PCEC Newsletter - March 2016 by Fit to B'Hurst

From the

Parent Council Excecutive Committee

SA families Bensonhurst

March 2016 Newsletter

What’s Inside 1 Opening Letter 2 The Office Baby

Counting All the Time

3 Super Tuesday 4 Calendar of Upcoming Events at School and Around Town showering Sa-BH in good fortune. The Lion, an omen of good luck, eats lettuce to bring wealth and wisdom to anyone who invites him. photo by Polina Bulman

Sharing the wealth sa-bh PCEC Polina Bulman President

Madeline Vega Vice President

Lana Dziouba Secretary

sabh.pcec@gmail.com Thank you Illona Bobritsky and Elena Gorohovsky! Send pictures or calendar events anytime to contribute_sabh@yahoo.com

Diverse as New York City is, many schools tend to be made up of overwhelmingly one or two ethnic groups. SA-BH is different, and the PCEC has made it a mission to celebrate that fact. With all of our scholars dressing identically, we thought it was important to take the time to address some individuality. Plus, learning about other cultures hopefully makes us a more empathetic community as well. Cultural events are parent-driven—the school will give us the time and space, but parents must generate ideas and produce the event. Themes have ranged from using the five senses to explore the Middle East to focusing on innovators who should be spoken of more often than just during Black History Month. Winnie Mok, one of the parents who helped organize Lunar New Year, explained, “It’s a special way for us to express good wishes to each other. We are so grateful to be able to share our well wishes and cultures with the SA-BH community.” “I have to say, the community of the school, the way we help each other, the way our kids are united is so surreal,” Ronit Perry, a parent organizer, said after the Middle East event. The group’s cooperation could serve as an inspiration to world leaders. “I don’t think there’s another school community like ours.” There are more events coming in 2016, and anyone can volunteer. Watch for updates on the “SABH Community” Facebook group and on sabhfamilies.com.

The Office Baby Why is there a walker in the Main Office?

(March 2015)

(Mr. Dant is holding a baby here)

(9 months pregnant) Magazines that never get finished Easy to transport But there was no way to sit at a computer for very long.

As a newborn, people mistook her for just a backpack worn backwards.

Now she needs interaction when her trips to the school go too long.

There are many babies in the SA-BH family, but this one in particular (Betty or Stella or Elizabeth depending who you ask) has been busy. One week included seven scheduled trips to the school. SA-BH is the only place on Earth where she is conditioned to let someone other than her mom hold her. At least for a little while.

Counting All The Time

59 37

The February issue proclaimed there are words all around us all the time. The same is true for math. How many “likes” did your picture get today? How many more is that than yesterday? It’s supposed to be 59 degrees one day and 37 the next. How many degrees difference is that? Wondering about what’s going on around you is good practice for grouping numbers, estimating, and deciding what kind of problem (addition, subtraction, and so on) is required to find the answer. How many cookies are in a serving? How many servings are in this package? So, how many cookies are in this package? Now how do we measure how good they taste? That’s science.

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Super tuesday Every four years brings Leap Year, Summer Olympics, and a Presidential election SIX MONTHS AGO I met an Armenian woman who wanted to know why everyone was supporting Donald Trump. At that point, no ballots had been cast at all. By the end of March, though, we could know for sure who the Republican and Democratic nominees will be. The actual election is in November. It’s a long process even for adults. To relate the primaries, caucuses, and eventual election to my 3-year-old’s life, I think he can look at the process the way he looks at getting dressed for school. He wants the fuzzy gray pants, but he absolutely cannot wear them again. They are not an option. Is there anything else like the fuzzy joggers? No. There are many pants to choose from, but nothing identical to that fuzzy gray pair. He has to choose something new.

So, right away, we know shorts are not an option. No shorts. Pants with an elastic waist are better for him than pants with buttons, so all the jeans and khakis have to go. For some reason he does not like the swishy athletic pants anymore. We are left with old blue fuzzy pants that are too short and a pair of sweatpants with a paint stain. I wish I could think of a third option, but this is what’s available and the bus is coming. It’s time to choose. Does he take the weather into consideration? Does he think of what he will want to wear tomorrow? Does he just go with the option he knew he wanted before he started looking at all the choices? Yeah, he’s going to choose the one he’s been leaning toward all along because it makes him feel good. Winner chosen.

this Map was supposed to show how diVerse the LocatioNs of the sa-Bh coLLeges are, But a Lot of theM are right aBout... there.

termS YOUr SChOlar might aSK abOUt nominee - a person who is proposed or formally entered as a candidate for an office, such as president

delegate - a person sent to represent others, in particular an elected representative

election - organized process of deciding, especially electing members of a political body

Convention - where the delegates will gather to announce a political party’s singular nominee for president

Primary - a preliminary election to appoint delegates or to select candidates for a principal election

brokered convention - no one nominee secured the required majority of delegates. Super delegates and others engage in political horse trading and re-votes.

Caucus - a meeting to select candidates or decide policy

march 2016 sa-Bh PCeC newsletter 3

Calendar of Upcoming Events sun 28

mon 29

Children’s Film Festival

wed 2

Zero Discrimination Day

fri

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat PCEC outing

Caribbean Cultures Event

Pi Day

No School

Purim Begins

Holy Thursday

Good Friday

World Poetry Day

19 Easter Eggs of Ukraine

Daylight Saving Time Begins

Spring Begins Palm Sunday Internation Day of Happiness

12 Wofabe

Asia Week New York

Irish Family Day

Easter Parade

sat

World Wildlife Day

International Women’s Day

thurs

Kids Food Fest Leap Day

tues

St. Patrick’s Day

Flower Show 29

Caribbean Cultures Event

No School

Easter

Fun Things to Add to Your Calendar A selection of events in and around Brooklyn to check out with your scholar Children’s Film Festival Feb. 26 - March 20 New York International Children’s Film Festival shows new, inspiring, and thought-provoking films, suitable for families. nyicff.org Kids Food Fest March 5 - 6 Games for children from 6 months to tweens, plus presentations and exhibits for parents to encourage healthy eating. Bryant Park. Free. Asia Week New York March 10 - 19 Celebrate Asian art at galleries and

museums with panel discussions, workshops, and more. asiaweekny.com Wofabe March 12 The African Dance and Drum Festival has classes, a crafts fair, and an evening concert at New Jersey Performing Arts Center. wofabe.com

Easter Eggs of the Ukraine March 19 - 1 to 5 p.m. Artists make beautiful pysanka eggs. Watch a film and visit the exhibition at the Ukrainian Museum. facebook.com/ events/433054266902235/

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in The Hat March 12 For families who reserved tickets.

Macy’s Flower Show March 20 - April 3 See spectacular arrangements of flowers from around the world and attend scheduled events. Free.

St. Patrick’s Open Day March 13 - 12 to 4 p.m. Enjoy games, craft-making, music, and dance. irishartscenter.org Free.

Easter Parade March 27 - 10 a.m. Wear an extravagant hat and join the people strolling on Fifth Avenue. Free.

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