Dear families,
Welcome to the 2021/2022 school year at the Center School! As PTA co-presidents, we want to extend a warm welcome (and welcome back!) to all of you. We are looking forward to what we hope will be a more normal school year for us all. We are grateful to the teachers and staff who have been preparing to welcome our middle schoolers back into the classroom.
By now, you should have already received a letter (mailed to your home address) from the school with your child’s homeroom assignment, time of arrival for the first day, school year calendar and school supply list. Here are a few highlights as we prepare for the new school year.
School Year Start
Please carefully review the letter from Ms. Schwartz mentioned above and the email sent by Ms Berkery on 9/3 for details on what the beginning of this school year will look like. The first day of school for all students will be in-person on Monday, September 13. A list of school holiday closures and important dates was included with the letter you received from the school. As a reminder, school will be closed Thursday, September 16 for Yom Kippur.
September starts slowly with the children spending a lot of time “writing and thinking.” This is a great way for children to get used to being back in school and for the teachers to get to know your children. They will also participate in an advisory day where all the advisors organize a fun outing! Advisors may plan something that requires money. If that’s the case, you will receive a note or email from your child’s advisor.
Back-to-School Night (virtual)
On Monday, September 27 there will be the first parent meeting of the year. You will meet the Center School teachers and hear about the curriculum for the year. This event will be virtual.
Communications
Information for parents will be communicated throughout the school year via email by our PTA Secretaries, Wendi Lee and Lisa Procopio. Communications about academics will primarily be between teachers and students. Your children will need to have an email address and they will need to get in the habit of checking their email. If you have not sent Ms. Berkery an email address for your child, please do so as soon as you can. Giving information directly to the children encourages accountability. That said, sometimes they need a reminder to share information with parents. It’s great to get into the habit of asking your child about school communications. If you have any questions regarding academics, your child’s advisor is your first point of contact. Feel free to reach out to them directly.
Fundraising
There are a number of PTA fundraisers held throughout the year including an annual pledge drive and annual auction. The students also take part in fundraising for the all-school trip. Those fundraisers are managed by the school. More information on all fundraising events will be provided at back-to-school night in September.
School Events
The Center School has four big school events that require parent volunteers for set up and clean up. These include two all school performances called “TACS shows” (one in December, one in March); the Auction Potluck in March; and the Eighth Grade Show in June. All parents are expected to help at your child’s advisory’s assigned event. If you have a conflict and can’t make your volunteer shift, then please find another parent to switch with you. Also, please notify your Advisory Parent of the switch. The Volunteer Schedule will be distributed at September’s back-so-school night.
Auction/Potluck Dinner & Curriculum Fair
The annual Auction/Potluck Dinner is held in March. It is preceded by the Curriculum Fair. Curriculum Fair starts around 3:45pm and it’s an opportunity for children to showcase what they are learning. Parents will have the chance to view student work and hear from the students what they have learned throughout the year.
PTA Meetings
PTA meetings will be held via Zoom in the evenings once a month and we will soon announce the meeting dates. Once published, the schedule will be posted on the school website, http://www.thecenterschool.org. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend these monthly meetings. In addition, this fall we will host a 5th grade Q&A for incoming parents.
After School
Manhattan Youth After School will be returning to in-person classes for this school year. The fall schedule is set to begin Monday, September 20. Registration for these classes will open promptly on September 8 at 12pm. A registration link will be sent before that date. The fall schedule can be viewed here.
We wish everyone the best of luck as we begin this new school year, and we look forward to seeing you on September 27 for back-to-school night.Please feel free to email us at centerschoolpta@gmail.com with any questions.
Maria Garutti & Lisa Spinnell
PTA Co-Presidents
Kindly, Lisa Procopio and Wendi Lee
Parent Volunteers
on behalf of The Center School
-THE CENTER SCHOOL- 