I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, and kept warm! It has been definitely colder these past few days as it has been all year.

This is probably the latest I have ever sent a newsletter! Some of you may know that Friday was my daughters birthday (and mine too 😊). She turned 25 this year. And I turned 28 years older than her! She is and will always be the best birthday present I could ever have. We spent the morning together, hence the late newsletter.

Well this was a big week at P.S. 88Q! Chancellor Banks and Deputy Chancellor Ahmed came to our buidling to see the amazing work being done everyday in person. It was a fabulous visit, where the students and staff shined. As we walked through the 3K and Pre-K classrooms, the authentic early childhood experiences, the student interaction, the in depth investigations the students were doing, and of course, the fun! It could be overwhelming to see so many people enter a room, with a photographer, but not our students. They were so engaged in what they were doing, that they simply just brought Chancellor Banks and Deputy Chancellor Ahmed into their play space. I couldn't be prouder of the work that our team does every day, and being recognized as an exemplary school is quite humbling.

Chancellor Banks didn't limit his visits to 3K and Pre-K. He visited our Kindergarten Nest class as well. The work our Nest Team is doing, and the immense learning experience the student are having was evident. He walked the halls, high fived the students, (and staff), and stop to read the Student Council Board. Leadership! He loved it, and we brought our President Dion Stublla and Vice-President Jasper Barnes down to meet him. We wrapped up with a discussion regarding the work. Chancellor Banks said he is coming back, as a few hours was nearly not enough to see it all!

This week we have a lot going on too! The NYPD Jazz Band is coming to perform on Wednesday for our students, and the FDNY is coming to provide in person lessons on fire safety. Our 3rd grade students who are part of the Ballet Tech residency will be going to their first class at Ballet Tech Monday. And we have a grade 5 basketball game at PS 58. AND THEN WE ALL GATHER FOR FRIDAY COZY MOVIE NIGHT!!

Have a great week!

Introducing the NYC School Bus App

Dear New Yorkers,

Approximately 150,000 students in grades K-12 ride our yellow school buses each day. Getting students to and from school safely is a major undertaking—we operate the largest bus fleet in the Western Hemisphere! So I’m especially proud to announce the NYC School Bus App, an innovation that makes school transportation smoother, safer, and easier for our families.

This app, designed in partnership with Via, allows families to track their child’s school bus as it travels to and from school. What does this look like? Let’s say you’re waiting at your child’s bus stop, and it’s 10 minutes past the time they usually arrive. Instead of wondering where they are, you can simply check the app for their real-time location.

Families with students in grades K-12 who take our yellow bus service can sign up with a few easy steps:

First, make sure you have activated your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA). You’ll also need your student’s nine-digit ID number on hand. Then, download the NYC School Bus App from your device’s mobile application store. Use your NYCSA information to log in and select the child whose route you’d like to track.

Please note: if your child's route does not display on the app, it means their bus driver has not yet signed up. So far, about 75% of our bus drivers have enrolled in this program, and we are working to reach full participation in the coming weeks.

We’ll also be updating and enhancing the NYC School Bus App in response to family feedback, so we encourage you to download the app and test it out soon! We’re excited to embark on this journey with you.

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Although it is only cold, the NYC DOE has shifted possible snow days to remote learning days if necessary. Please full out this 2 question survey regarding devices.

Thank you

https://forms.office.com/r/p4YR4MDi2P

We are planning for our schoolwide Lunar New Year Celebration! We want to connect to all of our families who celebrate, and add your story and traditions to our celebration. If you celebrate, please click this link or scan the QR code below to share your story.

https://forms.gle/3v4n18VuBgBSWDL36

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. — Martin Luther King, Jr.

We are so excited about our next performance. Our students have begun working on their music performance that celebrates love. February 14th is Valentines Day, but that shouldn't be the only day we recognize the power of love. As we prepare to celebrate Respect For All Week (February 12-16) this very week, we focus on the power of love. Respect For All Week highlights the following:

Monday, February 12: Wear Yellow Celebrating Kindness/Be an Ally (Kindness Ties us Together). All students will create a link in the Kindness Chain

Tuesday, February 13: Wear Blue Anti-Bullying/Cyberbullying:Students will take part in the Wrinkled Heart Activity

Wednesday, February 14: Wear pink, red or white. Students will enjoy the All You Need is Love Performance and share their "love stories"

Thursday: Wear Cultural Attire or Rainbow: Respect for Diversity Students will share their "This is Me" collage

Friday: Wear Green. Nobody Eats Alone/Make a New Friend. Students will take part in class to class partnerships or Wear Red in honor of Lunar New Year

If your child was born in 2020 and lives in New York City, they are eligible to attend Pre-Kindergarten in Fall 2024.

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/pre-k

If your child was born in 2021 and lives in New York City, they are eligible to attend 3K in Fall 2024

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/3k

We are excited about our amazing program, and our partnership with Supermoon. We are awaiting approval for this wonderful aftercare opportunity.

UPCOMING PTA EVENTS IN JANUARY

COZY FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT!

Friday January 26th

5:30pm-7:30pm in the Auditorium

Join us for a cozy PS88 Family Movie Night with popcorn, snacks, and hot cocoa!

We'll be sending out a survey soon where you can vote on the movie.

GRADUATION PICTURES

Monday January 29th

Cap and gown graduation photos! Cap and gown will be provided. Makeups will be March 19th.

SLT MEETING

Wednesday January 31st

2:45pm-5pm in Room 103

The SLT Meeting is always open to all parents. For more info on the SLT and what it does go here: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/get-involved/families/school-leadership-team

The newly formed Library committee will be starting up this month. Stay tuned for more details and updates!

Reach out any time with any questions, concerns, or feedback!

Email us here:

Sam at pta88president@gmail.com

Camila at pta88secretary@gmail.com

Sabita at pta88reasurer@gmail.com