Events

Holiday Toy Drive Returns to P.S. 222Q With a Spirit of Giving

The holiday season is a special time at P.S. 222Q, and we are thrilled to announce the return of our annual Toy Drive, running from December 1–12. This beloved tradition gives our school community an opportunity to come together in kindness and generosity to support children who may need a little extra brightness during the holiday season.

We invite families to donate new or gently used toys appropriate for ages 4–8—items such as books, board games, puzzles, science kits, building sets, toy cars, dolls, sports equipment or journals. Every contribution, big or small, helps ensure that our students experience the warmth, joy and magic of the holidays.

Our toy distribution will take place on Monday, December 22 at 2:30 p.m., when families will be invited to pick out gifts. We deeply appreciate the heart and generosity this event always brings into our building, and we look forward to another successful year.

Family Workshop: Attendance Matters & NYCPS Immigration Protocols

We are proud to host an important and informative workshop for families on Tuesday, December 2 from 9:15–10:00 a.m. in the multipurpose room, presented by Mr. Salvatore Birardi, District 30 Attendance Coordinator.

This workshop, “Attendance Matters & NYCPS Immigration Protocols,” will help families better understand the profound impact of daily attendance on student learning and long-term academic success. Mr. Birardi will also share clear, essential information about the NYCPS immigration/ICE protocols—including the safeguards NYC Public Schools have in place to protect all students and families during the school day.

Families will have the opportunity to ask questions, gather resources and feel empowered knowing the school system’s commitment to safety, equity and access. We strongly encourage all families to attend this meaningful session.

Solstice Lantern Lab: A Creative Family Workshop for the Winter Season

On Friday, December 12, families are invited to join Ms. Tatyana in the school library from 8:30–9:30 a.m. for our Solstice Lantern Lab—a hands-on, creative workshop where families will design their own lanterns to use during our Winter Solstice Walk.

Using simple materials (including clear recycled bottles), families will decorate, light and personalize their lanterns while learning about the Winter Solstice and its significance as a moment of reflection, calm and renewal. The Lantern Lab offers a wonderful opportunity to slow down during a busy season, enjoy a peaceful creative activity and prepare for one of our most heartfelt community traditions.

We hope to see many families join us for this memorable event.

Welcoming Our Future Learners

We are excited to welcome families to our Kindergarten Open House on Wednesday, December 17 at 9:00 a.m., a special event designed to introduce our incoming families to the warm, engaging and nurturing learning environment at P.S. 222Q.

During the Open House, families will have the opportunity to see our Kindergarten teachers in action, tour the classrooms and learn about the curriculum, routines and supports that guide children through this important first year of school. Our team will share how we build strong early literacy and math foundations, foster social-emotional growth and create joyful, hands-on learning experiences every day.

Families will also learn about schoolwide programs, ENL supports, arts partnerships and the communication systems we use to stay closely connected with parents throughout the year. There will be time for questions and conversation as families prepare for this exciting transition.

We look forward to welcoming our future Kindergarteners and partnering with families as they begin their journey at P.S. 222Q!

Schoolwide Foundational Reading Skills Workshop for Families

We are excited to welcome all families—from 3-K through 2nd grade—to a special literacy workshop led by our Kindergarten team: Ms. Monique, Ms. Soto, Ms. Rugova, and Ms. Husna. The workshop will take place on Friday, December 19 from 8:30–9:15 a.m.

During this session, families will learn how foundational skills such as phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, high-frequency words and the use of decodable texts support early reading success. Teachers will model classroom routines and demonstrate how these practices build confident, independent readers.

Families will also receive simple, effective home strategies that reinforce these skills in fun and meaningful ways. This workshop is an important opportunity to strengthen the home–school partnership and support early literacy development.

Kindness Week: Celebrating Compassion, Empathy & Community

From December 8–12, P.S. 222Q will celebrate our annual Kindness Week—a joyful, reflective tradition that encourages students to recognize the power of small acts of kindness and the impact they have on others.

Throughout the week, students will explore read-alouds, videos, discussions and hands-on activities that teach them to be “bucket fillers,” show empathy and think about how their choices affect classmates, family members and the community. Students will write notes of appreciation, reflect on kind actions they can take each day and celebrate the caring culture we are building together.

Kindness Week nurtures the social-emotional growth of our students and reminds them that kindness is a habit we practice year-round.

Winter Concert: Second Graders Take Center Stage

The winter season at P.S. 222Q would not be complete without the beautiful music of our annual Winter Concert, directed by our music teacher, Mr. Jason. Our second graders have been hard at work preparing a delightful performance for their families, which will take place on Wednesday, December 10 at 4:00 p.m.

Earlier in the day, our Pre-K, Kindergarten and First Grade students will enjoy their own mini-concert at 9:15 a.m., giving all children the chance to experience the magic of live music and performance.

We are incredibly proud of our students’ talent, effort and excitement, and we look forward to a wonderful celebration of music and community spirit.

Winter Solstice Lantern Walk: A Beautiful Tradition of Light

On Thursday, December 18 at 5:00 p.m., we invite all families to join us for our annual Winter Solstice Lantern Walk to Travers Park. This event marks the Winter Solstice—the shortest day of the year—and symbolizes bringing light into the darkness through community, togetherness and creativity.

Students will carry lanterns they created in class or at home, and families are welcome to make their own as well. The walk follows our usual safety protocols, ensuring a peaceful, joyful evening for everyone.

We encourage families to dress warmly, bring their lanterns and join us for this calming, heartwarming celebration of light and unity.

Winter Joy Jam: A Warm and Cozy Celebration Before the Break

We are thrilled to bring our Winter Joy Jam on Tuesday, December 23—a schoolwide SEL celebration designed to promote joy, connection and emotional well-being before winter break. Students may wear pajamas or comfortable clothing as they participate in activities that encourage teamwork, gratitude and schoolwide positivity.

The Winter Joy Jam is a chance for students to slow down, enjoy time with classmates and celebrate the season in a warm, welcoming way. It is one of our most joyful days of the year, and we can’t wait to share it with our students.