PCEC Newsletter | December 2016/January 2017

From the

Parent Council Excecutive Committee

SA families Bensonhurst

December/January Newsletter What’s Inside 1 Opening Letter 2 Celebrating Heritage Cheese!

3 Cool Reception Update Your Contact Info 4 Calendar of Upcoming Events Can’t Stop the Feeling Kindergarten scholars performed on stage Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016.

sa-bh PCEC Madeline Vega President

Michael Curcio Vice President

Yuri Nazarov Secretary pcec@sabhfamilies.com Facebook.com/groups/ sabhfamilies Facebook.com/groups/ sabhparents sabhfamilies.com

Think Joy Third grade parents officially kicked off state testing preparations with a presentation by Principal Dant titled THINK Mastery. SA Bensonhurst has spent two and half years preparing this group of third graders for state testing. Shared Reading becomes Close Reading Mastery, and writing and revisions become multiple choice questions. “Test prep” sounds a lot worse than what’s actually happening inside classrooms.

THINK as an acronym is also a movement to help people remember how to use social media more responsibly. Before you post, ask yourself, is this True?

Helpful? Inspiring? Necessary? Kind?

Try the acronym when talking to kids about testing, too. Assessments can be overwhelming for anyone, but celebrating individuality and nurturing other talents can also create successful adults.

—Madeline

celebrating heritage We’re falling in love with reading this February and continuing to celebrate our diversity. Can your scholar recommend a great book to help other scholars understand more about the world?

Send an email to pcec@sabhfamilies.com with the title, author’s name, your scholar’s name and class, and a sentence or two from your scholar about why he or she recommends the book.

We’ll share them on our bulletin board outside the Main Office and online.

When Coach Millien holds out his hand,

Ribbon cutting December 15, 2016

Slide it, Bump it

NYU-Harvard and GWU help Councilman David Greenfield, Assemblyman William Colton, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, Community Board 11 Chair William R. Guarinello, Community Board 11 District Manager Marnee Elias-Pavia, and the United Chinese Association mark the end of Phase One.

He’ll teach you if you don’t understand.

Cheese!

Before the break, while they were still Rowan, Ms. Arroyo posed with second grade scholars and Mr. Pastore.

The set paper was originally brought in to take group photos for dance clubs in costume.

Help volleyball, soccer, and chess take group photos!

Email pcec@sabhfamilies.com.

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SA-BH PCEC Newsletter December 2016/January 2017

Cool Reception Despite snow and driving winds, GWU and NYU-Harvard scholars headed across the street to help Councilman David Greenfield officially re-open Seth Low Park. Scholars walked across the street, lined up, counted down from ten, and cheered before heading back to class. The Parks Department had set up chairs for an audience and speakers for a dance party, but the weather was not agreeable that morning.

Those who are familiar with the park saw kids playing basketball on the refinised courts and construction equipment on southwest corner long before Dec. 15. The ceremony that morning marked the completion of Phase One. By Fall 2017, Seth Low Park will feature synthetic turf fields and an accessible ramp near the handball courts.

A 34-second video of the ribbon cutting is on our sister publication’s YouTube channel as well as videos of Hot Chocolate with Mr. Dant and a recap of the creation of teachers’ holiday gifts. Click here to go to the videos.

Update Your Contact Info Be sure the Main Office has your current email and phone number to be sure you do not miss important alerts. And then be sure to read the weekly ACTION update.

The school’s website, bensonhurst.successacademies.org, has updated links under the “Resources” tab for the teachers contact list, Family Directory, and school calendar.

If you haven’t already, join the Facebook groups to connect with the community.

December 2016/January 2017 SA-BH PCEC Newsletter

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February 2017 sun 29

mon 30

tues 31

wed 1

thurs

fri

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sat

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7:30 a.m. Arrival for Third Grade Groundhog Day

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Tu Bishvat

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Frederick Douglass’ Birthday

Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday

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Valentine’s Day

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No School

No School

Presidents’ Day

George Washington’s Birthday

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28 Mardi Gras Shrove Tuesday

What’s Happening Next Month A look at upcoming holidays, school closings, and other schedule changes Asian Lunar New Year Keep an eye out for school announcements about which day to wear special clothes.

Black History Month Assemblies and activities will be incorporated into school curriculum. Keep an eye out for announcements about special dance performances.

Early Arrival Feb. 2 Doors open early for Third Graders who must be in the building by 7:30 a.m.

Valentine’s Day Feb. 14 Check with your scholar’s teacher for more information.

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No School Feb. 20 - 21 SA is closed only Monday and Tuesday unlike other schools that are closed all week.

If your scholar will miss more days for vacation, tell the Main Office the absence is for vacation.

Have an idea for a play-date or want to share information about a mini camp?

Families discuss where to send scholars for days off in the SA-BH Facebook groups.

Join the group “SABH Playdates” to help organize opportunities to get together.

Changes to Half-Days Affecting all grades Wed., March 15 - Full day Thurs., March 16 - Half day Wed., March 29 - Full day Thurs., March 30 - Half day Wed., April 19 - Full day Thurs., April 20 - Half day Wed., May 3 - Full day Thurs., May 4 - Half day Club schedules will change with dismissals.

Check the school website.

SA-BH PCEC Newsletter December 2016/January 2017