  Our "Invest in Your Child's Success" Campaign is off to a fabulous start! On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1, we raised over $13,000 on Facebook and our website thanks to your commitment to the children of PS/IS 217! THANK YOU to all who contributed! We are on our way to our goal of 100% family participation! You can still donate! Learn more, and set up a one-time or recurring donation here.  We have formed a delicious new partnership with The Orange Shop to offer PS/IS 217 families 10% off purchases now through April 30!
Use discount code psis217, and not only will you receive a 10% discount, but 15% of the proceeds will be donated to PS/IS 217! The Orange Shop is a family-owned, small grove based out of Florida that uses predominantly organic methods and has won conservation awards for farming practices that protect Florida's fragile wetlands. In addition to oranges, they offer specialty citrus, and ship via FedEx throughout the U.S. and Canada. We could all use some more sunshine and Vitamin C these days! Check them out and place your order at www.floridaorangeshop.com  PTA General Membership Meeting
Wednesday, December 9th, 7:30PM via Zoom All parents/guardians & teachers at PS/IS 217 are members of the PTA. Registration is required for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpcuurpj4oE9dfzKIy_2kmYaXyNaazXIN6 Please make sure that the PTA has your contact info by filling out the Family Info Form  We really appreciate everyone who took time out of their full schedules to participate in our first virtual election. Congratulations to our newly-elected board and SLT members, and kudos to all our nominees! President – Andrea Davey-Gislason and Eirik Davey-Gislason Vice President of Middle School - Yitza Martinez Vice-President – Angela Fekete and Sarah Ting Treasurer- Oliver Christ and David Hancock Turner Co-Secretaries – Kim Brownell and Alex Kling Vice President of Events – Amanda Brown and Stacey Ornstein Vice President of Membership - Melissa Godwin and Kate Orozco Newly-elected SLT Parent Members: Gavin Healy Karen Weingarten  Dear PS/IS 217 Families,
Below is a message from 217 Administration and Staff: "During a standard reopening, the first days and weeks of school can bring on worries and fears to any student’s mind. The concerns that COVID-19 bring can make these feelings feel even more scary and uncertain. Social stories can help us understand these changes and uncertainties through a story. That is why we are sharing a list of social stories that will help students engage with the uncertainties of in person learning during the pandemic. These stories may lend themselves to better understand why we have to take certain measures so we can all stay safe. The list below has grade suggestions, as always, you know your child best and can choose accordingly. (Click on links to access the files.)
217 now has an original social story! This story shares what our staff and some students look like with masks on! We encourage all families to read through and find teachers and staff members they know! All of these stories can be accessed on the school’s website! Lastly, We are sharing an activity for students that may help with encouraging mask wearing. Decorate your own mask! This will allow students to have ownership of the process and even pick a stuffed animal friend that can wear it at home. We continue to stand united with you in the task of getting ready for a safe and secure reopening of our school building for the 2020/2021 school year. We are here to help! If you have any questions please feel free to contact us. Best, 217 Administration & Staff" Monday, September 21, 2020 all NYC public schools will begin full-day teaching and learning. Our students in blended learning will begin to report to 217, depending on their in-person schedule. All our Hawks-At-Home (students in 100% remote cohort) will begin full-day learning. Wednesday-Friday, September 16-18, 2020 all our students will reconnect to 217 school community remotely with a partial-day virtual instructional orientation. This will be an important transition to the new school year.  Every elementary school student will receive a grade-specific math tool kit, and classroom school supplies for all grades will be purchased by the PTA. To minimize the amount of items traveling to and from the school, all students also will need supplies to Keep At Home. You may consider getting a bin or crate to store these supplies, additional folders, pencil boxes, and other organization items. If possible, set up a designated work space for your child at home. All students attending school in-person are required to wear face masks and to bring in personal water bottles filled for the day. Your child may wish to change their mask during the school day, so please consider sending in an additional mask. Any child who forgets their mask, will be provided one by the school.  Please reach out to the PTA should you need assistance in obtaining school supplies for your child at home.
PS/IS 217 will be hosting two virtual orientation sessions for upcoming Pre-K and Kindergarten students. Please fill out our 2020-21 Parent Virtual Information Sessions for new PreK and Kindergarten families form if you would like to attend. Please note that informations sessions are specific to each grade - only sign up for the grade your child will be entering next year. Information sessions are only for families who have ACCEPTED their DOE offer to attend PS/IS 217 in 2020-2021. A Zoom link will be emailed out to you the day before the meeting.
The PTA serves as an important source of information and reminders about events, news, last-minute announcements, and programs - we ask ALL parents to partner with us to stay informed. To ensure you are receiving PTA communications, please complete this form, whether you are new or returning family. Only one form per family is required.  SAVE THE DATE: PTA General Zoom Meeting, Friday, June 12, 10:30am More information to follow.  In an effort for school to plan effectively, please indicate your plans for 2020-21 school year. Complete this form if your child(ren) WILL NOT BE RETURNING TO 217 next year.  Designed to provide students with easy access to new books throughout the summer, families can shop and discover favorite characters, series, and collections that are sure to keep kids reading. All orders are delivered direct to homes (eliminating the distribution challenge to the school community) and shipping is FREE on book-only orders over $25*. Plus, all purchases benefit the school, earning 25% in Scholastic Dollars™ during the Virtual Book Fair, with additional rewards earned all year long. To ensure our school gets credit for each purchase, shoppers must initially access the Virtual Book Fair through the school's Book Fair Homepage HERE. From there, shoppers can create an account to save the school in their profile for future purchases. For more information click HERE. 
Pre-K placement letters have been sent out. For information about the Pre-K program at PS/IS 217, please visit our Pre-K Frequently Asked Questions page. To get a glimpse inside our school building, please enjoy the video "A Day in the Life of PS/IS 217."
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All this week, we are expressing our gratitude for our wonderful teachers and staff. Our school is full of so many bright spots. Let's light up our little Facebook page with gratitude! Just snap a picture of your child with their own sign or print out and color in one of the cards below. Send it in to psis217info@gmail.com.    G&T Applications are due May 13th. For information about the G&T program at PS/IS 217, please visit our G&T Frequently Asked Questions page and our Kindergarten Frequently Asked Questions page. To get a glimpse of a typical school day, please enjoy the video "A Day in the Life of P.S. 217" created by a former parent.  To help students stay connected during emergencies, the DOE is lending internet-enabled iPads to support remote learning for students. If you would like to request a device for a NYC student in your family, please fill out the Request form. The DOE will use the contact information you provide to get in touch with you to discuss when and where you can pick up a device. Priority will be given to students most in need, and all devices are granted on a temporary basis and will later need to be returned. There is a limit of one device per student.
https://coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices Take the 2020 NYC School Survey online at NYCSchoolSurvey.org by March 31st. Bring email receipt of completed survey and receive a free popcorn voucher from Ms. Lauraine (Popcorn Day - March 20) Paper copies will be given during Parent-Teacher Conference on Thursday March 5th. Vouchers will be given out by Ms. Lauraine upon completion of paper surveys  |
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