This Week @ PS 88q

I hope everyone is enjoying their Spring Break. Whether you are observing Passover, or Easter, my wish is that you enjoyed the time with family.

What an unforgettable week at PS 88Q!

It is with immense pride and joy that I share some incredible news with you. This past Tuesday, ABC World News with David Muir, in partnership with Disney, visited our school to feature our amazing Disney Theatrical Program! For the past 10 years, this program has thrived thanks to the vision and commitment of Ms. Bawer, Ms. Fogarty, and Mr. Nolan, the original three recipients of the Disney grant. This year, they are joined by Mr. DeCastro and Ms. Verderber, continuing the tradition of excellence and opportunity in theater arts for our students. The ABC team was blown away by the talent of our students and the passion of our staff—and we can’t wait to share this story with the world when it airs!

But that was only the beginning.

On that same day, we were notified that our application for Small Class Size funding was approved—a major step toward ensuring all our students get the attention and support they deserve. To celebrate this momentous announcement, Mayor Eric Adams, Chancellor Aviles-Ramos, UFT President Michael Mulgrew, and CSA President Henry Rubio selected PS 88Q as the host site for a citywide press conference! Our building welcomed Deputy Chancellors, NYCPS Senior Leadership, Superintendents, principals from all five boroughs, and representatives from every major news outlet, alongside our incredible staff and students.

As I looked out into the audience, filled with dignitaries and leaders, it was the faces of our staff that stood out most. From first-year paras and teachers to veterans of three decades, every person beamed with pride. Their warmth, helpfulness, and unwavering school spirit did not go unnoticed—from offering directions and sharing snacks to bragging (rightfully!) about the school they love. I shared with district leadership afterward:
“The day continued with many emails, texts and phone calls of praise, but my response remained the same: I have to represent the hardest working, most passionate, and loyal staff in the city. They deserve nothing less than that.”

Ms. Agostino did an phenomenal job representing all of the staff at PS 88Q.

And the spotlight isn’t fading any time soon! NY1 will be onsite this week to profile our Disney team. And the ABC team will return next week to continue filming for their special feature. As soon as I learn when these incredible stories will air, I’ll be sure to share the details with you.

At PS 88Q, we know that parent voice and choice are powerful. The decision to entrust your child’s education to a school is deeply personal—and I am so happy that you have chosen PS 88Q. Your support, your partnership, and your unwavering belief in this school community make all of this possible.

We’re not just a school—we’re a movement, and I couldn’t be prouder to lead it.

Click Here to Watch Full Press Conference: https://www.youtube.com/live/mkmC2IyNPdY?si=VldEgcqRVy48ykn9

Ms. Vasquez was interviewed by Telemundo during the Mayor's press conference. Check out the interview! https://www.telemundo47.com/local/alcalde-eric-adams-anuncia-nueva-meta-educativa/2550835/

📅 April

• 📘 April 21: Students return from Spring Break

• 🧠 April 21: Gifted & Talented Application Opens (Grades 2 & 3)

• ✍️ April 22–23: NYS ELA Test (Grades 3, 4, 5)

• 🎨 April 22: Paint Night hosted by PS 88Q PAC @ 5:00 PM

• 🗣️ April 22: PTA Meeting @ 6:00 PM

• ☀️ April 24: Summer Rising Offers Released

• 👻 April 25: GRYC Beetlejuice Performance (In-School)

• 📚 April 25: Parent Workshop (Spanish) Special Education

• 🏫 April 28: SLT Meeting

🌸 May

• Parent Workshop (Special Education) English 9am

• ➕ May 6–7: NYS Math Test (Grades 3, 4, 5)

• 🐉 May 8: Asian Pacific Dance Company Assembly

• 🚪 May 9: Gifted & Talented Application Closes

• 🧸 May 13: Pre-K Offers Released

• 🔬 May 13: NYS Science Exam (Grade 5 ONLY)

• 🧠 May 19: SLT Meeting @ 5:00 PM

• 👶 May 20: 3K Offers Released

• 🗳️ May 20: PTA Meeting & PTA Elections

• 🇺🇸 May 26: No School – Memorial Day

• 🏃 May 28: Field Day (Grades K–2)

• 🏅 May 29: Field Day (Grades 3–5)

• 🌧️ May 30: Field Day Rain Date

🌞 June

• 🎉 June 4: #WeArePS88Q Event from 3:30 PM–6:30 PM

• 🕌 June 5: No School – Eid-al-Adha

• 📝 June 6: No Students – Clerical Day

• 🏫 June 9: SLT Meeting @ 5:00 PM

• 💌 June 11: Gifted & Talented Offers Released

• 🤝 June 17: PTA Meeting

• ✊ June 19: No School – Juneteenth

• 🍽️ June 20: Grade 5 Breakfast & Final Walk-Through

• 🎓 June 23: Grade 5 Commencement

• 🥳 June 24: Grade 5 Party

• 📅 June 26: Last Day of School

On Friday morning, Mr. DeCastro welcomed our 3K class into his room for a special visit. He introduced the children to bells and sang a song with them, using his ukulele and guiding them on when to ring their bells during the music. It required some patience, but the children caught on and did a great job!

Next, Mr. DeCastro used a familiar book, Hands Are Not for Hitting, and turned it into a song. The children were fully engaged from start to finish, and it was such a joyful and meaningful experience for all of us.

Thank you, Mr. DeCastro, for making time for us and creating such a welcoming, musical moment. We can’t wait to visit again!

Eligibility

For current 2nd and 3rd graders in NYC public schools

• Students are considered eligible if they satisfy the following grade requirements on their most recently available report card (as of March 2025). Once a child is deemed eligible, there is no ranking within eligible students based on differences in course grades.Have course grades of a 3 or 4, or the equivalent, on their report card in Math, Reading and Writing.Cannot have had a 1 in any marking period in Math, Reading, Writing, Social Studies and Science in the current school year. Eligible students will receive notification either by email or mail.
• Current students DO NOT have to reapply to remain at their current program for the upcoming school year.

• Eligibility to apply to G&T programs does not guarantee a G&T seat. Offers for eligible applicants will be determined based on families' application choices, programs' seat availability, and admissions priorities.
• All G&T programs give priority to siblings of current students enrolled or pre-registered for Fall 2025. Some programs also give priority to children who live in a specific district; however, G&T programs do not give priority to zoned families. Some programs also offer Diversity In Admissions(Open external link) initiatives. Individual program priorities are listed in the MySchools directory.
• All applicants will receive a results letter, but due to limited seats, not all eligible applicants will receive an offer to a G&T program. Families who receive offers will have the opportunity to accept or decline any offer that they receive.
• Families with eligible students will be able to add themselves to additional waitlists of G&T programs if desired

re proud to have such a strong partnership with our families, and our Parent Teacher Association is a major part of that relationship. During the year, our PTA will hold meetings as well as opportunities for families to become involved.

Our 2024-25 PTA Executive Board Members are:

PTA88President@gmail.com (Samantha, President)

PTA88Treasurer@gmail.com (Sabita, Treasurer)

PTA88Secretary@gmail.com (Camila, Recording Secretary)

Remember: YOU are the PTA! If you have a child at PS88, you are automatically a member of the PTA with voting privileges. Together, we make PS88 as vibrant and thriving as possible!

Check out the PS88 Family Facing Google Calendar or the PTA Calendar for events.

PTA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

These monthly meetings are for YOU, the membership, all of the parents/guardians of our PS88 students! This is where you can keep updated, learn about the school and opportunities to get involved, and bring up questions and concerns - no matter how big or small!

PTA General Membership Meeting dates and times are voted on by the membership in the beginning of the school year.

The 2024-25 Monthly PTA meetings will be on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6pm-7pm, unless otherwise noted:

10/15, 11/19, 12/17, 1/21, 2/11 (2nd Tu), 3/18, 4/22 (4th Tu),

5/20 (in person ONLY - Executive Board Elections), 6/17

• Meetings are in person and on Zoom, unless otherwise noted.

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/93552832400?pwd=djVSVDdQMW1JaEQwSFo3RndLanFuZz09

Meeting ID: 935 5283 2400

Passcode: 097712

• Spanish interpretation is always provided in person and on Zoom for every meeting. We are actively working to regularly offer interpretation in other languages. If you require interpretation in a specific language and/or have any questions, please email us!

• At every meeting, there will be kids activities organized and run by PS88 teachers, paras, and aides. So we can attend in person AND relax and concentrate!

Kindly RSVP for your child here (RSVPs are appreciated, but not required.): http://bit.ly/PTAMtgKidsActivity

• As automatic members of the PTA, these meetings are open to all parents/guardians of PS88 students.

ANONYMOUS FEEDBACK FORM

We strive to create an open, welcoming, safe space to communicate with each other as fellow parents and members of this wonderful PS88 community. But there still may be things you don’t feel comfortable bringing up in person. This form is the space to share!

Responses on this form are checked regularly and topics/questions will be addressed during PTA meetings and/or with the school administration.

There is always a place for your voice to be heard! You are safe here.

bit.ly/ParentNeeds202425

IMPORTANT LINKS:

PTA Public Facing Google Drive Folder:

(Agendas, Minutes, Budgets, ByLaws, other important info for parents)

https://bit.ly/PTA88_PublicFolder

Zoom Link to PTA General Membership Meetings:

https://zoom.us/j/93552832400?pwd=djVSVDdQMW1JaEQwSFo3RndLanFuZz09

Meeting ID: 935 5283 2400

Passcode: 097712

Get your PS 88Q gear! Check out our fundraiser here: https://mamasgotheart.com/collections/custom-designed-school-t-shirt-fundraiser