2nd May 2023 PA Newsletter
Newsletter May 10, 2023 (issue 17)
Dear MS 51 Community!
We hope this letter finds you well. As we approach the end of the school year, we have a busy couple of months ahead filled with exciting events and important discussions. We wanted to take a moment to discuss these upcoming events with you and highlight the incredible success of our recent beautification project.
Firstly, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all volunteers who participated in the recent beautification project. The turnout was outstanding, and the hard work and dedication of all involved truly made a difference in enhancing the appearance of our school. It is wonderful to see such a strong sense of community and commitment to improving our school environment.
As we move forward into the coming weeks and months, it is important that we continue to rely on the support of our volunteers. We have a number of key events and discussions coming up that will require the participation of our community. These include the Spring Social and Auction and parent-teacher conferences on Thursday, May 11th, teacher appreciation on May 12th, the SexEd talk and DUET meeting on May 16th, in-person high school admissions discussion on May 17th, the social studies fair from May 17th to May 19th, the Dance showcase May 18th and 19th, the AAPI Panel discussion on May 22nd, and the new student orientation on May 23rd. Please be on the lookout for volunteer opportunities via signup emails/newsletters.
Each of these events is important in its own way, and the success of these events is highly dependent on the participation of volunteers. We are grateful for any and all support that you are able to offer, whether it be through volunteering your time, donations, or attending these events to show your support.
We understand that there are a lot of changes happening, and we encourage all parents to reach out to MS51's administration if you have any questions or concerns (MS 51 Staff Directory 2022-23). Another great way to stay involved and understand changes with all things MS51 is to join the PA Executive Board or volunteer at the school! See below for more details.
We have an action-packed rest of the school year, and we encourage everyone to check the MS51 Calendar for exciting events coming your way.
In conclusion, we would like to thank you all for your continued dedication to MS51 and commitment to strengthening our school community. Together, we can make a real difference and ensure that our school continues to thrive.
As always, the PA is here to support our school and community. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at middleschool51pa@gmail.com.
Important Dates and Events
05/11 - 9am - Author Visit - Yehudi Mercado
05/11 - 4pm-7pm - Final Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences www.teacherreacher.com
05/11 - 7-10pm - MS51 Spring Social & Auction - Old Stone House - https://ourschool.auction/MS51
05/16 - 5:30pm - DUET Committee Meeting (Zoom Link)
05/16 - 6:30pm - “The Talk” with Rachel Lotus - Sex Talk - @ MS51 Auditorium - The Talk tickets
05/17 - 5pm - In Person High School Admissions Event - @ MS51 Auditorium
05/17-05/19 - Social Studies Fair at MS51
05/18-05/19 - 6pm - Dance Showcase - @ MS 51 Auditorium (Bake Sale Sign Up)
05/20 - 9am - noon Parent Volunteer Saturday
05/22 - 6pm - AAPI Panel - @ MS51 Auditorium
05/23 - 3:30pm - 5:30pm - New Student Orientation - @ MS51 Auditorium
05/29 - School Closed for Memorial Day
06/22 - 10:30am - 12:30pm - 8th Grade Graduation - New Utrecht High School
For a complete view of the important dates, please see the MS 51 Calendar.
We Need You to join MS51 PA Executive Board
Each spring, the MS51 PA community elects new MS51 PA Executive Board members to serve for the following year. When the current school year comes to its end, many of the EB positions will be open. Given that some of the roles have more responsibilities than others, we’ve created a few new positions that offer a little more flexibility.
Please click on the link here to nominate someone (or yourself) or contact middleschool51pa@gmail.com for more information!
The head of our Nomination Committee would be more than happy to walk you through the different positions, or further explain the role of the Executive Board. You can even speak to a current member and get their perspective!
Last call for your MS51 Spring Social tickets! Auction is LIVE!
Thank you to everyone who has already purchased tickets. We look forward to seeing you! We still have a few tickets for sale.
If you are unable to attend our Spring Social, you can still participate in our online auction and win some fabulous items. The auction is live now, so don’t miss out! Sign up and start bidding!
To purchase tickets or participate in the online auction, click here: https://ourschool.auction/MS51.
Join us for dinner, drinks, and fun with parents and school administration. Celebrate our first in-person Spring Social and Auction since 2019.
100% of the proceeds from the social event and auction benefit our school. The money we raise through the PA of MS 51 supports talent programs, supplies for students and teachers, technology, and so much more.
If you are unable to attend, please consider donating a ticket for a staff member (please don't name a specific staff member).
What can you expect?
- An intimate event that allows you to connect with school staff and other parents
- Meet other parents in your child’s class, and for our 8th-grade parents, talk to other families whose kids might be heading to the same high school.
- Enjoy great food and drinks
- Participate in our silent auction
- Celebrate the end of the school year!
Don't miss out on this fun night!
NOTE: The function will also serve as our May General PA Meeting
MS 51 PA PRESENTS - “THE TALK: SEX ED 2.0” WITH RACHEL LOTUS - May 16th 6:30PM @ MS51 Auditorium
Tickets are required and are available now. Though tickets are free, we ask that you pay a suggested donation if you are able because it allows us to continue to present events like these to the MS51 community. Ticket Link
MS51 Parent / Teacher Virtual Conferences May 11th, 4-7PM
Please be aware that the last parent/teacher conferences will take place on May 11th, 2023 between 4-7PM. All parents should sign up via https://www.teacherreacher.com. If you have questions, please reach out to your child’s teachers, APs, or Julia Castro. MS51 Staff Directory
NYC High School Admissions - May 17th 5pm - @ MS51 Auditorium
As a reminder, there will be an in-person high school admissions event hosted by the guidance counselors from MS51. They will walk parents through the process of registering, researching, and ultimately selecting high schools for your child. If you cannot make the in-person event, here is the prerecorded online event that MS51 hosted earlier this month (MS51 High School Admissions Video). The PA strongly urges all parents and students to research and understand the NYC High School Admissions process.
Upcoming Dance Showcase May 18th and 19th at 6PM
Join us on May 18th and 19th for MS51’s final dance showcase of the year. Students from all grades will be performing multiple dance performances that demonstrate various techniques that have been taught by our wonderful dance instructor, Ms. Wilson. Graduating seniors will also perform multiple solo/duets that highlight more advanced skills.
Tickets are a suggested $10 - proceeds will go to buying costumes and supplies for the dance talents.
There will also be a PA-sponsored bake sale for both nights. Please signup to help volunteer and/or donate items for the bake sale.
Asian American Pacific Islander Panel May, 22nd at 6PM
May is AAPI Heritage Month and MS51 is proud to host a panel of esteemed Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to discuss some of their life stories. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. Please join us for an engaging discussion about life as an Asian American and Pacific Islander.
AAPI Panel:
- Mr. Fred Katayama (Executive Vice President of US-Japan Council)
- Ms. Shenzhan Liao (SVP of Education Department, China Institute)
- Mr. Sanjay Soni (Founder and President, Indian Home Cooking)
MS51 New Student Orientation May, 23rd 3:30-5:30PM
MS51 is proud to welcome all incoming 6th-grade students and their families for orientation. Principal Chan and his administration will outline all of the changes coming to MS51 in the 2023/2024 school year. The big changes will include the shift to flex scheduling, homeroom, lockers, and talents. Please be sure to come a hear about these changes and what parents/students need to prepare for in the coming year. PA representatives will be at the orientation and can answer questions regarding the potential of joining the PA executive board and the overall MS51 community. MS51 will record the event and post it online for those parents/students who could not attend.
The PA will also host an upcoming Zoom with Principal Chan to better explain these changes to current 6th and 7th grade families (likely towards the end of May/early June).
Check out theMS51 Online Shop
MS51’s PA has designed an online shop where parents, students, teachers, and administration can purchase MS51 event tickets and MS51 merchandise. All of the merchandise is available for purchase and shipped directly to your home. All of the proceeds will go to support MS51.
Attention: 8th Grade Graduation LOCATION CHANGES
We apologize for the change in date and venue, but the graduation date has been changed to Thursday, June 22 10:30 am at New Utrecht High School. The ceremony will last about 2 hours. We ask students to arrive by 9:30 so they can be organized and ready for the procession at 10:30 am.
Duet News Update
THANK YOU!
Thank you to all who contributed to, helped out, and attended our Eid al Fitr and Cinco de Mayo celebrations. We very much appreciated the wonderful parent and faculty participation and the students were so happy to have a chance to celebrate with friends.
UPCOMING EVENTS
One Book, One School Author Visit: Join us on Thursday, May 11 at 9:00 a.m. by (Zoom Link) for our visit with Yehudi Mercado, the author of Chunky -- this year's One Book, One School selection. We are looking forward to an engaging dialogue with Mr. Mercado!
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration: Join us on Monday, May 22 at 6:00 p.m. to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. We'll learn origami, watch lion dance and fan dance performances, and hear Principal Chan moderate a discussion with panel speakers representing different regions across Asia, including the Executive Vice President of the Japan Council and the Senior Vice President and head of the School of Chinese Studies at the China Institute.
Next Meeting: Join us on Tuesday, May 16 at 5:30 p.m. by (Zoom Link) for our next meeting. We'll be discussing plans for Pride Month and brainstorming ways to engage more students and families in DUET's mission to play a vital role in shaping a school culture that promotes and inclusive, diverse, and equitable learning environment at MS 51.
**We are postponing the Parent / Faculty Book Club Meeting that we had planned for May. New date TBD.**
Mathnasium Summer Sessions & Teacher Appreciation week
MS51 community can take advantage of this special offer and receive 5% off Summer enrollment at Mathnasium. To take advantage of this offer, you must register prior to May 22nd, 2023.
Mathnasium will donate $50 for each enrollment to MS51 PA. See below for the special MS51 code.
Mathnasium of Park Slope is excited to launch their Community Giveback campaign for Teacher's Appreciation week
Click the link below to nominate a teacher: Mathnasium Teacher Appreciation Vote
Simple steps
- Love the post
- Tag someone and vote for your child's fav teacher in the comments section
We hope that the wonderful teachers from MS 51 would be nominated by parents/ students in your community
This is open to ALL in our community. Mathnasium plans to give 3 teachers a Gift certificate each, based on who receives the most nominations.
So many ways to support MS51 PA!
Thank you, thank you, and thank you to many of you who have already generously donated.
We are still around $13,000 short of our annual goal. To help us reach our goal and ensure that teachers, students, and staff have what they need to run the school – our donations fund everything from lab, learning software, sport team fees, and instrumental repairs. It is even more important now than ever, given the significant budget cuts to public schools with the size like ours.
BY PayPal: Please click here to go to PayPal
- Please add note: "Friends of MS51"
BY CHECK: Mail a check to the school
- Address: MS51 Parent Association, 350 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215.
- Please make the check out to "Friends of MS51"
BY CASH:
- Drop off the money with Ms. Julia’s office at Room 131
Consider a company match
Another way you can increase your donation to our PA is through your company’s Matching Gift Program. Please contact your Human Resources Department to see if your company offers matching gifts. We are a registered 501 (c)(3). This is a great way to double your gift!
Warmly,
QUESTIONS or FEEDBACK?
If you have any questions or feedback about our newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact us at middleschool51pa@gmail.com https://ms51.org/