Hello Everyone!
We are Maria Palagian and Mollie Grodsky. We are sophomores and presidents of the new club called The Self Esteem Rising Club! We are so excited to start and can’t wait to meet you all.
To be great in every other aspect of your life, you have to be good with yourself. This club is going to focus on self confidence, growth, and loving yourself.
To join us, please visit us on Google classroom.
Thanks, and please join us if you are interested!
Yours Warmly,
Maria and Mollie
From Principal Ryan:
As you have likely heard, the NYC DOE will be phasing students back to in-person learning, starting with Pre-K through 5th grade next Monday, December 7th. As of this morning, the DOE has not determined a return date for grades 6-12. We will update you as decisions are made by the NYC DOE. Meanwhile, there are a few important elements of the return to in-school learning that you should be aware of even before the date is announced:
When in-person learning continues, it is only available to those students who are currently enrolled in the BLENDED learning program. All students currently in the REMOTE program, will continue to learn remotely.
Although the mayor has been publicly speaking about increasing the amount of in-person days, this is wholly dependent on space in our building and social distancing rules. Currently, we do not anticipate increasing the in-person days because many class sections are already at social distancing capacity. We have run models of reprogramming for more in-person days, but we cannot solve issues of social distancing and safe in-person instruction as per the CDC. Therefore, the rotating A-B-C day structure will stay in place.
All students in the BLENDED program are now required to provide consent for COVID-19 testing in order to participate in in-person instruction. If you have NOT already consented, you can do so by filling out the attached consent form and sending it with your child on the day they return. You can also complete the consent form on-line if you have NYC School Account. If you do not have an NYC Schools Account but would like one, you can get a registration code from Ms. Gindi – request one from her by emailing tgindi@ppasshare.org. Schools Account is a hub for your child’s school records: grades, test scores, attendance, school records, etc.
Please see the chancellor’s letter attached about the return to in-person learning for BLENDED students, and do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Thank you, be safe, and be well.
Sincerely,
Keith Ryan
Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS)
WELCOMES YOU TO OUR FIRST
Art Auction Fundraiser
~Featuring Affordable Gifts~
~something for everyone~
Follow this link to access the auction:
https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?auctionId=341697207
Online Bidding:
November 30-December 15
Proceeds to Benefit PTA at PPAS
Curated by StudioJackie.com
From our Drama delegates:
The budget deadlines for the upcoming DR3 (Junior Year Drama Majors) show and the Holiday Concert are approaching fast and the budgets for these shows will be structured based on how much we raise before December 1. So far, we have only reached 30% of our goal. If you have already contributed, THANK YOU! If you have not contributed, please do as soon as possible so that Waterwell can provide our kids with the kind of quality performance opportunity that they have worked so hard to experience!
Ways you can help:
Donate ANY amount, $5, $20, $50, $100, $500! If EVERY family donated $50, our goal would be met! We understand that times are very difficult, and not every family contribute $50 so we are so grateful for any contribution. If you can give more, please do!
Spread the word! Post our link on Facebook!
Ask family and friends if they would like to contribute!
These donations are tax-deductible! And the end of the year is coming up fast!
https://wdpsavetheshows.funraise.org/
Sincerely,
Margaret and Rosa
Drama Delegates
PPAS – High School
| From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping PPAS! We couldn’t shape the lives of so many performing arts kids without the generous support from parents like you. PLEASE CLICK TO SUPPORT PPAS |
During this Thanksgiving Holiday leading into Giving Tuesday, please consider a gift to the PTA’s Annual Fund which supports PPAS and means so much to our kids. We still need your generous support to reach our fundraising goals for this unique and challenging school year. Donating is super easy and only takes only a few minutes on your computer or smartphone at this website: ppaspta.org/donate Your generous donation directly funds: |
 Just a reminder: these events are not funded by the Department of Education. Each year our amazing PPAS community works together to help support our children’s hearts and minds. We encourage you to give any amount your family is able to give (parents, grandparents, etc). Every dollar counts to meet our goals for this school year! All donations are tax deductible and truly make a difference in our community! Online donations are being accepted now at ppaspta.org/donate WE HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL AND SAFE THANKSGIVING WITH YOUR FAMILY!  |
From Teri Gindi:
The Vocal Soiree is one of my favorite shows that we do each year! Please join our vocal students and staff tomorrow evening, November 24, at 7:00 pm.
Here is the link: https://youtu.be/NRR7dSzk-8E
Friday, November 20th, is Transgender Day of Remembrance. On this day each year, we honor the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. You can participate in Transgender Day of Remembrance by taking time to honor those lives that were lost and by learning about the violence that affects the transgender community. You can start by checking out these resources:
Forward Together dreams of Trans Freedom: https://tdor.co/
Learn the story of William Dorsey Swann, the world’s first self-described drag queen and one of the first individuals of color in America to stand up for the rights of queer and trans people.
Many more resources at this shared Google Doc. (You may need a Gmail account to access.)
“Transgender Day of Remembrance is really all about remembering to never forget the history and presence of trans* people in our world. And with that, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) stands as an even larger motivator to embrace the identities we ourselves have and the identities of others. It’s a day for action, for mobilization, for story-telling, and for revitalization. But most importantly, TDOR is an opportunity to celebrate the diverse lives of trans* people everywhere. It’s crucial to recognize that trans* people have made great, beautiful strides to transform and challenge society… and what’s even more awesome and admirable is that we keep doing so every single day. We continue to come out, to speak out, to shout out loud that we have hurt and we have lost but that will never prevent us from shouting even louder that we are here and we will continue to exist in the most influential ways—that’s what matters most to me: having a community that I can stand with no matter what.” – GLSEN Student Media Ambassador Loan T.
Thank you to the Brooklyn Millennium HS Gay/Straight Alliance for pulling these resources together.
If you want to get more involved in LBGT issues, please contact our LBGT/Straight Alliance advisor, Dr. Lankewish, at vlankewish@ppasshare.org
From Mr. Ryan:
Dear PPAS Community,
As you have probably heard, all NYC public schools, including PPAS, will close starting tomorrow due to the COVID-19 infection rate raising above 3%. All students will remain in their current class programs, and are expected to log into their Google Classrooms as per the bell schedule (attached). Also attached is the letter from the Chancellor regarding the decision to close all schools. They are working on reopening as soon as possible and depending on the infection rate in the city. Continue to pay close attention to these Pupil Path messages and any information coming directly from the DOE at schools.nyc.gov. Feel free to reach out with any questions you have. Thank you and let’s hope this is short lived. Be safe and be well.
Sincerely,
Keith Ryan
Dear PPAS Students,
Hi, all! My name is Gabby. I’m a ninth grader with interest in both performing arts and veterinary studies.
I am starting the vet club at PPAS this year and would love it if you could join. You don’t have to want to be a vet to join this club; you don’t even have to know anything about animals… hopefully you do, though, because you are one! All that’s required is that you care for animals and the environment. Our meetings will be bi-weekly, every other Thursday from 5:00-5:45. Our first meeting will be Thursday, December 3, at 5:00 PM. The focus of the vet club is studying anything relating to endangered species, prevention of animal cruelty, and animal wellness in general. There will be a different focus every week in the google classroom (e.g., petitions to sign, documentaries to watch, etc.). I will post a topic and resources every other Tuesday for us to learn and then talk about in our Zoom meetings. Here is the Google Classroom link. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding the vet club.
I look forward to learning with you!
Gabby
Dear Parents of Drama Majors:
Welcome to an amazing year at PPAS. We are your drama delegates – Margaret Harris and Rosa M. Jacquez (dramadelegate@ppaspta.org). We are looking forward to working with you to build a close community that ensures that our children receive the best drama education experience possible in this very challenging year. We need your help to make this happen!
In the past, the PTA has enhanced Waterwell’s budget significantly. This year, due to lack of fundraising opportunities, there is a shortfall of $10,000 for the Drama productions. We have put together a fundraiser, along with the middle school delegates, to raise funds. This money will guarantee that the quality of performances and overall experience will be at the same high level as they have always been. Online live performances are just as costly as in person! We are asking each family to contribute $50. If this is too much, please contribute whatever you can – no donation is too small! If you can donate more, we greatly appreciate your generosity.
Time is of the essence, the first performances are just around the corner. Please click this link to donate:
https://wdpsavetheshows.funraise.org/
Please friend us on Facebook for updates, to ask questions and share your thoughts. Press ctrl + click to follow the link or simply paste this in your browser:
https://www.facebook.com/PPAS-Drama-Majors-106128544614303.
Also, we hope the drama majors will connect each other via Instagram at # ppasdramamajors.
Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Best,
Rosa and Margaret
