[TNS-list] Dyanthe's Weekly Letter: 3.9.20

[Dyanthe Spielberg]

Dear Families,

Last Wednesday, the Advocacy Committee, a few teachers and I met with over
30 parents to discuss testing, why we are a TSI school, the impact of test
prep in 3rd - 5th grades on curriculum, teaching, and learning and on
numerous practices/structures that reflect our values about what we believe
is best for children.  Here’s the link to the video of the meeting, in case
you missed it:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbHMhGHakk8.  Grade 3 – 5
families, please speak with your child’s teacher(s) about opting out of the
State Tests so we can organize staffing and materials accordingly.  I am
also happy to meet with any family to discuss.

There are several additional meetings for families from TNS and Earth
School that involve advocating at the city and state level:


   -

   Thursday, March 19 at 4 PM at CEC (PS 20):  Families are working on a
   petition to the state that they will share.
   -

   Monday, March 23 at 8:30 AM at TNS:  Earth School and TNS families meet
   with the superintendent.
   -

   Thursday, April 23 at 6 PM at ES:  Earth School and TNS families meet
   with Harvey Epstein, Robert Jackson, and other elected officials.


Only 14% of TNS families have completed their DOE survey!  The survey helps
me and our School Leadership Team better understand what members of our
school community think about our school. The information captured by the
survey is designed to support a dialogue among all members of the school
community about how to make the school a better place to learn. Completion
rates are also important as they reflect the level of parent involvement at
the school.  Each TNS family needs to complete a survey so that the DOE
knows that our parents are involved, informed, and are advocates for our
children. Please do yours today:
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/reports/school-quality/nyc-school-survey
.

This week at TNS….

   -

   Caroline and Grace’s class go to the Manhattan Country School Farm
   Monday morning; they return Wednesday.  Lindsey and Oli’s class go
   Wednesday and return Friday.
   -

   There is a PTA executive meeting Tuesday after drop-off in the PTA Room.
   -

   There is a Town Hall Meeting at 8:30 AM on Wednesday with families from
   STAR and TNS to discuss renovations as well as to share plans to
   accommodate children from both schools during recesses.
   -

   The School Leadership Teams meets Friday at 8 AM.  All are welcomed.
   -

      Math Collective share
      -

      TSI/Opt-outs
      -

      After-school partnerships for next year
      -

      Yard Closure Plans
      -

   Camp Trip Fundraisers alert! Pi Day is coming up and we are celebrating
   this Friday with a raffle and... pie of course! Get a whole pie for $31.40
   or a slice for $3.14. Coffee is $2, or $1 if you bring your own mug.  BONUS
   (students only): get an M&M for every digit of pi memorized.


Looking Ahead….

   -

   Chelsea and Jane’’s class go to the Manhattan Country School Farm
   Monday, March 16; they return Wednesday.  Matt’s class goes Wednesday,
   March 18 and returns Friday.
   -

   Tuesday, March 17 is a non-attendance day for Pre-K.
   -

   Friday, March 20 is a TNS half-day.  Dismissal is at 11:45 AM.


Have a great week,

Dyanthe



-- 

tnsny.org
DSpielberg at schools.nyc.gov
Preferred pronouns: *she, her, hers*
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