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Principal's Letter
Dear Parents,
Congratulations to all the new members of the PTA Executive Board and SLT. I am grateful that so many of you are willing to give of your time, energy, and expertise.
Yesterday we had our first random COVID testing in school. Approximately 70 students and members of the faculty were tested. Results will be emailed to families in approximately 48 hours. If you did not fill in a consent form and would like to, you can do it online through your New York City Schools Account.
We hope that your children have gotten into the rhythm of school and things are progressing smoothly. We are just about at the middle of the marking period. Over the next week, please find a time to check your child’s Jupiter record and follow up with your child first, about any missing or poorly done assignments. If you have any questions, please contact the teacher directly. The teachers’ contact information is on the directory page of the MS54 website. The first marking period usually goes quickly, but this year it is even shorter than normal, so each assignment is important. You can also log into your child’s Google Classroom (their ms54.org email address and their OSIS number is their password) to see the assignments. I suggest you do this together, so they do not feel that you are violating their sense of independence.
Your children were sent a “Feelings Survey.” Our fieldworkers from Columbia who are training to become school psychologists are seeking to identify students who may need additional support. If you think your child needs more emotional support, you can also contact Shauna Chapman Dewar or Darlene Collet-Ruberte our guidance counselors.
Parents who want to opt their child back into “Blended Learning,” meaning they will be able to come into school, will have a chance to do so between October 28-30th. Look for details in the next week. The students can then begin coming into school during the week of November 16th.
Election Day (Tuesday, November 3) is a school day, but all students and staff will be remote. Cohort B will not be coming into the building on that day, but EVERYONE will follow their regular Tuesday schedule.
Elana Elster
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Broadway Night Talent Needed!
Calling all performers!
We are recruiting talented parents + friends for Booker T's annual Broadway Night on Sunday, December 6. Please contact Anne McIntosh Pejovich at amcintosh6@schools.nyc.gov if you would like to perform or if you have a Broadway Baby friend who would record a song for us. :) This special annual event is going virtual this year -- you and the family won't want to miss it!
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 The Booker T. Instagram is HERE!
Be a part of our Instagram community!
As we enter a school year like none other, Booker T. parents, teachers, and staff need new ways to stay connected. That’s why we're relaunching the PTA Instagram with fun new initiatives to share, inspire and engage. Check it out at @btwms54pta!
Want to contribute? Email your images (and any relevant caption info you might want included) to Booker T's instagram maven, Lauren Parker, at insta@ms54.org.
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The School Store Closes Saturday at Midnight!!
 Due to high demand, we were able to extend the online School Store for ONE more day, until midnight Saturday night (October 17)!
The Booker T spirit store is selling the classic gear everyone wants — Hoodies, Zippies, PJ’s, T-shirts, and MASKS!!
Get your orders in TONIGHT before you forget -- Sunday is too late! When you order online, there is an option to have your orders go to the school for free OR to your home for an additional $16.
Got questions? Email: schoolstore@ms54pta.org |
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Parent Advocacy Needed for DOE Admissions Transparency
Eighth grade parents are all too aware that the DOE has not yet given families any information about this year's High School admissions process or registration for the SHSAT. But families of children in other grades are being impacted by their lack of transparency as well since there is conflicting information about grading, attendance, and other student data that typically is factored into admissions to colleges, private schools, middle schools, and more. This information shouldn't be a mystery almost a full marking period into the school year.
If you're frustrated and would like your voice heard, please go to the MS54 Education Advocacy page for a letter template you can send to DOE officials, politicians, and other community leaders. Email addresses for relevant leaders are at the top of the page.
Want to do more? Sign up to attend our Community Education Council's meetings. There is always an opportunity for public comment toward the end of the (very lengthy) meetings. Hear for yourself what our elected CEC leaders have to say on the issues that are important to you and decide whether your views as a parent are being represented.
Monday, October 19 @ 6:30pm – CEC3 High School Admissions Meeting
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsdumhrzguGtAdrd_jzIQbrrZEJ0J1HEP1
Wednesday, October 21 @ 6:30 pm – CEC3 Calendar Meeting
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vcuCtrj0uGtMfx7XU5C0_dKKVNDDwYVmc
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PTA/SLT Election Results
Thank you to all the parents who so generously ran for Executive Board and SLT positions. We are fortunate to have you! Congratulations to:
- Co-Treasurer - Aleksandra Lokshina
- Co-VP of Communications - Yun Joo Shin
- Sixth Grade Representative - Lee Uehara
- SLT Parent Representatives - Alexis Freeman, Karen Saltser, Hudson Roditi and Andy Weinstein
Contact information and meeting dates for the PTA and SLT can be found on the MS54 website.
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Class Parents Still Needed for Four Homerooms!
Enormous thanks to the 50 people who signed up to be class parents for our school's 36 homerooms! Booker T relies on its Class Parent network to build our school community. We are looking for each homeroom to have at least one class parent. If you are a parent or guardian in one of the homerooms listed below and can volunteer a few hours a month, please complete this Class Parent Interest Form.
- 7th Grade : Mr. Chilelli (7C25, 7C26), Mr. Dutton (7C24), Ms. Mersits (7A10, 7A11)
- 8th Grade: Mr. Guzman (8C27, 8C28, 8C31)
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Wellness Update
What do you think of when you think of Wellness? Healthy eating and fitness habits? Meditation? Mindfulness? Research shows that self-care can often be fulfilled by doing something for someone else. In that spirit, Wellness has launched the MS54 "Family to Family" Community Service Initiative. We invite students to bring in a non-perishable food item every day they come to the school building. Parent coordinator Anne McIntosh Pejovich will greet them at the door with a drop-off bag. This initiative will be ongoing, just like the food drive. You can order from our MS54 PTA Food Drive Wish List or shop locally. In addition, we are deeply grateful for the MS54 community’s ongoing commitment to our food drive!
Questions? Ideas? Wellness Tips for the Daily In-School Announcement? Reach out anytime to wellness@ms54pta.org. Visit the Wellness page on our school website and join The Well at 54 on Facebook — our space to share ideas and practices that keep us healthy and well!
Want to get involved in the physical, mental, and social health of our community? The next Wellness Meeting will be Friday, October 30 at 7:30 AM. Mark your calendars and join us by Zoom!
Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/94185483077?pwd=REd6RndPbytOVGhKSEtldUxvbE1Cdz09
Meeting ID: 941 8548 3077, Passcode: 881816
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Equity Team Update
Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the contributions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean, as well as their impacts on American society and culture. While the celebratory month officially comes to a close each year on October 15, you can keep learning and celebrating with this resource list of books, videos, articles, and more, compiled by the MS54 Equity Team.
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DOE Info & Community Updates
MedStart Online Fall Program for 6-8th Graders
The MedStart Enrichment Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai will begin their MedStart Online Fall Program on Tuesdays between October 27th and November 17th from 4:00-5:00pm. Due to COVID-19, their program this year will be held online via Zoom, and will be composed of a series of four, hour-long learning sessions designed to expose middle-school students (specifically 6-8th graders) to a deeper experience of science and medicine. This program is completely free and will use interactive activities and presentations by medical students to help students better understand scientific concepts so they can pursue a career in science or medicine. Please complete the online application by Monday, October 19th.
Random In-School COVID-19 Testing Consent Form
New York City DOE will provide testing for COVID-19 in every public school. You can provide consent for the random in-school testing from your New York City School Account. To do so, login into your New York City Schools Account. When you sign in, you will receive a pop up message letting you know that you can now complete the consent form.
Inside Schools High School Admissions Course
Laura Zingmond, senior editor at Inside Schools, has developed an online course, NYC High Schools: Applying in a Pandemic that helps 8th graders and their families find and figure out which schools to apply to, with a special focus on how to do this when you can't visit schools. The course uses the very same tools and resources that Inside Schools uses to research and evaluate schools for their website. Join the class and complete it at your own pace. The course is part of a fundraiser to support InsideSchools, a non-profit organization. However, InsideSchools is committed to supporting all families and will provide free access to anyone who can't afford the $39 course fee (no questions asked).
Free + Low Cost Internet Options
The DOE has shared resources for accessing free or low cost internet options: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/learn-at-home/technical-tools-and-support/free-and-low-cost-internet-options
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Events Calendar
Through Saturday, Oct 17: Online School Store will be selling classic MS 54 gear.
October 19 @ 6:30pm: CEC3 High School Admissions Meeting
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsdumhrzguGtAdrd_jzIQbrrZEJ0J1HEP1
October 21 @ 6:30 pm: CEC3 Calendar Meeting
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vcuCtrj0uGtMfx7XU5C0_dKKVNDDwYVmc
October 30 at 7:30 am: Wellness Committee Meeting
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/94185483077?pwd=REd6RndPbytOVGhKSEtldUxvbE1Cdz09
Meeting ID: 941 8548 3077, Passcode: 881816
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Staying In the Know
While we endeavor to keep you well informed through this newsletter each week, inevitably topics and conversations come up throughout the week.
Join our Facebook group - a private group of parents, teachers, and staff where information is shared and issues of interest to the community are discussed. Once a member of our group, anyone can post and share articles and messages with our school community. You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
The MS54.org website is also an important resource. You'll find calendars, directories, meeting minutes, forms, and information on topics including equity and wellness. It has a fresh new look thanks to parent Yun Joo Shin, and content updates will be rolling out as the school year gets underway.
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Amazon Reminder
Before you shop on Amazon, please use this link: http://tinyurl.com/ms54amazon or click on the Amazon logo on our website. As an Amazon Associate, MS54 earns from qualifying purchases which means that MS54 gets a percentage of every dollar you spend (at no cost to you!). Thanks, everyone!!
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