four hundred registrants. If you have not registered yet, you can do so online, but don't wait long as the participant list is close to full. The registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 17.
UFT needs volunteers to help with the following activities on the day of the conference:
* Registration
* Directing people
* Time keepers for workshops
* Translators
To volunteer, please email fstreich@uft.org or call 212-701-9464.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

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

2011-10-30T22:33:00.001-04:00

Dear PS/IS 217 Parents and Teachers!

Thank you for everyone who helped our kids to have a really good time and celebrate Halloween! We are grateful to the people who volunteered for the Halloween Parties, donated various food and craft items, helped to decorate the room and many others.
Thank you for all the parents and kids who came to the parties for supporting PTA and our school!

NOVEMBER, 1st - DEADLINE FOR OCTOBER BOXTOPS COLLECTION

Please Note that the deadline for October BOXTOPS submission has been moved to November, 1st
Students can turn BOX TOPS in to their teachers by:
1) putting their Box Tops into a Zip-Loc bag (be sure it is sealed so they all stay together!) - PRINT the students name in Permanent Marker on the outside of the bag
OR
2) gluing or taping their Box Tops to a Collection Sheet that you can get print fromhttp://www.boxtops4education.com/Image.aspx?Id=6292&WT.ac=FMA_PCollSheets

PS 217 is now accepting Tyson Project A+ box tops! Please check Tyson brand products in your frozen food section for these labels. Clip the label from your products and submit them with your Box Tops for Education.Remember! Please carefully cut out the Box Top coupon from the product! Be sure to cut along the dotted line, and keep ALL words on the Box Top. They will not count any Box Tops that don't contain all information on the coupon.

PTA MEETING AND PRINCIPAL CHAT Thursday, November 3rd

EMERGENCY PTA MEETING at 8:40 am

Bylaws Vote
PTA Officers Vote
SLT Members Vote

Principal Chat at 9:00 am

LEARNING LEADERS TRAINING

GIVE A LITTLE. MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BECOME A LEANING LEADER
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at PS/IS 217M with the Learning Leaders Program, the training program will be conducted by Bell Wells, Program Coordinator for Learning Leaders, and will be held at the Learning Leaders Headquarters, which is located 80 Maiden Lane, 9th floor, New York, NY 10038

Here are the training dates:

1:00 – 3:30 pm

Monday, November 14
Wednesday, November 16
Monday, November 21
Tuesday, November 22

10 am – 12:30 pm

Tuesday, December 13
Thursday, December 15
Tuesday, December 20
Wednesday, December 21

To learn more about Learning Leaders, check their website http://www.learningleaders.org/

UFT-PARENT COMMUNITY MEETING & WORKSHOP

for Parents, Gradparents, Educational Activists

Wednesday, November 9
9:00 am and 6:30 pm
52 Broadway 10 th floor
(subway 2/3, 4/5 to Wall st.; 1 or R to Rector st.)

To Discuss:

School Leadership Teams – follow up from September workshop
Increasing Parent Involvement – share ideas, discuss what works
Fair Student Funding
Report of Millionaire’s Tax Campaign and Occupy Wall Street Activities

To RSVP and for more information, contact Francine Streich, UFT parent community liaison, at 212-701-9464 or fstreich@uft.org

ANTI-BULLYING HOTLINE

A new anti-bullying campaign launched on Oct. 19 will offer students counseling by mental health professionals for incidents both inside and outside the classroom. The service will begin by offering a telephone hotline in the afternoon and evening, and next January adding assistance through text messaging and online chat.
To read more, go to http://www.uft.org/press-releases/new-anti-bullying-initiative-offer-telephone-hotline-after-school-hours

Beginning in January, counselors will also be accessible via text messaging and online chat.
The hotline is part of an anti-bullying campaign called “BRAVE,” which stands for “Building respect, acceptance and voice through education.”

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Disclaimer: All the information distributed in these messages originates from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Executive Board. The information, opinions, data, and statements contained herein are not necessarily those of the PS/IS217 administration and should not be interpreted, acted on or represented as such. List members are reminded of their responsibility to critically evaluate the content of the postings.

NYPL "Start a New Chapter"

2011-10-25T23:07:00.000-04:00

Dear PS/IS Parents and Teachers,

We would like you to know about a great opportunity at the The New York Public Library, Queens Library and Brooklyn Public Library

At the last PTA General Meeting, Miranda Murray, a manager of the Roosevelt Island Library, talked about a program called "Start a New Chapter," in which kids 17 years and younger can come into the library and get their fines completely waived.

Here is how it works: THROUGH OCTOBER 31
If you are 17 or younger, just return your overdue books to any public library in the five boroughs and you will not be charged late penalties. Just return the materials and your fines will be erased. You can start checking out materials right away.

Hurry! This offer only lasts until October 31!

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

2011-10-24T22:28:00.000-04:00

Hawks' Happenings October 24-28th

The school goal is to have as many students participate as possible! Awards will be given daily to the classes that have the most participants.

Monday - SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY
Wear a 217 T-shirt or school colors - Purple or Yellow
The new school T-shirts will continue to be on sale this whole week by the PTA. T- sirts can be purchased for $15

DARE TO CARE ASSEMBLY
Come and see:

performance by Community 203
our first 100% attendance award presentation
and much more
Grades 1 – 5 - 8:40 am
Kindergarten - 10 am

Tuesday - PAJAMA DAY
Wear your favorite pajamas. We will show RESPECT for the reading by having a lower school read-a-thon on the 2nd floor hallway

Wednesday - TEAM DAY and SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAME
Dress to to represent your favorite sports team. Dare to care about Good Sportsmanship.

Thursday – DRESS FOR SUCCESS DAY
Dress in nice clothes, look your best! Dare to Care about your future!
This day will focus on thinking about our future and what we want to be when grow up!

Friday – CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN DAY
Halloween Dress-up. Please NO MASKS or WEAPONS!
Grades K-2 – activities in the classroom
Grades 3-5 – activities in the yard across the street.

Every month social worker and early childhood expert Don Duerr invites you to parent workshops. Join us on Wednesday. October 26th at 8:37 am at PS217 Library to learn about behaviours that are typical for 3-5 and 6-7 year olds and how to handle some of the more difficult ones.

This Thursday the 27th of October, we are changing things up for our Coffee Hour. Please come over to Manhattan Park Theatre Club (behind 10 River Road) starting 8:35 am to help decorate the room for our Halloween party taking place on the next Friday, Oct 28. We will provide coffee, and hot water for tea or hot chocolate. If you can bring a snack to share, if you cannot, please come anyway for fun and adult conversation. Small children are welcome! We look forward to seeing you there, spread the word!

October 28th at Manhattan Park Theatre Club

3 - 5 pm - FAMILY FUN - Crafts, Pumpkins, Activities Snacks and drinks for purchase Admission: $5/person (children 2 years old and under - FREE)
7 - 9 pm MONSTER MASH DANCE!! for Middle School Students and PS/IS 217 Alumni up to 10th grade. Admission $10 (includes 1 slice of pizza and 1 soda)

We are very excited to held these Halloween Parties , but we need help with donations and also volunteer hours. Please read below and find a way that you and your family can help with these events. Please send an email topsis217info@gmail.com with the items you can donate and/or the times you can volunteer. As always, thank you so much for your generous support!

All donated items can be put in the HALLOWEEN BINS in the School Lobby.
DONATION ITEMS:
PLEASE donate the following by WEDNESDAY in the Halloween Bins:

Dessert size black plates - 200 plates
White dinner plates (the FLIMSY variety for art projects) – 200 plates
Dum-Dum Lollipops - 200 lollipops
Halloween Candy – we are looking for donations of both regular candy and also “peanut-free” candy such as ‘Wonka Brand’, Smarties, Skittles, Starburts, etc.

PLEASE DONATE the FOLLOWING ON FRIDAY MORNING (you may either bring these to the Manhattan Park Clubhouse or contact a PTA Executive Board Member to put into the PTA Room):

Regular size Cupcakes (2 doz.)
Water Bottles
Juice Boxes or Canned Soft Drinks

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Please email and let us know the day(s) and time(s) that you can help out! We’ll tell you where to go and have a lot to keep hands busy!

Wednesday 10:30am - 2:30pm (drop in whenever)
Thursday 8:40am – 2:30pm - Join us for Coffee Hour and help decorate!
Friday 8:40am – 12noon

During the Event: 3-5pm

Food Station to help sell food
Craft Table help – making crafts with the children

Additional volunteers for the Middle School Monster Mash Dance are still needed, and also for clean-up on Friday Night. Please email and come have fun!!

This month deadline for BOXTOPS submission is OCTOBER 31, Monday!

What are Box Tops?
The Box Tops Collection program is a simple way to help our school. To participate you simply clip and save labels and box tops from the food items you are already using – Cheerios, Ziplock, Juicy Juice, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Avery, Hefty and many more. Each box top is worth $.10 (ten cents) to our school – and that adds up fast! You can help earn cash for our school every time you shop for groceries!
This is not something each student is required to do - but it's a great and easy way to make extra cash for our school - so we hope that as many students as possible will join in collecting and bringing in as many BOX TOPS as possible!
Students can turn BOX TOPS in by:
1) putting their Box Tops into a Zip-Loc bag (be sure it is sealed so they all stay together!) - PRINT the students name in Permanent Marker on the outside of the bag
OR
2) gluing or taping their Box Tops to a Collection Sheet that you can get print fromhttp://www.boxtops4education.com/Image.aspx?Id=6292&WT.ac=FMA_PCollSheets

Remember! Please carefully cut out the Box Top coupon from the product! Be sure to cut along the dotted line, and keep ALL words on the Box Top. They will not count any Box Tops that don't contain all information on the coupon.

BOX TOP COMPETITION REWARDS!
100 BOX TOPS - ALL students that submit 100 Box Tops will receive a Certificate for 1 free book ($5 or less) of their choosing from a Book Fair during the year.
500 BOX TOPS – ANY class which brings in 500 or more BOX TOPS wins a classroom party of either ice cream, popsicles, or similar treat. What class will be the first to win their Ice Cream Party?!

Visit www.boxtops4education.com for more information, sweepstakes to earn BIG Box Tops or CASH for our school and coupons for your grocery shopping!

Thank you for helping P.S./I.S. 217 to earn this FREE and easy money!

NEW!! PS 217 is now accepting Tyson Project A+ box tops! Similar to the Box Tops program already in place, Project A+ will give our school 24 Cents for EACH label. Please check Tyson brand products in your frozen food section for these labels. Clip the label from your products and submit them with your Box Tops for Education. It's that simple!

Thank you for all your support and help with the many wonderful events that are planned through the PTA to benefit our students and PS/IS 217!

Have a great week!

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

2011-10-17T12:00:00.004-04:00

HAWKS HAPPENINGS OCTOBER 17-23

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who made the International Dinner possible. It was an amazing event full of fun and great food! We are greateful to all the parents and kids who came and share their love for their native countries, food and culture.
PS/IS 217 PTA

FLAGS

We are sorry to tell you that international flags from the lobby and 2nd floor had to be taken down. They will be back soon after fireproofing (fire expection requirement).

THIS WEEK

Monday, 17th - Picture Day
Tuesday, 18th - PTA Executive Board Meeting - 8:40am in the library All parents may attend, however only Exec. Board Members may vote, if needs be that an item comes to a vote.
Thursday, 20th - General PTA Meeting, 8:40am - 9:30am.**** All parents are encouraged to attend.

LOOKING AHEAD

Halloween Party - October 28th
3-5 pm Family Fun!

Crafts, Pumpkins, & Firefighters

Snacks and drinks for purchase

Children $5/each (2 yo and under - FREE)

7-10 pm Monster Mash Dance!!

for Middle School Students and PS/IS 217 Alumni up to 10th grade

Admission $10 (includes 1 slice of pizza and 1 soda)

ATTN: The Monster Mash will take place if we have at least 8 volunteers from Middle School parents by tomorrow October 17th, Monday (see separate email)

Spirit week - October 24-28th

The themes for the week are:

Monday: Spirit day, wear school colors or school shirts, old or new!
Tuesday: Pajama Day
Wednesday: Team Day- wear your favorite team shirts or colors
Thursday: Dress for Success: dress up day!
Friday: Halloween Dress-up (no masks or weapons)

Have a great week!

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

2011-10-11T12:25:00.001-04:00

Dear PS/IS 217 Parents and Teachers! Here are our UPDATES for the next week

ALL Middle School and 5th Grade Students - your money and left-over chocolate should be turned in by THIS Wednesday! Please be sure to bring your money & candy boxes and turn into the PTA room either Tuesday or Wednesday mornings from 8:30am - 9am, or after school from 2:50 - 3pm. For any questions, please contact Shirley Payne at paynekidz@gmail.com.

Parent Routines Family Workshop - Wednesday, 10/12 @ 8:37am
Learn from Early Childhood Expert, Donn Duerr, about how to help your child with routines and making every day life a little easier (and happier too!)
Wednesday @ 8:37am ~ School Library (workshop is set-up through our Parent Coodinator Ms. Lauraine)

Parents interested in helping to plan the Halloween Party for Oct. 29th - we need your help! Come join this committee to plan a FUN time for the students.
Meeting will be this THURSDAY, Oct. 13th @ 8:40am (location will be written on white board in school lobby)
For any questions - please email psis217info@gmail.com

Next Friday (Oct. 14th) is our International Dinner. This event is being held in the SCHOOL CAFETERIA, from 6:30pm - 9pm. We are so excited for the opportunity to get together and celebrate the many cultures of our students' and families of 217! We are having the most delicious food from all over the world, children in costumes from many countries, entertainment and group dancing! It is going to be a night you won't want to miss!
We need your help to make this event extraordinary. We are asking you to donate the following items:

canned soft drinks
juice boxes/capri suns
water bottles

Please bring these items to the school by THIS Wednesday (10/12), or email psis217info@gmail.com to let us know what you are purchasing if you need to bring it in later than Wednesday. Please put your donations in the bins in the school lobby marked INT'L DINNER. Thank you!

We still need a lot of volunteers to help out in many ways on Friday. However long you can stay would be greatly appreciated - an hour, or two hours, or different hours throughout the day...it will all help the event run smoothly! Please email Summer Lord at summerday.lord@gmail.com or Ann Roth at annhroth@yahoo.com to let us know the time(s) that you can volunteer.

Morning: 8:30am - 10am
Afternoon: 12:30pm - 6pm
Event Volunteers: At the 2 drink stations we need 2 volunteers for each station during these times ~ 6:15pm - 7pm; 7pm - 7:45pm; 7:45pm - 8:30pm
Clean-Up: 9pm - 10/10:30pm (the more help we have, the earlier we leave!)

THANK YOU to all our parents/families that have donated the many items that we will sale this Saturday, the 15that the TAG SALE! Please keep cleaning out your closets and sending the things you no longer use or want. We appreciate all donations and will take them until Friday the 14th! Please place them in the bins marked PTA TAG SALE in the school lobby. And we'd love for any parents to volunteer for Saturday at the TAG SALE and/or to stop by and shop to find the many items that you need! There are going to be amazing deals on wonderful treasures! Spread the word with your neighbors and friends to stop by the PTA TAG SALE at the Saturday Market from 9am - 1pm!

Parent/guardian volunteers are needed for many events and day-to-day activities throughout the school year.
Please look through the following two way to help out which have immediate needs and please consider a way that you can donate some of your time to benefit the students and school each month. More committees will be added throughout the year, or if you have a special talent or way you are interested to help out, or you have questions - please email psis217info@gmail.com and a member of the PTA Exec. Board will be in touch with you. Thanks!

Class Co-Parents

Class Parents will work with the classroom teacher to assist in ways needed. Helping to email parents of the class and coordinate volunteers for class events are some responsibilities. Class Parents will also be responsible to work with the teacher and decide on an art/craft project that can be completed for the Silent Auction in the Spring. We are still looking for Class Parents for the following classes:

Class PreKAM (2 parents needed)
Class K001 (Carol Chou & 2nd Class Parent needed)
Class 101/Ms. Bloom (2 parents needed)
Class 102/Ms. Christian (Kim Massey & 2nd Class Parent needed)
Class 201/Ms. Feldman (Co-Class Parents needed)
Class 202/Ms. Ditaranto (Co-Class Parents needed)
Class 203/Ms. Rubenstein (Johanna Zuddas & 2nd Class Parent needed)
Class 301/Ms. Lewis (Co-Class Parents needed)
Class 401/Ms. Specker (Co-Class Parents needed)
Class 402/Mrs. Ciravolo (Co-Class Parents needed)
Class 501/Ms. Gambino (C0-Class Parents needed)
Class 601 (Kelly Goff & Co-Class Parent needed)
Class 701 (Co-Class Parents needed)
Class 801 (Co-Class Parents needed)

Picture Day Volunteers - Fall Picture Day Monday, Oct. 17th

4 volunteers during the hours: 8:15am - 2:30pm. Please consider volunteering for 1-2 hour blocks, or longer if you are available. Volunteers will be helping to be sure children are groomed (clean faces and bright smiles!), to help in lining up and whatever else Ms. Fokine from the office might need. Please email Dawn Price at dawn@dacrib.net for this particular volunteer opportunity.

TAG SALE Volunteers

This week we are in need of those that could help to sort and box up the items that have already been donated for Saturday's TAG SALE. We also need many hands available for the Tag Sale on Saturday, the 15th. Set-up will take many volunteers and the most time, with other volunteers needed throughout the morning. These are the times we are looking for volunteers - please contact Natalia Starkova at natalia.n.starkova@gmail.com or Dawn Price at dawn@dacrib.net at if you are available to help. You can also show up and lend a hand! Tuesday morning - 8:40am - 10am, Friday morning 8:40am - 10am AND Saturday - 8am - 1:30pm. Please let us know how you can help!

NEW!! PS 217 is now accepting Tyson Project A+ box tops! Similar to the Box Tops program already in place, Project A+ will give our school 24 Cents for EACH label. Please check Tyson brand products in your frozen food section for these labels. Clip the label from your products and submit them with your Box Tops for Education. It's that simple!

Thank you for all your support and help with the many wonderful events that are planned through the PTA to benefit our students and PS/IS 217!

Have a great week!

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

2011-09-12T08:21:00.006-04:00

Please join us for our first PTA General Meeting for ALL parents of PS/IS 217!

Date: Thursday, September 22nd
Time: 5:30 pm - Open House Mingle with Refreshments; 6 - 7pm - Meeting
Place: School Library - 2nd floor, towards the back of the school

An agenda will be sent out prior to the PTA meeting, however an overview of the meeting is as follows:

Updates given by the Principal, PTA President & members of the PTA Executive Board
Voting upon two positions that were left with vacancies during the summer months:
Vice-President, Public Relations & Events - Nomination for Susan Arcelay
Fundraising Officer - Nomination for Ann Roth.
How the PTA can work with parents and the school to accomplish goals stated in the PTA Bylaws
Financial Report given and 2011-2012 Budget to be voted upon
Announcements of upcoming PTA events!
Volunteer positions open for sub-committees on the PTA Board

Thank you for your support & we look forward to our first meeting together!

Summer Lord, PTA President
psis217info@gmail.com

The 5th grade and Middle School students are participating in a _World's Finest Chocolate Sale _ to help with their Field Trip expenses for this school year.
We are asking - and need - support from all P.S./I.S. 217 families for this fundraiser! The students will be selling chocolate bars and candy for $1/each from Monday, Sept. 12th until Wednesday, Sept. 28th. There are 50 bars/candies in each box - a complete box costs $50 for 50 items.
A letter & permission form for this fundraiser went home with students on Friday. This form includes a permission slip which MUST be signed by a parent who takes responsibility for the $50 cost of the box, in order for the student to take possession of the candy to start selling. A box will not be issued until a permission form is signed and turned in.

The forms can be turned in and candy boxes picked up from Shirley Payne, VP of Middle School Affairs
Times: MONDAY - WEDNESDAY this week from 2:50pm - 3:15pm each day in the Art Room (1st floor of the school; back left corner). Also, during Curriculum Night on Thursday (9/15), outside the Auditorium.
BONUS! The top 3 sellers will receive a 25.00 dollar Visa Gift Card! The class with the most sales will receive a pizza party!
We look forward to school-wide support for this event, which will help provide needed Field Trip funds for these older students.
For any questions, please contact Shirley Payne, VP of Middle School Affairs, at paynekidz@gmail. com

Thank you to those families who have paid for their School Supply Packets. We appreciate those that have been patient with our Credit Card issues - the new system did arrive this weekend, and therefore we have additional times this next week that we will be at school to accept payment.
We will be accepting your payment during any of the following times: CHECK & CREDIT CARDS ONLY!

Tuesday - 8:20am - 8:45am AND 2:30 - 3pm (1st floor in the back - across from the cafeteria}
Wednesday - 8:20am - 8:45am (same location as above)
AND during Curriculum Night - 5:15pm - 7pm (2nd floor/outside the Auditorium)

Curriculum Night will be Thursday, Sept. 15 - starting at 5:30pm. Please visit the PTA table to be added to the newsletter list for PTA updates to 217 families.

PTA is having a big Tag Sale on Saturday, October 8.
This is an opportunity for you to help our school and organize your apartments at the same time. Please donate unwanted itimes (clothes, shoes, books, kitchen supplies, decorations - anything you think might be a treasure for the other person). Donation bins will be placed in the school lobby.
Then come on October 8th and have fun shopping for the bargains!
Please contact Dawn Price (dawn@dacrib.net) or Natalia Starkova (natalia.n.starkova@gmail.com) if you have any questions.

Message from Cari Bak, Parent Liaison

I want to extend a warm thank you to all who participated in this past week's coffee hour. I can honestly say, we've never had such a big turn out. If you missed it, don't worry, we will make another one for you next month...keep your eyes peeled for the next date. Coffee hour is such a great time to get in a quick word with your child's classmates' parents, or ask PTA members questions, not to mention get a drink and something to eat before your busy day. I look forward to seeing you all next time, spread the word to anyone who missed out.
So for the next coffee hour, if you promise to come, I promise to make more coffee.

Save the Date! Join together with our International Families and Community of PS/IS 217 for a big welcome to the school year with our International Dinner at the School Cafeteria from 6:30pm - 9pm, October 14th.
We are looking for families to share their delicious food from their countries! If you are interested in cooking please contact Nikki Leopold at nikkipta@gmail.com. We also are looking for MORE entertainment than last year and ask that you or someone you know from your country display a talent: dancing, singing, an art/craft or something easy to make at the event. Please contact Summer Lord at psis217info@gmail.com to sign-up to share something from your culture.
We also will have the Children's Parade and musical number. If you would like your child to participate you MUST sign up via email or in person with Summer Lord by Friday, Sept. 16th.

We hope all our families plan to attend to enjoy a night of wonderful company and food together! For any questions regarding the event, please email psis217info@gmail.com or go to the PTA website (ps217pta.org

We want you to know about a wonderful opportunity for families with children ages birth to 5 years. Please share with family and friends....
The NYC Imagination Library is an initiative of the NYC Dept. of Education. The goal is to promote the development of emergent literacy and language skills that are important for every child's success in school by encouraging all NYC parents to read aloud to their children from birth until age five.
Just enroll your preschool child (age 0 to 5 yrs) in the NYC Imagination Library and a new, carefully selected, age-appropriate book will be mailed each month in your child's name directly to your home. Books will begin arriving at your home six to eight weeks after your registration form has been received, and will continue every month until your child turns five.
You can download the application form from:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/downloads/pdf/NYC_Imagination_Library_application.pdf

Have a great week!

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

2011-06-13T06:33:00.002-04:00

Thank you to all our families that attended the Spring Concert of PS/IS 217 this past Wednesday, June 8th! We were treated to an evening of music with choral selections by the Kindergarten - 2nd grade students. They were amazing at their singing and filled the auditorium with their voices! Thank you to the older students who participate in band and put in hours of extra practice to perform your pieces - well done to all of you!

A big thank you to Mr. Solow and his dedication in bringing music to our school, students and offering such an enjoyable evening for our families with his concerts!

Thank you to Early Childhood Specialist Don Duerr which has spent time in 217 this past year. He gave his final workshop on 'Raising Confident Boys' during the early part of June. Those in attendance enjoyed learning about how we as parents, caregivers and community helpers can help boys reach their full potential. The main source of information came from the book & documentary - 'Raising Cain: Exploring the Inner Lives of America's Boys" by Michael Thompson. It comes highly recommended! Other resources we as parents might be interested in, are:

"The Minds of Boys: Saving Our Sons from Falling Behind in School and Life" by Michael Gurian
"Speaking of Boys" by Michael Thompson
"How to Say It to Boys" by Richard Heyman

THIS WEEK

Tuesday, June 14th - Friday, June 17th - SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR at the School Library (2nd floor)

This is our 3rd Book Fair for the school year, and we have earned a BUY ONE - GET ONE FREE Event!!

Purchase any item and you will receive the next item {of equal or lesser value} completely free! You can purchase unlimited amounts - you can buy any amount of books and get the same amount for free!

This is a fabulous opportunity to buy books that your child can enjoy for their summer reading! Book Fair pamphlet's will be sent home Monday or Tuesday from school - this is a small sampling of the hundreds and hundreds of books that are set up in the library! With the Book Fair brochure will be a flier to let you know what day and time your child will come to the Book Fair with their class. If you would like your child to purchase items during their class visit, please send an envelope clearly marked with:
1) your child's name 2) their teacher's name 3) amount enclosed in their envelope 4) books that you would like them to purchase (see the Book Fair pamphlet), or a note stating that you will allow them to choose their own books {*this is especially for those students in Pre-K through 1st grades}

Parents we would appreciate and need your help for this final volunteer event! Please contact Summer Lord if you have any time to come and help at the Book Fair!Volunteers are needed Tuesday (6/14) - Friday (6/17), from 8:30am - 3pm.Parents are also invited to come to the Book Fair and meet with their child's class - please see the flier to find out what day/time they will be visiting the fair so you can meet them in the library!

If you can volunteer or have any questions, please contact Summer Lord at summerday.lord@gmail.com.

DO NOT FORGET!

MONDAY, June 13th - HALF-DAY OF SCHOOL, dismissal at 11:38am
FRIDAY, June 17th - Student Leadership Team (SLT) Meeting at 7:30am (in the conference room/school office). Parents are invited to attend this meeting of an elected parent group and staff of 217. Items pertaining to the school are discussed - such as curriculum, positive feedback, concerns, etc. If a vote is required, only SLT members may vote.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

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

2011-06-06T10:06:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to Class 401 and 402 on the superb performances for Gold Opera last Tuesday (May 31st). Audience members were treated to each classes original performance that they worked on for the past month with Mr. Richard and Ms. Christina. The classes brainstormed their own idea, wrote out the storyline and then Mr. Richard took the story and set it to music with Ms. Christina working on choreography and staging.

Class 401 performing "Gardens are Magical Places"

It was amazing to hear the results as each class sang an original opera that told a unique story they had worked so hard on for the past month. What incredibly talented students 217 has! And many thanks to Ms. Specker (401) and Ms. Rubenstein (402) for their support and working with their classes on this exciting endeavor.

Class 402 performing "Royal Revelation"

June, 6 (Mon) - Birthday Celebration with the Principal @2:15 pm
Parents are invited - please arrive at 2pm (in the school cafeteria). Don't forget your camera!
June, 7 (Tues) - HALF DAY - early dismissal @11:38 am
June, 8 (Wed) - Spring Concert & PTA Bake Sale @ 5:30 pm
June, 9 (Thurs) - NO SCHOOL
June, 10 (Friday) - Dare to Care Assembly
Everyone is invited to attend! 8:40am in the School Auditorium

June, 13 (Mon) - HALF DAY - early dismissal @11:38 am
June, 13 (Mon) - Meet & Greet Social for new Kindergarten students @1:30 pm
June, 14-17 (Tues-Fri) - Book Fair 8:30am - 3pm each day
"BUY ONE - GET ONE FREE!"
June, 17 (Fri) - School Leadership Team meeting @7:30 am
June, 28 (Tues) - Last Day of School!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Meet & Greet Social for Kindergarten Students at the Roosevelt Island School (P.S./I.S. 217)

2011-06-01T14:21:00.001-04:00

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

2011-05-31T07:01:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, May 31st
4th Grade GOLD OPERA Performances 10 am & 5:30 pm (school auditorium)

Please come to hear the original songs that Classes 401 and 402 have written with Gold Opera (professional residency). Each class has worked with the residency for over a month to create their own opera which tells a unique story through song and actions. As other performances at the school - you will want to be there for this!

Class 402 in rehearsal getting ready for their big performance!

Parent Coffee Hour and Workshop for all families with Don Duerr (Early Childhood Social Worker)

Thursday, June 2nd at 8: 30 am, School Library
'Understanding & Raising Boys'

Please join us for this unique opportunity to discuss raising emotionally strong boys. Come to enjoy some coffee, tea or morning beverages & breakfast munchies (please bring something to share) & chatting with other parents. Please stay for the discussion - although not everyone has boys, our children have friends, classmates, cousins that are boys :) It will be worthwhile for all who participate!

General PTA Meeting & 2011/2011 PTA Elections

Thursday, June 2nd at 6pm

Please come to listen to updates about the PTA and most importantly cast your vote for next school year's PTA Executive Board.
Nominations are open until the meeting on Thursday, June 2nd. Please be sure to nominate yourself or someone that would add to the PTA and PS/IS 217 Community!

In order to make the Spring Concert a success, many hands are needed in different areas of the school that evening (and the week prior). Please read below to find a way you can help out. We depend on the support of our parents and families to ensure the success of these events at 217!

1) Kindergarten/1st & 2nd Grade - Choir Dress Rehearsals To help the children line up by height & in the hallway prior to the concert, get on and off the stage area & ensure that every child can be seen during the performance - we need at least TWO PARENTS from each class that is willing to come to dress rehearsals and help out the night of the concert. There are a lot of days that Mr. Solow wants to practice with the classes - parent volunteers need to come to at least ONE rehearsal, to practice with the children and know what to expect the night of the performance.
Please look at the schedule below and email Summer Lord at summerday.lord@gmail.com with the dates you can volunteer. THANK YOU!

Friday - June 3rd (8:35am - 9:30am)
Monday - June 6th (8:35am - 9:30am)
Tuesday - June 7th (8:35am - 9:30am)
Wednesday - June 8th (8:35am - 9:30am)

2) Volunteer your time and items for the TREAT TABLE! Please consider helping on the evening of the Spring Concert to volunteer at the Treat Table to sell goodies for a set amount of time (you will be free to watch YOUR child/ren perform! The more hands we have helping the easier it makes it for everyone to see their child!)
And please donate baked goods (cookies, cupcakes, brownies, cakes, etc.), pre-packaged treats and drinks (bottled water, juice boxes, cans of soda) that will be sold the night of the concert on the 1st Floor.

Money the PTA raises goes directly to help fund the Music Program & other essentials of the school. For example - Mr. Solow recently received a new and needed keyboard that was funded 100% by the PTA. He is so grateful & pleased to have this needed item as he practices for the Spring Concert with the students. Please help us with this final fundraising night of the school year!

Email Kristi Towey at kristi.pta217@gmail.com with items you can bring & times you can volunteer at the Treat Table.

Casual class pictures were recently taken of the Pre-K through 5th grades for the Teacher Appreciation Bulletin Boards in the lower grades. These pictures will be available to order and purchase! A paper will be sent home at the end of this week (approx. June 2nd or 3rd) with a pre-order sheet that will explain sizes and prices of the photos available for your class. Samples of the pictures can be found on the Bulletin Boards around the school and will be on display the evening of the Spring Concert. If you would like to order a picture (or a few!), please know that you will be able to do so shortly. If you have any questions - please contact Summer Lord at summerday.lord@gmail.com. Many thanks!

CONGRATULATIONS to the 5th Graders on their Ballroom Dance Performance!
Everyone looked fabulous dressed up & showed a great variety of dance steps that they have learned over the past few months with their Ballroom Dance residency. Thank you to all those who have helped raise money for the PTA this year! Through PTA funding, we are able to offer these and other unique & worthwhile experiences to the students in our school!

Final BOOK FAIR the School Year!
This is a special fair where Scholastic offers a BUY ONE - GET ONE FREE book! Purchase one book and then get another of equal or lesser value for FREE! Save your money & get ready to buy your summer reading books during this great deal! More details to come!