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Merrick Academy
Queens Public Charter School
136-25 218th Street, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413
Phone: (718) 479-3753  Fax: (718) 479-8108
www.merrickacademy.org
Dr. Karen Valbrun, Principal
Staci White, Director of Operations
“PROFICIENCY AND BEYOND”
November 13, 2015
Dear Merrick Academy Family:
We appreciate your active commitment. Below please find important information about our school community.
Important Dates in November
Date/Time
November 14
November 16
November 17
November 19
November 20
Event/Time (if applicable)
Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser, 8-10 a.m.
Applebee’s, 213-29 26th Avenue, Bayside, NY
Kick-Off to Cornell University My Plate Initiative
PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Board of Trustees Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
First Grade Field Trip to Green Meadows Farm, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
*Rescheduled from October 28
Dismissal is 11:30 a.m.
Student/Staff Dress Down Day – Students and staff donate $1 to raise money
for the Pancreatic Cancer
Parent Teachers Conference, 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
November 21
November 23
November 25
November 26-27
Middle School Application Night, 5:00 PM, 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM Sessions
All sessions will provide the same information on Middle School Applications.
Merrick Walk-A-Thon, Cunningham Park
Francis Lewis Blvd & Union Turnpike, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364
Grandparents Breakfast, 8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Thanksgiving Feast
School Closed for Thanksgiving
First Annual Merrick Academy Spelling Bee
Thank you to all those who supported our First Annual Spelling Bee. Congratulations to our winners:
Kyler B. (K-2), Amira B. (1-2), Mallich D. (2-2), Jahsaan L. (3-4), Samara R. (4-2) and Dorothy S. (5-2).
Flapjack Fundraiser – November 14
Merrick Academy will host its first Flapjack Fundraiser in partnership with Applebee's Restaurant in Bayside on
November 14 from 8 – 10 a.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by sending the number of tickets needed
November 13, 2015 Parent Letter
Page 2 of 3
along with the payment to the attention of Ms. Hernandez. All proceeds will benefit our new S.T.E.M.
program. Please invite friends, family and neighbors.
Nutrition Education Partnership with Cornell University - Reminder
Our partnership with Cornell University’s Division of Nutritional Sciences for the My Plate Initiative kicks off on
Monday, November 16 with in-class activities for our students in grades 3-5 that will run through December 21.
The activities will take place during the 8th and 9th period physical education classes. Enclosed, please find a
permission slip for the initiative. Please complete and return the permission slip to Mr. Longdon’s attention
by Monday, November 16.
On November 20, Ms. Hinds, from Cornell University, will share information about the parent seminar during both
sessions of the parent-teacher conferences. Enclosed please find a brochure with some additional details about the
parent seminar. Parents who complete at least 6 of the 8 sessions will join us for a graduation ceremony and
receive certificates.
Parent Teachers Conferences on November 20, 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
We look forward to seeing all our parents at one of our two sessions of the parent teachers conferences on
November 20. The conferences are a great opportunity for parents to receive updates on your child’s progress as
well as to strengthen the parent/teacher relationship.
Perfect Attendance
There’s no time like the present and no substitute for being present. Please join us as we
congratulate our students (list attached) for perfect attendance for October! We also thank their parents for
fostering a commitment to and love of learning in these students.
Walk for Merrick "Walk-A -Thon" – PTO Fall Fundraiser
On Saturday, November 21, students and staff will walk a 2-mile course in Cunningham Park (Francis Lewis Blvd
& Union Turnpike, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364); practicing healthy habits while raising funds for our school! All
pledges will be for a flat rate of $2 per mile and all participants will walk a 2-mile course. All funds raised from this
event will go directly to the school. The Merrick Academy PTO board will use the funds to help provide many
opportunities for our students. These include, but not limited to, the parent communication flyer, classroom party
treats, field day preparation, refreshments for assemblies and breakfast for testing grades
Thanking our Grandparents – November 23
Our school community includes many grandparents who have stepped in to raise their grandchildren. This comes
with wonderful rewards as well as a few a challenges. In recognition of the impact grandparents have on the lives
of our students, we will host a monthly Grandparents Breakfast. Our first breakfast will take place on
Monday, November 23 from 8:15 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. It is our hope that this will provide an opportunity for
grandparents to connect with one another and receive valuable information on supporting their grandchildren’s
academic success.
Thanksgiving Feast – November 25
Merrick Academy will host its international feast on Wednesday, November 25. Every classroom will be sending
home a list of suggested items for parents to sign up. Parent volunteers are always welcome and appreciated. In the
coming week please keep expect more details from your child's teachers. We look forward to celebrating our
cultures as one family.
November 13, 2015 Parent Letter
Page 3 of 3
PTO Snack Sales
Our PTO sells healthy snacks in the PTO room each Friday. Most snacks are $1 each and some are $1 for two.
November Menu
Enclosed please find the November 2015 menu. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Margaret or
Ms. White.
Smile Mobile Dental
The Smile Mobile Dental Service (Smile) visited Merrick Academy on Nov. 4 and serviced 35 students with a
smile. Our partnership with Smile engages students in exercising the healthful practice of caring for their teeth and
addressing any dental discomforts while having the support of their peers. For this first session, we saved an
estimated 73.5 school days (2.1 days per child) towards our perfect attendance initiatives. With an estimated 220
participants, we look forward to the next session date of December 3 to continue these efforts.
Parents please continuously check our website, www.merrickacademy.org for the most current and updated
information.
Thanks kindly for your continued support,
School Leadership