May Updates
School Yard Design Day #4
Design Day #4 – Recap 5/21
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The design team was joined by representatives from CM Vickie Paladino’s Office, who has generously contributed $200K to the project.
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The student designers reviewed the two schematic designs created by the landscape architects (StudioHIP). Both designs reflect the drafts that the student teams created during the past few months.
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In the session, students analyzed and discussed the differences and the pros and cons of each schematic. They were given an opportunity to voice their concerns and lobby for the design of their choice. An informal vote was held to get a sense of where the students are leaning...with Schematic One in the lead.
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The design team was also presented with seating and gazebo options, and color schemes, which they cast their votes for using sticky dotes.
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The design team also spent time drawing themed artwork in line with the ‘Under the sea/New York’ theme for the color seal/ art on the ground options.
Voting is now open for the two designs: Please see the link below and the flyer attached.
Deadline to respond is Wednesday June 3rd
April Updates
School Team Updates
Debate Team - At the Queens Borough Championship, the Sharks Debate placed first in the Sweepstakes for the whole tournament.
Boys Flag Football - The team recently got their first victory over M.S. 200 and tied with WJPS. They currently hold a record at 1-0-1 and will be looking forward to their next matchup on Friday, 5/1 against Bell Academy and JHS 185.
Track - The team is looking forward to preparing for the upcoming track meet at Astoria Park on 5/12.
The I.S. 25 Sharks Boys’ Volleyball team completed an undefeated regular season and have shown outstanding teamwork, dedication, and determination all year. Congratulations to the Sharks as they advance to the championship game on Friday, May 1st—good luck!
Mathletes -
Green Team -
Girl's Volleyball -
Soccer -
Visit from Sumi Jo
Schoolyard Renovation
Field Trip for Schoolyard Renovation Ideas Recap 3/30
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Students played outside at PS 296X including – basketball, soccer, net climber, fitness equipment, running track.
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Students reviewed the PS 296X schematic and learned to translate viewing 3D space into 2D drawings.
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They added new wish list items inspired by the field trip
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Looked at the blueprints for PS 296X.
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Came up with some ideas for a theme to vote on next time.
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Closed out the hour with more play!
Design Day #2 Recap: April 23
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The design team learned about the importance of green infrastructure through a presentation of "Sewer in a Suitcase.” This interactive model created by Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP) illustrated how water flows through cities and how the new schoolyard renovation will include green infrastructure elements that keep excess stormwater out of local waterways, helping to combat flooding and pollution. Students learned the difference between pervious and impervious materials.
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Students looked at the data collected from the google surveys and noticed what elements were priorities are for the space. The most voted-for feature to incorporate was trees!
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The design team voted on the theme for the new schoolyard. ‘Under the sea’ and ‘New York City’ theme were nearly tied so we are going check in again next week with she students to finalize theme.
Design Day #3 Recap: April 30
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The design class split into groups to create designs on their to-scale maps. Students incorporated elements into their designs inspired by the votes tallied from the school wide/community google survey.
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Each group presented their plans to the class and discussed with the landscape architect how to incorporate various aspects of the student plans to best use the space and best suit the needs of the schools and the greater community.
February 2026 Newsletter
Instructional News
Recently, our school administered middle-of-the-year reading and math assessments. Below are charts comparing our students’ performance from the beginning of the year until now. In reading, there is overall growth in students achieving On/Above + Mid/Above grade level performance. There is also an overall decline in students performing 1-3+ grade levels below. We will email families on how to access their child’s performance report from the I-Ready website.
Additionally, in math, there is overall growth in students performing between the Above to Early On Grade Level performance. There is also overall decline in students performing 1-3+ grade levels below. This is for grades 6 and 7.
8th grade data comes from MapGrowth (NOT I-Ready). 59% of 8th grade students who took the Middle Of The Year MapGrowth Assessment (in Math) fall in the On/Above Grade Level Performance range. However, 41% of 8th grade students fall in the Approaching to (far) Below Grade Level performance range.
Our underperforming students (especially those with IEPs and ELL status) require evidence-based, student-specific learning strategies to help close their achievement gaps.
Our continued mission is to utilize our professionally learned strategies, consistent social/emotional activities to further improve the impact of our instructional practices and help ALL of our students achieve academic and social/emotional success.
Social News
Our school counselors, restorative justice action team, and assistant principals have been working with students and teachers in providing a more welcoming and inclusive learning environment. Recently, we have done this through assemblies learning about the negative impact of hate speech and bias based slurs. Additionally, we recognized and practiced the Respect for All Week mission. Our continued goal is making sure every student, family member, and staff feel safer and included at IS 25Q.
General Updates
Our school will be going through some periodic transformations to improve the educational and social experiences of our students.
Recent changes included updated new cafeteria furnishings as well as a service area. Upcoming changes include renovations to our library that will see an increase in available classrooms for our students as well as an updated library. Additionally, a few of our classrooms will go through some transformation where larger rooms will be turned into 2 classrooms to accommodate class sizes.
Additionally, Trust for Public Land, an organization that leads and supports school yard renovations, will be working with us to secure funding and renovate our large school yard. The organization will work with our school community to create a collaborative committee of students, families, and school staff, to discuss, design, and agree on the “new” school yard.
Each project indicated above will be done over the course of the next 2 - 3 years. Projects will be done incrementally, in parts, to minimize impact on student learning and comfortably, safely access facilities. As confirmed project schedules are made available, we will share them with you.
School Athletics & Special Teams
Although our friendly and loved rivals at JHS 185Q won the semi-finals (and finals) our IS 25Q boys and girls basketball players have done nothing less than commit to grit, endurance, and "love of the game". Additionally, the basketball teams put up an immense effort this season, a season with joy, effort, and growth. Our students have shown that they can and will give it their all to be known as a formidable opponent on the court.