Principal's Message

From the Principal

School Year 2025-2026

February 2026

Principal Greetings P.S. 104Q Families,

We hope that everyone has had a great start to 2026.

February is “Black History Month”. We began our study in January with Dr. Martin Luther King. Students engaged in activities in class, after school, Saturday, lunch and during morning announcements. This month our scholars will continue to engage in rigorous and relevant lessons of Black History. Students will engage in daily trivia and continue to learn about Black History.

We are excited for the 100th Day of School on February 23, 2026. Scholars will engage in activities to celebrate the 100th Day.

We will kick off our “Respect for All Week” on Monday, February 9, 2026. A schedule for the week will be sent prior and we strongly encourage all scholars to participate. The students will participate in class activities to show how together we can show kindness to ourselves, to others and to our school. We will also have daily activities to bring awareness to the weeks theme.

Our After School Academy began on January 26th. The program are designed to support scholars academically and socially. During these programs your child is engaged in targeted ELA and Math small group instruction. These programs are designed to provide intervention and prepare your child for the NYS ELA and Math Exams (Grades 3-5). We do have spots still available in our After School Academy. Please contact our Parent Coordinator, Ms. Gilda Quijije.

We are at the halfway point of our school year. Check in with your scholar’s teacher and utilize the at home tips you are given. Schedule an appointment with the teacher to discuss academics, supports, etc. Promotion in Doubt letters will be backpacked, and mailed the week of February 23rd. If your child is struggling, has poor attendance, is not completing assignments, is not participating, etc. their promotion to the next grade may be affected. Make sure you are involved with your scholar and his/her teacher. The communication line must be open which creates a line of support to make sure all of our children are moving forward. We must make consistency a priority. Be safe and be well!

Sincerely,

Deirdre McShane, Principal

DOWNLOAD THE FEBRUARY 2026 CALENDAR

January 2026

Greetings P.S. 104Q Families,

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable holiday season! I hope 2026 brings hope, joy and continued resilience as we continue to live and thrive. As a community, we will continue to rise to the challenge and ensure our scholars are safe and making academic progress.

Be reminded P.S. 104Q is a uniform school. Uniforms are to be worn Monday through Thursday. Scholars can wear “Spirit Wear” on Fridays. The uniform is navy blue bottoms (no jeans) with a navy or light blue polo or buttoned down shirt. Please make sure your scholar is in the proper uniform every day unless noted on the calendar.

Be aware the window for Kindergarten registration for school year 26-27 opened Tuesday, December 9, 2025 and closes on Friday, January 23, 2026. Ensure that you have the correct contact information on your New York City Schools Account. Applications for Pre-K registration for school year 26-27 opens in January, date to follow.

We will begin our Afterschool Academy for students in grades K thru 5 in February. This is time for our scholars to receive extra support in ELA and Math. Scholars will also engage in student clubs. Please understand your child must be picked up on time from Afterschool Academy. This is to provide students with homework, ELA and Math support. Grades 3 through 5 will also engage in student clubs. Please be sure to sign up.

I would like to repeat again, parents, you must monitor your scholar’s cell phone and device usage. This is vital to ensure their safety and yours. As the adult you are responsible for your scholar and all they do. Check their phones daily by scrolling through it, reading group chat exchanges, etc. As a school, we have conducted lessons on digital citizenship in all grades. P.S. 104Q needs for you to assist us in making sure our scholars are using these tools properly.

Be safe and be well!

Sincerely,

Ms. Deirdre McShane
Principal

DOWNLOAD THE JANUARY 2026 CALENDAR

December 2025

Greetings P.S. 104Q Families,

My, how time flies! We are in our final month of 2025! Our scholars are in a routine in our school community and are aware of the daily expectations for behavior and learning.

Parents, you must work with your scholar in practicing reading and math facts daily. The school is using the HMH Into Reading Curriculum. This curriculum is used to improve skills in reading. Scholars should read daily and solve real world math problems to make academic gains. Be reminded that homework is given Monday-Thursday, with a light task on the weekends. Ensure you check your scholar’s homework, folders, etc. Return forms that require a signature when needed.

Have your scholar practice daily living skills of tying their shoelaces and buttoning their clothes, learning their phone numbers, etc. Too many of our scholars do not know the basics that should be taught prior to attending school. YOU are your scholar’s first teacher!

If you do not have your NYC School Account set up, please contact the main office. This tool is where you will find all information on your scholar such as attendance, report cards, etc. You can also use it to update contact information. When doing contact updates, please also contact the main office. A good best practice is to also write your contact information in your scholar’s notebook so they have it when necessary.

School begins at 8:00 A.M and ends at 2:20 P.M. Please ensure that you drop off and pick up your scholar on time. Remind caregivers to pick up your scholar timely, if you are not the one doing it. We have too many scholars arriving to school and being picked up late. Be punctual as we at P.S. 104 teach our scholars.

On the horizon: Our After School program will begin January. This is time for our scholars to receive extra support in ELA and Math. lease understand your child must be picked up on time from our After School Academy.

Yours in Education
Ms. Deirdre McShane
Principal

DOWNLOAD THE DECEMBER 2025 CALENDAR

November 2025

P.S. 104Q Families,

Happy Fall! Time continues to escape us! We must treasure each day and be grateful for the positive moments in our lives. Teachers have completed beginning of the year assessments in reading and math to see what scholars know and are able to do. They will usethis data to drive classroom instruction and inform you on your scholar’s results during Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday, November 6, 2025. The day is a half day, dismissal is11:30 AM sharp. It is important that you implement your classroom teacher’s suggestions to reinforce skills at home.

Parents, you must work with your scholar in practicing reading and practicing math facts daily. Engage them in conversations by asking questions, their opinions and reasoning behind their thoughts. We must teach our scholars to be independent thinkers who use evidence to support their ideas. Have your scholars practice daily living skills of tying their shoelaces and buttoning theirclothes, learning their phone numbers, etc. Too many of our scholars do not know the basics that should be taught prior to attending school. You are your scholar’s first teacher.

School begins at 8: 00 A.M and ends at 2:20 P.M. Please ensure that you drop off and pick up your scholar on time. Remind caregivers to pick up your scholar on time if you are not the one doing it. We have too many scholars arriving to school and being picked up late. Stay safe and be well! ***Attendance Incentive: Come to school on Thursday, November 6th to be entered into a raffle.

Yours in Education
Ms. Deirdre McShane
Principal

DOWNLOAD THE NOVEMBER 2025 CALENDAR

October 2025

P.S. 104Q Families,

Happy Fall! Time continues to escape us, as we are in the tenth month of 2025 and the second month of the new school year. We must treasure each day and appreciate the positive moments in our lives. Our scholars are getting used to the daily routines in our school community. Teachers are conducting their beginning of the year assessments in reading and math to see what scholars know and are able to do. They will use this data to drive classroom instruction.

Ensure your scholar is reading and practicing math facts daily. Engage them in conversations by asking questions, their opinions and reasoning behind their thoughts. We must teach our scholars to think critically with evidence to support their ideas. As a school community, we must teach and coach our scholars to become independent thinkers as well as be able to regulate their emotions. Gradually we release the learning and support when needed, which enables scholars to “think and do” on their own. Too many of our scholars do not know the basics that should be taught prior to attending school. Have your scholars practice daily living skills of tying their shoelaces and buttoning their clothes, learning their phone numbers, etc. Let’s work together to have each scholar be able to identify their favorite coping strategies as well, so that they are equipped with skills when difficult situations arise.

This month our events include “Hispanic Heritage Week”, “Trunk or Treat” , “Book Character Day Walk for Grades PreK-3” and “Title 1 Meeting”. We are looking forward to seeing you at these events. If you would like to volunteer, please contact our Parent Coordinator, Ms. Gilda Quijije.

School begins at 8:00 A.M. and ends at 2:20 P.M. Please ensure that you drop off and pick up your scholar on time. Remind caregivers that pick up your scholar, if you are not the one doing it. We have too many scholars arriving to school late and being picked up late. Stay safe and be well!

Yours in Education,

Ms. McShane Principal

DOWNLOAD THE OCTOBER 2025 CALENDAR

September 2025

P.S. 104Q The Bayswater School Families,

Welcome to the 2025-2026 academic school year! We are looking forward to a successful school year at PS104Q and a warm welcome with open arms to the new families in our school community.

As the Principal of P.S. 104Q, I look forward to engaging with our scholars and families as we go on our academic journey. With all hands on deck, staff, scholars, families and the community, we will be able to prepare our scholars for the future. TOGETHER WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

All Kindergarten thru Grade 5 scholars will eat breakfast in the cafeteria. Breakfast will be served from 7:45am-8am. All scholars in grades K thru 5 will use the cafeteria door to enter the school building (Exit 5 located on Bay 28th Street). The door will close every morning at 8:10am sharp. After 8:10am, scholars must use the main entrance (Exit 1 on Westbourne Avenue). Pre-K scholars will enter and dismiss thru the main entrance (Exit 1). Scholars are considered late at 8:10 a.m.

This academic school year we will ensure your child is engaged in learning through listening, speaking, writing and reading through all content areas. We will prioritize wellness and it is linked to student success and engaging families to be partners.

Please welcome our new staff at PS104. All new staff will be introduced on September 15th during my “Welcome Back” session. They are extremely excited to join our community.

Every scholar will receive a packet on the first day of school. Please be sure to complete and return all documents. We have a new “Cell Phone Policy” for grades 3-5. Ensure you check your child’s folder for information from the school each night. It is important that you keep contact information current for your child. I look forward to working with you all and having a successful start to the new school year! Be safe and be well!

Yours in Education,

Ms. McShane Principal

DOWNLOAD THE SEPTEMBER 2025 CALENDAR

Month

Happy February!

GENTLE REMINDERS:

After School Academy: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2:20pm-3:20pm
Black History Week: February 2th-6th
SLT Meeting: February 5th at 2:30pm
Family Survey’s begin February 9th
PTA Valentine’s Day Bake Sale: February 12th and 13th
Respect For All Week: February 9th-13th Daily activities are on the school calendar
Mid-Winter Recess: February 16th-20th Mid- Winter Academic Academy: February 16th and 17th