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Attached is the PTA Agenda for tomorrow's virtual meeting using the link below:D21 21K281PA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.Topic: IS 281 PTA MeetingTime: Dec 9, 2025 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)Join Zoom MeetingMeeting ID: 951 9225 5182Passcode: 066601
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We’re partnering with The American Heart Association in an effort to raise awareness. The letter explains how families can participate in AHA's program if they choose to. A key part of this initiative is teaching families Hands-Only CPR—a lifesaving skill we hope as many families as possible will learn.
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Thanks to Ms. Vazquez and her impressive soccer connections, 7 of our All-Star soccer players were invited to Times Square Friday for the World Cup Draw event, taking part in a special team tournament! The World Cup is a worldwide event, having more viewers than 13 Superbowl games combined! Our kids were showcased on different news stations, chanting for “Team USA”, showing their own soccer skills, and personally meeting professional soccer players, including current members of the US Men’s National Team. Shout out to Ms. Vazquez and Mr. Yodice for braving the cold and ensuring our students were safe as they took part in this once in a lifetime experience.
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A special shout out to Ms. Mohassib, our Attendance team and Success Mentors! For the month of November, we held steady at 95% attendance rate, beating both the city and district stats. Thank you for your incredible work- again – building strong ties and nurturing relationships with our most needy students and their families. During the month of December, we will continue with our weekly attendance incentive raffle give-away. Students will have the chance to win special prizes for having perfect attendance each week.
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I would like to recognize our guidance staff, Ms. Alvarez, Mr. Burstein and Ms. Soto, who did an outstanding job in supporting or 8th grade families during the HS application process, as well as getting 419 applications processed by the due date.
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Congratulations to the Boys’ and Girls’ basketball teams on their fantastic wins in the first games of the season last week. Their hard work, teamwork, and determination have set the tone for an exciting season ahead. Way to start strong – Go Honey Badgers!
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The school building is starting to look festive with holiday cheer. Thank you to our PTA, who decorated the main lobby for visitors to feel the Cavallaro holiday warmth as they come in from the cold.
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Thank you to Ms. Singer, who coordinated another successful trip to see The Outsiders on Broadway! Check out the attachments for additional information, November Wrap-up Library Newsletter and links to obtain a NY Public Library Card.
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8B Engineering visited the NY Center for aerodynamics and advanced mathematics in Manhattan. The facility is hosted by the DOE and NASA. The students recreated an actual spaceflight and mission to the planet mars; the realism was astounding. The most exciting part, according to Mr. Gulino, was watching the students work together in high pressure situations with accuracy and success.
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Lastweek Ms. Balacich's 6th grade classes visited the Staten Island Zoo to construct predictable explanations for how organisms interact in different ecosystems. Students interacted with animals such as Kenyan Sand Boa, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, and Chinese Crocodile Lizard, as well as and discussed the human impact on ecosystems with SI Zoo staff.
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This week is our annual Holiday Festival. Our busy little elves have been hard at work in preparation, with Mrs. Chris Claus at the helm. It looks like it’s going to be another fine event. If you are attending, please ensure that your child has handed in a completed permission slip. They have been distributed, and there are extra copies in the main office.
Academic Vocabulary Word of the Week:
12/8/25 – Central, Main, Reinforce
Spanish: Central, Principal, Reforzarse
Chinese: 中央, 主要, 加強
Russian: центральный, главный, Укрепить
Urdu: مرکزی، مرکزی، مضبوط
Central (adj.): An idea at the center of something; main
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Synonyms: main
Main (adj.): The most important
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Synonyms: leading
Reinforce (v.): To strengthen or support an idea or object
Synonyms: strengthen, support
Morphology Map:
Social Emotional Focus:
December SEL themes
6th grade – Perseverance – How can perseverance help me to overcome challenges?
7th grade – Identity – How is my identity shaped by my choices, society, and circumstances?
8th grade – Commitment – How does commitment help me achieve my larger goal?