About Us

P.S. 222Q opened its doors on September 7, 2002. Since that time it has developed into one of the most extraordinary places of early childhood learning in the entire city of New York.

The principal and staff members take great pride in P.S. 222Q family’s distinct spirit of cooperation and collaboration. It is this spirit that enables all the school’s constituencies to move forward to achieve their clearly delineated educational goals and objectives, which benefit the entire school community.

The vision of P.S. 222Q is to foster a safe, joyful and inclusive learning community where every child feels deeply valued, empowered to take intellectual risks and supported to grow into a confident, lifelong learner. We aspire to be a culturally affirming, nurturing early childhood environment where academic excellence and equity go hand in hand, ensuring that every student is challenged to meet their full potential.

To realize this vision, P.S. 222Q is dedicated to providing high-quality, language-rich instruction grounded in meaningful relationships and robust family partnerships. With equity at the forefront of our practice, we commit to delivering a rigorous curriculum implemented by a collaborative team of teachers, administrators and service providers. We are deeply invested in the holistic development of our students, addressing their diverse social and emotional growth through continuous guidance, intentional monitoring and targeted supportive measures. Through these integrated efforts, we ensure that each student receives the exact resources and educational opportunities they need to build the skills, confidence and resilience to thrive.

Instructional Programs at a Glance

Reading

We implement a new reading program, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Into Reading/Arriba La Lectura!, to provide a flexible approach to balanced literacy in order for students to engage in small group discussion and deepen comprehension using award winning books that are diverse and leveled.

Writing

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Into Reading Writing Workshop allows us to implement a method of instruction that is student centered, process driven and collaborative. Writing Workshop makes explicit instruction, activities and routines for every stage of the writing process, extensive teacher modeling and tips and digitally projectable instruction at point of use.

Math

We implement the Go Math curriculum, a balanced mathematics program that offers students a coherent syllabus addressing conceptual understanding, procedural fluency and daily problem-solving work.

Science/Social Studies

In science, a hands-on, inquiry-based approach to learning is emphasized through the use of Amplify Science. Our social studies program, NYC Passport to Social Studies, allows students to make sense of the world in which they live, make connections between major ideas and their own lives and see themselves as active members of our society.

Music, Theater, Visual Arts

Our Art Program offers music, theater and visual arts for all students K-2 with our teaching staff implementing the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts.

Physical Education & Dance

Students K-2 receive physical education in keeping with the mandates using the SPARK Program that includes 10 dynamic instructional units aligned to NASPE National Standards.

Supplemental Programs

Dual Language Program

We follow a 50/50 rollercoaster model for instruction with English Language Learners (ELLs) and English Proficient students (EPs) working cooperatively and serving as language role models for each other.

Schoolwide Enrichment (SEM)

Our SEM Program is a research supported instructional model of education that incorporates a wide variety of differentiated strategies with students choosing their own research theme/topic and working with a small cohort of students with similar interests.

We hold a number of special events: 9/11 Commemorative Walk; Family Fun Nights celebrating the work in content-area study, i.e. Literacy, Math, Physical Education; Character Hat/Halloween Day Parade; Dr. Seuss’ Birthday/Pajama Day; Science Fair; Earth Day Parade; Music Concerts; Theatrical Performances; Art Exhibitions.

Our 9/11 Commemorative Walk is dear to our hearts as our school is named after FF Christopher A. Santora who perished on 9/11. On the day of the walk, our students hold an American flag and wear a firefighter’s hat and Christopher’s t-shirt. It is a solemn day imbued with the spirit of hope, courage, and resiliency—the American way!

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