Get ready for the first day of school, Thursday, September 8!
Here are a few things you and your family can do to prepare for a great start to the school year:
Health and Safety
Complete Health Forms
Is your child starting school or child care for the first time? Before school starts, make sure your child receives a complete physical exam from a health care provider, documented by the Child and Adolescent Health Examination Form (CH205). You can find more information about this form and download a printable version at Health Requirements to Attend School.
If your child needs to take medications or receive any medical treatment at school, then you must complete a Medication Administration Form (MAF) and/or Medically Prescribed Treatment Form. Your child should submit an updated MAF every school year. Find out more about Health Services available in our schools.
Get Vaccinated
New York State Public Health Law requires students to get certain vaccines, including those for measles and polio, in order to attend child care or school. Before the school year begins, your child should receive all required immunizations. You can find more information about required vaccines for students of each age at Immunizations.
In addition, we encourage families to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccines. They are safe, free, and available regardless of immigration status. All New Yorkers aged 6 months and up are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or call 877-829-4692 to find a location near you.
Mask Up
Students are encouraged to wear a well-fitting mask on school buses and in crowded indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. Masks are required under certain circumstances, such as visiting the school nurse’s office or medical room. Visit COVID-19 for more information on health and safety policies regarding COVID-19 in schools.
Get Tested
We encourage students to test at home for COVID-19 infection the day before the first day of school using a home test kit or PCR test administered by a health provider to help protect their school community against the spread of the virus.
Prepare for School
Make sure your school has your current contact information
Update your contact information in your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA), or you can complete the emergency contact form provided by your school. If you do not have an NYC Schools Account, visit NYCSA to learn how to sign up.
Set a standard bedtime and morning routine before the first day of school
Start now to get your children on a regular sleep schedule. Then, a few days before school starts, practice your family’s expected morning routine, including getting ready, eating breakfast, and heading out the door to your bus stop or subway station in order to arrive at school on time.
Meet your school’s parent coordinator
Parent coordinators can provide answers to many of your school-related questions and concerns. Call or visit your child’s school to get your parent coordinator’s contact information.
Ask your parent coordinator or principal about translation and interpretation services
Your school can provide free translation and interpretation services. Learn more from your school’s parent coordinator or principal, or visit New York City Public Schools Speak Your Language! for more information and resources for families of multi-lingual learners. For sign-language interpretation services, please call contact your school’s parent coordinator or email OSLIS@schools.nyc.gov.
Review the 2022–23 NYC school calendar
View important dates and find printable files of the 2022-23 school year calendar in multiple languages on our Calendar page.
We can’t wait to see you on the first day of school, Thursday, September 8.