PS 373R DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

Message from the Principal: Dear Parents and Guardians,

It is so hard to believe that we are half way through the school year!! On behalf of the P373R family , we wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season full joy, fun and laughter. Please make sure that you review the December calendar so you do not miss out on the wonderful Holiday events at all the sites.

-Ilene Goldstein-Harnett

Mrs. Aronovich teaches Mrs. Larson's class about Chanukah and how to light a me-norah at the PS373R @ Petrides “J” Building.

Ms. Brassfield and her class enjoy a visit with Santa at our annual PS 373R Holiday Fair!

PS 373R “Think Pink” October 2010 Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Free Toys, Pizza and Visit with Santa for all Special Needs Children in Staten Island

Dr. David Flynn and the Staten Island Biker's Association are hosting their

Annual Toy Giveaway to Children with Special Needs and their Siblings.

DATE: Saturday, December 11, 2010

TIME: 12:00pm - 4:00pm

PLACE: PS 37, 15 Fairfield Street Staten Island

COST: No Fee

R.S.V.P.: Registration is necessary! Call Teresa at 917-699-7119

There will be toys for the children, DJ, Pizza and Santa for all Children with Special Needs.

Dear Parents, Teachers and Staff;

I would like to take this time to thank all of you who have supported the PTA so far this year, not only in fundraisers, but in participation, volunteering of time, sharing of knowl-edge, kind words and in so many other ways.

A summary of all that has been accomplished with the help of so many of you would in-clude things like the Kindergarten Breakfast, Fall Catalog Sale, Eating for Education, Mod-ell’s and the Holiday Fair, which continues to give to the children, the school and the teachers. Our Holiday Fair was a great success and the auditorium looked beautiful. A special thanks to Santa for his appearance and to all the parents who helped set up, sell, clean up and to those who also contributed baskets and items. Of course, thank you to my whole PTA: Jen, Peggy and Maritza and our parent coordinator Kirsten.

May you all have a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season and Joyous New Year.

With Kind Regards,

Dawn Port

PTA President PS373

December 2010 Letter from the PTA President

PS 373R DECEMBER 2010 NEWSLETTER

Borough President James P. Molinaro and The GRACE Foundation cordially invite you to meet Santa and his Reindeer at the Staten Island Zoo! Sponsored by Colonial Funeral Home and Raineri Jewelers.

DATE: Saturday, December 18th, 2010. TIME: Santa and his Reindeer will be at the Zoo from 6:00pm-9:00pm

COST: $25.00 per family. PLACE: SI Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten I Live Reindeer! Photo with Santa! Treats for the children! For additional information please call the GRACE Foundation at 718-983-3800.

Staten Island Zoo - Meet Santa & His Reindeer!

Free Music For Autism Concert: The Hudson String Quartet

PS 373R DECEMBER 2010 NEWSLETTER

DATE: Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC -1466 Manor Road, SI, NY 10314

Music for Autism concerts are fully subsidized and free, but RSVPs are essen-tial. Please RSVP under the "Concert Calendar" on the JCC website, www.sijcc.org or by calling 1-877-863-7473.

For more information, please visit www.MusicForAutism.org This concert has been made possible through the generous support of the North Shore Rotary Club.

Parent to Parent NY, Inc. Workshop:The Plan for Special Education System Reform

Presented by Anne Marie Caminiti, this workshop will be held on Friday, December 10th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Institute for Basic Research (IBR), 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island.

♦ Also at IBR this month: MOTHER’S SUPPORT GROUP - Wed., Dec. 8th, 10-1p.m. and ASPERGERS SUPPORT GROUP - Wed., Dec. 15th 10-1p.m. PLEASE INQUIRE ABOUT THE SIBLING SUPPORT GROUP - CALL (718) 494-4872.

Date: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: John F. Kennedy Jr. (P721Q) - 57-12 94th Street, Queens, NY ♦ Busing Forum (Part 1) Parents Concerns with OPT after hosting our Calendar Meeting in September:

Busing Forum we are still hearing from you to help with your Busing Issues. Please come out and talk to us and help us add create the OPT Parent Survey.

♦ Leonie Hanson of Class Size Matters will speak to parents about the Newly Appointed Chancel-lor, Cathleen Black and the cuts in Special Education/Services that will affect you and your child.

♦ Margaret Howell, Queens Community College Financial Aide during the financial crunch it’s impor-tant for you to receive information on the different Financial Aide Funding available to you and your child as they attend a college or university of their choice.

Call 718-752-7393 or e-mail: D75council@schools.nyc.gov

Citywide District 75 Council Meeting - 12/15/10 @ PS 721Q - Bring Your Busing Issues!

S.I. United Federation of Teachers - Special Education Forum

ATTENTION ALL PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF CHILDREN WITH IEPs! Please join The Staten Island United Federation of Teachers for a Special Education Forum Date & Time: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 from 9 am - 12 noon Location: SI UFT Office, 4456 Amboy Road, Staten Island, NY FORUM TOPICS: • UFT's Raise the Bar Initiative • New Special Education Reforms for Schools in Phase I • Question & Answer Period Guest Speakers: Carmen Alvarez, UFT VP for Special Education Emma Mendez, UFT Liaison to Students with Disabilities/ELL Breakfast will be served at this free forum PLEASE RSVP to Joan McKeever-Thomas, 718-605-1400, jmckt@uft.org

P861: June Cantor’s Annual Thanksgiving Feast!

Kim Russell & Brenda Brockett’s Pre-K Classes at Our PS 58 Site - Amazing Fall Display - Handcrafted by the Students &

their Families!

Many Thanks to the PS 373R PTA for Hosting our Annual Holiday Fair at the Main Site!