This Week @ PS 88q

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful signs of spring!

This past week was a big one for our Grade 3, 4, and 5 students as they took the NYS ELA exam—on the computer, no less! I am so proud to share that everything went smoothly. Our students were focused, motivated, and truly showed the best of themselves.

I want to gently remind everyone that the NYS test is just one way we assess our students, and it is not a deciding factor about their abilities, talents, or potential. One of the things that has always been most important to me is creating a school culture where there is no test anxiety.

I shared a personal story with our students before the test: when I was a student, I often put tremendous pressure on myself during testing. My mother’s words always stayed with me during those moments — and even today:
"Linda, if you try your best, I will never be disappointed."
I shared with them that being prepared, whether for a test or anything in life, is the key to feeling confident. One of my favorite quotes by Abraham Lincoln says it perfectly:
"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
Preparation builds confidence, and at PS 88Q, our students are being prepared every single day — not just for a test, but for life. Our teachers do an incredible job teaching in authentic, meaningful ways — making our students active learners, thinkers, and problem solvers, rather than just recipients of information.

Beyond testing, this week was also filled with so many amazing moments around our school! From classrooms buzzing with creativity to hands-on learning projects, it was a week full of energy, excitement, and smiles.

Be sure to check out some of the videos we’ve shared — you’ll see firsthand just how much wonderful learning and joy fills our halls every day! And follow us on instagram! https://www.instagram.com/ps88_q/?hl=en

Please see below information regarding NYS Testing

📅 April

• 📘 April 21: Students return from Spring Break

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

• 🏫 April 28: SLT Meeting

🌸 May

• May 2: 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 27: May the Change Be With You Event

• 🏃 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

This amazing team comes in early to learn new cheers, practice dance moves, and have fun! PS 88Q's halls and classrooms are buzzing every day from 7:20am to 4:00pm! And on this day, they received their new pom-poms

What a day for our actors, dancers, singers and performers. The team, led by Ms.Bawer, Ms. Fogarty, Mr. Nolan, Ms.Verderber and Mr.DeCastro were ready to show NY 1 just what sets them apart. Frank DiLella was on site to feature the team for a piece on NY 1 ON STAGE. And if that wasn't enough, he brought the stars of Disney's Aladdin on Broadway. The students were so happy. Broadways Jasmine and Aladdin shared their journey and why they love the theater community. Our students will see first hand, as they are taking them to see their show on Broadway! I will share when the piece will be aired. Stay Tuned!

Our PS 88Q students for a day had a ball! Ms. Vasquez, Ms.Prima, Ms. Chrissie, Ms. Nikki, Ms. Pagan and Nurse Jaime showed their children what life is like at PS 88Q. The day started with getting their school ID's, breakfast with Ms.Herman and I, a performance of Beetlejuice, exclusive time in our new playground, visits to the classrooms, the nurses office, the gym, the principals office, the main office, the custodians office and a full tour of the cafeteria. They had lunch with student council, and got to discuss what was similar and what was different from their school. And I can guarantee, they all went home exhausted!

Akeem Roberts, author and illustrator of one of the books class 4-407 is reading "JD and the Great Barber Battle" visited the class on Friday. He spoketo the class about what it was like to write and draw for those books. It was a great talk on how and author writes a joke for a reader, how many times he has to advise his writing for his publisher, and how to draw some of his characters. Thank you Mr. Zielson for making this happen.

On Saturday, Ms.Henriquez, Ms.Mooney and I traveled to the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics for a whole day conference dedicated to supporting school leadership teams. It was filled with learning, as well as collaboration.

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

Get ready for 💐 TEACHER/STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK May 5-9 💐!

We have some special things planned for our much loved PS88 teachers and staff.

We need your help to make it all happen!

Sign up here to VOLUNTEER:

bit.ly/VOLUNTEERAppreciationWk2025

Sign up here to DONATE to the Raffle (or the other events we have planned):

bit.ly/DONATEAppreciationWk2025

No donation is too small! If you would like to donate or contribute in some way, but aren't sure what or how, please reach out to us and we can figure it out!

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week really is such a joyful week. It's a wonderful way to show some love to the teachers and staff. You get to meet everyone in the building and also meet fellow parents. We hope to see you there!

🌟 PTA EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTIONS and the next GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING are coming up on May 20th from 5:30pm-7pm. 🌟

As we announced at the 4/22 General Membership Meeting, we are proposing new roles to the Executive Board to make it a more equitable and enjoyable volunteer experience. You can review those roles in the PTA Public Folder: bit.ly/PTA88_PublicFolder

We hope you'll consider volunteering for a position! Nominations will be taken from the floor and will be voted on immediately in an expedited election.

Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns!

You can use the Anonymous Feedback Form or email us.

Your Executive Board,

Samantha PTA88President@gmail.com

Sabita PTA88Treasurer@gmail.com

Camila PTA88Secretary@gmail.com

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