Dear Families,
Welcome to the new school year!
We hope everyone had a nice summer and was able to enjoy time spent with family and loved ones.
We want to send a special welcome to all of our new families! While this is not how any of us envisioned your first few months at PS 87, we want to make sure you know how happy we are to have you as the newest members of our community. Please know that we are here to answer any questions you might have as you navigate life at PS 87. You should also know that we too are navigating this new normal, so we are all in it together!
Speaking of navigating new normal, as we were unable to hold in-person elections at the end of the last school year, the entire board agreed to remain in their roles until an election could be held this fall. While we are still waiting on guidance around how to execute the election, we wanted to let you know that we are hoping to hold elections at our first PA meeting in October (date TBD but will be announced soon). We are currently seeking parents to fill a number of executive board positions. Please see the website (and the info in the section below) for a list of open roles and their descriptions. It’s a perfect time to make a difference in your child(ren)’s school and in the community.
We would also like to share that over the summer, both of our PA co-presidents let us know that they would be leaving the school. Chancellor’s regulations require that board members must be current parents at the school. Therefore, according to our by-laws, the two of us will be handling co-president duties until new co-presidents are elected. Cheryl and Jenny worked tirelessly for us over the last two years and have agreed to onboard the new co-presidents. Please make sure to thank them if you see them in the neighborhood!
So much has changed this year. What’s been most evident is how much we need our community for support and strength. PS 87 is an amazing place filled with energy and enthusiasm. Even without a physical building to unite us all, we have made magic happen in the past and we will continue to do so.
Thanks so much,
Angie Arlia and Jen Hoke, Acting PA Presidents
As mentioned above, the PA Board was unable to hold an election to fill open board positions last spring. They will be held this month at our first PA meeting (date TBD). If you are interested in running for office, please reach out to us at pa-president@ps87.info. We’d be happy to answer any of your questions. The one thing we know for sure is that this year, the administration is going to need PA support more than ever, so please consider stepping up and taking a leadership role during this important time.
Open positions:
- Presidents (at least 2 are needed)
- Administration (bylaws)
- Community Affairs
- Family Giving
- Membership
- Kindergarten Representative
More info to come via email, and you can also visit
our website to fill out the form if any of the volunteer opportunities interest you.
Are you tech savvy? Do you love to solve problems? Do you know the ins and outs of devices and gadgets? Then we are looking for you!
We are looking to run a parent volunteer led virtual helpdesk for assistance with remote learning as well as other oddities in this new learning environment. If you are interested in helping out, send a note to pa-communications@ps87.info and let us know the grade (s) of your child(ren) and the devices with which you are most comfortable.
The NYC Department of Education continues to update the link below. Keep an eye on it for the latest information.
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learn-at-home/chancellor-s-message-for-families
If your child(ren) need(s) a device for the 2020-2021 school year, you can still request one from the DOE. Click on this link and fill out the information. The school does not have any devices to lend out.
BPN has a new email address for the 2020 school year. Committees, please send your news to Backpacknews87@gmail.com. And parents, if you have something to share – a tip, a recipe, neighborhood news – please reach out and if it makes sense to include in BPN we’ll do our best!
The PS 87 Parents Association has a Facebook site. Feel free to join by clicking on the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PS87ElementarySchool/?ref=share
The construction project that was due to begin this school year is currently on hold. We don’t have a timeframe for when it will begin, but will be sure to keep you posted. More detailed information can be found on the school website here.
As we approach the first day of school, please take a moment to verify your contact information in AtoZ Connect, our school directory. Click here, or access the link via our school homepage at site.ps87.info.
This will enable us to create and maintain class lists and ensure parents receive all communications for the 2020-21 school year.
IMPORTANT: If you DO NOT get BPN twice, please contact pa-communications@ps87.info and let us know. We will be distributing this issue via AtoZ’s contact list as well as a backup list. We want to ensure everyone is on both lists before completely converting over to AtoZ.
P-EBT Food Benefit Cards have started arriving in your mailboxes. Each public school child will receive $420 in food benefits. These cards are distributed by the state, so if you have questions, please visit the NYS FAQ page or call 1-888-328-6399. If you wish to donate your PEBT money, an Upper East Side mom created this site to help: https://www.sharemypebt.com/
Go to https://riversidemusicstudios.com/ to learn more!
| SEPTEMBER 2020 | |
| 16-18 | Orientation Days |
| 21 | First Day of School |
| 28 | Yom Kippur, NO SCHOOL |
| OCTOBER 2020 | |
| 12 | Columbus Day, NO SCHOOL |
| NOVEMBER 2020 | |
| 3 | Election Day, fully remote instructional day for all students |
| 4 | Parent-Teacher Conferences – evening only |
| 5 | Early Dismissal, Parent-Teacher Conferences |
| 11 | Veterans Day, NO SCHOOL |
| 12 | Parent-Teacher Conferences – evening only |
| 13 | Early Dismissal, Parent-Teacher Conferences |
| 26-27 | Thanksgiving Recess, NO SCHOOL |
| DECEMBER 2020 | |
| 24-31 | Winter Recess, NO SCHOOL |
| JANUARY 2021 | |
| 1 | Winter Recess Continues, NO SCHOOL |
| 18 | Rev. Dr. MLK Day, NO SCHOOL |
| FEBRUARY 2021 | |
| 12 | Lunar New Year, NO SCHOOL |
| 15-19 | Midwinter Recess, NO SCHOOL |
| MARCH 2021 | |
| 3 | Parent-Teacher Conferences – evening only |
| 4 | Early Dismissal, Parent-Teacher Conferences |
| 18 | Parent-Teacher Conferences – evening only |
| 19 | Early Dismissal, Parent-Teacher Conferences |
| 29-31 | Spring Recess, NO SCHOOL |
| APRIL 2021 | |
| 1-2 | Spring Recess, NO SCHOOL |
| MAY 2021 | |
| 13 | Eid Al-Fitr, NO SCHOOL |
| 31 | Memorial Day, NO SCHOOL |
| JUNE 2021 | |
| 3 | Anniversary Day, NO SCHOOL |
| 8 | Clerical Day, NO SCHOOL |
| 25 | Last Day of School |