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The North Hills News
A publication of the PTA at P.S. 221, The North Hills School, A 2013
National Blue Ribbon School
November 2014
A Message from our PTA President,
Michelle Stein
Dear Parents,
I wanted to thank all of the parents for supporting the PTA’s
membership drive and fall fundraisers. It is through the
generosity of our school families that we can provide enriching and fun
experiences for all of the students.
It’s not too late to place your order for your holiday cheesecakes! All
order forms can be found on the PTA website. Our KidStuff fundraiser
sold 140 books, students will be spotted wearing their school shirts, we
raised $320 at our Panera Bread fundraiser and are looking forward to
the exciting evening planned on November 20th at Barnes and Noble in
Bay Terrace. The 2nd graders experienced the Tipi Program, the
Renaissance Program began for the 3rd -5th graders, the 4th and 5th
graders celebrated at the Costume Party and school photos were taken.
We’ve been busy!
Our next PTA meeting will be held on November 18th at 7:00 pm in the
cafeteria. We are looking forward to Ms. Singleton’s presentation on
the Growth Mind Set. Please join us for committee updates,
opportunities to volunteer and a description of the events coming up.
As the holidays are upon us, I wish you all a very thankful, safe and
healthy Thanksgiving. On behalf of the PTA Executive Board and
myself, we are thankful for your continued support.
Happening
in
November
Thursday, 11/13
Parent Teacher
Conferences
-Raffle tickets will be on sale
for Samsung Galaxy tablet.
Tuesday, 11/18
PTA Meeting 7 pm
-Raffle tickets will be on sale
for Samsung Galaxy tablet.
Thursday, 11/20
Eastern Woodlands
program-Grade 4
Thursday, 11/20
Barnes & Noble
Fundraiser
Tuesday, 11/25
Cascon Cheesecake
deliveries
P.S. 221 PTA
www.ps221pta.org
[email protected]
Our November PTA General Membership Meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, 11/18/14 at 7:00 PM in the School Cafeteria
Special Presentation by Ms. Singleton on the Growth Mind Set
Raffle Winner will be chosen from Membership drive!!
Raffle tickets for Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook 7.0 will be on sale
As always there will be a supervised activity for school-age children during the
meeting and light refreshments will be served .
“As we express our
gratitude, we must never
forget that the highest
appreciation is not to utter
words, but to live by them”
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Page 2-November 2014
Fundraising Updates
With your
participation we
raised $320!
Thank You!
Our total book
sales were 140!
Thank you!
We have earned
$110 from your Box
Tops submissions.
Don’t forget to keep
sending them in.
Thank You!
Our cheesecake
fundraiser is still in
progress! Send in
your order forms
today!
Programming
Our Programming chairs
have been very busy this month!
First in late October the PTA
sponsored Renaissance Program
began for students in grades 3
through 5. The students are given
the opportunity to delve into the
arts and sciences by choosing an
area of study from T-Shirt design
to chocolate to theater classes.
The lower grade classes will also
participate in the Renaissance
Program in the next few months!
This month, our friends
from Journeys Into American
Indian Territory will be joining
us again to introduce our 4th
graders to the Eastern Woodlands: Native Peoples of Our
Region Program. This program
demonstrates the physical environment of our region prior to
European contact. Students
learn, through group interactive
projects, the role that cooperation plays in survival.
Starting this month, our
first graders will venture off on
the first of 3 trips to the Bronx
Zoo! This PTA sponsored program
allows our young explorers the
opportunity to visit captivating zoo
exhibits and learn about them
through class workshops at the zoo!
It is a wonderful learning
experience enjoyed by all.
Committee Updates
By-Law Review Committee
An Ad hoc bylaw committee
has been formed to update our
bylaws. The Chancellor’s office has
prepared a PTA bylaws template, which
incorporates various changes to the
regulations governing PTAs. Many of the
changes the committee will recommend
conform our bylaws to this template to
ensure compliance with all applicable
chancellor's regulations.
5th Grade Activities & Yearbook
Committee
The yearbook contracts have been signed; We are using the online yearbook software PICTAVO. Attention 5th Grade Parents: Create an account now with
Pictavo Community. ALL PICTURES will be uploaded using their program. Letters are coming home
this month requesting the following pictures: Baby
Pictures, Pictures from Pre-K through 4th Grade at
PTA or School Sponsored events (years 2008-2014).
The website is www.community.pictavo.com.
Family Literacy Night Recap
Page 3-November 2014
by Student Organization President Matthew Friedman
On October 9, 2014,
only guest, though. The
and we made bookmarks in
P.S. 221 hosted its 4th Family amazing Borough President
the school cafeteria. The
Literacy Night, where an
Melinda Katz came! She was
administration, PTA of
amazing author came to the
our
P.S.221 and the parents of
school to speak about her
talked to us about how much
children in the school all
books. Doreen Rappaport,
she loves Queens, how she
worked together to make
the author of books like
likes the New York City Pub-
this event the best it could
Martin’s Big Words, To
lic Schools, and she also
be. Mrs. Gina Fini, a parent
Dare Mighty Things – The
talked about how much she
on the PTA Executive
Life of Theodore Roose-
likes P.S.221! This event was
Board, helped organize this
velt, and many more great
very fun and
whole event. She was the
books came and spoke to the
parents, teachers, students,
person that asked Ms.
audience about how she
and even siblings of the stu-
Rappaport to come to our
writes, what she will write,
dents loved this event. Every-
school. This event was very
and why she writes.
body was very excited!
fun! I feel very proud that
Everybody in the
surprise guest! She
everybody,
After Ms. Rappaport
school was amazed at how
spoke, parents and students
she spoke with inspirational
listened to the great teachers
words. Doreen Rappaport
read their favorite stories in
also autographed books!
different classrooms. After
Ms. Rappaport wasn’t the
that, we had milk and cookies,
my school hosted this great
event.
Bookfair vouchers will be coming home with your child or you can print these out
if you misplace them.
Thursday, November 20, 2014 paired with the
Barnes and Noble Bookfair!
Grab an early dinner before all the festivities begin at one of our 2 participating
eateries located right in the Bay Terrace Shopping Center!!! Or, grab a delicious
dinner once all the festivities have concluded, what ever you decide both
Applebee’s and Panera Bread welcome you to their establishments. Remember to
show the participating restaurant’s flyer when you dine in or dine out so our
P.S. 221 PTA can receive proceeds from the sales made. Please print the forms
below. Flyers will also be coming home with your child.
Catching Up! PTA Meeting Minutes from
October 2014
Page 8-November 2014
P.S. 221 PTA Meeting – October 21, 2014 at 7:30 PM
PTA & SLT members in attendance – Michelle Stein, Virginia Tam, Joann Pikramenos, Jieun Yu, Winnie Wu, Gina Fini,
Katherine Ang, Lize Wong, Selina Cho, Marissa Chmela, Marie Principe, Maria Katranis, Misun Park-Cha, Jill Eisenberg, Cindy
Kontente, Alessandra Sumowicz McNally
PTA President Michelle SteinWelcomed everyone; called the meeting to order at 7:36 PM; asked to adopt the minutes. Minutes adopted.
Thanked the programming, fundraising and membership team and the parent community for all their hard work and
participation.
Announced that if anyone wants to run for the Financial Secretary Position on the PTA Executive Board they have to submit
that request in writing.
Announced that we will be hearing from two speakers during the meeting.
Principal Mrs. Bullard –
Welcomed Everyone.
Introduced the two speakers –Thad Copeland from Recycling Champions and Thomas Caniano our computer teacher.
Superintendent Anita Saunders has retired after 44 years of service to the children of district 26; New Superintendent is
Danielle Giunta.
Report cards will be distributed on November 6th and Parent Teacher Conferences are on November 13th.
Open school week will take place the week of November 17 th.
Thanked Mrs. Gina Fini-Bianco, volunteers, staff and parents for their great efforts on Family Literacy Night.
Doreen Rapppaport stated she was very impressed with our children.
Barnes and Noble Night is coming up on November 20th –you will be receiving notices shortly.
We have received a grant from CASA –The Cultural Afterschool Adventures Program-it is a city council fund program,
it came to us from Mark Weprin’s office. The Queens Botanical Garden will be coming to our school offering afterschool
classes in gardening, nature, etc for 9 weeks. We will open it to our 4 th and 5th graders, our green team and also
Mrs. Covelli’s class will be very involved.
We will also be starting a gardening project. Mrs. Maguire has applied for a grant.
4th Grade Teacher Mrs. MaguireApplying for a grant with Grow to Learn NYC.
This grant will provide us with the necessary resources to start a garden. It will be named The North Hills Garden.
After registering and receiving the grant we will receive free lumber, soil and seed to create the garden.
Our goal is to have the garden up and running by late March.
Notices will be going home to parents for volunteer opportunities.
Assistant Principal Mrs. StrauzerWelcomed everyone
Report cards are coming home early November; there is a new system where teachers will provide the grades and
comments electronically. You will still be getting a paper copy of the report card. Eventually they will be online as well, on
Aris Link.
S.O. (Student Organization) is sponsoring trick or treat for UNICEF. You will be receiving a flyer shortly.
S.O. is also doing Penny Harvest this year. It will run the week of Thanksgiving. Notices will go out soon.
S.O. is also sponsoring Black & Orange Spirit day on Halloween.
Renaissance for grades 3 through 5 will start this Friday.
You should be receiving monthly paper newsletters from your teacher-per grade -and they are also on the school’s website.
They are filled with important information on what the students are learning, activities, and events.
* Special Presentation by Thad Copeland from Recycling Champions.
*Special Presentation by Thomas Caniano on Aris Link and School Website.
UFT Chapter Leader Mrs. Judy KriegsmanWelcomed everyone
Looking forward to meeting new superintendent; teachers, staff and administration will be working closely with her.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, both administration and staff will wear pink tomorrow.
Email us if you have any questions or concerns.
Catching Up! PTA Meeting
Minutes from October 2014
continued...
Page 9-November 2014
Parent Coordinator Mrs. Maria AprliakisWelcomed Everyone
Fire Safety Educational Unit was here in September; they spoke to the children about fire safety and had the students
walk through the simulated smoke house. It was a very enjoyable and beneficial experience for the students.
This year we will be having a Daisy Girl Scout Troop. The leader is Michelle Rey and she has a co-leader Dana Martin.
Pre-K workshop is scheduled for October 29th for AM parents- 8:45 AM and PM parents- 12:45 PM in the cafeteria titled:
“Stages of Social and Emotional Development.”
November we will have the Brain Show assembly.
December we have the LeAp Educational Learning program (Learning through an Expanded Arts Program) assembly
titled: “Holidays around the World”. They will discuss the different holidays; assembly will include instruments,
dancing, singing, student participation and more.
Aris Link –If you need the student’s id and password you have to call Mrs. Aprilakis directly or send a note with your child
to school.
PTA President Michelle Stein-Treasurer’s Report:
Current balance is $20,227. Playworks, Tipi Program and T-shirts have been paid for; coming up we need to pay for the
ballroom dancing and the Bronx Zoo Trip for the 1st graders.
Fundraising:
KidStuff coupon books have been collected; if you ordered more they will be delivered to you shortly. If you still have the
KidStuff coupon book and do not want to purchase it please send it back right away.
Cheesecake Fundraiser –Deadline to place and order is 11/07 and pick up date is 11/25. If you haven’t ordered your
cheesecakes please do so ASAP; we will also send an email out reminding everyone with the order forms online.
Panera Bread night was very successful; thank you to all the parents that came. The check we received was over $325.
Thank you!
Barnes and Noble Night is coming up on November 20 th. We have also partnered up with Applebee’s and Panera Bread.
The fundraiser will run all day and it is also available online. We will have entertainment and different programming
throughout the evening in Barnes and Noble (Bay Terrace, Bayside). This is a great event to invite family and friends to,
do your holiday shopping and then enjoy dinner as a community. Notices will be coming home soon.
Membership:
So far we have collected over $7,900.00; financial support from parents is crucial for us to sustain all the programming for
the children.
The raffle winner from the membership drive will be chosen in the November PTA meeting.
5th Grade Activities and Yearbook:
Yearbook contracts have been signed. We will be sending out information to the 5 th grade parents shortly.
By-Law Review:
We are currently drafting the new by-laws. We are incorporating the changes per the chancellor’s regulations into the new
by-laws. We will be presenting the new draft in the November meeting. When you come to the November meeting the
By-laws will be on the back tables for your review.
Website/Newsletter:
Newsletter emailed and posted online monthly.
Website updated regularly.
Elections:
If you would like to run for Financial Secretary please email us directly.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM. Respectfully submitted by Joann Pikramenos, Recording Secretary
10/22/2014
Page 10-November 2014
DECEMBER 2014
PTA Calendar
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
5
6
5th Grade
Night of
Ballroom
Dancing
7
8
9
14
15
16
21
22
23
28
29
Grade 4
Holiday
Concert
30
Family Fun
Night
10
11
12
17
18
19
20
24
25
26
27
Holiday Gift
Fair
13
WINTER RECESS SCHOOL CLOSED31
WINTER RECESS SCHOOL CLOSEDVisit our website daily at www.ps221pta.org for important information
& events from the PTA!
Email us at [email protected] and ask to be added to our email
list for the latest news and happenings from the P.S. 221 PTA!
PTA Executive Board
The North Hills News
President: Michelle Stein
November 2014
57-40 Marathon Parkway
Little Neck, NY 11362
Main: (718) 423-8825
Parent Teacher Association
P.S. 221
Treasurer: Virginia Tam
Co-Recording Secretaries: Joann Pikramenos,
Jill Eisenberg
Corresponding Secretary: Alessandra McNally
VP Fundraising: Cindy Kontente, Marissa Chmela
Jieun Yu, Winnie Wu, Katherine Ang
VP Membership: Gina Fini, Misun Park-Cha
VP Programming: Marie Principe, Jeanne Kwon, Selina
Cho, Lize Wong
Parliamentarian: Maria Katranis
November 2014 Issue– Joann Pikramenos, Publications Committee