PS41 Families!

It was great to see so many new and returning faces on the PTA Zoom yesterday. And we were thrilled to find our inbox filled with inquiries about how to get involved in our school in the hours afterward. We have many opportunities that arise throughout the year -- between fundraising, community building and other events.

41Cares, our community service committee, has nearly a dozen drives throughout the year. Last year our generous families donated 100 costumes, 10 bags of outerwear, 100 pounds of candy, 4 tons of food, 275 new toys and over 30 cartons of books to our local community and sister schools; and, in doing so, our students learned not only how so many items they may take for granted are a luxury for many of their peers, but also how meaningful it is to give back and help those less fortunate. Our first one -- an outerwear drive -- is coming up next week, so please volunteer HERE.

If you're interested in being a Class Parent, these are your last couple of days to raise your hand. Speaking of hands up, we're going to need a LOT of them (in fact, all hands on deck!) as we've begun planning for our beloved Halloween celebration -- Monster Mash -- at the end of October. Stay tuned for details!

And, smaller scale, but another longstanding tradition here at PS41, we'll be soliciting submissions for our Art & Poetry Calendar and will need someone to take the lead on its production! We will be circulating a volunteer form shortly, but in the meantime let us know you're interested by emailing us at PTA@ps41.org!

In addition to volunteer opportunities, at the PTA meeting we also previewed some of our upcoming events -- parent morning coffees, Back to School Night, Fall Fling, and Class Potlucks. Keep reading for more information and check back each Wednesday as we continue to build out our calendar! Remember, we try to spread out events and schedule them across different days, times, and forums to reach all community members -- participate in what works best for your family and you!

Week one is in the books! Looking forward to continuing to connect over the coming weeks!

Sincerely,

Sara Tranter & Melissa Valdes, PS41 PTA Co-Presidents (pta@ps41.org)

Get Involved

There are so many ways to Get Involved at PS41. Don't miss out on these upcoming opportunities:

Class Parents Needed -- Last Call

A lot of parents think I can't be a class parent! I work or I can't go to the school or I have too much going on. We are here to tell you that anyone can manage this job anytime and from anywhere!

Each class has two class parents to divide the tasks in whatever way works best. Part of the role is to attend monthly PTA meetings, solicit volunteers for school events, send weekly emails to the class to keep them informed (we provide the content for you), coordinate teacher gifts and teacher appreciation week, supervise the class auction project and yearbook tribute pages (you can delegate these to other parents).

If this job is calling your name, please complete the Class Parent Interest Form ASAP. If you have any questions, feel free to contact classparents@ps41.org. We will notify class parents next week.

Family Giving

Why does the PTA need to raise funds?

NYC’s DOE Budget does not cover 100% of the school’s operating budget. Through contributions from our families, the PTA raises and funds the portion of the budget that helps set our school apart from others. And we need your help, now more than ever, to ensure we rebuild the breadth of enrichment programs, activities, resources and equipment that creates for our kids the magical experience of our National Blue Ribbon Award winning school. For more information see our flier.

Our total PTA budget of $552,000 is based on projected expenditures for each of our 500 students. Each year, Family Giving strives to raise at least half of that amount through a direct campaign. Every dollar counts. Please make a donation online.

Look for Family Giving volunteers on Friday at drop to answer any questions or email familygiving@ps41.org.

Grade Coffees -- Next Week by Grade @ 8:30am

Because we all need caffeine and companionship to get through the day... join us in the yard next week after dropoff to get together with old friends and make new ones. If you can't make it next week, there will be plenty of opportunities to gather with our adult community. Each classroom will be hosting evening potlucks beginning in October. And, we have a schoolwide night out for grownups -- our Fall Fling -- coming up on Wednesday October 12th.

All of the grade coffees will be from 8:30-9:30 in the yard. Please enter through the gate on Greenwich Avenue.

Grades 1 through 4: Monday September 19th

Grade 5*: Tuesday September 20th

3K through Kindergarten: Wednesday September 21st

*NOTE: We'll be kicking off the 5th Grade Committee and Admin will share briefly about Middle School admissions.

Outwear Drive -- 9/19 - 9/23

More than 1,000 children recently arrived in New York City from Latin America with their families seeking asylum. We have partnerships with neighborhood schools who have welcomed these families. Next week at drop off, we will be collecting your used coats, boots, snow pants, gloves and scarves at our Outerwear Drive. Help families keep warm this winter by donating the gear your kids have grown out of.

We need volunteers to help staff this drive. We need parents to stand outside of school next week with bins to collect and sort items. We also need volunteers with cars to help drop off the clothing to the schools. Let us know when and how you can help by volunteering HERE.

Teach the message at home with these great resources: Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors," Lauren Mills’ “The Rag Coat, and Sesame Street videos My Favorite Sweater; Clothing Drive; Holiday Helpers.

Email 41Cares@ps41.org with any questions or to join their distribution list.

Onsite Afterschool Programs

Due to increased demand, we have added extra days and expanded grades for some our onsite afterschool programs.

The Coding Space: Kids learn to code through the development of computational thinking skills, intellectual confidence, self-expression, and independence. The program is now available to 1st through 3rd graders on Wednesdays, and 4th and 5th graders on Tuesday (just added). All programs are until 4:30pm.

Speech & Debate: Dedimus Potestatem has expanded it's program; beginning October 4th it will be available to 3rd through 5th Graders on Tuesday from dismissal until 4pm. Register HERE.

Violin: Greenwich House Music School's introductory violin program has expanded and will now serve 5 through 7 year olds on Wednesdays from dismissal until 4pm. Register HERE. Violins will be provided for your child's use for the duration of the semester.

Space in all programs are limited so act quickly.

Stay Informed

Sometimes you just don't know where to go to get the information you need. Here is a Cheat Sheet to help steer you in the right direction. Here's a PDF of our PS41 2022-23 Family Handbook, which can also be found on our Website (ps41.org) in the "About Our School" section.

What's For Lunch?

Did you know that school lunch is free? The DOE provides hot and cold options for all students daily. If your child doesn't find something to eat on the daily menu, there are always alternate options, including peanut butter and jelly or cheese sandwiches! Check out (and bookmark) the PreK-8 Express Hot Lunch menu, which is updated monthly on the DOE website. For ease, download the SchoolFood App on Android and iOS. Note that daily offerings at PS41 may differ slightly from the posted menu based on food deliveries from DOE.

Upcoming Calendar

Our PS41 Main Calendar includes all PTA and committee meetings, school programs, community activities and social events. Here's a quick how to on syncing it with your personal calendar. The DOE Calendar has all citywide dates.

PS41's September Character Education Trait is Self-Awareness

Below is a summary of upcoming events:

9/15: Back to School Night, via Zoom (times vary)
9/19: 1st-4th Grade Parent Coffee Morning; 8:30-9:30a in the school yard, enter on Greenwich Ave.
9/20: 5th Grade Parent Coffee Morning and 5th Grade Committee Kick Off; 8:30-9:30a in the school yard, enter on Greenwich Ave.
9/21: 3K-K Parent Coffee Morning 8:30-9:30a in the school yard, enter on Greenwich Ave.
9/26: No School
9/27: No School
9/29: School Picture Day

SUBJECT: PS41 PTA Bulletin - Week of 9/12