hurray hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On behalf of the PTA executive board, I would like to extend warm thanks to all those who came out last Tuesday, June 17 for our PTA Thank You Dinner and Award Presentation. We are very proud of the hard work that our PS 161 children have put forth this year. We also thank all of the volunteers and staff who have lent their support for our programs throughout the year.

To all our returning students, we wish you a safe and fun summer – don’t forget to read and go over your spelling lists! To all the other students moving on, 5th and 8th graders, we wish you the best of luck and hope you succeed in all of your endeavors – remember you will always be part of the PS 161 family.

To all the teachers and staff, we thank you for all the work and time you have put in our children this year. Enjoy the summer off!!

ps – please continue to log on to the website, ps161pta.blogspot.com for updates over the summer.

the day the last ones heard

"Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond."


Did you know that two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 - which stated that all slaves were now free, that Texas slaveholders conspired which each other to keep that knowledge from their slaves. It was on June 19th, 1865 that Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and let the population know that the war had ended and the slavery was abolished.

Go the Juneteenth website for ideas on how to celebrate.

Please pass some tissues

Today, the Kindergarten students at PS 161 had their Stepping Up ceremony - stepping into 1st grade! The year certainly goes by fast. One minute they were shy little sweeties crying for their mommies, the next minute they're bouncing all over the place talking a mile a minute. Oh, can someone please pass the tissues!

Happy Friday the 13th!!!

party over here....

This Saturday, June 14, the PS 161 PTA is proud to present A Dance Party Extravaganza - A Summer Vacation Kick-Off Celebration.

We constantly admonish our children to work hard, play nice and to please please clean their rooms. Well, we believe that the children of PS 161 have certainly kept their end of the bargain - so that is why we are rewarding them. There will be a DJ, lots of goodies to eat, and lots and lots of prizes. And as a special treat and as co-sponsors of the event, Assemblymen Camara and Jeffries will be present to award certificates of merit to the 8th graders who were accepted in the specialized high schools.

Event: A Dance Party Extravaganza
When: Saturday, June 14, 2008
Time: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Place: P.S. 161 – backyard (or cafeteria in case of rain)

PROJECT ARTS - June 6, 2008

This Friday, June 6th, PS 161 is hosting a Celebration of the Arts, coordinated by Ms. Arthur, our Parent Coordinator. There will be performances from the steel band, chorus, African dance class, modern dance class, Caribbean dance class, visual arts class, band, etiquette art, sign language class, inspirational choir and photography and staff ensemble.

A donation is requested of a non-perishable food item to be donated to a Crown Heights food pantry.

For more information, please contact Ms. Gloria Arthur, Project Arts Coordinator

The June calendar was distributed this week, and the following are the highlights:

Monday, June 2: Half day for students, 12:00 pm dismissal

Tuesday, June 3: New York State Social Studies Exam; Grade 8

Wednesday, June 4: 5th Grade - Medieval Times Trip; 7th Grade - Baltimore Trip; Selected classes - Prospect Park Zoo Trip

Thursday, June 5: Chancellor's Conference Day - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Friday, June 6: Project Arts Performance; 6:30 pm

Tuesday, June 10: 5th Grade - China Buffet Trip

Wednesday, June 11: Kindergarten Picnic

Thursday, June 12: Half day for students, 12:00 pm dismissal

Friday, June 13: 5th Grade - Field Day; Kindergarten Stepping Up Assembly

Saturday, June 14: PTA Dance Festival - Summer Kick-off; 12pm to 4pm; Steel Band performance at PS 91

Monday, June 16: 8th Grade - Hershey Park Trip

Tuesday, June 17: PTA Honor Roll Recognition Program and Dinner; 6:30 pm

Wednesday, June 18: School Leadership Team meeting, 5:45 pm; 8th grade prom; 5th grade awards assembly

Thursday, June 19: Math A Regents Exam

Friday, June 20: 5th Grade Graduation at MS 61 and prom at PS 161; CSLJ Field Day

Monday, June 23: CSLJ Awards Assembly, 9:00 am

Tuesday, June 24: Living Environment Science Regent Exam; Spanish Regent

Wednesday, June 25: CSLJ Graduation, 9 am at PS 161

Thursday, June 26: Last day of school, 12:00 pm dismissal