This Week at PS 88Q

What a wonderful first week back! It was such a joy to see our students return to school with smiling faces, excited energy, and eager hearts. Our classrooms, auditorium, gymnasiums, cafeteria, and schoolyard are once again filled with laughter, learning, and the sense of community that makes PS 88Q such a special place.

For some students, this was their very first time walking through the doors of PS 88Q. For others, it felt as though summer break flew by and they picked up right where they left off. No matter where they are on their journey, we are so happy to be back together as one school community.

As we begin the year, we want to make sure every family is connected and informed. If you have not yet updated your child's emergency contact information for this school year, please check the email address you used during registration. Ms. Pepe sent the updated Emergency Contact Information Form to all families. If you are having difficulty accessing or completing the form, please call the main office and speak with Ms. Ivett or Ms. Pepe for assistance.

Please remember that for the safety of all students, we can only release a child to individuals for whom written permission has been provided. This requires both adding the individual as an approved emergency contact and communicating any pickup changes directly with your child's teacher and/or the main office.

I would also like to thank all of our families for your patience during the first few days of school. Dismissal procedures often take a little longer at the start of the year as we ensure that every child is safely reunited with their family. Safety is always our top priority, and we appreciate your partnership and understanding.

Along those same lines, schools are required to conduct approximately ten safety drills throughout the school year. This week, we will conduct an evacuation drill, formerly known as a fire drill. Families will always receive communication prior to any scheduled safety drill.

Thank you for helping us start the school year strong. We are excited for all the learning, growth, and celebrations ahead.

Have a wonderful week!

Important Reminders

• Monday: Round 1 of GRYC begins, YMCA Afterschool begins, and Supermoon Afterschool begins

• Tuesday: Hispanic Heritage Month begins

• Wednesday: PTA Meeting at 6:00 PM

• Monday, September 21: No School in observance of Yom Kippur

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.

This month, our school community will celebrate Start with Hello Week, a special opportunity to focus on kindness, inclusion, and connection. The simple act of saying "hello" can make someone's day brighter, help a new friendship begin, and remind us that we all belong.

At PS 88Q, we believe that strong relationships are at the heart of a successful school experience. When students feel connected to others, they are more confident, engaged, and ready to learn. Hello Week reminds us that our school community becomes a little smaller and a little stronger every time we reach out, include someone new, or make another person feel welcome.

That important message leads directly into our October school-wide initiative: My Go-To Person.

Throughout the school year, our students interact with so many caring adults. They learn from teachers, work alongside paraprofessionals, receive support from counselors and related service providers, greet our school aides in the hallways, see administrators throughout the building, and connect with our Safety Agent, Parent Coordinator, office staff, cafeteria staff, and many others. Every adult in our building plays an important role in helping our students feel safe, supported, and valued.

We want every child at PS 88Q to know that they have at least one trusted adult they can turn to when they need help, encouragement, advice, or simply a listening ear. That person might be a current teacher, a favorite teacher from a previous year, a paraprofessional, an administrator, one of our fabulous school aides, our Safety Agent, our Parent Coordinator, or another staff member who has formed a meaningful connection with them.

Research and experience tell us that when students have a strong relationship with a caring adult at school, they are more likely to feel a sense of belonging and emotional security. They know there is someone who believes in them, celebrates their successes, and helps them navigate challenges.

During October, students will have opportunities to reflect on and identify their own "Go-To Person" at PS 88Q. We encourage families to continue these conversations at home by asking your child:

• Who is someone at school you trust?
• Who makes you feel welcome and supported?
• Who would you go to if you needed help or had a problem?
• Who helps you feel your best at school?
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Our hope is that every child can answer these questions with confidence.

At PS 88Q, we are proud to be more than a school. We are a community built on relationships, care, and connection. Hello Week reminds us that a simple greeting can start a friendship, but strong relationships are what help us grow, thrive, and feel that we truly belong.

Together, let's continue to make our world a little smaller and our school community a little stronger.

Do you ever wonder what our amazing kitchen is serving? Or what options does your child have? Check out the Office of School Foods website!

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/school-meals

From September 15 through October 15, PS 88Q is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to recognize and honor the rich histories, cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.

Throughout the month, students will engage in meaningful learning experiences that help them explore the stories, achievements, and impact of Hispanic leaders, artists, scientists, activists, and innovators who have shaped our world. Classrooms will also celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions, music, art, and foods that make Hispanic communities so vibrant.

One of the most important parts of our celebration will be learning about the stories that make up our own school community. Students will have opportunities to learn about their family histories, cultural backgrounds, and the journeys that brought their families to where they are today. By sharing and honoring our unique experiences, we strengthen our understanding of one another and celebrate what makes our community special.

At PS 88Q, we believe that every family's story matters. Hispanic Heritage Month is one of many opportunities throughout the year to celebrate the diversity that makes our school such a welcoming and inclusive place for all. We warmly invite all families to participate in our school events and celebrations as we continue to learn from one another and build a strong community together.

Share Your Cultural Story!

We would love to hear about your family's culture, traditions, heritage, or journey.

• What cultural traditions are important to your family?
• What country or region does your family originate from?
• What makes you most proud of your family's story?

Please share your family's proud cultural story using the form below. Please communicate in the language you are most comfortable with. Your story may be featured in future school celebrations and activities as we continue to honor the beautiful diversity of our PS 88Q community.

This year marked the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, a day that forever changed our nation and touched so many lives. For many members of our community, the memories of that day remain vivid. We remember where we were, how we felt, and the profound impact it had on our city and our country. At the same time, many of our students were not yet born and know September 11th only through the stories we share.

With this in mind, our Social Justice Committee began planning last school year how best to honor those we lost, celebrate the heroes who emerged, and help even our youngest learners understand the importance of remembrance, resilience, and community. Throughout the summer, Mr. Canales worked tirelessly to create a meaningful and age appropriate exhibit that tells the story of September 11th through a lens of hope, courage, and humanity.

The exhibit highlights the countless acts of heroism that emerged from tragedy, including the bravery of first responders, the dedication of search and rescue teams, the important role of service dogs, and the extraordinary compassion people showed one another in the face of devastation. Through photographs, models, flowers, artifacts, and personal stories, the exhibit reminds us that even in our darkest moments, kindness and unity can shine through.

This became a true community effort. We were honored to partner with seniors from the Peter Cardella Senior Center, whose contributions helped bring history to life. Members of our own school community shared their personal experiences and reflections, offering powerful reminders of how interconnected our stories are.

We encourage all families to consider sharing their own memories and experiences. Each story helps preserve this important chapter in history for future generations and strengthens our collective understanding of its impact.

The September 11th exhibit will remain on display throughout the month of September. Families will have an opportunity to visit and explore the exhibit during our Meet the Teacher Evening on September 30th. We invite everyone to take part in this meaningful experience as we remember, reflect, and honor the lives, courage, and humanity that continue to inspire us 25 years later.

"We remember not only the tragedy, but also the resilience, compassion, and hope that brought people together."

Every week I will share YOUR shout outs to staff or to fellow families. Use this link to share. Too often we don't get the opportunity to recognize the good.. WE ALL LOVE TO HEAR THE POSITIVE!

Educational research shows a positive correlation between effective parental engagement and student achievement. The overall aim of this policy is to develop a parent and family engagement policy that will establish expectations and objectives for meaningful parent and family engagement in the school community.PS 88Q in compliance with Section 1116 of Title I, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), is responsible for creating and implementing a parent and family engagement policy to strengthen the connection and support of student achievement between the school and the families. The school's policy is designed to keep parents informed by actively involving them in planning and decision-making in support of the education of their children. Parents are encouraged to actively participate on the School Leadership Team, Parent Association (or Parent-Teacher Association), and Title I Parent Advisory Council as trained volunteers and welcomed members of the school community.

PS 88Q, in compliance with the Section 1116 of Title I, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), is implementing a School-Parent Compact to strengthen the connection and support of student achievement between the school and the families. Staff and parents of students participating in activities and programs funded by Title I, agree that this Compact outlines how parents, the entire school staff and students will share responsibility for improved academic achievement and the means by which a school-parent partnership will be developed to ensure that all children achieve State Standards on assessments.

Provide high quality curriculum and instruction consistent with State Standards to enable participating children to meet the State’s Standards and Assessments by:

• using academic learning time efficiently;

• respecting cultural, racial and ethnic differences;

• implementing a curriculum aligned to the State Learning Standards;

• offering high quality instruction in all content areas;

• providing instruction by highly qualified teachers and when this does not occur, notifying parents as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA);

School Responsibilities:

Support home-school relationships and improve communication by:

• conducting parent-teacher conferences each semester during which the individual child's achievement will be discussed as well as how this Compact is related;

• convening an Annual Title I Parent Meeting each school year for parents and family members of students participating in the Title I program to inform them of the school's Title I status and funded programs and their right to be involved;

• arranging additional meetings at other flexible times, e.g., morning, evening and providing (if necessary and funds are available) transportation or child care for those parents who cannot attend a regular meeting;

• respecting the rights of limited English proficient families to receive translated documents and interpretation services in order to ensure participation in the child's education;

• providing information related to school and parent programs, meetings and other activities is sent to parents of participating children in a format and to the extent practicable in a language that parents can understand;

• involving parents in the planning process to review, evaluate and improve the existing Title I programs, Parent and Family Engagement Policy and this Compact;

• providing parents with timely information regarding performance profiles and individual student assessment results for each child and other pertinent individual school information;

• ensuring that the Parent and Family Engagement Policy and School-Parent Compact are distributed and discussed with parents each year;

Provide parents reasonable access to staff by:

• ensuring that staff will have access to interpretation services in order to effectively communicate with limited English speaking parents;

• notifying parents of the procedures to arrange an appointment with their child's teacher or other school staff member;

• arranging opportunities for parents to receive training to volunteer and participate in their child's class, and to observe classroom activities;

• planning activities for parents during the school year, e.g., Parent-Teacher Conferences;

rovide general support to parents by:

• creating a safe, supportive and effective learning community for students and a welcoming respectful environment for parents, and guardians;

• assisting parents in understanding academic achievement standards and assessments and how to monitor their child's progress by providing professional learning opportunities (times will be scheduled so that the majority of parents can attend);

• sharing and communicating best practices for effective communication, collaboration and partnering with all members of the school community;

• supporting parental involvement activities as requested by parents and family members;

• ensuring that the Title I funds allocated for parent involvement are utilized to implement activities as described in this Compact and the Parent and Family Engagement Policy;

• advising parents of their right to file a complaint under the Department's General Complaint Procedures and consistent with the Title I requirement for Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Title I programs;

Parent Guardian Responsibilities:

monitor my child's attendance and ensure that my child arrives to school on time as well as follow the appropriate procedures to inform the school when my child is absent;

• ensure that my child comes to school rested by setting a schedule for bedtime based on the needs of my child and his/her age;

• check and assist my child in completing homework tasks, when necessary;

• read to my child and/or discuss what my child is reading each day (for a minimum of 15 minutes);

• set limits to the amount of time my child watches television or plays video games;

• promote positive use of extracurricular time such as, extended day learning opportunities, clubs, team sports and/or quality family time;

• encourage my child to follow school rules and regulations and discuss this Compact with my child;

• volunteer in my child's school or assist from my home as time permits;

• participate, as appropriate, in the decisions relating to my child's education;

• communicate with my child's teacher about educational needs and stay informed about their education by prompting reading and responding to all notices received from the school or district;

• respond to surveys, feedback forms and notices when requested;

• become involved in the development, implementation, evaluation and revision to the Parent and Family Engagement Policy and this Compact;

• participate in or request training offered by the school, district, central and/or State Education Department to learn more about teaching and learning strategies whenever possible;

• take part in the school's Parent Association or Parent-Teacher Association or serve to the extent possible on advisory groups, e.g., Title I Parent Advisory Council, School or District Leadership Teams;

• share responsibility for the improved academic achievement of my child;

Student Responsibilities:

attend school regularly and arrive on time;

• complete my homework and submit all assignments on time;

• follow the school rules and be responsible for my actions;

• show respect for myself, other people and property;

• try to resolve disagreements or conflicts peacefully;

• always try my best to learn.