Hi, AEA families! Thanks to everyone who attended last week’s PTA meeting. We attempted to record it because of the competing middle school forum, but we’re unable to share it. Full minutes will be available later, but we’ll try to recap the highlights now and follow up with more messages soon. Stick with us for some important info below.
From the administration: The PTA executive board met last week with Mrs. Leto and Mrs. Gallo to discuss ways we can support the school in this latest Covid wave and more generally. Three highlights:
1. The administration asks that you please complete the Covid tests when they’re sent home with your student due to an exposure. Keep your student home if they don’t feel well, and keep the school informed of any positive test results. Every individual action benefits our community. And for our teachers and staff who have done extraordinary work in this stressful period, the PTA voted to provide a thank you breakfast in the coming days.
2. The PTA board proposed to the administration the purchase of an enhanced communication system, to improve on the Gmail used now. We’re hoping for a platform that allows the school to easily reach more than one parent/guardian via email and text or voice messaging. The system would ideally also allow families to connect with teachers for a better look inside the classroom. We will work with AEA teachers to meet their needs, and we will be sure the cost is sustainable for the PTA. If you’re a teacher or if you have a student in another school that uses a program like Class Dojo or ParentSquare, let us know why you like it.
3. The administration asked the PTA to purchase the rights for a musical to be performed by the fourth grade this spring. This would provide AEA with the official scripts and musical score for show that’s under copyright from a publishing house. Mrs. Bonthuys will provide an exact amount to be voted on at our February meeting. The PTA could then sell tickets or concessions, to be determined, so we can continue funding productions for years to come.
School photo update: Class picture composites are available now from Stomping Ground Photo, and the deadline to purchase for the PTA fundraiser has been extended until Jan. 24. Order before then, and a portion of your purchase price comes back to the PTA. Go to https://iloveschoolphotos.com/ps303 for more info.
Golden Ticket fundraiser: More information to come soon on our fundraiser with Aigner Chocolates on Metropolitan Avenue. It starts Saturday, Jan. 22!
Attention, pre-K parents: The NYC DOE kindergarten application deadline is today (Tuesday, Jan. 18). You have priority for admissions at AEA, but you must apply and list the school first. You can make changes to your application up until the deadline if you want to add, subtract, or reorder your schools. Good luck! More info: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/kindergarten
Ask the chancellor: The new city schools leader, David Banks, will be attending a town hall with the District 28 Community Education Council at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 7. The flyer and Zoom registration information are still to come. If you’d like to ask a question, you can do so through this Google Form, but do so soon: Priority will be given to questions asked before Feb. 1. To pose a question to the chancellor: https://forms.gle/xPpcTmRhTiQQV24V6
Important Dates
Jan. 18: Kindergarten applications are due
Jan. 22-28: AEA Golden Ticket week at Aigner Chocolates
Jan. 24: Deadline to order from Stomping Ground photo for the PTA fundraiser
Feb. 1: NO SCHOOL for Lunar New Year
Feb. 2: SLT meeting at 7:30 a.m.
Feb. 7: District 28 town hall with Chancellor Banks, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
Feb. 10: PTA meeting at 7 p.m.
Feb. 21-25: NO SCHOOL for midwinter recess
March 1: Middle school applications are due.