This Week @ PS 88Q

I hope everyone had a wonderful return to school! There are so many great things about last week. Our staff returned to the building to prepare, our students and families returned, and our large school yard finally was available to our students. I have a feeling it is just the beginning of what I feel will be an amazing year!

Thank you all for your trust and patience this first week. We changed our arrival and dismissal areas according to our new available space. For our second and third graders last year, nothing changed, as they still exit the same doors in the front as last year, but for grade 5, they now exit through the Catalpa Avenue exit. Our grades K, 1 and 2 all exit through the large school yard. It is imperative that our students are dismissed "hand to hand" with their adults for safety reasons. It is greatly appreciated how patient you have been. It does get easier!

This year, we have all of our extra-curricular opportunities return, plus a whole lot more! Many families have asked when they will begin. In the next few weeks, I will send home details for our before school and afterschool activities which will support grades K-5. Clubs and activities will begin in October. Stay tuned!

Thursday, September 12th we open our doors to you and your family to come meet all of our teachers, and to see our beautiful school. Teachers will be sharing what to expect this year, as well as answer any questions you may have. Come visit not only your child's classroom teachers, but their art, music, PE, and coding teacher. If your child has speech services our speech teachers are here too. Our PTA will be on site as well, so touch base with them about how to get involved this school year. Ms. Lowe, Ms. Herman and I will be hosting a Q and A throughout the evening, so be sure to drop by the auditorium! We are excited for you to walk the halls of PS 88Q!

Have a great week, and I will see you all Thursday from 3:30pm-6:30pm!

All families received in their personal email forms for the 2024-2025 School Year from Operoo. The media release form and the walk home alone form. Please complete them this week. No students are permitted to walk home alone without a completed permission slip from the parent. Any questions, reach out to Ms. Jackie (Jpepe4@schools.nyc.gov) and Ms. Ivett (iperezlopez@schools.nyc.gov)

If you would like to drop off your child's school supplies, please bring them to the main lobby, labeled with your child's class and name, and we will deliver them!

We are so excited to have our space back, and it is amazing! It is still in the final stages, with painting (the track, and basketball courts) and other finishing touches being done daily. Our students will have access to the large yard during the school day. When we are all done, we will have an official opening and ribbon cutting.

Our small playground with the playground equipment is not yet open for our students. There are a few more final touches that must be completed before students are permitted to play on it.

The playground and the large yard is not open outside of school hours at this time. As our yard is part of the PlanNYC (https://www.nycgovparks.org/greening/planyc/schoolyards), it will be officially opened to public only after all construction is complete. Some of the details that are still planned is the landscaping, additional fencing, labeling of the playground equipment (age appropriate), benches for the chess table, canapy for the play equipment, additional planters, and a few more items.

Prior to the play equipment being cleared for use, a permission slip will be sent home regarding the equipment. There are two units, one for ages 2-5 years old and the other for ages 6 and up. I will also host and open house for parents prior to opening the equipment.

Please see PS 88Q School-Parent Compact. I would love to hear any feedback you have. Please email me by September 30th, or come see me during Meet The Teacher.

PS 88Q, in compliance with the Section 1116 of Title I, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), is implementing a School-Parent Compact to strengthen the connection and support of student achievement between the school and the families. Staff and parents of students participating in activities and programs funded by Title I, agree that this Compact outlines how parents, the entire school staff and students will share responsibility for improved academic achievement and the means by which a school-parent partnership will be developed to ensure that all children achieve State Standards on assessments.

Provide high quality curriculum and instruction consistent with State Standards to enable participating children to meet the State’s Standards and Assessments by:

• using academic learning time efficiently;

• respecting cultural, racial and ethnic differences;

• implementing a curriculum aligned to the State Learning Standards;

• offering high quality instruction in all content areas;

• providing instruction by highly qualified teachers and when this does not occur, notifying parents as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA);

Support home-school relationships and improve communication by:

• conducting parent-teacher conferences each semester during which the individual child's achievement will be discussed as well as how this Compact is related;

• convening an Annual Title I Parent Meeting each school year for parents and family members of students participating in the Title I program to inform them of the school's Title I status and funded programs and their right to be involved;

• arranging additional meetings at other flexible times, e.g., morning, evening and providing (if necessary and funds are available) transportation or child care for those parents who cannot attend a regular meeting;

• respecting the rights of limited English proficient families to receive translated documents and interpretation services in order to ensure participation in the child's education;

• providing information related to school and parent programs, meetings and other activities is sent to parents of participating children in a format and to the extent practicable in a language that parents can understand;

• involving parents in the planning process to review, evaluate and improve the existing Title I programs, Parent and Family Engagement Policy and this Compact;

• providing parents with timely information regarding performance profiles and individual student assessment results for each child and other pertinent individual school information;

• ensuring that the Parent and Family Engagement Policy and School-Parent Compact are distributed and discussed with parents each year;

Provide parents reasonable access to staff by:

• ensuring that staff will have access to interpretation services in order to effectively communicate with limited English speaking parents;

• notifying parents of the procedures to arrange an appointment with their child's teacher or other school staff member;

• arranging opportunities for parents to receive training to volunteer and participate in their child's class, and to observe classroom activities;

• planning activities for parents during the school year, e.g., Parent-Teacher Conferences;

Provide general support to parents by:

• creating a safe, supportive and effective learning community for students and a welcoming respectful environment for parents, and guardians;

• assisting parents in understanding academic achievement standards and assessments and how to monitor their child's progress by providing professional learning opportunities (times will be scheduled so that the majority of parents can attend);

• sharing and communicating best practices for effective communication, collaboration and partnering with all members of the school community;

• supporting parental involvement activities as requested by parents and family members;

• ensuring that the Title I funds allocated for parent involvement are utilized to implement activities as described in this Compact and the Parent and Family Engagement Policy;

• advising parents of their right to file a complaint under the Department's General Complaint Procedures and consistent with the Title I requirement for Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Title I programs;

monitor my child's attendance and ensure that my child arrives to school on time as well as follow the appropriate procedures to inform the school when my child is absent;

• ensure that my child comes to school rested by setting a schedule for bedtime based on the needs of my child and his/her age;

• check and assist my child in completing homework tasks, when necessary;

• read to my child and/or discuss what my child is reading each day (for a minimum of 15 minutes);

• set limits to the amount of time my child watches television or plays video games;

• promote positive use of extracurricular time such as, extended day learning opportunities, clubs, team sports and/or quality family time;

• encourage my child to follow school rules and regulations and discuss this Compact with my child;

• volunteer in my child's school or assist from my home as time permits;

• participate, as appropriate, in the decisions relating to my child's education;

• communicate with my child's teacher about educational needs and stay informed about their education by prompting reading and responding to all notices received from the school or district;

• respond to surveys, feedback forms and notices when requested;

• become involved in the development, implementation, evaluation and revision to the Parent and Family Engagement Policy and this Compact;

• participate in or request training offered by the school, district, central and/or State Education Department to learn more about teaching and learning strategies whenever possible;

• take part in the school's Parent Association or Parent-Teacher Association or serve to the extent possible on advisory groups, e.g., Title I Parent Advisory Council, School or District Leadership Teams;

• share responsibility for the improved academic achievement of my child;

attend school regularly and arrive on time;

• complete my homework and submit all assignments on time;

• follow the school rules and be responsible for my actions;

• show respect for myself, other people and property;

• try to resolve disagreements or conflicts peacefully;

• always try my best to learn.

We are excited to launch a new resource for our families, PS 88Q PARENT UNIVERSITY. This site is a live, and ever updating site with so many resources as well as information for our families. One of our Chancellors Priorities, Priority 5 is "All districts and schools are more inclusive and responsive for parents and families, including having more families choose NYC Public Schools". As a parent myself, I know how important it is to not only know and understand what is going on, but would like to know how I could get involved. This begins with open communication, and information. Check out the new site, PS 88Q Parent University. It aligns to all our communication (newsletters, emails) so it is a great place to find anything that is shared.

Each school year, all of our families complete the Family Income Survey. You may wonder why it is so important. When all of our families complete the form, this helps us qualify for Title I funding. Title I funding is a huge asset to our school. For example, this school year, Title I funding is approximately $450,000. This funding helps all students, through staffing, extra-curricular programs, and supplies. Please complete the form online to ensure that our funding remains.

As a reminder, there is no parking in front of the school (Catalpa Avenue) and in the back (68th Road) especially at dismissal. Our multiple school buses pick up our students on Catalpa Avenue, and no cars are permitted to park in front of the building. This is a safety concern. When buses pull up, they do extend their stop sign, which does hold up traffic. Double parking prevents buses from coming down the block as well. I am at dismissal (Mrs. O'Shaughnessy) in the front, and will ask cars to move if you are parked there.

In the rear, all families are exiting through the large school yard. Please do not double park, or block the entrance to the school yard.

When GRYC begins, this reduces the number of students at dismissal, as well as students who do walk home alone, but safety is always our greatest concern. The 104 Precinct will be present giving tickets to any cars parked in the No Standing School Days area

Each week the newsletter is shared many ways:

• Direct email
• Through the NYCPS Messenger App
• On the website
• On Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ps88_q/)
• On Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/P.S.88QPTA)
• From teacher Dojo

If you would like to receive it via email, and are not currently receiving at your email, please click below

We hope everyone had a great first 2 days of school!

Thursday September 12th is the big PS88 Open House Event. The PTA will have a table set up where you can get info, ask questions, or just chat. We'll also have some treats, so be sure to stop by and say hi!

Wednesday September 18th at 6pm will be the first monthly General Membership Meeting of the year. "General Membership" means YOU! These monthly meetings are where you can get to know other families, learn more about the school and what's going on, and bring any questions or concerns - no matter how big or small. Meetings are always in person (usually in the Auditorium) but there will also be a Zoom link (we get it, life happens!). There are always activities for the kids during the meeting, which are planned and run by our amazing teachers, paras, and aides - yup, that means the adults can actually concentrate and maybe even relax!

Please fill out the Annual PTA Parent Survey: https://bit.ly/202425_PTASurvey

Based on the results of this survey, we'll schedule the General Membership Meetings for the rest of the year, and will be able to better plan and communicate with you.

Returning families: Please fill out this year's survey. We will update all of our mailing lists from this survey and don't want you to get left off!

We're so excited to see you all again and to welcome our new families to the PS88 community!

I know how hard it is to stay connected! If you are like me, you have 2 or 3 different emails (yes, I am still hanging on to my aol account as well as outlook and gmail). You probably have multiple platforms of information you check regularly, like me too! Then of course, there is the phone, and its many apps! Sometimes to much is too much! In order to start you off this year, I am going to share a few of the must haves for a parent.

• Access to your child's NYCSA (New York City Schools Account). THIS IS A MUST! This is your one place to access all of YOUR CHILD'S information. It is specific to you, as it includes information that only a parent or guardian are privy to. This includes report cards, attendance, IEP, bus route information, and all student documents. If you do not have access to this, please attend my information session in September. Only adults who are listed as legal guardians can access their students information.
• School-wide Communication: Each week, I create a newsletter which communicates information, as well as highlight the past week @ PS88Q. For those of you who know, it is a Sunday ritual for me! It is filled with links, and current information. I email it to families, as well as post it on social media, and our website. Our teachers also share it on Dojo. But if for some reason you don't see it those ways, here is the link for every newsletter! https://secure.smore.com/u/studenta6
• Class Specific Two-Way Communication: Class Dojo or Remind. Each classroom teacher has a DOE approved app (Dojo or Remind) that they use to communicate classroom specific information. Please make sure you are connected. Classroom teachers will share this app the first week.

Here are some other ways to stay connected:

• Check our website https://www.ps88q.com/ for any questions you have. I have updated it over the summer. It includes all staff emails, curriculum details, student clubs and extra curricular activities, calendars, videos, podcasts, etc. It is a great hub for you to perhaps answer some of your questions, or to inform you of some questions you may have. This website is for all families, prospective families, and the community.
• NEW this year is the Parent University. This is something I created that houses information that families need, AND to post opportunities for parent learning. During the year, we will host many in person, and virtual workshops and learning opportunities for families. https://sites.google.com/schools.nyc.gov/ps88parentuniversity/home
• Attend my monthly Coffee with Mrs. O'Shaughnessy and Coffee with Ms. Ivett, our Parent Coordinator.
• And most important, attend our PTA meetings. During the monthly meeting, you can find out ways to support PS 88Q, join sub committees, and meet other families.