This Week @ PS 88q

Welcome to Week 4! The school year 2021-2022 has definitely been challenging and so important for many reasons. Our students are back, all of them. There has been a picture circulating around teacher blogs that is very telling (see below). I shared this with staff, and it puts a lot in perspective. Our students and our staff have not had a "normal" year in a long time, meaning a September to June experience, in school. After March 2020, students were either remote or blended. This knowledge is what is driving our instructional plan for both academics and social emotional learning. Teachers have spent the last three weeks truly getting to know the students, their strengths, their needs, their hopes and their fears. It is truly our mission to meet the students where they are, and close those gaps so that they can be successful.

As you have seen over the past few weeks in the news, the NYC Department of Education has imposed a vaccine mandate for all DOE employees. This mandate has effected us as well, and unfortunately some staff will not be with us Monday. Any class effected will be notified. With the many extensions given, I have been planned for this and it will not interrupt any programs.

Here is what is going on this week:

• MAP TESTING: We will wrap up MAP testing for a few classes on Monday and Tuesday. This is a diagnostic test, which will help our teachers plan their instruction.
• PICTURE DAY: Picture days are October 4th and 5th. Our schedule is below for classes.
• COVID TESTING: NYC Public Schools have shifted to weekly testing. Only students who have consent will be tested. If you want to give consent, please indicate in your NYCSA or on Operoo.
• COMMUNICATING WITH TEACHERS: Many of our teaches use ClassDojo, Remind and email. Please know that teachers cannot respond during the work day, as they are teaching. The best way to contact the school if there is an emergency, or something you need to relay, is the main office. The phone number is 718-821-8121.
• PTA MEETING: Tuesday, October 5th @ 7pm.
• CLOSE CONTACTS IN SCHOOL: Please see new guidance from the DOE about quarantining. "Beginning on Monday, September 27, we will no longer close an entire classroom when there is a positive case. Vaccinated and unvaccinated students who are wearing face coverings and have maintained at least three feet of distance from a student who tests positive will not be considered close contacts and will not have to quarantine."

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/covid-information/health-and-safety-in-our-schools

• Schools are closed on Monday, October 11th for

  Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day

Have a wonderful week!!

Mr. Canales and the Social Justice Committee have released a new video! This week our students will be discussing it. Catch a sneak peak below!

Every year between September 15th and October 15th, Americans across the United States celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month in honor of the histories, cultures, and contributions of U.S. families with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central, and South America.

Please visit the DOE’s Morning Bell Blog to see a list of books, events, and resources for families and students in grades 3-K through 12. We hope you enjoy and learn from these outstanding books and resources.

PBS Celebrates Latinx Heritage

PBS shares a series of specials to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. All videos are free and can be launched from the website. Included find the following:

• PBS' Latin Music USA video series

• The Latino Americans, the first documentary series for television to chronicle the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinx

• The American Graduate short film series, which showcases a diverse array of determined Latinx adolescents across the U.S. who have all struggled to overcome challenges as they keep their eyes on the prize: a high school diploma

• A collection of inspiring stories in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month from StoryCorps

Virtual A La Calle Block Party October 1, 2021; 7 p.m.—8 p.m.

To maximize our school’s Title I funding, all families must complete the online Family Income Inquiry Form (located on MySchool apps). The online form will reduce the number of paper forms that your school needs to collect and allow the DOE to process forms more quickly. Title I funding is vital to providing support and resources for the school. For example, our funding is used for parent engagement/empowerment workshops, after school programs, technology, books, our new STEM lab and so many other things. To qualify, our families must complete the form. Ms. Yvonne Wang Silonga is our PAC (Parent Advisory Council) Chairperson. The Title I Parent Advisory Council (PAC) represents the Title I parent community. The Title I PAC participates with the School Leadership Team (SLT) in the joint review, planning and improvement of the school’s Title I program, and the development, revision and review of the parent and family engagement policy.

The DOE’s face covering policy has been updated to align with the NYS Commissioner of Health’s determination that all persons entering a NYC Department of Education building must wear a face covering. This policy provides schools with examples of how they can use age and developmentally appropriate strategies to support children towards improving mask tolerance and includes steps to take when children will not wear face coverings (not including children with approved mask exemptions). We are delighted to share that our students have been phenomenal at taking care of themselves and each other by wearing their face coverings.

If your child is not medically able to tolerate a mask, please let your school know so that an alternative accommodation can be provided. For questions about the face covering policy, please contact your school.

https://www.instagram.com/ps88_q/

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