I hope you are all enjoying this first weekend in March. This week, like every week, was a busy return from mid-winter break, with new protocols, parent teacher conferences, mock ELA and so many amazing moments. Life inside an elementary school is truly magical! I wish I could wear a camera so that you could see what I see.

This week, Mayor Adams made an announcement regarding masks and social distancing. It has been a long, long two years (almost to the date) since the pandemic began. This change, I hope, marks the beginning of what scientists call the "endemic". We all know how it changed our lives, and our children's lives. When students returned back to school in September 2020, giving them the best education possible was still my goal, but keeping them safe, keeping their classmates safe, keeping the staff safe, has been my top priority. Creating systems such as arrival, dismissal, and lunch time protocols; maintaining room capacity numbers; quickly handling positive cases, close contacting individuals and closing classrooms; ensuring we had constant access to PPE, covid tests, and space if you do indeed feel sick at school were (and continue to be) on my mind 24/7. This new protocol, removing the MANDATE is hope that we have passed though the worst part of this pandemic, but please know, the safety of your children will always be our first priority.

Tomorrow, Monday March 7th, your child is not mandated to wear a mask. Please discuss this with them. They may still wear it if they would like. For some, it may take some time before they feel comfortable, and that is OK. At breakfast tomorrow, classes will be discussing this new protocol and students are encouraged to speak their voice. Understanding between classmates, as well as staff, is important, as we do not want anyone to feel uncomfortable. If you have any concerns, questions, please feel reach out to me anytime.

Classes began the conversation about the situation in the Ukraine. Many of our families have strong ties to this region and it is very close to their heart. Students are learning about this country, it's history, its leadership, and its relationship with Russia. Our students are amazing, and are curious about the WHY. If you have family there, please let us know if there is anything we can do to help. Students may come home speaking about what they are learning, and if you have any questions, always reach out.

Have a wonderful week!

We are pleased to announce that, face coverings will be optional on school grounds for students in kindergarten through grade 12 beginning Monday, March 7.

To maintain the safety of our staff and students, we will continue to practice strict COVID-19 protocols, including increased ventilation, a daily health screening, and test kit distribution. Mask-wearing will become optional indoors, outside, and on school buses. Anyone who chooses to wear a mask may continue to do so, and your child may request a mask from their school if they need one.

The indoor mask mandate is still active for LYFE, EarlyLearn (Infants & Toddlers), 3-K, Pre-K, and 4410 classrooms. Children two years old and older, and all staff in these classrooms, must continue to wear a face covering indoors. Since children under the age of five are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine, face coverings remain our strongest defense against COVID-19 for our youngest learners.

In addition, any staff member or student in grades Kindergarten or higher returning on Day 6 following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis or after having COVID-19 symptoms without testing is still required to wear a well-fitting mask at all times on school property through Day 10.

Masks are strongly recommended for any staff member or student who knows they have been exposed to COVID-19 within the previous 10 days. Mask wearing is still required in medical rooms and nurses’ offices, as well as in School Based Health Centers. Nurses will have masks on hand for anyone entering who may need one.

Our amazing staff has created an amazing opportunity for some support even when the school day ends! Each week, our weekly schedule of one to one and small group support will be posted. It is a great opportunity for students to get that personal attention in specific areas. Each teacher has a specialty and grade next to their name. After you sign up, you will receive a confirmation email with a zoom link to join. It is first come first serve, so don't wait! All requests must be made before 2:00pm that day to ensure availability.

Students are creating, learning, and discussing the Ukraine. The Department of Education is updating with resources as well. Below is a beautiful display from one of our first grade classes who watched a video about the country, discussed. Some of the questions they discussed are :

What is a border?

What does it mean to share a border?

Which country is invading Ukraine?

Which countries are helping Ukraine?

What can we do to help from far away?

What are the citizens of Ukraine doing?

Who are the leaders of the Ukraine?

We want to hear what you think!! This year's survey is much shorter, and so important. You received a paper copy with your child's report card this past week. It can also be taken online through your NYCSA at https://www.schoolsaccount.nyc/. Your feedback is vital. Each day we will host a raffle for students who returned the survey or confirmed it was completed. Each week we will raffle a "bigger" incentive. Classes with 100% completed can choose their "party" of choice (pizza/ice-cream). Even teachers can get in on the competition. Those with 100% completion get a parking spot for the week!!

This is some information about the survey:

How is the Survey information used?

School leaders use feedback from the survey to reflect and make improvements to schools and programs. Survey results are also used to help measure school quality. To review the results, see the School Quality Guide under the "NYC School Survey Results and Quality Review" tab for a link to each school’s report View 2021 Survey results in the School Quality Guide(Open external link)

SEL4US and the Urban Assembly invite schools and communities around the globe to celebrate the importance of social emotional learning (SEL) on the third annual International SEL Day on Friday, March 11, 2022. Our theme this year is Finding Common Ground, Pursuing Common Good.

3rd Annual International #SEL Day- March 11th

Theme: Finding Common Ground, Pursuing Common Good

PS 88 is celebrating the importance of social emotional learning on this day by:

● participating in a schoolwide mindful moment

● discussing acts of kindness, as a class, and then showing those acts ofkindness in a unique way (poster, poem or picture etc.)

● creating a schoolwide bulletin board highlighting acts of kindness

This year, all students in grades 3-5 will be taking the NYS ELA and NYS Math Tests. The dates are as follows:

• NYS ELA March 29th and 30th
• NYS Math April 26th and 27th

To prepare for these tests, our students will be taking part in two Mock ELA days and two Mock Math days. We want the students to be confident and familiar with the process, as our students have not taken a school wide state test due to the pandemic.

Our first Mock ELA was Tuesday, March 1st. Students took a practice test, and we created what it will look like on the actual day. Doing this "trial run" gave them a feeling of what it looks like and what happens. This is a paper based test, so things like bubbling answer choices, time management, and test taking skills will be our focus this month. We held three assemblies for our students on Monday, February 28th (grade 3, grade 4 and grade 5) to discuss what the test actually is and what it measures. Wow! Our students are amazing! They spoke about strategies for the test as well as for managing any stress and anxiety.

This week we hosted our virtual 3k and Pre-K Open House. Please see presentation below as well as the embedded YouTube videos of our Early Childhood Team in Action!! Applications are open @ https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/pre-k. Any questions, please reach out to Ms. Ramos (MRamos71@schools.nyc.gov)

SWING INTO SPRING!

with an eGift card to shop at our school's spirit wear store!

Create the spirit wear you want! Get something special for the upcoming special days like, "Mother's Day", "Father's Day", "Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week" and "Graduation". OR JUST TO HAVE YOUR COOL SPIRIT WEAR. CREATE YOUR OWN HASHTAG BY ADDING TEXT TO YOUR CUSTOM PIECES.

#showyourschoolspirit

Click to go to your store: https://www.ps88senecaspiritwear.com/

Email: loshaughnessy@schools.nyc.gov
Website: https://www.ps88q.com/
Location: 60-85 Catalpa Avenue, Queens, NY, USA
Phone: 718-821-8121
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/P.S.88QPTA
Twitter: @QPs88