Welcome from the new PS 373R PTA President

Welcome from the President of the Parents’ Association

Welcome to the P.S. 373R PTA, and your PTA. We are here to work together for all of our children.  Families need to be connected to others in order to raise their children in communities to ensure their children are safe and healthy.  Our schools need parents and families to engage in conversation and collaboration to discover where and how they can be involved in their child’s education.  Our local PTA units need to be connected to their community so they will be able to provide opportunities and share the information for the benefit of our schools, families and children.  We can make a difference.

The PTA meetings are held on the Third Tuesday of every month during the school year.  The first meeting will be on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the Main Site, 91 Henderson Avenue (Corner of Lafayette & Henderson).

As a parent of P.S. 373R, you are automatically a member of the Parents’ Association.  Our purpose is to enhance communication between the Schools. We know that when parents are involved with their child’s education the child is more likely to succeed in life.   PTA is an abundant resource for programs and ideas to involve parents.

Our goals this year are to:

• To provide opportunities for every family to participate in P.S. 373R Actives.
• To provide ways for P.S. 373R families to join in support of their children’s school.
• To Support for each other an advocate for students, parents and the community;
• To raise funds for “Teachers Wish List” the annual Carnival.

 PTA Activities:

School Spirit Fridays: We are also encouraging all students and staff to show their school Spirit and wear our school logo shirts on Fridays.  We will be selling School Spirit Shirts throughout the year.

Leadership teams:  School Leadership Teams (SLT) brings together parents, administrators, and teachers to create the school’s education plan and write its budget… SLT members can also create special opportunities for their school.

Holiday Fair:  This annual event is a student favorite, a successful fundraiser and community outreach. The School is selling variety of gift items for the holidays. You can also volunteer to help with setup, cleanup and cashiering at the Holiday Fair.

We are engaged through advocacy, communication, community collaboration, conviction, diversity, fiscal responsibility, membership and passion.  The passion of PTA volunteers – that every child experiences success in school – is what makes a difference in the lives of children every day.

Please enjoy these next few years.  You won’t believe how quickly they will go by and how much your child will mature and learn.  Before you realize it, they will be graduating from one of the finest institutions in the country.  All of us on the PTA look forward to meeting you at P.S. 373R. Working together we can make a difference for every child.

Please contact your PTA President Maritza Sabato at 718-494-9146 or Cell 917-299-0114 and email: maritza.pta@aitny.com if you have questions or concerns.

LINK TO LETTER with PTA CONTACT FORM: Welcome Letter

New Guide Offers Road Map To IEP Process

New Guide Offers Road Map To IEP Process

By Michelle Diament

August 23, 2011

A new guide released Tuesday provides parents with a step-by-step look at how to obtain special education services from their school district.

The 26-page download from Autism Speaks offers a broad overview of the legal rights of parents and students with disabilities and walks through the process of forming an individualized education program or IEP.

The guide was prepared by attorneys at Goodwin Procter for the autism advocacy group, but is written in layman’s terms, using bullet points and flow charts for clarity.

“The IEP process can be daunting, overwhelming and highly frustrating for parents who are trying to ensure their child is getting the appropriate educational opportunities,” said Lisa Goring, vice president of family services at Autism Speaks. “We hope this guide will give families an effective road map that prepares them to make informed decisions and advocate for their child as effectively as possible.”

Though produced by Autism Speaks, most of the information included in the guide is applicable to all students that qualify for special education, irrespective of their diagnosis.

LINK HERE FOR FULL GUIDE: IEPin fo.

The Citywide District 75 Council Calendar Meeting – OPT Busing Update

The Citywide District 75 Council

OPT Busing Update Report CD75C – Busing Survey Report will be Officially Released

• Has your child been late for school or arrived home late due to new bus routes, or added students?
• Are elementary students still riding with High School students?
• This summer did your child have a working air conditioner on their bus?
• When you call OPT are you confused and still have unresolved busing issue?

If the answer is “YES” come out and let your voice be heard!!

PUBLIC FORUM

The Citywide District 75 Council Calendar Meeting

• Date:  Wednesday,  September 21, 2011
• School Location:  Petrides – 715 Ocean Terrace, Building B, Staten Island, NY 10301
• Telephone: 718-556-0511

Translations Services (Spanish) will be provided for the audience.

Servicios de traducción (español) se presentará para el público.

The public is requested to keep its questions and comments to under two minutes.

All meetings are held at wheelchair accessible sites

 

Dog Days of Summer at the S.I. Children’s Museum – Cooking Classes

Image via Wikipedia

From the S.I. Children’s Museum website: http://www.statenislandkids.org/index.html

 

Sirius, the “dog star,” is the brightest star in the night sky. Part of the constellation Canis Major, or Big Dog, Sirius rises and set with the sun during late July/early August every year. Because Sirius shines so brightly, Ancient Egyptians and Romans believed it was responsible for the hot summer by adding its own heat to the heat of the sun. While we now know this is not true, the name Dog Days of Summer stuck, and is how we still refer to the hottest part of summer.

Come enjoy these Dog Days every Friday at 2, 3 & 4 pm during our Kidz Cook workshops. Every Friday’s recipe is related to dogs, and wait until you see how good they can taste!

August 5-German Shepherd Chocolate Cake, August 12-French Poodle Tarts, August 19-Chow Chow Mein,
August 26-Neapolitan Mastiff Pizza

To get into the mood, why don’t you try making a “Lassi Come Home” – an Indian Yogurt Shake – in your own kitchen?
Ingredients:
1 cup of plain yogurt, stirred to a loose, smooth consistency
2 cups of mango pulp (or any other seasonal fruit that has been mashed.
1 cup of milk (whole or low fat)
Sugar or honey to taste (optional)
Directions:
1. Put all ingredients in a shaker or jar with a lid and shake until everything is mixed together. If you have a blender, just add all ingredients (and ice chips, if you want) and pulse until well-mixed.
2. Serve.

The Staten Island Borough President’s Committee on Autism Night with the Staten Island Yankees – Sunday, August 14, 2011

Image via Wikipedia

Autism Night with the Staten Island Yankees on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS BY CALLING 718-313-1302

2 convenient ticket options:

• $13.00 per ticket includes:

1. FREE limited edition Staten Island Yankees cap for each person
2. All kids 12 & under can run the bass for FREE after the game
3. FREE PlayBall Program for each person

• $20.00 per ticket includes:

1. Everything listed above
2. ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwiches, popcorn, soda & water

LINK HERE FOR FLYER: SI Yankees Autism Night

2011 State ELA and Math Test Results in ARIS Parent Link

Starting August 17, 2011, log in to ARIS Parent Link at www.ARISParentLink.org to view your child’s 2011 New York State ELA and math test results for grades 3-8.

Visit an ARIS Parent Link Access Station if you need your username and password:

Friday, August 26, 2011 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in STATEN ISLAND at the New Dorp Library, 309 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island, NY 10306 Telephone: 718-351-2977. Interpretation services will be available at each station.

What do I need to bring to request my ARIS Parent Link username and password? Please note that because ARIS Parent Link contains confidential student information, parents and guardians will need to provide a photo ID to receive login information. Passwords will only be given if a parent is indicated as primary guardian on a student’s record.

Where can I find more information?

• Call 311
• If you are a parent/guardian of a student at PS 373R you may call Kirsten Rorke, Parent Coordinator at 347-563-5281
• Go to http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/OFEA/State+Test+Flyer.htm

Link here for 2011 Grades 3-8 State ELA and Math Test Results Frequently Asked Questions: FAQsforNYSTestrelease_FINAL_080811

Last Day of Summer School – Monday August 15, 2011

Please be informed that the last day of Summer School is Monday, August 15th. It will be a full day of school.

Students return to school on Thursday, September 8, 2011. Please make note of these dates on your calendar. Have a happy and safe summer break!

Citywide Council on Special Education Meeting – Thursday, August 11, 2011

The next Citywide Council on Special Education meeting is on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at Tweed Courthouse, 2nd Floor, 52 Chambers Street, NY, NY 10007.

At 6:00 p.m. the public is invited to sign in to speak. The working meeting starts at 6:15 p.m. with at review of CCSE by-laws and budget resolutions. The public meeting starts at 6:50 p.m.

St. George Waterfront Festival in Staten Island – Saturday, August 6, 2011

Discover Staten Island as we celebrate its 350th Birthday!

FREE outdoor fun, including:

•  On-Stage Musical Entertainment
•  Fun activities for the WHOLE FAMILY
• Local Artists Showcase
•  See a variety of Macy’s Parade Balloons up close, and bring your camera to take photos!
• Visit representatives from Staten Island’s Cultural Attractions as they showcase their venues

// Watch the exciting PIZZA EATING CONTEST! \\

 Also enjoy:

• Shopping along the St. George Esplanade

•  Tasting “The BEST of Staten Island” at various food vendors

• After all that fun, end the night with a BANG with the FREE FIREWORKS SHOW!  Fireworks start at 9pm! 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• Art Exhibit on Ferry Terminal Promenade/with music
• Cultural Organizations
• Ethnic Food Vendors
• Craft and retail vendors
• Plant/flower market – Fred Ariemma

ACTIVITIES

• Macy’s Balloons
• Stage Entertainment
• Pizza Eating Contest (next to stage)
• Loom Weaving -Kente Clothe Weavers from Ghana
• Historic Richmondtown Re-enactment
• NYC Fire Department
• Face Painting
• Sand Art
• Balloon Sculpting
• “Living history presentations” at the Si350 table Meet and Greet:
• 1:30 George Washington
• 2:00 Cornelius Vanderbilt
• 2:30 Civil War Recruiter
• 3:00 Civil War Wife
• 3:30 Butter Churning (Farmer’s Wife)
• 4:00 Lighthouse Keeper

STAGE ENTERTAINMENT

• 1:00-1:45 p.m. – Band: Bob Wright & Harbortown (Songs about Staten Island)
• 2:00 -:2:15 p.m. – Century Dance Complex (dancers & drummers)
• 2:30-2:45 p.m. – David Suarez & Viktor Payan (Mexican Folk Singers)
• 3:00-4:00 p.m. – Country Music Sensation “Loren”
• 4:30-5:00 p.m. – Red Storm Drummers
• 5:30-6:00 p.m. – Pizza Eating Contest
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Band: “A Sound Affair”
• 8:00-9:00 p.m. – Band: “Silas Knight”
• 9:00 p.m. Fireworks

FOR MORE INFO: www.statenislandusa.com   |  www.visitstatenisland.com

Safety Tips for Parents and Kids

Please take a moment to learn how to protect your children’s safety.

How do parents balance fear and freedom and foster independence without overprotecting children? The best answer is that they should make decisions they feel work for their family. They should think about their own comfort level as well as the child’s age, maturity, and cognitive ability.

Whatever the family’s decision, parents should begin to talk to children at a young age about safety and keeping away from danger. It is important to approach the subject in a non-threatening way so children are not fearful of potentially dangerous situations or people in general. Rather, the goal is to teach them to be able to recognize when something may be wrong and to talk to parents when something is bothering them. The key is to help children feel empowered and to encourage them to develop and trust their intuition.

Safety tips for parents

· Talk to your children about the rules pertaining to strangers. Let them know a stranger or predator looks just like any other person and will use any number of ways to lure a child. Remember, the vast number of children who are victimized know their assailants.

· Know the common predator lures: pretending to look for a lost pet; asking the child for directions; giving or promising candy and/or money if the child will go to their car; and threatening to hurt family members if the child does not comply.

· Use a special code word that only the child knows to convey a message should someone other than a parent ask a child to accompany them anywhere. If the special code word is ever compromised, simply agree to a new word with your child.

· Never label clothing, backpacks, or other personal items with your child’s name. A predator will use this information to try to gain your child’s trust.

· Give your children instructions on what to do if they get separated from you in a public place. Tell them to first find a mother with children or go to a check-out counter or information desk or approach a police officer.

· Make sure that your child knows his or her full name, address, and phone number and how to contact you. They also need to know how to dial 911 and make collect calls.

· Know where your children are at all times, and keep a list of their friends’ names, addresses, and phone numbers.

· Trust your own instincts – if you don’t feel good about a person, keep your child away from that person.

· Continue to rehearse and “role play” to make the learning permanent so your child can react properly when under pressure.

· Before letting children walk without an adult, walk the route with them, pointing out landmarks and make sure they know it forward and backward.

Safety tips for children

· Do not get into any car unless your parents personally tell you to. You should not go near a car to talk to the people inside.

· Adults should not be asking children for help, for directions, or to look for a “lost puppy,” or telling you that your mother or father is in trouble and that they will take you to them.

· Quickly get away from anyone who tries to take you somewhere. Yell or scream: “This person is not my father (or mother).”

· Use the “buddy system” and never go places alone.

· Always ask your parents’ permission to leave the yard/play area or school or to go to someone’s home.

· People should not ask you to keep a special secret. If they do, tell your parents or teacher.

· You have the right to say “No” to someone who tries to take you somewhere against your will, touch you, or who makes you feel uncomfortable in any way.

· No one should touch you on the parts of the body covered by your bathing suit. Your body is special and private.

· Do not hitchhike or try to get a ride with people unless your parents have told you it’s ok.

· If walking without a trusted adult, always go home the same way and never take short-cuts.