PRINCIPAL’S NEWS

Linda Mazza, Principal
Lisa Pagano, Assistant Principal
October 9, 2014
Volume 6, Issue 4
PRINCIPAL’S NEWS
BAGEL BITS
A special thank you to all those
parents who joined us at our first
Bagel Bits. Our next Bagel Bits is
scheduled for Wednesday,
November 19.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS
 Oct. 13 – Columbus Day
 Oct. 23 – Pre K non-attendance
day
 Nov. 4 – Full Day Staff PD
 Nov. 11 – Veteran’s Day
 Nov. 13 - PTC-Half Day
 Nov. 27 & 28 --Thanksgiving
RECESS
Please be aware that all students Pre-K – 5 go outdoors for recess each day except
during rain and snow. As the weather begins to change dress your child in layers so
that he/she may comfortably play outside. In addition, please remember that if your
child wants to participate in gym or play active games during recess they cannot wear
high heels or wedged shoes. This includes sneakers with a high wedge. Flat sneakers
are considered safe footwear for these kinds of activities.
This year we have soccer available at each of our lunch periods. Mr. Borrero and Mr.
Marko are the adults who are in charge of this activity. Due to lack of funding, we will
not have Recess Coach this year. Unfortunately that removes Zumba from our available
lunch activities. We are continuing to encourage organized games as an activity and
are actively discouraging any game that involves fighting, pushing or grabbing. Children
who continue to play in this manner will sit out during active play.
WELCOME BACK
We want to extend a warm welcome back to our school nurse, Joann Dolan. It is great
to have her back helping our students manage their medical needs.
PICTURE DAY
Picture day is Monday, October
27th. Order forms were sent
home already. Picture day is a
PTA fundraiser so please order
generously!
SWIM FOR LIFE
The ―Swim for Life‖ program at the YMCA will start on Monday October 20th. It is a 10week program and lessons will be on Mondays during the school day. Ms. Mackaman’s
class (2-101) and Mr. Wohlleb’s class (2-106) will attend from October to January. The
remaining two classes will attend from February to May. Transportation will be provided.
While this program was available free in the past, schools must now pay a fee to
participate. The cost is $50 per child, and we are asking parents to help us raise this
money so that all students may attend.
Two letters from the YMCA have been sent home and need to be signed and returned.
The two forms, the release waiver of liability and the indemnity agreement need to be
signed and so that your child can attend. The teachers have also sent home letters with
important information. All students who are in swimming need to wear his/her bathing
suit under their street clothes. They will also need a towel. If you have any questions,
ask the classroom teacher or contact Sergio Borrero, our parent coordinator, at 718965-0390 ext. 4105 or at [email protected]. Please support this so that all
children can enjoy this experience.
Website: www.ps295.org
Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PS295PTA/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PS295
Linda Mazza, Principal
Lisa Pagano, Assistant Principal
October 9, 2014
Volume 6, Issue 4
PTA NEWS & INFORMATION
START COLLECTING YOUR HALLOWEEN DANCE-A-THON PLEDGES!
FIELD DAY-OCTOBER 17th
This year we will be having Field
Day in October. Field Day has
always been a community building
activity and what better way to
start the school year. The date is
Friday October 17th and the
location is Prospect Park. Field
Day will include grades K – 5. All
classes will travel by bus to the
park and prepare for a day of funfilled activities.
Parents are
encouraged to join us. Check in
with Ms. Higgins or your child’s
teacher for more information.
IMPORTANT DATES








Oct. 17 – Field Day (K-5)
Oct. 21 – PTA meeting
Oct. 23 – Pre-K nonattendance day
Oct. 24 – Cupcake Friday
Oct. 25 – Halloween Dance-aThon
Oct. 27 – Picture day
Nov. 13 – Parent-teacher
conferences
Nov. 13—Book Fair
Website: www.ps295.org
The pledge forms for this year’s Halloween Dance-a-Thon are included with this week’s
bulletin! As a small school, PS 295 has to reach out beyond our community now and
then for a little extra help. This event is a perfect opportunity for you to get your
extended family and friends involved—and have some fun along the way. People can
pledge a specific amount for each dance your child completes (50 cents/dance,
$5/dance, or whatever they can spare), or just pledge a set amount for the evening. If
each student collects $20 in pledges, we’ll be in great shape—but the important thing is
just to do your best and enjoy the party!
 The Dance-a-Thon happens from 5 – 7:30 on Saturday, October 25. For more
details, visit: http://www.ps295.org/pta/halloween-dance-a-thon-2014/
 If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Amanda Amport at
347.528.8440 / [email protected].
LAST CALL FOR DONATIONS FOR THE SILENT ART AUCTION
Remember, all donations for the South Slope Silent Art Auction need to be in by next
Tuesday, October 14 (we extended the deadline by a day)! All work will be displayed at
Two Moon Art Café starting Oct. 17 and will be listed on the Gowanus Open Studio
event, so this is great exposure for working artists. Please help us fill those walls with
high-quality original artwork (preferably 2-D and ready to hang)! For details—or to help
out with the event itself—please email the team at
[email protected] or talk to Frid Branham, Jenny Collins, or Juliet
Terzian.
 For more details about the auction and what a great event it is, visit:
http://www.ps295.org/pta/silent-art-auction-2014/
 ―Like‖ the auction on Facebook to see all the latest submissions! Visit
https://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Slope-Silent-ArtAuction/212972125404608 (or just search Facebook for ―South Slope Silent Art
Auction‖ if it’s easier).
Please join us for the auction on Friday, Nov. 21! There’s no pressure to bid on the art,
but if you do, you’ll find great stuff at affordable prices. Either way, you’ll have a great
evening relaxing with other parents with no kids around (we love them, but everyone
needs a break now and then).
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE MORRIS FAMILY!
Last week’s benefit at Brooklyn Pub for John Morris was a big success—the family
thanks you immensely! Meanwhile, the campaign continues. To make a secure donation
to help with their expenses, please visit: www.gofundme.com/eryor4
Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PS295PTA/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PS295
Linda Mazza, Principal
Lisa Pagano, Assistant Principal
October 9, 2014
Volume 6, Issue 4
DID YOU MISS MEET THE STAFF NIGHT?
You can still get the handouts! They’re posted on the school website here:
http://www.ps295.org/news-and-events/meet-the-staff-night-handouts/
FOLLOW PS 295’S ART CLASSES ON INSTAGRAM
Ms. Shen-Ribeiro has set up an Instagram account to share her classes’ creations with family members! The account is under
the name ps295visualarts. This is a private account, so images will be viewable only by followers, not the general public. Ms.
Shen-Ribeiro will approve follow requests from members of the community (and won’t follow people back). You don’t have to
wait until the Spring Arts Fair to see our student masterpieces—get them delivered right to your phone or desktop!
DONORSCHOOSE PROJECTS FOR MS. MEADE AND MS. SHEN-RIBEIRO
DonorsChoose.org is an online charity where people can post projects in need of funding. PS 295 teachers have met many
needs this way, from coloring books to yoga mats to iPads. There are two PS 295 projects on the site right now—check them
out, share them with family and friends, and please help if you can!
 Tablets for Ms. Meade’s class—help Ms. Meade get Kindle devices for her students to use! Visit
http://www.donorschoose.org/project/tablets-needed-for-third-grade-classroom/1381673/. Enter the code SPARK
before Oct. 11 and DonorsChoose will match your gift for twice the support!
 Art supplies for Ms. Shen-Ribeiro’s studio—Ms. Shen needs a drying rack for student paintings! Visit
http://www.donorschoose.org/project/help-us-get-messy-in-the-ps-295-art-stud/1382525/. Enter the code SPARK
before Oct. 11 and DonorsChoose will match your gift for twice the support!
CAN YOU HELP KEEP THE PS 295 GARDEN GREEN AND HAPPY?
The gardens in our courtyard help our kids learn about gardening, the food cycle, healthy eating, and so much more. But they
need your help! Parent volunteers build those planters; now we need more helpers to maintain them. this includes: keeping the
garden clean and free of garbage; keeping the drains by the garden clear; occasional watering in the spring and fall when kids
can’t get to it; maintaining the boxes; and helping get the hoop houses up and running for the winter. If you can help, please
contact Susan Weseen at [email protected]. Thanks!
Website: www.ps295.org
Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PS295PTA/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PS295