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QUEENS QUEENSCHRONICLE, CHRONICLE,Thursday, Thursday,August August27, 27,2026 2026Page Page164 For news visit qchron.com Backthe tolatest School & Fall Guide 2026
Phone ban turns into a routine by Kristen Guglielmo Editor
“It’s stupid. It won’t last.” That was a Richmond Hill High School student named Jay, standing outside the building at dismissal last September, days into New York’s new statewide school phone ban. He was one of multiple students who told the Chronicle that week that the rollout had its issues — delayed morning bells, jammed magnetic pouches, faculty cutting locks open with scissors. But the problems waned and the ban — unsurprisingly, and to some students’ dismay — lasted. As schools prepare to open for a second phone-free year, the educators who spent last fall fielding complaints now describe a policy that has faded into the background of the school day. Parents stopped worrying, cafeterias got louder, while students, being students, got creative. “I’ve seen so many ‘second phones,’” said Winnie H., a Bayside resident who teaches at a Manhattan high school. The teens’ scheme is straightforward, she said: Bring a decoy device. Winnie has seen students turn up with an iPod Touch — the discontinued Apple music player that, at arm’s length, can pass for an iPhone — or an old spare phone they no longer use. “The kids try to put that in the pouch, so it looks like they’re locking it up, but really their actual phone is buried in the bottom of their backpack,” Winnie said. “Clearly, that’s not acceptable.” The Phone-Free Schools Law, which Gov. Hochul signed in 2025 as part of the state budget, bars st udents f rom using personal
i nt e r n e t- e n a ble d d ev ic e s — including smartphones, tablets and smart watches — from the first bell to the last. Districts were instructed to create their own storage policies, and every school must offer at least one method of storing devices and at least one way for a parent to reach a child during the day. The regulations carve out exceptions for students who need a device to manage a medical condition, for those whose use is written into an Individualized Education Program or 504 plan, and, case by case, for students routinely responsible for the care of a family member. Simple phones without internet capability are permitted. In a school system as large as New York City’s, that has meant varying systems for implementation. One school may issue magneticlock pouches for phone storage that students carry all day and hand to faculty to unlock at dismissal. Another may have students seal devices in a provided Ziploc bag. The state says the first year was a success, and it has numbers to back that up. Hochul’s office in June released the results of an endof-year survey of 585 teachers and administrators drawn from every region of the state. Of those polled, 80 percent said the phone-free policy had delivered positive results at their school, and 76 percent reported improvements in classroom behavior a nd h ig her st udent engagement. Seventy-five percent of those surveyed said their own ability to teach had improved, and 80 percent saw student social connections improve. Sixty percent reported a decline in bullying.
Students at Richmond Hill High School last year were provided lockable pouches to use for phone storage. PHOTO BY KRISTEN GUGLIELMO / FILE
It has been one year since the bell-to-bell cell phone ban in New York schools was first enacted, and reactions have seemingly changed over time. RDNE STOCK PROJECT PHOTO VIA PEXELS.COM “Our kids succeed when they’re 26 to June 1 found that 77 percent learning and growing, not clicking support banning cellphone use and scrolling,” Hochul said in during class for middle and high announcing the figures. school students, up from 68 perA Woodhaven middle school cent in 2024. teacher told the Chronicle last week More Americans back an all-day that the transition to phone-free has ban than oppose one — 48 percent been seamless at her school, and to 43 percent, compared with just that the loudest early 36 percent support two resistance came years ago. f rom families The generational rather than from divide is stark. Twenstudents. ty-eight percent of “I think at the adults under 30 supstar t of the last port all-day bans, school year, a lot of against 57 percent of parents were caught those 65 and older, x to e off-guard,” she per the survey. Digital d said. “Some Win nie H. thought it was a told the Chronischool-only polcle last September icy, even though that she expected materials sent to the students’ frustration to parents explained the law. But they fade as they adjusted, and conlet it go really fast.” firmed that’s largely been the case. Much of the outcry came from “It’s become just part of the daily parents worried about reaching a routine,” the history teacher said. child in an emergency — a con- “The first few weeks, I think, were cern, the teacher said, that tended to hard because the kids needed time dissolve on reflection. to form the habit and get used to “T hose pa rents must have being away from their devices, remembered they didn’t have especially after summer vacation. phones in schools, either,” she said. I’m not sure if we’ll see that again She speculated that because she this year, but last year, they teaches preteens, those who have adjusted.” smartphones that young may have T he most aud ible cha nge, overprotective guardians. according to a school paraprofes“Mom and Dad can call the sional in Glendale, arrives at lunch. school if there’s something urgent, “I never realized how quiet our just like it’s always been,” she said. cafeteria used to be,” he said. “It’s “And if there’s any emergency at much louder now that there’s actual the school, we’ll call them.” chatter instead of just eyes on The general public has warmed phones and idle scrolling.” to the phone restrictions. A Pew He said he confiscated “a few” Research Center survey of 9,750 devices last year, but once students American adults conducted May saw the rule being enforced, fewer
School
of them were eager to break rules and face possible consequences. “I think most of them don’t care anymore,” he said. Whether phone restrictions at school change how much time teenagers spend looking at screens is a different question altogether. A junior at an Ozone Park high school offered a verdict suggesting the policy may have relocated the problem more than solved it. “I guess we pay more attention in class, but if someone doesn’t want to pay attention, they just won’t — phone or not,” the student said. “But after school, everyone is on it for hours straight catching up. I think I stay up later now just because I feel like I missed out during the day.” She added, “It’s like separation anxiety.” Beatrice Gomez, parent of a Maspeth middle school student, offered a similar take. “My son gets home from his afterschool program and he wants to spend forever on his phone,” she said. “He’s 12. I take it away at night at 9, and he gets mad, but what else am I supposed to do? I don’t want to encourage that.” She said she feels like the device restrictions in school only go so far. “I think it’s great to force them to pay attention and learn something during class, but social media is so predatory and addictive,” Gomez said. “It’s like, the school can only do so much, but as parents, we have to be mindful of their device usage at home, too. It starts with the parents — giving them a tablet at two is setting them up for Q failure.”
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Page 517QUEENS QUEENSCHRONICLE, CHRONICLE,Thursday, Thursday,August August27, 27,2026 2026
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QUEENS QUEENSCHRONICLE, CHRONICLE,Thursday, Thursday,August August27, 27,2026 2026Page Page186
Boro gains more than 2,500 seats by Kristen Guglielmo
a new school for students with disabilities in grades six through 12. Its middle school grades will operate out of Queens will pick up 2,525 new public school seats for the 2026-27 school year, more IS 125, the Thomas J. McCann Intermediate than half of the 4,656 the School Construction School, at 46-02 47 Ave. in Woodside, and its other high school program will be set at WilAuthority is delivering citywide. The borough’s total comes from two new liam Cullen Bryant High School, at 48-10 31 Ave. in Astoria. buildings, three additions to existing schools The Jamaica building will also and room conversions at four house the Queens High School campuses. for the Sciences, the borough’s The biggest project is an only specialized high school, 876-seat high school building, which the Panel for Educational designated Q497, at 165-15 88 Policy, the 24-member body Ave. in Jamaica. It contains 18 overseeing public schools, standard classrooms and two voted earlier this year to relospecial education classrooms, d e d New, expan cate f rom nearby York plus a District 75 program with College. eight more special educabuildings In Woodside, PS 437, tion classrooms. West Q Elementary School, a The building also new 451-seat institution, will includes, according to the open at 46-10 70 St. SCA, reading and speech It has 22 standard classrooms and two resource rooms; physical therapy and occupational therapy rooms; art and music community district special education classclassrooms; a library; science labs with dem- rooms, and also includes reading and speech onstration and prep rooms; medical, guidance resource rooms; project and music classrooms; and administrative suites; a community and a library; medical, guidance and administraparent office; a gymatorium and locker rooms; tive suites; a gymnasium and exercise room; a a kitchen and student dining area; a staff lunch kitchen and student dining area; a staff lunch and conference room; and outdoor play space, and conference room; and outdoor play space. The District 75 program is part of PS 438, per the SCA. Three existing Queens schools are getting the Queens Academy for Innovative Learning, Editor
School
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PS 437Q, West Q Elementary School, will open at 46-10 70 St. in Woodside this fall, adding 451 new seats. PHOTOS COURTESY SCA additions to their campuses. PS/IS 116, the William C. Hughley School, at 107-25 Wren Place in Jamaica, is adding 325 seats in 14 standard classrooms and one community district special education classroom serving grades pre-K through eight as part of its new digs. The fully ADA-accessible addition includes reading and speech resource rooms; art and music classrooms; a science resource room; medical, guidance and administrative suites; a kitchen and student dining area; and a staff lunch and conference room. PS 95, the Eastwood School, at 179-01 90 Ave. in Jamaica, is adding 229 seats in 11 standard classrooms. The addition is fully fully ADA-accessible and includes art classrooms, a music classroom, an exercise room, supervisory offices, a parent and community room and a kitchen and student dining area. JHS 216, the George J. Ryan School, at 64-20 175 St. in Fresh Meadows, is adding 463
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The addition opening this fall at PS/IS 116, the William C. Hughley School, at 107-25 Wren Place in Jamaica, adds 325 additional seats. Above, one of the school’s new classrooms.
seats in 13 standard classrooms and three special education classrooms, along with art rooms, science labs, student support rooms, administrative suites and a kitchen and student dining area. Room conversions at four schools account for another 181 total seats: JHS 157, the Stephen A. Halsey School, at 63-55 102 St. in Rego Park; IS 202, the Robert H. Goddard School, at 138-30 Lafayette St. in Ozone Park; Flushing High School, at 35-01 Union St.; and Far Rockaway High School, at 8-21 Bay 25 St. The new seats arrive as the city works to comply with the state class size law, which caps kindergarten through third grade at 20 students, grades four through eight at 23 and high school at 25. Physical education and performance classes can have up to 40 students. The citywide compliance target for the school year is 70 percent, with a goal of 100 percent compliance by September 2030. Celeste Ramirez, the SCA’s president and chief executive officer, called the new Queens seats “an important accomplishment for the SCA and a meaningful investment in the students and families of this borough.” “I am focused on what matters most: helping to meet class size mandates, readying our schools for the first day of classes, and ensuring that we deliver the projects New Yorkers are counting on,” Ramirez said in a statement to the Chronicle. She said that includes delivering projects safely and on time, prioritizing green and accessible schools and earning the trust of parents, teachers and communities. The Queens Academy for Innovative Learning and West Q Elementary are two of five new public schools opening citywide this fall, along with the Academy of Cultural Excellence at an existing building at 11-11 40 Ave. in Long Island City, and two others in Q the Bronx.
by Andrew Karpan
the new school year. But it’s part of a larger political movement Aliya Bonar, a mother in Glendale, says aimed at pausing the use of artificial intelliher 5-year-old son is already being told to use gence in New York public schools. Over in Albany, state Sen. Robert Jackson artificial intelligence in kindergarten classes. “He came back from one class and said (D-Manhattan) introduced a bill that would that they were generating images,” she told prohibit the use of most artificial intelligence the Chronicle in an interview. That wasn’t programs in classrooms before high school, what she expected from a public school cod- except for administrative purposes. The bill died in committee during the last legislative ing class aimed at 5-year-olds. “It is just not age appropriate and not inter- session, but Jackson plans on reintroducing it esting either,” said Bonar. “That to me is in the next one, as does the bill’s sponsor in completely different from a coding class. It’s the other chamber, Assemblyman Robert just kind of a boring application of it. I think Carroll (D-Brooklyn). “The bigger danger is not preparing kids there’s a lot more thought and intentionality with critical skills and not allowing kids to that can go into it.” For the last few years, the seemingly limit- see what they are capable of without using AI less possibilities of AI have haunted the edges as a crutch,” Jackson staffer Johanna Garcia told the Chronicle. of modern life, filled with the promise of Not all elected officials, howimmediate changes to the ever, are as leery of the possiworkplace and daily life, and bilities of using AI in the quickly becoming the ecoclassroom. nomic engine of the country. In fact, if the bill makes it Schools have been slower out of committee, it would run to collectively adapt, with the into some opposition out of city Department of Education Queens. having yet to put out new pubis I A “If our schools are not lic guidance on AI since rollteaching our youth how to ing out preliminary rules verywhere e write a book report using in March. artificial intelligence, we are Bonar, who is also vice doing them a disservice,” president at Community Assemblyman Clyde Vanel Education Council 24, is (D-Queens Village), one of Albany’s most among the parents who want the DOE to use the rules to proactively limit use prominent boosters of AI, told the Chronicle in a recent interview. of artificial intelligence in public schools. He said he would “oppose a straight ban on At least five CECs — including in Districts 24 and 25 in Queens — have passed the use of any technology per se,” and has a resolutions calling for “an immediate morato- different idea for when students should be rium on the procurement and implementation allowed to use AI in the classroom. “If early learners are using research tools of new AI technology in NYC public schools,” per the language of one that recent- like search [engines], then they should be able to use artificial intelligence,” said Vanel, ly passed in Bonar’s council. The parents aren’t alone. Back in June, 24 who chairs the Subcommittee on Internet and members of the City Council signed a letter New Technology in the Assembly. “The robots will come and take your job addressed to Mayor Mandami and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels asking to “imme- faster if you don’t know how to use this diately pause the use of generative artificial stuff,” he added. According to a Gallup survey last month, intelligence in our schools.” The DOE has yet to respond to the letter, 47 percent of employees in the country say or update its guidance on AI in advance of their workplaces have “integrated” artificial Associate Editor
School
Students in grades as early as kindergarten are already using AI software in public schools. Some proposals would limit AI use to high school, others would limit it for a period of time. PHOTO VIA PXHERE intelligence in some capacity. “I’m very concerned that if we limit the use of these technologies, we prevent our youth from being competitive in the marketplace,” said Vanel, who has been doing what he can as a legislator to draw attention to the possibilities of AI. In 2023, he scored headlines when he introduced a bill aimed at renters, which he boosted as the first measure in the Assembly to come with a disclosure indicating that AI was used to draft its language. “It went nowhere,” Vanel admitted about the legislation, which also died in committee. “People were really scared at the time.” While he says he hasn’t used AI to draft any other bills, Vanel says he “primarily uses large language models to do my research.” “How could I close my eyes and not use that tool?” he asked. These days, he tells the Chronicle, he has a newer idea to get eyes on the potential of artificial intelligence. “Are you familiar with those robot dogs?” he asked, in reference to the Spot brand of metal canines, recently rolled out by Boston Dynamics and marketed, largely, to police departments. “I have one in my office now. I bought one for myself that’s going to be able to connect to AI and I’m going to bring it to work next [legislative] year because we can’t be afraid of these tools. We have to master them.” Parents such as Bonar are less convinced by the urgency of the coming AI revolution. “Schools are inherently usually five to 10 years behind anyway,” she said. “So why are we in a huge rush to roll out this untested and unproven huge change to our curriculum?” “To be honest, they haven’t made any explanation about why this benefits students,” said Stephen Kendall, a parent who lives in Bayside and is first vice president of CEC 25. “Their overall answer has been — and I’ve seen this in multiple meetings — is, well, AI is here,” said Kendall, also dismissive of the idea that a larger AI readiness is needed
in schools. “We teach kids drug safety. We don’t make them do heroin first to tell them it’s bad.” Like Bonar, Kendall also sponsored a resolution calling the Department of Education to hold off on implementing AI into schools. As Kendall puts it, the agency hasn’t done very much to communicate to parents exactly how AI tools will improve the academic lives of their students. Instead, he says, “there’s been studies showing it can hurt cognitive development and it can harm students’ emotional wellbeing, a lot of this technology.” A study last year by the media lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported that students who used their “brainonly” to write essays revealed “significant differences in brain connectivity,” compared to people in the study who used large language AI models to write essays, with “cognitive activity scaling down in relation to external tool use.” “I’m a former teacher and there’s no reason to put this tech in front of kids unless we’re really confident it helps them learn and that it’s safe,” said Liat Olenick, a parent who has since turned to running Climate Families NYC, a group of almost 5,000 families across the city that recently started advocating against the use of AI, among other longstanding environmental causes. “We have seen a lot of passion around this campaign, and around getting AI out of school,” said Olenick. “This is still a new technology and it’s being thrown at kids without any evidence that it helps them learn, but lots of evidence that it hurts their cognitive development and their privacy — you know, it hurts the planet.” Regardless of policy changes, Olenick says the larger education system is already feeling the impact of artificial intelligence. “What we’re hearing from college professors, many of whom are in our coalition, is that kids are coming to school and they can’t Q write a paragraph without AI.”
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Aliya Bonar, left, wants schools to pause using AI for at least two years, while Assemblyman Clyde Vanel says he wants kids to use AI as soon as they can use search engines and says, “We can’t be afraid of these tools. We have to master them.” COURTESY PHOTOS
Page 719QUEENS QUEENSCHRONICLE, CHRONICLE,Thursday, Thursday,August August27, 27,2026 2026
The kids are generating images
QUEENS QUEENSCHRONICLE, CHRONICLE,Thursday, Thursday,August August27, 27,2026 2026Page Page208
Catholic students start anew by Michael Gannon
our schools because they offer strong academics, faith formation, a sense of belonging, and The announcement last February that six communities that know and care for each child. Queens Catholic schools would close — along We are encouraged by the continued interest with a seventh in Brooklyn — becomes real in from families and by the thoughtful work of our schools to welcome students into stable, September. Sacred Heart in Cambria Heights, St. Bar- faith-filled environments for the coming year.” Havelka said the diocese has tholomew in Elmhurst, St. Nicholas of Tolenfrom the start been helping famtine in Jamaica, Incarnation ilies with other school options, Catholic Academy in Queens securing f inancial aid and Village, St. Thomas the more. Approximately 60 perApostle in Woodhaven, St. cent, almost 600 of the affected Elizabeth in Ozone Park and students, have been welcomed Our Lady of Trust in Brookinto a new schools in the lyn all had suffered staggering enrollment losses in recent g in diocese. “The ‘new schools’ are years, in many cases to go When a build e s working hard to welcome a long w it h ag i ng a nd lo c t s mu these student and embrace increasingly expensive to them into the community,” maintain buildings. he said. “Some schools have In an email on Aug. 14, seen large numbers of those Ted Havelka, director for impacted by closing register together. enrollment management and financial assistance for the Diocese of Brook- This has the effect of making that school larglyn’s Office of the Superintendent, said the er, and it also allows the students to remain transition for students has been handled with together and graduate together.” Havelka said many teachers and leaders care and focus. “While school closures are difficult and have chosen to stay and join other schools, ref lect real challenges facing many school though he did not have an exact number. Some communities, they are not the full story of schools, he said, welcomed applications from Catholic education in Brooklyn and Queens,” both students and staff. Messages asking about teacher and staff Hevelka wrote. “Families continue to choose Senior News Editor
School
The former Incarnation Catholic Academy in Queens Village is among six Catholic Schools in Queens that will not reopen when the calender turns to September. GOOGLE MAPS IMAGE / FILE hirings left with the press offices at the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island were not returned. As for the now-vacant school buildings themselves, the diocese said they are owned by the parishes and that it had no information available. Havelka did say that while the reduction
SEATS STIL AVAILABL L E FOR TH
process is painful, the diocese has signs of optimism including that many schools are already showing a population growth compared to fall 2025; and the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit that is pending Gov. Hochul’s final approval, which experts estimate “could provide $800 million in financial support for Q students at all types of schools.”
WHERE THE CITY IS OUR CLASSROOM
E 2026-20 27 SCHO OL YEAR
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sion — and a master’s in special education. Its winter study abroad program in Greece is bound to fill It’s always sad to see summer go, but that doesn’t make the up quickly, per a spokesperson. Its Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies is running a course on the sociology of start of a fresh academic year any less thrilling. That’s especially true for colleges in Queens. From fashion food and the Mediterranean diet. Students will learn beyond classes at St. John’s University to air traffic controller training the classroom with tastings and other activities. East Elmhurst’s Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Techat Vaughn College, there’s always something new to learn. St. John’s, a large Catholic college in Jamaica Estates nology is working to address a shortage of air traffic controlknown for its pharmacy, nursing and other health programs, lers. The first cohort in its new Federal Aviation Administration-approved training program successfully is offering courses in topics from cryptocurcompleted it last spring. A new group is set to rency to sports betting. The fall semester begin the course in the fall. starts Sept. 2. Jamaica’s York College is running an accelOther popular ones are in sports analyterated pathway that lets students earn a bacheics, law and technology, virtual fashion merlor’s — in aviation or a related field — and chandising and the legal side of the fashion master’s in five years. The school’s online proindustry. All clinical program courses in its grams in finance and business administration School of Law also have a waitlist, as per a are new, too. spokesperson. Updated As part of the city’s new Made in NY LaGuardia Community College in Long rk o w e s r u co Media Academy, Bayside’s Queensborough Island City has a new health studies assoCommunity College will offer a new music ciate of science program starting this production bootcamp, starting Sept. 15. Particsemester, which begins tomorrow, Aug. ipants in the 10-week training will learn pro28, across the City University of New duction techniques and get hands-on experience in York system. The track aims to give students an interdisciplinary founda- recording studio settings. One common thread among universities — courses in artifition in the health sciences and prepare them for employment or cial intelligence. transfers to related bachelor’s programs. Vaughn is launching two this semester, which starts Sept. 2 Among the popular new courses at Queens College in Flushing is one in personal finance, which is open to all stu- — one that uses it to enhance liberal arts classes, and another dents and has no prerequisites. Its School of Education also is that is more science and math-oriented. “Just to have them running will be great, but I also anticilaunching new degrees, such as a bachelor’s in early childhood and childhood education — including with a bilingual exten- pate that the contents of these courses is going to change sigEditor
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Page 921QUEENS QUEENSCHRONICLE, CHRONICLE,Thursday, Thursday,August August27, 27,2026 2026
At colleges, a new thing or two
There’s plenty to learn this fall semester at area universities, including Queens College. PHOTO BY ANDY POON / QUEENS COLLEGE nificantly over the next year or two,” said Paul LaVergne, Vaughn’s vice president of academic affairs. “That’s just how fast AI is changing.” St. John’s “AI for Everyone” class looks to help students understand its impacts, harness its potential and more. Another course focuses on AI in risk managment and insurance markets. York also is offering a new minor and certificate in “AppliQ cations of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.”
The class of 2026 earned over $311 million in scholarships.
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2026-27 public school calendar SEPT. 10, 2026 Sept. 21 Sept. 23 Sept. 24 Sept. 30 Oct. 12 Oct. 20 Nov. 3 Nov. 5 Nov. 11 Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Nov. 20 Nov. 26-27 Dec. 24-Jan. 1 Jan. 18, 2027 Jan. 26-29 Feb. 1 Feb. 2 Feb. 15-19 Mar. 3 Mar. 4 Mar. 9 Mar. 18 Mar. 19 Mar. 26 April 22-30 May 12 May 13 May 17 May 26 May 31 June 8 June 10 June 15-18,21-25 June 19 JUNE 28, 2027
THURSDAY Monday Wednesday Thursday Wednesday Monday Monday Tuesday Thursday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Friday Thursday and Friday Thursday to following weekend Monday Tuesday through Friday Monday Tuesday Monday through Friday Wednesday Thursday Tuesday Thursday Friday Friday Thursday to following Friday Wednesday Thursday Monday Wednesday Monday Tuesday Thursday Tuesday to following Friday Friday FRIDAY
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR ALL STUDENTS Yom Kippur (schools closed) Evening parent-teacher conferences: middle schools and District 75 schools Evening parent-teacher conferences: high schools, K-12 and 6-12 schools Evening parent-teacher conferences: elementary schools and pre-K Centers Italian Heritage Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day (schools closed) Diwali (schools closed) Election Day (school will be in session remotely for all students) Afternoon, evening parent-teacher conferences: elementary schools, Pre-K centers (early dismissal) Veterans Day (schools closed) Afternoon, evening parent-teacher confs: middle schools and District 75 schools (early dismissal) Evening parent-teacher conferences: high schools, K-12 and 6-12 schools Afternoon parent-teacher conferences: high schools, K-12, 6-12 schools (early dismissal) Thanksgiving recess (schools closed) Winter recess (schools closed). School resumes Monday, Jan. 2, 2027. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (schools closed) Regents exams administration Professional development for 9-12 and 6–12 schools (no classes in those schools) Spring semester begins (semester-based schools) Midwinter recess (schools closed) Afternoon, evening parent-teacher conferences: elementary schools, Pre-K centers (early dismissal) Afternoon, evening parent-teacher conferences: middle and District 75 schools (early dismissal) Eid al-Fitr (schools closed) Evening parent-teacher conferences: high schools, K-12 and 6-12 schools Afternoon parent-teacher conferences: high schools, K-12, 6-12 schools (early dismissal) Good Friday (schools closed) Spring recess (schools closed) Evening parent-teacher conferences: high schools, K-12 and 6-12 schools Evening parent-teacher conferences: middle schools and District 75 schools Eid al-Adha (schools closed) Evening parent-teacher conferences: elementary schools and pre-K centers Memorial Day (schools closed) Clerical day for 3K, pre-K, elementary, middle, K–12, District 75 schools (no classes) Anniversary Day / Chancellor’s conference day for staff development (no classes) Regents exams administration Juneteenth (schools closed) LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR ALL STUDENTS
Note: Parent-teacher conference dates are citywide. Check with your school for changes. For testing dates and other events, visit schools.nyc.gov/calendar. INFORMATION VIA SCHOOLS.NYC.GOV
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Agnes and Annie Kefalas as Tilly, both members of Actors’ Equity Association, the professional actors’ union. Drama. Comedy. Musical. First presented in 2011, the play is laden with Long. Short. homicidal fairies, nasty ogres and 2000s pop Classic. Contemporary. Whatever your preference in live theater, culture, paying homage to the geek and warrior there’s bound to be something — perhaps many within everyone. Performances at The Secret Theatre, at 10-10 things — of interest to you during the upcom44 Ave. in Long Island City, are on Oct. 16, 17, ing fall season of local stage productions. The first curtain to rise will be at Maggie’s 23 and 24 at 8 p.m., Oct. 18 and 25 at 3 p.m. and Little Theater, now preparing for the opening Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25; or $20 for seniors and stuperformance on Oct. 11 of the ever-popular “Into the Woods,” with a book by James Lapine dents. For more, visit citygateproductions.org. The Woodside Players of Queens, under the and score by Stephen Sondheim. An adult fairy tale, the show revolves around guidance of Johnny Culver, have a couple of old and new storybook characters, several taken programs on tap, the first being on Oct. 18, from the Brothers Grimm, as they embark on a when they will make their sixth appearance at QED Astoria, the only female-owned and operjourney of self-discovery. Under the direction of Amanda Montoni, ated independent arts space in the borough, with musical direction by Ray Naccari, the cast with performances of short monologues and includes Louis DiBono as Narrator; Jessica scenes by local actors. Showtime is 3 p.m. Admission is free. Manion as Cinderella; Everett Boyle as Jack (of The venue is located at 27-16 23 Ave. in beanstalk fame); Danielle Fleming as Jack’s mother; Monica Maddock as The Witch; Ally Astoria. For further information, visit the Doss as Little Red; and in the two roles that pro- Woodside Players on Facebook or email them at pel the events that follow, AJ Martinez as The woodsideplayersofqueens@gmail.com. Annie Kefalas, top, and Emily Ann Banks star in City Gate Productions “She Kills Monsters,” In addition, the group will be offering — while Tiffany McCue as Cassius and Martin Challinor as Brutus also will be working with blades Baker and Alie Campbell as The Baker’s Wife. Oh, yes, in a bit of species-blind casting, also for free — three performances of H.G. in The Gingerbread Players’ rendition of “Julius Caesar.” PHOTOS BY JULIA CORBETT, LEFT, AND WILL FRENZEL Alan Perkins will appear as Milky-White, Wells’ “The Star,” an apocalyptic science ficSandy Rustin’s play is coming our way cour- ing, Tiffany McCue as Cassius and Gabby Fidis tion short story, at various Queens library locaJack’s haggard cow. Performances at St. Margaret Parish Hall, at tions. The work, about a rogue star that enters tesy of St. Mary’s Drama Guild for a five-per- as Octavius. Matthew Frenzel is assistant director. 66-11 79 Place in Middle Village, are on Oct. the solar system, collides with Neptune and is formance run beginning Oct. 24. ith Earth, causAll the familiar characters are on hand, Performances at St. Luke’s Church, at 85 sent on a collision course with 11, 18, 24 and 25 at 3 p.m. and Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. inclu including the traditional British Greenway South in Forest Hills, are on Nov. 7 Tickets, which go on sale Sept. 1, are $30 for ing global panic, explores such theses as he fragility butl butler, Wadsworth, to be played and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 8 and 15 at 2:30 adults; or $25 for seniors 65 or over and chil- human insignificance and the by Rich Feldman; Jason p.m. Ticket prices had not been finalized by dren 14 and under. For more information, call of civilization. Fis Fischedick as Professor Plum; press time. For further information, call (718) Performances of “The (347) 286-8508 or visit maggieslittletheater.org. D Dennis Schroeder as Colonel 268-7772 or visit gingerbreadplayers.org. Taking a very different approach to a similar Star” will take place in M Mustard; Lizette Suxo as William Frenzel also serves as president of theme, “She Kills Monsters,” a dramatic come- November and December, Mrs. Peacock; Grey Sercl the Parkside Players, who perform at Grace dy by Qui Nguyen, is the 2026 season-ending with more details to be as Miss Scarlett; and Farah Lutheran Church, at 103-15 Union Tpke. in Forattraction from City Gate Productions, which announced. Diaz-Tello as Mrs. White. est Hills, and indicated that that group’s next To audition to perform r continues its tradition of presenting less frete a e h T ly at T The director is Kerryclare production will take place in late November and in either presentation, apply quently explored works. w previe Gle Gleason. early December. Described as “adventurous and heartwarm- equitylibrarytheater.info. P Performances at St. Mary’s It will be a comedy, and it will mark the “Clue,” based on the cultt ing,” the play, directed by Xenia Danylyszyn, ar auditor auditorium, at 70-20 47 Ave. in directorial debut of longtime Parkside thespian focuses on Agnes Evans, who leaves her child- classic film and the popular Woodside, are on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. and Phoenix Gray. hood home in Ohio following the death of her board game of the same name, is 7 p.m., Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 at 3:30 p.m., and a Audition dates will be announced soon, as teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly’s described as a “madcap comedy,” Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she is catapult- though it takes place at a dinner party, the host special Halloween dinner and show on Oct. 31 will additional information on the performances. Visit theparksideplayers.com or the group’s ed into a journey of discovery and action- of which is dead. Of course, it’s a dark and at 7 p.m. Tickets, which will be on sale beginning Facebook page to keep posted. packed adventure in the imaginary world that stormy night. As the year-end holiday season draws near, Now, to figure out who did it? And where? Sept. 24, are $25 for reserved seats; $22 for was her sister’s refuge. general admission; and $15 for children 13 and The North Broadway Players will perform a Heading the cast are Emily Ann Banks as And with what? under. The price for the dinner show will be timeless classic with a twist. announced soon. For more information, call “A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play,” by (347) 450-6184 or visit stmarysdramaguild.org. Joe Landry, offers a unique adaptation staged as William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” a a 1940s radio broadcast, complete with live historical tragedy dealing with the political con- sound effects and a versatile cast of voice spiracy that led to the assassination of the actors. Roman dictator and the subsequent civil war, is Director Daniel Stravino said in-person audithe next attraction from The Gingerbread Play- tions will take place on Sept. 8, 10 and 15 from ers of Forest Hills. 7 to 9 p.m.; virtual auditions (a one-minute Under the direction of Will Frenzel, it will be monologue) should be emailed to nbplayers@ given an environmental staging, making it feel churchonthehill.org no later than Sept. 15. unusually immersive. Characters include Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob According to Frenzel, the play will be per- Cratchit, Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim, several formed in its entirety “minus a few things.” Ghosts and many others. The actors, who will appear in modern dress, Auditions and performances (scheduled for include Andrew Dinan in the title role, Martin Dec. 4, 5 and 6) will take place at Church on the Challinor as Brutus, John Galligan as Mark Hill, at 167-07 35 Ave. in Flushing. For more, go online to churchonthehill.org/ Much, though not all, of the cast of “Into the Woods” by Maggie’s Little Theater gathers onstage Antony, Farah Diaz-Tello as Portia and other Q characters, and, thanks to some gender-bend- north-broadway-players. during a recent rehearsal. PHOTO BY STEPHANIE ANDERSEN Chronicle Contributor
Page 11 23 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 27, 2026
Fantasies, fairies and fatal acts
Fall
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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 27, 2026 Page 12 24
Knits and neutrals are still classic by Stephanie G. Meditz
Kim M., an employee at Primark, said she hopes to see more pops of bright red or Summer isn’t over just yet, but when orange to mark the season. “I like to pop out, so it’s kind of depresssome stores put out pumpkins and Halloween decor in July, it’s certainly not too early ing for me,” she said. “It’s manageable and it can be a cute outfit, but I like to stand out.” to get excited about fall fashion. Perhaps trending color palettes get more As Madison, who works at the Zara in Elmhurst’s Queens Center mall, told the muted with age, as fall offerings for kids Chronicle last week, warm-weather styles were as bright as ever, with lots of pink and are mostly gone for the season, even as tem- purple for girls and red or blue for boys. Another way to be expressive through peratures remain high. In their wake are racks of sweaters, vari- clothing is by wearing a graphic tee that ous outer layers in neutral shades and — as aligns with one’s interests. Lidia Jimenez of Corona, who works at always — plenty of jeans. Those pieces alone can make for a trendy Cotton On Kids, said the T-shirts are always ensemble. A knitted sweater with jeans is popular among youngsters. The graphic te “The tees are, just because they tion, for both always a good combination, have a bunc bunch of artists on them, commen and women. ics aand stuff like that, which Classic knitwear can be dressed k id s a l s o r e a l ly l i ke,” up or down, depending onn the shoes Jim Jimenez said. “Especially for and accessor ies wor n gi girls, too. We have Barbie with it. Men might pair a an Moana, stuff like that. and d sweater with a collared Things that are popular.” d shir t, d ress pants and Plenty of kids aren’t matching shoes for the quite ready to go back to office, or with straight ashion F sc school, though — Jimenez sual leg jeans and boots for casual trends said they often come in askor wear. Women might opt for ing for bathing suits, which dark jeans and Chelseaa they w won’t find in her store. te boots with their favorite One tee in the shop’s primary diskirt and sweater, or even a midi skirt play featured pop star Olivia Rodrigo, heels to dress it up. Mini skirts — over tights in the cold and another Billie Eilish. A hoodie also had weather — also are a good pick with chunky Nirvana’s iconic logo in colorful hues. Paired with them were baggy jeans of difsweaters. With knee-high boots, they make ferent washes, one of which had butterfly for a stylish, proportional look. As far as sweaters go, button-down cardi- designs down the legs. But graphic tees emblazoned with characgans are especially in — plenty were spotted last week at Primark in colors such as ters, artists or other pop culture references have no age limit. Especially popular among light gray, cream, black and beige. Those hues, as well as deep jewel tones, adults lately is Snoopy, the beloved beagle of are coming back for the fall, as usual. Bur- Charles Schulz’s Peanuts comics. “I’ve seen a lot of Snoopy stuff, the PJs gundy, olive green and navy blue are especially common, as are various shades of and the sweatshirts and even the handbags, which I think is really cute,” Kim M. said in copper and rich chocolate brown. You’ll see plenty of solid colors in stores, Primark. A mer ican Eagle’s Snoopy pajamas, but some patterns as well. Especially popular are polka dots and stripes — The Gap especially of the Halloween variety, have had plenty of striped collared shirts, and been flying off the shelves each season for Aerie’s striped sweatshirts for women come the past several years. The store even offers festive Snoopy sweatshirts, fuzzy socks, in several colors. Editor
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Fall
These soft cardigans spotted at the Primark in Queens Center mall are especially trendy, in sleek neutral shades such as beige, cream and gray. PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE G. MEDITZ plushes and more. Also in style? Being comfortable, and we’re not just saying that. Matching loungewear sets — especially sweatpants and quarter-zip sweatshirts — are all over the shelves. Two-piece ensembles were spotted at Glendale’s Atlas Park TJ Maxx last week. The monochromatic looks even came in autumnal shades of brown and brick red. If you wear a set to run errands on a brisk fall day, you’ll be warm and cozy while still appearing put together. The baggy, oversized aesthetic is still cool, too. For some young men, it’s a signature look. “Most guys just wear the same thing,” said Sam, a manager at Queens Center’s Hollister. “They all wear the hoodies with the baggy jeans or some type of jeans, or a hoodie and sweats.” Plaid flannels are another common layering piece for men, typically worn with a basic T-shirt, jeans and boots or sneakers. But cozy layering pieces are far from the
Athletic and loungewear sets, such as these in TJ Maxx, left, are a cozy way to be stylish this fall. At right, graphic tees including these at Cotton On Kids are always a hit, but especially for youngsters, who can wear their interests on their sleeves at school. Denim is always the star of the fall season, whether it’s a classic blue shade or trendy neutral, such as in this outfit at Zara, right.
only comfortable items that are trending. Athletic apparel is becoming an evergreen closet staple, even for casual wear. World Cup season may have passed, but with the US Open back in town, there has never been a better time to don your best track pants, tennis skirt or team merchandise. Women’s sets consisting of leggings and athletic tops are especially in — perfect for getting a workout in, grabbing a pumpkin spice latte and browsing fall decor on a leisurely day off. Leggings of the flared variety are in demand, as are the nostalgic foldover types, known to some simply as yoga pants. Also in the athletic realm, polo shirts are always in while it’s still warm enough for them, and they can easily make for a sporty or business casual look. Windbreakers also are a classic outer layer for those summer-into-fall transition days in September when it’s a bit breezy, but not exactly cold. Cozy clothes may be hot this fall, but denim will always be the star of the season. Dark washes can be dressed up easily, and lighter washes worn more casually. Shoppers also can decide what fit and style works best for them, whether it’s low-rise, flare, boot-cut or classic straight. And your choice of denim doesn’t even have to be blue. Throwing black or dark gray jeans into the mix can be a stylish way to mix things up, while also keeping it classic. The same is true for denim jackets. For footwear, it doesn’t get more autumnal than nice black or brown boots. Just be sure you have a belt to match your favorite pair, and for women, a purse in a complementary shade can complete any look. Sneakers are always good, especially with one of those trendy sport sets, but be sure they can keep your feet warm in the cold and dry in the rain. For now, enjoy the last of sandals season, and get ready to save your f lip f lops for Q inside the house.
Page 13 25 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 27, 2026
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Stagecoaches and stage stars by Michael Gannon
The museum has about 200 horse-drawn vehicles in the collection in a multifloor disWalk into the Long Island Music and play where one could spend 30 minutes or a Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook, few hours trying to take it all in. Some go LI, and the first thing you see in the vestibule back to the 18th century. Some are simple as is a tribute to inductees Cyndi Lauper of such vehicles go, but still finely crafted carriages and coaches that upper society would Ozone Park and The Ramones of Forest Hills. Enter the world-famous horse-drawn car- use routinely. Those of European royalty are often ornate, riage collection of the Long Island Museum half a mile down the road and the second as they were not commissioned to not be thing you will see — among carriages once noticed as they carried their passengers. Along with Leavitt’s wagon that brought owned by the American aristocrats and European royalty — is a vintage-1900 horse- produce to market are other utilitarian vehidrawn vegetable wagon owned by G. Howard cles such as firefighting rigs, and one from Leavitt, a prosperous farmer and landowner Massachusetts that looked to be the grandfather of modern buses. in Bayside. One of the smaller carriages, upon closer Both museums pride themselves on coverinspection, is actually actua a sleigh, with runners ing all of geographic Longg Island. Both in pl place of wheels. ctions and new offer family-friendly collections A And a section of carriages exhibits they are sure will entice visima made by the firm Studebaker ough. tors from The World’s Borough. Br Brothers, founded in 1852, “A lot of people in Nasbbegins with an 1885 carsau and Suffolk still have ri riage. Going left to right family in the boroughs,”” brings newer and newer said Joshua Ruff, co-execmodels, ending with a utive director of collec1902 gasoline-powered tions and programing at LI museums hhorseless carriage. um. the Long Island Museum. love Queens Just past the Studebakers ll “We’re connected, and we’ll is tthe reassembled Graves always be connected.” Brot hher s Ca r r iage Shop, a Ruff’s museum actuallyy real 19t 19th-century manufacturing hape of sells stuffed toys in the shape and repair business from WilliamsLong Island. And he said Queens resiburg, Mass., with some of the original dents will find plenty of Queens on display. “This is a world-class museum on the machinery, pullies and conveyor belts still North Shore of Long Island,” he said. “It is a in working order. The grounds also host the reconstructed Smithsonian affiliate. Some of our collections draw visitors internationally as they relate to 19th-century Samuel H. West blacksmith transportation history and the horse-and-car- shop, among other historic buildings. The art museum, which has two galleries riage era. That collection on its own is a with rotating exhibits, was closed the day the unique collection.” Chronicle visited, but on Aug. 20 it began hosting “Enduring Heart: Native American Long Island,” which runs through Dec. 20. It includes the work of 20 native American artists from across Long Island, as well as numerous historic artifacts. The History Museum just across the street from the Carriage Museum has a pair of exhibits separated by 200 years, but with enough historic similarities to warrant being next to each other. “Long Island in the ’70s” takes a look at the culture, sports and toys from the 1970s. There is typical 1970s Long Island living room with a patterned sofa and chairs, coffee table and a record player with a Billy Joel album on the turntable. There also is a video game controller on the floor near the requisite 800-pound cabinet color television. Out in front of the house is an AMC Matador station wagon on loan from its original owner. And yes, it is avocado green with wood side panels. The section on sports documents the founding of the New York Islanders expansion hockey team in 1972; and a year later, the National League pennant-winning “Ya’ Gotta A long-ago Ramones concert is memorialized Believe” New York Mets. The section on politics includes a camin the vast and eclectic collection of the Long paign poster for Forest Hills resident GeralIsland Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. dine Ferraro’s first campaign for Congress. PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON Senior News Editor
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Fall
A well-to-do family takes a ride on what appears to be a chilly day in one of the displays at the Long Island Museum’s Carriage Museum. PHOTO COURTESY LONG ISLAND MUSEUM But it also devotes much space to the political and social tumult of the closing years of the Vietnam War. “The Seat of Action: Long Island in the American Revolution and Beyond” features the history of and artifacts from the American Revolution on British-occupied Long Island. It features letters, the published works and portraits of LI’s rebellious patriots. There are some period weapons and tributes to the Culper Spy Ring, whose members smuggled intelligence to George Washington and his troops. Both exhibits run through Oct. 18. Down the street at the Hall of Fame, the roster of inductees from Queens seems to cover every part of the borough and every genre from classical to hip-hop. The list, along with Lauper and The Ramones, includes Simon and Garfunkel, Run DMC, Tony Bennett, Salt-N-Pepa, the Shangri-Las, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Carole King, Al Kooper, LL Cool J, Melanie, DJ Hurricane, Morton Gould and Leo Kraft to name a few. The honorees also include Native American artists who play and perform their traditional music. “I don’t think you have more types of music honored in any one place than we have here,” said Chris Collora, public relations manger for the museum. Created just for music in 2003, the Hall inducted its first members in 2006. “In the years before Covid we had a bus museum,” said co-founder Norm Prusslin. “We had a lot of items but they were in storage.” They moved into their building in 2022. “This honors the past, the present and the future of music in Long Island,” he said. The Hall of Fame gallery has numerous artifacts, costumes and memorabilia, as well as photos of the honorees year by year. The two temporary exhibits honor Forest Hills native Ray Romano and Hicksville’s favorite son, Billy Joel. The Romano exhibit is a tribute to the 30th anniversary of the 1996 debut of the hit TV
series “Everybody Loves Raymond.” The living room and kitchen sets from the series have been reassembled and adorned with many of the original props and costumes, complete with lifesize cutouts of stars Romano, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle. There also scripts and backstage photos. The Billy Joel Collection contains many items loaned or donated by Joel himself, including his motorcycle, costumes from videos and memorabilia from concerts and his old band and even his prized accordion. Prusslin and Collora said Joel has been a good friend of the Hall of Fame. He has visited several times and helped out with a previous exhibit. Neither exhibit has a set closing date. The Long Island Museum is located at 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook. It is open 11:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday and noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday except for holidays. Admission is free after 5 p.m. on Thursdays. Tickets can be purchased at the LIM Visitors Center across Route 25A from the Carriage Museum. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for seniors and children 6 to 17; $5 for persons with disabilities, with personal assistants admitted free; and free for museum members and active or retired members of the military. Information on group tours is available at longislandmuseum.org or (631) 751-0066. The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at 97 Main St. in Stony Brook. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $36 for adults and teens 13 and over; $18.50 for children 6 to 12; $33 for seniors 65 and over and veterans; and $21.50 for students. Children under 6 are free. Tickets can be pu rchased at limusichalloffame.org or in person if available. Additional information is provided at info@ limusichalloffame.org or by phone at (631) 689-5888. Both museums are not far from the Stony Brook train station or, for drivers, the northern Q end of Nicolls Road.
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