December 22, 2011

Dear Families,

This week we share brief holiday season reflections and wishes for a safe, healthy, happy new year of learning and joy.

All for now,
Alyce and Anna

From Anna:
I stopped by the Key Foods on Montague Street to buy a holiday tree. When I mentioned that I was from Brooklyn New School, they asked me to remind all of you that twenty percent of the sale price at their tree stand will go to the BNS PTA. If you are still planning on buying some holiday greenery, make a point of checking them out.

As we rush from work to school to home, as we prepare for time with relatives and friends, and as we hurry to participate in our family traditions, let’s take the time to celebrate each other. If winter descends, let’s enjoy the season, wearing our gloves and hats and getting outside to experience the cold. I hope that the week off gives you a chance to slow down and be with your children, enjoying their daily discoveries and experiences. See you in 2012!

From Alyce:
2012. Every year since 2000, I’ve reminded myself that when I was a child, I thought I’d be old by the year 2000. At the time old meant 45. In these days of inky-thick nights that start before we have taken in the last of the afternoon light and mornings that come before the sun returns, I take time to reflect on all I have and how fortunate I am to be the mother of three amazing children, now adults, to have been married for 33 years, and to have been a part of this community for 24 years.

I’m inspired in big and small ways by our ever growing community - last week it was by the awesome Winter Arts Festival which featured our impressive band, conducted by Christine Piccirillo, paintings by Ingrid Butterer’s art students, and a very moving performance of Amazing Grace, by senior, Chelsi Hanton and sixth grade American Sign Language students, led by their ASL teacher, Kori Rushton.

Of course I was also inspired by our FIVE POSSE Scholarship winners (3.3% of the 150 POSSE Scholarships awarded in all of NYC), two of whom are also band members. Congratulations to Ian Pelton (Lawrence University), Daniel Smith (Colby College), Brandon Serra (Depauw University), Manny Leyva (Lawrence University), and Jhanae Shine (Colby College), and to Amanda Kelley, another band member who recently received her early decision admission to Sarah Lawrence College.

I end my last letter of 2011 with this goodness-inspiring story, shared with me by BCS/BNS secretary, Regina Cama Formisano.

BNS fifth grader, Zola Gray, found $115.00 on 3rd Place, loose money on the ground. She brought it in to school and told her teacher. Mariella, the class para, brought it down to the office and gave it to Regina, who put a note up on the white board "found money, see Regina."

Anna, BNS Principal, said that if no one claimed it, it would go to Zola. Yesterday when Regina was approving payroll with Anna standing behind her, a BCS senior, Rosie Scolaro, asked if someone had found money, Regina was about to ask her how much, when she said it was $115 for her senior dues and that her mother said she needed to go get a job to make up for the lost money. Regina gave Rosie the money that was in a locked drawer in an envelope. Anna suggested that the senior write a thank you note to Zola, and we gave her Zola's name and grade and the very happy Rosie went merrily upstairs with her senior dues.

Thank you Zola and parents, Anna, Regina. Thinking about this makes me smile!