Sept/Oct 2016 PTA Office: 718.605.1241 Issue 1 School Office: 718.984.1688

The Giffords School P.S. 32

Staten Island, NY

GATOR GAZETTE

PTA Officers

Co-Pres.: Trisha Altuna-Byrnes April Mastrangelo 1st VP: Diane Silvestro 2nd VP: Tara Scarpelli Rec. Sec.: Yvonne Barra Cor. Sec.: Gloria Sottile Treasurer: Celina Levy

Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff, We would like to welcome all students and families back to P.S. 32 for a fantastic year. To all the new students entering PS32, WELCOME! We hope you had a fabulous summer. We would like to introduce our new PTA officers for this year: Trisha Altuna-Byrnes - Co-President April Mastrangelo - Co-President Diane Silvestro- 1st Vice President Tara Scarpelli - 2nd Vice President Yvonne Barra - Recording Secretary Gloria Sottile - Corresponding Secretary Celina Levy - Treasurer We are all looking forward to working with you in making 2016-2017 a successful and wonderful year. The PTA has recently sent out our candy sale flyers. We hope that you like the new company we have chosen for this year. World’s Finest Chocolate sales will begin September 22nd and end on October 21st. Picture day is scheduled for October 6th and 7th. Please return your envelope with payment on or before October 5th. The PTA office hours are currently 9:00am to 2:00pm. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us 718-605-1241. Please join us for our 1st Executive Board meeting on Friday, September 16th at 8:15am in the school cafeteria. Every person who attends the meeting will get a raffle ticket to win a prize. If you bring in box tops you will receive an extra ticket to increase your chances of winning. On Thursday September 22, 2016 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm will be our schools Meet and Greet, followed by our first General PTA Meeting. We look forward to seeing all there! Sincerely, Trisha Altuna-Byrnes and April Mastrangelo PTA Presidents

Principal: Nancy Spataro Assistant Principals: Jennifer Doren Jodi Rosenberg Evy Schultz

For the safety of all at dismissal time, please follow some simple guidelines:

Do not bring pets around the perimeter of the school (on a leash, carried, etc.)

Do not have a lighted cigarette around the perimeter of the school.

Please monitor little ones on their wheeled toys and keep them near you.

Allow teachers to bring their classes to the designated line spots to dismiss the students

Do not park in the designated school bus areas during drop-off and pick-up times

Do not double park or park in neighboring driveways. It is illegal and it endangers the life of your child as well as others.

Police have advised us that they will be periodically driving by our school ticketing any vehicles that are parked illegally and /or double parked.

Thank you for your cooperation and have a great school year!!

A Message from your principal… Dear Parents/Guardians, Welcome back! I would like to extend a special welcome to our new staff members for the 2016-2017 school year: Allison Bonviso, Tatyana Popel and Nancy Zerega. I would also like to welcome our newly enrolled Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students, new students to the school and their parents. I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the first parent workshop on October 13th. There are many exciting events happening at P.S. 32 this month!!

We are once again off to an exciting, fun and challenging school year. We are pleased to announce that many of our students performed well on the 2015/16 NYS exams. We thank our school community: students, staff and parents for their hard work and efforts. We will continue to utilize our GoMath and Journeys programs that have made a positive impact on our students’ progress as well. This year we will be using New Social Studies materials, Passport to Social Studies, for all grades. The following are many of our Arts programs: visual arts, recorders, string instruments, band, dance, and theatre. All core subject areas, such as: Science, Social Studies, Health, Physical Education and the Arts will be integrated in the curriculum. Our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program is off to a great start. We hope that our enrichment programs will tap into each child’s talents and potential.

October is bringing us cool weather and special events. Picture Day is on October 6th and 7th. Check your child’s backpack for the schedule shortly and don’t forget to wear your best smile on Picture Day! In observance of Rosh Hashanah school will be closed on October 3rd and 4th. It will also be closed on October 10th in observance of Columbus Day and October 12th for Yom Kippur. Halloween is right around the corner and we are always excited to see our students dressed up as we watch them participate in the March of Dimes Halloween Walk. The walk will take place on Monday, October 31, 2016 at 8:30am. The students will exit the school building at Barlow Ave. and make a right onto Steig Ave. The students will then make a right onto Elverton Ave. and proceed into the school yard. The DJ, “Terrific Tunes” sponsored by the PTA will put a beat in their step as they walk inside the schoolyard and re-enter the building through the gym doors where they will receive a pretzel to celebrate this exciting event. Many classrooms will participate in Halloween festivities after the parade. I hope you can join us!! October

10/06/16 & 10/07/16 Picture Day 10/07/16 8:15am PTA Executive Board Meeting 10/07/16 School Spirit – Wear your favorite basketball shirt/jersey 10/11/16 March of Dimes Assembly 10/10/16 School Closed – Columbus Day 10/14/16 School Spirit – Wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness 10/21/16 1st Marking Period Ends 10/21/16 School Spirit – Wear School Spirit Clothes/Colors 10/21/16 PTA Candy Sale Ends 10/24/16 6:30pm PTA Meeting 10/28/16 School Spirit – Wear an Orange and/or black shirt 10/28/16 Pumpkin Patch 10/31/16 March of Dimes Mini Walk

School Website

Our school Website will help you stay informed. You can visit our school website at

www.ps32statenisland.com. The website has a plethora of information for the entire P.S.32 community. You

can stay informed on the common core learning standards by visiting our website. One of the most

informative aspects of this website is the feedback you can provide to us through on monthly parent surveys.

This will allow us to provide you with more resources to help your children excel. We encourage the entire

family to enjoy the website and participate in the interactive components, such as: learning games, poster

contests, and essay contests. The Student Council will assist in our incentive programs.

Attendance Please submit a note or letter explaining your child’s absence from school. A note from a doctor or health-care professional should be provided in cases of extended (3 or more days) or frequent absence due to illness. If students have been absent from school for reasons other than illness, documentation of the reason for the absence is to be presented to the school (e.g., examination schedule of special examination, court order, etc.). If your child is going to be absent you can notify the school by dialing (718) 984-1688 and press extension 8.

Ongoing Progress Reports You will be receiving ongoing Progress Reports which will provide information on your child’s progress/performance in all core subject areas, as well as, his /her instructional goals and results of scheduled benchmark assessments. It is critical that you review this Progress Report in order that we work together to assist your child in his/her needs, as soon as possible. Please sign these reports and return them to your classroom teacher. If you have any concerns, it is important that you contact us at (718) 984-1688 and follow the prompts on the new menu to speak directly to a supervisor as soon as possible. NEW SCHOOL YEAR = ROUGH TRANSITIONS FOR SOME (Excerpt from Reading Rockets 2008)

What can parents of struggling students do during these first few weeks of school? Here are a few ideas:

Set up a conference with your child's new teacher. See if you can't find a 10-15 minute window to sit down one-on-one. Advocate for your child's needs within the classroom. This article, Taking a Closer Look: My Child's Academic Success may be helpful.

Help your child's new teacher get to know your child. What does he like and dislike? What subject areas are challenging for him? What extra support do you provide to your child? What are your goals for the year?

Was your child tutored over the summer? If so, see if your tutor would be willing to write a summary of what they worked on and any work habits that may be useful for a teacher to know.

Breathe. Your child will pick up on your anxieties. Trust that a few simple actions on your part will help your family get off to a great start.

9 Steps to Comprehension (Excerpt from Reading Rockets)

1. When you read with your child, ask them questions as they move through the book: Why did Mr. Smith do that? How do you think Suzy feels?

2. Help your child make text-to-self connections. Ask them how they feel about a situation in the book or what they would do if they were the character in the book.

3. Help them make text-to-text connections. Ask them: What other stories have you read that talk about going on a trip?

4. Make sure they are reading at their level. A book that is too hard frustrates a child. A book that's too easy doesn't challenge him.

5. Set aside at least 20 minutes to read every day. 6. Help your child find books that they enjoy. This keeps them motivated. 7. Make reading more important than TV. 8. Model reading yourself. Children need to see parents read for fun. 9. Encourage writing. Have children write about what they have read or keep a daily journal.

When Trick-or-Treating... (Master Teacher Catalog) A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. Here are some other things to keep in mind and tell trick-or-treaters so that they can have a safe Halloween: Reminders Before Trick-or-Treating... Use a flashlight. By doing so, you can see and be seen by others. Stay in a group, and communicate where you will be going. Go only to homes with a porch light on. Remain on well-lit streets and use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic. Never cut across yards or use alleys. Never enter a stranger’s home or car for a treat. Obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations. Always walk. Never run across a street. Cross the street as a group and only in established crosswalks. Remove any mask or item that will limit eyesight before crossing a street, driveway, or alley. Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Just because one car

stops, it doesn’t mean others will. Never consume unwrapped food items or open beverages that may be offered.

No treats are to be eaten until they are thoroughly checked by an adult at home. Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity. After Trick-or-Treating... Wait until you are at home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should

closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped, or suspicious items. Try to apportion treats for the days following Halloween. Although sharing is encouraged, make sure items that can cause choking, such as hard candies, are given

only to those of an appropriate age. We hope these tips will help you and your families have a safe and happy Halloween. Before Nightfall on Halloween

As interest in Halloween decorations and activities seems to increase each year, the range of factors affected by the holiday seems to grow as well. The following tips may help make your holiday a pleasant one: A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on

Halloween treats. Consider fire safety when decorating. Do not overload electrical outlets with holiday lighting or special

effects. Keep jack-o’-lanterns and electric lamps away from drapes, decorations, flammable materials, or areas

where children will be standing or walking. Confine, segregate, or otherwise prepare household pets for an evening of frightful sights and sounds. Be

sure that all dogs and cats are wearing collars and proper identification tags. Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly throughout the community. Adult partygoers should establish a designated driver.

Thank you A very special thank you to our parents who will be assisting and coordinating the Pumpkin Patch and Picture Day, as well as, those who served on various committees who have helped us throughout the year. I would like to thank the PTA for their help with arrival and dismissal at the start of this year and also for their continuous dedication to our children at PS 32.

I look forward to a productive and successful school year.

Thank you, Nancy Spataro Principal

Box Top Leaders

TBD

Do you have used children’s books and don’t know what to do with them? Just send them to the PTA office and we will put them out during our Holiday Fair for a minimal cost to the students. The proceeds will go towards various PTA activities for the students. (Please, children’s books only) Thank You!

Box Tops for Education contest has begun for the new school year. Start collecting box tops and send them to the PTA office in an envelope with your name and class. You can also earn box top credits for your school by shopping at your favorite on-line store through boxtops4education.com. Good luck to everyone!!!

PTA GENERAL MEETINGS

September 22, 2016 7:30 pm February 13, 2017 8:15am October 17, 2016 7:00 pm March 9, 2017 7:30pm November 7, 2016 7:00pm April 24, 2017 7:00pm December 12, 2016 8:15am May 17, 2017 7:30pm January 9, 2017 8:15am June (TBA) Installation Dinner

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS

September 16, 2016 8:15am February 13, 2017 8:15am October 3, 2016 8:15am March 6, 2017 8:15am November 7, 2016 8:15am April 3, 2017 8:15am December 12, 2016 8:15am May 8, 2017 8:15am January 9, 2017 8:15am June (TBA)

PS 32 P.T.A.

Statement of Income and Expense

For the Period of June 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016

Beginning Balance $ 50,167.66

Income: Fifth Grade $ 1,017.95

Fourth Grade $ 35.00 Fundraising $ 121.43 Installation $ 2,025.00 Night Time $ 758.54 School Services $ 356.02 Yearbook $ 3,430.00

Total Income $ 7,743.94

Expenses Carnival $ 4,765.61

Copy Machine $ 161.84 Federation $ 20.00 Fifth Grade Expense $ 8,286.82 Fourth Grade Expense $ 1,672.52 Fundraising Expense $ 995.00 Holdover Copy Machine $ 153.84 Holdover Dancing Classrooms $ 846.20 Holiday Fair Expense $ 204.87 Hopsitality $ 33.58 Incentives $ 255.47 Installation Dinner $ 3,468.01 Kindergarten/Pre-K $ 438.39 Night Time $ 545.12 Plant Sale $ 200.00 Presidents Fund $ 231.01 PTA Supplies $ 1,235.23 Refreshments $ 170.96 School Services $ 1,040.54 Social Secretary $ 25.00 Telephone $ 67.10 Yearbook $ 13,854.80

Total Expenses $ 38,671.91

Ending Balance: $ 19,239.69

Attention Parents: The PTA is still looking for volunteers to help with the following: Pumpkin Patch – 10/28 Book Fair – 11/3 Holiday Fair - TBA Auction - TBA Yearbook - TBA Please contact us at 718-605-1241 if you have any questions or concerns.

Please write your answers in the box and cut out and return to your teachers by October 10th.

PLEASE NOTE: Do not put cut out in an envelope. Please put it in your child’s home folder paper clipped to the Math Mission bookmark. {If your child did not get a bookmark, the teacher is holding

them in class.}

Pre-K How many pumpkins in all?

Answer: ______________________________ Name:_________________________________ Class:__________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Grades K-2 Jospeh baked 24 Halloween cookies. He ate 4 cookies and gave 6 to his friend Grace. How many cookies does Joseph have left? Name: ___________________________________ Class:_____________________________________ Answer:__________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Grades 3-5 Mrs. Fall is giving pumpkins to all the kindergarteners. There are 6 kindergarten classes and each class has 29 students. She bought 212 pumpkins. How many extra pumpkins will she have left? Name: _________________________________ Class: __________________________________ Answer: _______________________________

Please tear off and send completed form along with $1.00 in an envelope marked Newsletter Birthday Announcement to the PTA Office. Please submit your requests before the 10th of October. Thank you! NAME:________________________________CLASS____________ BIRTH DATE:____________________________________________ SENTIMENT:_____________________________________________

Announce your child’s birthday (or any other special occasion) for the month of September and October in our school newsletter. The $1 donations are given back to the

students through various PTA activities.