Parent Empowerment Rally at City Hall

From the President of the Chancellor's Parent Advisory Council (issued this notice):

By popular demand, we have decided to proceed with plans to have an
event for ELECTED PARENT LEADERS (& their supporters) on Wednesday, May 9
at 5:00 p.m. on the steps of City Hall. The theme of the event will
be RESPECT for Parents & PARENT EMPOWERMENT. More details will
follow shortly. We will be reaching out to CEC members to join with
Parent Council leaders & PA/PTA leaders on the 9th.

Life is a bowl of.....

The Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival is back. The 200 trees in bloom have been perfuming Washington and Flatbush avenues for the past two weeks and this weekend the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is letting the flowering cherries 's take center stage. During this phenomenal weekend celebrating Japanese culture there will be over 60 events and performances - The Okinawan pop sounds of happyfunsmile, a J-pop concert by Tokyo sensation ZAN, hip-hop artist Akim Funk Buddha's "Urban Tea Ceremony," a taiko drum concert by the kids from the Genki Daiko team, and a presentation on the history of geisha by documentary filmmaker Miyuki Sohara.

So come on out and get an insight on a different culture while celebrating nature with the entire family.

Saturday, April 28 & Sunday, April 29
Time: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Place: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn
Price: Free with garden admission of $8, seniors and students $4, children under 12 free

It came from Planet Earth!

UPDATE: THIS TRIP WAS CANCELLED - WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE


The second graders will be returning to the American Museum of Natural History on Wednesday, April 25 to visit the Earth Exhibit. The buses will be leaving at approximately 9:15 a.m and will return at 1 p.m.

A few requests: please have your child eat a nutritious breakfast; do not send your child to school with walkmans,ipods, electronic games, or healys; please dress your child in the proper uniform (no jeans and t-shirt); please bring a nutritious bag lunch or indicate that you will need one from the cafeteria.

Have fun Second Graders!

Saturday Morning Cartoons are back!

This Saturday, April 28, acclaimed illustrator and storyboard artist Chan Harley, will hold a workshop on the basics of cartooning and animation. So if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to draw your favorite cartoon character such as Spider-man or the Hulk, come to this exciting first and learn the basic how-to's. Below are some samples of Mr. Harley's work. Workshop begins at 12 pm.





Also, this Saturday, is the final installment of the Family Movie Festival, featuring teen sensations, Corbin Bleu and Keke Palmer in Disney's Jump In!. Showtime is at 12 pm.

Many Thanks!

A big thanks to all who came out to the PTA meeting last night. Assemblyman Kareem Jeffries gave us an update on his meeting and conversations with various entities at the Chancellor's office. He and his colleagues - Assemblyman Camara, State Senator Adams, and City Councilwoman James - have all pledged support to fight this to the end... stay tuned.

Also last night, Ms. Arthur presented numerous award certificates, one to Assemblyman Jeffries for his involvement in our cause, awards also went to the men who participated in the Father and Children's Sports and Art day. Participants of the CPR Training also received certificates. Good job everyone!

Some housekeeping items that were brought up last: a vote was again put out regarding the elections for the various offices (PTA, PAC, SLT) and the overwhelming vote was for 'nominations from the floor' which means that nominations will be offered on election night. Logistically this has been a preferred choice for parents who do not want to serve on committees stretching for over a month. The other decision made was the date for the election: Thursday, May 24 at 6 pm was chosen by all the parents. There will be more correspondence sent home in the days ahead.

Reminder of upcoming events:
Saturday, April 21 Health and Fitness Day, 10 am at PS 161
Saturday, April 28 Family Movie Festival, 12 pm screening of Jump In! Also, there will be a concurrent Fundamentals of Cartooning and Animation Workshop by Chan Harley. (Stay tuned for more information on the movie and workshop)

PTA MEETING - Thursday, April 19

Just a polite reminder to join us this Thursday, April 19, for our PTA meeting beginning at 6 pm. The agenda for the evening includes special guest, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries ; award presentations for participants of Father and Children's Sports and Arts day, and participants of the CPR Training.

Refreshments will be served.

Community Education Council District 17: Public Meeting

Location: PS 138, 760 Prospect Place (Entrance on Nostrand & Rogers Ave)

On Tuesday, April 24, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm there will be a Community Education Council District 17 public meeting. All District 17 parents, principals, assistant principals, teachers, parent coordinators, PA/PTA's, PAC, SLT and community leaders are invited. The special guest speaker will be Jean-Claude Brizard, Region 6 Superintendent. As this is a public meeting, if you wish to speak, please call 718.221.4372 to be added to the agenda.

As a special source of pride for us, PS 161 is one of the schools whose students will be honored that evening with student certificates. Please attend and show support for our students.

And a one two three four....

Does running for the bus or train in the morning leave you a little winded? Does a morning coffee and toast turn into a liter of soda and half a dozen doughnuts? Well stress, obesity, diabetes, dental care, asthma and high blood pressure are factors that lead to a diminishing quality of life.

This Saturday, April 21st, Ms. Arthur is proud to present HEALTH and FITNESS DAY! From 10 am to 3 pm, there will be games, activities and special guests Delores Dickerson of the Women's Health Bridges and Betty Hardy of Symmetry Health Products who will make special presentations on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Refreshments will be served.

rain rain go away, come again another day!

I see the sun trying to peak out of the clouds, but what is that saying again about April showers?

REMINDER: Upcoming General PTA Meeting, Thursday, April 19

Please join us for the next PTA meeting on Thursday, April 19th at 6 pm. On the agenda that evening, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries will be joining us to give us an update on his meeting with Dr. Peek-Davis last week. As most of you are aware, District 17 is trying to close the Crown School for Law and Journalism. They want to take away the essence of PS 161. Well for the past two months we have showed a strong voice by signing petitions and engaged in a strong email campaign with the district, the region, the DOE and finally our local representatives. We have met with Assemblymen Karim Camara and Hakeem Jeffries and State Senator, Eric Adams. All have pledged support for PS 161 and are opposed to the closing of the program. Please join us for this important meeting.

Additionally, the fathers/grand-fathers/uncles/cousins, basically all the men who participated in the Father and Children's Sports and Arts Day in March will be awarded with certificates. There was such a wonderful turnout for the program and many of the men expressed the desire to participate in more events. We need to honor these men!

Please be there promptly at 6 pm.

Save a Life: STAT

Would you know what to do if someone was having a cardiac arrest? Well come learn how to be a real live hero - attend a CPR class staffed by the New York City Fire Department personnel. These instructors are American Heart Association Certified.

On Monday, April 16, 2007 beginning at 6 pm sharp, there will be a class at PS 161 designed to provide parents with a working knowledge of CPR. The workshop includes active hands-on participation - each registered participant will receive a CPR take home kit. After your training, the kit will enable you to train other members in your household or you will be able to practice CPR at your leisure.

Registration slips were sent home on Wednesday, April 11. Please fill out the form and return to your child's teacher.

--Workshop, Ms. Arthur sponsored, Ms. Barrett approved!

Inaugural!

Welcome to the new P.S. 161 PTA website! We hope that you find this forum informative and dynamic. We have always been a school united in its mission, and we hope with this site that we can provide a voice for you.