THURSDAY, JANUARY 17 (6:30 - 8:30 pm) Workshop presented by the Center for Racial Justice in Education, hosted by PS 39's Diversity & Inclusion Committee and sponsored by the Parent Association.  This two-hour workshop will provide participants with: a deeper knowledge of the history and definition of race and racism, an enhanced understanding of how race and racism affect children and how children see race, skills for approaching age-appropriate conversations using a racial equity lens.

Schedule: Arrival (6- 6:30pm)/ Workshop (6:30- 8:30 pm).  A light dinner will be provided for participants and children in room 103 which will be gluten free & vegetarian options.  Just before the workshop begins, children will take their dinner to the cafeteria for childcare and activities.

Reserve your spot by:  Credit Card or Pay-What-You-Can at the door.  View the flyer HERE.

​Kindergarten: Tuesday, December 18
8:45- 9:15 am at Camp Friendship

Grade 1: Thursday, December 20
8:45- 9:15 am at Camp Friendship

Grades 2- 5: Tuesday, December 18
7:30 pm at John Jay High School

Gr. 2- 5 Parents: You must sign your child up online to participate in the Gr. 2-5 evening concert. Sign up HERE.
Volunteers needed to help supervise students at the evening concert on December 18.Sign up to help HERE.

​Mr. Deutsch has posted audio tracks of the songs that our students will be performing at our concerts on our Music Page.  Families can listen and practice at home before the big events!

​The online PS 39 gear shop is live! This is your chance to purchase gear in a variety of colors, sizes and styles including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and even tote bags. The online store closes Sunday night. Orders will be delivered to the school the week of December 17

Shop now: stores.inksoft.com/ps_39/shop/home

​Many of our school's amazing programs exist because of the donations we receive every year including New Victory Theater Partnership, Swim for Life, NY Philharmonic partnership, recess coaches and others. We are aiming to raise $120,000 this year, so please be generous in your donations and encourage your companies to participate in corporate matching.  

For your convenience, you can donate online HERE, or you may send a check payable to PS 39 Parent Association in your child's folder. Remember that your donation is also tax deductible.

Please RSVP for your special guest! PS 39 will open its doors to our extended family members on Friday, November 30. The day will begin with a special breakfast & presentation at Camp Friendship for our guests and then classroom visits for special activities.   Food Donations and Volunteers needed- sign up here to help!

Grandparents & VIP Day Poetry Contest
Students in Grades 2 - 5 will be invited to submit a poem about the very important people in their lives (grandparents, aunts, nannies, special friends etc.). Three poems will be selected to be read at our Grandparent/VIP day breakfast. Students will be receiving information about the poetry contest this week. Please send in poems by November 21.

More than 1.2 million New Yorkers are struggling to put food on their tables. PS 39 Student Council invites all students to help by donating non-perishable food items during our food drive from now through November 28! Please drop your items in the boxes near the lower entrance/ cafeteria.
Please view this MOST NEEDED ITEMS LIST to help select items to donate.

This year our school is prioritizing social/emotional learning for our students as part of our work in helping every child reach their full potential. In order to do this, every school day now begins with thirty minutes dedicated to supporting this goal.
Morning Circle Practice

After engaging in several social/emotional learning routines, all of our students participate in a classroom circle each morning. Circles are a means for our students to:

• continuously build community in their classroom,
• problem solve conflicts that may arise,
• or participate in a 4R lesson.

The 4R curriculum (Reading, Writing, Respect, and Resolution) was created by the Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility to teach our children foundational life skills to develop empathy and build relationships. Our morning circles also provide students with a place to practice those skills. 
Parent Workshop: Social Emotional Learning at PS 39
Presented by Morningside Center
Monday, November 5 (6:30- 7:30 pm)​Parents that are interested in learning about our students' social emotional learning time during morning circles each day are invited to attend this informational evening with Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility. The presentation will include information about Morningside's 4R (Reading, Writing, Respect and Resolution) curriculum and restorative circle practices.
​
Open School Week: Online Sign up for Classroom Visits
Spotlight: Morning Circle Practice
November 13- 16 (8:30 - 8:50 am)Our Open School Week visits will spotlight Social Emotional Learning at PS 39. Our school has fully embraced this new focus on social/emotional learning and are eager to share our work with our families. Families are invited to join us (and join in!) our morning circles during Open School Week! 

In order to manage space in the classroom we are providing eight (8) slots each day for a parent to attend. ​  Please visit our Open School Week page to sign up for a class visit.

​Families will have a chance to meet with their child's teacher in November to discuss their child's progress so far this year. Conferences will be held on November 14 (5-8 pm), November 15 (12:30- 2:40 pm) and November 20 & 27 (2:45- 3:20 pm) by appointment. Online sign ups for appointments are now available.  Please visit our Parent Teacher Conferences page for more information on Monday.
​Childcare will be provided during conference appointments for school-age children.
Please note: November 15 is a half-day of school with 11:40 am dismissal for all students.

Our PS 39 Student Council invites all students to participate in the UNICEF Kids Helping Kids Campaign! Just use the little orange box sent home this week to collect change from around the house or while trick or treating.
Help your child learn how their donations will help others at unicefusa.org/stories.
Please return boxes by November 9th!

Don't miss a ghoulishly good time at our annual Spooktacular.  Costumes are encouraged!  Join us for ood, music, a haunted house, costume parade and raffle .  The event is held in the John Jay High School Cafeteria on 7th Ave (Please enter at the side door on 5th street).  Many volunteers are needed- sign up online HERE.