January 2010

The Roosevelt Island School

P.S./I.S. 217
Newsletter
645 Main street http://ps217pta.org/ Roosevelt Island, NY

JANUARY CALENDAR School Leadership

Wednesday, Jan 15 @ 7:30 am – School Leadership Team Meeting
Team Meeting in the conference room Fri, Jan 15 @7:30 am
Monday, Jan 18 – NO SCHOOL Every parent is welcome to attend!
Wednesday, Jan 20 @8 am – Parent Breakfast w/ the
Principal in the library in place of the PTA Meeting on Jan 21
Thursday, Jan 21 – Picture Retake Day Parent Breakfast with
Monday, Jan 25 @9:35 am – Student of the Month the Principal
Assemblies Wed, Jan 20
Wednesday, Jan 27 @1:30 pm – January Birthday Lunch @ 8:00 am
with Principal We are
Friday, Jan 29 @6:30 pm - Family Movie Night (open to combining General
kids K to 5th Grade) PTA Meeting with the
breakfast with the Principal this
WINTER CONCERT AND PTA RAFFLE
2009 Winter Concert at The Roosevelt Island School on
month. Please join us to discuss
Wednesday, December 9th, was a great success! This year we school goals for the next year!
had almost 300 of students on our school new Auditorium stage
as group and individual performers. Once again Mr. Solow was
able to organize a wonderful
Family Movie Night
opportunity for the students to Fri, Jan 29 @6:30 pm
showcase their skills, and their Open to kids K through 5th Grade.
family and friends to enjoy it. From
a Fundraising perspective, the PTA General Fund
event raised double of our
expected revenue, brought in by Donations
both the Raffle and Donations at the Door. Thank you to all those Many thanks to those who responded
who gave generously to ensure that our Music program to our most recent donations appeal!
continues to thrive! Contribution of any amount gets us
A message from Kristi Towey, 1st Vice President of the PTA, who closer to our annual goal! Remember,
oversaw the Raffle: that the PTA pays for so many aspects
"Dear parents, I wanted to personally thank all of you who of the Roosevelt Island School
participated in raising funds for the Music & Arts program at our education that we treasure for our
holiday concert. Whether you donated an item for a raffle basket, children, including music, arts,
money for an item, bought raffle tickets, sold raffle tickets or wrestling, track, basketball, and so
gave a donation at the door, all of these helped to make this many other after-school programs. We
fundraiser a success. Thanks to all of your efforts we were able can continue to do so only if our
to raise $1,077 for the Music & Arts program at our school. We families do their part. Please send
are so grateful for your generosity and dedication to the school!” your tax-deductible contribution by
making a check payable to “PS/IS 217
Watch for the opening of our School Store in February! PTA”, or give online by going to
ps217pta.org (click on Donations and
Do you have something to submit to the PTA newsletter? If so, Volunteering). Make sure to check with
please email to pta217newsletter@gmail.com. This letter looks your Employer about Matching Fund
great in color – download your copy on-line at Programs. The suggested donation is
http://ps217pta.org/ or email your child’s name, grade, and $100 per child. We appreciate your
teacher’s name to pta217newsletter@gmail.com. continuing support!
  Have you noticed recent amazing transformations in the
school foyer and hallways? The PTA and School
Leadership Team are currently working on a SCHOOL
BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT! We have so many more exciting
ideas that will make our school even more beautiful and
inviting space for the students. Please join us at the next
SLT meeting @7:30 am on Friday, January 15th. If you
cannot give your time, please help us support this and
other PTA initiatives by donating to our general fund!
 LEARNING LEADERS offer free TEACHING SESSIONS. The next 4 class session is for parents of
elementary school children January 19, 21, 26 & 28 @10:30 am-12:30 pm. We urge you to
attend this program, because it provides valuable information for any parents, not just the ones
who later volunteer at the school. You can sign up for these classes with Ms. Lauraine (parent
coordinator) at the school main office. More information at http://www.learningleaders.org/
The PTA is continuing on our Birthday Celebration tradition. Instead of in-
class celebrations, all children whose birthdays occur within January will have a
pizza party at the cafeteria. If your child’s birthday is this month, please make
every effort to attend our JANUARY BIRTHDAY LUNCH WITH THE PRINCIPAL on
Wednesday, January 27 @1:30 pm! Please contact your class parent,
teacher or parent coordinator at the main office if you would like to help at the
January celebration.
UPCOMING EVENTS/FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES
 We have so many exciting events planned for this year! To name a few
Family Reading Night on February 26, Go Green Night on March
19, Scholastic Book Fair the week of March 15. Art Salon and
Silent Auction are coming up in mid April, International Festival in the first week of
May, and Bike-a-Thon in mid June. The Festival gets bigger and better every year,
and the Auction, Book fair and Bike-a-Thon will provide critical funds to support our
school. So get ready to ride your bikes, parade in traditional costumes, eat, dance,
and bid at the auction! We need your creative talent and skills to organize these events
throughout the year. Would you consider helping us? It’s a great opportunity to get involved in
the school. Contact the PTA for more information how you can help. Expect more updates
about these and other fun activities soon!
 The PTA is currently working on the initiative that will bring FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAM to
the Lower Grades of the school. Please contact your class parent to provide the feedback from
your grade. Thank you to Kindergarten and First Grade parents who initiated the survey for their
grades and attended the PTA meetings to participate in this discussion in person.
 CLASS BLOGS provide a great way for parents to learn more about current school events and
participate in their child’s class life. K001, K003 and K301 already have their Class Blogs:
http://k1ps217.blogspot.com/, http://301ps217.blogspot.com/, http://rigandt.blogspot.com. Please
consider creating one for your class too.
ONGOING FUNDRAISING SCHEDULE
1. Every Saturday, The Farmers Market and Marketplace at Motorgate Plaza continues to be a
fundraising source of revenue. Please continue to patronize our vendors!
2. Remember to drop your BoxTops for education and Campbell’s Soup Labels in the pink box just
inside the entrance of the school. Be sure to ask family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors or
anyone else you know to help collect Box Tops.
3. On-line Shoppers, remember to shop through www.OneCause.com (previously Schoolpop.com.) By
selecting PS217 as your choice school, 2.5% of your sale price goes to our school from participating
stores (ex: LandsEnd, GAP, etc.). KEEP INFORMED! Visit our website at: http://ps217pta.org/