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Cornelia F. Bradford School PS16 Newsletter
October 3rd, 2021
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Welcome to the first edition of our newsletter for the new school year! Not only do we use our newsletter to share important information with our school community but we also love to share our students interests and achievements. We hope to amplify our students voices through the newsletter so send us an email if you or your child would like to contribute.
Our students are enjoying being back in the classroom with their teachers and friends. While Covid protocols have changed many things in the school building (mask wearing, temperature checks etc.) our teachers, students, principal and assistant principal are finding innovative ways to bring positivity and cheer to our classrooms. Many of PS 16's time honored traditions will still be able to happen this year with a few minor adjustments. This week our students in grades 3-5 fulfilled their civic duty by electing their class presidents and vice presidents to represent them in the Student Council. We just registered our school for the 2022 Scripp's National Spelling Bee. We have also began planning Halloween, Diwali and Holiday fun for our students. This school year may have began differently than normal but in true PS 16 spirit we will continue to work together for our boys and girls.
"Good, Better, Best. Never Let it rest.
Until your good is your better and your better is your best"
- Mrs. Watkins Williams famous motto
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PS 16 Annex was officially opened on Friday September 24th when Jersey City school and government officials gathered to cut the ribbon. The annex is the first school that the city has built without state funding. For years, the number of students attending PS 16 in our main building has been growing well beyond capacity. The Annex will help to alleviate the overcrowding issue at the main building. The thirteen new classrooms in the Annex are home to 8 Kindergarten classes and 5 first grade. These rooms are modern, bright and cheerful! Hopefully we will soon see more new beautiful schools being built in Jersey City.
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Thank you to all who joined our Principal Mrs. Terri Watkins Williams, Assistant Principal Mr. Asael Salgado and our PS16 family on this momentous occasion; Superintendent Mr. Franklin Walker and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Norma Fernandez, our Division Director Dr. Joseph Galano , Mayor Steven Fulop, Councilman Mr. James Solomon, Builder Mr. Mark Sheeleigh, Board President Mr. Mussab Ali, Board members Mrs. Gina Verdibello, Mr. Gerald Lyons, Ms. Noemi Velazquez and Mr. Lorenzo Richardson, and Business Administrator Ms. Regina Robinson.
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A special thank you to Candace Perry from Skyline Sweets and Mom to Angelica (5th Grade) and Alyssa (2nd Grade) Skyline Sweets generously provided delicious muffins for our guests to take home and enjoy.
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As a new CPA team we still rely heavily on the parents who served before us for advice, friendship and encouragement. The words of former CPA President and PS 16 Parent, Natalia Ioffe, reflect how our current CPA team felt at opening our brand new building.
"Today was a historic day for our ever-growing PS 16 community - the ribbon cutting for the newly built annex, and the celebration of partnerships that made it possible. Superintendent Walker did me a great honor by allowing me to speak at the ceremony. I may be retired from the PS 16 parent council, but I can never retire my love for this school, that holds true to Cornelia Bradford's vision of being "our brothers' and sisters' keepers", a school that raises leaders and future history makers.
To paraphrase Mr. Walker's words, today was proof that we have done something right, because all departments across education and city structures shared a joint vision. Let it be a sign of more bridge building to come."
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Due to the pandemic the USDA has extended the use of the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) which will allow all students to eat for free during the 2021-2022 school year. Later, when we get a la carte items for purchase, 'My School Bucks' will be used for students to keep money on their accounts. We encourage all parents to complete the Lunch Application as it helps our district receive much needed federal funding.
The breakfast and lunch menu for October can be found here.
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Due to the Covid Protocols in place at school buildings we will need to continue our monthly CPA meetings via Zoom. This months meeting will be held on Monday October 4th at 6pm. Our guest speaker will be representatives from NJ Child Assault Prevention (CAP) who will conduct a parent workshop to complement the "Safe, Strong and Free" program that is provided each year to our students.
To receive the Zoom link for Monday's meeting please complete this Google Form. The link will be emailed on Monday afternoon.
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The CPA team began accepting pre-orders for uniforms in August. Before school began we distributed pre-orders with the help of our student volunteers. We also held a uniform sale before opening up online orders. According to our uniform vendors the supply chain is struggling to keep up with demand. We are using several vendors to fulfill our orders. At this time we have processed and delivered gym shirts that were ordered prior to September 28th. Orders placed after will be delivered on Monday. Logo gym shirts are mandatory. Uniform polo shirts are due to arrive this week and our CPA team will continue processing and delivering these to students backpacks.
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School will be closed this coming Wednesday, October 6th for Staff Professional Development. School will also be closed on Monday October 11th in recognition of Columbus Day. The district calendar for the school year can be found here.
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This week many of our PS 16 families will begin celebrating the Hindu festival Navaratri. Navaratri spans nine nights and is celebrated every year in the Autumn. For many people this is a time of religious reflection and fasting; for others it is a time for dancing and feasting. Dances performed include Garba. Typically the festival's nine nights are dedicated to different aspects of the divine feminine principle. In addition to family celebrations, Navaratri is also celebrated with public concerts, recitations, plays, and fairs.
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At this time both gates to Paulus Hook Park remain unlocked during the school day. Our staff are being extremely vigilant while overseeing outdoor recess. However we also need parent cooperation during drop off and dismissal times. Please close the Grand Street gate when you enter and exit. We ask that you allow our teachers to safely assemble our children at dismissal and refrain from permitting younger siblings to use the equipment until our security guard (assisted by CPA volunteers) opens the Washington Street gate at 2:45pm. Our students safety is always our number one priority. We must work together to ensure this.
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Birthday Wishes to our staff members who are celebrating this week
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Ms. Rosalind Douglas - October 2nd
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Ms. Aileen Shue - October 3rd
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Mrs. Sylvia Hennessey - October 7th
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Nurse Kristen Brennan - October 8th
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Ms. Magda Diaz - October 8th
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The CPA Executive Team for 2021-22:
President - Leanne Kerr
1st Vice President - Shweta Bhatia
2nd Vice President - Jackie Cox
Secretary - Angela Park
Recording Secretary - Maeghan Robertson
Treasurer - Priya Rasquinha
Ass. Treasurer - Didi Roca
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Please support Concerned Parents Association of PS16, a 501(c)(3) organization, through your Amazon account. Login to Amazon Smile, link your account and select “CPA of Ps16 - Cornelia F Bradford” as your charitable organization. Through Amazon Smile, 0.5% of every purchase will be donated to CPA of PS16.
**UPDATE** You can now participate in Amazon Smile through the Amazon App on your phone! Update to the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app on your phone. Under 'Settings' tap on 'AmazonSmile" and follow the onscreen instructions.
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Boxtops for Education is online now! Download the Box Tops app, find your school as “Cornelia Bradford Elementary 16”. After you shop, simply scan your store receipts to find participating products.The app will automatically credit your school's Box Tops earnings online.
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Useful Links
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