This Week @ PS 88Q

Thank you for your incredible support during these first few days of school. I often say a school year is like a flight—takeoffs and landings require the most planning and teamwork. Thanks to all of you, our “takeoff” this year was smooth, and we’re flying high already.

The first thing you notice when walking into our classrooms is the gift of small class size. With fewer students, teachers can give more focused attention to each child’s needs. Every room also reflects what we know matters most for children: welcoming classroom libraries, calming spaces for quiet, resources within reach, opportunities to connect with classmates, and, above all, space for student voice.

It was truly fabulous to see all of our students—some new, some returning—arrive with big smiles, just as happy to be back as we were to welcome them. Many of you have already connected with teachers through Class Dojo or other two-way communication apps. This is such a powerful way to stay informed and engaged throughout the year.

Please mark your calendars for two upcoming events:

• Wednesday, September 17th, 3:30–6:30 pm – Meet the Teacher Night: visit classrooms, see where your child spends the day, and meet their teachers.

• Thursday September 25th – First PTA Meeting: join us as we plan another wonderful year together.

As we head into our first full week, I want to express my gratitude for being such strong partners in this work. Our Parent Coordinator, Ms. Ivett Perez Lopez, and I are always here if you have questions, ideas, or simply want to connect.

We are ready for a fabulous year—and we are so glad you’re on this journey with us.

Some missed the train,
some spilled their coffee,
some turned back for a ringing phone.

One was late dropping a child at school,
one stopped for donuts,
one lingered in traffic a few minutes too long.

Each small delay—
so ordinary, so frustrating—
became a quiet miracle that morning.

And so we are reminded:
Life is fragile, time is precious,
and even the smallest turns in the road
can change everything.

Hold close the people you love.
Be gentle with the day’s interruptions.
For sometimes, the things that make us late
are the very things that keep us safe.

Start With Hello Week is a national initiative organized by Sandy Hook Promise to combat social isolation and foster a sense of belonging among youth by teaching them to recognize loneliness, reach out to peers who are isolated, and build an inclusive community. The annual program takes place in September and involves schools and youth organizations participating in activities that encourage social connection, empathy, and kindness to create safer and more positive school environments.

We are excited to host Start With Hello Week, and have many opportunities to make our school more connected!

Please see the flyer below for the details of each day.

At PS 88Q, your voice matters! 💬 As we begin another exciting school year, I encourage all families to share your ideas, feedback, and hopes for what you’d like to see in our school community. Your partnership helps us grow stronger together, and every suggestion—big or small—makes a difference for our students. Let’s keep the conversation going!

https://forms.office.com/r/v5hTtXLwcm

Did you know that you can track your child’s education on any computer, phone, or tablet? You can sign up for an account by entering a few basic details. This will allow you to begin receiving notifications from the DOE. It only takes five minutes, and it is the first step in getting a full account.

What is a NYC Schools Account?

NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) is a DOE application that lets you access important information about your child on any device. The website is accessible in nine languages.

Why is the NYC Schools Account important?

The NYC Schools Account allows you to view your child’s grades, report cards, attendance history, test scores, transportation information, IEP information, track your child’s progress to graduation, and more to come!

Let’s get you signed-up for your NYC Schools Account. Ms. Ivett Perez-Lopez can support. Iperezlopez@schools.nyc.gov

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/setup-guide

Dear Families,

We hope this new school year brings joy, connection, and new beginnings for you and your loved ones!

We hope you will join us at one of our upcoming virtual info sessions on Tuesday, September 9, to learn how you can become a Family Connector:

• 12:00 PM (midday session)
• 6:00 PM (evening session)

👉 Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/r/KybsF0jqde

👉 Family Connectors Flyers (All Languages): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16JvwOLpl6DzooEMl4jTlAm05NoLoVZQl?usp=drive_link

We’re excited to start the year by continuing the work of the Family Connectors program, part of the new NYCPS Cares initiative. Family Connectors are parents and caregivers just like you, who walk alongside other families to navigate housing, food access, benefits, legal aid, and more. Together, we’re building school communities that are stronger, safer, and filled with care.

Because you’ve been part of our FACE programs before, we know the heart and dedication you bring. We’d love for you not only to join a virtual session yourself but also to share this opportunity with other parents and caregivers in your circle. With your support, every school community can have Family Connectors ready to guide, empower, and uplift.

Educational research shows a positive correlation between effective parental engagement and student achievement. The overall aim of this policy is to develop a parent and family engagement policy that will establish expectations and objectives for meaningful parent and family engagement in the school community.PS 88Q in compliance with Section 1116 of Title I, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), is responsible for creating and implementing a parent and family engagement policy to strengthen the connection and support of student achievement between the school and the families. The school's policy is designed to keep parents informed by actively involving them in planning and decision-making in support of the education of their children. Parents are encouraged to actively participate on the School Leadership Team, Parent Association (or Parent-Teacher Association), and Title I Parent Advisory Council as trained volunteers and welcomed members of the school community.

PS 88Q, in compliance with the Section 1116 of Title I, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), is implementing a School-Parent Compact to strengthen the connection and support of student achievement between the school and the families. Staff and parents of students participating in activities and programs funded by Title I, agree that this Compact outlines how parents, the entire school staff and students will share responsibility for improved academic achievement and the means by which a school-parent partnership will be developed to ensure that all children achieve State Standards on assessments.

Provide high quality curriculum and instruction consistent with State Standards to enable participating children to meet the State’s Standards and Assessments by:

• using academic learning time efficiently;

• respecting cultural, racial and ethnic differences;

• implementing a curriculum aligned to the State Learning Standards;

• offering high quality instruction in all content areas;

• providing instruction by highly qualified teachers and when this does not occur, notifying parents as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA);

School Responsibilities:

Support home-school relationships and improve communication by:

• conducting parent-teacher conferences each semester during which the individual child's achievement will be discussed as well as how this Compact is related;

• convening an Annual Title I Parent Meeting each school year for parents and family members of students participating in the Title I program to inform them of the school's Title I status and funded programs and their right to be involved;

• arranging additional meetings at other flexible times, e.g., morning, evening and providing (if necessary and funds are available) transportation or child care for those parents who cannot attend a regular meeting;

• respecting the rights of limited English proficient families to receive translated documents and interpretation services in order to ensure participation in the child's education;

• providing information related to school and parent programs, meetings and other activities is sent to parents of participating children in a format and to the extent practicable in a language that parents can understand;

• involving parents in the planning process to review, evaluate and improve the existing Title I programs, Parent and Family Engagement Policy and this Compact;

• providing parents with timely information regarding performance profiles and individual student assessment results for each child and other pertinent individual school information;

• ensuring that the Parent and Family Engagement Policy and School-Parent Compact are distributed and discussed with parents each year;

Provide parents reasonable access to staff by:

• ensuring that staff will have access to interpretation services in order to effectively communicate with limited English speaking parents;

• notifying parents of the procedures to arrange an appointment with their child's teacher or other school staff member;

• arranging opportunities for parents to receive training to volunteer and participate in their child's class, and to observe classroom activities;

• planning activities for parents during the school year, e.g., Parent-Teacher Conferences;

rovide general support to parents by:

• creating a safe, supportive and effective learning community for students and a welcoming respectful environment for parents, and guardians;

• assisting parents in understanding academic achievement standards and assessments and how to monitor their child's progress by providing professional learning opportunities (times will be scheduled so that the majority of parents can attend);

• sharing and communicating best practices for effective communication, collaboration and partnering with all members of the school community;

• supporting parental involvement activities as requested by parents and family members;

• ensuring that the Title I funds allocated for parent involvement are utilized to implement activities as described in this Compact and the Parent and Family Engagement Policy;

• advising parents of their right to file a complaint under the Department's General Complaint Procedures and consistent with the Title I requirement for Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Title I programs;

Parent Guardian Responsibilities:

monitor my child's attendance and ensure that my child arrives to school on time as well as follow the appropriate procedures to inform the school when my child is absent;

• ensure that my child comes to school rested by setting a schedule for bedtime based on the needs of my child and his/her age;

• check and assist my child in completing homework tasks, when necessary;

• read to my child and/or discuss what my child is reading each day (for a minimum of 15 minutes);

• set limits to the amount of time my child watches television or plays video games;

• promote positive use of extracurricular time such as, extended day learning opportunities, clubs, team sports and/or quality family time;

• encourage my child to follow school rules and regulations and discuss this Compact with my child;

• volunteer in my child's school or assist from my home as time permits;

• participate, as appropriate, in the decisions relating to my child's education;

• communicate with my child's teacher about educational needs and stay informed about their education by prompting reading and responding to all notices received from the school or district;

• respond to surveys, feedback forms and notices when requested;

• become involved in the development, implementation, evaluation and revision to the Parent and Family Engagement Policy and this Compact;

• participate in or request training offered by the school, district, central and/or State Education Department to learn more about teaching and learning strategies whenever possible;

• take part in the school's Parent Association or Parent-Teacher Association or serve to the extent possible on advisory groups, e.g., Title I Parent Advisory Council, School or District Leadership Teams;

• share responsibility for the improved academic achievement of my child;

Student Responsibilities:

attend school regularly and arrive on time;

• complete my homework and submit all assignments on time;

• follow the school rules and be responsible for my actions;

• show respect for myself, other people and property;

• try to resolve disagreements or conflicts peacefully;

• always try my best to learn.

Welcome Back to School!

Dear Families and Colleagues,

Welcome back! I’m thrilled to be starting the 2025-26 school year, and I hope you are as well. As both an educator and a parent, I’ve experienced many first days of school—but this one has special meaning for me, because it’s my first “first day of school” as Chancellor. Our community has so much to accomplish together this year, and I can’t wait to get started.

First, we’re going to continue to expand upon our key initiatives: NYC Reads, NYC Solves, Student Pathways, and NYCPS Cares. NYC Reads and NYC Solves, which reimagine literacy and math instruction, are coming to 186 additional schools, and our FutureReadyNYC program, which offers high-demand career pathways for our high schoolers, will grow to 50 more schools. NYCPS Cares, our newest initiative, is all about creating a culture of care in our communities; as part of this work, we’ve launched student-led anti-bullying and anti-vaping campaigns, along with a program called Family Connectors, in which family members and community volunteers help other families access city resources.

These initiatives are already having an impact—just look at our 2025 state exam results, which show promising gains in both reading and math. The percentage of students scoring "proficient" in grades 3-8 grew 7.2 points in literacy and 3.5 points in math, leading to our highest proficiency rates in these subjects since 2012. I’m immensely proud of our students, staff, and families, whose hard work and commitment are directly reflected in these results. We certainly have more to do, but these improvements show we’re on the right track.

This year, we’ll build on this progress by emphasizing intellectual curiosity and academic rigor, filling our classrooms with rich discussion, deep thinking, and lots of "Aha!" moments. We are also implementing the new state law prohibiting student use of personal internet-enabled devices during the school day, which will help minimize distractions so students can fully engage. Sparking our students' love of learning is a key ingredient in fulfilling our mission: to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in their careers and communities.

I’m so excited to begin this journey with you as my partners. Thank you to our staff, our families and parent leaders, and our entire New York City Public Schools community for your dedication to our students. Happy first day of school, and here’s to an incredible year ahead!

In partnership,

Melissa Aviles-Ramos

Chancellor