PTA NEWSLETTER

April, 2003    The William T. Harris School    Office 929-1743 


Previous Newsletter (Feb.)

 

PTA Executive Board

SCHOOL CLOSING DAYS:

Deborah Donenfeld, Co-President

212 675 4420

Deborah Traussi, Co-President

212 268 0292

Barbara Somlo, Co-Vice Pres.

212 255 4921

Garry Dobbins Co-Vice Pres.

212 675 2379

Anna Matos, Treasurer

212 627 7298

Lillian Quartuccia, Fin., Sec.

212 967 1742

Stephen Williams, Rec., Sec.

212 229 1656

Pam Winberry, Corres., Sec.

212 977 9857

Lucia Santiago

212 691 6058

Delia Acosta

212 243 9254

Sodelina Holderbaum

212 255 8430

Laura Wynter

212 645 1794

Andrea Di Fiore

212 366 4621

Parent Council Representative

 

Ladan Bassir

212 924 9102

April 17-25, Spring Recess
May 26, Monday Memorial Day
June 26, Last day of school

 

PTA MEETINGS COMING UP: *Apr.14th *May12th Jun.11th

     *NOTE CHANGE

 

STOP THE EDUCATION CUTS!


 

Saturday May 3rd March in Albany to protest Pataki’s education cuts.  Find out more by logging on to  www.marchforpubliceducation.org

 


Dear Parents, Families and Friends of PS 11,

Yes, that is a warm breeze that you feel brushing your face.It sure has been a cold, violent winter but that  seems to be behind us now. Unfortunately, the war with Iraq is now part of our normal day. What are children thinking as they watch the news

and listen to people talking? This is an extremely stressful time for us. Imagine how difficult it must be for our children.We are constantly monitoring our classes and looking for children that may be demonstrating anxieties of any kind. There has certainly been an increase of aggressive behavior and everyone on staff is very aware of the possible causes. Like I had mentioned to you in my message outside the school on Friday, March 20th: hug your children more, take the time to listen and notice the simple joys of everyday, and find peaceful places.

We now have 3 short months before the end of the year. There is still so much we want to do. We will be using every moment and need you to make sure your child is here everyday and on time, 8:20am.

May peace, for our children, one day mean forever.

Sincerely, Francis Del Monaco, Principal

 

PTA ELECTIONS ARE NEAR…

We need you on the PTA Board! Now is the time to submit your name in nomination. Positions open will be announced at the next PTA meeting April 14th, or you can leave a note in the PTA mailbox. The quality of your child’s education isn’t only a function of what’s taught in the classroom, but is informed by the spirit of community in the whole school.  Help nurture a community spirit; join us raising money for supplies and special programs, and fun events such as Multi-Cultural Night, and Harvest Festival.

TASTE OF CHELSEA mmm…mmm!

Taste of Chelsea will take place FRIDAY MAY 16, from 6:00-9:00pm at Chelsea Market. PS 11'S LARGEST FUNDRAISER! 20 great restaurants will offer a sample of their menu, and wine and beverages will also be available. There's also a silent auction, and a rollicking live auction of items such as: Caribbean vacations, tickets to Broadway shows, photo shoots by professionals, and many other exciting things.

 To make it a success we need your help. Mark your calendars – you won’t want to miss it! Invite your friends and family; get donations of goods and services for auction - forms kept on parent room door; help poster the neighborhood; set-up and clean up the event; work the doors or on food or drink tables. Or, buy a ticket yourself!

Last year we raised over $12,000 for our school! This year, in view of the way school budgets are being cut, we aim to double it!

 

Questions? Volunteer? Try Deborah Traussi  [email protected] or call 212 268 8471

Pam Winberry [email protected] or call 212 977 9857

Steve McMahon [email protected] or call 646 342 4242

 

Check Out Our Website

Many thanks for a superb job with our new PTA Website to Andrea Di Fiore and Dorian Benkoil. It’s up and running and looking good. Logon at www.ps11pta.org

 

SUMMER OASIS

For the past few summers OASIS has run a very successful summer camp in Central Park for children ages 6-13 (continuing this summer), and now has a new program starting this year on the Lower East Side (Oasis Downtown) using East River Park and a school on Houston Street, ”New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math”. This program is for children ages 4-7. For more information: www.oasischildren.com

Or call the director of enrolment: Anna Lacina 718 596 4900

 

See a Dream in the Making

Stop by the library and see Gil Santiago’s plans for an outdoor science center in the PS11 yard: you won’t believe your eyes. Go to the head of the class, Gil. When he’s done, with OUR help, the yard will be a place where our children learn science and self-reliance. Ask how you can help and be a part of an exciting and fun project.

 

Now available for all PS11 students - Gilsports (another Gil) Friday afterschool  program. Gil will pick up children at school in a yellow school van, inspected by D.O.T., with seat belts, take them directly to Chelsea Piers to skate in winter, or to baseball fields in the spring, and drop them off at home between 5:15 and 6:00 pm.  The cost is $45 per session for skating and $35 for baseball. Full day programs in school holidays!  For more information call Gil at 718 499-2093 or www.gilsports.com (Minimum of 8 children from PS11 required before this can happen.)

 

SCHOOL CHANGES – UPDATES

By now you should have all received the principals letter re the curriculum. Here are a few

links with more information about the Chancellor's top schools list, related Dept of Ed links and other helpful places.
DOE logon to www.nycenet.edu

 

"Ask Dr. Math," a question and answer service for math students and their teachers. Logon to www.nycenet.edu


You are also invited to meetings of "Children First" throughout the city, on various dates. You can also reach Chancellor Klein; logon www.nycenet.edu/childrenfirst

PARENTING HORIZONS

Workshops on parenting issues are offered in different locations; to find out more about their programs call 212 765-2377


After School Program

Questions? Call 917-653-0594.Leave a message on voicemail and someone will soon get back to you.

 

THOSE CRITTERS ARE BACK

That’s right – lice.  And they’ll keep coming back unless we all take them seriously.  Please let your teacher know if your child gets lice, and read the literature you’re given carefully. We can only kick this if everyone is informed and pro-active.

 

Thanks to Kinko’s at 24th St and 7th Ave for freely printing our newsletter - 212-929-2679

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

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