Take Climate Action on Earth Day (April 22)
Missed our schools' third Climate Action Day on April 17? No worries—consider building your own self-watering planter made from recycled materials just in time for Earth Day on April 22!
NYC's Gifted and Talented (G&T) Application for Grades 1–4 opens April 15
The Gifted and Talented (G&T) application for children entering grades 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the 2024–2025 school year opens on Monday, April 15, 2024! If your child is eligible and you're interested in applying, submit your child's G&T application by Friday, May 3, 2024.
Opportunities for Students (April 2024)
Throughout April, organizations near and far are seeking City students for grants, scholarships, contests, classes, and even paid work! Check out some of the great opportunities available to students in grades 4–12 this month from institutions and organizations like New York University, Cooper Union, NPR, and Seeds of Fortune!
Books of the Week: Spring Break Edition!
Throughout April, we're recognizing National School Libraries Month by sharing some of our favorite books across all grade levels each week. This week, the titles we've included are all about protecting and appreciating our environment in celebration of Earth Day on Monday, April 22. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Early Readers (3K–Grade 2)
- Hike, by Pete Oswald
- In the Garden with Dr. Carver, by Susan Grigsby; illustrated by Nicole Tadgell
- Our Green City, by Tanya Lloyd Kyi; illustrated by Colleen Larmour
- She Heard the Birds: The Story of Florence Merriam Bailey, Pioneering Nature Activist, by Andrea D’Aquino
Elementary (Grades 3–5)
- Elsie Mae Has Something to Say, by Nancy J. Cavanaugh
- Greta’s Story: The Schoolgirl Who Went on Strike to Save the Planet, by Valentina Camerini
- The Last Bear, by Hannah Gold
- World Without Fish, by Mark Kurlansky; illustrated by Frank Stockton
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel Carson, by Ann E. Burg; illustrated by Sophie Blackall
- Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet, by Barbara Dee
- Me and Marvin Gardens, by Amy Sarig King
- One Earth: People of Color Protecting Our Planet, by Anuradha Rao
Upper Grades (Grades 9–12)
- The Carbon Diaries 2015, by Saci Lloyd
- Girls Who Green the World: Thirty-Four Rebel Women Out to Save the Planet, by Diana Kapp; illustrated by Ana Jarén
- How to Change Everything: The Young Human's Guide to Protecting the Planet and Each Other, by Naomi Klein with Rebecca Stefoff
- The Line Tender, by Kate Allen
For more great reads, check out the Climate Change Collection on Sora, our citywide Digital Library which provides free access to hundreds of digital e-books and audiobooks for our students!
In celebration of Earth Month, we're sharing the story of Dr. Eugenie Clark, a fish scientist from New York City who earned herself the nickname, "Shark Lady," thanks to her trailblazing research on fish and shark species around the world as well as her personal dedication to protecting sharks and their ocean habitats from extinction.
In this installment of the Hidden Voices series, learn more about Dr. Joanne Chory, a Lebanese American plant geneticist whose early work revolutionized botany and who is now dedicated to the global fight against climate change.
In recognition of National American Sign Language (ASL) Day on Monday, April 15, we’re highlighting the tiny, but mighty team at the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Office of Sign Language Interpretation Services (OSLIS).
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SCHOOLS
Summer Rising Offers Now Available
Applied for any of NYC's Summer Rising programs earlier this year? You can view your offers beginning Wednesday, April 17!
Register for our virtual info session to learn more about Summer Rising 2024.
View Your Child's Middle School Offer Today!
Did you apply to New York City's public middle schools in December? Then great news: you may now log into MySchools to see your child's offer!
Ready to Read: Literacy Resources for Families
NYC Reads is reshaping the way that we teach our students to read, but the learning doesn't have to stop at the classroom door! Whether it's a family book club or a phonics-based 20 questions game, you can bring the "science of reading" home by using any of our helpful resources that will help your children continue to develop their literacy skills, like:
- Reading Games
- Phonics, Vocabulary, and Storytelling Practice
- And more!
