P.S. 39ers on the Beat

Day three of no school brought our kids out as intrepid reporters to investigate the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy in our neighborhood.

Working on special edition of the "39 Times" a group of kids, mostly fourth graders, walked the area, checked in with shop-keepers, residents, and the Councilman's office, to see what they could learn about how the storm was impacting them.

They went by John Jay High School as well, which is being used to shelter evacuees from zones hit hard by the storm.

Learning about the emergency shelter at John Jay
Hannah Ross, Max and Otto English, Georgia Kretz, Jessica Groom, David Delaney.
Not pictured: Joaquim Ross, Izzy Groom, Soren Callahan, and Elsie Smith.

At City Councilman Brad Lander's office

Kindergartner Otto English multi-tasking

Noting the damage on Seventh Avenue and Fourth Street

Photographing a tree downed on Tenth Street

Lend a Helping Hand!

PS 39’s Halloween Party Needs to Scare Up Volunteers

The PS 39 Halloween Party makes the celebration at The Hotel Transylvania look like kids’ stuff. That’s because we have our amazing students dressed to thrill, and our dedicated parents providing a helping hand (much like “Thing” from The Addam’s Family, pictured above).

In addition to an off-the-hook DJ (who will be the first to request “Call Me Maybe”?), we’ll be offering up pizza, hot dogs, meatballs, monster mash and more.  Everyone will make a sugar rush for the bake sale; what’s more, a fortune teller and a cupcake-decorating table will add to the already amazing event.

There will be a raffle with incredible prizes (hear tell – a pizza-making night for a family of four at the new Brooklyn Central Pizza).

In addition, PS 39 dad Jim Seger’s awesome decorations will make the scene like always.

Of course, this party is not run by The Invisible Man. We need live bodies to keep the action going before, during and after the bash. We also need bakers for the bake sale (the more, the merrier).

The volunteer opp is open to all warm-blooded humans, as well as the walking dead and creatures of the night. Please contact Dara at darasf@yahoo.com or Jim at jdseger@gmail.com if you can help out.

We’ll see all you boys and ghouls at John Jay High School on Saturday evening, October 27, from 5:30-9 p.m.

CBE After School Center Starts The Year Off Right

The early returns are in, and let’s just say that the CBE (Congregation Beth Elohim) Kids After School Center at PS 39 is an immediate success. The program, which offers a wide variety of instructional classes and recreational activities (everything from yoga and sewing to swimming and cooking) was expecting maybe 50 signups in its pilot phase this term. However, the response was “healthy,” to say the least, with 85 kids enrolled and surely more to come next term.

Painting class, Tuesdays, first period

PS 39 Dad Gary Raheb leads Friday drumming classes

Advisory committee member Alex Marshall (yes, the same busy man who just published a book, noted in a previous post) says that the program will continue to grow and expand in the coming semesters, with even more cool class choices. He tells us that feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from both parents and students, and the committee will continue to keep a close eye on the program to keep it running smoothly.

Sewing class, Fridays, first period

For more information on PS 39’s new afterschool adventure, contact CBE Kids After School Director Bobbie Finkelstein here, or PS 39 Parent Coordinator Karen Herskowitz here.

~Ron Sklar, Reporter at Large

Alex Marshall, Author

 We’re proud to share the news that PS 39 dad Alex Marshall just gave birth – to a book! The Surprising Design of Market Economies, University of Texas Press, details how governments build economies, using laws, roads, education, policing, and other tools they develop (particularly how human nature works into the design of markets).

 

 

Alex argues that there really is no such thing as a free-market economy; as a result, he urges a national conversation about what kind of markets we want. An independent journalist and an engaging professional speaker, Alex was inspired for this ambitious book as he reported on local zoning issues, particularly transportation. His previous books sound fascinating too: How Cities Work and Beneath The Metropolis: The Secret Lives of Cities. In May of this year, he traveled to Seoul, South Korea to speak about transportation, money and fashion at the Korea Transport Institute. We wish we could have been there, but you can easily buy his book on amazon.com, or go to his website: alexmarshall.org.
Congrats, Alex!



~Ron Sklar, PS 39 Reporter at Large

The Brooklyn Rooks: Checkmate in 2012-13!

We can’t wait to see the PS 39 Chess Team’s next move for the new school year. Last year was a hard act to follow; the team participated in the nationals in Nashville, and third grader Jeremy Rodriguez won the title of co-national champion in the under 900 section.  Parent and team coordinator Beth Kleber tells us that the national competition is no picnic: it’s three grueling days of intense competition, yet Jeremy won every game he played. This year, we have several top returning players, plus a great new crop of members for this year’s co-ed team. The Rooks are already off to a great start, taking first place in the under 700 section in this past weekend's Right Move chess tournament at Riverbank State Park.  The chess team and club are great confidence builders for vets and newbies alike, so stay tuned for reports on upcoming tournaments as the Brooklyn Rooks take on the 2012-13 chess challenge.

-Ron Sklar 

PS 39 Reporter-at-large

P.S. 39 Kicks Off School Year With International Potluck Dinner

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Homemade paella, dumplings, sushi, jerk chicken -- these are just a few of the delectable and savory dishes at P.S. 39's International Potluck Dinner.  You won’t go hungry at this event with a menu that spans the entire globe from the Philippines’ to Jamaica, and Germany to Brazil -- of course you’ll have the all American favorites of mac-and-cheese, pizza and hot dogs to choose from.

Organizers Robbyn Kistler and Karen Herskowitz have been organizing this kick-off event for the last three years.  “Families bring fabulous dishes representing their cultural backgrounds,” says Robbyn.  “One of my favorites is Filipino chicken adobo.” This is also a great opportunity to meet many of the staff of P.S. 39, as well as other families in our community. 

For over two hours, there’ll be fun-filled games, face painting and arts and craft tables for the kids. Plus a special line-up of entertainment by some of P.S. 39’s talented parents/musicians.  They include Jeff Raheb who will perform classical and jazz guitar, and Ayako Shirsaki and her husband Tom Landman who will play melodica and ocarina. Mr. Trust and our P.S. 39 students will surprise us with a special performance, followed by the Fukata Dance Company and their Latin dance presentation.

P.S. 39 t-shirts and other gear will also be available to purchase, proceeds benefiting the PTA.

Be sure to mark your calendar for this kick-off event.

Friday, September 28^th

6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

John Jay High School

7th Ave and 5th St.

If you’re interested in volunteering, contact International Potluck Dinner organizers Karen Herskowitz, kherskowitz@ps39.org, or Robbyn Kistler, robbynk@gmail.com.

-Maria Lord

(Mom to Hayes, 2^nd Grade)

Spring – A Time to Eat Kale and Shout

 

Growth. Creativity. Movement. Vision

 These are all characteristics Chinese medicine associates with spring.  Through the observation of nature the ancient Chinese found that each season had its own energy.   They realized that as part of nature people also experienced these changes in their bodies, minds and spirit.  Even after our “non-winter” it is hard not to feel motivated and energized by the emergence of spring.  People are rushing about 7th avenue, the playgrounds are full again, shoots are poking out of the ground and it seems everyone is making plans…this energy is what spring is about!  It can also be seen in our children…they are spring in action, full of volatile emotions, growth, activity, creativity and vision.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine springtime is also associated with…
Color: Green
Organs: Liver & Gallbladder
Taste: Sour
Emotion: Anger
If you want to honor the spring transition here are some ideas how…
    •    Shout…Anger used appropriately is a force to create change in your life.  Get angry and use it to create the best life, family or neighborhood you can!  Try dropping an annoying bad habit.

    •    Get Outside and Move...Believe it or not the way your kid acts when he has been stuck inside all day is the same way our bodies feel whether we realize it or not.  Learn a new sport (http://www.brooklynboulders.com/) or renew your love for an old one.  Don’t forget the little league parade later this month!

    •    Garden and Grow...Use Earth Day as an excuse and whether you have a backyard or a pot get the kids together and plant something.  In my book chia pets count!  Check out the Sakura Matsuri Festival at the BBG - http://www.bbg.org/visit/event/sakura_matsuri_2012/.  Or enroll in the gardening summer camp at the Old Stone House - http://theoldstonehouse.org/education/environmental/.

    •    Create...A meal, a Lego kit, a drawing or a story – vision it, plan it and create it!

    •    Green(s)...Help your Liver out by adding some leafy greens into your diet.  I love Kale and Dandelion.  Check out the easy recipe for kale chips below which is surprisingly kid-friendly.

    •    Roll...Foam rolling is one the best and most effective ways of relieving muscle tension and stiffness from all those months of hibernating.  A couple minutes is all it takes.  Learn more about rolling here  www.livestrong.com/article/501055-muscle-foam-rolling-techniques/.

    •    Pucker up...Add sour tastes to your meals to ease the transition into spring.  Drink room temperature or warm Lemon water in the morning and add pickles and vinegar to your meals anytime.  Most kids love sour but don’t be surprised if you see an even stronger craving for sour foods right before a growth spurt!

    •    Spring Clean...Spring is THE TIME to clean up your diet.  Avoid sugar and buy organic.  Start by buying the dirty dozen only when they are organic.  This link gives you the list and while you are there check out the report on sugar in breakfast cereals-  www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/.  Avoid greasy foods and fatty meats which compete with the energy of the season by weighing you down.

    •    Rejuvenate...Give your circulation a boost and exfoliate by dry brushing before you step into the shower.  Using a soft natural fiber brush use long sweeping strokes up your limbs before you step into the shower.  Your skin should get pink but be gentle until you know how strong you can tolerate.  Always use brush strokes toward your heart going in the opposite direction can put a strain on your veins causing varicose veins.  Don’t dry brush kids delicate skin.

Spring – Kale Chips

Adapted from many inspiring sources all over the web
Kale chips are crispy, not bitter and surprisingly kid friendly.
1 Bunch Kale (any type-but you may get extra kid points for using dinosaur kale)
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
Sea Salt – to taste

Preheat oven to 300°F
Wash and dry kale.  Remove stems and large ribs. Rip or cut into large pieces, toss with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.  Place leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes or until crisp.  Place on baking rack to cool.


–Lorraine Hickson
(mom to Christopher K-102 and Ava future PS39er) 

If you have suggestions, comments or questions for future blogs please e-mail me at lkhickson@yahoo.com with the subject line PS39.


   

Mr. Rochford: Hair today, gone tomorrow!

You may have heard – this year’s biggest auction item is… (drum roll, please)… Mr. Rochford’s hair.  That’s right – the high bidder will have the right, the duty, the pleasure of shearing Chris Rochford’s lovely locks, his tremendous tresses.  Mr. Rochford generously has offered up his head in service of the P.S. 39 community.

I had the chance to chat with Mr. Rochford about this momentous decision, and thought you might enjoy hearing what he had to say in advance of the upcoming auction (on April 21st):


JW-P:  Tell us a little about your relationship with your hair?

CR:  That’s a funny story. We’ve been together, for what seems like, forever. It hasn’t always been, all Suave and Aqua Net. It wanted to go right. I wanted to go left. The eighties were a tough decade for us. We blew up in the nineties. We were an innovating hair sculpting phenomenon. We took Best Hair in the International Hair Awards. Which was held in my apartment. So, I guess you can say my hair and I have really grown together.

JW-P: When did you first realize that shaving your head might be of value to the school? How?
CR:  I was hanging out with my hair, reading The Giving Tree. It hit us like a bad perm. We knew that we do not do enough for the 39 community. We needed to do more. Something fantastic and hysterical, something that will beat the hell out of a dozen eggs. I hope my selfless act of love for all of the 39 families will inspire others to give all they can.


JW-P: Have you ever shaved your head before?
CR:  I shaved my head about ten years ago. I looked like a skinny tanned new recruit. It really shaved me a few seconds on my bathroom time. The majority of my morning routine is admiring my good looks and flexing in the mirror. If I had mirrors all over my house, I would never leave.


JW-P: What's the longest your hair's ever been? The shortest?
CR:  My hair once reached the length of eight inches. Which really means six inches.


JW-P:  How often do you shampoo? Condition? Color?
CR:  On the regular.  Conditioner is an anti-spiking hair product. Fascists invented it.  I vowed never to dye my greying hair. I am beautiful, bold and unapologetically honest.


JW-P: Have you ever known anyone to be wounded in a head shaving accident? Does this concern you?
CR:  I’ve heard that a few cowboys had bad experiences. Britney Spears was not in the right frame of mind, the poor thing.  I have no concerns at all. I know that auction guests will be gracious and sensitive to my emotionality that night.
 
 




JW-P: How much do you imagine your hair, completely shorn, would weigh?
CR:  My guess is one peanut M&M.


JW-P: To what use (if any) do you intend to put your shorn hair?
CR:  I would like to see my hair used to make authentic voodoo dolls and auctioned off next year. That way I’m giving twice.


JW-P:  May I run my hands through your hair before it's shorn?
CR:  I have been waiting for you ask, Josh. Both before and after I want to have my head treated like the luck stump at the Apollo Theatre.




JW-P: What hair products do/did you use?
CR:  Studio Line Clean Gel


JW-P:  What's the most you've ever spent on a haircut?
CR:  I once spent $75. I could have done a better job using a Flowbee.
 


JW-P:  How much gel do you use in an average week?
CR:  Trade secret.
 







JW-P:  How long have you dyed your hair? ;-)
CR:  I dyed my hair once. In college I striped it platinum blonde. I walked around in a trench coat. I thought I was Kiefer Sutherland in “The Lost Boys.”



JW-P:  Do you have any grooming technique recommendations?
CR:  Lather, Rinse, Repeat.



JW-P:  Who are your hairstyle icons?
CR:  Currently – Robert Downey Jr., George Clooney, Jason Herskowitz
 
Soon to be – Vin Diesel, Mr. Clean and Josh Wolf-Powers

-  Josh Wolf-Powers is father of Sasha, in Ms. Fedeli’s 2nd-grade class.