Newsletter - NYC Public Schools Plus You

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PS + You - Issue 107 - Preparing for the 2025-2026 School Year

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Preparing for the 2025-2026 School Year

Dear Families and Colleagues,

It’s that time of year again! We wrapped up our phenomenal Summer Rising programming, teachers will soon set up their classrooms, and on September 4, our schools will be filled with students ready to learn.

They’ll be building on some incredible progress—on the 2025 New York state exams, proficiency rates increased by 3.5 percentage points in math and 7.2 percentage points in reading! I’m immensely proud of the entire NYCPS community—educators, families, and students—who implemented NYC Reads, NYC Solves, and all our academic initiatives that led to these results.

As the new school year begins, we are poised for another year of learning, growth, and discovery. Families, here are some important reminders as we prepare to return to school on September 4:

  • The state’s new cell phone law goes into effect this school year. To learn more, visit schools.nyc.gov/DevicePolicy.
  • Make sure your child's school can reach you—log in to your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) to update your contact information.
  • Understand your child’s transportation options and eligibility. Visit schools.nyc.gov/Transportation for details.
  • Make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations. If your child is starting school or childcare for the first time, they’ll also need a physical exam from a healthcare provider.
  • Review the full 2025-2026 calendar to mark key dates and events.

For more information and a back-to-school checklist, visit schools.nyc.gov/BackToSchool. You can also reach out to your school’s Parent Coordinator with any questions or concerns; you can locate their contact information with our “Find a School” tool.

I can’t wait to see you all very soon and to celebrate the first of many amazing days in the 2025-2026 school year!

 

In partnership,

Melissa Aviles-Ramos

Chancellor

The Chancellor’s Spotlight:This July and August, the Summer Rising site at River East Elementary in East Harlem was buzzing with excitement and learning. Thanks to our partnerships with multiple community-based organizations, students participated in enrichment ranging from swimming to dance—activities that Fernando, a Summer Rising student, noted as highlights of the summer. He also found the academics engaging, saying, “My teacher made learning fun.”

Nominate a person or program for The Chancellor’s Spotlight here.

 

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