Dear Families,

My next morning hour is Wednesday after drop-off in the PTA Room.  We will have a discussion about literacy instruction at TNS.  In preparation, I ask that you read the article, “Conversation about the Reading Wars, Sparked by a New Documentary about Literacy Instruction: Q&A with Elizabeth Moje, Dean of the University of Michigan School of Education.”  I look forward to our discussion.

Mark Your Calendars:

• The PTA Executive Committee meets Monday at drop-off in the PTA Room.  All are welcome.

• The Grants Committee meets Tuesday at drop-off in the small cafeteria.

• Pre-K social worker, Alice will facilitate a workshop for Pre-k to 1st grade families about supporting children’s big feelings and challenging behavior.  They will meet Thursday at drop-off in Room 306.

• We have our November PTA meeting Thursday from 6 - 7PM in the PTA Room.  Child care will be provided.

• The TNS Book Fair will be open Thursday and Friday from 8 - 10AM & 2 - 4PM and Sunday during the Holiday Fair.  

• Friday is a PD half-day.  Dismissal is at 11:45 AM.

• The Holiday Fair and Artisan Fest is Sunday, December 16th from 11AM - 5PM.  Please look out for opportunities to volunteer... to set up, work a booth the day of, or clean-up.  This is a wonderful community event for the whole family and friends. I hope to see you all there.

Warmly,

Dyanthe

Dear Families,

One of our most festive fundraisers of the year, the Holiday Fair is quickly approaching.  It is an event for the whole family and makes a great playdate!  There are many ways to participate and support our school. Please look for opportunities to volunteer... to set up, work a booth the day of, or clean-up.  And of course, I hope you will join in the fun, too.  This year’s Holiday Fair is Sunday, December 16th!

Join our coat drive!  You can “leave a coat, take a coat,” as needed.  Starting Monday, bring your gently used (but clean) coats -  on hangers, if possible - and drop them off on the coat rack near the sign-in desk.  We are asking for coats for men, women, children and teens! Other winter gear will also be accepted - especially snow pants.  Thank you!

Mark Your Calendars:

• SING is Wednesday at 8:45 AM in the auditorium.  Please also join us for the bake sale in the lobby beforehand (also, this is a call for donated baked goods).

• Thursday is Picture Day for Sibs, retakes and make-ups.

• Parents of Unique Kids Support Group meets Thursday at 4:30 PM.  This is a support group for parents and caretakers; it is an opportunity to share experiences, challenges and strategies with each other.

• Friday is the deadline for submitting Middle School Applications to Noemi.  

Have a wonderful week,

Dyanthe

Dear Families,

Fall Family Celebration is one of my favorite TNS traditions because it always reminds me how warm and caring our community is, and the importance of food in bringing people together.  I am very thankful to be a part of TNS.

Mark Your Calendars:

• The Diversity Committee meets Tuesday at drop-off in the small cafeteria.

• There is no school Thursday and Friday this week.

Whatever family traditions you honor this weekend, enjoy the long and very well deserved break with your children.  I hope that it feels restful and rejuvenating.

Warmly,

Dyanthe

Dear Neighborhood School Families,

It’s family conference week.  Twice each year, in November and again in March, we hold family conferences.  In our early childhood classes, it is an opportunity for teachers, together with the child, to talk with the adults in each child’s family about the child’s work and progress in school.  In our upper grades, children lead conferences, speaking about their work alongside teachers and their adults. Conferences will be held Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon (dismissal is at 11:45 AM).

Please stop by the Library Open House before or after your conference to learn more about the library resources available to you and your child:

• Audiobooks (families can borrow a license to Tales2Go, our audiobook service)

• Makerspace/Maker station table

• Parent Resources

• Dewey Shelving Game

• Take a “Selfie with a Book”

• Snacks

Friday is Fall Family Celebration!  Classes schedule celebrations at various times during the day so that families with siblings in different classes can participate in all celebrations.

Erin/Michelle/Yolanda 11:30 - 12:30

Shaquawn/Dianne/Hughes/Fidelina 11:30 - 12:30

Dara/Cesar 11:45 - 12:30

Catlin/Haydee 11:45 - 12:30

Wanda/Elsie/Lucio 11:30 - 12:30

Chelsea/Shaniqua/Carmen/Lameeka 12:15

Lindsey/Olivia/Mildred 11:50 - 12:40

Caroline/Grace/Edgar 12 - 12:40

Jane 11:45

Matt 11:45

Hannah 8:45 - 9:10

Joanne/Sofia/Liz 8:45 - 9:45

Corinthia/Alexis/Louis Monday, November 19 @ 8:45

Mark Your Calendars:

• The Grants Committee meets today after drop-off in the small cafeteria.

• We have our PTA General Meeting Thursday at 8:40 AM in the PTA Room.

• THURSDAY IS A HALF-DAY for family conferences.  Dismissal is at 11:45 AM.

Pest update:  Over the long weekend, custodial staff continued to seal cracks and holes in classrooms, offices, hallways and any other area that needs closing.  

It finally feels like Fall.  Please make sure your child has all the necessary accessories (hat, scarf, mittens and coat) to stay warm and active; it’s important children come to school prepared to play outside as temperatures drop.   Missing something? Check our “Lost and Found” next to security.

Warmly,

Dyanthe

Dear Neighborhood School Families,

In the mood for a good laugh?  Join TNS families, friends and staff tonight at Gotham Comedy Club, beginning at 6:30.  Tickets are $25 each or 2 for $40.  Bring your friends, neighbors, family members. This is always a fun event and all ticket sale proceeds support our PTA.  

There is NO school tomorrow.  It is both Election Day and a city-wide professional development day for the Department of Education.  Most paraprofessionals will participate in the conference, “Paraprofessionals: Crucial Members of the Classroom Team”, sponsored by Teachers College Inclusion Classroom Project.  Most teachers, service providers and I will gather with colleagues from like-minded progressive schools at Brooklyn New School for the day; the focus of our work is “Progressive Education, Inquiry, Race and Equity”.

It’s almost family conference time.  Twice each year, in November and again in March, we hold family conferences.  In our early childhood classes, it is an opportunity for teachers, together with the child, to talk with the adults in each child’s family about the child’s work and progress in school.  In our upper grades, children lead conferences, speaking about their work alongside teachers and their adults. Conferences will be held the evening of Wednesday, November 14th and in the afternoon on Thursday, November 15th (dismissal is at 11:45 AM).

Pests update:  Over the weekend, holes were sealed on the 2nd, 3th, 4th floor with steel wool and foam sealer.  Glue traps were placed in all the rooms. Going forward, our custodians will seal some of the larger holes with metal or wood.  Door sweeps will be installed on exterior doors and glue traps will be placed in classrooms and office as needed.

Mark your calendars:

• There is no school Tuesday, November 6th.  

• The Advocacy Committee meets Wednesday at drop-off in the small cafeteria.

• Parent’s of Unique Kids Support Group meets Thursday morning at drop-off in Room 313.  This is a support group for parents and caretakers; it is an opportunity to share experiences, challenges and strategies with each other.

• Diversity Committee hosts our first evening potluck meeting Thursday, beginning at 5:30 PM.  It’s a time to come together and discuss strategies for making it through these sometimes trying holidays.  Childcare provided!

• There is no school Monday, November 12 in observance of Veterans Day.

Warmly,

Dyanthe