This Week @ PS 88Q

Although it was a short week, it was certainly a full one!

We are thrilled to share that Kindergarten offers were released—welcome to the Class of 2031! It’s always amazing to think about the journey ahead for these little learners. This year’s application included STEM ICT Kindergarten, Dual Language Kindergarten, and Kindergarten opportunities, making it an especially exciting time for our incoming families. Included in the offers is the opportunity for NEST ICT as well.

Right on the heels of our newest students getting ready to begin their journey, our Middle School Offers are being released as well. As we welcome new members into our school family, we are also preparing to celebrate those who are getting ready to soar. That’s the beauty of being in a school community—we are honored to witness so many students grow, flourish, and take their next steps.

This coming week, our NYPD Community Officers will be visiting Grade 5 classrooms to speak with students about Subway Surfing. This is a serious and dangerous issue, and District 24 has been impacted more than any other district in the city. These conversations are essential for the safety and awareness of our students, and we are grateful to our NYPD partners for taking the time to speak with them.

Also, a reminder that Graduation Retake Pictures for Kindergarten and Grade 5 will take place on Monday, April 8.

📅 Upcoming Events for April:

• April 7-April 11: National Assistant Principal Week

• April 8: NYPD Presentations with Grade 5: Subway Surfing

• April 8: Graduation Picture Retake Day for Kindergarten & Grade 5

• April 9: Middle School Offers Released

• April 14–18: Spring Break (School Closed)

• April 21: Gifted & Talented Application Opens for:

• Grade 3 (Current Grade 2)

• Grade 4 (Current Grade 3)

• April 22-23: NYS ELA Test: Grades 3, 4, and 5

• April 22: PTA Meeting @ 6pm

• April 24: Summer Rising Offers Sent

• April 28: School Leadership Team Meeting

Wishing you all a restful weekend, and a strong start to next week!

This week, I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate two truly exceptional leaders in our building—Ms. Lowe and Ms. Herman.

There is a quote by John Quincy Adams that so beautifully describes the kind of leaders they are:
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."

Each and every day, Ms. Lowe and Ms. Herman embody this definition of leadership. They are not only committed to the success and well-being of our students, but they also go above and beyond to support every single member of our staff. From lending a listening ear, to stepping in when help is needed, to offering encouragement and wisdom—they are the backbone of our school in so many ways.

That’s what makes our school amazing. The culture of care, trust, and support they help create is what allows us all—students and adults alike—to thrive.

Whenever I reflect on what they mean to this school community, and what they do every day, these lyrics always come to mind:

“I'm never gonna let you down
I'm always gonna build you up
When you're feeling lost
I will always find you love
I'm never gonna walk away
I'm always gonna have your back
And if nothing else, you can always count on that
When you need me I promise I will never let you down”

Ms. Lowe and Ms. Herman live these words every day. Their unwavering presence, their fierce dedication, and their genuine care make all the difference. This work is not possible without them—and I am endlessly grateful to walk beside them in service of this incredible school community.

Please join me in giving them our deepest appreciation—not just today, but every day.

On Sunday, March 16th, we lost another one of our own—a young middle school student from Corona Arts and Science Academy—whose life was tragically cut short due to subway surfing. This devastating loss follows a series of similar incidents that have already impacted far too many children and families in our community. It is a sobering reminder that we are facing a crisis that demands our immediate attention and collective action.

In response, the Office of Safety and Youth Development in partnership with District 24 K–8 Schools, will be hosting a Town Hall to bring our families and communities together for the start of a critical conversation about student safety.

This event will focus on two deeply urgent topics:

1. Subway Surfing Prevention and Awareness – A dangerous trend that continues to claim the lives of our youth.
2. Human Trafficking Awareness – A threat that often hides in plain sight, putting our students and families at risk.

Your presence matters. This conversation could save lives.

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Time: 6:00–8:00 PM
Location: I.S. 061 Leonardo Da Vinci
98-50 50th Avenue, Queens, NY 11368

Civics education empowers students to understand their rights, responsibilities, and roles in a democracy. At the heart of this is knowing your neighborhood—its history, people, resources, and challenges. When students connect what they learn in school to the places they live, civics becomes real and relevant. Understanding your neighborhood fosters a sense of belonging, encourages community involvement, and helps young people become informed, active participants in shaping a better future right where they are.

Financial literacy is essential for planning your child's educational future. In New York City, the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program offers a valuable opportunity for families to start saving early. This scholarship and savings initiative provides eligible NYC public school students with an NYC Scholarship Account, initially funded with $100, to support their college and career training aspirations. Families can further contribute to these accounts and access additional rewards over time. By participating in this program, parents and guardians can take proactive steps toward building a solid financial foundation for their children's higher education, fostering both financial literacy and future opportunities.

https://nyckidsrise.org/

https://forms.office.com/r/7sZ8Rec9Ry

Mark your calendar! The next ✨✨PTA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING ✨✨ will be right after Spring Break on Tuesday April 22 from 6pm-7pm in person and on Zoom. There will be activities for the kids while the parents meet. On the agenda will be updates on CCEC Elections, discussing PTA Executive Board roles in preparation for the Executive Board Elections in May, and planning All Staff Appreciation Week. We're looking forward to seeing you all there!

The 🗣️📢ANONYMOUS FEEDBACK FORM🗣️📢 will be open the entire school year.

bit.ly/ParentNeeds202425

This is a place for you to express any concerns you might not feel comfortable bringing up in person.

Responses are checked regularly and topics/questions are addressed during PTA meetings and with the school administration.

There is always a place for your voice to be heard!

As always, reach out anytime with any questions or concerns,

Your PTA Executive Board

Sam PTA88President@gmail.com

Camila PTA88Secretary@gmail.com

Sabita PTA88Treasurer@gmail.com

PS88Q The Seneca School

Community School District 24

NYC Department of Education

Dear Families and Colleagues,

At the end of 2024, over 1,000 of you joined me at schools across the city for my Five-Borough Listening Tour, where you shared your ideas, perspectives, and feedback on how we can make our schools even stronger.

I want you to know that we listened. Over the past few months, we’ve analyzed the content of those sessions to identify major themes, and we’ve thought deeply about how to bring your suggestions to life in our communities. You can learn more about our analysis in the Listening Tour Report.

Now, I’m proud to share the outcome of that tour: NYCPS Cares, an initiative to support both the whole child and the whole family. In its first phase, NYCPS Cares will include two components:

1. Anti-bullying and anti-vaping campaigns: These two issues are top of mind for families; they came up again and again in our Listening Tour, and they are directly connected to my commitment to student safety and wellness.
2. Family Connectors: Our city and schools offer a wide range of resources, but families often tell us they don’t know how or where to access them. Family Connectors are members of our school communities who will serve as trusted messengers, bridging that gap and linking families to essential supports. If you are interested in becoming a Family Connector, you can sign up to learn more here.

Ultimately, NYCPS Cares is about creating the conditions for our young people to thrive, both in the classroom and beyond. Thank you again for sharing your expertise during the Listening Tour—and please know that NYCPS Cares is the direct result of your advocacy.

In partnership,

Melissa Aviles-Ramos

Chancellor