Children from P.S./I.S. 78Q join NYC Mayor, Bill de Blasio, Majority Leader and Council member Jimmy Van Bramer, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and The MET Board Chair, Dan Brodsky for the Ribbon Cutting and Formal Opening of The MET Breuer on March 18, 2016.

The Met Breuer will provide additional space for the public to explore The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s modern and contemporary art program that is expanding to include a new series of exhibitions, performances, artist commissions, residencies, and educational initiatives in the landmark building designed by Marcel Breuer.

The Met and P.S./I.S. 78Q have already partnered to offer free after-school programming for all of the middle school students through the Cultural After School Adventure (CASA) program, a City Council initiative created to provide greater access to arts and culture for young people, outside of the school day.  “We are excited about this partnership and appreciate The MET’s and council member Van Bramer for the opportunity to offer this unique experience to our middle school students.” said, Louis Pavone, Principal of P.S./I.S. 78Q.

On February 10, 2016, The Middle School students, grades 6th, 7th and 8th from P.S./I.S. 78Q visited Yale University. The students had an opportunity to tour the Yale University Campus and gain first hand experience in the day and the life of an Ivy League college student. The entire educational and fun experience was free and sponsored by SASF and the NYC Department of Education.

As part of our initiative to work with community based organizations, the students went on an hour long guided tour of the campus and had a taste of campus life, having lunch in Yale’s Common Dining Hall.  Students were also able to ask questions of students currently in undergraduate studies and gain knowledge of what it takes to prepare for college.  The students had a great time touring the campus and interacting with college students. “At our school, the aim of a trip like this is to continue the college conversation within our school and help students and families understand that their dream of college is attainable.  It is also critical that students and our school community prepare for college early which will lead them towards a path of college readiness,” said Mr. Pavone, Principal.

On Monday, November 23, 2015, Mr. Pavone and the student council of P.S./I.S. 78Q joined Mayor Bill de Blasio and other elected officials for a special groundbreaking ceremony for the an affordable housing development and expansion of Hunters Point Park South phase II in Long Island City, which will include a kayak launch, a platform overlooking the East River, playgrounds, basketball courts and a dog run, officials said this week.

Mr. Pavone, Principal of P.S./I.S. 78Q said, “It will add to an already great community filled with beautiful parks for children of all ages to enjoy.”

Work on the park will start in late summer or early fall, according to officials from the city’s Economic Development Corporation.

The park will be expanded to run along the East River and Newtown Creek south of 54th Avenue, and will feature a 40-foot wide overlook that’s elevated 35 feet above the water and offers a “dramatic vista and will feature lawns and a play area for toddlers,” according to the plans.

The park is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, officials said.