I hope everyone had a wonderful week. Even with the day off in the middle of the week, it was a busy week here at PS 88Q!

What a wonderful week we’ve had! Our entire school had the joy of experiencing a vibrant and engaging performance celebrating Chinese culture. From our youngest learners in 3K to our big kids in 5th grade, everyone was captivated! A huge thank you to our Social Justice Committee for making this incredible opportunity happen for our students.

We also have something special to celebrate—eight of our amazing teachers have been nominated for the Big Apple Teacher Awards this week! What makes this even more meaningful is that these nominations came from YOU, our families. Your appreciation and support mean the world to us! Congratulations to:

🌟 Melissa Agostino
🌟 Valentina Becker
🌟 Gina Prinzevalli
🌟 Gary Nolan
🌟 Tommy Brunhuber
🌟 Kaylene Vasquez
🌟 Christina Stiebel
🌟 Eric Rodeschin

The process continues with a next round, and we are so proud of each of them. I also want to extend our gratitude to all of our incredible staff who go above and beyond every day, and to our families who took the time to recognize their dedication.

Our Grade 5 Basketball Team and our Cheer Squad hit the road for a travel game on Thursday. They fell to PS 58 to a buzzer beater, but no sad faces there! They all got to meet Quinn Cook, for NBA player. We are bringing him to PS 88Q to meet all of our students.

What a great turnout at our bi-weekly Coffee and Conversation this week! For the week of February 10-14th, stay tuned for a daily read aloud inviting families each morning in our updated library.

And what a night at PTA Movie Night! Thank you to the PTA for creating a wonderful night out!

Please see the bottom of this newsletter for SUMMER RISING INFORMATION. SHH...ITS AT PS 88Q!!

This week we are hoping for warmer temperature, so that our students can get back on the playground equipment!

Wishing you all a fantastic week!

Our Saturday Academy is in full swing! One of the amazing components of our program is the Project Based Learning that our students, from Grades K-5 participate in. This year, our PBL revolves around gardening, sustainability, and food security. This week they had as special visitor, Mr. Sunflower. Can you guess who that is?

Additionally, while our students are learning, so are their families! English classes and yoga complete our Academy.

This week, our student government are excited to launch their campaign for the Participatory Budget proposals!

Below, you will find three posters for each proposal, which provide an overview of what they entail. Students are engaged in this process and understand the importance of how the grant money is being allocated to enhance our school community.

Families, take the time to discuss the proposals, as this is a fantastic opportunity for them to learn about budgeting and decision-making in a real-world context.

Our student government, along with our student-grade representatives will be visiting each classroom this Monday to campaign for the three proposals that the students will be voting on.

Voting will take place on Thursday, February 13th. Students will have the chance to cast their votes in the auditorium, where we aim to replicate a real voting experience.

This is an exciting moment for our students, as they will have a voice in determining how the Participatory Budget funding will be utilized to improve our school. Your involvement as families in guiding and encouraging them through this process is invaluable, and together we can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility within our community!

National School Counseling Week 2025, "School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive," will be celebrated February 3-7, 2025, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

Our amazing Guidance Counselor, Mr. Carlos Canales, does this work every day! Let's show him some love and appreciation.

Our Gardening Club created bird feeders for our feathered friends. Stay tuned for our very own Hydroponic Growing System that will be in house for all seasons growing!

PS 88Q is excited for Respect For All Week. The Respect For All Policy lives within our school every day, but this week is dedicated to highlighting our policy and practices everywhere!

The NYC Public School Respect For All Policy is:

The NYCDOE is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and/or bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination on account of actual or perceived race, color, age, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, or weight.

Here is a preview, but stay tune for a week full of activities for our students, our families and our community!

Monday: Express Yourself: Represent You! Dress how you like, that makes you feel proud of who you are! Represent your culture, your family history, basically YOU!

Tuesday: KIndness: Wear Yellow! “There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” — Vincent Van Gogh

Wednesday: All You Need Is Love: “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”—Buddha

Thursday: Anti-Bullying and Cyberbullying: Wear Blue

Friday: Wear Red: Nobody Eats Alone Day

Please see below the NYC Discipline Policy that describes in detail each infraction and its consequences.

This week was our superintendent's last week. Ms. Caccavale will be missed, as her service to the District 24 community, especially PS 88Q is greatly appreciated. Please see her farewell message.

Dear District 24 Staff, Students, Parents and Guardians,

I hope this letter finds everyone well!

This message is a difficult one to write. After 40 years of service in the Department of Education, including ten year in District 24 and two years as the proud Community Superintendent of District 24, I will be retiring on Friday, January 31, 2025.

I have loved working in District 24! It has been the opportunity of a lifetime and I will miss everyone deeply.

I know that the District will thrive with its amazing District team and YOU all, the incredible individuals who care for students and their families!

Please stay well and be kind to one another.

District 24 is unique, and I am confident that you will continue to shine.

Thank you for all of the wonderful memories!

I look forward to hearing about your continued success!

Superintendent Caccavale

NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR MELISSA AVILES-RAMOS, DYCD COMMISSIONER KEITH HOWARD ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF 2025 SUMMER RISING ENROLLMENT PERIOD

Applications will open on March 4

In response to feedback from families and communities, additional enrichment activities to be woven into morning academics

New York, NY – Today, New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Keith Howard announced that the application for 2025 Summer Rising seats will open on March 4. One of the city’s most popular programs, "cultivating curiosity" and a lifelong joy of learning. This year’s program, as part of our commitment to listening and responding to families, will include more enrichment programming during the academic portion of the day.

“Summer Rising is about creating an environment where students feel inspired, engaged, and supported. The program, emerging from the needs of students after the pandemic, is constantly evolving based on the feedback of our school communities. That’s why this year, we’re enhancing the program by weaving in more enrichment activities during the academic day,” said Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos. “We know that the learning experience extends beyond the classroom, and we’re committed to providing our students with a fun and educational summer that fosters curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.”

“Summer Rising is more than a program—it’s a commitment to strengthening our families and providing safe and enriching activities for the city’s young people,” said DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard. “The mayor’s unwavering dedication to investing in our communities is a powerful beacon of hope, equipping our young people with the vital tools they need to thrive both academically and socially. DYCD is excited to join NYCPS, our outstanding CBO partners, and elected officials to kick off another season of safety, learning, and unforgettable moments that will last a lifetime.”

Any student attending school in New York City, who is currently in kindergarten through eighth grade (in the 2024-2025 school year) is eligible for Summer Rising. Similar to last year, placements will be assigned with a focus on equity, including prioritizing students with academic needs, 12-month Individualized Education Program (IEP) programs (Chapter 683, Extended School Year, and Autism Nest or Horizon), students in temporary housing and foster care, and with a local connection to a school-year CBO program or school community.

Kindergarten through grade eight students will also have access to other resources and academic support, including teacher-led English language arts and mathematics activities tailored to meet their needs, alongside field trips and arts activities. DYCD-funded community-based organizations will provide kindergarten through eighth grade programming at New York City public schools in all five boroughs.

Six weeks of programming for middle school students, and seven weeks for elementary school students, operating Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 6:00PM, will be available in July and August. Both programs will begin on July 2, with middle school programming ending on August 8 and elementary school programming ending on August 15.

Applications will open in MySchools on March 4 and the deadline to apply is March 28. All families who apply by the deadline will receive their results in April. We ask that families accept or decline their offers by the deadline noted when they receive their results. Visit nyc.gov/SummerRising for more information.

# # #

About New York City Public Schools: New York City Public Schools is a testament to the history and impact of urban education in the United States. With over 1,600 schools spread across five boroughs, the system is made up of approximately 1.1 million students and staff, making it the largest public school system in the nation. These schools employ more than 75,000 teachers who deliver a rich tapestry of educational experiences to a student body that reflects the city's vibrant and diverse cultural heritage. This network of educational institutions represents not just the scale of New York City's commitment to public education, but also its dedication to fostering a learning environment that is as dynamic and diverse as the city itself.

Our Social Justice Committee is always taking care of our community! For all families who donate new socks or pajamas at the Cozy Movie Night, you will receive a NO HOMEWORK PASS! I will be at the entry door collecting, and distributing the NO HOMEWORK PASS TO ALL FAMILIES WHO DONATE!

It has been wonderful meeting our future families at our Open Houses! Over the course of the last two months, we have hosted 10 Open Houses! Kindergarten applications closed on Friday, January 24th, but 3K and Pre-K is open until February 28th. We will host additional open houses in February. Many of our families asked some of the questions below:

• What time does the school day start and end?
• The day begins at 8:00am and ends at 2:20pm. Early dropoff is available at 7:30am Tuesday-Friday. We do partner with Supermoon for aftercare.
• Do students have to be toilet trained?
• Students do not have to be toilet trained.
• What does the school day look like?
• Our program is an authentic early childhood program that includes the following:
• Family Style breakfast, morning meeting, center time, gross motor play, family style lunch, nap time, afternoon meeting, read alouds, small group instruction.
• What curriculum do we use?
• We use the NYCPS approved curriculum, Creative Curriculum.
• Are parents part of the program?
• Yes! You bring them into the classroom each morning, and enter the classroom at dismissal. Each class hosts many parent events, and culminating events as well. Teachers communicate daily through messaging apps and through a classroom Padlet.
• What is the after care program?
• Supermoon operates on site. Information is below
• https://www.ps88q.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=4415750&type=d&pREC_ID=2648772&tota11y=true
  

hank you SO MUCH to all of the amazing parents who volunteered at Family Movie Night: It was such a fun evening thanks to you!

The changes we made this year were a huge success and we're looking forward to future Family Movie Nights at Cinema 88!

🍿🎞️🍿📽️🍿

The next General Membership Meeting is Tuesday February 11th from 6pm-7pm.

As always, there will be activities for the kids while the parents meet.

Also on Tuesday February 11th at 9:30am is the PS88 Town Hall Safety Meeting.

Our local NYPD 104th Precinct will be there speaking about Subway Surfing, as it becomes a bigger and bigger issue in Ridgewood.

There will also be plenty of time for you to ask any questions that you are concerned about!

The Anonymous Feedback Form will be open the entire school year.

bit.ly/ParentNeeds202425

This is a place for you to express any concerns you might not feel comfortable bringing up in person.

Responses are checked regularly and topics will be pulled from here to be addressed during PTA meetings and with the school administration.

There is always a place for your voice to be heard!

Other upcoming PTA Events:

March 18, 20, OR 24: To be confirmed. CEC24 Candidate Forums. Get to know the candidates that will be representing YOU on the Community Education Council

March 22: Spring/Summer Caring Closet - 3K and PreK Parent volunteer sign-ups will be open soon

April: Spring Fling? - To be confirmed pending 4th Grade parent volunteer sign-ups

May 5-9: Staff Appreciation Week - All parents will be welcome to volunteer

New York Cares

Looking to discover new volunteer opportunities within the five boroughs? Look no further than New York Cares. In 1987, a group of friends who wanted to volunteer found themselves frustrated by a fractured nonprofit landscape, making opportunities hard to find. They wanted a centralized way to organize efforts and access communities. Visit the New York Cares website to explore volunteer opportunities across education, food prep, sports, senior support, sustainability, and more.

Bigs and Littles Mentoring NYC

Hundreds of families seek mentoring services through Bigs & Littles NYC Mentoring each year, but they can’t serve them without volunteers like you! While they are in need of volunteers across New York City, they have a pressing need for Spanish volunteer mentors. Bigs & Littles NYC Mentoring was founded in 1902, striving to transform the lives of children through one-to-one mentoring, while strengthening entire families in hardship. In Bigs & Littles NYC’s keystone mentoring program, youth ages 7–19 (enrollment till age 17), are carefully matched with a Big Sister or Big Brother who serves as adviser, role model, and adult friend. Mentoring matches meet twice monthly for activities such as enjoying a show or ballgame, working together on a service project, or spending time talking and exploring NYC. Matches are supported by a dedicated Professional Program Manager to oversee and guide the match relationship offering referrals and additional resources as needed. Their holistic approach to mentoring consists of working closely with the entire family ensuring better outcomes. They know the program works: 100% of their participants avoid pregnancy and arrest, 99% are promoted to the next grade, 94% graduate high school, and 94% matriculate into college or a training program. For volunteer information, visit their website.

Dear Families and Colleagues,

At NYC Public Schools, we believe in laying the foundation for success early, educating the next generation of New Yorkers before they even reach Kindergarten. Research tells us that the early years of a child’s life are critical for their academic and social-emotional development, and we are proud to help our children thrive from the very beginning.

To that end, I’m excited to share that 3-K and Pre-K applications for the 2025-2026 school year are officially open! If you have a child born in 2021 or 2022, now is the time to apply.

We offer hundreds of Early Childhood Education (ECE) options to meet individual families’ needs, including a variety of program schedules and settings. Across all these programs, there are shared features you can count on: welcoming, qualified educators; immersive play-based learning; and an emphasis on early literacy through NYC Reads, just to name a few. Our 3-K and Pre-K classrooms are full of growth and joy.

To learn more and apply, visit schools.nyc.gov/BrightStarts. The deadline is February 28, so don’t delay! And see my Chancellor’s Spotlight below for just one example of the great work happening in our ECE classrooms.

In partnership,

Melissa Aviles-Ramos

Chancellor