Issue 87
May 15, 2026
The TELEgram Newsletter
Good Evening HSTAT Families,
I hope you’ve had a lovely week. There is a lot of excitement in the air at HSTAT as we look forward to our end-of-year celebrations. Members of the SGO and La Alianza Latina are busy getting the cafeteria ready for tonight’s Spring Luau as I type this!
Next week, we will kick off ceremony season with the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony. I know it will be a phenomenal affair, and I look forward to celebrating with our students and their families.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. See you soon.
Sincerely,
Principal Shepard
The SEP Expos and Showcase are coming up! Here's what you need to know:
EXPOS
Thursday, 5/28 in the CAFETERIA, periods 1-2: informal project presentations ("science fair") from all 11th and 12th graders (apps, games, and more!).
Friday, 5/29 in the CAFETERIA, periods 1-2: informal project presentations ("science fair") from all 10th graders (websites).
SHOWCASE
Monday, 6/8 in the AUDITORIUM, periods 2-3: formal project presentations from the top 3 projects in each grade.
From Mr. Gennaoui, Assistant Principal, Social Studies/World Languages
The Quality-of-Life Showcase is scheduled for Friday, May 22nd in the auditorium. This project engages students in identifying real world issues affecting their community, conducting in-depth research, and developing an innovative, actionable solution. Through this project, students strengthen critical thinking skills, research, writing and presentation skills while working to make a meaningful impact on issues that matter to them and their communities. Students will present their research on an array of topics including social media addiction, subway safety, immigration, literacy rates, civic engagement, and many more!
Presentations will take place during 3rd and 4th periods.
On Friday May 29th, we're celebrating Alumni Day! This is one of our favorite traditions here at HSTAT and we're excited to share it with you.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month. This month and always, the HSTAT Library promotes books by and about notable Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and celebrates their profound contributions to the intellectual and cultural life of the U.S. See book recommendations by clicking on the Library Newsletter.
Students and staff are having a ton of fun with the "Selfie Station" in the library, where they can capture images of themselves with the books they are currently reading or that they have enjoyed. The photos are displayed in the library, along with some "staff pick" book reviews. Fun + smiles + books! Creating joy around books and making reading social are subtle but impactful ways to support student literacy.
🎓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
Office phone: (718) 759-3447
After-School Tutoring Spring 2026
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.
CLASS OF 2026 DECISION DAY
Congratulations Seniors!
Telecom Baseball Team
End of Season Recap
Telecom Baseball closed out the season with two hard-fought games against Sunset Park High School.
On Saturday, 5/9, the boys battled through the rain with senior Matthew Cardona delivering a strong performance on the mound, holding Sunset Park to just two runs. Telecom carried a 3–2 lead late into the game, but a tough inning allowed Sunset Park to walk it off for a 4–3 win.
The teams met again on Wednesday, 5/13, with a playoff spot on the line. Senior Jacob Sibley got the start on the mound, but Telecom came up short, falling 7–4 and ending the team’s playoff hopes.
Despite the tough loss, the season ended on a meaningful note as the team celebrated Senior Day following the game. Seniors Mark, Jacob, Matthew, Enrique, Ajani and Jayden were honored for their dedication and leadership throughout their Telecom Baseball careers. Coach Calise shared heartfelt words about each student-athlete before the team celebrated together with pizza and desserts.
Good luck to our seniors as they begin their college journeys—you will truly be missed!
Join us for Sports Award Night on Monday, June 1 to honor all Telecom Student Athletes.
HSTAT BOYS VOLLEY BALL
Congratulations to the Boys Handball team and Coach Tavarez for being undefeated in their regular season with a record of ten and zero!
MAY 6-8, 10TH GRADE CAMPING TRIP
SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL
Congratulations on another amazing show! And shoutout to Disconnected Band for an awesome opening performance!
April 27, 2026 - AMERICAN DREAM MALL AND WATER PARK TRIP WITH MS. Augustin
The Poetry Club at HSTAT would like to say CONGRATS to Lian Edhah!
Her poem “On Longing” won an Honorable Mention in the CCNY High School Poetry Contest! She will be reading her poem at The Poetry Festival this Friday, sharing the stage with students across NYC high schools.
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.
April 23, 2026 Students in the sustainability class Electric Vehicle Project
Ms. Giambanco
SENIOR TRAMPOLINE PARK TRIP March 31, 2026
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.
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 at 7:00pm
All meetings will begin at 7:00pm via zoom, unless otherwise indicated.
June 15, 2026 (in person end of year meeting)
PTA SPRING FUNDRAISER MAY 11, 2026
PTA FUNDRAISER AT SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL