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PTA NEWSLETTER

March, 2001

At the PTA meeting on March 20, 12 parents were selected to participate on the committee that will recommend candidates for the position of permanent assistant principal, a position that Sharon Jeffrey-Roebuck has held on an interim basis since September. In previous years, the school had an administrative assistant to perform the tasks normally handled by an assistant principal. Additional funds have been provided in the school budget for a permanent assistant principal. The committee also will include two teachers elected by the school faculty, principal Sherry Gregory, a representative from DC37, and the district superintendent's designee. The committee will meet over a period of several months to review resumes, interview candidates, and recommend 5 candidates to the superintendent. Hopefully, this process will result in selection of a permanent assistant principal in time for the beginning of the next school year in September. Ms. Jeffrey-Roebuck is a candidate for the permanent position and will continue to serve on an interim basis while the formal selection procedure takes place.

The parent members of the committee will be: Rose McCarthy, Wendy Hersh, Sandy Newell, Emma Sosa, Lydia Tong, Carol Elves, Tony Monroe, Geneva Barbera, Mary O’Brien Miranda, Erin Feely-Nahem, Olya Stern and Mosud Mannan.

Our 7th annual Career Day will take place on Wednesday, March 28. As in past years, parents, neighbors and friends will meet with 6th through 8th graders to describe their careers and hopefully spark some interest in these youngsters in possible career opportunities. Anyone interested in participating should call guidance counselor Susan Cohen at 980-0294 ext. 2422 or Mireille Neuprez, learning leader and coordinator, at 759-6781. There also will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for our two new computer labs, with the participation of Council Member Gifford Miller, who provided the funding for these state of the art facilities. Council Member MIller will be at the school the whole day to participate in this event.

Council Member Miller also was instrumental in obtaining funding for us from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development for the school’s music program. Our music teacher, Mr. Solow, will be using these funds to buy new instruments and repair existing equipment.

You should have received recently a survey that was distributed to parents asking questions about the school curriculum and other school issues. Your answers to these questions will help the School Leadership Team and the school administration set educational priorities. If you have not returned it, please take a few moments to fill it out and return it to your child’s teacher. If you did not receive a survey, please call the school office.

The School Leadership Team will meet on Wednesday, March 28 at 6 PM. This will be followed at 7 PM by a meeting of the PTA Executive Board.

We are planning to hold a book fair during April, with books provided by Barnes and Noble. Mary O’Brien Miranda is coordinating this event. Anyone who is interested in helping, please contact her at 759-9884.

If you attended our annual International Dinner on February 13, you know that it was a great success and a terrific evening for all of the participants, with great food and a great opportunity to socialize with other members of the school community. Our thanks to all of the parents who brought food, helped to organize the event, and to everyone who joined us for dinner: Sandra Morabito; Maritza Diaz; Mary O’Brien Miranda; Wendy Hersh; Denise Burns; Omo Samet; Azza Elnahas; Rose McCarthy; Kasia Krauze; Anna Hlavata; Mercedes Lugo; Rosanna Intermite; Pennie Cannon; Samir Soughon; Gail Monroe; Vladana Luicevic; Dong Long Feng;
Janet Jordan; Najia Ahmad; Soriana Silva; Farhat Javed; Aleena Hamkins; Sylvia Yumbe; Sheryl Glen; Ayesha Chaudry; James Tendean-Luce; Haruko Kuji; Momtaz Ahsan; Nuzhat Amin Mannan; Erin Feely-Nahem. (Our apologies to anyone who may have brought food but did not sign the list and therefore may not be included on this list.)

The Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP) is holding its 6^th Annual Citywide Institute, a 2-day event on Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1 from 8 AM to 3 PM at the School for the Physical City, at 55 East 25th Street. The event is sponsored by RCCP and Educators for Social Responsibility, with support from the UFT/ NYC Teachers Centers for Professional Development Program. Workshops will cost $25 for both days, $15 for one day. Advance registration is required. Workshops are for parents, educators, principals, and others interested in conflict resolution techniques, methods, and standards. For more information, call 212-260-6290.

Our most recent penny collection fundraiser was a great success. Treasurer Wendy Hersh reports that "tons" of pennies have been collected. A formal count will be taken when the pennies are deposited at the bank. The class that collected the most pennies will have a pizza party.

Tuesday, March 27^th is Lobby Day in Albany, when parents travel to the State Capitol to meet with our Assembly members and State Senators to discuss education issues. District 2 is organizing a bus trip. Any parents who are interested should contact PTA President Erin Feely-Nahem at 339-0016.

A reminder to visit the PTA web site at http://www.geocities.com/ps217pta. The web site includes interesting information about the school and PTA activities, including a complete list of the school’s honor roll students in the first two marking periods of this school year.

Our condolences to PTA Grants Officer Jim Tendean-Luce, whose mother recently passed away.