​Irwin Altman Middle School 172

News & Announcements

• Information on the 7th Grade Trip - Wednesday - June 1st

  Good Morning Irwin Altman Middle School 7th Grade Families,

   

  On Behalf of our 7th Grade Assistant Principal Ms. Soto:

   

  Dear 7th Grade Families, 

   

  This is a gentle reminder that the 7^th grade trip to the Nickelodeon Universe (located in The American Dream Mall at 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, New Jersey) is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026. All 7^th graders who are going on the trip will be leaving the school building by 8:45am and will return to the building by 3:30pm (after school dismissal). We ask families of students who had "I will pick up my child from MS 172 when the bus returns from Nickelodeon Park, NJ at 3:30pm" checked off on their permission slip, to arrive at the school building no later than 3:30pm as students will be told to wait for their parent/guardian in front of the main entrance.

  Also, as communicated in the trip permission slip, students should eat a heavy breakfast that morning and bring their lunch and/or snacks to eat during the bus ride home (since no outside food is permitted in the park). We recommend sending your child with $20 cash to purchase snacks in the park. Please note that students should only bring a small bag to carry any personal items since they will not need any instructional materials that day and should wear sneakers along with their Grizzly T-shirt or a blue shirt. 

   

  Lastly, any student who is not participating in the trip will follow a regular 7^th grade class schedule throughout the school day.  

   

  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns at msoto32@schools.nyc.gov. 

   

  Sincerely, 

   

  Ms. Maritza Soto

  7th Grade Assistant Principal

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  MS172Q

• Important Information for Rising 8th Grade Students for September 2026 from Mrs. Soto

  Good Morning Irwin Altman Families of Classes 721,722 and 723,

   

  On Behalf of our 7th Grade Assistant Principal, Ms. Soto:

   

  Dear 7th Grade Families, 

   

  You are receiving this follow-up message regarding your child's current 7th grade “Screened Program” placement as we plan for next year. We have been analyzing all 7th graders’ academic data over the course of these two years to make informed decisions about our future 8th grade New York State Regents track offerings.

   

  The two Regents courses that all Screened Program classes will take are: 

   

  • Life Science: Biology   
  • Algebra I

   

  We have also added the Regents course below which will be part of at least one of our Screened Program classes for the 2026-2027 school year:

   

  • U.S. History and Government (Typically taken in 11th Grade)

   

  We want to make sure that all students are placed in a class program that sets them up for success due to the high school level coursework that will be expected. As part of our class reorganization process from 7th to 8th grade, we will continue to analyze students’ academic data for the remainder of the school year which includes data such as your child's course grades and average in all classes; their state exam and in-school assessment scores and their performance on the upcoming mock U.S History Regents placement exam which is scheduled to be taken during their social studies class on Tuesday, May 26th. In addition, we also take our teacher recommendations and our student conduct into account along with our seat availability.

   

  Please note that this information will not only be used to decide the classes and students that will be programmed for all three Regents courses during their 8th grade year but will also determine the students who will remain in a Screened program.  

   

  Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns at msoto32@schools.nyc.gov. 

   

  Sincerely, 

   

  Ms. Maritza Soto

  7th Grade Assistant Principal

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  MS172Q

• UPDATE ******8th Grade Senior Trip -  Two more chaperone spots open for parent volunteers. (Spots Filled)

  Good Morning Irwin Altman Middle School 172 8th Grade Families,

   

  On Behalf of our 8th Grade Assistant Principal Ms. Devine and our 8th Grade Senior Activities Advisor, Ms. Guilz:

   

  Dear 8th Grade Parents and Guardians,

  Thank you to all the family members who reached out and volunteered to chaperone our upcoming senior trip to Lake Compounce.

  We are writing to inform you that we have officially met our required student-to-chaperone ratio, and all volunteer spots have now been filled. We truly appreciate the overwhelming response and the willingness of our community to support our graduates.

  We look forward to a safe and memorable trip for the Class of 2026!

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  MS172Q

• Upcoming HIV Curriculum - There is a separate letter for 6th grade and for 7th and 8th Grade

  

   

  Good Morning Irwin Altman Middle School 172 Families,

   

  On Behalf of our Supervisor of Science and Health, Ms. Devine:

   

  Please see attached letters regarding upcoming HIV Curriculum. There is a separate letter for 6th grade and for 7th and 8th Grade.

   

  Thank you

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  • HIV Family Letter 6th 25-26 docx.pdf
  • HIV Family Letter 7th and 8th 25-26 docx.pdf

  MS172Q

• Spring Arts Festival Tickets on Sale Now!

  

   

  Good Morning Irwin Altman Middle School 172 Families,

   

  On Behalf of our GS Teachers:

   

  Dear Families,

  We are excited to announce that tickets for our Spring Arts Festival will go on sale NOW!

  This special event, which will be held on Wednesday May 20th at 6:30pm, celebrates the creativity and talent of our students, and we look forward to sharing their incredible work with you. Artwork will be displayed in the Gymnasium, followed by performances by the chorus, drama department, 7th grade band, 8th grade band and jazz band, which will be held in the Auditorium.

  Tickets will be $5 each until May 19th and then $10 each at the door. We encourage you to mark your calendars and secure your tickets early once sales open.

  Thank you for your continued support, and we can’t wait to see you at the festival!

  Please see attached flyer for additional details.

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  MS172Q

• Spring Arts Festival - Wednesday, May 20th at 6:30 PM Tickets

  

   

  Good Morning Irwin Altman Middle School 172 Families,

   

  On Behalf of our GS Teachers:

   

  Dear Families,

  We are excited to announce that tickets for our Spring Arts Festival will go on sale beginning Wednesday, May 6th.

  This special event, which will be held on Wednesday May 20th at 6:30pm, celebrates the creativity and talent of our students, and we look forward to sharing their incredible work with you. Artwork will be displayed in the Gymnasium, followed by a concert/monologues in the Auditorium.

  Tickets will be $5 each until May 19th and then $10 each at the door. We encourage you to mark your calendars and secure your tickets early once sales open.

  Thank you for your continued support, and we can’t wait to see you at the festival!

  Please see attached flyer for additional details.

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  MS172Q

• SHSAT (Khan Tutorial) Information Monday, May 18 at 6:00PM in the Auditorium

  Good morning Irwin Altman Middle School 6th and 7th Grade Families,

   

  On Behalf of The PTA:

   

  We are excited to share that Khan Tutorial, in collaboration with MS 172, will be hosting an SHSAT Information Session for families on Monday, May 18th at 6pm in our Auditorium. 

  This session will provide valuable insights into the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT).  There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and learn how to best guide your child on their high school journey.

  We encourage all families of interested students to attend. 

  The May PTA meeting will immediately follow at 7pm.

  Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you there.

  Please see attached flyer for further details.

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  • SHSAT Flyer 6.pdf

  MS172Q

• Advanced Classes Offered to Students 2026-2027

  Good Morning Irwin Altman Middle School 172 6th and 7th Grade Families,

   

  On Behalf of our Principal, Dr. DeSimone:

   

  Dear MS 172 Family,

  We want to tell you about special advanced classes that will be offered at Irwin Altman Middle School 172 next school year. These classes can help your student learn more, build important skills and get ready for the future.

  Why Take Advanced Courses?

  Students in advanced classes: 

  · Learn harder and more interesting lessons.
  · Get better at thinking and solving problems.
  · Feel more confident about themselves.
  · Show they are ready for college.
  · May earn college credit before they finish high school.
  · May spend less time and money in college.

   

  Please see attached letter for further information regarding Advanced Courses including what Advanced Courses will be offered and criteria for Advanced Courses

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  • Letter to Families - Advanced Classes docx.pdf

  MS172Q

• Fun With Flowers

  Good morning Irwin Altman Middle School 172 Families,

   

  On Behalf of The District Office:

  Stop and explore the roses! Join us to investigate and create a fun  craft while learning how plants make food. Discover the science  behind every bloom in this parent/child craft workshop!

  Fun with Flowers 

  Date: Wednesday, May 13

  Time: 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm

  Location: PS 133

  Details and registration link are on the flyer attached to this email.

   

  Please see attached flyer for further details.

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  • FunWithFlowers.pdf

  MS172Q

• Spring Health Fair

  Good Afternoon Irwin Altman Middle School 172 Families,

   

  On Behalf of The District Office,

   

  Come and join Council Member Linda Lee's Spring Health Fair. 

  Saturday, May 30th, 12pm-3pm

  Alley Pond Park, 76th Avenue/Springfield Boulevard

   

  Please see attached flyer for further details.

   

  Audrey Geliga

  Parent Coordinator, Irwin Altman Middle School 172

  MS172Q