This Week @ PS 88Q

I hope your summer was filled with beautiful memories and moments that brought you happiness and joy. As the days of summer come to an end, we are thrilled to welcome you back to the 2026-2027 school year at PS 88Q, The Seneca School!

We are beyond excited for the year ahead. While we hope you enjoyed a wonderful summer break, we have missed having our classrooms filled with the laughter, curiosity, creativity, and excitement of our students. There is nothing quite like the energy of a school filled with children learning, exploring, and growing together.

As we begin a new school year, we are excited to welcome several new members to our PS 88Q family:

• Jacquelyn Monserrat – Kindergarten
• Marisa Critelli – Grade 1
• Catherine Aylward – Grade 3
• Kristen Smith – Kindergarten
• Isabel Fernandez – Grade 2
• Rebecca Ansman – Grade 3
• Jillian McGinty – Grade 3
• Sara Gershon – Art
• Marisa D'Angelo – Adaptive Physical Education and Physical Education

At the same time, we would like to thank and wish the very best to Ms. Mackiewicz, Ms. Lopez, and Ms. Roman, who are no longer with our school community. Their contributions to PS 88Q are appreciated, and they will always be part of our school's story.

This year, we are excited to continue all of the things that make PS 88Q such a special place while also embracing new opportunities for growth and innovation. One area we are particularly excited about is the recently announced NYC Public Schools Screen Time and Artificial Intelligence Policy. As many of you know, thoughtful technology use and student wellness remain priorities for our school. Over the coming weeks, additional guidance will be released by NYC Public Schools. In this newsletter, I have included some initial information, and we will continue to share updates as they become available.

We are also thrilled to welcome our new PTA Executive Board! We look forward to partnering with this dedicated group of parents and caregivers as we continue building an even stronger school community. I encourage all families to attend our first PTA meeting on September 16th to meet the new board and learn more about the exciting plans for this school year.

Please also save the date for Meet the Teachers Night on September 30th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This in-person event is a wonderful opportunity to visit your child's classroom, meet their teachers, connect with staff members, and see the spaces where your children learn and grow each day. We look forward to welcoming all families into our school.

Finally, I have linked our Family Calendar below. The calendar is updated regularly and includes important school events, dates, and information for the entire year.

Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and trust. Together, we will make this year one filled with learning, growth, friendship, and unforgettable experiences for our students.

We are looking forward to our best year yet!

The first day is almost here! This week the staff return on Tuesday September 8th and Wednesday, September 9th to prepare for the first day. ALL STUDENTS BEGIN ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH.

Arrival

Grades K-Grades 5

Kindergarten Protocol for September 10th:

Arrival:

Kindergarten Arrival September 10:

For the first day, all kindergarten families can enter the large schoolyard at 8:15am. This will allow you the opportunity to gather as a class, see your child's teacher, and place their name tag on them together. Kindergarten staff will be in the schoolyard at 8:00am in to help you.

Kindergarten Dismissal September 10 and September 11:

Large Schoolyard: For the first two days, kindergarten will dismiss at 2:00pm. Dismissal is in the large school yard (Exit 5) at your designated spot. Families, please be aware that teachers MUST dismiss one student at a time, and must connect with you to assure that handoff is safe. This takes time in the beginning, but as you both become familiar with each other, it moves quickly. This is for the safety of your child.

Early Dropoff/Morning Drop-off: For our kindergarten through grade 5 families, early drop off is available every day at 7:30am. All students enter through the large school yard. This includes the first day of school. Students in grades K, 1 and 2 proceed to the cafeteria. Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 proceed to the auditorium. We ask that our incoming kindergarten families pause from early drop off on day 1, as kindergarten arrival is at 8:15am.

The large school yard gate will be closed by 8:05am daily. Teachers pick up their classes at 8:00am and escort them to class. After 8:05am, students are considered late, and must enter through the main door on Catalpa Avenue. Please avoid being late, as students who arrive late must be escorted to class to ensure they are supervised and connected to their class.

For the first week, (September 10, 11 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) the gate will remain open until 8:15am. Beginning September 21st, arrival after 8:05am must be through the main entrance, and students are marked late.

3K and Pre-K:

Morning Arrival: All students are escorted to their classroom by a family member. The door will open at 8:00am. Families enter through the door in the small schoolyard (with the slides). Feel free to arrive early and enjoy the time with your child in the playground. This is reserved for our 3k and Pre-K families. It is a great time to meet others. Families will exit through the same door when they leave. Carriages can be left in the small schoolyard. When you enter, the Pre-K classes are on the left, and the 3K classes are on the right. Staff will be there to greet you.

Dismissal

Grades K, 1 and 2:

Kindergarten, Grade 1 and 2 will be dismissed in the large school yard. For the first week, kindergarten will come out at 2:00pm, in order to provide a safe, hand to hand dismissal. It is important that every teacher dismisses to each guardian. Please do not call your child over, or take them from the line. All parents will be called over to their child's line when they exit the building. Once the class arrives at their designated spot on the field, teachers will dismiss, child by child.

Grades 3, 4 and 5:

Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 are dismissed on Catalpa Avenue (front of the building). Grade 3 is dismissed (if facing the building) on the right side (main entrance). Grades 4 and 5 are dismissed on the left side (yellow doors). Families remain behind the gate. It is imperative that teachers identify who the guardian is, and dismissed the student to the adult.

I am at the front of the building. I will call families to the entrance when their child's teacher exits the building. We cannot block the gate.

3K and Pre-K:

The small schoolyard door will be opened daily at 2:10pm. For the first two weeks, we will open at 2:00pm. Each teacher has a specific protocol for dismissal. Family members enter the classroom, and students are dismissed hand to hand.

Please note: Dismissal for the first two weeks can take some time. SAFETY IS OUR BIGGEST CONCERN. Additionally, GRYC, our afterschool program, does not begin until September 14th, so all students are being dismissed. As our afterschool programs, and GRYC begin, this limits the number of students being dismissed at 2:15pm.

There is no parking on the Catalpa Avenue side of the building. Our many school buses must pull in to pick up students.

Students will only be dismissed to an adult on your emergency contact form. Please update, and add as many people as you like to your emergency contact form on Operoo.

All of our families received an email from me (loshaughnessy@schools.nyc.gov) with your child's class placement as well as the supply list. This year, our teachers created an individual class supply list with a limited amount of supplies. We are happy to provide many of the supplies that students need. I specifically did not link it on the website for this reason, as well as the fact that it links the supply list to big box commercial stores. Families are more than welcome to purchase their supplies anywhere, or to accept donations. I know that I never had a shortage of folders and notebooks in my house from years prior. If you haven't received your class assignment, please email me. If you have your class assignment, but not the supply list, feel free to reach out to the classroom teacher.

Student Facing AI:

There is a moratorium on student-facing, generative AI from 2-K through 8th grade. There will be no software that uses student-facing generative AI, including instructional programs and AI tutoring or intervention platforms for these students.

Screen Time:

In tandem with the student-facing AI policy;

• there will be no individual device use by students in the classroom, 1:1 screen time, for students in 2-K through 2nd grade. Smart boards and other devices used for group instruction may continue to be used.
  
• Students in grades 3-5 are recommended no more than 30 minutes of daily 1:1 screen time. Smart boards and other devices used for group instruction may continue to be used.
  

Policy Exceptions

The student-facing AI and screen-time policies do not restrict:

• Assistive technologies that support students with disabilities and English language learners
  
• Across all grades, this policy does not apply to assistive technology and associated screen time, provided through a student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan.
  
• Students with disabilities and English Language Learners (ELLs) will continue to have access to other necessary tools that provide important communication support.
  
• Assessments, such as screeners and diagnostics.
  
• Out-of-school learning, such as remote instruction days.

It is hard to believe that this September marks 25 years since the events of September 11, 2001. For some members of our community, that day feels like yesterday and remains forever etched in their memories. For many of our students and families, however, it is a moment in history that occurred before they were even born. As educators, we have the privilege and responsibility of helping our children learn about our nation's history while honoring the courage, resilience, and unity that emerged from such a difficult day.

Our Social Justice Committee began planning this initiative back in June, and Mr. Carlos Canales continued the work throughout the summer. Together, they have helped bring to life an incredible learning experience for our school community. This month, PS 88Q will host a special exhibit honoring the 25th anniversary of 9/11, creating what we affectionately call our own little museum inside the school.

At the heart of the exhibit are stunning seven-foot-tall recreations of the Twin Towers, created by members of our Social Justice Committee. The exhibit is designed not only to remember those we lost, but also to help students understand the significance of the day, the bravery of first responders, and the way communities came together in the aftermath of the attacks. Similar efforts have involved students and community partners creating flowers that will become part of the memorial display.

Most importantly, we would like to hear from you.

Many of our families have personal memories and stories from September 11, 2001. Some witnessed the events firsthand, some helped others, and some experienced the profound impact on family members, friends, or neighbors. If you are comfortable sharing, we invite you to tell us your story. Your memories help preserve history and ensure that future generations understand not only what happened, but also the strength, compassion, and unity that followed.

As we spend the month learning, reflecting, and remembering together, we hope this exhibit serves as both an educational experience for our students and a meaningful tribute to those whose lives were forever changed.

Never Forget. ❤️🤍

Your 2026–27 PTA Executive Board

We're so grateful to the PS88 parents who stepped forward to serve our school community next school year as PTA Executive Board members:

President
Liliana Campoverde

Co-Recording Secretaries
Jenny Soderqvist Gallishaw
Becky Vinter

Treasurer
Daliza Cabrera

Communications Director
Zack Bruce

Co-Fundraising Directors
Tania Morales
Arianna Rebolini

Events Director
Erin Florio

PAC Chairperson
Anna Ibarra

Ridgewood YMCA After-school

Program Hours/ Days: The program operates Monday through Friday from 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM during the school year from September-June.

Grades: Open to K-5th grade only.

School Pick-Up Info: Pickup is available from P.S. 88. If your child attends another school, please contact us for more information.

Program Fees: 5 days per week: $499/month. (Financial assistance available)

To register: Enrollment opens in August. Registration must be done in-person at the Ridgewood YMCA.

Contact: For more information and questions, please contact Cris Reyes, Program Director at creyes@ymcanyc.org or or 212-912-2197.

Location: Ridgewood YMCA, 69-02 64th Street, Ridgewood, NY 11385. 212-912-2180.

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 14th.

Families that are interested in enrolling can fill out the form linked below (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=sharing&ouid=105592608795109993495

See you all soon!

-Team Supermoon and your PS 88 Administration