This Week @ PS 88Q

Oh, what a week we had!

A Spirit Week filled with fun, families, and school pride. It was so wonderful seeing our families walking the halls and spending time in classrooms. Weeks like last week truly help bridge home and school, and that connection means everything.

Our Band and Chorus performance was amazing, especially as it marked the debut of our youngest performers this year. We also opened our doors for Kindergarten tours and welcomed potential new families to PS 88Q.

And then, on Saturday, we came together to celebrate our Winter Wonderland — crafts, photos, a dance party, pizza, hot chocolate, and our PS 88Q community enjoying time together. This is what it’s all about. PS 88Q strives to be a hub that brings our community together.

During Winter Wonderland, our Eagles Lens crew had a special mission: to ask, “What is your favorite holiday memory?” Be sure to stay tuned for that video — you won’t want to miss it. And maybe you even got to be part of it.

My favorite holiday memory is gathering with my entire family when I was young. Christmas Eve was filled with family and food. With Irish, Italian, and Puerto Rican roots, the night was full of Italian dishes, salsa music, and — for the Irish contribution — plenty of humor! Creating opportunities for our PS 88Q family to gather, celebrate, and have fun is something I truly love to do.

This is not the last newsletter of the year — we will have one more to welcome 2026 — but as we head into the holiday season, we wish you and your families a joyful, peaceful, and restful time filled with warmth and special moments together.

Thank you for being such an incredible community.

📌 Dates to Remember

• December 22 – Grade 5 Ballroom Basix Performance at St. John’s University

• December 22: Pajama Day

• December 23: Red and Green Day and Ms. Stiebel's Birthday! (She loves red and green )

• December 24 – January 4 – Winter Recess

• January 5 – School Reopens

What a team! This crew right here made the Winter Wonderland Event fabulous. We are missing a few of the key players in this picture, but you know who they are! From set up, to break down, they made every detail special. #weareps88Q!

We are so proud of our Grade 5 Basketball Team! In their home opener vs. PS 91, they picked up their first win. Check out the game link below.

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!

PS88 PTA UPDATES

PTA General Meeting: Thank you!

Upcoming: Movie Night—January 23, 2026

Movie Night is coming back to PS88 on Friday, January 23, in the school auditorium. We’ll share a quick poll soon so that families can help pick the movie, along with a volunteer sign-up (set-up, welcoming families/ticketing, concessions, clean-up, etc.).

Those of you who attended the PTA meeting might remember the conversation about how the biggest need for help is a few 'associate producer' type parents who can help with light planning and coordination leading up to the event. If this sounds like you (or if you’re curious), please reach out to the Events team at pta88events@gmail.com. More details coming soon. Stay tuned!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing all PS88 families a happy holiday season and a very happy New Year. We hope you’re able to rest, enjoy some downtime, and recharge for 2026!

Keep in Touch!

Stay connected with the latest PTA news, events, and announcements—we’d love for you to be part of the conversation!

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/ILNl02KhJQb3mcy8C9Gb63

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ps88q.pta

All Things PTA + Newsletter Signup: linkin.bio/ps88pta

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

🐣 Kindergarten at PS 88Q

Our kindergarteners take a big step forward with opportunities that build creativity, confidence, and strong academic foundations. We proudly offer:

🔹 ICT STEM Discovery Program
🔹 ICT NEST Program (NYU Affiliation) supporting students across all learning needs
🔹 ICT I-Read Program, specializing in early literacy with a focus on characteristics of dyslexia
🔹 Daily arts and enrichment, where students participate in Visual Arts, Theater, Music, STEM, or Coding

🎨🎭🎻🎶 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

Kindergarten Admissions

• Tuesday, December 9, 2025: Kindergarten Application Opens
• Friday, January 23, 2026: Kindergarten Application Closes
• Tuesday, March 31, 2026: Kindergarten Offer Release

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

Dear Families,

As we reach the end of 2025, I want to thank you for being part of New York City Public Schools and for entrusting us with your children’s learning and growth. It’s a responsibility we take extremely seriously—and it’s one we can only fulfill in partnership with each of you.

This year, we’ve worked together to ignite the spark of curiosity and deep learning across our schools. With NYC Reads and NYC Solves, we are ensuring students across the city receive high-quality literacy and math instruction. With our Student Pathways work, we’re preparing students for careers in high-demand fields like technology and healthcare. And with our NYCPS Cares initiative, we’re supporting both the whole child and the whole family.

This work aligns to the three core commitments I made when I first became Chancellor, commitments that create environments for deep learning and growth: 1) ensuring safety and promoting wellness, 2) strengthening comprehensive teacher supports, and 3) fostering family and community empowerment. I am grateful to our school leaders, educators, and staff who have been hard at work bringing these commitments to life in our school communities.

We’ve seen real progress as a result. Last spring, reading and math proficiency rose to their highest levels in over a decade. Since 2022, students have earned over $30 million from work-based learning, such as internships and apprenticeships. And within the past year, approximately 3,800 family volunteers have signed up to be Family Connectors, helping other families access resources and support. For a full summary of our progress, please visit our website: schools.nyc.gov/NYCPSProgress.

As Chancellor and as a New York City Public Schools parent myself, I thank you for your partnership, and I wish you a joyful holiday season. As we look ahead to the new year, I am confident our young people will continue to grow and thrive.

With gratitude,
Melissa Aviles-Ramos
Chancellor