During Pride Month, we're highlighting the stories of individuals who have often been left out of traditional historical records, like Edie Windsor, a computer programmer and pioneering LGBTQ+ activist best known for her role in the landmark Supreme Court case, United States v. Windsor, which helped lead towards the eventual legalization of gay marriage in the United States.
To celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month, we're highlighting a story from our Hidden Voices series about Dr. Helen Rodríguez-Trías, a doctor and activist of Puerto Rican descent who played a pivotal role in the women’s health movement by advocating for the rights of members of marginalized communities throughout her career.
Celebrate Parent Coordinators All Week Long
Join us in celebration of Parent Coordinator Appreciation Week (June 1–5, 2026) by taking a moment to thank our incredible parent coordinators for all that they do to support NYC families, build communities, and strengthen our schools!
It's Official—the First Ever 2-K Application is Now Open!
From June 2, 2026 until June 26, 2026, NYC families with children born in 2024 can apply to 2-K programs in Districts 6, 10, 18, 23 and 27. Learn more about the admissions process, including tools that you can use to discover and select programs, and submit your application!
The Month Ahead (June 2026)
School's not out yet and June is a packed month! From academics and extracurriculars, to celebrations and milestones, wrap up the 2025–26 school year by checking out and participating in many of your school activities.
Every School Day Matters
Attendance matters! Learn how missing just two days of school every month can have a negative effect on your child's education, and see what solutions and resources are available to help your child stay in school every day, all year round!
Opportunities for Students (May 2026)
As the last full month of the 2025–26 school year, May is the perfect time for NYC students to lock up their learning and earning opportunities for the upcoming summer season! Check out what's available for City students this month, including scholarships, contests, free workshops, and great local events, and register/apply for them today!
2026–27 NYCPS Calendar Now Available
The official New York City Public Schools calendar for the 2026–2027 school year is now available! Learn more about next year's calendar, and start making your plans for the upcoming school year TODAY!
June is Caribbean American Heritage Month! Celebrate with some of our favorite books that feature characters of Caribbean descent for students of all ages to enjoy this month and all year long!
Early Readers (3-K–Grade 2)
- Across the Bay, by Carlos Apontes
- Alicia Alonso Dances On, by Rose Viña; illustrated by Gloria Felix
- Haiti A to Z, by M.J. Fievre; illustrated by Anastasia Khmelevska
- If Dominican Were a Color, by Sili Recio; illustrated by Brianna McCarthy
- A Story About Afiya, by James Berry; illustrated by Anna Cunha
Elementary (Grades 3–5)
- Coming Up Cuban, by Sonia Manzano
- Each Tiny Spark, by Pablo Cartaya
- If You Read This, by Kereen Getten
- Nightmare Island, by Shakirah Bourne
- Patchwork Prince, by Baptiste Paul
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- 90 Miles to Havana, by Enrique Flores-Galbis
- Aniana del Mar Jumps In, by Jasminne Mendez
- Hurricane Child, by Kacen Callender
- Josephine Against the Sea, by Shakirah Bourne
- When Life Gives You Mangos, by Kereen Getten
Upper Grades (Grades 9–12)
- American Street, by Ibi Zoboi
- Analee, in Real Life, by Janelle Milanes
- How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, by Julia Alvarez
- Learning to Breathe, by Janice Lynn Mather
- Where the Rhythm Takes You, by Sarah Dass
You can find these books and many more great reads on Sora, our Citywide Digital Library, which provides free access to thousands of digital e-books and audiobooks for our students. You can also find even more recommendations in the Caribbean American Heritage Month Collection on Sora!
Missed our previous book recommendations?
Check them out in the "What We're Reading" Archive!
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SCHOOLS
Over the past month, we've seen some incredible examples of teamwork from our students!
On Earth Day, Chancellor Samuels stopped by PS 14 in Queens, where students and teachers worked together with NYC Parks staff members to plant six new trees! It was great seeing everyone work together to help beautify the PS 14 campus—thank you, NYC Parks, for partnering with us to make this year's Earth Day a memorable one for PS 14!
And in early May, PS 111 in the Bronx hosted District 11's Fifth Annual Soap Box Derby, where groups of students from schools across the Bronx built soap box cars for bragging rights and a shot at racing glory! At every participating school, students worked together in teams to research and build their soap box cars—what we saw at this year's Derby was the result of hundreds of hours of dedicated engineering work by our students and staff members. It was great fun seeing students' competitive spirits on full display, and we thank everyone who made this year's Soap Box Derby possible!
Stay Informed with a NYC Schools Account (NYCSA)
With a NYCSA, you can:
- Access your child's school information on the go
- See your student’s grades, test scores and more
- Complete important forms
- Take classes in Parent University
- Get technology support through SupportHub
Get Ready for More Learning and Less Scrolling
Beginning this September, NYC Public Schools will be implementing its new Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy across all K–12 City public schools, including charter programs, in accordance with New York State law. Learn more about this "cell phone ban," and start getting ready for distraction-free schools this fall!
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!
