Students at P.S. 88Q, located at 60-85 Catalpa Ave. in Ridgewood, marched through their neighborhood on Tuesday, May 27, for the school’s second annual “May the Change Be With You” Community Walk—an event organized by the school’s Social Justice Committee to amplify student voices on important community issues.
The walk, featuring handmade posters and full participation from every grade, was part of a growing tradition to help students understand civic engagement and promote causes such as environmental sustainability, disability rights, animal welfare and equity for seniors and youth.
“This is just one of the initiatives from our social justice committee,” said Principal Linda O’Shaughnessy. “It began last year with the need and desire to teach our students how to advocate—how to show that their voice, no matter how old they are, makes a difference.”
This year’s event added a new dimension through a collaboration with the Peter Cardella Senior Center located directly across the street from the school. Fifth-grade students created posters highlighting the rights and needs of older adults, while seniors made posters of their own, advocating for children’s well-being. Neither group knew the other was participating, making for a heartfelt moment of surprise when the two groups exchanged their messages.
“They’re both going to surprise each other—lobbying for each other, actually making an awareness for each other,” said Carlos Canales, a school counselor and member of the Social Justice Committee. “It’s very powerful—the impact they have in this moment.”
P.S. 88Q sits on the border of Queens and Brooklyn and serves a richly diverse student body. The school offers multiple specialized programs including services for English language learners and a Nest program for students with autism.
“Our school represents our community,” O’Shaughnessy said. “The issues the children are talking about are relevant right now—for their classmates and for their community.”
As students paraded through the neighborhood with signs promoting inclusion, justice, and care for the planet, families and staff lined the streets to cheer them on, affirming that advocacy has no age limit.
