May 2023 PA Newsletter
Newsletter May 03, 2023 (issue 16)
Dear MS 51 Community!
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.
As always, the PA is here to support our school and community. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at middleschool51pa@gmail.com.
Important Dates and Event
05/03 - MS51 online Auction commences - https://ourschool.auction/MS51
05/06 - 9am - MS51 Beautification Day - Volunteers Needed - - Please click here for the Signup
05/11 - 9am - Author Visit - Yehudi Mercado
05/11 - 4pm-7pm - Final Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences
05/11 - 7-10pm - MS51 Spring Social & Auction - Old Stone House - https://ourschool.auction/MS51
05/16 - 5:30pm - DUET Committee Meeting
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
05/20 - 9am - noon Parent Volunteer Saturday
05/22 - 6pm - AAPI Panel
05/23 - 3:30pm - 5:30pm - New Student Orientation - @ MS51 Auditorium
05/24-05/25 - 6pm - Instrumental Music Showcase @ 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!
Thank you to everyone who has already purchased tickets. We look forward to seeing you! We still have a few tickets for sale.
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?
- 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!
To purchase tickets or participate in the online auction, click here: https://ourschool.auction/MS51.
Don't miss out on this fun night!
The auction will commence tomorrow Thursday May 4th, so check out some of the fantastic items that are being offered and bid away!
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
May Parent Volunteer Day
Our May Parent Volunteer Day is this Saturday, May 6th to help the school revitalize the garden by the MS51 new entrance. The volunteer parents and students will meet from 9AM to noon.
Our wonderful 6th grade science teacher, Mr. Mercier is leading the clean up. Families will rework the soil and plant the gardens along 4th street entrance of MS51.
Please bring gloves, gardening shovels, or other planting tools that you see fit.
We are looking for families to help out. Let's roll up our sleeves and help beautify the school and community, help our birds and bees and offer a way for families to access free herbs to bring home. It will also be a great learning space for our students.
Please click here for the Signup link to participate as much as possible.
For more detail information, please contact Mr. Mercier at Pmercier3@schools.nyc.gov and Dineen at dingrajoh2@yahoo.com for parent volunteering details.
Hope to see you there!!!
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 procession at 10:30 am.
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.
Check out our new MS51 Online Shop
MS51’s PA has designed a new 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.
Duet News Update
Parent Volunteer Opportunities - Surveys Coming Soon
Cinco de Mayo - we are looking for volunteers to donate food and drink for a Cinco de Mayo celebration in early May and to share ideas for our celebration
If you are able to volunteer for any of these events, please FILL OUT THIS SURVEY or email christine.poscablo@gmail.com
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 $20,000 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