3rd May PA Newsletter
Newsletter May 21, 2023 (issue 18)
Dear MS51 Parent Association,
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude and share the tremendous success of our recent dance events held this past Thursday and Friday. These events were truly exceptional, bringing our entire community together through the collective efforts of numerous individuals. On behalf of the Parent Association, I extend heartfelt thanks to all the dancers, parents, teachers, administrators, students, and Parent Association volunteers who made invaluable contributions to the success of these events.
I would like to take a moment to give special recognition to Ms. Wilson and her dedicated team for their exceptional training of the dancers and unwavering commitment in producing an awe-inspiring tribute to the vibrant city of New York and its diverse cultures. Their hard work and creativity were truly remarkable, and we are immensely grateful for their contributions.
Looking ahead, I would like to draw your attention to a significant event tomorrow Monday, May 22nd at 6 PM in the MS51 Auditorium. MS51 DUET will be hosting an AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) event, featuring Principal Chan briefly sharing his inspiring American story of migrating from Hong Kong to New York City as a child. The event will also include an esteemed panel of guests who will share their personal narratives as Asian Americans. Admission to this event is free, and we wholeheartedly encourage everyone in our community to join us in celebrating the rich diversity of our school.
Furthermore, we cordially invite the parents and students of incoming 6th grade families to attend a new student orientation session on Tuesday, May 23rd, from 3:30-5:30 PM. Please note that there will be two slots available for the orientation, and we kindly request that you contact Julia Castro to sign up. This orientation will provide valuable information and support a smoother transition for our new students as they embark on their middle school journey. Additionally, several graduating 8th graders will be available to provide tours of MS51, adding a personal touch to the experience.
In early June, Principal Chan will be hosting another Zoom event to discuss the new core curriculum and any potential changes to the programming for the upcoming year. We firmly believe in the importance of keeping parents informed and ensuring their voices are heard in shaping their child's education. We highly encourage your active participation in this event. Julia Castro and the Parent Association will coordinate the date and time, and further details will be communicated to everyone.
Lastly, please mark your calendars for the upcoming vocal concert on June 1st at 6 PM. This highly anticipated event promises to be an enchanting evening, showcasing the exceptional vocal talent within our MS51 community. While there will be a suggested $10 ticket price, we want to emphasize that this event is open to all members of our community, irrespective of financial constraints. All proceeds from the concert will be directly invested in supporting future vocal programming and resources, thereby enriching our students' musical education.
Once again, I want to express my sincerest appreciation to all those who played a part in making our recent dance events a resounding success. Your invaluable contributions have fostered a strong sense of unity and pride within our community. Let us continue working together to create memorable experiences for our students and provide unwavering support for their growth and development.
As we move forward, we have an action-packed schedule for the remainder of the school year. I encourage everyone to stay informed by regularly checking the MS51 Calendar for exciting events and activities that lie ahead.
In conclusion, I extend my gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering dedication to MS51 and your commitment to strengthening our school community. Together, we can make a significant impact and ensure the continued prosperity of our beloved institution.
As always, the Parent Association 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
05/22 - 6pm - AAPI Panel - @ MS51 Auditorium
05/23 - 3:30pm - 5:30pm - New Student Orientation - @ MS51 Auditorium
05/29 - School Closed for Memorial Day
05/31 - MS51 PA Executive Board Elections - Zoom Link
06/01 - 6pm - Vocal Music Showcase - @ MS51 Auditorium - Vocal Ticket Link
06/07 - Senior Trip to Six Flags in NJ
06/08 - 06/09 - School Closed for Anniversary Day and Clerical Day
06/09 - 7pm - MS51 Brooklyn Cyclones Event - MS51 Brooklyn Cyclones tickets
06/12 - 5pm - Senior Awards Night - @ MS51 Auditorium
06/13-06/16th - 6pm - 4 Night Drama Showcase - Peter and the Star Catcher - Drama Ticket Link
06/14 - Living Environment Regents
06/15 - Algebra I Regents
06/19 - School Closed for Juneteenth
06/20 - 5pm - Senior Dance - Dyker Beach Golf Club - Map
06/20 - 5:30pm - Final DUET meeting via zoom (link to be sent later)
06/22 - 10:30am - 12:30pm - 8th Grade Graduation - New Utrecht High School
06/27 - Last Day of 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. We will be holding elections May 31st. Please get all of your nominations in ASAP.
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!
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 what MS51 will focus on in the 2023/2024 school year. There will be tours of MS51 that will be led by select 8th grade students. PA representatives will be at the orientation and can answer questions regarding the potential of joining the PA executive board (we need 6th grade representation from new families) 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 walk through the reintroduction of homeroom, lockers, and the linkage of advisory to ELA. We are working on a date in early June.
Vocal Music Showcase - June 1st 7pm - MS51 Auditorium
Purchase your tickets in advance here: Vocal Ticket Link
MS51 Brooklyn Cyclones Event - June 9th at 7pm
We are excited to invite you all to join us for a thrilling baseball game between the Brooklyn Cyclones and the Greenville Drive! This event promises an evening filled with cheers, camaraderie, and fantastic plays. What makes this game even more special is that a portion of the ticket proceeds will directly contribute to funding MS51 programs, supplies, and events. By attending, not only will you have a great time with your friends and family, but you will also be supporting our school community and enabling us to provide even better opportunities for our students. So mark your calendars for June 9th at 7pm and come out to Maimonides Park to enjoy a fun-filled evening of baseball while making a difference for our school. We look forward to seeing you there!
MS51 Brooklyn Cyclones tickets
MS51 Drama Showcase of Peter and the Starcatcher June 13-16th, 6pm at the MS51 Auditorium
Purchase your tickets in advance here: Drama Ticket Link
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
8th grade graduation is set for 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
Join us May 22nd for the MS51 DUET sponsored AAPI Panel at the MS51 Auditorium.
The final DUET meeting of the year will be June 20th at 5:30pm via Zoom (details to come)
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/