This Week @ PS 88Q

Due to the expected snowstorm, PS 88Q will be pivoting to remote learning.

For many of you, this may be a new concept. For others, it may feel like a familiar one , a way of life back in 2020 and 2021. In fact, our current fifth graders began kindergarten learning virtually. While remote learning may bring back memories, please know that this is temporary and weather-related only.

Our goal is to make the day feel as close to a regular PS 88Q school day as possible. Below is an overview of what the day will look like and how to access learning.

🌅 Morning Message – Schoolwide

I invite our entire school community to join me at 8:15 AM for a Morning Message.

📌 Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/91523419361?pwd=Fw2f9PXIDgllArASmamtvqYXM4qwTk.1
This Zoom room will remain open all day for:

• Questions

• Tech support

• Family check-ins

• Anything you may need

🕗 What the Remote School Day Looks Like

• 8:00 AM: Students log into their Google Classroom, where their daily schedule is posted

• 8:15 AM: Students briefly join my Morning Message Zoom

• After that, students follow their regular PS 88Q schedule:

  • Classroom instruction

  • PE, Music, Art, STEM, and Coding during their designated periods

  • Lunch at the same time as in-person school

• Teachers will take attendance as usual

• I will also post an attendance link in my Zoom for families to complete

The virtual day mirrors a regular day at PS 88Q — just from home.

💻 Accessing Google Classroom

Your child’s teacher has already shared their Google Classroom, where:

• The full schedule is posted

• Links for live instruction are available

• Assignments and activities will be shared

If you have any questions or concerns at any point, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at
📧 loshaughnessy@schools.nyc.gov

Thank you, as always, for your flexibility, partnership, and support. Stay safe and warm , and I look forward to seeing our students online tomorrow morning.

GOOGLE CLASSROOM CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED THROUGH TEACHHUB — NOT THROUGH ANY APP.

✅ Steps to Access Google Classroom

1. Visit TeachHub: Go to teachhub.schools.nyc https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/digital-learning/applications-and-platforms/teachhub

2. Sign In: Enter the student username and password

   • The student email ends in @nycstudents.net

3. Select Google Classroom: Click the Google Classroom icon from the available applications

📌 Important Reassurance for Families

Please know that each student is already familiar with this process, as they access Google Classroom every week in school.

• Each teacher has shared the student password with their class

• Most teachers use the same password daily to ensure students can easily access their accounts during the school day

• This is a routine process for students and part of their regular PS 88Q learning experience

If you are having any difficulty with your child’s email or password, please reach out to me directly and I will support you.

📧 loshaughnessy@schools.nyc.gov

Our Dual Language Program is proud of their learning at PS 88Q! Currently offered in Kindergarten and Grade 1, this program continues to grow as we build a strong bilingual and biliterate pathway for our students.

Through instruction in two languages, students are developing literacy, academic skills, and confidence while learning to think, speak, and express themselves bilingually. Research shows that dual language learners gain cognitive flexibility, stronger problem-solving skills, and a deep appreciation for multiple cultures.

Check out our Kindergarten students, who are so proud to share what they are learning — in two languages! Their enthusiasm, joy, and growing language skills truly reflect the power of this program.

We look forward to expanding our Dual Language Program in the years ahead and celebrating the many strengths our bilingual learners bring to our school community.

Our Sensory Night for Kindergarten and 1st Grade was a truly wonderful evening for our families! Held on January 22, the event brought students and caregivers together for hands-on, joyful learning experiences designed to support self-regulation, emotional readiness, fine motor skills, and sustained attention

Families explored engaging sensory bins filled with materials such as rice, pasta, and other tactile tools—encouraging children to scoop, pour, sort, and explore through play. We were also thrilled to welcome Emma from Science Baby, who helped guide the experience and shared strategies families can use at home to support learning and regulation

Thank you to all the families who joined us and helped make the night so special. Events like these strengthen our home–school connection and celebrate learning in all its forms! Let us know if you would like more events like this!

Each week, I complete a similar newsletter for our staff, with all the information they need for the week. Part of the newsletter is a Shout Out section, which is always full! If you have a shout out for any of our staff, please click here, and I will be sure to share it in the Staff Newsletter!

It is hard to believe, but we are already planning for the 2026-2027 School Year! We are so proud of the many opportunities we have for 3K, Pre-K and Kindergarten.

Choosing a school for your child’s earliest years is a big decision, and we are so proud to share all that PS 88Q offers our youngest learners! From 3-K through Kindergarten, our students experience a warm, joyful, and developmentally rich early childhood program—right here in the heart of an elementary school community.

🌼 Our Early Childhood Programs (3-K & Pre-K)

At PS 88Q, our littlest learners have access to everything an elementary school provides while still enjoying an authentic early childhood experience. Students benefit from:

✔ Daily outdoor gross motor play in our schoolyard
✔ A sensory room designed to support emotional regulation and exploration
✔ A team of licensed providers, including Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Physical Therapy
✔ Specialized supports for students with IEPs
✔ After-school childcare through Supermoon
✔ Hands-on, play-based learning that nurtures curiosity and independence

🎨🎭🎻🎶 A New Two-Year Arts & Performance Residency

We are thrilled to announce that both our Pre-K and Kindergarten students have begun a two-year arts residency with esteemed partners:

✨ Studio in a School (Visual Arts)
✨ 92nd Street Y Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) (Creative Movement & Dance)
✨ Third Street Music Settlement (Music Instruction)
✨ New Victory Theater (Theater & Creative Expression)

These partnerships bring expert educators into our classrooms, giving our students access to some of NYC’s most renowned arts organizations—right here at PS 88Q!

We are excited to welcome new families and continue growing with those already part of our school community. PS 88Q is a place where children are seen, supported, and inspired every day.

If you have any questions or would like a tour, we are always happy to help!
We can’t wait to learn, play, and grow together. 🌟

We are planning our Open House Events, and want to hear from you! Please sign up for our specific mailing list, so that you are first to know when!

Open House Timing and Preferences Survey – Fill out form

3-K Admissions

• Wednesday, January 14, 2026: 3-K Application Opens
• Friday, February 27, 2026: 3-K Application Closes
• Tuesday, May 19, 2026: 3-K Offer Release

Pre-K Admissions

• Wednesday, January 14, 2026: Pre-K Application Opens
• Friday, February 27, 2026: Pre-K Application Closes
• Tuesday, May 12, 2026: Pre-K Offer Release

January 2026

Dear Families,

As an immigrant myself, I know how essential our school communities are to immigrant students and families—and how much our immigrant students and families contribute to our schools.

At New York City Public Schools (NYCPS), we provide a robust, inclusive, and supportive education to every student and family, regardless of immigration status.

As a reminder, NYCPS does not provide non-local law enforcement with access to students, school facilities, or records unless required by law, and only after consultation with NYCPS’ lawyers.

In New York City, our schools are safe places for our children. If any student or family has questions or concerns related to an immigration incident, we encourage them to reach out to their school’s principal to be connected with the appropriate supports.

We also have many resources available to our staff and families through our Project Open Arms initiative, which provides support to immigrant students and their families. For more information, visit schools.nyc.gov/ProjectOpenArms.

Additionally, NYCPS continues to partner with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA). We encourage families to use the MOIA Legal Support Hotline at 1-800-354-0365 or visit nyc.gov/immigrants to learn more.

As your Chancellor, I am committed to ensuring our schools remain safe and inclusive spaces for students and families.

In Partnership,

Kamar H. Samuels, Chancellor

UPDATES FROM YOUR PS88 PTA

Cozy Family Movie Night—THANK YOU!

Wow, what a night! A huge thank you to everyone who came out for Cozy Family Movie Night and helped make it such a feel-good PS88 moment. We welcomed about 350 students and family members into the auditorium, and the sing-alongs, costumes, and big energy made it clear: “This is what it sounds like”, and PS88 knows how to do movie night!

Special thanks to the parent volunteers who ran tickets, set up the space, kept the snack table moving, and stayed to clean up after the credits rolled, plus Principal O’Shaughnessy, our PS88 staff, and the PTA Exec Board for supporting the event. Your time and effort made the night possible. We can’t wait to do it again!

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

Reminder: Graduation Photos for Kindergarten and 5th Grade will be happening this Tuesday, January 27th.

January CEC24 Meeting: Tuesday, January 27, starting at 6:00pm at PS7 in Elmhurst. You can use this link for full details, agenda, and Zoom info: https://www.cec24.org/meetingdocs.html

The Next PTA General Meeting will be happening on Thursday February 12 at 6:00pm at PS88 and on Zoom. Mark your calendars. More details coming soon!

KEEP IN TOUCH

Stay connected with the latest PTA news, events, and announcements—and join the conversation! ● WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/ILNl02KhJQb3mcy8C9Gb63 ● Instagram: www.instagram.com/ps88q.pta ● All Things PTA + Newsletter Signup: linkin.bio/ps88pta ● Anonymous Feedback Form: bit.ly/ParentNeeds2025_26

Dear District 24 Community,

We invite you to attend our upcoming Community Education Council (CEC24) hybrid meeting on:

📅 Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Location: Public School 7, Louis F. Simeone 80-55 Cornish Avenue, Elmhurst, New York 11373 ( Use Exit 1- Main Entrance)
💻 Zoom Link: Join Here

Https://nycdoe.zoom.us/j/92102973851?pwd=wimTNfQIm0CNIMwXV7JVKPQ8N1w3ZQ.1

Meeting ID: 921 0297 3851 Passcode: 096182

Interpreters will be available in Spanish and Mandarin.

CEC meetings are a vital opportunity for parents to stay informed about decisions that impact our schools, programs, and students. Your voice matters in shaping the future of education in District 24. By participating, you help ensure transparency and collaboration between families and the council.

We look forward to your participation—whether in person or online!

---------------------------------------------

Estimadas familias del Distrito 24:

Te invitamos a asistir a nuestro próximo Reunión híbrida del Consejo de Educación Comunitaria (CEC24) en:

📅Fecha:Martes 16 de diciembre de 2025

🕕Tiempo:18:00 – 22:00

📍Ubicación: Public School 7, Louis F. Simeone 80-55 Cornish Avenue, Elmhurst, New York 11373 ( Use Exit 1- Main Entrance)

💻Enlace de Zoom:Únete aquí

https://nycdoe.zoom.us/j/92102973851?pwd=wimTNfQIm0CNIMwXV7JVKPQ8N1w3ZQ.1

ID de la reunión:921 0297 3851Código de acceso:096182

Habrá intérpretes disponibles en español n ingles.

¿Por qué es importante asistir?

Las reuniones del CEC son una oportunidad vital para que los padres se mantengan informados sobre las decisiones que afectan a nuestras escuelas, programas y estudiantes. Su voz es fundamental para definir el futuro de la educación en el Distrito 24. Al participar, contribuye a garantizar la transparencia y la colaboración entre las familias y el consejo.

¡Esperamos contar con su participación, ya sea en persona o en línea!

----------------------

我们诚挚邀请您参加即将举行的社区教育委员会（CEC24）线上线下混合会议：

📅 **日期：**2026年1月27日（星期二）
🕕 **时间：**下午6:00 – 晚上10:00
📍 **地点：**纽约皇后区艾姆赫斯特 Public School 7, Louis F. Simeone
地址：80-55 Cornish Avenue, Elmhurst, NY 11373（请使用 1号出口 — 主入口）
💻 **Zoom 链接：**点击加入
https://nycdoe.zoom.us/j/92102973851?pwd=wimTNfQIm0CNIMwXV7JVKPQ8N1w3ZQ.1

**会议 ID：**921 0297 3851
**密码：**096182

会议将提供西班牙语和中文口译服务。

CEC 会议是家长了解影响学校、项目和学生的重要决策的关键机会。您的声音对塑造第24学区的教育未来至关重要。通过参与，您可以促进家庭与委员会之间的透明度与合作。

我们期待您线上或线下的参与！