Dear Neighborhood School Families,

On my way home today, I bumped into a soon-to-be TNS 3rd grader playing at the park.  We exchanged summer stories. He asked about his new teacher (“Is he strict?”)  On parting, he excitedly exclaimed, “15 more days until school!”  

It has been yet another busy summer at TNS.  Custodial staff have been working hard readying classrooms for September.  We’ve ordered new furniture and materials, including cubbies and lofts for our Kindergarten/1st grades and blocks for 2nd/3rd.  Several very dedicated parents have watered our beautiful garden regularly. Teachers have been planning and even today, several teachers were at school, setting up for the start of another year.

Changing grade configurations to Kindergarten/1st, 2nd/3rd and 4th/5th has given us the opportunity to revisit our progressive values and rethink some practices; one of these is recess.  Recess is a time when children play: they develop their imaginations, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Undirected play allows them to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and learn self-advocacy skills.  All of our children will have more time to play this year.  As in the past, our Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and 1st graders will have recess 50 minutes-a-day, from 10:40 - 11:30 AM.  Our 2nd and 3rd graders will also have 50 minutes of recess a day, from 12:40 - 1:30 PM. All of our Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd graders will eat lunch in the classrooms with their teachers.  While our 4th and 5th graders will still have 20ish minutes of recess from 12:20 - 12:40 and eat lunch in the cafeteria, classes will have the opportunity to sign-up for additional outdoor time during the school day.

I hope you will be able come to the PTA sponsored Welcome (back) Picnic on Tuesday, September 4th in the recess yard from 4 - 6 PM.  Please bring a dish to share!

But if not, we’ll see you in 16 days… : )

Love,

Dyanthe

Dear Neighborhood School Families,

It is a tradition at TNS to have “Camp Days” on the last two full days of school; this year they will be this Friday and Monday, June 25.  Lower grades will go to the park at 1st and 1st and upper grades will go to Tompkins Square Park (the north side, near 10th Street, between Avenue A & B).  Our younger students will be there in the morning and our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will go in the afternoon.  Students will get wet if the sprinklers are on (and we hope they are), so please send a change of clothes to school for your child.  If you do not want your child to go into the sprinklers, please let your teacher know. Please note, students must come to school to participate in Camp Days and may not be picked up from the park.

It is time to say “goodbye” to a very special member of our teaching community.  Longtime Kindergarten teacher, Judy has taken a job closer to home.  Although we will miss her, we are happy she has found a school aligned to our progressive pedagogy.

Mark Your Calendars:

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

• Third Street Music School is hosting its spring open house Tuesday from 3 - 6PM.  The open house is free and will take place at its building on 235 East 11th Street near 2nd Avenue. TNS students ages 6 (by December 31, 2018) to 14 will be able to meet teachers, try out different dance styles, chorus, instruments, and apply for free and reduced-rate group classes with openings in the fall.  Children interested in attending the event must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Placement is not guaranteed; every effort will be made to place each child in one of their activity choices. Partners@3rd classes are tuition-free for students during the first year of instruction at Third Street. Second year instruction is discounted, and financial aid is available for years three and beyond.  For more information, contact Third Street’s Student Services office at 212-777-3240 ext. 17.

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

• Our Read-A-Thon Kick-off is Wednesday at 3PM!  Encourage your child to continue the daily habit of reading over the summer, while raising funds for our school.  Join us after school for the launch!

• The PTA General Meeting is Thursday at 8:40AM in the PTA Room; we will vote to approve the budget for 2018-19.

• 5th Grade graduation is Thursday, June 22 at 1:15PM in the auditorium.

• Narrative Reports go home Thursday.

• Tuesday, June 26 is the last day of school.   Dismissal is at 11:45AM.  It is also the last SING of the year.   We will meet in the big yard at 8:45AM. Please note, we do not have a bake sale.  

• Class placement letters and class lists for next year go home the last day of school.  If your child is not here that day, you can email me or Noemi and we will send the information to you.  Supply lists and letters from your child’s teacher will be sent home in August.

This is my last letter of the 2017-18 school year.  I hope you have a wonderful summer with your children, full of adventure and play and have lots of stories to share when we see each other again in September.  

Much Love,

Dyanthe

Dear Families,

I am sending my letter a little early this week with a reminder that there is no school for students tomorrow.

Thursday is Field Day! Get ready for organized chaos!  This is one of my favorite TNS traditions because it is all about eating, playing and just being together.   Our entire school will go to Prospect Park for a picnic and outdoor activities. All classes will have buses this year.  Please check with your child’s teacher about departure time.

Two very important notes:  

• Please do not purchase food, including ice cream or icies for your child unless you plan to buy for the entire school.

• Parents wishing to take children out early or directly from the park must sign-out with their classroom teachers.

Thank you!

Mark your calendars:

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

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

• How can parents help children better understand their growing bodies, foster healthy social and communication skills, and have respect for others?  Barbara DiGangi from Families Thriving will facilitate a workshop for families Wednesday from 5 - 7PM in Room 304. 

• There is no school Friday in observance of Eid Al-Fitr.

See you Tuesday,

Dyanthe

Dear Neighborhood School Families,

During the month of June, teachers are hard at work in the evenings and on the weekends writing  end-of-year progress reports. Progress reports tell the story of a child as a learner over the year; they reveal a child’s interests, strengths and areas for growth.  Reports go home June 21.  

Mark Your Calendar:

• It’s Puerto Rico Week at TNS!  Purchase a TNS2PR t-shirt, donate spare cash, or ask us how to buy a solar charger or water filter via our Amazon Wish List. All profits will be used to support our partner school.

• The 4th grade NYS Science test will be administered Monday.

• Our last SLT meeting of the year is Tuesday at 8AM in Room 301.

• The PTA Executive Committee meets Wednesday at drop-off in the PTA Room.

• Third Street Music School is hosting its spring open house on Wednesday from 3 - 6PM.  The open house is free and will take place at its building on 235 East 11th Street near 2nd Avenue. TNS students ages 6 (by December 31, 2018) to 14 will be able to meet teachers, try out different dance styles, chorus, instruments, and apply for free and reduced-rate group classes with openings in the fall.  Children interested in attending the event must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Placement is not guaranteed; every effort will be made to place each child in one of their activity choices. Partners@3rd classes are tuition-free for students during the first year of instruction at Third Street. Second year instruction is discounted, and financial aid is available for years three and beyond.  For more information, contact Third Street’s Student Services office at 212-777-3240 ext. 17.

• Join us for the 3rd Street Garden Party this Wednesday from 4 - 7PM.  We will have refreshments, some activities for kids and a brief program at 5:30PM.  But mostly, we would like to invite everyone to come and enjoy each other’s company and the garden.

• There is no school for students Thursday.

Warmly,

Dyanthe

Dear Neighborhood School Families,

I am writing to share next year’s teaching placements with you.  We will have two Pre-K sections, four Kindergarten/1st grade classes, four 2nd/3rd grade classes and three 4th/5th grade classes.  Teachers and I have spent the winter and spring planning for the changes. Just like the kids, some teachers will be in new grades and in some cases, some kids may be with the same teacher(s) next year.  Wanda and Erin will teach Pre-K.  Dara, Catlin, Shaniqua & Chelsea, and Dianne & Shaquawn will teach K/1.  Jane, Grace & Caroline, and Olivia & Lindsey will teach 2/3. Hannah, Sofia & Joanne, and Alexis & Corinthia will teach ⅘.  Judy has taken a job closer to home and although we will miss her, we are happy she has found a school aligned to her progressive pedagogy.  Mara will teach Spanish, Emily will teach Science and Teddy will teach Physical Education. We are in the process of hiring another 2nd/3rd grade teacher.  

I imagine that kids will have a lot of questions as they hear the news and teachers will talk with students about the changes that are happening.  We sent home a form last week inviting you to let me or your current teacher know if there is anything you’d like us to consider in making your child’s placement for next year.  Please know that we do not accept requests for specific teachers.  Our goal is to make well balanced classes all around.  We carefully consider your input along with information from teachers and other school staff, but please understand that we may not be able to honor every request.  Placement decisions will be published on the last day of school. We look forward to sharing your child’s new class list with you then.

Mark your calendars:

• “Managing Your Child’s Big Feelings” is Tuesday at 8:30AM in Room 301.  Noemi and our Pre-K Social Worker, Alice will facilitate a group discussion of struggles and successes with the emotional lives of our Pre-K/K kids.

• SING is Wednesday at 8:45AM in the auditorium.  We will have a bake sale in the lobby beforehand.

• Our annual Spring Jam is Friday from 5 - 7PM in the 4th St courtyard.  Suggested donation is $10 per family and 100% of your donation supports TNS programming.

Warmly,

Dyanthe