It’s hard to believe, but we are down to our final 8 days of the school year. With the hustle of wrapping up another incredible year, planning ahead for 2025-2026, and getting ready to welcome nearly 800 students for Summer Rising, there’s not a minute that isn’t filled to the brim.

But within that busyness, there is always time for reflection.

The pride I feel for this community—our amazing students, dedicated staff, and supportive families—is truly immeasurable. Every day, I am reminded of how lucky I am to lead such a passionate, talented, and caring group of people. The work we’ve done together this year has made a lasting impact, and it’s because of each of you.

As we look ahead, I want to hear from you.
✨ What did you love this year?
✨ Who or what made a difference for your child or family?
✨ What could we do better?
✨ What would you love to see next year?

Please take a moment to share your thoughts using the link below. Your feedback helps shape the future of PS 88Q—it’s how we grow, improve, and continue to build a school that reflects the needs and strengths of our entire community.

➡️ https://forms.office.com/r/xkQguPRy6y

Our vision for PS 88Q has always been, and will always remain, a shared vision—rooted in collaboration, equity, and care.

As you can see from the dates below, we’re not winding down just yet—we’re making the most of every moment left. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey.

🎉 June Celebrations & Events

🎭 June 16: The Lion King Performance for 3K–Grade 5

😊 June 16-June 20: Kindergarten Stepping Up
🤝 June 17: PTA Meeting – Open Discussion: Charter vs Public School
🏀 June 18: Grade 4 & 5 Basketball Game and Staff vs PS 88Q Basketball Game
🎶 June 18: Band Performance @ 6:00 PM
✊ June 19: No School – Juneteenth
🍽️ June 20: Grade 5 Breakfast & Final Walk-Through
💃 June 20: Grade 5 Dance @ 12:00 PM

❤️ June 21: Fun Run @ 9:30am
🎓 June 23: Grade 5 Commencement Ceremony
📅 June 26: Last Day of School – Let Summer Begin!

🌴 Looking Ahead

☀️ July 2: First Day of Summer Rising

Watch the video below!!

Mark your calendars! On Wednesday, June 18th at 6:00 PM, PS 88Q’s Band and Chorus will take the stage for their highly anticipated end-of-year performance—and you will be blown away.

The talent of our student performers is nothing short of extraordinary. With powerful vocals, polished instrumentation, and show-stopping energy, this elementary school ensemble could rival any high school band. Their enthusiasm, fortitude, and motivation are palpable the moment they begin to perform.

Join us in the auditorium for an unforgettable evening that showcases the incredible dedication of our students and the guidance of their amazing music teachers, Mr. Dumont and Mr. DeCastro. You won’t want to miss this celebration of music, hard work, and heart!

Get ready for an exciting new opportunity coming to PS 88Q this fall — The Eagle’s Lens, a student-run digital media club where creativity meets storytelling! This amazing club is the project of Mr. Seeger.

The Eagle’s Lens is all about capturing the voices, moments, and stories of our school community in digital form. Whether you're behind a camera, editing a video, designing a graphic, or curating content for social media, this club gives students the chance to shine while building real-world media skills.

🎥 What Will Students Do?

• Video Production: Learn camera techniques, video editing, and how to tell a powerful story through film.

• Photography: Master the art of capturing the moment with framing, lighting, and composition.

• Graphic Design: Create eye-catching posters, thumbnails, and visuals using digital tools.

• Social Media Strategy: Plan and post content for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and more — responsibly and creatively.

🌟 Why It Matters

This club is more than just fun — it's impact beyond the classroom. Students will learn to communicate, collaborate, and think critically while amplifying the spirit and pride of PS 88Q through digital storytelling.

Want to see what it’s all about? Check out some of the incredible work and learn more here:
👉 The Eagle’s Lens – Official Site

The Eagle’s Lens is where student voice takes flight. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of something creative, collaborative, and unforgettable!

https://sites.google.com/view/the-eagles-lens/what-is-the-eagles-lens

https://www.youtube.com/@TheEaglesLens

Check out a preview below!

At PS 88Q, we believe that the heart of a great school is its people — educators who not only teach, but truly believe in the vision of the community they serve. As our school continues to grow and thrive — proudly participating in the Small Class Size Pilot — we are always seeking passionate staff who reflect our values and are ready to make an impact.

We look for individuals who:

• Listen deeply to what children need

• Embrace diversity and see it as a strength

• Approach challenges with a growth mindset

• Solve problems proactively and collaboratively

• Above all, are supported in their journey — professionally and personally

When you step into PS 88Q, you’ll find a team that believes in kids, lifts each other up, and works side-by-side to build something bigger than themselves.

To help share this message, Mr. Seeger — one of our incredible educators — directed, filmed, and produced a powerful recruitment video that captures the essence of PS 88Q. Because when it comes to telling our story, nobody does it better than the people who live it every day.

Whether you're a prospective educator or simply curious about our mission, we invite you to watch, listen, and feel what makes our school so special. Because at PS 88Q, we don’t just hire staff — we build a community.

June 2025

Dear Grade 5 Parents,

It is almost time for the Class of 2025 to begin their next chapter, but not before we celebrate their commencement. Please see the below information regarding graduation.

• Guests: Each graduate may have two guests for the ceremony. Graduates will sit together, and their guests will be assigned seats. Each graduate is limited to two tickets each for the ceremony. Please complete the form below so that we have all of the information to make this day as seamless as possible. There is also an opportunity to request additional tickets.

• https://forms.office.com/r/CSz89rVDDC

Graduation Day Procedure:

• Parents will begin to line up on Catalpa Road (outside the Main door) Families will enter through the Old Main Entrance.

• Guests will present their tickets and check in at the table at the entrance to the old main entrance. Staff will have the spreadsheet with the graduate’s name and guests. All guests must check in and present a ticket.

• Student volunteers will escort families to their seats. Upon reaching your seats, you will receive a program for the commencement.

• Students may attend school that day,or can choose to come with their families.

• Students will be called, row by row, in order by school staff to walk across the stage. and have their name called as they walk. A staff member will take the graduates picture as they cross the stage and all pictures will be shared the next day on an exclusive Grade 5 site. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VqqTAt5CreOJ0Q2_PMlxJIVzvJ0kRMPL?usp=sharing

• When the ceremony is over, families may take pictures in our large schoolyard. Photo props and decorations will be set up.

• There will be a live link on YouTube for family members.

Any questions, please feel free to reach out to me anytime!

Linda O’Shaughnessy

Principal, PS 88Q

loshaughnessy@schools.nyc.gov

Please join us for the final PTA Meeting of the year!

We will start the meeting with some quick business: recap this year, look forward to next year, approve the updated bylaws, and final and preliminary budgets. (Everything will be available for review in the Public PTA folder before the meeting.)

Then we will have a parent and teacher lead discussion on public schools vs charter schools. There are a lot of questions in the air with a charter school opening up around the corner here in Ridgewood. So we're going to talk about it! Come join the conversation or just listen in. This is for you!

Hope to see you all there:

Tuesday June 17

6pm-7pm

Room 111 and Zoom

Activity for kids during the meeting.

Spanish and Arabic interpretation available in person only.

Dear Families,

I’m so excited to welcome you to Summer Rising 2025 at PS 88Q! My name is Ms. Linda O’Shaughnessy, and I have the pleasure of serving as the Principal of PS 88Q. I will also be leading our Summer Rising program—and I couldn't be more thrilled to spend the summer with your children.

This year, we are expecting approximately 790 students, and together with our incredible partners at GRYC, we are planning to provide the best summer experience possible—one that blends academics, enrichment, and FUN in a safe, supportive, and joyful environment.

As principal, my first priority is always safety. I will be communicating regularly throughout the summer to keep you informed about important updates, reminders, and highlights. You can always reach me directly at loshaughnessy@schools.nyc.gov—please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

To help us prepare and support your child in the best way possible, please take a moment to fill out the form linked below. You can share any important details such as allergies, busing plans, or anything else you think we should know:

👉 Click here to share important info about your child

Thank you for joining us this summer—we can’t wait to get started!

Warmly,
Ms. Linda O’Shaughnessy
Principal, PS 88Q

loshaughnessy@schools.nyc.gov

Hello Families!

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming virtual workshop: Supporting My Child’s Social-Emotional Development. During this session, we’ll explore practical strategies to help nurture your child’s emotional well-being and strengthen their social skills at home.

Session Dates and Times:

• Tuesday, June 17 at 11:30 AM
• Tuesday, June 24 at 6:00 PM

Please find the flyers (available in all DOE-supported languages) and the registration link below. We hope you can join us and look forward to seeing you there!

A Summer Full of Opportunity

Dear Families and Colleagues,

Summer is almost here, but learning, growth, and opportunity persist year-round at New York City Public Schools. I’d like to highlight just a sample of the programming that will keep our students engaged and healthy this summer:

• Summer Rising: Summer Rising is our free, full-day academic and enrichment summer program for students currently in grades K-8. This year, we’re proud to add new enrichment areas like AI, sustainability, coding, and financial literacy. We are still extending offers to students at sites with available seats; learn more at nyc.gov/SummerRising.
• Summer Meals: All children and teens ages 18 and under can enjoy free meals this summer—no registration, ID, or documentation required. Meals are served at select NYC public schools, community pools, parks, and libraries. Visit our website for more information and locations.
• Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) Summer Sports, Fitness, and Recreation: Students entering grades 9-12 this fall can participate in free summer athletic training and recreation activities at select sites across the five boroughs. Students can find program details and register here.
• Summer at the Library: The city’s three public library systems are hosting programming throughout the summer for students of all ages. Check out our post on The Morning Bell for a summary of these opportunities.

Summer is a critical time for our young people to rest, enjoy the weather, and spend time with family and friends, but that doesn’t mean learning should pause. This summer, let’s encourage our students to take time to recharge—and provide them with opportunities to supercharge their learning.

In partnership,

Melissa Aviles-Ramos

Chancellor