Message From Principal

 "This is one of the glories of man, the inventiveness of the human mind and the human spirit: whenever life doesn't seem to give an answer, we create one."
                                                                - Lorraine Hansberry     
  
​As the Principal of PS 118-The Lorraine Hansberry Elementary School, it is an honor to serve this school Community.  This year is like none other but we are committed to continuing the beliefs of high expectations and perseverance.  We will make strides in whatever learning formats that are presented to us.  Collective collaboration, planning and communication will guide this work.  It is imperative that we build and maintain strong school- family relationships.   I look forward to continuing these relationships and working with everyone to provide a private school educational experience in a public school setting. 

Our greatest initiative will be to continue to work together to do what is best for OUR children and inspire and challenge them with engaging experiences. Although we have entered a new phase of teaching and learning, I am confident, that together, we can make PS 118Q an even better place for our students to learn and grow.

-Ms. S.

School Information

Principal: Dr. Michelle Soussoudis                                                   
Assistant Principal: Afiya Gamble 

School Hours: 8:10AM-2:20PM

Uniform: Yellow top/Dark blue bottom

Address: 190-20 109th Road                                                                             
​                   St. Albans, NY 11412                                                                          

Phone: 718-465-5538 EXT. 0

Fax:       718-264-9178

Email: PS118LHS@PS118Q.ORG

Twitter: @29Q118                             

Instagram: instagram.com/ps118q_lorraine                                                                          

Student Enrollment: 400
Grades Served: 3K, PK, K ,01, 02, 03, 04, 05, SE

Parent Coordinator: Sedric Breland
PTA President: Tiffany Dickey


Police Precinct: 113
Geographic District: 29 Community School Office

Superintendent: Dr. Robin Davson
191-02 90 Avenue
Queens, NY 11423
Phone: 718-217-7740

​Family Leadership Coordinator: VACANT
Email: 

Family Support Coordinator: Jordan Nichols
Email: Jnicholshillian2@schools.nyc.gov

Education Council President: Allen Williams
Email:cec29@schools.nyc.gov

Announcements

  • Coming Up...

    FEBRUARY 2026

    📌 Reminders:

    • February 9–13: Respect for All Spirit Week

    • February 16–20: Schools Closed – Mid-Winter Recess

    After-School Academy Dates:

    • February 3

    • February 5

    • February 10

    • February 12

    • February 24

    • February 26

    Saturday Academy Dates:

    • February 7

    • February 28

     

    SPIRIT WEEK: 2/9- 2/13

    Monday, Feb. 9: Kindness Day

    Wear BLUE

    Tuesday, Feb. 10: Positivity Day!

    Wear a T-shirt with a positive message or quote 

    Wednesday, Feb. 11: Kings & Queens Day

    Wear royalty-inspired attire and/or a crown

    Thursday, Feb. 12: Unity Twin Day

    Match with a friend

    Friday, Feb. 13: Respect & Love Day

    Wear RED or PINK

     

    Tuesday, Feb 24: Parent University

    Virtual: Link via Class Dojo

    6PM

    Wednesday, Feb. 25: PTA Meeting

    Virtual: Link via Class Dojo

    6PM 

    Friday, Feb. 27: Black STREAM Tribute Day

    Dress up as your favorite Black inventor, artist, scientist, or mathematician.

     

    Monday, Feb. 23: SCHOOL RESUMES

    Breakfast doors open at 7:40am

    School begins promptly at 8:10am

     

     

    The Lorraine Hansberry School- PS118Q
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LOOKING AHEAD

  • Respect for ALL

    Join us as we come together for a week of kindness and unity in celebration of Respect for All Week and Black History Month.

  • Schools will be closed Monday, February 16th – Friday, February 20th for Mid-Winter Recess.
    School will resume on Monday, February 23, 2026.

    Reminder: Breakfast doors open at 7:40 a.m., and school begins promptly at 8:10 a.m.

  • Our Academic Achievement Academy is back and will begin on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. This program is designed to provide students with extra academic support to help them move closer to meeting their learning goals.

    Student selection is based on Marking Period 1 and 2 grades, with a focus on students who earned high 2s or low 3s, as well as attendance and punctuality.

    If your child received a permission slip to participate, please complete it and return it to your child’s classroom teacher. Permission slips MUST be returned no later than Monday, January 12, 2026.

    Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student success.

  • Our Saturday Achievement Academy is back and will begin on Saturday, January 24, 2026. This program is designed to provide students with extra academic support to help them move closer to meeting their learning goals.

    Student selection is based on Marking Period 1 and 2 grades, with a focus on students who earned high 1s or low 2s, as well as attendance and punctuality.

    If your child received a permission slip to participate, please complete it and return it to your child’s classroom teacher. Permission slips MUST be returned no later than Monday, January 12, 2026.

    Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student success.

Quick Links

P.S. 118 Picture Highlights

  • School Logo

  • MBSK

  • 3rd Annual Thrift Boutique 2024

  • 2nd Annual Backpack Drive 2023

  • 2nd Annual Backpack Drive 2023

  • 2nd Annual Backpack Drive 2023

  • Character Day 2023: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie  

    Ms. Santarsiero

  • Character Day 2023: The Wizard of Oz 

    Principal Soussoudis as Dorothy Gale

    Ms. Fisher as The Cowardly Lion

    Ms. Jenkins as The Tin Man

    Ms. Gibbs as Scarecrow

    Ms. Brown as Aunt Em

    Assistant Principal Gamble as Glinda

    Ms. Cooper as The Wicked Witch 

    Mr. Breland as The Wizard of Oz

     

  • Character Day 2023: Safety Agent Jordan with her mini protégés.

  • Character Day 2023: Ms. DiDomenico and Ms. Cutile cooking up a witches brew.

  • A visit from Cheryl Wills, author of the children's book Emma.

  • Our student government members were excited to meet and sit with Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Melissa Vaughan.

  • 1st Annual Fall Thrift Boutique 2022

  • Student Volunteers

  • Today, we marked the 100th day of school, and what an unforgettable celebration it was! Our hallways transformed into a scene straight out of a time machine, with adorable 100-year-old scholars shuffling through, fully committed to their roles—some even missing a few "teeth!" Laughter and excitement filled the air as students engaged in fun, interactive 100-day-themed activities that kept the energy high all day long. Throughout the school, the PA system rang with shoutouts, celebrating scholars who have gone above and beyond—whether through acts of kindness, academic excellence, or perfect attendance. It was a day of joy, recognition, and pure school spirit—here’s to the next 100 days of learning and growth!

  • Our thrifters enjoyed shopping the looks of Hendrick Brun, a NYC shoe designer. He donated tons of slides for our scholars and heels for their moms.

  • Felicia provided her professional makeup services and enhanced the beauty of several women.

  • Our 3K/Pre-K on RED/Orange Day

  • Thank you to The 1906 Project, Inc. for your rug and seat sack donations to our K-2 classrooms!

  • Breast Cancer Awareness Day

  • We had an amazing turnout for our Dads Take Your Child To School Day event!

  • We welcomed our parents back into the building for Presentation Day.

  • Getting to know our NYPD Community Affairs Division.

  • Back2 School Backpack Drive 

  • Spirit Day: Holiday Hats

  • Class 201 participating in PAJAMA DAY.

  • D29 Arts Festival 2024

  • D29 Arts Festival 2024: PS118 presented "Recycled Art"

  • 3K entered the Spider-Verse w/ a very special visitor.

  • Field Day 2024

  • Field Day 2024

  • Multicultural Festival 2024

  • Multicultural Festival 2024

  • Multicultural Festival 2024

  • Fruits & Vegetables Week 2024

  • National Pi Day 2024

  • National Pi Day 2024

  • Parent Coordinator Day to Mr. Breland, the absolute BEST in the district!

  • Learning Through Music:

    "JOY" presentation by Ms. Parrish & Ms. Fisher.

  • Team Building (Fine Arts)

  • G&T Team: Ms. Thomas-Ellis, Ms. Woodley & Ms. Jenkins w/ AP Gamble & Principal Soussoudis.

  • Happy Eid al-fitr!

    Ms. Becerra's ENL students made lanterns to celebrate.

  • Dr. Soussoudis teaching durning  Saturday Achievement Academy. 

  • Superhero Day 2024

  • Muffins for Moms Event 2024

  • Celebrating all the women of PS118Q: Pre Mother's Day 

  • To all the incredible moms and mother figures in our PS118Q family—Happy Mother’s Day!💐

    We see you, we celebrate you, and we appreciate everything you do. You are the heart of our school community, and we’re so grateful for your love, strength, and support.

    A big thank you to everyone who joined us for our Mother's & Mother Figures Spring Tea—what a time we had! You showed up in style, and your energy lit up the room.

    As you start this special day, take a moment for you. Breathe deep, sip something warm, and pour into yourself first. Then go out there and keep being the superheroes your kids already know you are!

  • Simba, The New King — a powerful retelling of The Lion King — written and directed by our very own Fine Arts teacher, Ms. N. Bethea. The talent, energy, and heart they poured into this performance was truly unforgettable.

  • Thank you to all the fathers and father figures who joined us this morning. It was truly our pleasure to honor you and give you your flowers today. Keep showing up, keep leading by example, and remember—you deserve moments to breathe, to relax, and to feel loved, too. We appreciate you more than words can express.

Location

YOU'RE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE!

 

 

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Does PS118Q offer after-school services?
A: Yes! PS118Q partners with Southern Queens Park Association (SQPA) to offer an on-site after-school program for students in grades K–5. This program provides structured activities including homework help, arts and crafts, recreation, and enrichment opportunities right here in our building.

  • Registration is required and is available on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited spots.

  • Families are encouraged to apply early to secure a spot.

  • The program operates Monday through Friday, typically from 2:30 PM to 5:45 PM (subject to change).

For more information or to inquire about enrollment, please contact:
Sedric Breland, Program Director
📧 Sbreland2@schools.nyc.gov

Q: How do I request a school letter?
A: To request a school letter, please email the following information to our school secretary, Eva Gibbs, at Ejoseph2@schools.nyc.gov:

  • Your child’s first and last name

  • Your child’s class/grade

  • Name of the parent/guardian requesting the letter

  • Contact phone number

Please note:

  • All school letters require administrative approval and will not be generated on the same day.

  • You will receive a confirmation email once your letter is ready for pick-up.

  • A valid photo ID is required at the time of pick-up.

  • Only the individual named on the letter is authorized to receive and sign for it.

Q: Does PS118Q offer a Gifted & Talented (G&T) program?
A: Yes! PS118Q is proud to offer a Gifted & Talented (G&T) program currently serving students in grades K–2. We’re excited to announce that the program will expand to include 3rd grade beginning in the 2025–2026 school year.

Families interested in applying for the G&T program can learn more and begin the application process by visiting the NYC Department of Education’s website:
🔗 https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/gifted-talented  

Q: What should I do if my child is absent from school?
A: If your child is absent, please do the following:

  1. Notify your child’s teacher via ClassDojo.

  2. Call the main office at (718) 465-5538 ext. 0 to report the absence.

  3. When your child returns to school, please send them with a doctor’s note, if applicable.

Please note: While a doctor’s note helps document the reason for the absence, it does not remove the absence from your child’s attendance record.

Q: Is there a school dress code? What are the guidelines?
A: Yes! PS118Q is a uniformed school. All students are required to follow the dress code daily:

  • Navy blue bottoms (pants, skirts, or shorts)

  • Yellow top (shirt, blouse, or polo)

  • On designated days, students may wear their physical education (PE) uniform

Uniforms are required every day, except on special School Spirit Days, which will be announced and listed on the school calendar.