Women's History Month Highlight: Cartoonist Amelia "Oppy" Jones and the Art of Commuting

In celebration of Women's History Month, we’re highlighting our profile of Amelia Opdyke Jones. Best known as "Oppy," her work appeared in The Subway Sun poster series, which encouraged New York City subway riders to respect their fellow passengers.

Learn more about "Oppy" on Hidden Voices

Collage of a black and white photo of a standing man and sitting woman looking at a Subway Sun poster, with one of the posters about preventing littering and promoting a 'Clean City' with blue, orange, and white illustrations.

Spring for New Courses This Season on Parent University

This season, Parent University, the City's free online learning platform for families, is featuring live courses regarding housing in New York City. Whether you're a property owner or renter, check out Parent University to learn more about your housing rights and more today!


Opportunities for Students (March 2025)

March is an outstanding time for NYC students to secure their learning and earning opportunities for the rest of the school year and beyond, including scholarships, grants, free classes and access to cultural institutions, and even paid jobs. See what's available for NYC public schools students this month, and register/apply for them today!


Summer Rising 2025 Applications Are Now Open!

Summer Rising is back! Students in kindergarten through grade 8 are eligible to apply for this free program that connects students with fun, hands-on experiences that strengthen their academic, social, and emotional skills. This year's deadline is Friday, March 28, so don't wait to submit your application!

Get Ready for March's Parent-Teacher Conferences

This season's Parent-Teacher Conferences (PTCs) are taking place throughout March! Learn when they'll occur, and check out some of our tips to make your conferences productive!


Meet the 2025 Community and Citywide Education Council Candidates!

Starting Monday, March 3, 2025, learn about the candidates seeking positions on your local Community Education Council or one of the City's four Citywide Education Councils by attending your district's virtual Candidate Forum.


The Month Ahead (March 2025)

Take a look and see what's in store for NYC Public Schools in March 2025. Key dates and celebrations this month include Parent-Teacher Conferences, Summer Rising registration, Civics Week, our monthlong celebration of Women's History Month, and Eid al-Fitr.


Make Your Voice Heard in the 2025 NYC School Survey

Let us know what you think about NYC's public schools by completing the 2025 NYC School Survey! Learn more about this year's Survey, and submit your answers by April 4, 2025!


What We're Reading

March is Irish American Heritage Month, and March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day! Featuring Irish and Irish American characters, settings, mythology, and more, these books are great reads for students of all ages to celebrate with all month long. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!  

Early Readers (3K–Grade 2)

  • Fiona’s Lace, by Patricia Polacco
  • How to Catch a Leprechaun, by Adam Wallace; illustrated by Andy Elkerton
  • The Indestructible Tom Crean: Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic, by Jennifer Thermes
  • Mother Jones and Her Army of Mill Children, by Jonah Winter; illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

Elementary (Grades 3–5)

  • Leprechaun in Late Winter, by Mary Pope Osborne
  • My Journey to the Stars, by Scott Kelly; illustrated by André Ceolin
  • The Storm Keeper’s Island, by Catherine Doyle
  • Ten Days a Madwoman, by Deborah Noyes 

Middle School (Grades 6–8)

  • Far Side of the Moon: The Story of Apollo 11’s Third Man, by Alex Irvine; illustrated by Ben Bishop
  • The Monsters of Rookhaven, by Pádraig Kenny; illustrated by Edward Bettison
  • The Night Gardener, by Jonathan Auxier
  • A Slip of a Girl, by Patricia Reilly Giff

Upper Grades (Grades 9–12)

  • Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers, and Everyday Heroes, by Leon Diop and Briana Fitzsimons; illustrated by Jessica Louis  
  • Hunger: A Tale of Courage, by Donna Jo Napoli
  • The Incredible Nellie Bly: Journalist, Investigator, Feminist, and Philanthropist, by Luciana Cimino; illustrated by Sergio Algozzino  
  • Love and Luck, Jenna Evans Welch 
Image of two students reading.

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.

Missed our previous book recommendations?
Check them out in the "What We're Reading" Archive!


SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SCHOOLS

During February 10–14, 2025, New York City Public Schools commemorated Respect for All Week, with each day focused on a particular theme:

  • Monday, February 10: Celebrating Kindness/Be an Ally 
  • Tuesday, February 11: Anti-Bullying/Cyberbullying 
  • Wednesday, February 12: Respect for Diversity, Disability, Religious Acceptance and Racial Diversity 
  • Thursday, February 13: Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and LGBTQ Pride and Acceptance 
  • Friday, February 14: National No One Eats Alone Day 

    Be inspired by how students across all five boroughs participated in activities focused on spreading respect, kindness, and acceptance, and celebrated the diversity across schools, their communities and the City.


    White, orange, and light blue text that reads 'Celebrating Women's History Month' on a dark blue background, written above illustrations of several women.

    Education councils help shape policies and priorities for NYC Public Schools. Learn all about New York City's Community and Citywide Education Councils, what they do, and how you can get involved.


    Take the 2025 NYC School Survey today!


    A MySchools.nyc Tutorial: Learn the Basics

    Throughout any stage of New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) application processes for 3-K, Pre-K, Kindergarten, middle school, high school, and Gifted and Talented (G&T) for grades 1, 2, 3, and 4, you can use MySchools.nyc—learn how to today!

    A screenshot of the MySchools homepage

      Prepare for Remote Learning

      In the event that weather conditions or other emergencies require the temporary closure of public school buildings, students will participate in remote learning at home. Make sure your family is ready with these tips and answers to frequently asked questions.


      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

       


      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!

      Related Links