From the
Parent Council Excecutive Committee
SA families Bensonhurst
April 2016 Newsletter
What’s Inside 1 Opening Letter 2 A Row of Trees Grows in Brooklyn 3 Time for a Check Up 4 New Kids on the Block 6 Soccer Team? Where to Eat 7 Best Meal
some Assembly required Volunteers quickly plate samples of caribbean food for scholars, taking care to assemble dishes according to dietary restrictions.
8 April Showers Bring Indoor Recess
better together
12 Look Out Below! Cheetah Everyday
April means a lot of things in New York (baseball, rain, cherry blossoms), but for parents of children between 4 and 8 years old it means lottery and test results. Where will your child attend school next year? For Success Academy, re-enrollment forms are due April 29.
13 PCEC Elections 14 Upcoming Events sa-bh PCEC Polina Bulman President
Madeline Vega Vice President
Lana Dziouba Secretary
Thank you Illona Bobritsky and Elena Gorohovsky!
This month also brings PCEC elections for the 2016-2017 school year. New positions have been created to be sure next year is filled with the play-dates, outings, and cultural events that helped make our community more vibrant this year. The PCEC decided families should elect people to be in charge of creating and managing those tasks. These elected positions will not be part of the Executive Committee, but they will represent the Parent Council and be a resource for our families, who hopefully will bring some fresh and exciting ideas to the next school year. You do not need to run for an elected position in order to be involved, though. There is plenty of work to do this year! Cultural celebrations, Teacher Appreciation Week, Talent Show, Spring Performance, Art Show, and end-ofyear classroom parties will all need volunteers. Check out sabhfamilies.com to learn how you can help—because everything is better when we work together.
A Row of Trees Grows in Brooklyn
In case you do not cut across Seth Low Park to get to school, the trip got longer for our friends coming from 75th Street.
Ms. Robertson had only been gone for a week, but it seemed like the perfect time to see how she and some of SA-Bh’s other former staff members were doing After sA-bh,
I went to SA-Williamsburg. SETSS – Special Education Teacher Support Services the biggest differeNce for me is that SA-WB has a much larger staff and student population (pre-K to 4th grade). I’ve had the opportunity to work with all grade levels. fAVorite sA-bh memory? Love and JOY! • Spending time and chatting with my scholar friends. • Read Aloud with Kindergarten • Random visits from first grade scholars, to celebrate small achievements throughout the day and share exceptional work. I hope that you all are doing well.
After sA-bh, I took a job nannying for a family with 3-year-old twin girls and a 7-year-old girl on the Upper West Side. I spend most of my time with them, facilitating sensory play and literacy activities. I enjoy my work very much and plan to stay with this family for the foreseeable future. I’m also taking steps to go back for my Phd. in the Fall of 2017 while I continue to nanny. fAVorite sA-bh memory? It’s an amalgamation of all of the hilarious dance parties we had on that dot rug.
curreNt role:
ms. rigby After sA-bh? I went to SA Fort Greene. I’m still the BOM here. biggest differeNce ? I didn’t realize before how different each Success Academy school is! Just like our scholars, our teachers and staff members have their own quirks and eccentricities that affect the feel of the school. Something that was not popular with one set of scholars may be a beloved tradition by another set. It’s exciting to get to know another unique set of scholars. fAVorite sA-bh memory? There are so many! We’re reading One School, One Book at Fort Greene right now, and I keep thinking back to Reading Night at Bensonhurst a few months ago. It became very clear that night what a tight knit and supportive community Bensonhurst has become. Teachers were the ones with the idea to have different rooms targeted toward different reading skills. Parents volunteered to talk
ms. Asby
time for a Check up
ms. robertsoN parent-to-parent on how to help their scholar at home. Even scholars were helping Ms. Levine and myself distribute popcorn and monitor younger siblings. Every person was there to support one another and one another’s scholars find joy and grow.
ms. rAser After sA-bh, I moved back to Chicago. I teach 5th grade reading in Englewood on the South Side of Chicago. I also helped start an organization called Assata’s daughters, which is an intergenerational collective of Black women and girls. We have weekly programming for girls, and we organize collective against anti-Black state violence. I miss New York and SA-Bh a lot, but I love being back in Chicago! Plus, the rent is way cheaper here. :) fAVorite sA-bh memory? I have so many! I loved all my dance parties in Brandeis, I loved when Brandeis kiddos would enter the classroom pretending to be robots, I loved our classroom community circle. Mostly, I loved the ways in which we all loved and supported one another. I think of all of you Brandeis families and kiddos often and will be visiting soon!
april 2016 sa-Bh PCeC newsletter 3
New Kids on the Block Some genuinely new faces, some reassignments...
Ms. Carey
Ms. Fasig
Mr. Hansen
Mr. Martorana
What is your job at SA-BH? Currently, I am working as a second grade assistant teacher in SUNYBrockport with Ms. Inglut. (You might know her from her role as assistant teacher in GW.)
What is your job at SA-BH? Second Grade Lead Teacher (You might know her from her role as assistant teacher in Morehouse.)
What is your job at SA-BH? Sports Teacher
What is your job at SA-BH? Soccer Coach
Were you here last school year? No, this is my first year at Success.
Do you work at another SA location in addition to SA-BH? Yes, I work at SABH and SA-Williamsburg
I did not work at a different Success Academy location prior to this school year. I actually worked as an English teacher in Madrid, Spain, for two years before working at Success Academy Bensonhurst. What’s your favorite place to eat in the neighborhood? (Or is there some type of place you’d like parents to recommend to you?) I have been slowly exploring places to eat in the neighborhood, but I would be interested and grateful for a recommendation from parents of a seafood restaurant in the Bensonhurst, Coney Island, or Sheepshead Bay area. I am looking forward to eating some excellent seafood this summer!
Did you work at a different Success Academy location before? Nope. What’s your favorite place to eat in the neighborhood? (Or is there some type of place you’d like parents to recommend to you?) I’m new to this area but so far I really like Lioni Italian Heroes. I love Thai or Italian food, so any recommendations on places to go in Brooklyn are appreciated.
Recommendations from families are on the next page!
4 SA-BH PCEC Newsletter April 2016
How can parents tell the difference between you and Coach M? Coach M wears his glasses more. Coach M also has his official SA soccer gear on all the time. Do you work at another SA location in addition to SA-BH? I work at Success Academy Bergen Beach as well. What’s your favorite place to eat in the neighborhood? (Or is there some type of place you’d like parents to recommend to you?) The only place I’ve been to is Spumoni Gardens and that was awesome. Other than that, I definitely need some recommendations!
Did you work at a different SA location before? I worked at SA-Fort Greene for a little, but this is my first year at SA. It has been a very positive experience; the staff, families, and scholars have shown support, excitement, and effort in soccer classes and practices. What’s your favorite place to eat in the neighborhood? (Or is there some type of place you’d like parents to recommend to you?) I love pizza! I found Spumoni Gardens early on when I came to SA-BH and I have visited there often! My last trip I even saw two of our very own SA-BH Scholars Katelyn and Caden Cao with their grandfather! As for recommendations, I enjoy all kinds of food, so if there is a top list in Bensonhurst I’ll make sure I check them out!
Mr. McSorley
Ms. Qualters
Ms. Salazar
Mr. Wu
Where did you go? After SA Bensonhurst, I worked with the team at SA BedStuy 2 during a leadership change, through the summer and early fall. Then I went to SA Network to support the Middle & High Schools. Recent changes presented the opportunity to come back, and you can imagine how appealing that was!
What is your job at SA-BH? I am the Associate Teacher in QU. Go Bobcats! (She really is new.)
What is your job at SA-BH? I am an Associate Teacher. I used to work with first grade, and I am now currently working with Kindergarten. (You might know her from her role as assistant teacher in WCU before Muhlenberg.)
What is your job at SA-BH? My role at SA-BH is Ops Coordinator, working to help aid, support and quantify a variety of non-instructional and operations based duties. Additionally, I help facilitate parent/scholar interactions amongst the SA-BH staff, help set up daily correspondences with both current and prospective parents, and general face-to-face based points of interaction.
Did you miss matching costumes with Mr. Dant? Yes, I missed Bensonhurst in a number of ways, including even the costumes, which might be a surprise to people who know me well. On the upside, I wasn’t outside during Arrival through the winter, so I went another year without buying a heavy coat! Best part about being back? The one best thing about being back? It’s returning to a place that’s not just a geographic location, but a community—a family, even. Time has passed and our kids are getting bigger, but our relationships are evolving too, getting closer and more complicated and richer. We’re building this community by choice, and being part of it changes all of us.
Did you work at a different SA location before? This is my first year with Success. Before I joined the SA-BH team, I spent eight years working with preschoolers. What’s your favorite place to eat in the neighborhood? (Or is there some type of place you’d like parents to recommend to you?) I am new to Brooklyn and have been trying all sorts of new places to eat! Greenhouse Café in Bay Ridge is one of my favorites so far.
Did you work at a different SA location before? This is the only SA school I have worked in so far, and I enjoy it very much. What’s your favorite place to eat in the neighborhood? (Or is there some type of place you’d like parents to recommend to you?) My favorite places to eat around here are Fugu and Pizza Daddy.
Who’s missing from this
list?
Being only the second year of this school, many staff members were new .
Lead teachers - Ms. Crouch, Ms . Inglut, Ms. Yadoo 3 more ATs - Ms. Arroyo, Mr. Basch, and Ms. Philips Science Assistant - Mr. Cekic Dance Teacher - Ms. Hayes Chess Teacher - Mr. Puckett And, of course, Mr. O
Did you work at a different SA location before? No I did not. SA-BH is my first stop in SA, and on a joyful note I hope I do not move anywhere in the immediate future, since the faculty, scholars, and overall experience has been far and away beyond my wildest expectations. What’s your favorite place to eat? I grew up a little under 10 minutes away from SA-BH, right here in Bensonhurst actually so this is a tricky question. I guess the newest cuisine style I would like to explore more is a Middle Eastern flavor.
April 2016 SA-BH PCEC Newsletter 5
Where to eat Recommendations shared on the Facebook group
hoW Is the sa-bh soCCer teaM doIng? The SA-Bh Soccer team has been doing very well! I have been very pleased with their growth in a short amount of time. Our soccer program is very different than traditional American sports programs. We do not focus on competition and results until the players get older. We have a very European or South American philosophy and set up. At the young ages (first, second, and third grade) we are focused on developing soccer skills and love for the game. It is important the players develop skills first, but the dual-goal for us is to have fun, fall in love with the game, and develop positive character and social traits. These positive traits will translate off field into the classroom and into life. I am very proud to say our scholars at SA-Bh are learning so much and it is a joy for me to witness. For example, I consistently empower our players to work hard at things that do not come easy and to find ways to show teamwork, positive communication and leadership. These are some things that integrate with foot skills, passing, and shooting. Our players have shown me they are quick learners; they grasp it and try apply it right away. —Coach M
PhOTO BY KAThY FREYTOR
CLoser to the sChooL arnor, crepes, ice cream & bubble tea is scholars’ favorite hang out place after school, 1425 W 10th St. tandoori Food and bakery (or Chaihana shalom) for take out Uzbek bread and food, 26 Ave. O bella napoli authentic Neapolitan slices, across the street from the school on Bay Parkway. torres has a rather large menu including all kinds of hot dishes, Bay Pkwy and 67th St. ortobello for Italian food, Bay Pkwy and 64th St. tenzan is a great sushi place, 18 Ave and 72nd St. Pio Pio Kings Hwy and W 7th St. We are georgians for take out Georgian food and baked goods at 230 Kings Hwy, by W 10 St. Istanbul Shish kebab place, Bay Pkwy and 86th St. Chikurin ridiculously delicious sushi however delivery can take a while but worth the wait. 2274 86th St. Ichi sushi Bay Pkwy and 86th St. Kasumi sushi is also not bad, 19th Ave. and 86th St. ta40 cafe, Chinese food, 6604 Bay Pkwy. house special fried rice, dry grapes in it, tell them to take it out if you don’t like it. Wonton noodles soup, clay pot rice with beef or short ribs. Cup o Yogurt, frozen yogurt, paninis, fresh made juice, 8512 Bay Pkwy
6 sa-Bh PCeC newsletter april 2016
A Bit Farther Away DiFara for a life-changing slice of pizza, B6 to East 14th and Avenue J
Best meal you’ve ever had? Alinea in Chicago
Totonno’s for old fashioned pizza. Not the fanciest of places, but the pizza is delicious, 1524 Neptune Ave.
Mr. Dant
Memo Kabob - one of the better Turkish kabobs (way better than Istanbul), Kings Highway near E 19th St.
Mr. Puckett
Wicked Monk Irish pub, 9510 3rd Ave.
Ms. Rodriguez
Ponte Vecchio Italian, 8810 4th Ave.
Marea with Mr. Dant
Ho’Brah best taco joint in New York, 8618 3rd Ave. John’s Deli 2033 Stillwell Ave. Fushimi Japanese, 9316 4th Ave. La Granja a great Peruvian rotisseri, 1928 Bath Ave. Living Room on 86th St. and 24 Ave. La Casa Bella has good Pizza and Italian food, 2579 Cropsey Ave. Footprints is our favorite West Indian restaurant, 1521 Surf Ave.
Tacos in Tasquillo, Mexico Medium rare steak with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus. Mmmm.
Ms. Calish
Aloo paratha and yogurt in a rooftop restuarant in Udaipur, Rajasthan Ms. Foster
Numero 28: Union Square penne boschetto Ms. Vanszl
Fried dough on Christmas morning Mr. Graves
Nargis Cafe Uzbeki Kabob place, Coney Island Ave & Z.
Steak at California Grille Fourth of July
Taci’s Beyti Turkish, 1955 Coney Island Ave.
Anything my grandma or Nigerian aunties cooked
Pho Hoai best Vietnamese in NYC, 1906 Ave. U Best Traditional Cantonese cuisine and dim sum in NYC - Pacificana on 8th Ave & 52nd St and East Harbor 65th St. near 7th Ave. Liman for seafood (Turkish style) It’s gotten expensive after the renovation, but still good. 2710 Emmons Ave Randazzo’s mixed seafood pasta and their lobster bisque, 2017 Emmons Ave. Pearl Room a bit pricy but delicious American/Italian food, 86th St. and 3rd Ave. Yiasou upscale Greek Cuisine on the Bay, 2003 Emmons Ave. Also, Bensonhurst Bean has two helpful lists: Guess which local eateries made Yelp’s Top 100 in Brooklyn 2015 Five Places to Grab a Drink in Bensonhurst
Mr. Poirier
Mr. Okotieuro
Shake Shack Ms. Phillips
Nachos Ms. Hayes
Any time I eat a Lioni’s sandwich Ms. Andersen
Oysters in Scotland Mr. Abernathy
My grandma’s Israeli/Iraqi homemade food Ms. Yadoo
Vetri in Philadelphia Ms. Lieberman
Steak or Chicken Rigatoni Ms. Inglut
Veal Gaetano from Scotties in Schenectady, NY Ms. Levine
Grandmom’s home cooked Italian food Ms. Crouch
April 2016 SA-BH PCEC Newsletter 7
April Showers Bring Indoor Recess 8 SA-BH PCEC Newsletter April 2016
Even when they can’t go out after lunch, scholars still put their imaginations and energy to good use. photos by Madeline Vega
jump around Ms. Levine and a WCU scholar follow a Just Dance routine for a One direction song while scholars in IUP-Harvard have a virtual race. (They normally have real relay races at recess.)
connecting the dots Scholars in GW and WCU also had the option to work quietly at their seats.
April 2016 SA-BH PCEC Newsletter 9
adding up the fun Scholars are welcome to play with the magnatiles, 3-dimensional, and 2-dimensional blocks they normally use during math.
10 SA-BH PCEC Newsletter April 2016
more new teachers Iup-Harvard scholars create number stories and pretend to give instructions.
not pictured Play-doh, cards, and more dry-erase boards were also options for amusement during indoor recess. Scholars were free to move from station to station.
April 2016 SA-BH PCEC Newsletter 11
Look Out Below
First Graders test which is better: larger or smaller parachutes.
More Spirit! Recently, this picture from 2015 Teacher Appreciation Week surfaced, and I thought Senior Leadership wasn’t showing equal amounts of spirit. So I corrected that.
12 SA-BH PCEC Newsletter April 2016
—Madeline
Teacher Appreciation Week 2015 Photo by Polina Bulman
Partners would take turns dropping sample parachutes at the same time and record which sample landed first. The goal was to record 10 observations before time ran out. Photos by Madeline Vega
2016-2017 PCEC Election All parents of SA-BH scholars are automatically members of the SA-BH Parent Council. Within the Parent Council, there is an elected group of individuals who make decisions about how to spend the money the Network provides for Teacher Appreciation Week and is supposed to ensure all scholars are receiving an enriched academic experience. At SA-BH, that elected group takes on many projects including tackling complaints about bathroom breaks, promoting daycare options during holidays, and gathering families on weekends for community building. If you are interested in the rigorous joy that is the SA-BH PCEC, now is the time to send a photo and brief explanation of why you should be elected.
President Organizes all meetings, sets the meeting agenda, oversees all activities, plans parent events, and coordinates with the School Advisor. Vice President Assists with the duties of the President and leads the Parent Council in the President’s absence. Secretary Maintains the meeting minutes and records all actions of the Parent Council. Also prepares sign-in sheets, agendas, and other documents. Treasurer a person who is responsible for: a) collecting payments for PCEC organized outings and play-dates that require advanced purchase. b) collecting contributions towards annual social event and collective teacher gift. Ballots go home Monday, April 25.
April 2016 SA-BH PCEC Newsletter 13
Calendar of Upcoming Events sun 3
mon 4
tues 5
wed 6
thurs
fri
7
8
9 Arts Festival
Flower Show
Children’s Carnival
World Health Day
World Wildlife Day
10
sat
PC meeting
11
12
13
14
15
Children’s Carnival
16 Children’s Carnival
Zootopia PCEC outing
17
18
19
20
Children’s Carnival
24
21
26
27
23
Earth Day
Passover begins
29
30 Festival of Colors Cherry Blossom Festival Craft Fair
Tech Day
PCEC Election Entries Due (See Pg. 13)
25
22
28
Eastern Europe Cultures Event
Administrative Professional’s Day
Arbor Day
Fun Things to Add to Your Calendar A selection of events in and around Brooklyn to check out with your scholar Arts Festival April 1 - 9 See creative plays, films, and more at the Downtown Urban Arts Festival (DUAF), which showcases urban artists and promotes diversity. Parent Council Meeting April 7 - 7:15 a.m. Come to the 4th floor gym to learn more about upcoming elections and events in May, and ask questions about homework and testing. Children’s Carnival April 9 - 10 and 16 - 17 Carnival rides, midway games, hayrides, and children’s entertainment in the apple orchard at Queens County Farm Museum.
PCEC movie outing April 10 Zootopia for those who already paid.
food to celebrate spring at Holi Hai festival in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. Do not bring your own color; buy non-toxic color on site. Free entry.
Earth Day April 17 - 12 to 7 p.m. Earth Day features a green-vehicle show, exhibits, family activities, music, and entertainment at Union Square. Free.
Cherry Blossom Festival April 30 - May 1, 2016 Sakura Matsuri features 200 blossoming cherry trees and 60 events and performances celebrating Japanese culture at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Interested in technology? April 21 TechDay is a giant science fair with 400 exhibitors, including innovative startups at Pier 94. Free. Festival of Colors April 30 - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Throw brightly colored powder, dance to the music, and buy Indian
14 SA-BH PCEC Newsletter April 2016
Craft Fair April 30 - May 15 (weekends) Spring Crafts on Columbus features 100 juried artists near the American Museum of Natural History. Free.