Issue 80
March 13, 2026
The TELEgram Newsletter
Good Evening, HSTAT Families,
It has been an energizing week in our school community. HSTAT’s Black Student Union hosted a series of events, including a bake sale, a panel discussion, a gallery walk, and a paint‑and‑sip, all leading up to their movie night. Students in the Nest program also enjoyed a trip to the Staten Island Mall, and several of our students participated in the QoL Innovation Summit, representing our school with pride.
Looking ahead to next week, we will hold our SLT and PTA meetings on March 16. Parent‑Teacher Conferences will take place on March 18 from 5:00–8:00 p.m. and again on March 19 from 12:30–2:30 p.m. Please also note that there will be no student attendance on March 20 in observance of Eid al‑Fitr.
Everyone here at HSTAT wishes you a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Xhenete Shepard
Principal
Dear HSTAT Families, We invite you to share your valuable perspective through the annual NYC School Survey! Your feedback is essential in helping us grow and ensuring our school continues to meet the needs of every student. In appreciation of the time and effort you take to complete the survey, we would like to offer you some HSTAT swag. Simply bring in the completed envelope to our Parent Coordinator, Ms. Vega in room 156 or email her a screenshot of your completed online survey at yvega10@schools.nyc.gov.
To complete the Survey online visit: NYCSchoolSurvey.org. Simply enter a lowercase "f' followed by your child's OSIS number (e.g., f123456789). You can find this number on your child's program, HSTAT ID card, or Jupiter account.
Thank you for your partnership and for taking a few moments to help make HSTAT even better. We truly appreciate your time and your voice!
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES COMING SOON!
Students from the Black Student Union are proud to announce the 2026 Week of Action!
On Thursday, March 12, the BSU hosted a Paint N Sip event!
From Ms. Augustin and Ms. Parawar - Social Studies
The 11th grade US History class had a mock trial. They put Rockefeller on trial to see if he was a robber baron or a captain of industry. Each class presented their case using deep research; we had lawyers, bailiffs, sketch artist, newspapers and witnesses. The students enjoyed themselves.
Ms. Veliz & Ms. S. Guzman
Sophomore Students will be visiting the following colleges on March 24th:
Pace university
Brooklyn College
College of Staten Island
University of Pennsylvania
Lehigh University
New York University
Kean University
Stony Brook University
🎓CLASS OF 2026 SENIOR ACTIVITIES🎓
Dear HSTAT Families,
We are so proud of the Class of 2026! We have a lot of exciting events and activities for your soon to be graduates, so please read the letter carefully. Please note that only students in good standing and on track to graduate will be permitted to attend senior events and activities.
Below is a list of important dates and events:
Senior Dues ($100) - Past Due, Please bring money orders to 501
Cap and Gown Measurements - Due by Feb 27th
(Google Form)
Senior Trampoline Park Trip - TBD, Spring 2026
($50.00)
Senior Prom - June 3rd, 2026 at The Liberty Belle Boat
($148.00)
* If your child has already paid we cannot refund you.
* If your child needs a ticket, please see Mrs. Plumb in 501 ASAP as I have a few left!
Six Flags Trip - June 5th, 2026, 1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson Township, NJ 08527
(FREE)
Senior Luncheon & Yearbook Day - June 16th 2026, 350 67th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11220
(FREE)
Graduation Rehearsal - June 18th, 2026, 9:00am for all graduates! Don’t be late!
Brooklyn College, 2900 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210
Graduation - June 26th, 2026
1:00pm Graduates Arrive
1:30pm Doors Open to Families
2:00pm Ceremony Begins
Location: Brooklyn College, 2900 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210
Contact information: Students and parents can contact me by email at eplumb@schools.nyc.gov or on my office phone: (718) 759-3447
Senior Dues: For the 2025-2026 school year, we will be collecting senior dues in the amount of $100.00 for senior graduation and senior event expenses (i.e., Senior luncheon, senior gift, graduation etc.) Any remaining funds will be used to reduce the cost for senior events and activities.
Please note that some senior events may be free of cost for seniors who pay dues, while others may require additional payment. Events with a price listed must be paid for by the student (for example: prom, or the Trampoline Trip).
Fundraising: Your child may reduce the cost of their expenses (Dues, Prom, or Trips) by participating in our Senior Activities Fundraising Campaign in the spring. Please see Mrs. Plumb in 501 to join the spring fundraiser.
Please also keep in mind the following policies:
ELIGIBILITY TO ATTEND GRADUATION CEREMONY
The Chancellor’s Regulation regarding the right to participate in the graduation ceremony is the following:
Consistent with the need to maintain standards and communicate to students our expectations of them, only students who have successfully completed the requirements for a high school diploma including courses and standardized tests by the June graduation date, will be permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies conducted by their school.
Therefore, if your child has not fulfilled the requirements mandated by New York State before the June graduation date, he or she cannot be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. Your child will still receive his/her yearbook, cap and gown, and diploma case. Senior dues cannot be refunded.
ELIGIBILITY FOR SENIOR ACTIVITIES
Only students who have obtained senior promotional status (i.e., students who have passed and are passing the courses required for graduation) will be eligible to attend Senior Trips and Activities (Senior Trip, Prom, Six Flags etc.) If students are failing grad requirements they will be supported on trip days with academic workshops and must still attend school.
Furthermore, the administration reserves the right to deny any student from participating in any Senior Activity if the student has not met any school or class obligations such as exams and projects regardless of academic standing. Students who do not adhere to the “CityWide Behavioral Expectations” will be excluded from Senior Activities.
Fourth year students who have not obtained senior status are not eligible to participate in Senior Activities: Senior Prom, Six Flags Trip, Senior Luncheon, and Graduation Ceremony.
I thank you for your attention to this matter, for supporting your child to this point and for being a part of our HSTAT community. If you have any questions regarding senior activities, please do not hesitate to reach out to me using the contact information above or below. If you have questions regarding your child’s academic standing, please reach out to Adriane Musacchio amusacchio2@schools.nyc.gov or Denise Basso at dbasso2@schools.nyc.gov.
Kind Regards,
Mrs. Emily Plumb
Senior Class Activities Advisor
eplumb@schools.nyc.gov
After-School Tutoring Spring 2026
FROM GUIDANCE:
IMMIGRANT FAMILIES RESOURCE NIGHT, MARCH 26, 2026
FROM GUIDANCE: Be Mindful, Be Connected, Be HSTAT
Pictured here: (left to right ); Ms. Serena Su-PTA President; Mr. Julio Lopez-PTA Recording Secretary; Ms. X. Shepard, Principal; Mr. D. De Martini, A.P. Organization; Ms. C. Mednick, A.P. Pupil Personnel; Ms. Geeta Alwan-Parent; Ms. Marzena Wierbowska-Parent.
Please join us for our, General Monthly PTA Meetings. All meetings will begin at 7:00pm via zoom, unless otherwise indicated.
SYEP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 13, 2026.
Please view the slide below from Mr. Maslankowski, on Career Development, Student Professional opportunities and Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).