Get Ready for the First Day of School
Dear Families,
The first day of school is Thursday, September 4, 2025. We’re so excited to welcome you back to the classroom to begin this journey of academic and social growth together! Here are a few important reminders to help you get ready for a great start to the new school year.
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Get Connected
Create a New York City Schools Account (NYCSA)—your number one source for important information and resources to help you support your child’s education. If you already have an account, make sure your contact information is correct.
Find out how to get important information in your language using our translation and interpretation services, including in the three new official NYCPS languages—Albanian, Ukrainian, and Uzbek: New York City Public Schools Speak Your Language!
Sign up for admissions emails if your child will apply to 3-K, Pre-K, kindergarten, Gifted and Talented (G&T) programs, middle school, high school, or Summer Rising this year. The applications will open throughout the school year.
Bookmark the NYCPS website, including The Morning Bell blog and our NYCPS + You newsletter, to stay up to date on the latest news and exciting things happening in our schools.
Follow @nycschools on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
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Stay Engaged
Regularly check the 2025–26 School Calendar for events and closures throughout the year. Daily attendance is key to academic success, even for our youngest learners! Learn more about our attendance policy and find resources that can help your family manage challenges that may cause your child to miss school on our Attendance
Use the Find a School tool to look up the contact information for your school’s parent coordinator, who is here to help with all your school-related questions.
Get to know your child’s teachers! The first parent-teacher conference/open house of the year in late September is a great opportunity to learn more about their classroom routines and curriculum.
Connect with your Parent Association (PA)/Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)—you’re automatically a member! PAs/PTAs play a vital role in enhancing the school experience and building a supportive community for both students and parents.
Get involved with your local Community and Citywide Education Council (CCEC) to engage with educational issues in your district, share your insights, and make your voice heard!
Keep up with your child’s progress by regularly checking NYCSA to review their attendance and academic performance.
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Be Prepared
Help your child get back into a school routine before the first day arrives. Set a regular bedtime and sleep schedule, and practice your family’s morning routine, including traveling to school on your regular route. If you’re not sure how your child will be getting to and from school this year, visit Transportation Overview for information about their travel options and eligibility, including Student OMNY cards. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your school’s start time, end time and lateness policy.
Starting this school year, all students must keep personal electronic devices that can access the internet, such as their cell phones, stored during the school day. Each school has its own rules, so be sure to review your school’s updated cell phone policies to make sure you and your child understand rules about device use and storage.
Learn about your rights as a parent and the NYCPS policies and school rules that affect your child at Know Your Rights, School Environment, and Safe Schools.
NYCPS is here to support all of our City’s families and students regardless of immigration status—you can learn more about our policies, and find information about available supports and additional resources at Project Open Arms.
Keep your child’s reading skills sharp with free Literary Resources for Families, where you’ll find recommended reading lists, educational activities, and more.
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Stay Healthy
Complete your child’s required health forms before the start of the year. For more information and to download forms to bring to your child’s health care provider, visit Health Requirements to Attend School.
Double check that your child is up to date on all required vaccinations. Visit Immunizations on our website for more information, including vaccine schedules for each grade.
For more suggestions on how to have an A+ first day of school, check out our printable Back to School Checklist, available in multiple languages. We can’t wait to see you on Thursday, September 4!
Wishing you a successful school year,
New York City Public Schools
