This Week @ PS 88Q
September 6th, 2021
A Message From Mrs. O'Shaughnessy
Happy Labor Day! Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September in any given year to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. I celebrate the MANY people who make PS 88Q amazing. I have never met such a hard working, dedicated group of people, which includes staff, families and community members. I hope you enjoy this Labor Day (the weather looks beautiful!)
As we get closer to our HOMECOMING, there is so much to do and we are so happy to do it! It was great meeting so many of our families this past week in the school yard for our Meet and Greet. Many of our staff members joined us, even though they are technically still on vacation! Classroom placements were sent this past week to families via student emails. Staff return to the building on Thursday September 9th, and we will have our homecoming. For the first time since March 13th, 2020, we will all be together! Our resilient staff have been preparing for this year, with many of them moving classrooms to accommodate the social distancing/room capacity concerns. I am excited for our hallways to be filled with our students in just one week. Here is a few things to know this week before opening:
- Please update all forms on OPEROO (blue card/emergency information, photo release) Teachers will only release students to contacts on the card.
- All students with consented COVID TESTING are still in place until the end of September.
- COVID CONSENT IS NOT REQUIRED THIS YEAR. If you want to give consent for your child to be tested, a new form will be available in mid September. If you wish to retract your consent, please do so on your NYCSA Account. Any questions, please email MRamos71@schools.nyc.gov
- Health Screening MUST BE COMPLETED DAILY. With school at full capacity, entry will take longer if students do not have it done. PLEASE COMPLETE DAILY AT HOME AND HAVE IT AVAILABLE ON YOUR PHONE TO SHOW OUR ARRIVAL STAFF. Paper copies will be available, but we want the arrival procedure to be as streamlined as possible.
- Please join me for our Family Meetings on Thursday, September 9th beginning at 6pm (3k/Prek @ 6pn, Kindergarten @ 6:30pm, All Families @ 7:00pm)
Have a wonderful week!
Families, Your First Assignment! My Wish For My Child
One of my favorite things is to speak with our families. As a mother to two daughters, I was always eager to speak with their teachers and administration in their building. I know that no one knows your child better than YOU! Together we can reach all of those goals that parents, students and teachers have. Your first assignment is as follows:
Please tell me your wish for your child. What are your hopes, fears, and expectations? We want to know! I can tell you that my wish for my children is always to feel safe, be confident, accepted and heard. I could go on forever, as most mothers can! I look forward to hearing from you, sharing your wishes with our staff, getting to know your child and working hard to make sure that those dreams come true! Click below to share your wishes. Please share in any language.
https://forms.gle/sfqZKCcfdmLUrd8y9
I Got Caught.... Doing Something Good!
Our Amazing S.M.I.L.E. Team (Supporting Mindful Individuals in the Learning Environment) has been hard at work preparing for our return. Social Emotional Learning is found throughout the school, throughout the day, evidenced everywhere! Our team members are : Ms, Lowe, Ms. Sharabi, Mr. Canales, Ms. Moore, Ms. Prinzevalli, Mr. Brunhuber and Ms. Kaplan.
Our students are amazing, and we want them to know how amazing they are! Throughout the day, we witness such random acts of kindness, and want to let our kiddos know that their actions DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Our team has created this impactful initiative.
Step by Step Process for “I Got Caught”
“catch” a student
get certificate
fill out certificate
give certificate to student
add student’s name/class to list in pouch
student takes certificate home
lists will be collected weekly
Students are celebrated daily, and we look forward to seeing them thrive.
Our Amazing New Spaces
PS 88Q is creating new and innovative space every day!
Our Library: Ms. Lowe created, with the help of our staff and community, an amazing library. This space was celebrated with a ribbon cutting in March of 2020, and students entered a truly magical space. Just the next week, our buildings were closed due to the pandemic. Well, we are proud to announce that this space is back and better than ever!!
Sensory Room: Our early childhood team (therapists and teachers) created a truly UNBELIEVABLE Sensory Room for our littlest learners. With 72 students on our main floor in our 3K, and PreK classes, this room will provide a multi-sensory learning experience. A sensory room is a special room designed to develop a person's sense, usually through special lighting, music, and objects. It can be used as a therapy for children with limited communication skills. Some of the components include:
- 1) Suspended equipment. Swinging is one way to stimulate the vestibular system, which processes movement and helps with sensory regulation. ...
- 2) Balance tools. ...
- 3) Tactile media. ...
- 4) Trampoline. ...
- 5) Crash mat. ...
- 6) Climbing. ...
- 7) Ball. ...
- 8) Tunnel.
Stay tuned for pictures!
S.T.E.M. LAB: We are excited to introduce our STEM LAB. STEM Labs promote collaboration and exploratory learning. ... Students enjoy hands-on-learning activities that allow them to apply technology, science, math, and engineering skills as they enjoy a 21st-century learning experience. STEM Labs have something to offer for everyone. Separate from Ms. Glass' STEM program, our new STEM Lab is available to all classes. It is equipped with 3D printers, project based learning materials, and Makerspace activities. This is a work in progress. Stay tuned for its official opening!!
Our New Website!
We are excited to launch our new website! It is easy to access, and has all the information you may be looking for. It has been one of my summer projects, and I am updating daily. Please check it when looking for something, and subscribe for notifications and alerts.
https://www.ps88q.com/
Our Keyboard Lab is Complete
Thank you to all of the PS 88Q fans who contributed to Mr. Dumont's Donors Choose for our keyboard lab. In six short days, the entire project was funded! Keyboards were delivered this week, and Ms. Dumont, with the help of fellow IS 77Q music teacher, assembled the lab. I can already hear the music that our students will be creating! Thank you Mr. Dumont and all the contributors.
Meet our P.T.A.
We are proud to have such a strong partnership with our families, and our Parent Teacher Association is a major part of that relationship. During the year, our PTA will hold meetings as well as opportunities for families to become involved. Our PTA members are:
Jean Saladino: President saladinoj21@gmail.com
Vivian Mooney: Treasurer vivianmoe68@gmail.com
Anna Valdes: Secretary annavaldes20@gmail.com
Our School Leadership Team
The School Leadership Team (SLT) is a group of people who develop educational policies for their school. They also make sure there are resources to support those policies.
SLTs:
- Provide ongoing evaluations of a school’s educational programs and their impact on student achievement.
- Play an important role in school-based decision-making
- Help to make school cultures more collaborative.
We are excited to kick off this school year with our SLT. Our members are:
Linda O'Shaughnessy: Principal
Cari Ann Lobello: UFT Chairperson
Jean Saladino: PTA President
Jane Lobosco: Staff Member
Lizbeth Heras-Torres: Staff Member
Anthony Andrew: Staff Member
Yvonne Wang-Silongs: PAC Chairperson/Parent
Soledad Proano: Parent
Michelle Enriquez: Parent
Gail Williford: Parent
For more information, please click below
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/get-involved/families/school-leadership-team
Staff Highlights for the Week
