I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful, clear weekend. Well, nobody ever would have expected last week to go like that. I think Wednesday at dismissal was the worst of it. It quickly became extremely smokey, with a red hue. It was frightening for our students and our staff. We all knew that we had to protect our students, and masks were quickly distributed before they walked out. The smoke could spark many asthma attacks and/or trouble breathing. Thankfully, that has moved out.

This week is our last full week of school. This week we are prioritizing getting every family connected to the NYCSA. I will be sending updates and all communication through the NYCSA. Your child's report card will be available on the account, as well as all grades, including NYS Tests, attendance, busing information and all things related to your child. Ms. Ivett will be reaching out to you this week to support you in getting on. It requires a special code that is specific to each student. Once you are on, you have access to everything! I will be using the messenger feature to send communication throughout the summer.

Have a great week!

What an amazing night celebrating all of our students last Tuesday at the PS 88Q Got Sole Stem Night! It was a packed night of activities for all, including our future families. Our team, Ms. Becker, Ms. Agostino, Ms. Marano, Ms. Hartt , Ms. Fogarty and Mr. Nolan lead this work and created plugged and unplugged stem activities.

The NYCSA platform has everything regarding your child. It is also how I will be sending out messages all summer. If you are not on the NYCSA, please reach out to Ms. Ivett and Ms. Pepe so that we can get you on.

Your NYC Schools Account is your gateway to family-facing technology to support and track your children's progress through public school education at the NYC Department of Education. Open an account today to apply to schools, track your children's progress from Pre-K through high school graduation, and get access to other digital content for New York City families exclusively available to NYC Schools Account holders!

Opening a NYC Schools Account is the first step towards becoming more involved in your student's education. Receive updates via text messages or email about school closures, emergencies, and upcoming events. Link your students and start monitoring things like grades, test scores, attendance.

https://www.schoolsaccount.nyc/

This week, and every day until the end of the school year, the students will be coming home with a book to keep. No assignment, no packet, no log, just books. We have an abundance of beautiful books that have no business in a closet, but rather in the hands of a child. Some are independent book, some are read alouds. Either way, they are yours to enjoy. When you are finished, pay it forward, and gift it to someone you know!

The books sent home are not the only resource for the summer. The DOE has an amazing digital app that gives you access to thousands of books in many languages. Click here to access SORA.

https://soraapp.com/library/nycschools

Dear Grade 5 Parents,

It is almost time for the Class of 2023 to begin their next chapter, but not before we celebrate their commencement. Please see the below information regarding graduation.

• Guests: Each graduate may have two guests for the ceremony. Graduates will sit together, and their guests will be guest seating. Each graduate is limited to two tickets each for the ceremony. If you are in need of additional seats, please complete this form for a lottery. We have a limited number of additional seats. Maximum request is two tickets. You may perhaps only receive one if there are many requests. To accommodate everyone, the graduation will be live streamed and can be viewed in our cafeteria for any additional guests. This will give you all the opportunity to take pictures outside after the ceremony.

https://forms.office.com/r/GctMTuAcuE

Graduation Day Procedure:

• Parents will begin to line up along 68th Road (outside the small school yard, and the large school yard)

• Families will enter through the auditorium entrances in the large schoolyard.

• Guests will present their tickets and check in at the table at the entrance to the large schoolyard. Staff will have the spreadsheet with the graduate’s name and guests. All guests must check in and present a ticket.

• Student volunteers will escort families to their seat. Upon reaching your seat, you will receive a program for the commencement.

• Students may attend school that day,or will choose to come with their families.

• Students will be called, row by row, in order by school staff to walk across the stage. and have their name called as they walk. A staff member will take the graduates picture as they cross the stage and all pictures will be shared the next day on an exclusive Grade 5 site.

• When the ceremony is over, families may take pictures with each other in our small schoolyard. Photo props and decorations will be set up.