/summertime

This is such a strange way to end the school year. We hope to see you back in the school buildings, face to face in September. Until then, the Parent Association will be on pause, closing out the year's finances and tying up loose ends so that we are ready for whatever fall brings. Here are some last updates we'd like to share. 

Scholarships and Financial Aid
#owlstrong

As discussed at the last PA meeting of the year, the PA donated a total of $65,000 to WNS to add to the financial aid pool and assist with emergency need for families amid the COVID crisis, and the financial uncertainties that followed. Please reach out to the school administration if you are in need of assistance. 

Teacher Appreciation + End of year gifts
#weloveourteachers

As we get ready to ship the T-Shirts that the PA gave each member of the school staff for teacher appreciation back in May, we are also thoughtful of all the time and extra efforts that went into making remote learning at WNS such a success. Please remember to say thank you to your child's teachers and the administration in whatever way you choose. If you are selecting to send a gift via email, please be aware that teachers will not check their willnorth inboxes after June 16th, which is their last day of the school year. The PA gifted each member of the administration a gift of thanks from BOXFOX, along with a special thank you gift to Nicole and Bridget, who will be missed! 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
#BlackLivesMatter

We want to thank the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for hosting the Black Lives Matter support circle last week and for all the thoughtful communications and learning resources shared by the administration. Please watch for further communication from the committee in the coming weeks so we can keep the conversation going. If you missed it, the #KidLit Brown Bookshelf Rally last week is worth watching together with your child. Click here to view. The committee has also added books, movies and more to the resource list on the DEI Committee page on the PA website. If you would like to reach out to the committee directly, please email DEIcommittee@wnspa.org. 

Social Media
#hoot

Keep us posted on what you are up to this summer! Follow us on instagramand be sure to tag us! 

Leadership
#elections

It was agreed at the last meeting that elections will be moved until the Fall of 2020, until we know more about what the next year will look like. In the meantime, we will maintain our roles as co-presidents in a limited capacity. We will assist the administration however needed, and be ready to help the next PA presidents with whatever guidance they require. If you are interested in a leadership position on next year's PA, please email the Nominations Committee here. 

Minutes and Future PA Meetings

Going forward, PA meetings will be broadcast on Zoom so that all parents can attend. Once we are back in school, the PA will continue to have babysitting, free of charge, for all parents. 

Congratulations + Thank You

Congratulations to our rising 5th graders on their successful completion of Lower School studies and to the rising PK students that will join the PK-8 campus this fall! Good luck to our 7th graders as they study for high school admissions exams and tour schools. And thank you to Elie, Nicole, Bridget, Teresa, Alex, and Chris for all the behind the scenes hard work that is being done to keep our community together and learning while we are apart. To the teachers leaving Northside for the next big thing, we will miss you!

To the families that are not returning to Northside, we wish you the best of luck and we will miss you. To everyone else, we truly cannot wait to see you again this fall! 

Please keep in touch, 
Carla and Sarah
PA co-presidents

/homeschool
#blacklivesmatter

In light of recent tragic events around the country, we wanted to provide the WNS community with resources to support informed, thoughtful discussions and have updated the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion page with a rich collection of articles, books, videos, and films. We hope that you find these resources helpful and healing. Special thanks to Dr. Blanca Ruiz, Sarah Sophie Flicker, and Alyssa Klein for compiling many of the items on this page. If you have something you’d like to add, please email the DEI Committee at DEIcommittee@wnspa.org.

The Williamsburg Northside Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee invites adult members of the community to join a Black Lives Matter support circle via Zoom this Wednesday 6/3 at 6:00 pm to come together and share their feelings, thoughts and concerns about racial injustice in our country.

This safe space will offer our community an opportunity for healing and respectful discussions, and will not include teaching or resources. To contact the DEI Committee, please email DEIcommittee@wnspa.org

Helping Owls
#nokidhungry

During spirit week, Albertine (Kidergarten A) and her mom, Maria Dizzia, started making "Northside owls" out of mountains (and mountains) of Perler beads. We'd like to share more from Maria: "Soon we noticed we had enough owls to start a small store; even better, we thought we could raise money for an important cause. We added key chains to the owls and are waiting for hair clips to arrive so we can start making those too! We thought sharing them might be a way to connect as a community and make a collective donation to No Kid Hungry in Williamsburg Northside's name. If you can, please visit our website "Helping Owls" to purchase an owl key chain: https://www.helpingowls.com/ You can also visit the site and post a message on our blog. We'd love to hear from you! https://www.helpingowls.com/blog

Parent Association Scholarship Donation
#northsidetogether

The PA has already committed $40,000 of our proceeds to 2020/2021 scholarships, and this week the PA committed an additional $25,000 to support the WNS Community. 

Something Joyful
#rainbows

In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Tuesday's Doodle celebrated the 61st birthday of native Hawaiian `ukulele player, singer-songwriter, and activist Israel “IZ™” Kamakawiwo’ole, who is perhaps best known for his beloved rendition of “Over the Rainbow” and forever changing the face of Hawaiian music. Through his joyful songs and lifelong advocacy for the islands’ values and culture, Israel has been widely referred to as the “Voice of Hawai’i.” Listen to the song and create your own rainbow to honor health care workers, who continue to inspire. 

Rube Goldberg Contest
#wnscience

Sprout's Budding Inventors Challenge tasks children aged 4-13 to build a Rube Goldberg inspired machine or marble run with the end goal of watering a plant. Video submissions are open through May 31st, 2020 with cash prizes of $1,500! #GoOwls!

/teacher appreciation week
we love our teachers!

Thank you for all you do today and every day! We love you!

/Homeschool
Earth Day Activities

Brooklyn Botanic Garden
#BKLYN

Thank you to The Brooklyn Botanic Garden for this amazing list of Earth Day Activities we can do at home!

GreenThumb is offering a variety of online opportunities on Earth Day, including a Window Sill Gardening workshop with Maureen O’Brien of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Online classes are free with preregistration. See the entire list of other offerings at:
https://greenthumb.nycgovparks.org/gardenevents.html?qs=2020/04/22/earth-day-with-greenthumb

Enjoy a virtual visit to the BBG Japanese Hill and Pond Garden:
https://www.bbg.org/news/japanese_garden_in_spring_video

For children and adults, how to grow a popcorn garden:
https://www.bbg.org/news/grow_a_popcorn_grass_garden_project

How to propagate indoor houseplants:
https://www.bbg.org/gardening/article/how_to_propagate_houseplants

How to grow window box greens:
https://www.bbg.org/gardening/article/grow_mizuna_and_other_asian_greens

Check it out
#nature

Animals have started taking advantage of cities as they enter lockdown. From New Delhi, India to Buenos Aires, Argentina, groups of animals including deer and lemurs have started to come out to explore – in search of food or just to play. Check out some photos here! Have you seen any animals where you are?

The New York Times Travel Section has put together a piece that will remind you of 7 of the natural world’s many splendors — and why environmental protections will be of crucial importance for the future of our planet.

/Homeschool
Things to do this week

Lower and Middle School
#harrypotterathome

Get Ready for James Snyder's Visit to Northside (see Northside News––and don't forget your wand!) by brushing up on your Harry Potter Knowledge! Harry Potter At Home has all the latest magical treats to keep you occupied, including nifty magical craft videos (teach your friends how to draw a Niffler!), fun articles, quizzes, puzzles and plenty more for first-time readers, as well as those already familiar with the wizarding world. They're casting a Banishing Charm on boredom! We've also been enjoying Harry Potter on Audible––the first book is free!

PK and Lower School Students
#savewithstories

Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams teamed up with Save the Children and No Kid Hungry to provide fun and food for children at home with @savewithstories. Watch the stories, read by your favorite stars, on Instagram or make a donation here.

Preschool
#ICYMI

If you missed it, check out Maggie on YouTube! Maggie explores the book "A Perfect Square" and hosts a fun art activity for preschool students––all you need is glue, paper squares, a plain piece of paper and some scissors.

Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
#alphabetchallenge

Inspired by the Narwhals class, can you find things in your home that start with the letters A, B, M, S, J, E, U + T? Take a photo of your finds and email it to the PA. The first students that respond will win some Northside swag!

Covid Timecapsule
#2020

Download this pdf to record feelings, favorite activities, friends, foods and more so you can look back at this interesting time in history. (PDF by Long Creations)

/homeschool
Things to do this week

Family and Local Community Support

Many NYC families are under immense financial stress during this time. NYC is offering take away meals to children and adults in need, distributed at many of the local public schools. Find the participating school close to you by clicking here.

NYC is also offering financial support to small businesses. Find out more by clicking here.

If you are able, consider making a donation to a worthy organization or business that matters to you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's emergency response fund directly supports our nation's health care workers; Citymeals is taking donations to help older people get meals during this time; If information protection matters to you, consider contributing to the Committee to Protect Journalists; The American Civil Liberties Union also fights for justice. They’ll be working overtime on the other side of this. You could also donate blood at The Red Cross if you are able to do so. There is a severe shortage because of an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations. Also, many local Greenpoint and Williamsburg businesses have crowdfunding set up for their employees, consider supporting a business that generously donated to our silent auction just last month.

American Ballet Theatre
#alonebuttogether

ABT is offering ballet classes via @ABTSchool on Instagram. Classes are every Monday & Wednesday at 2 pm for ages 5-8; and every Tuesday & Thursday at 10 am for ages 2-4. Find out more at ABT: Alone But Together.

The Metropolitan Opera House
#nycculture

During this extraordinary and difficult time, the Met hopes to brighten the lives of our audience members even while their stage is dark. Each day, a different encore presentation from the company’s Live in HD series is being made available for free streaming on the Met website, with each performance available for a period of 23 hours, from 7:30 pm until 6:30 pm the following day. The schedule includes complete performances from the past 14 years, starring all of opera’s greatest singers.

/homeschool
Back to School

Preschool + PK Students
#oliverjeffers

Who doesn’t love Oliver Jeffers? Another Northside Library favorite is doing story time each day. Watch LIVE on Oliver's instagram @oliverjeffers at 2 PM EST or link to videos here: https://www.oliverjeffers.com/books#/abookaday/

Lower School Students
#sciencerules

20 Easy Experiments in 5 minutes for Adults and Kids at School Inside with Physics Girl. Everything you’ll need is already in your house. Please note: parental supervision is required! https://youtu.be/8aaXZDazPxs

Lower + Middle School Students
#keepcalm

In this time of uncertainty it is more prevalent than ever to ensure that our children are supported and specially taught positive strategies to cope with the stress, anxiety, hyperactivity (indoors) and other difficult emotions faced in everyday life. A local Williamsburg business, The Happinest, has posted pre-recorded videos designed to integrate mindfulness and meditation into your children’s lives at home. There are links for adult meditations too! https://www.thehappinestnyc.com/for-children

For Parents
#beforgiving

Tips For Homeschooling During Coronavirus. We are among tens of millions of parents who are now experiencing remote learning with our kids. NPR has some tips to help you keep your kids engaged and everyone sane. It’s a 17 minute listen. https://www.npr.org/2020/03/23/820228206/6-tips-for-homeschooling-during-coronavirus

Congratulations to our Instagram Live BINGO winners: Iris Lei, Oliver, and Petra!

/homeschool
Things to do this week

Preschool + PK Students
#musicforaardvarks

Support one of our gala donors and local musicians by joining Music for Aardvarks Classes online. Music for Aardvarks is on Mondays & Wednesdays at 10 am + 5:30 pm and AudraRox Musical Theatre is on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 4 pm. $15 per class or buy a package for $10 each (minimum 4 or more). Email audrarocksbk@gmail.com for an invitation to the class.

Lower School Students
#molunchdoodles

A WNS library favorite, Mo Willems, is doodling with kids all over the world weekdays at 1:00 pm EST + past episodes are available for to watch and download. https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/

Middle School Students
#wnsinthekitchen

Practice for next year's bake sale! America's Test Kitchen Kids is offering free recipes, activities and experiments for kids during the coronavirus crisis. https://www.americastestkitchen.com/kids/home

Teachers + Middle School Students
#downdogyoga

Middle School Students and teachers with a willnorth.org email address now have free access to Down Dog Yoga until July 1st. Directions to login are here: https://www.downdogapp.com/schools/instructions/willnorth_org

For Parents
#keepcalmandflattenthecurve

Please take care of yourselves and check in on each other too.
Managing Anxiety and Stress during the pandemic from the CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

For Families (or after the kids go to bed)
#clubquarantine

Join a dance party with people around the world! DNice's “Homeschool” on Instagram Live @dnice
DNice kept us dancing for hours over the weekend and had over 100K in the Instagram party on Saturday Night (Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Missy Elliot, John Legend, Corey Booker, Buju Banton, Bernie Sanders, Michele Obama + Stevie Wonder all stopped by) It just might be exactly what you need. Watch out for the next one.