This Week @ PS 88Q
June 1, 2026
A Message From Mrs. O'Shaughnessy
As a reminder, there is no school for students this week on Thursday and Friday due to Chancellor's Day and Clerical Day.
For a short week last week, we certainly managed to fill it up!
Between our May the Change Be With You Walk and our annual Fun Run, it was incredible to see so many families joining us, cheering on our students, and celebrating the amazing things happening in our school. Thank you for always showing up and supporting our children as they learn, grow, advocate, and challenge themselves. And lets not forget about Ms. Harvey's Bird Show!
On Wednesday from 3:30 PM–6:30 PM, we invite all families to attend our annual #WeArePS88Q Event. This open house celebration is an opportunity for you to experience PS 88Q through the eyes of your child. Spend the afternoon and evening being a student for a day as you explore the building, visit classrooms, and discover all that makes our school so unique.
Be sure to:
- Visit classrooms and special subject areas throughout the building
- Stop by the auditorium to witness our Disney Theater students rehearsing for Beauty and the Beast
- Check out our band in action
- Join the audience for a live recording of the Eagle's Lens Podcast
- Meet staff members and learn more about the programs that make PS 88Q such a vibrant learning community
And of course, don't forget the star of the show—Ms. Fogarty's Art Show! Each year, Ms. Fogarty transforms our school into a museum-quality gallery showcasing the incredible creativity and talent of our students. It is truly something you do not want to miss.
We also have Field Day this week, and the weather is looking fantastic! Families are welcome to join us at Mafera Park and cheer on our students as they participate in a day filled with fun, teamwork, and school spirit. We love having families celebrate alongside us.
As a reminder, students cannot be dismissed directly from Mafera Park. If you need to sign your child out, please do so once students have returned to the school building and regular dismissal procedures are in place.
It promises to be a fun-filled week and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our students, our staff, and our community. I hope to see all of you at one or more of these special events!
Have a wonderful week!
🏃 June 2 Field Day Grades K to 2 Rain Date June 9
🥞 June 2 Civics For All Showcase
🏃 June 3 Field Day Grades 3 to 5 Rain Date June 10
🎉 June 3 We Are PS 88Q Event 3:30pm to 6:30pm
🏫 June 4 Chancellors Day No Students in Attendance
📂 June 5 Clerical Day No Students in Attendance
June 9: Grade 5 Picnic
🎶 June 10 Last Band and Chorus Performance 6:00pm
👋 June 12 Last Day of GRYC
☕ June 15 Coffee with Mrs. O'Shaughnessy
🎶 June 16th and 18th: Disney Performance Beauty and The Beast
June 18th: Kindergarten Stepping Up
🖤 June 19 Juneteenth No School
🎓 June 22 Grade 5 Commencement 9:00am
💃 June 24 Grade 5 Dance 12:00pm to 2:00pm
🎉 June 26 Last Day of School
Fun Run
What an incredible day at our annual PS 88Q Fun Run!
A special thank you goes to Ms. Prinzevalli, whose dedication, enthusiasm, and passion for fitness made this event such a tremendous success. Ms. Prinzevalli is constantly inspiring our students to challenge themselves, stay active, and discover the joy that comes from movement and healthy habits. Her commitment to our students extends far beyond the gymnasium, and the Fun Run is just one example of the positive impact she has on our school community.
From our youngest runners in 3K all the way through Grade 5, students laced up their sneakers and gave it their all. Families lined the course, cheering not only for their own children but for every runner who crossed the track. The sense of community, encouragement, and school pride was truly inspiring to witness.
The turnout was remarkable, but even more impressive was the determination and stamina displayed by our runners. Students pushed themselves, supported one another, and demonstrated perseverance with every lap. Whether they ran one lap or many, every participant embodied the spirit of the event.
Thank you, Ms. Prinzevalli, for creating space for this amazing tradition and for sharing your love of fitness with our students. Events like the Fun Run remind us that physical wellness, school spirit, and community connections are all important parts of the PS 88Q experience.
We are so proud of all of our runners and grateful to the families who came out to support them. What a fantastic celebration of fitness, perseverance, and community!
Go New York , Go New York Go!
May The Change Be With You
On Tuesday, our school community came together for one of the most powerful events of the year—
May The Change Be With You.
This special day is a celebration of student voice, civic engagement, and the belief that even our youngest learners can make a difference in the world around them. Throughout the year, classes explored important issues, conducted research, engaged in meaningful discussions, and developed advocacy projects focused on causes that matter to them.
On Tuesday, every single one of our students showed up for what they believe in.
As classes proudly marched around the perimeter of the school, students carried signs, shared messages, and demonstrated their commitment to causes ranging from kindness and anti-bullying to environmental stewardship, animal welfare, accessibility, food insecurity, and many other important issues. Families, neighbors, and community members had the opportunity to see firsthand the passion and purpose our students bring to making the world a better place.
Following the march, our entire school community gathered in the schoolyard for a truly unforgettable moment. With approximately 700 students and more than 100 staff members standing together, we witnessed the incredible power of collective action. Looking across a schoolyard filled with advocates, leaders, and changemakers was both inspiring and moving.
The message was clear: our voices matter.
At PS 88Q, we believe that education is about more than academics. It is about helping students understand that they have the ability to influence positive change, stand up for what is right, and contribute to their communities. On Tuesday, our students demonstrated exactly that.
We are incredibly proud of every student and staff member who participated in this year's event. Together, we showed that when a community comes together around hope, compassion, and action, our voices can be heard far beyond the walls of our school.
May the change continue—one voice, one action, and one student at a time.
Field Day
Join Us for Our Annual #WeArePS88Q Event
We are excited to invite all current and future PS 88Q families to our annual #WeArePS88Q Open House on Wednesday from 3:30 PM–6:30 PM!
This special event is an opportunity to celebrate an incredible school year and experience everything that makes PS 88Q such a wonderful place to learn, grow, and thrive.
Throughout the evening, families will have the opportunity to:
✨ Visit your child's classrooms and see where the learning happens each day
✨ Explore our specialty programs, including:
- Art
- STEM
- Physical Education
- Music
- Coding
- Theater
✨ Stop by the auditorium from 3:30 PM–4:30 PM to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a rehearsal for our upcoming Disney Musicals in Schools production of Beauty and the Beast
✨ Stay in the auditorium and become part of the audience for a live recording of the PS 88Q Podcast
🎨 And of course, don't miss the highlight of the evening—our annual PS 88Q Art Show!
Under the direction of Ms. Fogarty, our hallways are transformed into a true museum-quality exhibit showcasing artwork from every student. Families will enjoy viewing pieces created during Art class as well as projects completed through our partnership with Studio in a School. It is truly one of the most anticipated events of the year!
You'll also have the opportunity to:
- Meet and talk with our amazing staff
- Learn about programs and opportunities throughout the school
- Visit next year's classrooms
- Celebrate the accomplishments of our students and community
We are so proud of all that our students have achieved this year, and we look forward to celebrating together with our entire PS 88Q family.
We can't wait to see everyone on Wednesday evening from 3:30 PM–6:30 PM!
#WeArePS88Q 💙💛
#WeArePS88Q Event: June 3, 2026 3:30pm-6:30pm
We are excited to invite you to one of our favorite events of the year—our #WeArePS88Q Open House on Tuesday, June 3, 2026 from 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM!
This special afternoon and evening is an opportunity for all of our current families, as well as those joining our community, to explore everything that makes PS 88Q such a vibrant and joyful place to learn. During this time, our school truly comes to life, with all that we offer proudly on display.
Take a walk through our building and:
- Visit our band and chorus rooms and experience the power of music at PS 88Q
- Meet our theater, and physical education teachers
- Drop in on coding and STEM to see innovation in action
- Step into your child’s classroom for a glimpse of their day and celebrate all of their hard work
- Check out where your child will be learning next year
Be sure to stop by the auditorium to enjoy a recording of our Eagle’s Lens Podcast and meet the talented students and staff who make it all happen behind the scenes!
We also encourage families to connect with Ivett Perez Lopez, our incredible Parent Coordinator, who will be available to help you set up or connect your New York City Schools Account and Kids Rise Account. Every family who gets connected will be entered into our raffles, so don’t miss out!
And of course, the star of the evening, Ms. Fogarty’s Art Show, will showcase the creativity and talent of our students in a way that always leaves us inspired.
There are so many more exciting moments planned throughout the event, and we can’t wait to share them with you.
We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate our students, our programs, and our incredible school community. This is what it means to be #WeArePS88Q!
PTA Updates
JUNE 11—FINAL PTA GENERAL MEETING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
6:00 PM—PS88 AUDITORIUM
Please mark your calendars and join us for our final PTA General Meeting of the 2025–2026 school year on Wednesday, June 11 at 6:00 PM in the PS88 auditorium.
We’d love to see as many parents as possible for our last Executive Board updates of the year, a message from Principal O’Shaughnessy, and a lively discussion as we close out the school year and look ahead to what’s next.
This is a great opportunity to hear what the PTA has been working on, ask questions, share ideas, and stay connected with our PS88 community.
SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK AND IDEAS FOR NEXT YEAR!
As we prepare for the incoming 2026–2027 PTA Executive Board, we’d love to hear from PS88 families.
What worked well this year?
What could be better?
What events, programs, communications, or support would you like to see next year?
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to share feedback, questions, and ideas through our Anonymous Feedback Form.
Submit your feedback here:
https://bit.ly/ParentNeeds2025_26
Your input helps the PTA better understand what families need and how we can continue to support students, parents, teachers, staff, and the larger PS88 community.
STAY INFORMED
All Things PTA + Newsletter Signup:
https://linkin.bio/ps88pta
WhatsApp:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/ILNl02KhJQb3mcy8C9Gb63
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ps88q.pta/
Anonymous Feedback Form:
https://bit.ly/ParentNeeds2025_26ons Director: Zack
Co-Fundraising Directors: Tania + Arianna
Events Director: Erin
PAC Chairperson: Anna
Dear Families:
We are excited to share that our district will be hosting a Chancellor’s Town Hall on:
📅Monday, June 1, 2026
📍 IS 73 70-02 54th Avenue Maspeth, New York
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 - Student Performances and Grab and Go Snacks
6: 30 - 7:30 - Town Hall Conversation with Chancellor Samuels
This is a wonderful opportunity to come together, hear directly from leadership, and be part of an important conversation about our schools and community.
Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and commitment.
In appreciation,