March brings the end of the winter months and the beginning of a new season. At PS398Q, we are taking March madness to a new level! We would like for the new seasons to inspire new opportunities. This is an opportunity to strengthen relationships and goals we made at the start of this school year. We continue our commitment to ensuring that all PS 398Q students will foster a strong literacy foundation. We are focused on raising children that love LEARNing. We believe that the focus on literacy is the gateway to life-long learning. This school year, our school library was opened to our students. After the pandemic, we acknowledge students have a plethora of electronic resources, but there is something really special about actually holding a book and flipping through its pages. We wanted students to enjoy reading books, and borrowing books. Our children are able to borrow books from our school library, classroom libraries, and the local library. All students in grades K to 3rd have taken multiple trips to our to enhance their classroom experience.

This year we are proud of the following:

ACADEMIC SUPPORTS

• Students and families obtained access to SORA Library to access ebooks and audiobooks from our school and public library.

• We are able to provide all students in grades K-3 with Academic Intervention programs, Amira, iReady Reading and iReady Math . We also provide Academic Interventions through Title III Afterschool program for our English Language Learners, Test Sophistication After School Program for all Third Grade students and Early Morning Math Program.

• We partnered with Teatro Sea to offer a Theater Residency to our students in our Dual Language classes. This residency aligns with our instructional focus supporting students' oral skills. The residency will culminate showcasing a student created play. Coming to our families April.

CIVICS & STUDENT VOICE

• Our children fully engaged in elections to formulate our Student Government

• Students participated in NYC Soap Box speeches, Student Voices matter!

• Student Government helped us share information with our school community regarding participatory budget and spending of funds.

• Student voice and advocacy continues to drive our work at PS398Q. A visit to the Principal's office at PS398Q is an opportunity for students to shine and share their voice with the school community

• Every day, students recite the Pledge of Allegiance for the school community and affirm our Core Values.

FAMILY- SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP

• At PS398Q, families are welcomed at least once a month for Family Friday, and other opportunities to engage in their child’s education.

• We are committed to providing opportunities for families to become true partners in the school experience. Parents are invited to attend and participate in our School Leadership Team meetings taking place once a month. As a “new school” our school continues to grow a grade every year, and we welcome new staff members. Our parents are active members of our hiring committee.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

• We are also very proud of our social emotional support for all students. Every student in grades Pre-K to 3rd have a close relationship not only with their classroom teacher but with a social worker assigned to the grade.

• Every classroom and office has a calming corner for mindfulness. We believe everybody needs a moment to reflect, regulate and recharge.

• Our special celebrations like School Spirit Week, Respect for all Week, and 100 Days of School allow us to come together as a school to celebrate our Core Values and make learning memorable.

Great News!!!! Beginning in March, families are invited in -person for a special assembly to honor our Students of the Month. Our special assembly will take place the first Tuesday of every month. Students will receive their special award.

This month, we will begin our Early Bird Math Club to provide Math Academic Intervention for selected students using our state of the art STEM Carts to engage students in Zearn and iReady Math.

More than anything, I am grateful to be alive and celebrative of the time I have here. It’s not every stroke survivor that is blessed to return to great work. I feel that my return to work, after my medical setback, has offered me the opportunity to strengthen my priorities and my purpose in life. I take this second chance I have been gifted to reimagine the educational experience for our children with honor and humility. I strongly believe in the mission of P.S. 398 Queens, to partner with parents, and the members in our community, to prepare our diverse population of students to become lifelong learners in a nurturing, and safe environment with high expectations developing independent, responsible, confident, and compassionate citizens contributing to global society. I look forward to the future of PS398Q alongside all of you PS398Q families. Together we can change the world! UBUNTU!