Medical Supplies Relief Drive at the Roosevelt Island School (P.S./I.S. 217)

P.S./I.S. 217 is conducting a Medical Supplies Emergency Relief Drive in conjunction with RIOC (Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation).  Starting Monday, February 1st, you can bring following supplies to Ms. Lauraine in the main office:

Surgical Tape

Sliver Nitrate sticks

Band Aids

Crutches and Splintz

Betadine

Sterile Water

Peroxide and Alcohol

Sterile Strips and Gauze

Suture Kit

Stockings and Blankets

Syringes and Needles

Wipes and Gloves

An Update From The Roosevelt Island School PTA

"Roosevelt Island School (P.S./I.S. 217) QUALITY REVIEW NEXT WEEK IS CANCELED. The PTA has just found out today that the Department of Education canceled our review for next week. They will reschedule at their convenience and give the school up to 2 weeks notice for the new dates. Fortunately, this gives us some more time to prepare. It is disappointing after all the preparations we started for their arrival next week but now we have more time to accomplish more!

TIME SENSITIVE FOR PARENTS: TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCH AND BREAKFAST POSTPONED. Because the lunch and breakfast were to happen during the quality review, we will reschedule when we know the new dates. Please let your families know ASAP (some families may be planning to pick up items this weekend) the event has been postponed and we will contact them again about
bringing in food/drink donations for this event in the future.  For now, we have removed the sign-up sheets. Those who already signed up to bring an item, please consider volunteering again when the teacher appreciation is rescheduled. Thank you for your donation offer!!

CLASS BLOG TUTORIAL DATE: Is tentatively scheduled for the second week of February. The PTA is considering a few suggestions to see what works best for the majority of people.

VOLUNTEER FAIR: Remember the PTA has a table set up for parents to volunteer for different upcoming events. If you can help man the table or want to sign up for an event, please stop by. We will be there Monday - Wednesday in the morning and afternoon. Events include: Family Literacy Night; Go Green Night; Art Show and Silent Auction; International Festival.

Thank you all for your dedication.  Have a great weekend.

Kristi T.
1st VP PTA"

Teacher Appreciation Event at The Roosevelt Island School (P.S./I.S. 217)

The Roosevelt Island School PTA will be hosting a very special event at our school next week, the first part of February. Administration from the Department of Education (DoE) will be holding their annual building review, which is a time where the school receives part of our overall "School Grade" from the DoE.  This is the time to have P.S./I.S. 217 really shine!

It is a very important and busy time for administration, teachers, and staff of our school.  They are dedicated to our children and the school, and to make their week easier, the PTA is holding P.S./I.S. 217 Teacher Appreciation Event Wednesday, February 3rd - Friday, February 5th.  We have around 50 staff members that we hope you'll join with us to say a big "THANK YOU" for all they do!  How can you help to say Thank you?  We're glad you asked!

The PTA is hosting a Luncheon on Wednesday and Breakfast on Friday for ALL staff members at the school.  We would appreciate and we need your help to bring in food, drinks, and supplies for this event.  IT's one of the ways we can show appreciation for the love, care and instruction given to our children!  Please look for sign-ups at the classrooms (Pre-K and Kindergarten) by Thursday (1/28), and notes home or calls from your class parents by the weekend.  Sign-ups will also be at the PTA "Volunteer Fair" starting THIS Friday (1/29), and continuing through Wednesday (2/3).  The Fair will take place before and after school in the main lobby - more information will be sent home regarding the Fair and volunteering on Thursday.... check your child's backpack!

After signing up for a Luncheon or Breakfast item, please bring the food at these times:
- Non-perishable items may be dropped off in the main office or at Movie Night this Friday, January 29th.
- Refrigerated items should be dropped off at the "Volunteer Fair" table in the main lobby - during pick-up and drop-off Monday-Wednesday of next week.
- ALL items MUST be sent to us no later than 9 am on Wednesday, February 3rd!
- Please try to use containers that we can throw out, or clearly label your container, and they will be placed in the main lobby on Thursday and Friday for you to pick up.  After that they will be donated.

We also need volunteers to help set up and serve at the Luncheon (Wednesday) and Breakfast (Friday).  Please email psis217info@gmail.com to let us know we can count on you!  Thank you for your help in showing our teachers support!

The New York State English Language Arts Standards

Below are English Language Arts Standards according to the New York State Department of Education website.  As we had already noticed, for class K003 at the Roosevelt Island School G&T acceleration is provided through differentiating teaching for advanced learners, where some kindergarteners become first/second-grade-level readers and writers. Complete Language Arts core curriculum for Kindergarten and first grade is available online.

Standard 1: Students will read, write, listen and speak for information and understanding: As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas; discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.
Standard 2: Students will read, write, listen and speak for literary response and expression: Students will read and listen to oral, written, and electronically produced texts and performances from American and world literature; relate texts and performances to their own lives; and develop an understanding of the diverse
social, historical, and cultural dimensions the texts and performances represent. As speakers and writers, students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language for self-expression and artistic creation.
Standard 3: Students will read, write, listen and speak for critical analysis and evaluation: As listeners and readers, students will analyze experiences, ideas, information, and issues presented by others using a variety of established criteria. As speakers and writers, they will present, in oral and written language and from a variety of perspectives, their opinions and judgments on experiences, ideas, information and issues.
Standard 4: Students will read, write, listen and speak for social interaction: Students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language for effective social communication with a wide variety of people. As readers and listeners, they will use the social communications of others to enrich their understanding of people and their views.

Student of the Month January Assembly at the Roosevelt Island School (P.S./I.S. 217)

Students of the month in K003 G&T class are David and Sophia.  Congratulations!  You can find photos from January 2010 "Student of the Month" Assembly along with other Roosevelt Island School (P.S./I.S. 217) pictures here.

This Week's Highlights at the Roosevelt Island School Gifted and Talented

- Monday, January 25th @9:15 am - Student of the Month Assemblies - David and Sophia will receive the awards this month.
- Tuesday, January 26th @10 am - 12:30 pm - Learning Leaders teaching session 

- Wednesday, January 27th @1:30 pm - January Birthday Lunch with the Principal
- Thursday, January 28th @10 am - 12:30 pm - Learning Leaders teaching session
- Friday, January 29th before and after school - PTA Volunteer Fair
- Friday, January 29th @6:30 pm - Family Movie Night - students K through 5th grade, their parents and siblings are invited to watch "Bolt" at the school cafeteria.

- This week's sight words are: day, book, now, good, looked - please practice these words daily with your child in addition to their assigned homework. Children will have a sight word test on Friday.
- Weekly lunch menu

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
25 Crispy Chicken Tenders Served W/ Dipping Sauce Toasted Cheese Sandwich Vegetable Normandy	26 Roasted Chicken W/ Guisado Sauce Cuban Roast Pork SchoolFood Plus Tumeric Herb Scented Rice Sweet Plantains	27 Mozzarella Sticks Served W/ Tomato Sauce SchoolFood Plus Steamed Broccoli W/Toasted Garlic	28 TEX - MEX Southwest Seasoned Chicken Patty Mexican Baked Beans & Melted Cheese Baked Tortilla Chips SchoolFood Plus Hot Confetti Corn Salad French Cut Green Beans	29 "PIZZA FRIDAYS" French Bread Pizza SchoolFood Plus Very Vegetable Salad

Family Movie Night at The Roosevelt Island School (P.S./I.S. 217) Featuring "Bolt"

PS/IS 217 Family Movie Night Friday, January 29th @6:30 pm Featuring "BOLT" to take place in the school cafeteria.

- Children K through 5th grade, parents and siblings are welcome. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

- Admission fee is $5 per person, or $20 per family.

- Free popcorn and movie theater treats are provided for the children. Drinks will be available for the adults, please bring an appetizer, snack or desert to share.

- Bring your lawn or beach chairs and blankets to be extra comfortable.

Sponsored by the PTA.  Please RSVP to psis217info@gmail.com

Updated "Mystery Reader" List for The Roosevelt Island School G&T Class

Here is our renewed list of Mystery Readers:

Feb. 26th : Steven (Elijah's dad)
Mar. 12th : Olga (Sophia's mom)
Mar. 26th : Peter (David's brother)
Apr. 16th : Yuriy (Sophia's dad)
Apr. 30th : Cathy (Samantha's mom)
May 14th  : Colette or Jawad (Zara's mom or dad)
May 28th  : Micka (Shai's mom)
Jun. 11th : Sha (Renee's mom)

Thank you very much for your support!

Sha.

Box Tops Competition at The Roosevelt Island School (P.S./I.S. 217)

Have you noticed the pink BOX TOPS collection box is missing from the entry way at school? This new year of 2010 the Roosevelt Island School PTA is starting a BOX TOPS Class Competition! Continue to clip and save your BOX TOPS - the competition will begin the 1st of February! Be sure to ask family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors or anyone else you know to help collect BOX TOPS. Expect more information on our competition by the end of this week!

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 already are using - Cheerios, Ziploc, 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! When clipping BOX TOPS, please make sure the expiration date is visible and current and clip around the dotted line on each Box Top.

3 WAYS TO HELP NOW:

1) CLIP and SAVE your BOX TOPS. In February, your child will bring them to their classroom. More details to come!
2) Visit http://www.btfe.com/ for more information, sweepstakes to earn BIG Box Tops or CASH for our school and coupons for your grocery shopping!
3) The PTA is in need of CLEAR containers that will be used in the classroom to catch all the BOX TOPS coming in! Please send in any CLEAR containers. Ex. nuts, pretzels, and other snack food containers from Costco - don't worry if there is a label, we will cover it with a BOX TOPS label. A bin will be in the foyer of the school this week, for you to drop the container into!

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

The Roosevelt Island School (P.S./I.S. 217) PTA Foreign Language Program Survey Results

The Roosevelt Island School (P.S./I.S. 217) PTA has successfully conducted a survey of the lower grade parents about the upcoming Foreign Language Program.  This information will be used to start the FLP for grades K through 3 next month (February 2010).  More information about the program will be available during the Parent Breakfast with the Principal on Wednesday, January 20th @8 am.