Issue 82
April 1 , 2026
The TELEgram Newsletter
Dear HSTAT Families,
I’m wishing everyone happy holidays and a restful spring break!
Sincerely,
Xhenete Shepard
Principal
Dear HSTAT Parents we kindly ask that you complete the School Survey.
The deadline is now April 17, 2026.
You still have time to make your voice count!
Thank you to all who have already completed it!♥️
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!
During Arab American Heritage Month, the HSTAT Library celebrates and promotes the contributions of notable Arab Americans to the artistic, cultural, and intellectual life of the US. Come to the library to see our book displays. Click on the HSTAT Library Newsletter link below for resources and events relating to Arab American Heritage Month.
PM SCHOOL INFORMATION
Meet the English, ENL, Art, Music, Physical Education and Health Department.
From Guidance
Let your kiddos know that next week starting Monday March 23rd HSTAT will be rolling out our food availability initiative, "Come Bien, Viva Bien!" Our goal is to provide free and easily available food to our students, many who struggle with food insecurity, increased food insecurity due to the attacks on our immigrant community, on the food security of families who receive food stamps, and intense economic inflation. We also hope that this increases a sense of community, and supports our students in their advocacy.
We will start by opening our SNACKerias that will be available in between periods when students are passing in room 103, 131, 331, and 431. Snacks will be healthy whole food options that are nut free.
SENIOR TRAMPOLINE PARK TRIP March 31, 2026
Students in sustainability ( Greenhouse) hard at work on building electric vehicles for the yearly Engineering Tomorrow EV competition held in Ms. Giambanco and Mr. Flores class.
On Thursday, March 26, we had our Immigrant Families Resource Night event! Parents were informed of their rights and had the opportunity to ask questions to the representative from the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. For more information, please see the flyers below or visit their website to learn more and access additional resources.
website: ➡️NEW YORK CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS
Our 9th grader Zi Xuan Fang won second prize in the CCNY High School Poetry Contest! “The Girl With a Pineapple," . He will be honored in their award ceremony at City College on Friday, May 1.
On Thursday, March 26, 2026 The Equity Club hosted a Paint n Sip event with Ms. Augustin
TELECOM THEATRE
Ms. Musacchio
On Thursday, March 26, 2026 our Theatre Club students went to see The Great Gatsby on Broadway.
Our theatre students' Theatre trip had the honor of seeing TDF mentor, Kathleen Chalfant, in Dinosaurs! Students enjoyed a fulfilling conversation after with questions, thoughts, and opinions about some things they saw in the play.
March 24, 2026 Sophomore Students visited University of Pennsylvania
HSTAT BOYS VOLLEY BALL - Coach Morton
Principal, X. Shepard; Mr. Joshua Palacios; Mr. J.Gennaoui, A.P. Social Studies.
Mr. J. Gennaoui, A.P. Social Studies; Mr. Joshua Palacios; B. Cunningham, Dean.
Joshua John Palacios is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago White Sox.
🎓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: 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 Meeting taking place on April 13, 2026 at 7:00pm
All meetings will begin at 7:00pm via zoom, unless otherwise indicated.