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November/December, 2000

SCHOOL RECEIVES AWARD FOR 4^TH GRADE READING SCORES

We reported last month that the 4^th grade reading scores for last year showed great improvement: 73% passed the reading test, compared to 40% the previous year. This achievement has been recognized with the presentation to our school of the 2000 Pathfinder Award, which is presented by Citicorp and Chase Manhattan to the schools with the greatest improvement in reading scores. 217 is one of two schools in District 2 to receive this award, the other being P.S. 59. In addition to a beautiful trophy, the school received a cash prize of $1,000.

 SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM AND PTA OFFICERS

At our November 2^nd meeting, the PTA membership elected Wendy Hersh as Treasurer and Mosud Mannan and Jim Tendean-Luce as members of the School Leadership Team, which works with the principal and school administration on curriculum and other school policy issues.

Our thanks to Isaac Nahem, who served as interim Treasurer. At the November 29^th School Leadership Team meeting, Alana Pollack and Yvonne Cohen were chosen as co-chairs of the Leadership Team.

As we have mentioned in previous newsletters, there still are vacant positions, including 3rd Vice President and representative to the United Parents Association (UPA). The 3rd Vice President represents the PTA off-Island to the Community School Board and the Parent Council of School District 2. The UPA representative attends meetings of the citywide PTA organization. We also need additional Parent Outreach Liaisons, who help to recruit contact parents for each class and organize a calling chain to notify parents about PTA and school activities. And we can always use more fundraisers. Any parent or guardian of a child at 217 who is interested in serving in any of these positions, please call PTA President Erin Feely-Nahem (see item on page 2 for her contact numbers).

 UPCOMING PTA MEETINGS

The next School Leadership Team meeting will take place on Thursday, January 4^th at 6 PM, followed by a PTA Executive Board meeting at 7 PM. The next PTA general membership meeting will be on Thursday, January 18^th at 6 PM. It will include a math workshop conducted by math staff developers and math teachers for all grades. All parents are invited to attend. 

WINTER BAND CONCERT DECEMBER 14TH

The PTA membership voted on November 2^nd to provide funds for the purchase of new instruments and the repair of some of the instruments already owned by the music department. The purchase of new flutes, trumpets, and a clarinet, and the repair of a tenor sax, clarinet and alto sax, will help our music teacher, Mr. Solow, and the school band in preparing for the annual winter concert, which will take place on December 14^th at 6:30 PM. This is always a rousing and fun-filled event, so please make plans to attend. There will be a $2 admission charge, and all funds collected will go to the Music Department for repair of instruments and new purchases. We will be selling baked goods and cider before the concert and during intermission – if you can prepare baked goods or volunteer, please contact Mary O’Brien Miranda (759-9884).

 OTHER NEWS AND NOTES

The Penny Harvest charity fundraiser was a terrific success, raising more than $1,000 (that’s more than 100,000 pennies!). Congratulations and thanks to all for their generosity. Ms. Pollack’s 5^th grade class collected the most pennies and will celebrate with a pizza party.

School District 2 has a vacancy in the position of District Superintendent, which will be filled in the coming months by a committee composed of parents, faculty and school administrators from throughout the district. PTA 1^st Vice President Mosud Mannan was selected as a member of the selection committee, giving us a voice in this important decision.

The flea market that was held in the school on Election Day brought in $490 for the school. Thanks to everyone who donated items, as well as to those who made purchases, and a special thanks to Erin Feely-Nahem, Mary O’Brien Miranda and Mercedes "Cookie" Lugo for their efforts in organizing and running the flea market.

 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Even if you are not able to serve on the PTA Executive Board, we need your help to ensure an active PTA. The more parents who volunteer some of their time, the more effective the PTA can be. Events such as the Election Day flea market and the Halloween festivities can only succeed if people are willing to help out. If you can help organize fund-raising activities, or special events such as the book fair, or help to distribute this newsletter and other announcements to parents, please call, complete and submit a volunteer form, or just come to a PTA meeting.

If you wish to contact the PTA for any reason, please contact PTA President Erin Feely-Nahem at 339-0016 (home), (718) 443-3928 (work), by e-mail at mailto:[email protected] or complete and submit the feedback form.

MAKE MONEY FOR OUR SCHOOL AS YOU SHOP ON-LINE

As you do your holiday shopping, remember that you can help the school by making purchases online from SchoolPop.com @ http://www.Schoolpop.com or Target.com @ http://www.target.com. Both of these Internet web sites give money back to the school if you shop on-line. Schoolpop.com allows you to shop at more than 250 online retailers, including Gapkids, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, Drugstore.com, OfficeMax, JC Penney, eToys, Sharper Image, Omaha Steaks, Pets.com, Tower Records, Sports Authority, LandsEnd, Eddie Bauer, Planet Rx, Toys R Us, and many other shopping web sites. Just choose "PS 217 Roosevelt Island", and the school will receive a percentage of every purchase.

 SHOP AT THE SATURDAY MARKETPLACE AT THE MOTORGATE

Please remember, also, to buy fruits and vegetables and other goods at the Marketplace every Saturday outside the Motorgate garage. The vendors rent space from the PTA, so their continued success guarantees funds for the PTA and the school.

The PTA will hold a rummage sale at the Marketplace on Saturday, December 9^th from 10 AM to 2 PM and possibly again on the following Saturday, December 16^th. If you can help out, please contact Erin Feely-Nahem.

 Happy holidays to all, and a happy new year!!!