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Multicultural Fest Cancelled

Multicultural Fest on 6/12 has been cancelled due to lack of response. We'll try again next year.

Multicultural Fest set for June 12th

Hello Students, Parents, Teachers, Staff and Community Members

Join us for the biggest, baddest Multicultural Fest ever
at PS 139 on June 12th at 1pm

Sometimes what sets us apart is what brings us together. Be a part of the celebration!

If you would like to get involved email me at christine.siracusa@gmail.com

Here are some ways you can participate:
Provide formal entertainment (traditional music, folk dance, etc.) on our stage Read a story
Teach a song
Share traditional dishes and (non-alcoholic) beverages
Display clothing, flags, and artifacts unique to a culture from your ethnic background

Be sure to specify what country/culture you would like to represent and include contact information.
This event is open to EVERYONE.
See you there!

Breakfast and Elections 5/11

It's Staff Appreciation Week at PS 139.

Spread the love and the cream cheese at

our Staff Appreciation Breakfast this Tuesday May 11th from 6:30am to 8:30am

followed by a

PA General Membership Meeting at 8:30am. Elect the 2010 - 2011 PA Executive Board. Vote on proposed Professional Development Day September 8, 2010.

PTA 5K Run for the Schools

This Saturday, May 1, PS 139 families will be participating in the third annual PTA 5K Run for the Schools. We've raised a couple thousand dollars for the PA the last couple of years--and had a great time. Go at your own pace---whether that's running or walking with a stroller.

You can register online at:
http://www.active.com/running/new-york-ny/brooklyn-pta-5k-run-for-schools-2010

PLEASE EMAIL ME and let me know you can participate. I can also send you a registration form and sponsorship form. DavidLevin8@...

Here are the event details...

WHEN: Saturday, May 1st from 10am to 1pm in Prospect Park in the Bartel Lot (Prospect Park West & 16th Street).

COST: Participants pay a registration fee ($25/family or $15/individual). You can participate for free by getting donations from sponsors. Download a sponsorship form at brooklynpta.org

- 50% of post race profits will be divided evenly among qualifying schools (20 or more participants) and 50% will be divided according to school size.

- There will be post-race refreshments, face-painting, community building activities, team photographs

Nominations Meeting Monday April 19th at 6:15pm

Join the PS 139 PA Executive Board

By the end of this school year the PS 139 PA will have raised $25,000 (est) for PA budgeted items, $28,000 (and counting) for the Argyle yard renovations, over $500 for Haiti Earthquake victims, and $1200 for the library.

By year’s end we will have produced these events:
The Big Guy BBQ
A Neighborhood Clothing Swap
Pumpkin Patch
Fright Night
Science Night
Health and Nutrition Night
Multicultural Night


And these fundraising events:
Candy Sale
Election Day Bake Sale
Fall pictures
Fall Book Fair
The first ever PS 139 Jazz Cocktail Party
Dance-a-thon
Theme Basket Raffle
Spring Book Fair
Spring Pictures

in addition to the ongoing collection of Box Tops for Education.

If you think this is important work and would like to see it continue, please come to Monday night's PA meeting and nominate yourself or a friend to join the Executive Board.

If you think that this is a waste of time and we are heading in the wrong direction, please come to Monday night's PA meeting and nominate yourself or a friend to join the Executive Board.

Your child’s school needs you.

Spring Pictures Fundraiser 4/16

The PA will hold it's Spring Pictures Fundraiser this Friday, April 16th all day in the auditorium. All students will be photographed (unless a parent files an "opt out" form with us). When students receive their pix in a few weeks they will then have the option to purchase them or return them.

PS 139 Chess Ninja fundraiser at Barnes and Nobles this Saturday, March 13th

The PS 139 Chess Ninjas will take on all challengers this Saturday, March 13 at Barnes & Noble on 7th Ave from 11 am to 1 pm  and from 2 to 4 pm.  Come by to support the team. You can also watch the PS 139 Chess Team in action.
Most importantly any purchase you make at Barnes and Noble on Saturday could help the team raise funds for Nationals in Atlanta. Volunteers will be manning the entrance to Barnes and Noble and handing out fliers. If you purchase anything please mention the PS 139 Chess Ninjas!

The team will be going to National in Atlanta, Georgia in May!

Please help support the chess team.

Spring Open House

PS 139 will hold one more Open House for prospective families on March 4th. Save the date. Details to follow.

PS 139 Open House

Our first Open House will be Tuesday January 12th at 8:45 am. Enter through the brightly colored doors on Rugby Road. Bring photo ID to sign in with security. We will start in the auditorium right off the main lobby.

Retakes/Absentees Day for School Pictures

Information on Retake/Absentee Photo Day
January 7th, 2010



Dear 139 Families,

If your child was absent when their class got their photos taken or if you are displeased with them for any reason please watch for the Retake flyer in your child's backpack sometime this week.

We will only be re-shooting individual portraits, not class photos.

We will have gowns available for 5th grade portraits.

If you are retaking your child’s portraits, your child must bring their original package with them on January 7th and give to the photographer. You should, however, keep your class photo from that package.

Playground Reception, 12/10

The reception for the new playground is swiftly approaching. In case you haven't RSVP'd yet, here is a little incentive. The following are some tantalizing tid-bits from our silent auction:

VIP tickets to the Rachel Ray Show, 1 Hour of Violin entertainment courtesy of professional violinist Jeremy Brown, a photograph by Paul Armbruster, museum-quality custom framing from Reid Trachtenberg, 2 house seats to Carrie Fisher's one-woman show Wishful Drinking, a weekend at a home near Windham Ski Resort, one 90-minute massage courtesy of Kym O'Neil, pilates classes courtesy of Martina Nevermann, gift certificates to Purple Yam, San Remo, and The Farm, college essay support courtesy of Faye Penn, a class card from Midwood Martial Arts, 2 large toys from Josh Mushkin, children's party entertainment courtesy of Brett Kuhne, a gift certificate to a scrapbooking class and a few jaw droppers that must be seen to be believed!

Those details again are:
When: December 10 from 7pm to 9pm
Where: the home of Reggie and Sunni Middleton at 195 Argyle Road
What: A first look at the Argyle playground design, live jazz from 139 dad Nick Moran and his trio, wine from TB Ackerson and food from local restaurants and caterers. Plus, the aforementioned fabulous silent auction (just in time for the holidays!!)
Tickets: $50 per person. Checks can be made to the PS 139 PA. You can pay at the door but please RSVP so we know to expect you.
RSVP: christine.siracusa@gmail.com

Major thanks to everyone who has contributed to putting this event together. The generosity is overflowing! We are SO lucky.

Christine, PS 139 PA Co-President

Reception for the Argyle Playground Renovation

Save the Date: December 10th 7pm to 9pm

Many thanks to Julia Pane Design for donating this fantastic invitation.

julia.pane.designs@gmail.com

Support the Chess Ninjas, 11/28

The PS 139 Chess Ninja's first fundraising event of the season at Barnes & Noble in Park Slope will take place Saturday, 11/28, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For anyone new to this: B&N will donate a portion of the sales for the day to the chess club. So take that day to purchase any books, board games, or CD's on your holiday shopping list. This is an easy way to support a great club that was hit hard by budget cuts.

See you there!

Book Fair Update.

Great First Day Folks!!
For an update visit our homepage
http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/ps139

Book Fair Starts Tomorrow.

Support your school AND your child's love for reading.


Tuesday November 10th 1 to 3pm and 5:30 to 8pm


Thursday November 12th 9am to 3pm


Friday November 13th 9am to 3pm


Sunday November 15th 9am to 2pm

Sunday’s Fair will include fun for the whole community.


Story Time 9:30 - 10

PS 139 Co-President and actor, Christine Siracusa, will read popular books from the Scholastic collection.


Musical performance by Carnaval Kids! 10 – 10:30

Carnaval Kids! specializes in Brazilian and Spanish-themed musical drum parties for children.


Free used winter coats.

Available first come, first served. In good condition. Limited supply. Sizes vary.



Funds from this event could help the Parents Association extend the budget for the Argyle yard renovation or purchase more Smartboards for our classrooms!


Visit http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/ps139 for more information.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Election Day Bake Sale
Tuesday, November 3rd
email zoraidaspahi@hotmail.com to help out.

Book Fair
11/10 1pm to 8pm, 11/12 9am to 3pm, 11/13 9am to 3pm and 11/15 9am to 2pm.
Visit http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/ps139 for more information and to volunteer.

October PA Events

Pumpkin Patch October 29th from 10 am to 3 pm

Fright Night October 30th at 6:30 pm

From the Brains of Babes

The Idea Board from the student session of Design Day with Out2Play. I have my fingers crossed for that telescope!

Report from Design Day with Out2Play

Friday October 2nd was Design Day.

Out2Play came to PS 139 and met with students, parents, teachers, and administration to dream up ideas for our new playground! In case you hadn't heard, PS 139 received a $200,000 grant to renovate our school yards. The primary focus is on the Argyle yard but some sprucing up on Cortelyou will be done as well.

The students provided sketches which I will post here once they are scanned.

The recently formed (and still forming if you're interested!!) Fundraising Committee is hard at work on a plan to raise an additional $50,000 for the renovation. If you would like to work with this committee email christine.siracusa@gmail.com.

Campbells Soup

Just a reminder as the weather turns chilly that campbells labels for education is a program P.S 139 participates in. It is all soups, I.E chunky, select harvest, soup at hand, supper bakes and not just soup it includes V8 juice lids, goldfish crackers, any pepperidge farm products, spaghettios, prego sauces & swanson broths. You just peel of the labels, barcodes or lids and send them in to school with your child along with the box tops or put them in the P.A. mail box located in lobby.

We are now participating in:
Target red card, visit, http://www.Target.com/tcoe
Box tops for education visit, http://www.btfe.com
Campbells labels for education visit, http://www.labelsforeducation.com

Coming soon: Stop & Shop

All of these company's give back a % of you purchase in store or online to our school once you go to their website and register your cards. For more information visit their websites or contact me directly. Don't forget to ask family & friends to collect for you. The programs run all year every year so they can collect them all year including summer and then send them to you.
Thank you all for supporting P.S 139

Take Charge of Education - Target

Cathy Nottage mentioned last week at the Parent's Association meeting that Target has a program via their Red Card to donate up to 1% of your purchases to PS 139. The details of the program are here.

It's Simple:

1. Apply, get approved and get your REDcard^SM (if you don't have one already).
2. Enroll. Sign up for Take Charge of Education and designate an eligible K-12 school.
3. Shop. Target will donate up to 1% of your REDcard purchases to your chosen school.*

If you are already a Card Holder you can still enroll:

Here's how to sign up for the Take Charge of Education program:

Target^® Visa^® Credit Card and Target Credit Card^SM holders

• Enroll online
• Call 1-800-316-6142
• Enroll at an in-store kiosk

Target Check Card^SM holders

• Enroll online
• Call 1-800-316-6142

Eligible Target Business Card^® holders

• Call 1-800-316-6142

Our Next PA General Membership Meeting is Thursday morning, October 15 8:30 am

• Food will be served
• Bring a friend who didn't come to the last Parent's Association Meeting
• As a reminder, Childcare for school-aged children is provided for evening meetings.

P.E.A.K. is PA Enrichment Activities for Kids

PA Enrichment Activities for Kids (PEAK) is a popular after school program run by the Parents Association. Our clubs meet once a week for one hour. Last year we offered three 8-week sessions of subjects ranging from Hip Hop to Science to Soccer. The first session will begin in October. Club fees are based on a sliding scale according to your child’s lunch form. PEAK is separate from CAMBA and Sports and Arts. For more information on these full time programs call the main office 718-282-5254.

We Participate in the Box Tops for Education Program!!

You can clip 10¢ Box Tops coupons from hundreds of your favorite products such as Cheerios®, Betty Crocker®, Juicy Juice®, Ziploc®, Kleenex®, Hefty® and more!

At the Box Tops Marketplace, you can shop at over 70 online stores like Oriental Trading Co., Office Depot and Lands' End. A percentage of purchases goes back to our school!
My Class Essentials is a new way to help classrooms get the learning tools and supplies students need while earning 2% cash back for your school with every purchase.

For more details visit www.btfe.com or contact Cathy Nottage at sasha01elijah04@yahoo.com

Yahoo Group – PS 139 parents started a Yahoo Group to facilitate communication

Here is how to join:

You can sign up for the mailing list by sending a blank email to:
PS139-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Your membership will have to be approved by the moderator. When you’re only on the mailing list, you don’t get access to all the group's web features (Photos, Files, Links, Polls, Calendar.)

For full access send an email to our moderator, Tennille, at tlpatt169@yahoo.com and ask her to send you an invitation.

October 2009 Parent's Association Events

• Neighborhood Clothing Swap 10/3
• Hispanic Heritage Night 10/15
• Pumpkin Patch 10/29
• Fright Night 10/30

Fall 2009 School Fundraisers

• School Pictures- 5th Grade 9/25
• School Pictures- PreK – 4th Grade 10/5 and 10/9
• Candy Sale Orders Due 10/2
• Theme Baskets Raffle off at Conferences 11/10

Big Guy BBQ

Bill, Nick, and Stanley on the Grill

Hey DJ, put a needle on the record

PTA Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Parent Association (PA)?

• Parent Associations (PA) are a way for parents to get involved in their children's schools.
• PA’s are all volunteer school-based organizations open to all parents.
• The PA’s role is to help parents become more involved in their children's education, Share and enrich their school communities.

What We Do...

• We serve on the School Leadership Team
• We conduct outreach to get other parents involved in school life.
• We support school activities like:

Parent-teacher conferences

Open Houses

Support Music, Art and Culture in our School

• We plans events to support and enrich what our child learn in the classroom and to foster a sense of community with in the school

Events and Fund-raising

• Big Guy BBQ
• School Pictures
  
• Hispanic Heritage Night
• Pumpkin Patch
  
• Fright Night
• Multi-Cultural Night
• Raffles
• T-Shirt Sales
• Bake Sales

Did you also know your PA...

• Has a Yahoo Group To share information via e-mail
• PEAK - A popular after school program, now expanding to two days
• Support the Teachers

Want to be part of the PA?

• As a Parent/ Guardian you are automatically a Member
• If you would like to become more involved please contact an active PA member or drop your contact information in the school lobby mailbox

We Need Your Help

• Translators
• Potluck Coordinator: Hispanic Heritage and Multicultural Night
  
• Coordinator/ Editor for quarterly Newsletter
  

Parent's Association Contacts

Your 2009-2010 PA Executive Board Members are:

Zoraida Clemente Co-President zoraidaspahi@hotmail.com

Cathy Nottage VP Fundraising sasha01elijah04@yahoo.com
Tennille Patterson VP Parent Involvement tlpatt169@yahoo.com
Peggy Rorke Treasurer mrorke@msn.com

Alexandra Reddish Minischool Comm. areddish22@optonline.net
Sally Bowman Minischool Comm. sallyontheroad@yahoo.com
Martina Nevermann Eco-Science/Recycling luebeckerlein@yahoo.com
David Levin Annual Appeal davidlevin8@gmail.com
Mindy Nass Health/Nutrition mindynass@gmail.com
Michelle Benoit Political Action mbenoit@legal-aid.org