​Irwin Altman Middle School 172

News & Announcements

• March Is Music In Our Schools Month, the MS 172 Band will be hosting a Bake Sale every remaining Monday

  Good Afternoon Irwin Altman Middle School 172 Families,

   

  On Behalf of our Band Director, Mr. Wolf:

   

  Dear MS 172 Families,

  In celebration of March Is Music In Our Schools Month, the MS 172 Band will be hosting a Bake Sale every remaining Monday in March, beginning Monday, March 9! 🎶

  The last Band Bake Sale is this coming Monday, March 30th!

  This is a wonderful way to celebrate music in our school while raising funds to support our growing band program. Proceeds will help with instruments, repairs, music purchases, and special performance opportunities for our student musicians.

  We are kindly asking for nut-free, individually wrapped donations. Please note: no soda, please.

  Some of our most popular items include:

  • Fun-size candy (Sour Patch Kids, Gummy bears, Skittles, M&Ms, chocolate bars)

  • Individual bags of chips (Doritos, Takis, Cheetos, Spicy chips, etc.)

  • Juice pouches or sports drinks (no soda)

  • Cookies

  • Cupcakes

  • Brownies

  • Other individually wrapped baked goods

  • Anything a middle schooler would be excited to buy!

  All items must be nut-free and individually wrapped for safety.

  Donations can be dropped off in the Main Office or Band Room before the start of the school day on any Monday in March.

  Thank you for supporting our talented student musicians and helping us celebrate Music In Our Schools Month in a fun (and delicious!) way. We truly appreciate our amazing school community!

  With gratitude,
  Mr. Wolf
  Band Director
  MS 172 

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  MS172Q

• Monday's PTA Virtual Meeting (March)

  Good Morning Irwin Altman Middle School 172 Families, 

   

  On Behalf of The PTA:

  This month's PTA meeting will be virtual. 

  Here is the link for Monday night's PTA meeting.

  https://nycdoe.zoom.us/j/96113388970?pwd=6dAa3QraCmY4HvBVUxSH8oywB7S8Hr.1&from=addon#success

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  MS172Q

• Evacuation and Lockdown Procedures

  Good Morning Irwin Altman Middle School 172 Families,

   

  This is a gentle reminder about evacuation and lockdown procedures. We will be conducting an evacuation drill next week.

  Thank you.

   

  On Behalf of our Principal, Dr. DeSimone:

  Now that the weather is becoming warmer, our school will resume practicing emergency drills, including evacuation and lockdown procedures. These drills are an important part of keeping our students and staff safe, and we approach them with care and sensitivity. While we may not conduct both types of drills this week, please know that over the next couple of weeks, we will practice multiple drills of each type. We encourage you to speak with your child at home about the importance of these drills so that they understand they are meant to keep everyone safe, not to cause fear. Thank you for your support in helping us create a safe and prepared school environment.

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  MS172Q

• New York State ELA and Math Exams

  Good Morning Irwin Altman Middle School Families 172,

   

  On Behalf of our 8th Grade AP and Testing Coordinator, Ms. Devine:

   

  Dear M.S. 172 Families, 

  As mentioned in our previous CBT Family Letter, the M.S. 172 dates for administering the New York State ELA and Math exams are: 

   

  • ELA Day 1: Wednesday, April 15th, 2026

  • ELA Day 2: Thursday, April 16th, 2026

  • Math Day 1: Wednesday, April 29th, 2026

  • Math Day 2: Thursday, April 30th, 2026

  These exams will be administered via your child’s DOE device. Therefore, students will need to bring their charged DOE device and their charger with them on testing days.  If your child’s device is being serviced for repairs, a loaner device will be available to him/her on testing days.  In the event that your child forgets to bring or charge their device and we have exhausted all of the devices and chargers in the building, he/she will be scheduled to take the exam on a make-up day.  

  Please see the attached document for the NYCDOE’s Family Guide to Computer Based Testing.  If you have additional questions or concerns, you can reach out to our Testing Coordinator Ms. Devine at kdevine2@schools.nyc.gov. 

   

  Please see attached letter for further details.

   

  Thank you,

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

   

  • 2026 NYS Grades 3-8 Exams Student Participation Guide for Families_ENGLISH.pdf

  MS172Q

• Letter from The Chancellor's Office

  Good Morning Irwin Altman Middle School 172 Families,

   

  On Behalf of The Chancellor's Office:

   

  Dear Students, Families, Educators, Leaders, and Community Members,

  As the Chancellor of NYC Public Schools (NYCPS), an educator of more than two decades, and an NYCPS parent, I believe our students deserve schools that are safe and academically strong. Today, that also means learning how to use artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly. 

  For our early learners, elementary, and middle school students, this means developing critical thinking and digital literacy skills. For our high school students, it means preparing for a world where AI is already shaping careers and entire industries. Across all ages, it means partnering with students, educators, leaders, and families to ensure AI is used safely, enhances student learning, and supports, not replaces, educators. AI is here, and our responsibility is to put strong systemwide safeguards in place, use it transparently and responsibly, and in an age-appropriate manner.

  To move this work forward, we have released preliminary guidance on how AI can be used in our schools. This guidance aims to set clear expectations to protect our students, support educators, and keep families informed. 

  Please click on the following link,  family letter (available on our website in all NYCPS languages)  for more information.

   

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  MS172Q

• Current 7th or 8th graders at any Queens public school -Join us for a FREE 4-week summer dance program led by NYCPS dance educators

  Hello Middle School Students, 
  
  

  Join us for a FREE 4-week summer dance program led by NYCPS dance educators. Strengthen your skills and technique in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz. FREE Bussing is available!

  Please see the flyer attached with more information. 

   

  WHO: 

  Current 7th or 8th graders at any Queens public school who love to dance and all current 8^th graders who have ALREADY been accepted into Cardozo's Dance program for Fall 2026. 

   

  WHEN: Mondays - Thursdays, July 6 - July 30, 2026 9am -12:30pm

   

  WHERE: Cardozo High School 57-00 223rd Street Bayside, Queens

   

  REGISTER HERE:

  https://forms.gle/jGq5ETG7XV5T2hkk6

  • Summer 26 Qns Dance Pathways 2.pdf

  MS172Q

• Yearbook Boosters Date Extented!

  Good Morning Irwin Altman Middle School 8th Grade Families,

   

  On Behalf of the PTA:

  Our 8th Graders are on the last pages of their time at Irwin Altman MS 172. Let’s help boost them toward the next volume with a Yearbook Booster. 

  We are offering personalized Class of 2026 Yearbook Booster messages. Boosters are a great way to celebrate our graduate's hard work, encouraging the next steps and looking forward to their bright future. 

  Note, we’ve included a few samples below to give some ideas. Be sure to review your message to ensure it’s clear, appropriate, and within the word limit specified. Personalize your booster by addressing it to your graduate and sign it too.

  Important Details

  • Deadline: Submit your booster order by March 27, 2026. Late submissions may not be included in the yearbook.

  • Space is limited: Boosters are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so act quickly!

  • Proceeds: All proceeds will go towards funding senior activities, generously sponsored by the PTA.

  Payment Information

  Cost: $10

  Payment can be made through the following methods:

  • Zelle: Send payment to 26q172pa@schools.nyc.gov. In the notes section, type: Booster (Student name), (Class). Please record the confirmation ID to include on the submission form.

  • Check: Make checks payable to MS 172 PTA. In the memo line, write: Booster (Student name), (Class). Please record the check number and date on the submission form and drop off at the main office in an envelope labeled Booster (Student name), (Class).

  • Cash: Place cash in an envelope labeled Booster (Student name), (Class) and drop it off at the main office, please indicate Cash on the submission form.

   

  Click here for the submissions form, please complete all required fields: https://forms.gle/1o1aTFjVTbGige517

   

  Be sure to review your message to ensure it’s clear, appropriate, and within the word limit specified.

  Here are sample messages to give some ideas on what to include. Make sure to personalize for your student and don’t forget to sign it!

   

  • Congratulations on graduating! Be proud of how far you’ve come and excited for what’s ahead. Keep learning, keep growing, and always believe in yourself.

  • You did it! Middle school was just the beginning. Dream big, work hard, and don’t be afraid to be yourself. We’re so proud of you!

  • Class of 2026—congratulations
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    ! May high school bring new friends, new challenges, and many great memories. Keep shining!

  • So proud of you today and always. Remember: kindness, courage, and effort will take you far. Congratulations on your graduation!

  • You’ve grown so much over the years. Keep chasing your goals and never stop believing in yourself. Congrats, graduate!

   

  Please see attached for further details.

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  • Class of 2026 Yearbook Boosters 1.pdf

  MS172Q

• Health and Wellness Fair

  Good Morning Irwin Altman Middle School 172 Families, 

   

  On Behalf of Beacon and Commonpoint:

   

  We are excited to invite you to Beacon’s upcoming Health and Wellness Fair! This special event is a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together and focus on health, wellness, and overall well-being.

  The Health Fair will feature a variety of engaging activities and resources, including:

  • Health and wellness information

  • Community organizations sharing valuable resources

  • Fun activities for students and families

  Date: April 18th
  Time: 11am-2pm
  Location: Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  We encourage all families to attend and take advantage of the many resources and activities that will be available. It’s a great way to learn more about staying healthy while connecting with our school community.

  We hope to see you there!

  Please see attached flyer for further details.

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  • Red Illustration Health Fair Flyer 8 2.pdf

  MS172Q

• 8th grade class of 2026 will be going to the Lake Compounce Amusement Park

  Good Afternoon Irwin Altman Middle School 8th Grade Families,

   

  On Behalf of our 8th Grade Senior Events Advisor, Ms. Guilz and 8th Grade AP Ms. Devine:

   

   

  It is our pleasure to announce that the 8th grade class of 2026 will be going to the Lake Compounce Amusement Park located in Bristol, Connecticut.

  The date of the trip is Thursday, May 28, 2026. The students will meet at school promptly at 6:30AM and return to school at approximately 6:00PM.

  The senior trip will cost $100.00 which includes: 

   

  • Transportation to and from the school in coach buses

  • A park admission ticket

  • An unlimited lunch buffet

  
  The payment must be by check or money order payable to Irwin Altman Middle School 172. We will be accepting payments until Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

   

  The space is limited due to the number of buses, so spots on the trip will be awarded on a first come, first served basis.

   

  Please see attached letter for further details.

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  • Final copy of senior trip letter 2026 For Students 1 docx.pdf

  MS172Q

• Book Fair 3/23 - 3/27 IRWIN ALTMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL 172 8114 257TH ST FLORAL PARK, NY 11004

  Book Fair Flyer

  Preview the Books

   

  We are hosting our annual Scholastic Book Fair next week in room 119. ELA will be bringing classes, but all teachers are invited to stop in and look around. 

   

  MS172Q