Welcome back PS8 Families!!
Tuesday morning Principal Seth Phillips rang in the 2008-2009 school year with a hearty welcome to all parents in our PS8 Community. The auditorium was overflowing with PS8 parents chatting and catching up. Here is a rundown of important news as we kick off the new school year.
A PS8 ANNEX
The City of NY and the Department of Education has acknowledged the quality and energy of education at PS8 with plans for an Annex to accommodate the exploding population growth in our school. This addition will be located in the former Teachers' parking lot off Poplar Street. The addition is slated to open in 2011. Like any project of this nature, the construction will inevitably be disruptive but plans are already underway to manage the process effectively and make desperately needed classroom space available in the meantime. Seth plans to address this in more detail at the PTA meeting on September 16th at 6:30pm.
OUR NEW PARENT COORDINATOR!
Next up was the very important introduction of Blake Amos, new PS 8 Parent Coordinator. As Parent Coordinator, Blake's job is to liaise with parents about all school matters from school services and school events to PTA efforts. Blake is at the school 8am to 4pm everyday so don't hesitate to stop him in the halls to say hi and ask any questions you have. His contact information is email: bamos@schools.nyc.gov or cell: 347 563 4975. Welcome Blake!
AFTER SCHOOL
Kids' Orbit representative Kevin stood up to introduce the program briefly and encourage parents to pick up a flyer in the administrative office. The program has new, improved options for registration and new classes as well. Please go to www.kidsorbit.com to learn more about the program directly and register online.
PTA INTRODUCTIONS
Next in the roster of updates, PTA Co-Presidents Joanne Singleton and Tim Eldridge introduced themselves with a call to GET INVOLVED. Our school is a safe, rich and fun environment for our children due in part to the hard work and dedication of many PS8 parents. There are so many ways to get involved -- the special installation of posters on the fence outside the school outline all the ways the PTA works to extend and enrich the mission of the school. An important first step is Volunteer Night, September 24. At this meeting, PTA committee chairs will introduce the ways in which you can put your skills and interests to work for our kids! Put it on your calendar! We need you!
LUNCH TIME
Principal Phillips outlined a new lunch schedule for children based on the evolving class sizes in every grade.
- PreK: eats in their classrooms. 11:00 - 11:30
All other grades eat in the cafeteria.
- Kindergarden and 1st: 11:10 - 11:55
- 2nd and 3rd Grades: 12:05 - 12:50
- 4th and 5th Grades: 1:00 - 1:45
Parents are welcome to help monitor lunchroom times. Sign-up is available in the Parent Room.
ATTENDANCE AND DROP OFF
Principal Phillips touched on attendance issues. He noted that New York City public middle and high schools now consider attendance and tardiness, especially in the upper grades of elementary school, as one of the criteria for admissions. All children should be in their classrooms by 8:40 am. As usual, early morning drop off from 8:00 to 8:30 is available to parents in the cafeteria. Parents and guardians -- please get your children to school on time to allow both children and teachers to begin their day on time and without disruption.
PICK UP LOCATIONS
Last but not least, Principal Phillips outlined new locations for pick up:
- Pre K and Kindergarten: 2:45pm in the auditorium.
- First Grade: 2:50pm in the corner of the school yard at Hicks and Middagh Streets.
- Second and Third Grades: 3pm in the new Recess space which was formerly the Teachers' parking lot off Poplar Street.
- Fourth and Fifth Grades: 3pm out the side door on Middagh Street.
Click here for more pictures of opening day.
Everybody welcome back!
We hope to see you all at the PTA meeting, September 16th at 7:00pm.
Committees will coalesce at Volunteer Night, September 24th at 6:30pm. Babysitting is provided.
Posted on: September 4, 2008
