PS 199Q Newsletter

March has arrived, and I think many of us are ready to move beyond the challenges of winter. The past few months have brought snowstorms, remote learning, and difficult travel conditions. Thank you for your continued patience, flexibility, and support throughout it all. Your partnership and understanding make a meaningful difference for our entire school community.

I would also like to recognize our incredible staff. Regardless of weather conditions, schedule adjustments, or unexpected changes, they arrive each day ready to care for, teach, and encourage your children. That level of consistency and commitment makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. I am truly grateful for the dedication and heart they bring to their work. Through every circumstance, our focus remains the same: supporting your children and ensuring their success!

March is also an important month academically. Our second Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on March 5th, with students dismissing at 11:30 a.m. Conferences offer a valuable opportunity to review your child’s progress, celebrate their strengths, and discuss next steps for continued growth. We truly value these conversations and the strong partnership we share with our families in supporting every student’s success.

We look forward to a productive and positive month ahead. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our school community.

Please be reminded that on Thursday, March 5, 2026, we will have a half-day of school for afternoon and evening Parent-Teacher Conferences. Due to time constraints, the conference should not be more than 15 mins. If more time is needed, arrangements can be made by parents and teachers to meet again at a later time. If parents request an in-person conference, they should contact the teacher to schedule a time that is mutually agreed upon on another date.

For this conference, parents will be given a preset time slot to meet with the teacher. If you are not available to attend Parent-Teacher Conferences, kindly contact your child’s teacher to discuss their progress at a later time. Note the following schedule changes.

Day: Thursday, March 5, 2026 (Half-day). Students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. Please note, there is no after-school program.

Conferences:

• Afternoon Conferences: 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

• Evening Conferences: 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

• All individual conferences will be virtual (Google Meet/Zoom/Phone)

Dear P.S.,199 Parents

February 9, 2026, is the beginning of the 2026 NYC School Survey campaign.

As in the past, your feedback is very important to us. We love it when you are completely happy with what we are doing to provide your children with a high-quality education. However, we need to know what we are missing and what we can improve on.

The NYC School Survey is your opportunity to share your feedback with us. You can find the results of previous surveys on the Maurice A. Fitzgerald School website on the Department of Education website; https://www.schools.nyc.gov/schools/Q199. We ask you to please complete a school survey for all your children attending school.

There are several ways you can access and complete a survey for each of your children.

You can complete the survey through your NYCSA account online. You can go directly to the school survey website at NYCSchoolsurvey.org and click on “Take the 2026 NYC School Survey”.

Your access code is a lowercase f followed by your child’s student identification or OSIS number or you can complete a paper copy that will be backpacked home this week.

Each student will receive a white and green envelope, containing the survey, and a tear-off that you will sign, and return to school with your child, after completing the survey. Students will be able to turn in survey and redeem for a small prize from Ms. Becco’s Treasure Chest. Prizes will consist of small items, for example, a snack, small toy, specialty markers or pencils, etc. Surveys will also be redeemable for a free concession item at school events; PTA ‘s Dance Lesson, Family Craft Night,etc.

If you need assistance with completing the survey, please contact me at sbecco@schools.nyc.gov or at 718 784-3431.

April 1st is the deadline to complete the school survey. We thank you in advance for your participation. The school is counting on you!

Regards

Ms. Stacey Becco

Parent Coordinator

Dear Falcon Families

As we welcome this new year, we are glad that there is so much activity going on here at PS199. February, we have the new clubs starting and the beginning of Saturday School.

We began by celebrating Scholarship Month with the Save For College Program and our Kindergarten classes. January was the first time they could access their accounts to see their scholarship. For any of you who have not been able to participate or view your account, please send me an email and I will assist you in completing the process.

There is the opening of the 2026 NYC School Survey. We have from February 9th until April 1st to complete our surveys. More information will follow.

Be well.

Ms. Becco

Dear Families and Colleagues,

I hope you all had a restful Midwinter Recess and stayed safe through the blizzard! I want to thank our incredible staff members who worked tirelessly to reopen our school buildings.

Before the break, NYC Public Schools held Respect for All (RFA) Week, our annual celebration of kindness, empathy, and appreciation for diversity. Schools across the five boroughs hosted events, programs, and activities that spoke to the heart of what “respect for all” truly means.

Every year, I am inspired by our students’ enthusiasm for RFA Week—they just get it! Our young people are incredibly caring, thoughtful, and aware of their own capacity to be forces for positive change. I’m also grateful to our school staff members, who build cultures of respect and understanding both during RFA Week and year-round.

RFA Week is part of our broader Respect for All program, which helps schools build learning environments that are free from discrimination, harassment, or intimidation of any kind. Every one of our schools has a Respect for All liaison—an adult who leads the RFA program—and I encourage you to get to know yours!

As both an educator and a parent, I believe Respect for All is a key component of student safety. When our students feel seen, valued, and respected for who they are, we build that crucial sense of belonging that allows every child to thrive.

In partnership,

Kamar H. Samuels
Chancellor

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1c7g0haY9SjT3BsjhJdmZ1kQcHJviG5Lo

Website: ps199q.org
Location: 39-20 48 Avenue, Sunnyside, NY, USA
Phone: (718) 784-3431
Twitter: @PS_199Q