The PTA Pulse Newsletter | February 2026

February 2026

3/6 - Spring Gala
3/12 - PTA Meeting
3/27 - Talent Show
4/24 - Music Bingo

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Valentine’s Dance Brings Fun and Friendship

The cafeteria walls were shaking with noise – and this time it was welcome.

Third, fourth and fifth graders gathered for the Valentine’s Dance earlier in the month. Many of the girls (and some of the boys) were decked out in their finest for a Friday night of boogieing, pizza, socializing and prizes.

A deejay spun upbeat tunes that had everyone – boys and girls – hitting the floor. One highlight: “Doot Doot,” aka the 6-7 song. (So if your kids told you that whole thing was over, turns out, not quite.)

The deejay lured would-be wall flowers onto the floor by offering prizes for participation and creative moves.

“I had a great time with my friends,” said third grader Cristian Provenzano. “My favorite part was when Akira did the worm on the dance floor and won a Roblox gift card.”

Dance, Drums, and the Legacy of Alvin Ailey

The school assembly dedicated to Black History Month featured percussion and dance by the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. The performance also included history on Alvin Ailey, and what an important artist and activist he was.

During the assembly, the performers reminded us to “follow our hearts,” just like Alvin Ailey did. We also learned about African drums from Mali and how they are made. This assembly helped us understand why Alvin Ailey is celebrated during Black History Month.

There were two percussionists, Brother Desmond and Brother Gabriel, playing live drums. As well as two dancers, Jeriah and Misha. They made the kids in each assembly get up out of their seats and move. They also invited groups of kids up on stage while having the students in their seats learn the dance movements. The students and teachers were all engaged and had a great time!

“The kids liked it a lot. It was interactive, and they enjoyed being able to get up and dance while the others were on stage,” said Mrs. Megna, 4th grade teacher.

“I thought the drums were so cool, and I really liked how they let people get up on stage but kept the other kids in the auditorium up and dancing too. We all felt like part of the show. I also liked that it was on a Monday because it was a fun way to start out the week,” shared Clyde Roggenkamp, Student President & 5th grader.

Students and teachers learned about one of the greatest arts activists of our time while interacting and having fun.

A Book Fair to Remember

A couple of weeks ago, PS 185 hosted its annual Scholastic Book Fair, and once again, it was a tremendous hit! A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible volunteers and the amazing Book Fair Committee for bringing this event to life.

It was truly special to see the students’ excitement as they shopped with their friends—and heartwarming to witness their kindness, with many lending a few dollars to classmates who came up a bit short.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, there was also a wonderful selection of free books for any student who didn’t make a purchase.

Not only was it a fun and productive day for everyone, but it also gave us all a delightful break from the usual school routine.

EVENT GALLERY

The Brain Show, January 2026

Career Day, January 2026

Silent Disco (for Grades K-2), February 2026

Valentine’s Day Dance (for Grades 3-5), February 2026

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

A Night for PS 185: Our 2026 Spring Gala

Our annual Spring Gala, the PTA's biggest fundraiser of the year, will be held on March 6, 2026, at Dyker Heights Golf Course. This year's theme, Casino Royale, promises a fun-filled evening for our incredible PS 185 community.

The gala is more than just a night out. It's a chance for adults in our school community to come together, show their support for our school, and enjoy a few well-deserved hours away from the kids while raising funds that directly benefit our students. From the moment guests arrive, they'll step into an atmosphere of celebration, connection, and school pride.

The evening will feature exciting opportunities to win amazing prizes, including curated baskets filled with gift certificates from local businesses, family and adults-only vacation packages, bicycles, iPads, luxury goods, exclusive experiences, and special memorabilia. Whether you love to dance and celebrate on the floor or prefer to socialize in a quieter setting, this year's gala has something for everyone, including a dedicated space for guests who want to party a little more low-key.

We are also proud to honor Mrs. Rinaldi, a dedicated PS 185 teacher who’s retiring this year, and NYC Comptroller Justin Brannan, both of whose support and commitment to our community reflect the spirit of PS 185.

Behind the glamour of the evening is a tremendous amount of heart and hard work. As Gala Committee Chair and parent, Bill Doxey shared, "This year we have more than 20 parents volunteering their time to make the gala happen, and it truly reflects what makes PS 185 so special. Our kids are the 'why' behind all of it. Everything we're doing — from sponsorship outreach and journal ads to raffle baskets — is about creating opportunities and experiences that directly benefit them."

He adds that the process has been a true community effort. "People are bringing their professional skills, creativity, and networks to the table, answering emails late at night, organizing donations on weekends, and squeezing in outreach between work and family commitments. It's a ton of work, but it's fueled by pride in our school and love for our kids."

Bill also expressed gratitude to parents Lynette Roggenkamp and Monique Elefterakis for their gala committee leadership in past years, noting that their strong foundation continues to guide this beloved tradition.

At its core, the Spring Gala exists to support our children. The funds raised help provide programs, resources, and experiences that benefit the entire PS 185 student community.

TREASURER’S UPDATE

January was an active month on both the income and expense sides: we started to see significant income come in from the Gala, our biggest fundraising moment (+$12K), but offset by multiple big-ticket expenditures.

In addition to Gala-related costs (-$11K, gotta pay for the venue!), those included exciting academic and social programs -- we kicked off the second round of Project Based Learning (-$7K) and hosted the Brain Show (-$4K, partially offset by concession sales), both wonderful examples of how PTA funding can augment traditional academics to make learning extra fun for our kids.

Overall, we’re trending somewhat behind our fundraising goals, due to both increased Gala costs and softer membership contributions vs. expectations. We recognize this is a challenging time, but greatly appreciate anything you can give to support the kids -- membership contributions of any amount are always welcome, or consider going in with friends on a Gala Mega raffle ticket ($10K prize, do not need to attend the Gala to win).

The full monthly Treasurers’ report can be found here.

Thank you to our guest contributors!

Lynette Roggenkamp: parent of fifth graders Clyde, Lexy May, and Lilly Belle
Marcella Johansen: parent of fourth grader Addy

RESOURCES

PTA Website | Meet the Board | PTA Meetings | Email Us | Volunteer | Donate

PS 185 School Website | Parent Coordinator, Jen Kruger | Staff | Teacher Contacts

District 20 Website | Parent Engagement | Leadership | Tools for Families

NYC DOE Website | NYC Schools Account | TeachHub