Celebrate NYC's Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4–8)
From May 4–8, NYCPS will be celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. Learn how you can send a note of appreciation to a teacher who has made a difference in your life!
The Month Ahead (May 2026)
With the last full month of the 2025–26 school year upon us, look at what's happening at NYCPS in May 2026! From our month-long heritage celebrations for Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Jewish Americans, to Teacher Appreciation Week, parent-teacher conferences, State exams, and more, this month is packed with events.
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!
Opportunities for Students (April 2026)
April is a great time for NYC students to seek new learning and earning opportunities for the upcoming summer season! Check out what's available for City students this month, including internships, free workshops, and great local events, and register/apply for them today!
To celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, we're highlighting a story from our Hidden Voices series about Bernice Sandler, the first Chair of the National Advisory Council on Women’s Educational Programs and champion of the groundbreaking Title IX law that transformed student athletics and gender equity in the United States.
Learn more about how Bernice Sandler became known as the "Godmother of Title IX" on Hidden Voices
During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we're highlighting the stories of individuals who have often been left out of traditional historical records, like Anna May Wong, the first-ever Chinese American movie star, who captivated audiences, earned critical acclaim for her performances, and dared to break free of Hollywood’s early to mid-twentieth century typecasting practices for nonwhite actors.
Learn more about how Wong made Hollywood history on Hidden Voices
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! Throughout the week, we’re showing our gratitude to the nearly 75,000 NYC Public Schools educators who shape the lives of our students each day.
These book recommendations celebrate both the real-life and fictional teachers breaking barriers, encouraging students to reach their full potential, and making a difference in their communities. They also remind us to thank educators for their hard work and dedication to our schools and students!
Early Readers (3-K–Grade 2)
- Dear Teacher: A Celebration of People Who Inspire Us, by Paris Rosenthal; illustrated by Holly Hatam
- I Love My Teacher!, by Frances Gilbert; illustrated by Eren Unten
- A Letter to My Teacher, By Deborah Hopkinson; illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
- Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and her Secret School, by Janet Halfmann; illustrated by London Ladd
Elementary (Grades 3–5)
- BenBee and the Teacher Griefer, by K.A. Holt
- Carter Avery’s Tricky Fourth-Grade Year, by Rob Buyea
- The Teachers March! How Selma's Teachers Changed History, by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace; illustrated by Charly Palmer
- Thank You, Mr. Falker, By Patricia Polacco
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- Because of Mr. Terupt, By Rob Buyea
- Fish in a Tree, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
- Love That Dog, By Sharon Creech
- The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt
Upper Grades (Grades 9–12)
- Between the Lines, By Nikki Grimes
- The Freedom Writers Diary, by the Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell
- Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels who Helped Spark a Revolution, by Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner
- Teacher Man, by Frank McCourt
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. And don’t forget to share your appreciation for your teachers with the NYCPS All Stars Tool!
Missed our previous book recommendations?
Check them out in the "What We're Reading" Archive!
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SCHOOLS
Last month, NYC Public Schools and Mikva Challenge partnered up to host SoapboxNYC, our annual celebration of youth voice and public speaking for students in grades K–12. Held at the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, the event featured outstanding student finalists who courageously stepped on stage to answer the question, "What is the biggest issue facing your community, and what should be done about it?"
Judging from these photos, it's clear that this year's SoapboxNYC will be remembered for years to come! We thank Mikva Challenge for their partnership and ongoing support for our Civics for All initiative!
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
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!
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!
