This Week @ PS 88Q

We just wrapped up our first full week of school, and our students did an amazing job settling into routines and diving into learning. One of the most noticeable differences this year is our small class sizes. With fewer students in each class, teachers are able to provide more individual attention, strengthening the teacher-student connection and allowing for more personalized instruction.

This week, students will begin their beginning-of-year screeners:

• MCLASS for ELA

• MAP Growth for Math

Please know these are not “tests.” Instead, they help us understand where each child is academically so we can adapt instruction to best support their needs.

We are also thrilled to share that our Grade 5 students began their dance residency with Ballroom Basix! Their energy, enthusiasm, and teamwork were inspiring—this program is a wonderful addition to their arts education.

🗓️ Upcoming Events & Reminders

• Hispanic Heritage Month September 15-October 15
  Join us for Little Bites: Pequeños Bocaditos on Wednesday, October 9th, from 5:15–6:30 PM in the cafeteria. More details to come!

• Meet the Teacher Night
  Happening this Wednesday, September 17th, from 3:30–6:30 PM.

  • Ms. Herman, Ms. Lowe, and I will be circulating throughout the building and are available for any questions.

  • Be sure to connect with our Parent Coordinator, Ms. Ivett Perez Lopez, and stop by to meet our PTA Executive Board.

• Emergency Contact & Media Release Forms
  All families must update their information in Operoo. An email was sent to all families—please complete both the emergency contact update and media release form as soon as possible.

• Afterschool Opportunities
  Stay tuned—our school-based afterschool programs will be announced by the end of September.

We are off to a smooth and successful start. Thank you for your continued support in making our community so strong. Have a wonderful week ahead!

Our fifth graders Kicked Off their new program...Dance! Check out the video below. Make sure you follow us on instagram!

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.

We are so excited for you to come on in! On Wednesday, September 17th from 3:30pm-6:30pm, our building is open for you to come see what a day looks like for your child. Visit the music labs, the coding room, the art studio, the gym, the library and all the classrooms! We will have many community based organizations on site as well, such as Common Threads and Queens Public Library. Our PTA Executive Board will be in the main lobby, so stop by and learn how you can get involved. See the schedule below. This will allow you to visit multiple teachers:

3:30pm-4:00pm

4:15pm-4:45pm

5:00pm-5:30pm

5:45pm-6:15pm

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

For our grade 5 students, it is almost time to start thinking about Middle School!

Fall 2026 Middle School Admissions Timeline

• • Wednesday, October 15, 2025: Middle School Application Opens
  • Monday, November 3, 2025: Deadline to register to test for Mark Twain I.S. 239 (21K239) and District 21 Talent Tests
  • Friday, December 12, 2025: Middle School Application Closes
  • Wednesday, April 15, 2026: Middle School Offer Release

  These dates are subject to change. Any changes will be announced and communicated directly to families. Sign up for updates here(Open external link).

  Virtual Admissions Events

  All NYC families of students entering middle school in fall 2026 will be invited to attend virtual information sessions about middle school admissions. These will take place this fall, and the dates and login information will be posted on this website soon. To be sure you receive an invitation, sign up for updates here(Open external link).

• 
  

You’re Invited: First PTA Meeting of the School Year!

Thursday, September 25, 2025

6:00–7:00 PM (Kids activity during the meeting.)

PS88Q Auditorium (with Zoom option)

Join us for our first PTA General Membership Meeting of the 2025–26 school year. Meet your PTA Executive Board, hear important updates from Principal O’Shaughnessy, and help shape the events and priorities for the year ahead.

What to do next:

• RSVP for the meeting here → https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rsvp-ps88q-pta-kickoff-meeting-sept-25-tickets-1695851801389

• Complete the Parent Survey here→ http://bit.ly/AnnualSurvey2025-26

Why Fill Out the Parent Survey?

• Set the PTA meeting schedule: Your answers determine the dates/times for the year so they work for as many families as possible.

• Shape priorities: Tell us what matters most: events, programs, fundraising, or family support.

• Share your talents: Whether you’re an artist, organizer, business owner, or just have an hour to give, we want to know how you’d like to contribute.

• Stay informed: Completing the survey ensures you’re on the PTA mailing list and won’t miss key updates or opportunities.

• Flexible involvement: You can let us know what works for your schedule now… no stress if things change later.

• Classroom contest!: The classroom with the most parent responses will receive a $50 gift card to spend as they choose!

Remember, every parent/guardian at PS88 is automatically a member of the PTA. Your voice and your vote matter — we look forward to seeing you there!

Warmly,

Your PTA Executive Board

Samantha (President) • Sabita (Treasurer) • Abbey (Secretary) • Caitlin & Mariella (Events) • Arianna (Fundraising) • Marc & Carlos (Communications)

Good morning District 24 Community,

Please join the CEC24 members at the Hybrid Business and Calendar CEC24 meeting on Tuesday, September 16th.

Attached is a draft September 16th CEC24 meeting agenda. The details are below:

📅 Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
🕖 Time: 6:00 - 9:30 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

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

Back to School: A Journey Across the Five Boroughs

Dear Families and Colleagues,

The 2025-26 school year has officially launched—and it’s been such a thrill to see students and staff back in our school buildings. Last week, in the first two days of school, I visited all five boroughs to celebrate exciting programs and opportunities for our communities. Here’s a snapshot of what I saw:

• In Southeast Queens, HBCU Early College Prep opened its doors for the first time to the sounds of a marching band, call-and-response chants, and lots of HBCU pride.
• In Inwood, I met students at PS/MS 278 for lunch, where we enjoyed apple-glazed roasted chicken, butternut squash mac and cheese, roasted broccoli, and more.
• In Brooklyn, I joined an end-of-day dismissal, filled with lots of applause and spirit, at Central Brooklyn Literacy Academy, a new school focused on students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences.
• At District 75’s Staten Island Rise Academy, another brand-new school, I met with students and toured classrooms in their beautiful new space, designed specifically to support their unique learning needs.
• And in the Bronx, at New Pathways Academy, I spoke with middle schoolers about the state law on cell phones, gathering their thoughts, ideas, and input.

I left these visits inspired by the dedication, enthusiasm, and sense of purpose that fill our classrooms and hallways. I can’t wait to see what all our schools accomplish this year.

In partnership,

Melissa Aviles-Ramos

Chancellor