This Week @ PS 88Q

What a summer it has been at PS 88Q! Our building was buzzing with energy as over 800 students, 300 GRYC staff members, and about 75 of our own staff took part in Summer Rising. On Friday, August 15th, we wrapped up the program—and for the first time since September, our school is quiet. But not for long! With only one week to get everything ready for our teachers, I have to give a huge shout-out to our custodial staff—they are truly superheroes.

I also have some exciting news to share. Our Grade 3, 4, and 5 students did amazing on the NYS Exams. In fact, our proficiency rating is the highest it has ever been! Most notably, our ELA proficiency increased by almost 20%. This incredible growth speaks volumes about the dedication of our entire school community:

• Our teachers who provided explicit, individualized instruction—not only closing gaps, but also pushing students performing above grade level.

• Our families who supported learning at home, stayed connected with the school, and encouraged participation in afterschool programs.

• And of course, our students, who showed true grit, dedication, and a growth mindset every step of the way.

Growth mindset is at the heart of everything we believe at PS 88Q—and these results are proof of what happens when we live that belief together. I am beyond proud of our students, staff, and families.

As we head into the final two weeks of summer, I encourage you to enjoy every moment. If this summer has taught me anything, it’s that time is our greatest resource—time with family, time for ourselves, and time to recharge.

See you at the Meet and Greet, and see you on September 4th for the first day of school!

We are excited to invite you to a Meet and Greet on Wednesday, August 27th at 10:00 AM! This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with our administration team—Ms. Lowe, Ms. Herman, and myself. We’ll be available to answer questions, share information, and most importantly, give families the chance to meet one another as we begin a new school year together.

Please note that teachers do not report back until September 2nd, so they will not be present at this event. However, this is just one of many opportunities to come together as a community. We are also thrilled to share that our in-building Meet the Teacher Event will be held on Tuesday, September 17th from 4:00–7:00 PM. During this event, you’ll have the chance to:

• Visit your child’s classrooms

• Meet all of their teachers

• Tour the building

• Explore before-school and afterschool clubs

• Meet our PTA Board

• And of course—have some fun!

We look forward to seeing you at both events as we kick off what promises to be an incredible school year!

Each year, a great deal of planning and care goes into creating class placements for our students. We take this responsibility very seriously, as we know how important the classroom experience is for both academic and social growth.

We are proud to share that PS 88Q was approved for small class size funding. This means that in our school, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 classes are capped at 20 students, while Grades 4 and 5 are capped at 23 students (with the exception of Gifted & Talented classes). This is an incredible opportunity for our students, as smaller class sizes allow for more individualized attention and stronger connections.

When classes are created, they are reorganized each year to provide an organic mix of students. This process ensures balance and takes into account many factors, including academic strengths, social-emotional needs, and peer relationships. While students may not remain with the same group of classmates every year, this is intentional. It provides students with the opportunity to expand their social circle and develop new friendships, while also ensuring balanced classrooms that support all learners.

This year in particular, with smaller class sizes, we have been able to create more classes with fewer students. Please keep in mind that all placements are tentative. In the first week of school, adjustments may be necessary as we account for families who may have moved and welcome new students to PS 88Q. Our goal is always to keep classes as balanced as possible so that no one class has significantly higher enrollment than another.

We know how important friendships are to children, and while your child may not be placed with every friend they hoped for, please know that class changes cannot be made. Placements are carefully designed to support all students and to ensure that every class is set up for success.

Thank you for your trust and partnership. We are looking forward to a wonderful year of growth and learning together.

All families will receive an email next week from me with your child's class and teacher.

Hello, families!

This year, we wanted to make it easier than ever for you to shop for school supplies, so we've gone digital!

From our website, you'll be able to:

• Add your student's full supply list to your cart at major retailers including Amazon, Target, and Wal-Mart
• Edit the list to add or remove items you don't need
• Comparison shop by adding items to your cart at every retailer and choosing the least expensive option

Beat the crowds this year and shop for school supplies from the comfort of your own home!

Find your supply list here:
https://www.ps88q.com/apps/supplies

Once school is in full swing, it can be tough to keep track of everything going on—events, schedules, and important dates seem to pop up quickly! To make it easier, we’ve put together two versions of our school calendar. Both are live links that are updated daily and weekly, so you’ll always have the latest information.

• One-Page Year-at-a-Glance – The whole year on one page, perfect if you like to see everything at once.

• Month-to-Month Calendar – The same information, but broken down by month so it’s easier to focus on what’s coming up next.

Feel free to use whichever works best for you—or even both!

Also, our website is updated and has an abundance of information, and our instagram is a great way to see what we are up to! Bookmark them both! And Follow!

https://www.ps88q.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ps88_q/?hl=en

Dear PS 88 3K and PreK families,

We are happy to announce that Supermoon Art Space will be offering an after school program this year for 3-5 year olds enrolled in our school.

This fee-based program will run Monday-Friday from 2:15-5:30pm in our PreK wing at PS 88. The cost of the program is $600/mo, with a handful of spaces available for sliding scale tuition and ACS vouchers. Part time enrollment is also available for $35/day. The program will start on Monday, September 15th.

Families that are interested in enrolling can fill out this form (there is space there for any questions or special requests), and someone from Supermoon will reach out with next steps.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeItWG_jc4lJm-9gz-Ral_jPim6qakVzuD5tlXm92MIAheDuQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

See you all soon!

-Team Supermoon and your PS 88 Administration

Welcome to PS 88Q! We are so excited to begin this amazing year of growth with your children. These early years are such a special time, and we are honored to share this journey with your family.

Your child’s teachers will be reaching out to you shortly, but I want to provide some important information about arrival, dismissal, and the first week of school:

• Arrival & Dismissal: Families will escort their child into the classroom every day and pick them up from the classroom at dismissal. This ensures a safe and emotionally supportive routine. Families will enter through the small playground door (Exit 11).

  • Drop-off: 8:00 AM

  • Dismissal: 2:10 PM

• In-Class Protocols: Each teacher has a clear routine for families when you enter the classroom, designed to keep all students safe and secure.

• First Day Schedule: In the past, 3K and Pre-K began the year with a staggered schedule. This year, all students will begin full-day programming from day one. For many of our Pre-K students, this will feel like a natural continuation of 3K. For our new 3K students, it may be a bigger transition, and that’s completely normal—we are here to support them (and you) every step of the way. You are all welcome to remain in the class on the first week for the first 30 minutes.

• What to Bring: Please send your child with a sheet and blanket on the first day, so they are prepared for nap time.

If you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at any time. We are thrilled to welcome you and your child to PS 88Q, and we can’t wait for the year ahead.

Dear Kindergarten Families,

Welcome to PS 88Q! Kindergarten is such an exciting milestone, and we are so thrilled to share this amazing year of growth with your children. We know this first year in “big school” is a special time for both students and families, and we are committed to making the transition as smooth and joyful as possible.

Here is some important information about arrival, dismissal, and the first week of school:

• First Day Gathering: On the first day of school, Kindergarten families will gather at 8:15 AM in the large school yard. Families will join their children and their teachers for this special first morning together. Gathering in the yard gives students the space they need to feel comfortable, and it also gives families the opportunity to meet and connect with one another. From there, the teachers will escort students to their classrooms.

• Dismissal: Kindergarten dismissal will also take place in the large school yard. For the first week of school only, dismissal will begin at 2:00 PM. This earlier dismissal allows teachers time to meet you, ensure a safe hand-to-hand dismissal, and build strong connections between school and home. Regular dismissal times will begin the following week.

This is truly the beginning of a wonderful journey. We are so excited to welcome you and your child into our PS 88Q family. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at any time.

Shqip / العربية / বাংলা / 简体中文 / 繁體中文 / Français / Kreyòl ayisyen / 한국어 / Русский / Español / Українська/ اردو / O'zbek

An Important Update on Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices

Dear Families and Colleagues,

Last week, our Panel for Educational Policy approved a revision to Chancellor’s Regulation A-413. This regulation covers the use of personal internet-enabled electronic devices—such as cell phones, smartwatches, and tablets. The updated policy brings us into alignment with a new state law that prohibits the use of these devices from “bell to bell"—in other words, from the start until the end of the school day.

Here are a few key points to know ahead of the upcoming school year:

• All schools must create a policy to ensure students are not using these devices during school hours.
• Each school can choose a device storage method that makes sense for them, such as pouches or lockers, and schools will receive funding to help implement these methods.
• There are certain exceptions to this policy, including when devices are used for medical, emergency, or specific educational purposes.
• Schools must share a direct phone number with families to streamline communication. Families should also make sure their emergency contact information is up-to-date in NYCSA.

I know this will be a significant change for many, and I encourage students, staff, and families to visit schools.nyc.gov/DevicePolicy to learn more. You can also watch the Highlight Video below, featuring Chief of Safety and Prevention Partnerships Mark Rampersant.

As a former principal who restricted cell phone use in my own school, I saw the impact distraction-free classrooms had on school culture and student achievement. And my school wasn’t alone—other schools are seeing similar results. Check out our Chancellor’s Spotlight below for just one powerful example.

I look forward to working together this school year to help our students focus, learn, and grow.

In partnership,

Melissa Aviles-Ramos

Chancellor

The Chancellor’s Spotlight:

Last school year, the Urban Assembly Gateway School for Technology began collecting cell phones each morning. The school’s leadership observed a range of effects since making the shift.

As Principal Kristina Dvorakovskaya shared, “Within the first week, teachers were saying they were finishing lessons they used last year 5-10 minutes faster, because of the lack of interruption from phones and the increased engagement.”

She also noted changes in other settings: “The cafeteria actually felt like a high school! Students at tables were talking to each other. The yard was packed with kids playing sports.”

Reflecting on the overall experience, Principal Dvorakovskaya said, “It was exactly what our classes needed to deepen engagement and discussion...[and] it was exactly what our community needed to build authentic relationships.”

Our Highlight Video:

For translations, please visit our YouTube page.

Dear District 24 Community,

We invite you to attend our upcoming Community Education Council District 24 (CEC24) Hybrid Calendar/Business Meeting as we continue working together to support and strengthen our schools.

📅 Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
🕖 Time: 6:00 - 9:00 PM
📍 In-Person Location: District 24 Office/Leonardo Da Vinci Intermediate School 61 — 98-50 50th Avenue, Corona, NY 11368
💻 Virtual Option: https://nycdoe.zoom.us/j/92102973851?pwd=wimTNfQIm0CNIMwXV7JVKPQ8N1w3ZQ.1

Meeting ID: 921 0297 3851 Passcode: 096182