FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF PS 11

Funds a wide range of enrichment activities for students including arts curriculum, STEM programming, theater productions, field trips, recess sports, swim gear, yearbook, head lice checks, and school events such as Field Day, Fall Festival, and student dances. Also supports classroom supplies, educational resources, and school luncheons.

Provides financial support for hiring teachers and substitute teachers, funds classroom supplies, and finances professional development for PS 11 teachers through training at Teachers College of Columbia University, with instruction applied directly in classrooms.

Delivers weekly physical education classes focused on locomotor skills, game play, teamwork, and swimming, with the goal of fostering lifelong fitness habits. Includes an annual overnight camping trip for fourth-grade students featuring boating, swimming, rock climbing, and hiking at Camp Candensis in Pennsylvania.

Provides student resources in arts, library access, health, and technology to support academic and creative growth, ensuring equitable access to materials and experiences that enhance learning.

Organizes volunteer opportunities across school programs including the library, Chess team, Field Day, and Spring Gala, enabling community members to support school activities.

Offers comprehensive arts education including visual art instruction in drawing, painting, sculpture, and ceramics with access to a school kiln; sequential music education in vocal training, rhythm, notation, and ensemble singing; and theater arts education covering acting, playwriting, stagecraft, and performance, culminating in grade-level productions.

Provides weekly technology instruction covering digital literacy, digital citizenship, coding, internet research, and productivity software for students from Pre-K through 5th grade. Offers documentary filmmaking workshops for second graders guided by professional filmmakers, resulting in original student-produced films.

Organizes Family Workshops to support parental involvement and equip caregivers with tools to support children's learning. Launches the PS 11 Book Club in January 2025 to foster community dialogue and shared learning. Distributes a weekly newsletter during the school year with updates on schedules, events, and family opportunities.

Hosts school tours for prospective families on specific dates (December 2nd, 8th, and 17th, 2023) to support enrollment and community engagement.

Organizes annual events including Field Day in June with team-based games and ice cream treats, a spring dance for 4th and 5th graders, a 100th Day of School celebration for younger grades, a KG&G Valentines event promoting peer connection, and a 10-day Read-A-Thon to encourage reading and raise funds.

Working to improve website accessibility for people with disabilities in accordance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0.

Runs a weekly farm market every Wednesday morning from mid-June through early November at 320 West 21st Street, engaging third-grade students in selling local, organic produce to the community as part of their educational experience.

Hosts specialized educational residencies including a playwriting residency for third-grade students, where final works are performed by professional actors at Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway.

Conducts an annual educational field trip for fifth-grade students to Washington, D.C., including visits to national monuments, the National Archives, and the Museum of History as part of the social studies curriculum. Also funds other field trips across grade levels.

Operates a dance program since 2013 offering instruction in movement vocabulary, folk dances, choreography, and yoga for Pre-K through 5th grade students. Includes specialized residencies such as a 10-week ballroom dance program and theater arts dance instruction through Rosie’s Theater Kids, both culminating in public performances.

Produces the student newspaper, the PS11 Post, twice annually with participation from 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. Funds the production of the school yearbook.