PS 372 GENERAL PTA MEETING
January 18, 2024
Virtual
33 Attendees
*NB: For November PTA information, please refer to the video recording on Konstella.
December PTA meeting was canceled due to Winterfest and a full slate of other parent-involved activities.
ROSA AMATO
UPDATES
Playground: Waiting on diocese to clear violation they received; we cannot be permitted until that violation is cleared. We are aiming for September 2024. Phase 1 will replace the small yard; Phase 2 will be redoing the big yard.
You will notice the cameras around the building—they are not up and running yet but the installation is underway, including around the perimeter.
We are receiving a Wireless upgrade
Every schoolbus is now on a GPS system—you must have a NYCSA account. Please contact Yvette for assistance (she will send information tomorrow)
January 20: Resource Fair for asylum-seeking families. This will consist of language, mental and social resources. Coalition for Immigrant Families will be there for housing and medical information. We have 30 new children through the asylum program, and we are proud to take every child who comes through our doors.
Generally we support families in need, regardless of background, including the one Yvette recently reached out about on Konstella.
Testing opt-out: Please contact Rosa or Bridget.
Illness: It’s that time of year! 10 kids a day have been sent home every day this calendar year, so please keep your child home if they are ill.
FRANK AMMIRATA
NEWSPAPER
The first Friday of every month it publishes on Konstella! During lunch and recess they hold staff meetings. Frank oversees codes of conduct & “honest reporting.” Adelphi students have been submitting reviews with the help of Miss Julie (“the kids are are often very critical” <3)
ACADIENCE & MAPS
Began after break and ends Feb 9; reports will come home just before Winter Break.
YVETTE AGAS-BAUTZ
KINDERGARTEN APPLICATION
Deadline January 19; current PreK families please submit your application if you have not already done so; PreK application are open Deadline Friday, March 1st; School DBN 15K418 (Kindergarten and PreK)
REMINDERS
Please make sure your child is dressed for outdoor play.
Please label your child’s water bottles, lunch boxes, clothing
EARLY DISMISSAL
Pick up by 1:30pm. Pick-up after 1:30 disrupts the classroom and transitions. Please let teachers and Stay and Play know if there are any changes to your child’s dismissal plan via email or in a note
ARRIVALS
Doors and Gate open at 8:10am; closed at 8:20am (unless the Union Street bridge is up we stay open a little longer). All late arrivals must sign in at the main entrance on Carroll Street
Spirit Week February 12 to 16: more information to follow
Yvette at YAgasBautz@schools.nyc.gov
RAQUEL CUNHA
PIZZA FRIDAY
—Session 1 ends January 26th and Session 2 Starts February 2nd
—You can now pay for Session 2 online. Deadline is Jan 30.
—Volunteer Sign-up Konstella – we need some new faces for this fun volunteer opportunity.
—Please send kids with water bottles on Fridays
—Any questions about Pizza Friday email pizza@ps372pta.org
LICE CHECK
This Friday, January 19th. Keep your phone nearby because we expect some more cases!
SAVE THE DATES
April 17 & 18: Jungle Book Musical evening performances @Carroll Street Gym
May 17: Auction & Party 2024, Adults only!
SARAH GRAHAM
READATHON
—Fun school-wide community event that celebrates and encourages reading (and being read to)
—Entire month of February
—Empowers students to participate in fundraising
—All money raised helps fund school activities and 10% will go specifically to library needs at both sites
—All prizes are based on participation, not donation amounts raised
The Readathon Reading Log
Parents will be creating/signing up for accounts on Inclusions to enter minutes read. If a parent already has an account on inclusions used for Stay & Play, they can use the same account for the Read-a-thon. Each student will have their own dashboard where they can view total minutes read, sponsor donations and their reading log. If Internet access is an issue, paper materials are available and teachers and the Read-a-thon Committee can help track participation.
The Pledge Sheet
All donations are tracked online on your Read-a-thon Dashboard. Families record the names of their sponsors and how much each sponsor will contribute, either with a lump sum or an amount determined per minutes read. There is an option to enter email addresses for potential sponsors, which will automatically generate emails with a pre-written script explaining our Read-a-thon, while requesting a donation for that specific student.
**PLUS!!!**
The PTA has teamed up with Community Bookstore to create a Virtual Book Fair that will start next week. Get books for the Read-a-Thon or any of the page turners you’ve been eyeing for yourself and support both our school and a local, independent bookstore.
20% of book purchases will be donated to the PTA! Details on ordering and book delivery will go out next week on Konstella and Inclusions.
(The Community Bookstore also supplies prizes for our students for the Readathon so please support them if you can!)
RAQUEL
FUNDRAISING
- Urgent Appeal raised $56.6K
- Matching Gifts $9.2K
- Pizza Friday has raised $70K in the first session!
- Classroom grants, Nurses Supplies, 5th Grade Musical, Lunch Clubs and Studios (3rd – 5th grade)
- Projects: Sensory corners, Adelphi St. Dance, Library furniture update, Lower grades furniture update
Smaller fundraisers that help out
- Gear Sales – hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts, water bottles, and more with school logos
- Order online and delivered to your classroom
- Shop via our special links to vendors and the school gets donations when you buy
- Mabel’s Labels, GoodShop, Shutterfly, Tea Collection and more
- Event-based donations help keep our entrance tickets free for everyone
- Look for QR codes at events or check our website
- Don’t forget to ask about Readathon sponsorships
CALLIE SIEGEL
AUCTION
(Callie says she’ll take no credit for the Camp Auction, hands it all to Sarah Graham!)
—Our camp auction is live! Closes next Tuesday.
—The main event (with the party!) is scheduled for May 17. Only adults-only party for parents and staff (who come for free). Super fun and one of our biggest fundraisers!
—We will be looking for auction items: https://inclusions.org/2023-auction-and-party/2023-auction-donations/
- Vacation homes, cool experiences, gift cards
- Special skills, tours, sports and entertainment tickets
- Also need help with the event – planning, set-up, cleanup
SARAH GRAHAM
MOVIE NIGHT
Friday, January 26
—Kids are voting to choose the movie!
—Carroll St. Campus Gym, doors at 6:15 pm
—Concessions to include Jets pizza, popcorn, treats,
juice, seltzer. Cash only! (Bring water bottles.)
—Volunteer Sign Up on Konstella (You can supply concessions even if you can’t make it!)
—Review TCS Pledge – No running, children must be supervised at all times and can’t leave the gym.
NOT A DROP-OFF EVENT!!!
RAQUEL CUNHA
SPIRIT DAY
We’re celebrating 31 years on Jan. 31, 2024!
Official 372 Gear NOT required. You can wear:
- Official 372 gear
- A Field Day shirt from a prior year
- A blue or gold shirt
- Something blue or yellow
- The numbers 3, 7, 2
SCOTTE HARDIN
VALENTINE’S DAY DANCE
Saturday, Feb 10, 5 – 8 pm
Carroll Street Gymnasium
A family dance for kids of all ages (no drop offs permitted)
- DJ
- Facepainting
- Balloon artists and Balloon Drop
- Photobooth
- Quiet Room
- Concession stand as a 5th grade graduation fundraiser
CHAT QUESTIONS
Can you post the 4th grade newspaper to the Inclusions site?
Frank: Will look into this.
Is there a PTA emergency budget for students and families in need?
Raquel: We don’t have one currently but will discuss creating one
Is the school underenrolled? Should we be actively encouraging parents to consider us, or is it more spirit of inclusion?
Rosa: Yes we always want new families. After covid, enrollment took a hit. Talk us up…
Will there be slots above K for transfers? Does it matter if IEP or Gen Ed?
Rosa: That is great. IEPs or Gen Ed always matter because we are held to a ratio. Have them reach out to Yvette
When will studios begin for 3rd graders? (What are studios?)
Studios are teacher-led enrichment classes like Legos, Bollywood Dancing, Documentary Filming (they’re doing the musical), Fitness Club… Children participate in a studio the last period of the day on Fridays.
Next meeting: February 14, 6:45pm