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I watched this commercial on tv, for the life of me I can't remember what the advertisement was for, their words captivated me as it reflected on our journey.
"Adversity came to town,  and said, SHOW ME WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF.
Adversity came to town, we looked it in the eye and it won't be us that BREAKS FIRST".
This was the moment when everything hit me at once, all my emotions came crashing through. I was running on adrenaline the first few weeks of school trying to figure things out and making things work.  But after this commercial aired, I realized how we did look at ADVERSITY in the EYE and we didn't break first. We struggled, we fought, we cried,  but never backed down to the challenges we were handed. This is because adversity never broke us or our FAMILY. We never allowed anyone to walk alone through this journey of the unknown.

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By Claudia Tavella
A year to remember, a lot of changes and a lot of learning.
This past few months I learned to appreciate my life better. I also don't worry too much about the little things. I value my life for what it is and not for what I have. I continue with love and kindness and I have a lot of empathy in my heart.
I am also happy to be part of the PS.88 family and I am looking forward to start a great year in September.

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By : Amy Ciminelli
This has been some year! It has been a year of facing fears, personally and professionally. It has also been a year of uncertainty,  and it will continue to be one of that. As much as this year has taken from me, it has also given to me as well. It has given me the strength to face my fears and overcome them. Sometimes I didn't think I could do it., but I did. I told myself what I told my kindergarten students today at their stepping up  ceremony. "Even when you think you can't, say to yourself, I can and I will, and you will succeed." I know I will, as I know they will.  We will get through this. One day at a time.

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As we all left the classrooms on March 13, I never thought it  would be our last time there. Of course we would come back in  June and pack up our rooms,  of course we would come back and return our keys etc.
Instead, we were home and reaching out to our students and families and getting to know them in so many levels. Teamwork has never meant so much until now. I will remember the times on the phone communicating with parents and comforting them and letting them know we were all in this together. Their worries were the same as mine. We learned so much during these months and we learned it together!

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The last few months in remote learning have definitely been challenging. However, without my team of teachers, administrators and other colleagues it would have been way more challenging! It was hard using everything I know about early childhood to address all of the students' needs. My team has their work set out for them to try to figure out just what early childhood education will look like in September and how we will continue to be the first place they learn to love, laugh, play, persevere, share, set goals, explore, include, respect and grow! Have a restful summer and be safe PS88!
xoxo Susie

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by Annette Hartt
The school year began without my partner. I was certain she would return, I was uncertain who I would work with til then. There were 37 or so kids on the first day. I was certain because I counted, but uncertain what to do about that. I was certain I would get through, uncertain if I was overusing my positive affirmations. I was certain Mary Francis said an ATR was coming, she was uncertain when they would show up. Mrs. Lowe was certain that 12 or so students were going to be removed, I was uncertain which ones were going. My partner returned on November 12th. I was certainly glad to see her (and certainly glad to see the ATR go.) I was certain that together we would make First Grade a memorable experience for our students. I was uncertain if I was doing enough.
It was certain that a virus was changing lives around the world. I was uncertain how it would affect my little world in room 127. I'm certain I won't be there to say 'Goodbye.' I was never certain how I could do that anyway. I'm certain that I had a great year, no matter what. I'm certain I learned about myself, my strengths, who my friends and team mates are. I'm certain  I've learned more technology in four months than I have in the past 20 years.
I'm not certain where I'll be in September-due to the COVID-19 and the budget. I'm certain I will work this summer preparing to be a better teacher, a better friend, and a better person. That I'm certain of.

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by Ira Handell
I would have never imagined that in 2020 we would have been teaching remotely for months.  Suddenly  I had to reinvent myself along with teachers across the country to try to figure out how to meet the needs of my students. It was quite a challenge but I figured it out.
I was able to talk to many teachers from 88 and borrow different ideas. Working with my coteacher Ms. Carnevale, we developed a consitent schedule and the children got familar with using Flipgrids, Edpuzzles, BrainPop, Quizziz, and so on.  It was not easy but I had people to lean on. I had a great third grade team to bounce ideas off of and just to talk to. I also had   paraprofessionals who reached out and translated important information to parents. I think we all benefited from having a parent coordinator who reached out and helped us get technology from parents. I think we all got inspired when we saw other people create jamboards and padlets  whether it was an art show or posting things on Instagram. When I felt like i was running out of steam , I would look at a video that a teacher made or a musical video that the administration made and that gave me the energy to continue.
I began to realize that connecting with the children through the google meets was also beneficial to me because it gave me a sense of purpose. This job was never an easy one but it did serve as a distraction from watching the news and worrying about the spread of virus.

As I end this year I can say on a positive note I learned so many ways to engage children and that is something that I can and will certainly use. Over the summer I look forward to continue to learn some more technology but it will be at a slower pace and I will have a chance to absorb it.
I also would like to thank all the administrators for allowing us to take risks with the technology and to provide a  sense of community  while being away from  the building.
Everyone have the best summer!

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Ending this year is bittersweet.  Who knew back in the beginning of the year that this is where we would be saying goodbye for the summer.  Although, remote learning has brought challenges, frustration, uncertainty and confusion it has also brought a lot of positive outcomes.
We have always been a family at PS 88, through this we have become even closer.  We leaned and relied on each other, under the wonderful leadership of 3 amazing women.
We were able to bond and get to know our students and parents in a way that was unique to any other year.    We learned technology and new techniques to teach the standards. Our tool box is bursting with things that can continue in the classroom.

By no means was this an easy task but we never gave up and helped each other get through.  I feel truly blessed to be part of such an amazing community.  Wherever next year takes us, I know TOGETHER we can get through anything!

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By Colleen Kestner
Back in March when we left that weekend no one knew what lied ahead for us. With so many uncertainties and new challenges ahead of us we pulled together as one and turned negatives into positives. We persevered ! We drew on each other's strengths, learned from one another, grew as a school, and a community. This was an unexpected chapter in our lives that we turned it into and incredible journey. I think we all have accomplished so much in such a short time. We supported each other and gave hope to our kids. Remember with every negative comes a positive.It's how you rise when you fall. Celebrate those moments and be proud. I am so incredibly proud of how we all adapted. It just shows our kids, you can do anything you set your mind to.  With perseverance comes strength !

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What last days give us is closure. For school staff, June is bittersweet. What other profession do we start all over again every year? Those goodbyes, farewells, hugs, and words not only help us, but let us tell our students how much they are loved. March 13th was that day, and we didn't even know it. The connection continued, but through an artificial avenue, technology. Thank goodness for that technology to keep that connection. It inspired us to think of ways to give that encouraging smile to a student struggling, that hand on a students shoulder as they persevered through the learning, or that cheery good morning we were blessed to give. For me, it was a year of learning, and adaptivity. It has shown us that whatever is thrown at us, we will rise to the challenge!