This Week @PS 88Q

Did you notice something funny going on at P.S. 88Q this week? I sure did! But just like many of you, I wasn't quite sure what was happening.

It appears that our staff was participating in a very secret Spirit Week! Each day brought a new surprise centered around some of my favorite things, from music and sports to a beach-themed day. Then, on Friday, everything became clear...I had a twin!

If you were at arrival on Friday, you may have noticed there were two principals greeting students at the doors. Ms. Vasquez's transformation was so spot on that many students did a double take. Honestly, you tell me...didn't Ms. Vasquez get it right?

A very special thank you to Ms. Herman for organizing this top-secret operation in honor of National Principals Month. The truth is, she knows me well. This work has never been about me. It is about our community. And I could not do this work without her by my side.

I feel incredibly fortunate to serve the families, students, and staff of Ridgewood and P.S. 88Q. Every day, I am reminded that schools are strongest because of the people who make them special. While not every day is perfect for any of us, we continue to live our school mantra: We persevere. We try hard. We make mistakes. We learn from them. We understand better. These are the lessons we hope our students carry with them each day, and they are lessons that guide us as adults as well.

• October 28: Title I Meeting, 9:00 AM
• October 30: Fall Costume Parade : 9am :Permission Here: Fall Festival Parade – Fill out form
• November 3: Election Day, Remote Learning
• November 9: National School Psychology Week begins
• November 11: No School, Veterans Day
• November 12: Breaking Bread & Building Bonds" event, from 5:15pm-6:30pm
• November 13: Parent Workshop: Time for a Checkup, 8:30 AM; World Kindness Day
• November 16-20: Scholastic Book Fair [Families_...ilies.xlsx | Excel]
• November 18: Parent-Teacher Conferences, Half Day Dismissal (11:20 AM); National Educator Support Day
• November 19: PAC Meeting, 5:30 PM; PTA Meeting, 6:00 PM
• November 24: School Leadership Team (SLT) Meeting, 3:30 PM
• November 26-27: No School, Thanksgiving Recess

Have a Great Week!

Do you have ideas to make P.S. 88Q even better?

Student Council elections are right around the corner! Students interested in serving as leaders, representing their classmates, and helping plan schoolwide initiatives are encouraged to apply.

Student Council members use their voices to make a positive impact, promote school spirit, and help strengthen our school community. We look forward to seeing our future leaders step up, share their ideas, and make a difference at P.S. 88Q!

Applications go home Monday, but here is a sneak peak!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XRxaWcC9hsnkqLbR_4YdCP4nsk1kqFq6/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101513461094107957206&rtpof=true&sd=true

Speak Up. Be Heard. Make a Difference.

Have you visited our updated P.S. 88Q website lately? We are working hard to make it a one-stop resource for families, and it is updated daily with important information, upcoming events, school news, resources, forms, and much more.

While we are excited about all that the website currently offers, we know the best ideas come from our community. We'd love to hear from you! What information would you like to see added? Is there something you find yourself searching for that we don't currently have? Your feedback will help us make the website even more useful, accessible, and family-friendly.

Please take a few minutes to explore and let us know what is working well and what might be missing. Together, we can continue building a website that truly meets the needs of our P.S. 88Q community.

Dear PS 88 Families,

We are writing to share important information with you regarding PS 88’s plan to Pivot to Remote Learning. We would like to ensure all families are fully prepared for upcoming Remote Instruction on Election Day on November 3, 2026 or for any instances in which a school closure is announced, and we are required to pivot to remote learning.

By now, all students have access to a working device at school that will allow them access to our virtual Google Classroom platform. Please complete this survey to let us know if: Click Here To Complete Survey

• My child needs the school device to access Google Classroom for remote learning. Devices will be sent home the day prior and must be returned the day they return to school

• My child has access to a device at home and does not need to use their school device.

All students have access to their TeachHub (teachhub.schools.nyc) account using the NYCPS sign-on credentials. Parents can access important information on the Remote Learning Info page of our school’s website ps88q.com. (coming soon)

Please remember the following:

• Election Day (November 3, 2026) is a remote learning day for all students.
  In other situations, we will pivot to remote learning based on an announcement from the Mayor and Chancellor.

• Students should follow their regular schedule of classes for that day and log into their Google Classrooms for all information. All schedules can be accessed on the Remote Learning Info page of our website.

• Attendance will be taken on their Google Classroom between 8:00-8:30am.

• Students should have their cameras on while in their Google Meets.

• The first portion of the period will consist of synchronous learning and the teacher will actively engage them in the lesson. The teacher will also remain available for the duration of the period in the event your child requires additional support.

• The remainder of the period will be dedicated to asynchronous work, which can be done independently.

Please rest assured that PS 88 is here to support you, whether in person, or in the event we are required to pivot to remote learning. Our contact information can also be accessed on our website.

As always, please reach out to us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Linda O’Shaughnessy

We are excited to share that PS 88Q has been awarded funding through the NYC Public Schools Nutrition Collaborative Program.

We will be partnering with Green Bronx Machine! Through this initiative, our school will purchase hydroponic Tower Gardens that allow students to grow fresh vegetables and herbs indoors all year long. This investment supports our commitment to healthy living, hands-on learning, and environmental stewardship while helping us meet the goals of our Nutrition Committee.

Beginning this school year, students will have opportunities to plant, monitor, harvest, and taste produce grown right here in our school. The hydroponic towers will become living classrooms where students explore nutrition, science, sustainability, technology, and agriculture through authentic, hands-on experiences. By growing their own food, students develop a deeper understanding of where food comes from and how healthy choices support their overall well-being.

The project will be implemented throughout the 2026-2027 school year. This fall, we will begin planning and purchasing materials. In January, the hydroponic towers will be installed and staff will receive training. From February through June, students will participate in growing cycles, nutrition lessons, STEM investigations, harvest celebrations, and family engagement activities focused on healthy eating and sustainable food systems.

This work will benefit our entire school community. More than 700 students in grades 3K-5 will have opportunities to learn from and interact with the hydroponic gardens, while many students will take an active role in planting, caring for, and harvesting crops. Teachers will integrate the gardens into science, health, nutrition, and STEM instruction, helping students make meaningful connections between classroom learning and real-world experiences.

We look forward to sharing our students' learning throughout the year and inviting families to celebrate our harvests and discoveries. Together, we are growing much more than vegetables. We are growing curious thinkers, healthy habits, environmental awareness, and a stronger school community.

Stay tuned for updates as our gardens begin to grow! 🌱🥬🍅

At P.S. 88Q, we value our partnership with families and believe that parents and caregivers are essential members of our school community. As a Title I school, we are required to hold an Annual Title I Parent Meeting to provide families with important information about our school's programs and resources.

During this meeting, families will learn about:

✅ What it means to be a Title I school
✅ How Title I funds support students and families at P.S. 88Q
✅ Our school's academic goals and priorities
✅ Curriculum and assessment information
✅ Family engagement opportunities throughout the year
✅ Parents' rights under Title I
✅ The School-Parent Compact and Parent and Family Engagement Policy
✅ How families can provide input and help shape school programs and initiatives

This meeting is an opportunity to learn more about the programs that support student success and to ask questions about our school's plans, services, and resources.

We strongly encourage all families to attend and participate in this important conversation. Working together, we can continue to ensure that every child at The Seneca School has access to high-quality learning experiences and the support they need to thrive.

Date: October 28, 2026
Time: 9am
Location: PS 88Q

We look forward to seeing you there and partnering with you throughout the school year!

Dear Families,

I am excited to share that a new session of the NYC Reads Ambassador Program is beginning soon, and we invite you to be a part of it!

The NYC Reads Ambassador Program is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to learn more about the Science of Reading—the research-based approach that explains how students develop strong reading skills. Ambassadors receive tools, resources, and ongoing support to help strengthen literacy at home and across our school community.

By joining, you will:

• Learn the Science of Reading

• Support your students and our community with literacy

• Connect with Ambassadors across NYC

Our kickoff session will take place on November 5th at 6:00 PM. We encourage all interested families to join us and be part of this growing citywide community.

Session Calendar:

• Thursday, November 5th at 6pm

• Thursday, November 12th at 6pm

• Thursday, November 19th at 6pm

• BREAK FOR THANKSGIVING

• Thursday, December 3rd at 6pm

• Thursday, December 10th at 6pm

• Thursday, December 17th at 6pm

If you’d like to participate or want more information, please SIGN UP HERE!

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our students’ success.

At P.S. 88Q, we are committed to helping every child become a confident and successful reader. As part of NYC Reads, all students participate in a foundational reading skills screener three times each year. These brief reading check-ups help teachers understand each student's strengths and identify areas where additional support or enrichment may be beneficial. The screeners assess important reading skills such as phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension, providing valuable information that helps us tailor instruction to meet students' needs. Families can view their child's results through their NYC Schools Account and are encouraged to speak with their child's teacher with any questions. Together, we can support every child on their journey to becoming a strong reader

Looking for a great way to support P.S. 88Q and show your school spirit? Visit our P.S. 88Q online gear store to purchase school apparel and accessories for students, families, and staff! From t-shirts and hoodies to other Seneca School favorites, there's something for everyone. Every purchase helps build our school community while allowing students to proudly represent P.S. 88Q wherever they go.

Wear your Seneca pride and shop today! 💙🦅💛

https://ps-88q.spiritsale.com/

Our ABT Education Department is pleased to announce a series of complimentary dance workshops at our ABT Studios. These free workshops will welcome second through fifth grade students from public schools across the five boroughs of New York City!

Students will have the opportunity to meet like-minded peers from across New York City and train with ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School faculty and guest artists. We welcome all interested NYC public school students in grades 2–5 to join us for a fun and engaging day of classes in the welcoming environment of ABT’s studios. No prior dance experience is required.

Workshop Dates and Grade Levels

On Saturday, November 14, ABT will host two separate workshops: one for students in grades 2–3 and another for students in grades 4–5. Both workshops will take place at ABT’s studios, located at 890 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. The workshops will offer two complimentary classes for students.

We are also pleased to offer an additional workshop on Monday, January 18 (MLK Day), exclusively for second-grade students. Second graders are welcome to register for either or both workshop dates.

Special Focus for Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Students

The fourth- and fifth-grade workshop is specifically designed to support students preparing for the December 11 audition deadline for specialized middle school dance programs. However, all fourth- and fifth-grade students currently attending a New York City public school are encouraged to participate, regardless of whether they plan to audition.

Please see the attachment flyer for more information,

More information and how to apply can be found at https://www.abt.org/abtriseweekend

You may also sign up directly by visiting the link found here.

Or:

https://www.cognitoforms.com/americanballettheatre1/ABTRISEWorkshopDates20262027

One of the things that makes PS 88Q such a special place is the kindness, generosity, and support we show one another every day. We'd love to take a moment to celebrate the staff members, families, and community members who make a difference in our school.

Has a staff member gone above and beyond? Has a staff member brightened your day? Has a family helped out, volunteered, or shown kindness to another member of our community?

We invite you to submit a Seneca Shout-Out and help us recognize the people who make our school such a warm and welcoming place. Selected shout-outs may be featured in future newsletters!

All dates, minutes and link to join virtually can be found on our website!

https://ps88q.com/families/school-leadership-team/

All dates, minutes, and link to join virtually can be found on our website!

https://ps88q.com/families/pta/

Dear District 24 Community,

Please note that the CEC24 Hybrid Business & Calendar Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at:

Public School 71 - Forest
62-85 Forest Avenue
Ridgewood, NY 11385

Please find attached the following meeting materials in English and Spanish:

• Hybrid Meeting Flyer
• Meeting Agenda
• Resolution No. 205, Cursive Writing in District 24, sponsored by CEC24 President Matthew J. Crescio
• Draft September 2026 Meeting Minutes

Join Online via Zoom:
Register for the Zoom Meeting

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join the meeting.

Spanish Interpretation: Dial in by phone

1 - 347 - 966 - 4114

Phone Conference ID: 950 189 137#

If you have any questions, please contact the CEC24 office at CEC24@schools.nyc.gov or by telephone at 718 - 821-7772, Ext. 1101.

Regards,

Estimada comunidad del Distrito 24:

Les informamos que la Reunión Híbrida de Negocios y Calendario de CEC24 se llevará a cabo el martes, 27 de octubre de 2026, de 6:00 p. m. a 10:00 p. m., en:

Public School 71 – Forest
62-85 Forest Avenue
Ridgewood, NY 11385

Adjunto encontrarán los siguientes materiales de la reunión en inglés y español:

• Folleto de la reunión híbrida
• Agenda de la reunión
• Resolución Núm. 205, Escritura Cursiva en el Distrito 24, patrocinada por el presidente de CEC24, Matthew J. Crescio
• Borrador de las actas de la reunión de septiembre de 2026

Participación virtual por Zoom:
Regístrese para la reunión de Zoom

Después de registrarse, recibirá un correo electrónico de confirmación con la información necesaria para unirse a la reunión.

Interpretación en español por teléfono:
📞 1-347-966-4114
ID de la conferencia: 950 189 137#

Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con la oficina de CEC24 por correo electrónico a CEC24@schools.nyc.gov o por teléfono al 718-821-7772, Ext. 1101.

Atentamente,

Janet Kregler

Administrative Assistant

Community Education Council 24

Public School 71 - Forest

62-85 Forest Avenue, Room 110

Ridgewood, New York 11385

718-821-7772, Ext. 1101

CEC24@schools.nyc.gov

website: www.CEC24.org