Virtual Backpack

General Information

Announcement: Lisa Von Drasek’s Replacement

The Library is pleased to announce that we have hired Allison (Allie) Bruce as our Interim Children's Librarian for the 2012-13 academic year. Allie holds a Masters in Library Science from Pratt Institute and a BA degree from Northwestern University. She has NYS K-12 Teacher Certification as a Library Media Specialist as well. Allie spent last year working as a library assistant in the Berkeley Carroll School library in Brooklyn. Before that she was the school librarian for the George Jackson Academy in NY. Some of you may remember Allie from when she interned for Lisa a couple of years ago here at the Bank Street Library. We are confident that Allie will fit right in and do a great job for the children, SFC faculty, and the Library. Please drop by to say hello - she has already jumped right in with Lisa showing her the ropes!

Fall Fair Volunteers Needed

 - The Fall Fair, the SFC's fun and fabulous community event, is almost here! It arrives rain or shine on Saturday, October 13, which is one week earlier than last year. Anyone who would like to get involved or has thoughts and ideas for the Fair is invited to attend the Fall Fair Meeting on Thursday, September 20 from 8:45 AM to 10:00 AM in Room 711. We want to have input from as many people as possible.
- Next week, all parents will be able to sign up online for specific jobs and shifts. We ask that each family volunteer for a 2-hour shift. We need your help to make the event a success!
- Also, we will once again be having our book sale, which includes books, CDs and DVDs. No textbooks will be accepted. Collection will begin early next week with morning collections in the Cafeteria. A follow-up notice will be sent with the specific day.

1st Annual Morningside Lights: Help light up Morningside Park on Sept 29....

A great opportunity in the neighborhood:
On Friday, September 28, our 13/14s Set Design class will be meeting the directors/artists of Superior Concepts Monsters, who spearhead the annual NYC Halloween parade as well as countless other Giant Puppetwork performances globally. They will learn firsthand about their work process: conceiving the idea, researching, and preparing the workshops. The class will see and sketch what the community has already created and then have the opportunity to create lanterns that will be used in the Processional the next  night, September 29, beginning at 8pm.
Everyone in the community is welcome to contribute to the workshop process at Miller Theatre (W 116th/Broadway), which also includes instrument-making, perform/join in the processional, submit sounds to the composer, Nathan Lane, play an instrument during the performance, and of course be in the audience. Sign up here.

Photo Day
Monday, October 1, 8:45am - 2:30pm in the Lobby and Auditorium (There will be NO Middle School Assembly that day.)

This year, we will again be using Stomping Ground Photo for individual and class photos. Terry Tom, parent of William in the 9/10s, has again graciously volunteered to coordinate the day. The background color will be periwinkle. The photos will be available online approximately 2 weeks after Photo Day. There is no pre-pay and all ordering is done online after viewing the proofs. Each student's photos will be viewable with a personal passcode consisting of the student's first name and 6 digit date of birth (anne021402). You can always purchase the photos, but the packages will only be available during the 4 week fundraising period. All packages and prices will be online. Retakes, make-ups, and music group photos will take place on Monday, November 5.

Recorder Club

Recorder Club will be held on Fridays from 8-8:30am in the Music Room (207). The first class is on Friday, October 12. Anyone in the 8/9s or older may join. If you would like to sign up or have any questions, please contact Inge Bader, Middle School Music Teacher, at ibader@bankstreet.edu.

Announcements from Bank Street College President Elizabeth Dickey

Download the September announcements from the President's Office.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Please see the Calendar for a complete list of event/meeting dates and times. Click here to sync the Calendar with your smartphone.

Parents Association All-Parent Community Breakfast
Tuesday, September 25, 8:45-10am in the Cafeteria

We invite you and encourage you to join us in the Cafeteria for the annual PA Community Breakfast. This event is a great opportunity to hear about PA events for the upcoming year, as well as to learn about volunteer opportunities. Members of the PA Executive Board will be present, as well as chairs of all the various PA committees. There are many opportunities to get involved and we hope you’ll take advantage of some of them.

Touched By Adoption Affinity Group Potluck
Thursday, September 27, 6-8pm on the Playdeck

Children's Concert Series at Columbia - The Daedalus Quartet
Sunday, September 30, 5pm at the Italian Academy, Columbia University

Admission is free. For ages 6 and up. Concert time is 1 hour. More information here.

New Parent Breakfast
Tuesday, October 2, 9-10am in the Auditorium

All Community Event - Racial Identity Development: What it is and how it affects us all
Tuesday, October 2, 6:30-8:30pm in the Auditorium

Dr. Pedro Noguera, a renowned urban sociologist and author, will discuss cultural and racial identity development in all children. Dr. Noguera is the Peter L. Agnew Professor of Education at New York University.  His scholarship and research focuses on the ways in which schools and school children are influenced by social and economic conditions in urban environments. Topics of conversation include: How we support children with issues of race and racism; How the history of racial diversity in schools has led to where we are today.

Touched By Adoption Discussion
Wednesday, October 10, 6pm in the Auditorium

Transracial/Transcultural Adoption: Differences may not matter to you, but they may to your child. Rita Taddonio, Director of the Adoption Resource Center/Spence-Chapin Services for Children and Families, will facilitate a discussion for parents and educators on racial identity in adoptive families.

LGBTA Parent Affinity Group Potluck
Thursday, October 11, 5:30-7:30pm on the Playdeck (We will move to the gym in the event of bad weather.)  

Everyone is welcome! It would be great if everyone can bring a dish to share. There will be pizza for the kids, along with water and seltzer. Please email LGBTA Affinity Group Chair Roz Lee at rozlee2@yahoo.com to let her know if you’re bringing a main dish, side dish, fruit or dessert item so that we can make there is some balance. By way of helpful background, last year we renamed our group from Gay & Lesbian Affinity Group to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Affinity Group. The rebranded purpose of our group, in partnership with the Director of Diversity and Community, Administration and Faculty, is to:

- Provide a learning, sharing and action oriented affinity space for LGBT-identified families and allies to support and strengthen their own and their children’s Bank Street experience

- Be a resource on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression for all families in the school, as it relates to our children

- Engage the wider school community in activities, events, and issues that educate, affirm and strengthen sexual orientation and gender identity and expression diversity

The LGBTA Affinity Group is excited by our ongoing and emerging plans for this year and forward to seeing old and new faces at the potluck on October 11th!  In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact Roz with questions and suggestions or to join or volunteer.  Her address is rozlee2@yahoo.com and mobile is (917) 359-1396.  We will also have a table at the PA All Community Breakfast on September 25.

From the Health Office

Please notify Robin Taylor, the school nurse, of absences, including the reason for the absence at healthoffice@bankstreet.edu or 212-875-4425. 

School Closings

Wednesday, September 26: School Closed for Yom Kippur
Monday, October 8: School Closed for Columbus Day
Thursday, October 18: School Closes at 12PM for Lower School Conference Prep/Middle and Upper School Conferences - No After School
Friday, October 19: School Closed for Lower School Conference Prep/Middle and Upper School Conferences
Tuesday, November 6: School Closed for Presidential Election Day
Friday, November 9: School Closed for Lower School Conferences/Middle and Upper School Report Writing Wednesday, November 21-Friday, November 23: School Closed for Thanksgiving Break
Friday, December 21: School Closes at 1PM for Winter Break - No After School