PTA-Funded Enrichment Programs
Because of the generous support of our PS 34 community, the PTA is able to fund a variety of in-school programming that helps achieve our mission of educating the whole child. Through partnerships with professional artists and other experts across New York City, we introduce children to new experiences, help them build skills, and inspire new lifelong interests.
Dancing Classrooms
American Ballroom Theater (Dancing Classrooms) is a nonprofit organization that uses social dance to develop engaged learners, collaborative leaders, and inclusive communities. In partnership with the PS34 PTA, the program teaches 5th graders ballroom dance while building confidence, teamwork, and respect for themselves and others. Each year, students share what they have learned in a performance as part of their graduation activities. www.dancingclassrooms.org
Chess (ICN)
Impact Coaching Network (ICN) builds school chess programs that develop players’ skills, emphasize teamwork, and strengthen school communities. In partnership with the PS34 PTA, ICN brings the joy and educational benefits of chess instruction and practice into every classroom from kindergarten through fifth grade each year, at no cost to families. impactcoachingnetwork.org/ps34chess
School Assemblies
School assemblies invite outside performers and professionals into our school to provide our students with engaging experiences. Assemblies take place a few times a year, often around cultural celebrations and holidays. Past assemblies have included dance performances, author visits, and STEM demonstrations. Parent and student suggestions for assemblies are always welcome and can be sent to pta@ps34pta.org
Marquis Dance
Marquis Studios is a 49‐year‐old nonprofit organization that provides arts education programs to more than 140 New York City public schools annually. They offer a full spectrum of school residencies that encourage student exploration of visual arts, theater, music, dance, architecture, circus arts, and puppetry. PS34 students receive dance instruction that begins in Pre-K with creative movement and continues throughout 4th grade to explore dance traditions from around the world, including hip hop, meringue and salsa, and African dance. www.marquisstudios.org
Nutrition
Wellness in the Schools (WITS) is a national nonprofit that helps public school students build healthy habits through nutritious meals, food education, and physical activity. WITS Chefs support a culture of wellness in school communities through hands-on, plant-forward, culturally inclusive educational programing. Their Cooking for Kids Flagship program at PS34 includes:
Upskilling school kitchen staff to expand their scratch cooking capacity.
WITS BITS: classroom lessons that emphasize basic nutrition concepts.
WITS Labs: Seasonal lessons preparing healthy recipes that students can try in the cafeteria.
Events for families during the school year.
To help support our programming, please consider a donation today!
PTA-Funded Afterschool Activities
PS34 Theater Production
Disney Musicals in Schools helps public elementary schools build lasting theater programs through performance materials for students and professional development for teachers. At PS34, 4th grade teacher Ms. Brown leads the program with support from music teacher Mr. Vlesmas, giving students in grades 3–5 the chance to build confidence, work together, and experience the joy of live theater.
Past productions include Disney’s Aladdin, The Jungle Book, and The Lion King, performed for our school community. PTA funding and ticket sales help bring each production to life.
Disney Musicals in Schools Documentary
Debate Team
PS34’s Debate Team helps students in grades 4-5 develop their voices, explore important social issues, and build confidence speaking in public. Students learn to research reliable sources, consider different perspectives, and work with partners to turn their ideas into persuasive arguments.
Since 2018, PS34 debaters have participated in the District 14 Elementary School Debate Tournaments hosted by MS50, competing with students from public elementary schools across Brooklyn. Along the way, they build skills that help them speak clearly, connect with an audience, and advocate for themselves and others, all while having fun.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Program
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, our talented school social worker, guidance counselor, and teachers recognized the need for dedicated holistic social emotional learning opportunities for all students. This free afterschool program helps students build social emotional knowledge and awareness, prosocial behaviors, and developing relationships skills that help them thrive in school and life.
PTA-Funded Family Events
The PS34 PTA hosts free events throughout the year that bring families into the school and strengthen our community.
Fall Fest
Fall Fest brings families together for an afternoon of seasonal fun in the schoolyard, with hands-on crafts, garden activities, games, and treats. From caramel apples and pumpkin oobleck to soccer and crafts contests, there’s plenty to make, taste, and try.
Valentine’s Day Dance
The Valentine’s Day Dance brings a little warmth and a lot of dancing to the middle of winter. Volunteers turn the cafeteria into a party space, 5th graders help build the playlist, and families dress up and hit the dance floor together.
Potluck DINNER
A collaborative meal celebrating our school community’s family food traditions.
Movie Nights
Students and parents in each grade get the opportunity to cozy up in the cafeteria for a social and cinematic evening to watch favorites on the big screen while snacking on pizza and popcorn. Kids love the opportunity to wear pajamas or their favorite loungewear, and often bring blankets and other snuggly items to share with friends.
Spring Fling
Once the weather has warmed up, Spring Fling takes the party outside, bringing families together for music, dancing, and a celebration of the school year’s home stretch. Volunteers transform the yard with festive decorations, often around a special theme, with recent highlights including snow cones and conga lines.
These beloved traditions exist because parents dreamed them up, and they keep going because more of us pitch in. Whether you want to co-chair an event or spend an hour running a craft table, any amount of time you’re able to contribute is needed and greatly appreciated! (Plus, it’s one of the best ways to get to know other PS34 families) Join an event committee in the PS34 WhatsApp Community, or email pta@ps34pta.org and we’ll get you started.
PTA-Funded School Support
PS34’s PTA and school administration work together to encourage and support programs and activities that speak to the unique interests, passions, and talents of our teachers, staff, students, and families. Many of the activities the PTA supports grew out of events initiated by teachers, staff, or parents that became so popular we invested in sustaining them.
School Gardens
The PS34 garden transformation started in our McGuinness Boulevard yard. Situated on a very busy road, parents passionate about gardening and greening the school sought a grant to turn the yard into a garden. In 2024, Parent leaders secured another major grant of $25,000 from NYS Dept of Agriculture and Markets to expand and start an edible garden in the Eckford Street yard. Our students enjoy the (literal) fruits of our labor each day! Our gardens depend on volunteers to stay green and growing. If you’re interested in lending a hand, please join the Garden Committee in our WhatsApp Community.
STEM Room Hydroponics Lab
Our hydroponics lab in the STEM Room was originally covered by a grant and built by NY Sun Works, an organization dedicated to bringing quality sustainability science and climate education to K-12 city schools. Students learn about plant life cycles, growth, care and the hydroponic technology in STEM. The lab grows edible greens, herbs, cucumber and tomatoes which have been sold in student-run “farmer’s market” stands in the school yard and used in the Nutrition enrichment program. The PTA covers the annual service contract with Sun Works who services the machines, provides consumables, seeds, and support. nysunworks.org
Academic Intervention
Academic intervention provides free, individualized after-school support tailored to students’ learning needs. School administrators and participating teachers identify students for whom this extra support can make the greatest difference. Teacher participation is voluntary, so availability varies by classroom and grade.
PTA funding is committed in advance, allowing participating teachers to begin as needs emerge and they are ready, without waiting for other school funding to become available.
Saturday Academy
PS34 provides free test preparation classes for students in grades 3-5 on Saturdays in the spring, before the standardized tests are administered in April and May. Saturday Academy is taught by PS34 teachers and helps students feel confident and prepared.
Supply Budgets for Every Classroom
The PS34 PTA provides each teacher with flexible funding to purchase classroom materials throughout the year that may not be covered by DOE budgets. Teachers have used these funds to create special projects with students, replace worn classroom rugs, replenish classroom libraries, and more.
Mini Grants for Special Teachers Projects
One-time mini grants are available to teachers on an as-needed basis. Teachers can submit proposals and budgets to the PTA for these projects if they exceed the classroom supply budget. Mini grants have been used to purchase new incubators for the kindergarten chick-hatching project, furnishings for the Zen garden, and to help fund the purchase of new wind instruments for the music room.
Stepping Up & Graduation Ceremonies
Families of Pre-K and Kindergarten students are invited to stepping-up ceremonies in June at the PS34 school building. Families of 5th grade students are invited to a graduation ceremony in June at neighboring MS126. The PTA budget covers supplies, decor, drinks and refreshments for these events.
Staff Appreciation
PS34 staff and teachers go above and beyond for our students and community every single day! Our students receive a high quality education and caring, welcoming school environment thanks to the excellence and commitment of our incredible staff and teachers. To show our appreciation and gratitude, we try to celebrate our staff and teachers as much as we can, including a Welcome Back breakfast in the fall, lunch in the winter, and special meals and treats during Teacher Appreciation Week in May.
Senior Trip Buses
To celebrate their achievements and graduation from PS34, our 5th grade students go on a special field trip at the end of the year to Adventureland. The PTA covers the cost of the buses to the amusement park.
Parent Square
Parent Square is an important digital tool for school-home communication. The school administration and teachers use parent square to share school wide and classroom updates, message parents and more.
Operoo
The school administration uses Operoo for secure forms, emergency alerts and more.
PTA Operational Costs
As a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, the PS34 PTA has modest operating expenses including banking, insurance, and tax filing costs.
And lastly (but never least!) the pizzas we provide at all in-person PTA meetings. Check out this year’s meeting schedule and come join us! Bring the kids, we’ve got dinner covered.