Events

Cornell University Cooperative Extension Presents Nutrition Workshops for Parents

This fall, Cornell University Cooperative Extension will present a series of free nutrition workshops beginning Thursday, October 9, from 8:30–10:30 a.m.

This program includes nine workshops covering topics such as basic nutrition, portion sizes, food safety, menu planning, smart food shopping and budgeting, food preparation, feeding children and physical activity.

The sessions will be held on the following dates:
October 9, 16, 23, 30; November 13, 20; December 11, 20

Parents will have the opportunity to prepare nutritious and delicious recipes and taste new foods. Participants who attend at least eight sessions will receive a Certificate of Completion from Cornell University Cooperative Extension.

Workshops will take place in the Parent Room (C13).

Studio in a School

We are delighted to announce that Studio in a School will be returning to P.S. 222 this fall!

Our school is once again the proud recipient of the DOE Office of Arts and Special Projects Grant for the 2025–2026 school year, in the amount of $15,000, allowing us to continue our long-standing partnership with Studio in a School.

This year’s 20-week visual arts residency will occur throughout the months of November through May, servicing kindergarten, first, and second grades. The residency will be led by returning teaching artist Mr. Matthew Mahler, who will work with four classes at a time for 10 consecutive weeks to provide rich and engaging arts instruction that fosters creativity, expression and confidence.

Through Studio in a School, students will explore the elements of visual art—including line, shape, tone, color, pattern, texture and form—while engaging in hands-on projects that bring imagination and storytelling to life.

Last year, under Mr. Mahler’s guidance, students created collage puppets and imaginative animal artworks, deepening their understanding of design, composition and creative thinking. We are thrilled to continue this inspiring partnership that celebrates the joy and power of the arts in our classrooms!

Parent Workshop: Supporting Every Child’s Success — Understanding MTSS

Friday, November 14 • 8:30–9:30 a.m. • School Library (Room 310)

At PS 222Q, we believe every child can succeed when given the right support at the right time. This fall, families are invited to join Assistant Principal (I.A.) Ms. Tanisha Dorvil for an interactive workshop focused on the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) — our schoolwide framework for addressing the academic, social, and emotional needs of every learner.

Parents will learn:

• How teachers use data to identify students’ strengths and challenges.
  
  

• What Tier 1, 2, and 3 supports look like in classrooms.
  
  

• Simple ways families can reinforce learning and confidence at home.
  
  

This hands-on session will help families better understand how we work together to ensure that every student grows, thrives, and feels supported in our community of learners.

     When home and school work hand in hand, children flourish!

SMART Week 2025: Standing with Students in Temporary Housing - Week of November 17-21

SMART Week, an initiative of the New York City Department of Education, will be celebrated from November 17–21, 2025. This week recognizes and supports our students in temporary housing by promoting awareness, understanding, and empathy about homelessness and how it affects families within our school communities.

Schools play a vital role in helping children feel safe, valued, and supported during times of transition—whether they have recently arrived in the United States or have been in a temporary living situation for some time.

Three Goals of SMART Week:

• Teach students about homelessness in an age-appropriate and compassionate way
  
  

• Build empathy and understanding for families experiencing housing instability
  
  

• Inspire students and families to take action and help within their community

At P.S. 222Q, our School Social Worker, Ms. Mayra Palacios-LaRosa, and Guidance Counselor, Ms. Liz, and will visit classrooms to share short, age-appropriate videos and facilitate meaningful discussions on homelessness. Students will be encouraged to reflect on what it means to have a safe home, express their feelings, and explore ways communities support families in need.

Through these conversations, children will begin to understand that everyone deserves stability and care, and that together, we can help create a stronger, more compassionate community.

Parent Workshop: Strong Voices, Safe Choices — Building Body Confidence and Safety Awareness 

Friday, November 21 • 8:30–9:30 a.m. • School Library (Room 310) 

Helping children understand personal boundaries and body safety is an essential part of growing up. Join our School Social Worker, Ms. Mayra Palacios-LaRosa, for a meaningful parent workshop that gives families tools and language to help children feel safe, confident, and respected.

During this session, parents will explore:

• How to start age-appropriate conversations about body safety.
  
  

• How to teach children to recognize safe and unsafe situations.
  
  

• Strategies for building trust and open communication at home.
  
  

The workshop aligns with Chancellor’s Regulation A-750 on child-abuse prevention and supports our ongoing mission to foster a school culture of respect, empathy, and empowerment.

When children know their voices matter, they make strong, safe choices every day.

Multicultural Day  

P.S. 222 will proudly host its Multicultural Day on Tuesday, November 25, from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. for our Pre-K through second grade students. On this special day, students and staff will come together to celebrate the beauty and importance of cultural diversity.

Our Multicultural Day is designed to help students learn about and appreciate the many cultures that make up our vibrant Jackson Heights community. We take great pride in the variety of cultural backgrounds our students bring to our school, and this celebration will help them grow as respectful, curious and compassionate global citizens.

Our parent presenters will represent their native countries, sharing stories, music, dance, art and food from their cultures. Parents are warmly encouraged to wear traditional or cultural attire if possible.

This meaningful event is a wonderful opportunity for parents to contribute to the classroom experience while helping enrich our students’ understanding of the world around them.

Canned Food Harvest Drive  

This fall, P.S. 222Q will be collecting canned and non-perishable food items as part of our Canned Food Harvest Drive to support our very own school families in need.

Donations will be accepted from October 15 through November 15, and all collected items will be distributed to P.S. 222Q families just before Thanksgiving.

We encourage every family to contribute what they can—a little kindness goes a long way! Together, we can make this Thanksgiving season a little brighter for members of our school community.