I hope everyone had a wonderful week. For a second there, we forgot it was winter, but Mother Nature reminded us on Friday and Saturday that it is indeed February. Luckily we are back to temperatures that don't shock us. As you know, getting your little one bundled up isn't easy, and our teachers made sure that when they left Friday afternoon, they were bundled up as well. Not an easy task, with 25+ students. Fingers crossed thats it for the frigid temperatures (lets not even mention snow !).

This past week we had our central inventory. Thank you all who sent in your device. if you missed it, please touch base with your child's teacher with the asset tag and name. They will send me a report in a week or two, and perhaps will be back to scan unscanned devices.

This week is National School Counseling Week. We celebrate our very own counselor, Mr. Canales. He arranged for a special show tomorrow, The Ned Show. Grades K-5 will be visiting the auditorium for this special show.

Ned Show

8:30am-9:15am Grade K and 2

9:35am-10:20 am Grade 4 and 5

10:35am-11:20am Grade 1 and 3

Our kindergarten students and Grade 5 students will also be taking graduation pictures. Hard to believe that these two milestones are only a few months away!

Families will receive the results of the latest diagnostic tests the students took (Acadience, IReady and Map). These results reflect student growth, strengths and needs. Our teachers use this data to address any needs, and close any academic gaps. Each teacher looks at classroom data, diagnostic data as well as attendance to identify and specific needs. If you have any questions, reach out anytime.

As a reminder, next week (February 13-17) is Respect For All Week. Each day we will highlight a specific focus. I am a mom, so I know how frustrating it is to find a specific color shirt for a special day (usually the night before 😂) so here is a preview!

Monday, February 13: Kindness. Wear Yellow💛💛💛

Tuesday, February 14: Love: Wear Red❤️❤️❤️

Wednesday February 15: Be a Buddy Wear Blue 💙💙💙

Thursday, February 16: Make a New Friend. Wear Green💚💚💚

Friday, February 17: Respect Diversity: Wear Rainbow ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

For Our interactive Calendar, click here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CfQMiFajnW8qS-LE1NvSvcpXERaHRt0c/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101513461094107957206&rtpof=true&sd=true

The application period is now open! 3K and PreK applications are being accepted until March 10, 2023. We are so proud of our early childhood experience at PS 88Q. Come see us in person on Thursday, February 9th at 6pm, or Friday February 10th at 9:15am. If those times do not work, let us know, and we can accommodate. I have added a link below to sign up for our mailing list, so any opportunities and information can be shared as well.

Open Houses:

Thursday, February 9th @ 6pm

Friday, February 10th @ 9:15am

Ms. Depaola and class 2-214 not only learned about fossils, but they became paleontologists! In this unit of study, students build their literacy and science skills as they engage in a study of fossils. Students begin the module by participating in a close read-aloud of Stone Girl, Bone Girl by Laurence Anholt to explore the guiding questions: "What do paleontologists do?" and "How do characters respond to major events?" Students learn about Mary Anning and her role as a fossil hunter as they engage with key literature standards. Students focus on how Mary Anning responds to major events and challenges, and the overall structure of narratives through structured retells. The unit culminates as students write, revise, and illustrate their own narratives from the perspective of a paleontologist who has just discovered a fossil.

The students then traveled to STEM with Ms. Williford and Mr. Daniel, and took their skills to the next level! They created their own dinosaur on paper, then went to the 3D printer to create the model. The bones were then placed in the grainy sand mixture, and the students used their 3D printed tools (pick ax) to excavate. Upon retrieval of all the bones, they then put them together to form a skeleton. Amazing work, connecting classroom learning to the STEM lab! Check out the process below.

On Tuesday, January 31, class 3K004 visited 2-229 for a surprise pay it forward. The 3K class sang 2 songs to the second grades, 5 little ducks and one little finger. The children shared Dunkin Donuts munchkins and were sent home with a bag of goldfish with a sign that said "You O"FISH"ALLY have a friend in 3K".

Ms. Becker and Ms. Agostino and class K-112 partnered with Ms. Marshak and Ms. Beihoff and class 1-227 to Pay it Forward. Together the students worked on a STEM challenge!

National School Counseling Week is observed from February 6 to 10 this year. It is always observed during the first full week of February. This five-day week takes place every year to bring to the public’s notice the priceless contribution of school counselors in the U.S. Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (A.S.C.A), National School Counseling Week (N.S.C.W.) highlights the significant impact that school counselors have in aiding students during their schooling years. Our very own Mr. Canales is the epitome of patience, understanding, support, passion and comic relief! We are lucky to have someone who truly respects the students, staff and makes PS 88Q a place of equity and understanding.

Attendance is school is directly connected to a students progress. As you can see below, statistically students suffer academically when chronically absent. 10 days a more for the entire school year qualify as chronically absent. As a school, our Attendance Team has created a success mentor program. Children who are classified as chronically absent, or at risk, will receive a point person who supports the student and the family. If your child has been absent for 9 days or more thus far, they are considered chronically absent. If they are absent for 4 to 8 days thus far, they are considered at risk. It is so important to be in school every day.

Our store is open and our scholars have been shopping! Students are learning about financial literacy as well as earning KID dollars. Our amazing Alize created a wonderful place for students to equate their hard work and good choices into a place to receive something they choose. Our student council is asking our scholars what they would like to see in the SMILE store!

Explore New York City’s museums and attractions with Culture Pass. If you have a library card, you can get free admission to dozens of cultural institutions. Save money and discover more about your city!

District 24Q Community,

Please join us at the February 28th CEC24 Meeting viz zoom at 6:00 pm.

Details below for Zoom and Interpretations:

https://zoom.us/j/4557097598?pwd=L1RZMnhHdVM4eDRnb3lZY1RTb2Qzdz09

Meeting ID: 455 709 7598 Passcode: 019002 or Call 1-646-558-8656, then meeting ID and Passcode

Interpretations: Dial: 1 – 347 – 966-4114

Spanish Passcode: 581 865 72# Bangla Passcode: 196 757 361# Polish Passcode: 736 261 198#

We are looking forward to the presentation on FY 2023 via Fair Student Funding.

Also we are interviewing for the parent vacancy.

Happy Valentine's Day, Happy President's Day and enjoy Mid-winter Recess.

If you have any questions, please let us know at CEC24@schools.nyc.gov.

The Big Apple Awards—Honoring Our Heroic Teachers

Dear New Yorkers,

I’m incredibly grateful to our dedicated, hard-working teachers, who not only educate our students but nurture and guide them along the path to their bright futures. As a proud New Yorker myself, I know the life-changing power of our great teachers.

I will never forget the fourth-grade teacher at P.S. 161 in Brooklyn who transformed my life. Mrs. Mildred Scott was an inspiration. She taught me Black history. She saw me, and all of my classmates, and she helped me learn who I was and propelled me forward as a young boy. She also taught me about responsibility to community, and I took all her lessons with me as I became a teacher at P.S. 167 in my old neighborhood on Eastern Parkway.

I believe that all great teachers share Mrs. Scott’s devotion—borne out of love of learning and out of a deep caring for our children. Great teachers see their job as a calling and are passionate about lifting their students up... not just academically but emotionally as well. Great teachers have high expectations for their students and give them the confidence to soar.

Now, you have an opportunity to help recognize and thank teachers for their service and great work by nominating them for the annual Big Apple Awards. These awards celebrate New York City teachers who inspire students to be their best selves and help get them ready to chase their dreams.

Students, families, colleagues, and community members can all nominate any New York City Public Schools teacher by visiting schools.nyc.gov/BigAppleAwards. The nomination period is open through February 28.

One very joyful part of my job is making surprise visits to notify winners in their classrooms! To see the faces of these often-unsung heroes light up truly makes my day. Winners get to participate in the Big Apple Fellowship, where they can hone their leadership skills and serve on the Chancellor’s Teacher Advisory Council and contribute to key policy decisions across our schools.

I encourage you to think about the great teachers in your child’s life and nominate them for a Big Apple Award: The teacher who gave your child extra help with a classroom lesson. The teacher who recognized a special talent in your child. The teacher who made your child feel seen, cared for, and uplifted.

A Big Apple nomination is the single best way to show these educators that you recognize and appreciate all that they do—day in and day out—for our students.

On behalf of all of us at New York City Public Schools, I want to thank our teachers for your talent, your dedication, and your unwavering belief in our kids. Like Mrs. Mildred Scott did for me, you are making a real difference in the lives of our children.

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor