Everyone’s got busy schedules, but here are some ways that you can help your child “on the go”. These can be done as you walk to school together, are in the car or on the bus, while setting the table or doing dishes, while waiting for the elevator.
DISCUSS THE BOOK THEY ARE CURRENTLY READING
This doesn’t have to be a literature lesson – just get your child to give you a short plot summary, tell you about a character in the book, or explain why they can’t finish it (a clue that they don’t like it) .Would they recommend it to their cousin? Sibling?
There is a good chance they might rather check their phone, scroll through social media, but push a bit. Don’t give up so easily. Even a short conversation (just one of these) will give you some insight into whether your child is actually doing independent reading and/or understanding the book. And, if you are lucky to get no resistance, talking about the character gives you a great path in to discussing other things too.
HELP YOUR CHILD STUDY FOR A TEST OR QUIZ Many middle schoolers do not know how to study for a test or quiz. Some have never had formal assessments on material. You can help augment what we are teaching the students. (Creating review sheets, flash cards with the vocabulary and concepts, etc.) Try these methods.
“The On-The-Go Method”
Here are some questions you can ask to get your child to talk about the material. If they can explain the topic or rules or definitions to you, they most likely understand it.
What’s your quiz on?
Follow-Up: What does _____ mean?
Can you explain that to me?
What are the steps to ________?
Etc...
Again, the goal is to get your child to articulate the concepts, explain the procedures, review the material verbally.
“The Study Partner Method”
This takes more time on your part and buy-in from your child.
Test your child on the vocabulary words.
Use the review sheet and test your child on the concepts and material.
If you get complete resistance, suggest your child call/Facetime a friend and have them ask each other questions and test each other. And, of course, there is always Early Academy. Send your child in to the teacher’s classroom. I guarantee there will be others there reviewing and talking about the material.
HALLOWEEN
To be honest, I am thrilled when Halloween falls on the weekend. Yet, many students have asked if they can wear their costumes to school on Friday. They can, but costumes cannot cover their face (no masks, heavy make-up, etc.) and cannot be violent in nature. Oh, and don’t forget there is still a Dress Code!
Elana Elster
MS54 School Tours for Current Parents: Sign up NOW!
SIGN-UP for RSVPs are now LIVE! For current parents who never got — but would like — an in-person tour, Dr. Elster is offering two, off-hours, parents-only sessions. It's first-come, first-served; ONE parent per student; cannot change dates. RSVP required. Questions: co-presidents@ms54pta.org.
We have more than doubled our registration numbers from last week — we now have 56 sign-ups for Booker T.'s 2nd Annual Turkey Trot! The homerooms with the most sign-ups so far include 701 (Ms. Misthal), 801 (Mr. Carboni), and 806 (Ms. Merkel).
You still have time to sign up for this fun event that helps raise funds for our school, but the deadline to purchase the cool Turkey Trot tech shirts is Monday, October 25th.
To get the new 2021 Turkey Trot tech shirts — on sale for $15 in men's, women's, and youth sizes —you need to place your order by October 25th. You can order shirts when you REGISTER. We'll place the order and deliver your shirts in November to your kid's homeroom (unless you choose to pay to ship elsewhere).
The Turkey Trot takes place between November 13th - 30th where you can run or walk 5K (3.1 miles) any place on your own time. The suggested fee to register is $20 for adults; participants under 18 are free! In order to encourage as many participants as possible, there is also a "Pay as You Wish" option.
Our Charleston Wrap fundraiser kicks off today! Our fundraising goal is $5,000, and your participation means that 40% on all purchases comes back to support our school!
This online store has gorgeous wrapping paper (the holidays are coming, and birthday parties are happening again!) as well as home goods, kitchen items, bags, accessories, and more. Loads of gift ideas for you, with the ease of online shopping, direct shipment, and feeling good about fundraising for Booker T.!
Register online today atwww.registercw.com by following these steps so you can earn a free roll of wrapping paper, or just purchase on the PTA account. Either way, please SHARE our fundraiser with your family & friends via email, text, and social media. Sharing is caring!
MEETING UPDATE. This week, the Equity Team hosted an open meeting in which we discussed ways to foster a welcoming and safe community for all of our students. Topics included providing discrete support for menstruating students; building positive relationships with parents/guardians; and creating spaces for students to constructively resolve conflicts. We also introduced the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework developed by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) to assist school communities in implementing a pedagogical approach that capitalizes on students’ cultural assets. Visit the Equity Team section of the MS54 website to read the slides of the meeting and learn more about the CR-S Framework.
MS54 STUDENT AFFINITY GROUPS: Students can learn more about the following student affinity groups at MS54: Shades, Gender Sexuality Alliance, and Asian American Association.
NEXT MEETING. Please join us on Tuesday, November 23rd at 7pm for our next Equity Team meeting. We will continue our discussion and assessment of practices to build a welcoming and affirming school environment. Please REGISTER.
RECORDING OF MS54 SPECIALIZED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT PANEL LISTEN
If you missed the live presentation, you can now listen to it on-the-go.
OCTOBER VIRTUAL COFFEE CHAT WITH DR. ELSTER October 28, 2021 @ 8am REGISTER
Join Dr. Elster and the PTA for a monthly chat about whatever's top of mind! Questions welcome. Coffee encouraged.
HOWL-O-WEEN + HOT CHOCOLATE DOG WALK October 30, 2021 @ 4:30pm
Riverside Park at West 91st Street RSVP
Let's have our own MS54 Halloween dog-costumed parade (*human costume optional) and some hot chocolate, too! RSVP for all the details: activities@ms54pta.org. All are welcome, so if you love dogs and don't have one, come on out and meet some MS54 pooches! This free event is presented by the MS54 PTA.
GET YOUR FAMILY PORTRAIT IN TIME FOR HOLIDAY CARDS + SUPPORT MS54 BOOK NOW!
Our fabulous team of MS54 photographers are offering ten-minute, outdoor sessions in Central Park for one family portrait (color, edited) to be used any way you like. You’ll receive your digital print via email within five days and 100% of the proceeds go to Booker T.! You can also buy a session for another MS54 family. Questions: fundraising@ms54pta.org. Once you’ve booked your session, we’ll send you a scheduling link. For $25 off until November 1st: PHOTO25.
MS54 PIE SALE Orders due November 2, 2021 BUY NOW!
Our annual Thanksgiving fundraiser, the fabulous MS54 Pie Sale is now ON! With five flavors, you're sure to find something for everyone: Apple Crumb, Brandied Pumpkin, Brownie, Southern Bourbon Pecan, and Strawberry Rhubarb. Pies can be donated in honor of a teacher or staff member as well as sent directly to Ascension Church Food Pantry. Orders are due on November 2nd; shop online or envelope payment to Room 144. Pick-up is on Tuesday, November 23rd from 3 – 6:30pm.
MORNING PANEL DISCUSSION How Can We Help Our Children Take Care of Themselves Socially, Emotionally, and Physically November 3, 2021 @ 8am REGISTER Join MS54 panelists Social Worker Nicole Miller, Physical Education Instructor Frank DiPasquale, Parent Coordinator Anne McIntosh Pejovich, and Family Healing Ambassador and Wellness Lead Alison Gardy to discuss a topic of importance to all of us.
MS54 OUTING: COLUMBIA VS HARVARD FOOTBALL GAME November 6, 2021 @ 1pm
West 218th Street (short walk from the 215th Street #1 subway station) BUY TICKETS
Columbia University is giving us a special rate of $7/ticket for ages 2yrs+. Each student will receive a FREE lunch cooler; we’ll get our school name on the video board; and kids may be able to get on the dance or fam cam! We’ll be in Section C, around the 40-30 yard line. Questions + Ticket Scholarships + Going Together: activities@ms54pta.org. 12yrs+ must show proof of vaccination; masks required for ages 5+. Rain or shine.
MS54 PTA GENERAL MEETING
November 9, 2021 @ 7pm REGISTER
Come join us to avoid FOMO and to find out about the latest happenings at MS54 during the PTA’s General meeting. Teachers + Staff are always welcome, too.
WELLNESS MEETING: SELF-CARE WORKSHOP November 10, 2021 @ 8pm REGISTER
We can be so focused on our children's well-being that we forget to care for ourselves. Yet, we cannot take care of our children unless we take care of ourselves. Come share your questions, tips, and insights! Contact wellness@ms54pta.org with any thoughts you might have. Miss the last two Wellness meetings? Catch up with these summaries of the September and October meetings.
JOIN OUR NEXT FUNDRAISING TEAM MEETING November 12, 2021 @ 9am REGISTER
Have a great idea to support the school? Want to join a fun crew and find out about all the events we’re planning this year? Or just stop by to meet other friendly Booker T. folks. All are welcome.
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
If you would like to receive a bag of pantry items for your Thanksgiving dinner, please send a confidential email (before November 1st) to Parent Coordinator, Anne McIntosh Pejovich.
If your family is willing to donate a complete bag of Thanksgiving items to MS54 families in need, you can:
Buy a bag of groceries and drop them off (before November 17th) at the MS54 West 108th Street entrance, Monday - Friday, between 7:30am and 4pm. Thanksgiving Grocery List (please purchase a full bag of the following items): cranberry sauce, canned gravy, canned pumpkin, chicken broth, flour, sugar, vegetable oil, wild rice, instant mashed potatoes, canned yams, cornbread mix, canned string beans, canned onion rings.
8TH GRADE TURKEY TROT MEETUP November 20, 2021 @ 1pm
LOCATION AND RSVP TBD
8th grade families please come join us in Central Park to exercise and help raise money for Booker T. by participating in our annual Turkey Trot! All families are welcome and you don’t have to pay to participate. Email 8thgraderep@ms54pta.org with suggestions and any questions.
EQUITY TEAM MEETING November 23, 2021 @ 7pm REGISTER
We will continue our discussion and assessment of practices to build a welcoming and affirming school environment.
WEST SIDE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER TURKEY CHALLENGE
Every November for over 20 years, WSCAH has been providing turkeys and healthy food so that every family can enjoy a Thanksgiving Holiday meal together. Help WSCAH provide turkeys for families across the city. Would your children like to make Thanksgiving greeting cards to accompany the turkeys WSCAH will be distributing? Your children's cards would personalize the turkey donations and add that extra dollop of love that reminds people they live in a caring community. Students can deliver their handmade cards to Parent Coordinator, Anne McIntosh Pejovichat school.
ANNUAL APPEAL
Thank you to all of you who have already donated to support our school! Please mail checks payable to "PTA of MS 54, Inc." to:
PTA of MS 54, Booker T. Washington
103 West 107th Street
New York, NY 10025
Questions? Contact Rachel Polimeni, PTA Annual Appeal chair / Co-Assistant Treasurer
"Discover Lacrosse" Middle School Clinics REGISTER
CityLax is hosting free outdoor lacrosse clinics for 6th - 8th grade girls and boys. Sessions are designed for all beginning players as well as advanced players. Dates are: October 23, October 30, and November 6, 2021. Girls sessions: 9:30 - 11am. Boys sessions: 11am - 12:30pm. At Hunter College High School located at 71 East 94th Street (enter from the gate on East 94th Street).
D3 Superintendent Cafe October 25, 2021 @ 5:30pm Zoom Meeting
Monthly meeting to hear from District 3's Superintendent Christine Loughlin and ask questions.
Promoting Teen & Parent Mental Health Workshops REGISTER
Please join the JED Foundation and NYC Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health for a series of parent workshops that will offer strategies and resources to promote parent and teen mental health.
Employer Opportunities to Promote Parents' Mental Health, November 3, 2021 @ 11:30am - 12:30pm
Promoting Your Mental Health as a Parent, November 9, 2021 @ 3 - 4pm
All NYC Public School Families Can Get Up to a $50 Monthly Internet Credit (while the money lasts) LEARN MORE
All families with children in New York City public schools are eligible for discounted internet and devices thanks to a temporary federal program, yet only a fraction of eligible households appear to have signed up for the six-month-old program.
Recorded Webinar: How Parents, Peers, and Teachers Shape Skills and Inspire Aspirations VIEW
As part of Rockefeller University's program on Parents and Science, on October 19, 2021, Ronald F. Ferguson, Ph.D., drew upon almost four decades of research and consulting on topics ranging from state and local economic development to school leadership, teaching, and parenting to compare and contrast what parents and teachers do to foster children’s life success, including helping to anticipate and manage both positive and negative peer dynamics.
