2007 ELA & Math Tests, and More, Are Online

Here are the links to the English Language Arts (ELA) and Math tests that Melanie mentioned during this morning's 4th Grade Parents Meeting:

2007 ELA Tests

ELA Sample Tests

2007 Math Tests

Math Sample Tests

The New York State Education Department home page on tests.

Days of Taste at PS 29: Restaurant Partners Needed!

PS 29 is a proud participant in the American Wine & Food Institute Days of Taste®, a discovery-based program that allows our fourth-grade children to learn about food and how it weaves its way through daily life from the farm to the table. AIWF NY Chapter's Days of Taste® is a four-day program that begins at PS 29 on Tuesday, October 7th, and is administered annually in New York City by Spoons Across America. In response to an overwhelming demand for Days of Taste, the program has been enhanced to empower the New York City public schools and neighborhood restaurants to partner together. The program reaches twenty-three schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. The goal is to present a high-quality children’s food education adhering to the official Days of Taste curriculum.

We are thrilled this year to have the generous, first-time partnership of two PS 29 families, via Bocca Lupo, owned by parent Jeff Lederman, and represented by Kenneth Tufo, and The Ritz-Carlton New York Battery Park, represented by Executive Chef Jacques Sorci & Pastry Chef Laurent Richard. Also participating are a Student Chef from City Tech's Hospitality Management program, and Cafe on Clinton with owner Charles Statelman (formerly of Patois fame), and Chef/former PS 29 parent Anthony Arbeeny.

At present, we are looking for one additional local restaurant to partner in this exciting nutrition education venture. Please contact parent coordinator Lisa DiLiberto,347.563.5386, ASAP if you are a neighborhood restaurant owner or chef or have any recommendations or contacts. The first planning meeting for chefs takes place at school on Monday, September 8th. Spoons Across America has already delivered the catering boxes and we're excited! This year, we will enhance Days of Taste via our Food & Farming initiative, using vegetables the kids have grown themselves in our school garden (which was recently written up by Principal Melanie Raneri Woods for the Peconic Trust's Quail Hill Farm Newsletter). Thanks in advance to the chefs and volunteers!

At PS 29, components of the Days of Taste program include:
DAY 1: Chefs provide the opportunity for students to taste different flavors and textures.
DAY 2: Visit to the Borough Hall Greenmarket.
DAY 3: Students and chefs prepare a salad together in the classroom.
DAY 4: Students visit your restaurant for a meal.

AIWF Days of Taste® helps children…
Build a food and nutrition vocabulary
Understand that locally grown foods are freshest
Experience and compare tastes
Develop “taste memories”
And provide social food experiences around the table.

Days of Taste's best successes illustrate a community spirit between New York City public schools, neighborhood restaurants, neighborhood greenmarkets and volunteers including school program leader, assistant school program leader, classroom teachers, principals, restaurant team (chefs & restaurant staff), food professionals, culinary students, greenmarket tour guides and CHILDREN! The successful focal point has been the ‘neighborhood’ to bring participants together for the best possible & tastiest educational experiences for the children.

In this age of fast and frozen foods, we want to teach school children about real food-where it is grown and how it is produced-so they can develop an understanding and appreciation of how good, fresh food is supposed to taste.—Julia Child