Monday, November 26, 2012

Thank you!

As promised, here are more pictures!

Thank You!

Here are some more pictures!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thank you!

Thank You!

Dear Families and Friends of P.S. 132, I would like to thank all of you for your support with our efforts to adopt the Scholars’ Academy. The Scholars’ Academy, a Middle and High school from Rockaway Park, was relocated into two schools in East New York, after Hurricane Sandy devastated their school. It has certainly been a rewarding few weeks at P.S. 132. What started with two simple fundraisers, the jewelry making workshop and “leaves of thanks,” culminated into one of the most amazing give backs we have experienced. Below is a summary of the events leading up to and including yesterday’s give back. Working hand and hand with staff members from the Scholars’ Academy, we learned about how Sandy greatly affected their school community. They expressed a need for simple items that so many of us take for granted, such as blankets, socks and soap. Our call for your help of much needed toiletries and other everyday items led to our main office bursting with box loads of donations. Day after day, truckloads of these donated supplies were brought to our adopted school. We then reached out to our students and their teachers to help send “smiles” to the students of the Scholars’ Academy who have been suffering with their loss. All of our students worked hard to create “smiles,” (individual student created craft projects), for their new adopted friends from Rockaway. Students created gift bags, book marks, scarves, masks and other gifts that they felt would bring a “smile” to another child’s face. How great it was to see students from grades Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5 understanding the importance of giving to others in such a time of need. A great big thank you to our teachers and class parents for helping make our “smile” project such a success! Families from Rockaway are still in need of heat, gas and electricity. When we learned this, we realized, a hot meal, something that we often tend to take for granted, had to be added to our community service effort. As you all know, food is something we do well here at P.S. 132. Our families and local businesses heard our call for help yet again and donated food in mass proportions. The amount of food donated was awe inspiring. Car after car dropped off hot food ready to be delivered to our friends at the Scholars’ Academy and families in need from Rockaway and Broad Channel. Parents ran down the block with pot holders still on their hands, delivering fresh baked turkeys, hams and chickens. Trays of pasta, rice, beans and vegetables made the food donations complete. Dishes of food filled an entire half of our cafeteria. The smell of home and a warm cooked meal filled the halls of our school. Parents willing to volunteer their day to serve the students and families of Broad Channel lined their cars down Conselyea Street. Cars were loaded with food, juice, student made “smiles” and parent volunteers. Then off the caravans went to East New York to feed students from the Scholars’ Academy and to Broad Channel to feed families in need of a hot meal. The generosity of our families and our great Williamsburg community was absolutely overwhelming. I was fortunate to be a part of the community service effort and had the pleasure of visiting both the Middle School and High School students of the Scholars’ Academy. The students of both schools were simply incredible. They were genuinely touched and appreciative of the efforts made by the P.S. 132 school community. Each student said “thank you,” and comments like, “I can’t believe you did this for us” and “This is so nice of you,” were heard over and over. One student stated, as tears welled up in his eyes, “This smell reminds me of my grandmother’s house.” As I walked from classroom to classroom with the school’s principal, Brian O’ Connell, I was overwhelmed by the spirit of hope that has been instilled by the staff of the Scholars’ Academy. Mr. O’Connell joked with his students as they all jovially asked each other, “How you doin’?” Although it was clear that this was a tradition of the Scholars’ Academy, it seemed to hit home, as Mr. O’Connell looked at the classes and asked sincerely, “No, really guys, how are you doing?” Just seeing the look on the students’ faces when he spoke to them brought tears to my eyes. As I looked around the crowded classrooms, I saw “smile packages” from our students on their desks. Some students already were wearing paper tissue flowers on the wrists and enjoying the treats made by our classes. They all waved and thanked me, and they all smiled. They smiled, and I thought, we achieved our goal! As I watched our school community this week work so hard to “Do Good” for others, I became overwhelmed with a true feeling of community and togetherness. As the principal of P.S. 132, I am truly thankful to be surrounded by such supportive and generous people. This Thanksgiving, I will continue to give thanks for working with such dedicated and generous families and staff members. Your efforts on a daily basis continue to amaze me. I wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Sincerely, Beth Lubeck

Friday, September 2, 2011





Dear Friends,

Norman and Elaine Brodsky and the CitiStorage staff certainly saved the day, as the Williamsburg Kite Festival hosted by P.S. 132 proved to be an absolutely amazing event. The gorgeous New York City Skyline was the backdrop for a myriad of high flying kites! Crafts, rides and fun bands entertained the children as a delicious BBQ and yummy desserts fed the hungry crowd.
From tent to tent, it was impressive to see the number of parents, staff members and community friends that volunteered their time on a Sunday afternoon for the school and the students.
Community support rang loud and clear as Assemblyman Joe Lentol greeted the crowd. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz came to cheer on the school and Williamsburg community. Lincoln Restler, District Leader was there for the school community as well. The support of I.S. 318, brought tears to many eyes, as the I.S. 318 Marching Band lead by William Akim launched this spectacular event. Principal Fred Rubino and Assistant Principal John Galvin came to enjoy the day as well.
Smiles and laughter filled the CitiStorage space. Parents, children, students and neighborhood friends enjoyed a beautiful afternoon on the waterfront. This year Williamsburg Kite Festival taught a great lesson; when the entire community pulls together, and supports one another, anything we dream of can be accomplished! Hats off to the The Brodskys, the CitiStorage Staff, The P.S. 132 Kite Festival Committee, The P.S. 132 PTA Executive Board and the dedicated professionals at P.S. 132.
Wishing everyone a safe, happy and fun filled summer. Spend much needed quality time with your children and your families. Remember, the first day of school is September 8, 2011! See you in September!!!!
Educationally Yours!
Ms. Lubeck

Thursday, June 23, 2011

A Note From....



Dear Friends,

A few very lucky students were invited to attend An Evening with Bent on Learning -Sponsored by Alice & Olivia. This amazing event celebrated Bent on Learning's 10th Anniversary and honored Gwyneth Paltrow and Russell Simmons. Our young yoga enthusiasts participated in a yoga presentation and had the opportunity to meet some very special people. Yoga has been one of the backbones of the enrichment program at P.S. 132 for five years. The gift of relaxation and meditation we all receive from the Bent on Learning program has been invaluable. A great big thank you to our friends at Bent on Learning for always remembering P.S. 132. Our partnership with you assists our students and staff to continue to grow in mind, body and soul.

Please read the exciting article written by Amanda Gordon. https://owa2003.nycboe.net/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-16/scene-last-night-paltrow-avery-jessica-seinfeld-karan-glee-tickets.html


Educationally Yours!
Ms. Lubeck

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

A Note From.....







Dear Friends,

On Monday, the students of our school certainly received an exciting treat! Star Wars Mania hit P.S. 132, as Darth Vader and a Storm Trooper took over my office. Star Wars fans had the opportunity to purchase incredible DK Books and attend an author event where their books were autographed by Jason Fry and Chris Reiff !!!
A great Big Thanks to Word Book Store for sponsoring this event. A special thanks to the 501st Legion for bringing a true Star Wars Extravaganza to our school!!

May the Force Be With You!