Dear Families,

TNS has a long-standing partnership with Hudson Guild, a Community Based Organization that provides mental health services for our students.  Working alongside our staff, an on-site therapist develops relationships with students and families and provides individual counseling to children in the school. The on-site therapy fosters children’s growth, provides support to families and helps our school function more efficiently and effectively.  We have been waiting all this Fall for a new social worker and I am very happy to share that Ashleigh Hertzig is joining our community this week! Ashleigh is legally blind and has a guide dog named Yuri. Over the next few weeks, Ashleigh and Yuri will visit classrooms to introduce themselves and answer students’ questions.  Please read her letter below.

Dear Students and Families,

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My name is Ashleigh Hertzig and I am so excited to join The Neighborhood School community as the new Clinical Social Worker! I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet and work with each of you this year. 

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I am a Licensed Master Social Worker with experience working with children, families, and individuals who have diverse needs and backgrounds as an agent of support and guidance. I’m committed to providing a safe and welcoming space where, together, we can strengthen each child’s educational experience and achievements, and ensure that every family in The Neighborhood School has the tools they need to succeed.

I would also like to take a moment to introduce you to my Guide Dog, Yuri. As an individual who is legally blind, Yuri acts as my eyes. Yuri’s job is to guide me around any obstacles in our path and alert me to changes in elevation. It is a lot of work, but he gets plenty of rewards in the form of treats and belly rubs when he does a good job! When he is wearing his harness he knows he is “on duty” and when I remove the harness he knows he is free to be a regular, goofy dog and gets plenty of time to play, chase his tail, and get loved by others. Together, we have traveled all over the country.

Yuri and I cannot wait to meet you! Please feel free to reach out or stop by with any questions or to say hi!

Sincerely,

Ashleigh Hertzig, LMSW 

This Week at TNS…

• We will have a pie bake sale on Tuesday and Wednesday morning in the lobby.  Baking not your thing?  The Bake Sale crew has your back… or better yet, your pies!  All proceeds fund the PTA.

• There is no school on Thursday and Friday.

Looking Ahead…

• Wednesday, December 4 at 8:35 AM:  Amanda, our Speech-Language Pathologist will lead an informational session on “Sounds in Motion”, the literacy program implemented in our early childhood classrooms that promote phonemic awareness and early literacy skills.

• Friday, December 6 is a TNS Half-Day.  Dismissal is at 11:45 AM.

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 Families,

Community Day is this Saturday from 10 AM - 3 PM.  This TNS tradition requires a little context for our newer community members.  Community Day involves one part helping to clean and care for our classrooms and shared facilities, and one part thought and reflection.  Families are invited to volunteer to help out any or all of the day! This year, Tiffany, Jane and Chelsea, Erin, Dara, Matt, Teddy, Sarah, Dianne and Shaquawn need help in their rooms.  We will shampoo classroom rugs, remove closet doors, clean and organize closets, and hang hooks and bulletin boards. In the afternoon, Leigh Ruple, Studio in a School teaching artist will lead families and staff in an art project.  Please reach out to Freddy (azulblue@gmail.com), Timothy (jenmit@earthlink.net) or me about volunteering to help.

This Week at TNS…

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

• The PTA General Meeting is on Thursday at 8:30 AM in the PTA Room.

• The Garden Committee meets Friday at drop-off in the small cafeteria.

• Picture Retakes/Make-ups and Sibling Pics are Friday. 

Looking Ahead…

• There is no school next Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving.

Have a great week,

Dyanthe

Dear Families,

It’s conference week at TNS.  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. Want to learn more about what your child is learning in Spanish, Science or Physical Education?  Please stop by the Science Room (317) to meet with Emily, the office (307) to meet with Teddy, and Spanish Room (301) to meet with Mara.  You can also sign-up outside of Room 303 to meet with your child’s speech teacher, Amanda or Sara. Conferences are Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon (dismissal is at 11:45 AM). 

What does being a “potential” targeted support and improvement (TSI) school mean?  Last year, New York State counted opt-outs to determine public school’s standing. All around the city, schools with high opt-out numbers are being identified at potential TSI and CSI  (comprehensive support and improvement) schools. Please join me and the Advocacy Committee Thursday morning in the PTA Room to discuss the implications of the designation and how families can advocate for our school.  

Have a good week,

Dyanthe

Dear Families,

There is no school for students tomorrow.  It is both Election Day and city-wide professional development day for teachers and paraprofessionals.  Most of our staff will participate in professional development with The Gender & Family Project (GFP) to develop gender-inclusive and intersectional curriculum across subjects.

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 on the evening of Wednesday, November 13th and in the afternoon on Thursday, November 14th (dismissal is at 11:45 AM).

This week at TNS…

• No School for students Tuesday.

• The Diversity Committee meets Wednesday after drop-off in the small cafeteria.

• SLT meets Thursday at 8 AM in Room 314.  All are welcome.

• Create a working agreement 

• Community Day

• TNS as potential TSI School

• CEP

• The Original Works order deadline is Friday, November 8th.  Please drop off your orders (artwork, order form & check) in the Original Works drop-box in the school office on the 3rd Floor.

• It’s popcorn on Friday this week!

• Movie Night is on Friday beginning at 5:30 PM with animated

•  shorts, followed by the feature film, My Neighbor Totoro at 6 PM.  Come on out for yummy food and lots of fun!  Suggested donation is $5/child; $8 for all siblings and adults are free!

Looking Ahead…

• There is no school on Monday, November 11 in observance of Veteran’s Day.

Have a great week,

Dyanthe

Dear Families,

Over the past year, families and staff have engaged in conversations about reading instruction at TNS.  Please come to hear author and former TNS parent Maria Russo discuss her new book, “How to Raise a Reader” TONIGHT from 6 - 7:30 PM.  Divided into four sections, from baby through teen, this book offers something useful on every page, whether it’s how to develop rituals around reading or build a family library, or engage a reluctant reader.  A fifth section, More Books to Love: By Theme and Reading Level, is chock full of expert recommendations.  Throughout, the authors debunk common myths, assuage parental fears, and deliver invaluable lessons in a positive and easy-to-act-on way.  I hope you will join me for what promises to be an informative and engaging night. Childcare will be provided.

November Lunch Menu at TNS

• Week of November 4:  Both Alternative and Classic entrees will be available

• Week of November 11:  Alternative Menu entrees

• Week of November 18:  Classic Menu entrees (on 10/18 both Alternative and Classic entrees will be available)

• Week of November 25:  They are the same

Also happening this week at TNS…

• Tuesday is Picture Day.  Individual shots will be taken in the PTA Room and class pictures will be taken in the small cafeteria.  Every child will have their picture taken. Families will get a code specifically for their child and they can go to the Cool for School website to order their child’s pictures.  November 22 is saved for sibling pictures and make-ups.

• Our Halloween Party is Thursday, October 31st beginning at 5:30 PM in the 4th Street courtyard.   Please remember to save candy and costumes for the parade!   

• The Advocacy Committee meets Friday after drop-off in the PTA room.

• The Eco Committee meets Friday after drop-off in the small cafeteria.

• It’s “Popcorn Friday” this week!

Looking Ahead…

• There is NO SCHOOL for students on Tuesday, November 5.

Finally, please do not leave strollers in the Lobby during the day.  They block access to scooters, the safety agents’ area and most importantly, pose a fire hazard.  Thank you.

Warmly,

Dyanthe