 Daily Announcements 
 To the Amber family,
Today (7/16/08), at a special board meeting, we accepted Rafael Ortiz's resignation as Amber's Head of School effective July 31, 2008. We also appointed Dr. Vasthi Reyes to become Interim Head of School effective August 1, 2008. I am sure you all join me to wish Rafael well on his new endeavors and thank him for his leadership during the past three years.
We also ratified the creation of a new instructional position, Lead Teacher, amending our UFT contract to include the new position. We thank our teachers for voting affirmatively in creating this new instructional role.
Hope everyone is having a pleasant summer.
--Luis Miranda, Chairperson, Board of Directors
Parents' Association Announces 2008-09 Amber Charter School
School Activities
All families are asked to hold the following dates for great events. For more information, please contact PA Co-Presidents Ms. Teresa Ingram and Ms. Tiarrah Braswellat (212) 534.9667 or PA@ambercharter.org.August 4-8 Uniform Exchange, drop-offs August 22 Bronx Zoo (Incoming Kindergarteners) August 28 or 29 Uniform Exchange & Purchases September 8 First Day of School / Boo-Hoo Breakfast (incoming Kindergarteners) September 22 October 3 - Catalog Fundraiser October 3 2nd Floor Ice Cream SocialOctober 10 3rd Floor Ice Cream Social
October 17 4th Floor Ice Cream Social
October 24 5th Floor Ice Cream Social
October X PA-Sponsored K-2 Trip (Queens County Farm Musem?)
December 1-5 Scholastic Book Fair
December 3-4 Scholastic Book Fair Family Nights &z Food Drive
February 13, 2009 Winter Break-Dance
May 29 Olympic Day
Other activities under consideration: Mentor program for upper grades, Carnival, Saturday Program, Game Night, Movie Nights, Walk - a - Thon, Box Tops, Silent Auctions, Penny Harvest, Ice Cream Social, Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Dance, Flea Market, Grandparents Get Together, Holiday Party, Girl Scouts & Boy Scouts, Valentines Day Dance, Winter Olympics (Indoors); Volunteer Opportunities Each child in grades 4 - 6 must complete 2 community service projects in the school year.
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Jobs @ Amber Charter School [ jobs@ambercharter.org]
Wanted for Fall 2008: NYS Certified Elementary School Teachers & Teacher Assistants More...
 Amber Charter School is a "School In Good Standing" as per the New York State Department of Education for the school year 2007-08.
All members of the community should be aware that Amber has held this designation since its inception in 2000. (This message is in compliance with NYSED/Title 1 requirements to make public our status.)
From the Heart of a Parent--A New Year's Tribute
My name is Teresa Ingram and I am Co-President of the Parents’ Association at Amber Charter School. My daughter, Tarin, is an Amber 1st grader. We travel to Amber from the South Bronx every day. It is a long commute, especially in the evening after a long day. However, it is a rare day that doesn’t see my happy 7 year old at her desk in Miss Jennifer’s class. In fact, she has maintained perfect attendance this school year. Sometimes I test her. I say, “Tarin, let’s stay home today. We can go to the Bronx Zoo.” Her response: “I don’t think Miss Jennifer would like that. I have to go to school.”
Each day, as I send my smiling child to the cafeteria for breakfast and the morning Pledge of Allegiance, I never wonder why she’s so enthusiastic and happy to be going off to school every day. I know why. Amber is a place where every person is made to feel like family. At Amber, we greet each other by first name (with the requisite Miss or Mr. in place to show respect to adults). At Amber, children are greeted with smiles and hugs and the staff and teachers know all their names. There is loving discipline and consequences, if necessary, but not without learning and talking – and the opportunity for redemption-- behind them. There is fun and social time. Most importantly, especially from a parent’s perspective, there is innovative learning taking place at Amber every day. And Amber children aren’t just learning the “3 Rs”. Amber children are learning how to be good citizens. Amber children are learning how to take their place in a global, technological world. Amber children are learning to become tomorrow’s leaders.
 Lowes Library Grant at Amber Underway
The Lowes Foundation, through a competition overseen by the National Council of La Raza, has awarded Amber a $20,000 grant towards the library. The grant will allow us to purchase new books, DVDs/tapes, equipment and do small renovation suitable for the library. Parents have participated in a workshop on library functions and have received their own guides to improving reading for their children.
 Vivaldi, deBussy, and Mozart, Oh Music!
HORIZON CONCERTS PERFORM CLASSICAL MUSIC AT AMBER
Horizon Concerts plays Amber all week. Horizon Concerts is a not-for-profit organization that has brought free concerts to tens of thousands of people of all ages throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Founded in 1975, Horizon Concerts is commited to improving the quality of life in New York City communities through music. Now headed by Music Director DAVID ROSENMEYER, Horizon Concerts continues to expand its mission to reach more school children each year, thus ensuring that classical music will have a place in the hearts of future generations. More...
Lateness Policy Reminder
 Amber Charter School is One of America's Best 50 Charter Schools!
Washington, DC--The Center for Education Reform (CER) has announced Amber Charter School is one of America's best 50 charter schools.
CER creates opportunities for and challenges obstacles to better education for America's communities. Founded in 1993, CER combines education policy with grassroots advocacy to foster positive and bold education reforms. For more information, visit www.edreform.com.  CER.docx
Amber Discovers East Harlem!
Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
FOIL NOTICE --Amber Charter School’s Adherence to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
Open House Schedule
For 2008 – 09
Academic Year
If you are interested in having your child attend our school,
come to one of our Open Houses.
For New Kindergarten & First Grade Students Only!*
January 2008: 23 (9:00am – 10:00am) & 30 (5:30pm – 6:30pm)
February 2008: 13 (5:30pm – 6:30pm) & 26 (9:00am – 10:00am)
March 2008: 13 (9:00am – 10:00am) & 26 (5:30pm – 6:30pm)
April 1, 2008: Lottery Day (4:15pm)
Please Call 212-534-9667, ext 101 or 102 to sign-up!
Address: 220 East 106th Street
New York, NY 10029
Open to birthdates:
January 1 - September 1, 2003 for Kindergarten
January 1 – September 1, 2002 for First Grade
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From the Headmaster
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