This Week @ PS 88Q
January 7th, 2024
A Message From Mrs. O'Shaughnessy
I hope everyone had a wonderful return to school this past week. I know that the first week back from holiday, as well as cold temperatures, are not easy. We had a little more tears and longer hugs at the gate. We have the best team at arrivals to help each student come in, so never worry!
January is always an special month. Students have reached the half way point, and all of the foundations, the work and the learning is evident. Students become more capable, applying what they have been learning. Students will take their middle of the year assessments this month to monitor progress. These assessments are available on your NYCSA, and are a wonderful resource for teachers and for families. If you do not have access as of yet to your childs NYCSA, please reach out to Ms. Ivett Perez-Lopez, our parent coordinator. Access is only given to the legal guardians of each student, as it contains student information.
We have so much going on this month, and in the months to come. Please check out calendar frequently to keep updated!
Have a great week , and stay warm and dry!
Linda
We Celebrate Our Amazing Staff!
DOE All Stars and Big Apple Teacher Awards
What are the DOE All Stars?
DOE All Stars!! Share Recognition, Appreciation, and Gratitude!
Recognize anyone at
PS 88Q for going above and beyond!
DOE All Stars!! Share Recognition, Appreciation, and Gratitude!
Show your appreciation and recognize a teacher, principal, paraprofessionals, school aide, school safety agent, secretary or anyone at the DOE for going above and beyond! Recognition and gratitude does not need to be solely reserved for designated Nationwide Appreciation Days! Thank someone today!
DOE All Stars is available for everone to say "Thank You" and recognize some of the awesome people that we all work with within NYC!
What are the Big Apple Awards?
The Big Apple Awards recognize and celebrate New York City teachers who:
- Inspire students to be their best selves, dream, and advocate for their future
- Model equitable learning with high expectations for the diverse and dynamic needs of all students
- Affirm students’ identities, unique gifts, and genius
- Enrich their school communities by partnering with families, community members, and community-based organizations
By honoring these teachers, we recognize all those who go above and beyond to serve our students and families!
During the school year, Big Apple Award winners have the opportunity to participate in the Big Apple Fellowship, which includes engagement in leadership development sessions, professional learning communities, and conversations with the Chancellor.
Click Below to Nominate
Morning Arrival Protocols
All students (3K through Grade 5) continue to arrive through the small school yard while construction continues in the large yard. We anticipate the large yard to be ready in the next month. As soon as there is a change in entry location, I will send the information beforehand.
Arrival doors are open at 7:30 am each day. Many students are in the building for the half hour before the beginning of the day. At 8:01 a.m. the arrival doors for Kindergarten - Grade 5 will be closed, as the teachers do escort their classes up to the classroom promptly at 8:00am. After 8:01am, all students must enter through the main entrance on Catalpa Avenue.
You may wonder why the shift from 8:05am to 8:00am? Students who arrive after 8:00am through the auditorium and the breezeway then must walk to their classrooms independently, which we prefer them to be escorted by staff. Additionally, students are considered late when they arrive after 8:00am. As the weather has grown colder, our students who arrive between 7:30am and 8:00am are in the auditorium and cafeteria with the doors open for arrival. It is very cold for them.
We are beginning a series of morning clubs and instructional groups for students in various grades. Currently, we have Pokemon, Beautiful Me, Basketball and Soccer Club in the morning. In the upcoming week, we will be introducing more opportunities.
Any questions, please feel free to reach out anytime. My email is loshaughnessy@schools.nyc.gov
Grade 5 Families
It is hard to believe that your child's days at PS 88Q are coming to an end! For some families, PS 88Q has been your child's home for 7 years. Elementary school is truly the longest span your child will ever be at a single school, and that makes it even more special.
As the students prepare for the next step, we begin preparing to honor their time, celebrate them, and plan for all things Grade 5!
We as a school do our absolute best to make this milestone special. Below are some of the important dates for Grade 5:
Graduation Pictures: January 29th
Grade 5 Trip to Barclay Center (College Basketball Game); March 12th
Grade 5 Yearbooks and T-Shirt Distribution: Week of June 17th
Grade 5 Commencement: June 20th @ 9am
Grade 5 Party: June 21st @ 12:00pm
Grade 5 Breakfast: June 24th @ 8:00am
Grade 5 Final Walk/Schoolwide Goodbye: June 24th @ 1:30pm
If you are interested in being part of the planning team to support our Grade 5 teachers, please click here https://forms.office.com/r/QyeRYeqj2A
All of our graduates join the ranks of our many alumni. It is special. Please see below a video Mr. Canales just completed for our Class of 2023.
Join The PS 88Q Community
We may have just celebrated New Year, but we are already planning next years school year! PS 88Q is an amazing school, thats vision is to provide a community school that supports all students in all learning. Beginning in 3K and Pre-K, we offer opportunities for our many students. For students with disabilities who possess and IEP, our goal is to provide a diversity of classroom settings and supports to thrive. From small class, ICT, NEST, ACES, and our amazing related services team, students succeed on every level.
Preparing for the future, and the many skills needed, our STEM programs, Coding, Computation Thinking and Project Based Learning provide students the opportunity to create, to think out of the box and to create solutions to problems.
Our Gifted and Talented classes are a wonderful opportunity for Grade 3, Grade 4 and Grade 5 students from not only PS 88q but from outside schools. The application opens shortly for next year.
Our Arts Program, with visual arts, theater, and music opens the door to our students creative and right brain activities.
We host open houses every Thursday @ 9:00am for all grades. If you have any questions, or need to request a specific time to tour, please email me anytime. loshaughnessy@schools.nyc.gov
Timeline for Applications:
Kindergarten: Closes January 19, 2024
3K and Pre-K: Opens January 10th Closes March
Kindergarten Applications
If your child was born in 2019 and lives in New York City, they are eligible to attend kindergarten in Fall 2024.
Learn more about all the resources available and apply by January 19: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/kindergarten
3K Applications
Applications open January 10th and close March 1
Pre-Kindergarten Applications
Applications Open January 10th and close March 1
Virtual Events
PTA News
UPCOMING PTA EVENTS IN JANUARY
PTA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Thursday January 11th
6pm-7pm in the Auditorium (and on Zoom)
We will be talking about a new town-hall-style forum we're starting for parents to discuss a variety of topics, as well as touching on events and plans for the rest of the year, recently released school data, and much more.
For kids during the meeting, there will be pizza and snacks and activities with Science Baby Playshop!
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