Please join us for the General PTA Meeting on Thursday, February 27, at 8:35 a.m. 
The PTA is looking for nominations for the following positions for the PTA Executive Board for the 2014-2015 school year: President, 1st VP, Secretary, Treasurer, VP of Membership, VP of Middle School, Fundraising Officer, Grant Officer, Website Maintenance Officer, Newsletter Officer, Parent Liaison. There are descriptions of each position in the attachment below.
It is imperative that these positions are filled in order to ensure that we have a PTA. 
Please note that each position can be co-chaired. Any 217 parent may run for any of these positions. If you are interested in nominating yourself or someone else, or if you have any questions, please come to the meeting or email psis217info@gmail.com.

The Annual Auction Fundraiser on March 15th provides funding for enrichment programs like art, ballroom dancing, yoga, movement and music. These activities could not exist without your help. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation or using one of the forms below to solicit donations in your neighborhood. Every dollar raised directly augments the educational experience at 217.   
Thank you for your generosity and support of our school. 

Roosevelt Island's own GreenMarket takes place every Saturday across from PS/IS217, Motorgate's parking lot, from 8am-3pm. A portion of the proceeds are donated to the PS/IS 217 for enrichment programs. 

RI GreenMarket began with just a few farmers in 1996, and has grown over the past 18 years. The vendors reflect the diversity of the Island: our regional farmer from Pennsylvania Dutch country has been here from the beginning, our fishermen and baker hail from Hoboken, NJ and our olive seller comes from Lyndhurst, NJ. 
The vendors travel from points far away to sell their products to a devout legion of Roosevelt Islanders (& those coming over the local bridge from Queens) who support local agriculture and who appreciate fair prices.

RI GreenMarket hosts the following year-round producers: Wengerd Farm, Hoboken Farm and Vesco Olives. Others, such as Paolo's Kitchen and Sal's Tag Sale, are with us for three-quarters of the year.
RI GreenMarket features a wide variety of goods - just-picked fresh fruits and vegetables, kielbasa, wild salmon, award-winning farmstead cheeses, artisan breads, cookies, jams, pickles, an array of olives, hot apple cider, maple syrup and much more. Deliciously prepared frozen foods from Paolo's Kitchen can be found most of the year as well.

We hope soon to add a flower and plant vendor to our current roster of vendors.

It's time for the annual Scholastic Reading Club Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive benefitting Pajama Program, a nonprofit organization that provides new pajamas and books to children in need--especially those living in group homes, shelters, foster care or orphanages. 

If you and your child are able to participate please have your child bring a new pair of pajamas to school by December 6. 

Our school's goal is 300 pairs of pajamas. 

Here are some guidelines: 
Pajamas must be brand new
Pajamas in all sizes are needed, from newborn to adult
Pajamas must be in complete sets or nightgowns
Pajamas in children's sizes must be manufactured as pajamas, that ensures they are flame-retardant and safe.

You can find out more at scholastic.com/pjdrive 

Our lower school Change for Books winners, Ms. Shuster's Class 123, and our middle school winners, Class 678, did a super job and had a great time making a mummy of Mr. Luce!

Thanks again to all the families who contributed to our change drive - we raised $523 and used the money for classroom book purchases.  All of our classrooms had their wish lists fully fulfilled!

Book Fair chair Olga Shchuchinov has created a Google Doc to let volunteers sign up for shifts at next week's book fair.  Please click HERE to access the schedule document and sign up!

The PS/IS 217 Fall Book Fair is online now and will take place in school next week. Please participate in this event, either at school or online, and support our school - we are very excited to see as many of you as possible!

Please visit our Fall Book Fair next week October 7-11 from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm in the school auditorium on the 2nd floor. A number of new and fascinating books will be available for families to purchase. By purchasing books at the fair, you help the school earn credit with Scholastic that can be used for more books and educational materials for our classrooms.

Please click here to visit our Book Fair webpage for all the details!