This was a link to an OP ED piece in the Sunday Times in Katie’s Weekly Email to SMS Families.  Pat passed it along to Katie, who passed it along to us, the SMS community.  In case you missed it, here it is again:
How Mrs. Grady Transformed Olly Neal
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF   Published: January 21, 2012
http://nyti.ms/ACTmEf

Updated calendar, general information and registration forms now available online.  Click here to visit the Homework Club 101 page … see you after school!

Hi Everyone! 

Come to a FREE workshop with Julie Ross on Wednesday, March 17th from 1pm-2:30pm!   
The workshop will be held at Rutgers Presbyterian on 236 W. 73rd St., New York, NY. 

The topic will be SETTING APPROPRIATE LIMITS FOR TODAY’S CHILDREN: 
An absolutely essential workshop for parents of all children in our society today.  With children being influenced in so many different ways- through television, advertising, music and more- it’s important that parents have effective skills for setting limits based on their personal values.  This workshop takes a respectful look at the child’s world and helps parents recognize the importance of setting limits for their children.  Further, it gives parents effective, easy to implement, proven techniques that WORK!  These skills empower parents and children alike.  Parents’ confidence soars as they put these tools into practice and see their children taking responsibility for their own actions, thinking through the consequences of their actions beforehand, and learning how to distinguish right from wrong. 

Date: Wednesday, March 17th 
Time: 1pm-2:30pm 
Location: Rutgers Presbyterian Church W. 73 St. NYC, 10024 

The workshop is free but RSVP required!  PLEASE CONTACT RUTGERS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DIRECTLY! 
Contact Jennifer Moore at jmoore@rutgerschurch.org or call 212.877.8227 x212

If you have been looking for the Theory Department Curriculum Manual, here it is!  Please feel free to download a copy.

Get your current copy of the SMS UpBeat right here!  Great articles from students and faculty and Kaufman Center staff.  More articles, a new school spirit, lots of fun.!
January 2012 SMS UpBeat

For past editions of UpBeat from this school year, go to the UpBeat page.

The auction is over and what a great success it was.  Over $6,500 in bids!
Thank you Jhoanna, Natanya and Nora for all your hard work
and making this such a rousing success.  Fundraising Rocks.

For more information, visit the auction page.

Start your Amazon.com shopping at SMSParents.com and the PTA gets a commission on everything you buy from Amazon: books, music, electronics, home and garden, even gift cards. Tell your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors – the more the merrier.

Click any Amazon ad on SMSParents.org or use the search box in the right column to start your Amazon shopping and support the SMS PTA.

Check out Amazon’s great deals on computers, smartphones, Kindles, video games and more!

New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) is an ongoing PARTNERSHIP & FUNDRAISER for the PTA.  The PTA receives a percentage when you visit http://www.gkids.tv/intheaters.cfm — select “Special Music School of America, The” in the green box in the top third of the page that prompts select my school or organization, and buy tickets to films.  Keep an eye on your emails, as well, for notices of specials and upcoming events from NYICFF … there is always something good going on!

Looking for information on Homework Club, Chess Club, Karate Kids?  Need a PTA Dues Form … click the link to the SMS Parents.org Forms Page … all the information you need is there.  Thank you.