Thanks to the generosity of the PTA, I am participating in a year-long professional development class on teacher supervision. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn with other administrators around the country. The focus of the class is on making the teacher observation process a process that results in improving instruction and student learning. One of my own professional goals this year is to give teachers more frequent feedback and instructional support.
This year, Laura Lynch, the assistant principal and I will conduct a minimum of 152 teacher observations. Teachers are required to be observed between 2-4 times a year. Our practice is to arrive largely unannounced and to stay for a portion of the lesson, provide the teacher with feedback after our visit, and then to complete the required Charlotte Danielson observation rubric.
The eight areas in which NYC DOE teachers are currently rated are:
Knowledge of Content and Pedagogy
Designing Coherent Instruction
Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport
Managing Student Behavior
Using Questioning and Discussion Techniques
Engaging Students in Learning
Using Assessment in Instruction
Growing and Developing Professionally
I enjoy being in the classroom and coaching teachers. Focusing on instruction and what is happening in the classroom is critical to ensuring and accelerating student learning. We have a lot of talent in our building and often encourage teachers to do intervisitations so they can learn from each other. In addition, all new teachers in the building have an individual mentor and participate in the New Teacher Mentoring Group. This group meets weekly to provide them with professional development and support.
I am trying hard to stay focused on my goal. Each morning, I print the day’s schedule and circle the classes I am going to visit, and hope that I will make it there. Yet, my day is often unpredictable. Things happen all the time and some days I get to all the classes and some days I do not get to any.
Last year, some of you who shared “office space” with your children got to peek into the classrooms, so you know how interesting this work is.
Elana Elster
Annual Appeal
THANK YOU to all who contributed to the MS54 PTA Annual Appeal! If you haven't already donated, please donate now! Please also check to see if your employer matches donations. Your donations are needed to cover books, instruments, supplies, and other educational enrichment costs not covered by DOE funding.
GOAL: We are at almost 30% of our fundraising goal, but we still have a ways to go. It takes less than a minute to donate, and your contributions make a big difference in our children's education. Thank you for your support!
DONATE: We ask that families donate $1,000 per child but will gratefully accept whatever you can give because our goal is 100% participation. Questions? Contact Assistant Treasurers Rachel and Miriam.
Teacher and Staff Holiday Gifts
The PTA is collecting Holiday Thank You gifts for MS54 faculty and staff. The holiday collection is digital, anonymous, and completely optional. All donations will be pooled and distributed to the entire school team by the PTA Executive Board. Any amount you wish to give is very much appreciated!
HERE'S HOW:
Choose your PTA executive board collection liaison by payment platform and/or grade. If you have more than one student, feel free to make a single contribution.
Include “#MS54HolidayGift” with your contribution to let us know it’s for our MS54 Holiday Thank You gift to the staff.
Please make your donation by 8pm on Sunday, December 19th.
It’s that easy! Please email co-presidents@ms54pta.org with any questions. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
VENMO
Note: Please make sure to tag payments as "between friends" so that we don't pay a commission to Venmo for these transactions.
G6 - Aleksandra Lokshina: @Aleksandra-Lokshina
CONTACT: alokshina@gmail.com, 734-223-7200
G8 - Larry Lee: @Lawrence-Lee-5 (last 4 digits of phone number: 0670)
CONTACT: larrylee.edu@gmail.com
Wellness Committee
WELLNESS WORKSHOP UPDATES January's Wellness Workshop with Dr. Terri Bacow January 12, 2022 @ 8pm GOOGLE MEET PHONE: (US) +1 321-442-0180, PIN: 724 863 585#
CBT expert Dr. Terri Bacow, psychotherapist and author of Goodbye Anxiety: A Guided Journal for Overcoming Worry, will share practical coping skills that can be used whenever you feel anxious. Drawing from her just-released book, she'll explain how to identify anxiety triggers, change unhelpful thinking patterns and develop healthy mental habits such as self-compassion. Come with your questions!
Missed the December Wellness Workshop "Healthy Hacks in the Kitchen for (Middle School) Families with Dr. Dara"?Catch the recording and learn some great knife skills!
Missed the November Wellness Workshop with Dr. Vijayeta Sinh on "How to Care for Ourselves So That We Can Better Care for Our Families"?Catch the recording and summary.
MS54 HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE
Booker T. has the holiday spirit! Thank you for purchasing all of the gifts on our Amazon wish list and bringing happiness to families in need!
JANUARY WELLNESS WALK — NEW DATE
Sunday, January 9, 2022 is our new date (not January 2nd)! We'll meet at 3pm at a place TBA with a surprise sweet treat to share! Mark your calendars!
Join the MS54 Communications Team!
The PTA Communications Team is looking for someone to learn what goes into sending out MS54’s weekly e-newsletter and take on the duties next school year. If you have experience with e-newsletters, like to write, and are good with scheduling and collecting info from people, please join the MS54 PTA Communications Team! We’ll walk you through everything you will need to take over this important task. Get more info!
WINTER AFTER-SCHOOL 2022 PROGRAM Registration opened on December 3, 2021
Programs will begin the week of January 3, 2022 and run through the week of March 14, 2022. Many spots still open! For more info, see the After School page.
SPECIAL AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM College Students for Enrichment in Secondary Schools (CSESS) January 10 - 11, 13 - 14, 18, 20 -21, 2022
Harvard students will run 8 age-appropriate seminars, each covering different topics of study not usually discussed before college. The material is based on the instructors' own favorite classes, combining lectures, discussions, group activities and games. For more info, see the After School page.
MS54 PTA'S ADVENT + KWANZAA CANDLE SALE IS BACK! Pick up before the holiday break! SHOP
Buy holiday candles for yourself — or as gifts — and support MS54 at the same time! We have Advent and Kwanzaa candles for $15/pack or 2 for $25. Pick up times vary, and we'll email all buyers. Questions: fundraising@ms54pta.org.
DID YOU GET YOUR NEW 54 HOODIE YET? SHOP
While supplies last, grab one of our new, LIMITED EDITION hoodies for your MS54 student for $35 to $50, depending on style! With a new design and special colors, they're sure to make a great gift for the holidays! Pick-up will be just before the winter break in December. Questions: schoolstore@ms54pta.org.
TALENT SEARCH FOR BROADWAY NIGHT 2022
Are you a performer? Do you sing? Do you play an instrument? Are you friends with a Broadway singer? Are you friends with a famous actor who might tape a "hello" to help raise money for Booker T.? We are starting our "talent search" for this wonderful, virtual evening of entertainment! Please contact Anne McIntosh Pejovich if you are interested or can help in our search.
SCHOOL PICTURES - MAKE-UP DAY! December 13, 2021
For those who would like photos retaken or were absent, the make-up session is Monday, December 13th. An announcement with instructions will be made that day in school. If you have any issues with your child's school picture, please contact Irvin Simon directly at www.irvinsimon.com/contact-us/
customer-care-for-parents/.
GENERAL PTA MEETING December 14, 2021 @ 7pm REGISTER
Come to the General PTA Meeting to find out about the latest school updates.
VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR WITH DR. ELSTER December 16, 2021 @ 8am REGISTER
Bring your coffee — and get your questions answered!
MS54 BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL December 16, 2021 vs. Anderson December 21, 2021 @ City Knoll (Raiders only, 4:30pm start) December 22, 2021 vs. Yorkville East
See Boys and Girls Basketball for more info.
MS54 PTA FUNDRAISING MEETING December 17, 2021 @ 8:30am REGISTER
Join the fundraising team to plan different efforts to raise money for our school.
EQUITY TEAM MEETING December 21, 2021 @ 7pm (note wrong date given in last week's newsletter) REGISTER We will continue our discussion and assessment of practices to build a welcoming and affirming school environment.
GET YOUR FAMILY PORTRAIT + SUPPORT MS54 BOOK NOW THRU JANUARY 2ND!
Our fabulous team of MS54 photographers are offering ten-minute, outdoor sessions in Central Park for one family portrait (JPG, 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.! If your family will gather for the holidays, book now while you're all together! This offer won't be available again until late spring. Once you’ve booked your session, we’ll send you a scheduling. Questions: fundraising@ms54pta.org.
JANUARY WELLNESS WORKSHOP WITH DR. TERRI BACOW January 12, 2022 @ 8pm GOOGLE MEET
PHONE: (US) +1 321-442-0180, PIN: 724 863 585#
CBT expert Dr. Terri Bacow, psychotherapist and author of Goodbye Anxiety: A Guided Journal for Overcoming Worry, will share practical coping skills that can be used whenever you feel anxious. Drawing from her just-released book, she'll explain how to identify anxiety triggers, change unhelpful thinking patterns, and develop healthy mental habits such as self-compassion. Come with your questions!
D3 Cafe with Superintendent Christine Loughlin December 13, 2021 @ 5:30pm ZOOM LINK
Spanish interpretation will be available.
CEC3 Business & Calendar Meeting December 15, 2021 @ 6:30pm REGISTER
Join Community Education Council 3's December meeting. All applications for the open Council Member position will be presented in addition to discussion about the latest education news.