This Week @ PS 88Q

I hope everyone had a wonderful week!

Each day, either on my social media, or my google photos, I like to look at the "memories". It is funny how sometimes random pictures appear, or posts from way back remind me of things. Sometimes they are milestones, like birthdays, or holidays, and sometimes it is a random picture I took that day, for some reason (probably of a recipe I never tried 😂). Well this past week has sure brought back the memories. It is five years this week that a decision was made by the NYC Department of Education to close our doors to students. Who knew that those doors, which closed on March 13th, would not see some of our students re-enter for another 18 months. Our students left for the weekend, expecting to return on Monday, but never returned for the school year. Our class of 2020 graduated on Zoom, our students didn't get to say goodbye to their friends, and the building remained idle, with the exception of our phenomenal custodians.

Five years is a long time, yet the effects still linger. There is not a day that goes by that I do not praise this entire community for their resiliency, their compassion, they commitment and their support of each other. From families, to staff, to students, we made it through together. This weeks message is a reminder of that time, and a dedication to all of you, who did your absolute best through the toughest of times.

I am linking a very special video from that time period. Mr. Canales had the idea to film what the morning looked like for our students, as a reminder as they remained home.

I also am announcing that we are hosting a reunion, a do-over and a return to PS 88Q for our Class of 2020. Five years later, we would love for them to return to their elementary school. Stay tuned for details of their Homecoming, but mark your calendar, June 4th at 6:00pm. If you are a graduate of PS 88Q from the class of 2020, please click here to share your contact information. https://forms.office.com/r/9rGGLNjRMZ

This video was filmed on March 16th, the only day staff was allowed to gather their things to prepare. (masks were not even mandated at this point)

🎉 Upcoming Events at PS 88Q 🎉

• 📚 Civics for All Week – March 10-14
• 🏫 NYSESLAT Parent Meeting – March 11
• ➗ Mock NYS Math Test (Grades 3, 4, 5) – March 12
• 🏀 PS 88Q Basketball Home Game – March 14
• 🔢 Pi Day – March 14
• 🏫 Parent Meeting with Office of Language – March 14 at 9 AM
• 🏃‍♂️ Kindergarten Fun Run – March 15 at 9 AM
• 🍀 St. Patrick’s Day – Wear Green! – March 17
• 🎂 Ms. Lowe’s Birthday – March 17
• 🏀 March Madness Kickoff – March 17
• 🤸 ZuZu Acrobats Performance – March 19
• ✍️ World Poetry Day – March 21
• 🎶 PS 88Q Band Concert – March 21 at 6 PM
• 🎓 College & Career Week – March 24-28
• 🔬 STEAM Day – March 26
• 💼 Career Night Event – March 26
• ☀️ Summer Rising Application Closes – March 28
• 🕌 No School – Eid Al-Fitr – March 31

📆 Mark your calendars and get ready for an exciting month ahead! 🎉

Dear Parent/Guardian(s),

We cordially invite you to attend our Parent-Orientation Meeting regarding the upcoming NYSESLAT test, on Tuesday, March 11th 2025 at 8:15 AM at our school P.S. 88 in Room 111.

The NYSESLAT is given to all students who are identified as ELL/MLL by the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners. The test gives the state, schools, parents, and teachers important information about the English language development of ELLs/MLLs/

This meeting will offer you the opportunity to ask questions, get more information about the NYSESLAT test and get some ideas on how you can help your child to prepare for the test.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Thank you!

Mrs. L. O’Shaughnessy Ms. Cybura and Mrs. Mendoza

Principal ENL Teachers

Do you know that New Yorkers speak more than 800 languages? The Office of Language Access, within the Office of General Services, is responsible for ensuring that New York State agencies covered under this law implement it efficiently and effectively.

On Friday, March 14 at 9:00am a representative from the Office of Language Access (OLA) will be at P.S. 88Q. They will be discussing about your rights to have access to the language that you speak.

We are looking forward to seeing you.

We are so proud of our PS 88Q Community! Interested in wearing some PS 88Q Sway? Click below!

https://ps-88q.spiritsale.com/

Civics Week Theme: Democracy Begins Here!

We're excited to announce this year’s Civics Week theme is: Democracy Begins Here! From the classrooms where students learn to raise their voices, to the neighborhoods that unite us, to the local NYC government where change takes shape—democracy starts with YOU!

Civics Week is a time for schools across the city to celebrate youth voice, civic empowerment, and the importance of registering to vote. Civics Week includes efforts to get every young person to understand that their voice matters and that they can create change as active participants of their community.

During the week, K-12 schools across the City celebrate youth voice, civic empowerment, and the importance of registering to vote.

2025 NYC School Survey:

Family Survey Instructions

Be sure to complete your survey by Friday, April 4!

Keep in mind…

● Your responses, combined with those of other parents/guardians at your child’s school, will be captured in the following reports:

○ School Quality Snapshot at tools.nycenet.edu/snapshot

○ Public Survey Reports accessible through NYCSchoolSurvey.org

● Parents are encouraged to fill out one survey for each child, even if you have multiple children at the same school, in order to capture the different experiences of each child.

● For more information about the NYC School Survey, visit NYCSchoolSurvey.org.

● If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your school.

Be sure to complete your survey by Friday, April 4!

The next 🌟PTA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING🌟 is Tuesday March 18th from 6pm-7pm.

Remember YOU are the PTA! ALL parents of PS88 students are automatic members of the PTA.

These monthly meetings are a fun, casual way to get involved, to speak up, or to just listen in on current things affecting our families and our students.

All of our meetings are always in person and on Zoom (Meeting ID: 935 5283 2400, Pswd: 097712).

At the in-person meeting, there are activities/crafts and snacks for the kids while the parents meet.

There is Spanish interpretation available in person and on Zoom. If you need interpretation into another language, please reach out and we will make sure we have that for you!

The 🌱🌻SPRING/SUMMER CARING CLOSET🌻🌱 is on Saturday, March 22 from 10am-1pm! This is our bi-annual FREE shopping event open to the entire PS88 and Ridgewood Community!

Donations are accepted Monday March 17 through Friday March 21. Donation bins will be located at the front main entrance to the school.

🫱🏽‍🫲🏼VOLUNTEER FOR THE CARING CLOSET HERE: 🫱🏼‍🫲🏿

bit.ly/CaringClosetSS25

In keeping with our Volunteer Initiative, this is a 3K and PreK parent event.

But all parent volunteers are welcome and needed!

We have an 🤫ANONYMOUS FEEDBACK FORM📢 that 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/questions are addressed during PTA meetings and with the school administration.

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

As always, reach out anytime with any questions or concerns,

Your PTA Executive Board

Sam PTA88President@gmail.com

Camila PTA88Secretary@gmail.com

Sabita PTA88Treasurer@gmail.com

We are excited to share with you a free camp called Corona Design Squad camp for 3rd-5th grade students at the New York Hall of Science during spring break! In each session, the students will investigate problems encountered in space exploration, then create solutions through hands-on engineering design challenges.

Dates: April 15-17, 2025; (Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday) 9am – 3pm

Who: Free to 3rd-5th grade students

Where: New York Hall of Science. 47-01 111th Street, Corona, NY 11368.

Click Below to register

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOeTN3NQcRX6lfTnQdaN10wIagNU-l70hVjGBSlwOVqc6wvQ/closedform

Summer Rising

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is looking forward to partnering with the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) once again for Summer Rising 2025. Summer Rising connects elementary and middle school students to fun, hands-on experiences that strengthen their academic, social, and emotional skills. Summer Rising is free, and open to any NYC student currently in kindergarten through grade 8.

Grades K–5: The program will run from July 2 to August 15, 2025, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Grades 6–8: The program will run from July 2 to August 8, 2025, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Students will be provided with free breakfast and lunch. Programming will include academics led by NYCPS staff and enrichment activities held by DYCD Community Based Organizations (CBOs).

Summer Rising MySchools Application

The application will open on March 4, and close March 28, 2025. As in 2024, families can apply for Summer Rising online using MySchools, our online directory and application system.

To apply, log in to MySchools.nyc (if you already have a MySchools account you do not need to create a new one). Your MySchools account, used for admissions, is different from the NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) that you may use to access your child’s health forms and update emergency contact information.

If you have applied to Summer Rising, 3-K/Pre-K programs, or NYCPS schools using MySchools before, your child may already be added to your account. If you do not have a MySchools account, you can create one at MySchools.nyc using your email address, your child’s 9-digit student ID number and a MySchools account creation code, which you can get by contacting your child's school.

Families can list as many programs as they would like on their application; we recommend that you list as many programs as possible to increase the likelihood of being placed in a program of your choice.

This process is not first-come, first-served; all applications received by the deadline will be treated the same. Families may make changes to their application at any point within the application period.

If you have any questions or need support with the application, please visit our website at schools.nyc.gov/SummerRising, contact Ms. Ivett Perez , or email summer@schools.nyc.gov.

📅 Dates:

• Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Session 1: Why Early Math at Home Matters

• Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Session 2: Counting and Skip Counting

• Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Session 3: Place Value

• Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Session 4: Addition & Subtraction

• Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Session 5: Geometry

• Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Session 6: Measurement & Data

• Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Session 7: Bringing It All Together

🕒 Time:

• 6:00 - 7:00PM

📍Location:

• Zoom - RSVP HERE

Dear Families and Colleagues,

Did you know that New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) families communicate in over 180 languages, and that 44 percent of our students use a language other than English at home? This week is National World Languages Week, an opportunity to highlight multilingualism, a valuable skill in today’s interconnected society. We offer many pathways for students to learn new languages and maintain their home and heritage languages, including bilingual education programs in 12 languages, world language programs in 18 languages, and Advanced Placement courses in seven languages. This school year, approximately 160 high schools are offering the NY State Seal of Biliteracy, which is now credit-bearing at CUNY. We also offer translation and interpretation services for our families; to learn more, check out our Highlight Video below.

In partnership,

Melissa Aviles-Ramos

Chancellor