Auction Committee

As we begin to close out this school-year, a lot of you have expressed interest in purchasing the amazing class art projects that the children made.  
We have launched the class art here so that these pieces can be enjoyed! (some projects are still being framed due to stores being closed; we appreciate your patience)

Also, you will see some other items up for bid: Restaurants, Virtual classes, online retail and other digital items.

We know everyone has a lot going on, and if you don't have time to bid (remember - you can "set it and forget it" by placing a max bid), we've made dozens of items available to BUY NOW. 

Remember, 100% of the proceeds go to the school to fund programs for the children, so please BUY NOW!

Thank you for your support. 

Inclusion Committee

Committee chair needed
Our indefatigable Inclusion Committee chair Natasha Cipolli is graduating out of the school! Please let us know if you would like to volunteer to chair or co-chair this important committee. 

The goal of the  Inclusion Committee at PS 166 is to make sure that all children are accommodated regardless of need. We make sure all events run by the school are allergy friendly and inclusive. The group meets once per month and is a safe space to communicate thoughts and ideas.

Resources
Please join us for the CEC3 Special Education Committee Meeting, listed below. If you are not able to attend, here are some Special Education resources for the summer and beyond:

• SNACK: Free online classes yoga, music, art, exercise, dance.
• YAI services (Email | 212.273.6182): classes, group support evaluations
• Include NYC (Email | 212.677.4650) : support, classes, IEP help
• Achilles Kids: sports, dance, activities
• Daniel's Music: virtual music classes.
• Keen: classes, support

CEC3 Special Education Committee Meeting
Tues., June 9, 7:00 PM​
Register in advance for this meeting
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

If you missed the May 29, 2020 Presentation on “Summer Resources for families with Children with Disabilities” hosted by the CECD2 Students with Disabilities Committee, here is info: 

• Video recording of the presentation here (Password  2A&iG392)
• PDF presentation slides here. 

Coronavirus Update

All New Yorkers should continue to practice general flu prevention measures including:

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve
• Wash your hands regularly
• Avoid touching your face
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Get your flu shot – it’s never too late
• Stay home if you’re feeling sick. Call your doctor and let them know your symptoms and travel history.

Please see the NYC Health Department’s Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions for more information, or visit nyc.gov/health(Open external link) at any time for important updates. 

Green Committee

• If you wanted to take action to save composting in NYC, but didn’t get a chance to yet, it’s not too late! 
• Another option for donating unwanted clothing (in addition to options listed in previous newsletters) is PickUpPlease, which is working with UPS in NYC to pick up boxes for donation.
• GrowNYC has distance learning resources for gardening and cooking here.
• The National Parks Conservation Association has virtual tours and activities here.
• NYC Audubon has many resources for virtual birding-related activities here
• In recognition of the historic moment our country is in, this Birding While Black Facebook livestream discusses the need for diversity and inclusion in birding and environmental organizations.

Want to email the Green Committee?  Click below.

Community Updates

Absentee Ballots: For anyone who would like an absentee ballot for June elections, apply here (takes 30 seconds).

Census: Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census! Census results help to allocate funding to our community and schools!

School Survey
Still haven’t filled out the school survey?  There is still time, you can take the survey now.  Given the pandemic, the DOE has extended the deadline for the school survey to June 26, the last day of the school year. 

If you do not have your access code to complete the survey, you can use the code lookup tool, or go to the online survey login page (accessed by clicking on the corresponding survey under “take the survey now” section above, and select “look up your survey access code”). Parents and guardians can also call the survey hotline at 1-877-819-2363.

Equity Resources

Below you will find resources that may be helpful to you and your family 

• Books collected by the Epic book app (all 166 students have free access) to start a conversation about race
• Here is the article and videos for “Standing Up to Racism” a CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall
• If you would like to support Black-Owned Businesses on the Upper West Side and in New York City, you can explore the following:
• Finn’s List, A comprehensive parent's list compiled by a PS166 parent.
• “Supporting Black Owned Businesses” I Love the Upper West Side
• A challenge to buy from black owned businesses for 30 days.  @BuyBlack30 plus a link to black-owned businesses here
• eatOkra App: An app to help you find black-owned businesses in New York city
• Eater’s Black Owned Restaurant List
• “Talking to kids about racial stereotypes” A Tip Sheet
• “Raising Race Conscious Children” A resource for talking about race with young children

Children’s Books: 
“Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters”
“Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History”
“Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History” 
“Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice”

In support of LGBTQ Pride month, we have compiled a few resources that might be of interest to you and your family:

• Black-led LGBTQ organizations
• CDC’s Resources for LGBT Youth and Friends/Supporters

Children's books with Transgender, Non-Binary and Gender Expansive children:

• Welcoming Schools: “Diverse Children’s Books” 
• The Advocate.com “21 LGBT Picture Books Every Kid Should Read”
• Read Brightly “13 Great LGBTQ Books for Kids”
• Good Reads: “Gay-Inclusive Books for Elementary Age Kids“

* The running list of equity resources, which includes resources from previous emails, can be found here

 NYC Accounts

Each student in a DOE school is assigned a NYC Schools Account, which provides parents with a new way of accessing key information about their child’s progress. With your NYC Schools account, you will be able to view your child's information (grades, test scores and attendance) in one of ten languages on a computer, phone or tablet.

For 4th and 5th grade students, the NYC Account is the only way for you to see your child's 3rd or 4th grade state test results.

In order to set up your account, you will need your child's student ID number and a Creation Code.Student IDs are 9 digit numbers beginning with the number 2 and can be found on your child's report card. Letters will be sent home with the Creation Codes over the next week. (Fourth grade parents received them earlier so they could access last year's test scores.) Letters are only sent to parents who have not yet set up an account.

Kindergarten parents who do not yet know their child's ID can ask their child's teacher or contact the main office after receiving their letters.

If you have more than one child attending a NYC public school, you will receive one letter containing an account creation code for each child. You will only need to enter the student ID and Account Creation Code for one of your children. Once you create an account, you can add your remaining children by entering their student IDs and Account Creation Codes on the “Manage My Account” page. Each Account Creation Code is unique to you and your child and should not be shared with others. 

Family Giving

If you have already made your contribution to Family Giving, thank you for your support! Family Giving makes up 80% of the PTA budget, which helps to provide our kids with an enhanced education - including classroom assistants, enhanced curriculum and staff development, the library, classroom residencies, science and technology, test prep, classroom supplies, music/dance/arts and green/wellness programs and garden.
 
If you haven’t had a chance to donate to Family Giving yet and would like to, please note that it is not too late to show your support!! And please don’t forget to check if your company will match your donation. You can provide a one time gift or break up your donation into monthly installments. If your family is not able to give the suggested amount, please donate any amount you can because every dollar counts. Visit Family Giving to make your gift today. Thank you.