December 16, 2021

Dear Families,

It has come to our attention that there is a social media challenge proposed on TikTok and other social media platforms encouraging students to “call in bomb threats, school shooting threats, etc.” at schools across the United States. This social media challenge is not specific to only New York City, and many of the posts are general and not specific to one school.

The safety of everyone who enters our school buildings is always our highest priority and responsibility. Every threat to a school community is taken extremely seriously and we work closely with the NYPD to investigate threats made to any school community. If your school is named in a specific threat, please call 911 immediately and 1-888-NYC-SAFE. Additional supports will be deployed to the school as needed.

Safety and security are a community responsibility, and we are encouraging you to have conversations with your child about responsible social media use and the consequences of making threats. Schools and families can find information about digital citizenship on the DOE webpage: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/school-environment/digital-citizenship. Any social media posts or challenges involving threats or actions of violence against school communities will not be tolerated. Threats of violence have very real consequences regardless of the reason the threat was made, and we do not want our young people to jeopardize their bright futures over social media challenges such as these.

If you or your child witness any suspicious activities on social media, please call 911 or notify a trusted adult if at a school. We are committed to continuing to closely monitor this matter.

Thank you as always for everything you do to keep our school communities safe, and please do not hesitate to reach out to your principal.

In partnership,

Meisha Porter

New York City Schools Chancellor

…

December 1, 2021

Dear Families, 

Since March, I have had the honor of a lifetime to serve as Chancellor for the incredible schools, educators, communities, families and most importantly, your children who make up the New York City Department of Education. Today, I am sharing the bittersweet news that I will be stepping down from my role as Chancellor at the end of this calendar year. 

My biggest message to you today is one of gratitude - thank you for the trust, patience, kindness, and commitment to our schools you have shown over the past few months. With your partnership, we have done so much together to welcome students back to a school year like no other – this year of homecoming.

As a mother of a school-aged child myself, I know that the return to fully in-person schooling has been at times both joyful and challenging. Coming out of a once in a lifetime pandemic, when our children needed immense academic and emotional care, it has taken a village to provide the support our students deserve. I’m thrilled that we did the impossible, and led the nation by safely reopening every single school for in-person learning to ensure our babies got the support and attention they needed.

The intense work that has gone into supporting all students goes far beyond any single person or leader. Some of the priorities and initiatives I know will continue include: 

MAINTAINING SAFE AND HEALTHY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS: New York City is leading the nation both with a staff of 100% vaccinated educators, and families rapidly accessing the opportunity to get their children vaccinated who are 5 years or older. In just the last few weeks, our schools have helped vaccinate over 43,000 students against COVID-19. If you haven’t had your child vaccinated yet, it’s never too late! Visit schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus to find locations nearby and to make an appointment.

I’m proud of the decision we made in New York City to prioritize in-person student learning, and am so grateful for the trust and partnership of parents and educators in making this a reality for our students. Progress is not possible without your active participation; having your children vaccinated is central to our ability to maintain a healthy school environment.

Through the measures we’ve taken like increasing vaccination rates, universal masking, daily health screenings and random weekly testing of students, we’ve managed to keep our in-school positivity rate extremely low at 0.24% and minimize disruptions to learning this year. We will continue to be vigilant about these measures to keep schools open for your children. I encourage you to visit schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus for the latest information on COVID-19 health and safety protocols in our schools, testing and vaccination updates, and more. 

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION NEEDS: As we began this school year, it was essential that we knew where students were both academically and emotionally, so that we could provide them with targeted resources and support to meet their needs. To do this, our educators have begun using new academic and social and emotional ‘screeners’ across all of our schools this year. These tools provide low-stakes opportunities for teachers to get an idea of where students’ strengths and needs are at a certain point in the school year, so that we can connect them with the right resources or targeted interventions to support their learning and development. We encourage you to work with your school and teachers to learn more about these tools, and to work together to utilize the results to help understand and provide what our students need.

INVESTING IN NEW SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS: As we shared in July, we are investing hundreds of millions of dollars from the American Rescue Plan this school year in the form of new resources and additional staff - including social workers, literacy teachers and coaches - so that all students in NYCDOE schools receive the tools and support they need to thrive.

Our focus areas include: new social and emotional investments to help students heal from the past year, academic investments to make your child’s literacy skills a priority, more special education support available to students with disabilities, helping high school students get ready for college and career, and ensuring that all children learn challenging material that reflects who they are throughout their time in our schools with our new Mosaic curriculum. Learn more here: schools.nyc.gov/about-us/funding 

Lastly, I simply want to say thank you again for all that you do for your children and our schools. We have worked hard every day to support our families and colleagues get back to a sense of normalcy while recognizing this moment in history as a critical time to make important and innovative changes that better address our students’ needs. We could not do this without your partnership, and I am immensely grateful for the trust you have put in the DOE and in me. 

Your partnership has made it possible to keep our students safe and healthy, to get to know their education needs even better than before, and to provide them with stronger and more durable tools to meet their immense potential. Despite the challenging year-and-a-half we’ve endured, I believe we have a great opportunity to learn from our recent experience and to move forward toward a brighter future for our children. I know the next administration will share in this commitment, and I will work closely with the next Chancellor to ensure that a positive, welcoming, and affirming experience for all children continues this year and beyond.

…

October 20, 2021

Dear Families,

We are well into the second month of our school homecoming, and I am so pleased that we have been able to get back into full swing while keeping our school communities healthy with minimal disruptions. Thanks to our multilayered health and safety protocols, our schools continue to be among the safest places in New York City.

You, our families, deserve enormous credit as well for doing your part in protecting your school communities: checking your children’s temperatures every morning, encouraging safe practices like physical distancing and handwashing, and making sure they are wearing their masks before they head off to school. Thank you so much for being our partners in prioritizing their health and safety, and keep up the great work!

One very important way we are keeping our schools safe is weekly random testing of unvaccinated students (grades 1 and above) for COVID-19. This kind of regular testing to track community spread is most effective when we can test as many students as possible, but to do that we need you to submit a consent form if you haven’t already done so. Thank you to those families that have already submitted.

You can fill out the testing consent form using your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA): schoolsaccount.nyc or download the form online at schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting and bring the completed version to your school. Testing is safe, quick, and easy. We urge you to provide this consent to help keep your child and our school communities safe. You can learn more about the in-school COVID-19 testing program and watch a video showing what your child can expect at schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting.

If you have a child age 12 or over, the other major step you can take for their health is to get them vaccinated if you have not done so already. The vaccines are playing a huge role in reducing infection rates across the city, and are safe, free, and available regardless of immigration status. I strongly urge you to look for a nearby location where your child can receive the approved Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine by visiting vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or calling 877-VAX-4-NYC (877-829-4692). If your child is already vaccinated, please upload that information to the DOE Covid-19 Vaccination Portal at vaccine.schools.nyc.

Thanks to your partnership, we have fully reopened our schools safely. The more families that provide consent or COVID-19 testing in schools and have their eligible children vaccinated, the greater the progress we can continue to make in protecting everyone across our City and in our schools.

In partnership,

Meisha Porter

New York City Schools Chancellor

...

June 18, 2021

Dear Families,

We made it!

Despite a pandemic that turned our lives upside down, we are at the finish line of this school year. I want to take this moment to honor and celebrate all that our families and students have accomplished during this difficult year and a half. We are ending this school year strong because of you. Because you and your children made education a priority.

There is a quote from my favorite author, Maya Angelou, which speaks to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. In an essay in her 2009 book Letter to My Daughter, Angelou wrote: “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

This sentiment, of rising in the face of adversity, describes our amazing students and families, who persisted despite untold challenges. Together, you:

• Adapted to learning from home, and in some cases returning to buildings after months away.

• Stayed focused on schoolwork.

• Learned a new way of connecting with family members and friends.

• Made the most of every single day, whether studying remotely or coming to school with masks on.

You also raised your voices when you saw terrible acts of violence towards your neighbors and made it clear that you would not tolerate anti-Black violence, anti-Semitism, anti-Asian violence, Islamophobia, xenophobia, homophobia, or any acts of bias or discrimination that cause harm every day. You have stood in solidarity with your communities—because that’s what New Yorkers do.

In that same spirit of solidarity, I want to call your attention to an important date, June 19, which commemorates Juneteenth and the end of slavery in the United States. As an educator, I believe that it’s critical to teach our students about the ongoing legacy of slavery in both the context of Black history and American history at large. And now Juneteenth will enter the history books for another reason: this week,

President Biden signed legislation making June 19 a federal holiday. This year, Juneteenth occurs as we continue to reckon with systemic racism, and the harm and hurt it causes our neighbors, fellow New Yorkers, and fellow Americans. I think about the ways the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on people of color. I think about our nation’s first true reckoning with the Tulsa Massacre, 100 years later. And I think about all the work we must do to create equity in all our schools.

If you want to learn more about Juneteenth and its significance to New Yorkers and Black Americans, please visit schools.nyc.gov/Juneteenth to watch our video and find resources for learning and thinking about this important day.

As your Chancellor, it’s my job to ensure that our one million students learn to think critically and have the skills to succeed in a world we adults cannot even imagine. Honestly, I am awed by you. You and your children taught us so much this year—from how to use your voice to create change to how to stay strong when times get tough. How to adapt to the things we cannot control, and how to follow Maya Angelou’s lead and not be reduced by them.

Although I have been in this role for less than four months, I am certain of one thing: Together, there is nothing we cannot achieve. If we made it through the last year and a half, we will be ready to rock in September.

In advance of in-person learning for all students this fall, I encourage everyone ages 12 and older to get vaccinated for COVID-19! It’s the best way to keep our communities and city safe. You can make an appointment for yourself and your child by visiting vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.

Being an educator for more than 20 years, I also cannot help but close with an assignment (don’t worry, there won’t be a test). I want you and your children to celebrate all that you have achieved this year. I hope you spend a lot of time together, hug often, have new experiences, find reasons to laugh. And recharge your batteries.

We made it this far together, and I cannot wait to see what we do this fall.

In partnership,

Meisha Porter

New York City Schools Chancellor

P.S. A quick reminder that all students in grades K–12 are eligible to participate in Summer Rising, our free, fun summer academic and enrichment program. To learn more and to sign up, please visit nyc.gov/summerrising.

…

What’s Happening in NYC Public Schools

Week of May 24, 2021

• COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 12 and Older

• Chancellor Family Engagement Forums

• Update on Regents Exams

• Halal Meal Expansion

• School Survey Reminder

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 12 and Older

We are excited to share that all New Yorkers age 12 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have a child who is at least 12 years old, the

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene strongly encourages you to make a vaccination appointment for them as soon as possible by visiting vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. You can also call 877-VAX-4-NYC (877-829-4692) for help making an appointment at a City-run vaccination site. Many sites now have walk-in appointments.

Vaccination is the most important step you can take to protect you and your family from COVID-19. It is especially important for those with an underlying health condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness, such as asthma, obesity, or diabetes.

The same is true for people who live with someone 65 or older or with an underlying health condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness. Vaccination is free and available regardless of immigration status.

In the U.S., the Pfizer vaccine is currently the only vaccine authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for children ages 12 to 17. The Pfizer vaccine has been shown to be very safe and effective at protecting people from severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization, and death. Your child cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine.

To find a site offering the Pfizer vaccine, make an appointment, or locate a walk-in site, visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. You can also check with your child’s healthcare provider to see if they are offering the Pfizer vaccine.

For answers to frequently asked questions, visit nyc.gov/vaccinefacts.

Chancellor Family Engagement Forums

Chancellor Meisha Porter has launched a five-borough family engagement tour to hear directly from school communities about their top priorities for next school year. These virtual forums are an opportunity for families, teachers, school administrators, and staff to provide Department of Education leadership with their thoughts on the types of resources and support they need as we move towards a full reopening in September.

The remaining three forums will be held from 6:30–8:00 p.m. on these dates:

Queens—Thursday, May 27

Brooklyn—Monday, June 7

Bronx—Wednesday, June 9

How to register:

Families can register for the forums at learndoe.org/chancellor. When you register, you will be asked if you want to ask a question or provide a comment during the event about topics, including health and safety, special education, fall 2021 school reopening, social-emotional learning, and more.

Each forum will be recorded and posted at learndoe.org/chancellor so you may access them at any time. Interpretation services will be available at every forum.

Update on Regents Exams

We want to remind families of high school students that the New York State Regents exams will be administered in person from June 17–24 for English Language Arts, Living Environment, Physical Setting/Earth Science, and Algebra I. All other subject exams have been cancelled for June, as well as all August Regents exams.

Due to these cancellations, certain students are eligible for Regents exam waivers, including for the four exams still being offered in June. Your child’s school will contact you to share information about the waivers and determine your interest in having your child participate in the Regents exams. Students receiving fully remote instruction are not expected to come to school to take the Regents; however, if they would like to participate, they may attend the in-person administration.

Halal Meal Expansion

We are pleased to announce that an additional 11 schools are being certified to serve halal take-out meals, for a total of 43 schools citywide. The additional schools serve students and members of the public in Spanish Harlem, Harlem, Jamaica, Jackson Heights, and Soundview. A full list of schools serving halal meals is available at schools.nyc.gov/FreeMeals.

This expansion reflects the DOE’s commitment to respecting the religious identity of all students and to ensuring that children can eat consistent with their dietary needs. All the menus were reviewed by a panel of imams. Each school offering the halal options was inspected and certified by imams, and kitchen staff were trained to prepare food in compliance with halal rules.

This initiative was launched in partnership with the New York City Council to provide meals in the schools and neighborhoods with high demand for halal meals.

School Survey Reminder

The 15th annual NYC School Survey is underway! We encourage all families and teachers in grades 3K through 12, and students in grades 6–12 to visit nycschoolsurvey.org by June 11 to share your thoughts on your school experience this year. Make your voice heard to help make your school a better place to learn!

…

May 24, 2021

Dear Families,

First, thank you. I know the past year has required resiliency, determination, flexibility, and sacrifices from all of us, and from you in particular. You have taken on new roles that many of you never imagined you’d have to take on, and have balanced so much while coping with losses and the many life challenges that COVID-19 brought to us over the past year.

As we close out this school year, I am looking forward to the opportunity that lies before us to reimagine what school is and means for your children. We know that we have to welcome our students back to a warm, welcoming, and affirming learning environment that challenges them academically while lifting them up when they need support.

As our schools work hard on re-imagining how we educate our children, I am excited to share with you our re-opening plans for fall 2021. Based on available health indicators, we will return to full-time, in-person learning this September. This means that all students in grades 3-K through 12 will be learning in-person this fall.

All teachers and staff will also be returning to in-person instruction this fall. We are very grateful for the dedication of all our principals, teachers and school staff and recognize the hard work they have done during this challenging year, and we’re excited for your children to re-connect with their beloved teachers and school staff, in addition to their peers, this fall.

As we prepare for your children, as well as teachers and staff, to return to schools, we will continue our commitment to prioritize health and safety first. With a current rolling 7-day COVID positivity rate of 0.16% and a consistently low transmission rate, our schools have a proven track record of being safe. We will meet whatever the CDC social distancing requirements are in September, and we expect that the city’s continuously improving health metrics may allow for more flexibility by the fall. Finally, in our commitment to keep health and safety a top priority, we plan to adhere to the many health and safety measures we had in place this past school year, including the following:

• Masks will continue to be a requirement in all of our school buildings

• Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms will continue to be required to stay at home

• Students, teachers and staff will continue to complete the daily health screener at home

• Every school building will continue to have a nurse

• Every classroom will have working ventilation systems

• On-site COVID-19 testing will continue in school buildings as recommended by the latest health guidance

• The Situation Room will continue to support schools with next steps if there are positive cases

We know that many of our students have not attended school in-person since March of 2020, and that returning to school in-person this fall will be an adjustment. We promise to do everything we can to welcome your children back and provide the supports needed to ensure a positive homecoming. We’ve already made investments to hire more teachers and social workers, and will have academic and social-emotional learning programs available to support our students. Here are some ways that we are supporting with the transition now, and we encourage you and your children to participate:

Chancellor’s Borough-Wide Family Forums: I am hosting borough-wide family town halls to hear more from you about this fall, and how we can use our resources to ensure a positive homecoming for your children and provide an enriching and challenging academic experience that integrates social-emotional learning. To learn more and register, please visit us here: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/get-involved/families/family-empowerment/chancellor-porter-s-family-forums

School Open Houses: Starting in June and throughout the summer, every school will host open houses for families to visit, take a tour, and learn about the health and safety precautions in place that have kept our schools safe over the last year. Your child’s school will be in touch with you about when these will be scheduled, and we encourage you to participate to learn more.

Summer Rising: In partnership with the Department of Youth and Community Development, we are so excited to provide an enriching, fun and joyful summer camp experience for any interested student. We encourage your child to join us - to be welcomed back into their school communities, re-connect with teachers and staff, and get ready for fall while having fun! Families can sign up here: https://discoverdycd.dycdconnect.nyc/home

Thank you for your partnership, your engagement, and your dedication to your children’s education over the last year. I am in awe of how our communities came together to lift each other up to ensure our children had the best experience possible despite enormous challenges. I am looking forward to partnering with you, learning from you, and leveraging all we‘ve done together over the last year to create a new normal starting in September - one that is warm and welcoming, affirming and enriching, and exciting and challenging - for each one of your children.

In partnership,

Meisha Porter

New York City Schools Chancellor

…

April 20, 2021

Dear Families,

Last year, a police officer put his knee on George Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds, but to me, it felt like an eternity.

I felt pain and rage, deep in my bones. It wasn’t a new feeling. I have felt that many times in my life, as a Black woman, sister, daughter, and mother to Black children—and as an educator who has served children of color in this city for more than 20 years.

That pain, rage, and fear has been present throughout the trial of the officer who killed George Floyd. I feel like I have been watching George Floyd die again and again, renewing the tragedy each time, as the jury and the nation have confronted what happened in the pursuit of justice for Mr. Floyd—and the family who is forced to go on without him.

And now, the first step toward justice has been served.

For me as a Black woman, for my brothers, for my mother and aunts who lost their brother to police violence, getting to justice is so important.

For our Black and brown children to know that they matter, the accountability this verdict represents is so important.

In a world that too often tells them otherwise, accountability in this moment tells the Black and brown children in our schools that their lives matter, and lifts up the importance of their futures.

This is what anchors the work we do in schools every day—why we are so focused on creating welcoming, loving environments for all our children. We want to make sure that each child doesn’t just hear, but feels that they are important.

We want them to feel that their teachers and school community value their past and present experiences, as well as their dreams for the future.

For more than 20 years, I have experienced the sensitivity and wisdom of children—they know what’s going on, even those who may not be able to put it into words. They can feel the energy of the world around them. So we are making sure our schools are safe spaces for students to share their feelings. Every school is receiving resources to help facilitate open conversations and ensure our children have their questions heard.

We also have mental health support in place for our students, teachers and staff to help grapple with any feelings that emerge. Because while the individual who took George Floyd’s life will be held accountable, we recognize that systemic racism, and the violence it fuels, is still creating tragedy and inequality across our country every single day. We are all part of the work to undo this harm and reach true justice.

As you take care of yourselves and your loved ones the best you can, know that we are here in your corner, affirming the importance of our children’s future, each and every day. And that will never change.

In partnership,

Meisha Porter

New York City Schools Chancellor

…

COVID-19 IN-SCHOOL TESTING PROGRAM

Today you or your child was tested in school for COVID-19 by a medical professional from SOMOS Community Care. In-school testing is an important part of our work to keep you, your child, and your school’s staff safe and healthy.

GETTING RESULTS

Results are ready in 48 hours. There are three ways to retrieve results:

1. MISOMOS.COM: click on “LOGIN” to register or sign-in. During registration, first name, last name, zip code, and date of birth must match the information held by the NYCDOE.*

2. MISOMOS MOBILE APP: available on Google Play and the iPhone App. Store. During registration, first name, last name, zip code, and date of birth must match the information held by the NYCDOE.*

3. SOMOS RESULTS HOTLINE: 833-357-6267

• Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Saturday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Parents/guardians and school staff can check for results 48 hours after testing. You no longer need to wait for notification from SOMOS that results are ready, however, SOMOS will send a notification email (if you provided an email address) or text (if you provided a cell phone number) that results are available to be retrieved through one of the above methods.

*To check or update the information held by the NYCDOE, parents/guardians can call their child’s school, and staff can use the Employee Self-Service (ESS) portal. If you still cannot access results via miSOMOS.com or the miSOMOS app., please call the SOMOS Results Hotline for assistance.

IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

In addition to being able to access the result via miSOMOS.com, the miSOMOS app., and the SOMOS Results Hotline, someone from SOMOS Community Care will call you between 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on weekdays or between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on weekends to inform you about the COVID-19 positive test result, and to share additional information. Please answer all calls from unknown numbers for a few days after being tested.

The privacy of our students and staff is a top priority, and all information relating to COVID-19 testing and your child is strictly confidential.

If you have any other questions, please visit www.schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting or call 311. Thank you for participating in Random In-School testing and helping to keep your school a safe and healthy environment.

…

DOE Family Update

April 8, 2021

Contents

• All families: Last day to opt-in to in-person learning extended to Friday, April 9

• Families applying to Gifted & Talented kindergarten programs: Application deadline is Friday, April 9

• Families applying to pre-K: Application deadline extended to Monday, April 19

• Families with children in grades 3–8: New York State Exam update

Important Deadlines

Spring Opt-in Deadline Extended to Friday, April 9

If your child is currently learning remotely every day, they have one final opportunity to opt in to learning in person in the school building at least part of the week. The deadline to submit your request to transition to blended learning for the rest of this school year has been extended to Friday, April 9. How to opt-in to blended learning:

• Online: visit the Learning Preference Survey at nycenet.edu/surveys/learningpreference to select blended learning for your child.

• By phone: Call 311 to submit your learning preference change.

G&T Kindergarten Application Deadline is Friday, April 9

The application for kindergarten Gifted & Talented (G&T) programs is now open, and the deadline to apply is April 9. Interested families with children born in 2016 can apply one of three ways:

• Online at MySchools.nyc

• Through a Family Welcome Center—visit schools.nyc.gov/fwc to learn more.

• By phone at 718-935-2009—you can also call us with any questions.

Pre-K Application Deadline Extended to Monday, April 19

Now you have more time to explore your child’s pre-K options! The pre-K application deadline for children born in 2017 has been extended to April 19. Apply online at MySchools.nyc or by phone at 718-935-2009—you can also call us with any questions. Learn more at nyc.gov/PreK.

Tests and Assessments

New York State Exams

New York State Exams begin later this month. This year, the New York State Education Department has determined that English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics exams for grades 3 through 8, and Science exams for grades 4 and 8, will only be administered in person in your child’s school building. No remote option will be available.

If you would like your child to participate in this year’s State exams, please notify your school. If you do not wish to have your child take State exams, you do not have to take any further action.

The exams will be administered within the following dates:

• English Language Arts (ELA) for grades 3 through 8: April 19–29

• Mathematics for grades 3 through 8: May 3–14. Testing will not occur on May 13, when schools are closed for Eid Al-Fitr.

• Science for grades 4 and 8: June 7–11

Your child’s school will be communicating with more details about the testing process and deadlines. Learn more at schools.nyc.gov/testing.

…

Stay Safe During Spring Recess

Spring Recess begins Monday, March 29. With the weather warming up and more parents and grandparents getting vaccinated, you might be considering traveling. Travel is not a good idea because COVID-19 is still a serious risk and puts you, your family, and your community at risk of getting and spreading the virus. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging all of us to avoid leaving town.

Please help stop the spread of COVID-19 and do not travel. If you must travel, remember these COVID-19 prevention tips:

• Keep distance from others, bring and use hand sanitizer, and make sure everyone over age two wears a face covering.

• Consider staying at a hotel rather than at someone’s home. If you have out-of-town guests, suggest they do the same. Pick activities that allow you to safely keep distance from others. Avoid large crowds, especially indoors.

• If you are going to spend time with people who are not members of your household, outdoors is safer, as COVID-19 spreads easier indoors. Get together in parks, at the beach, or in the backyard, or meet up for outdoor dining.

Please be aware that visitors and returning New Yorkers may be required to quarantine upon entering New York. For more information, see the New York State COVID-19 Travel Advisory at coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory.

If you travel, when you return home to New York City it is extremely important to:

• monitor for COVID-19 symptoms;

• get tested;

• strictly follow COVID-19 prevention measures such as wearing a face covering whenever around other people and maintaining six feet of distance from others; and

• immediately isolate if you feel unwell or test positive for COVID-19.

We hope you enjoy Spring Recess and the many safe, fun activities you can find right here at home. Together, we can stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

…

March 19, 2021

Dear Families,

This was my first week as your new Chancellor, and I couldn’t be more excited to take on this role. Not only because I am a New Yorker born and bred, but because education is in my blood. Both my mom and auntie were teachers and I became a New York City public school English teacher because of them, and the amazing educators I had as a student myself growing up in Queens.

Since I started at the DOE 21 years ago, I have also worked as an assistant principal, and then principal. More recently, I served our school communities as a superintendent and Bronx executive superintendent.

And now it is my honor and privilege to lead our schools citywide. I have spent much of this week seeing our brilliant students and educators from every borough in action, in-person and remotely. I saw pre-k students learn about the water cycle, joined sixth graders in learning ratios by mixing just the right ratio of food coloring into frosting, and joined seventh-graders in sharing special objects that reveal something about who we are. Despite all the changes and challenges we’ve faced this past year, our school communities are still joyful, vibrant places of learning.

As I reflect on this week’s visits, I am also heartened by the beautiful diversity of our classrooms, communities, and our City as a whole. In our schools, “respect for all” is not just a slogan, but a way of life. We value every student, staff member, and family for who they are. We ensure everyone feels welcomed. This is at our very core.

But the horrific anti-Asian hate crimes we’ve been seeing citywide and this week in Atlanta make it clear that we must work harder to end systemic racism. Justice and inclusivity have been pillars of my career as an educator.

As Chancellor, I promise to continue to advance equity and dismantle any biases in our school system. And I want to make it clear: there is no room for racism or discrimination of any kind at the Department of Education or in any of our schools. Just this week, we provided our educators with updated resources to combat hate crimes in our schools and provide our students with social and emotional supports. You can find resources for discussing racism and hate crimes with your children at schools.nyc.gov/togetherforjustice.

Creating environments that encourage all students to be who they are will be on my mind on March 22, when all our public high schools will begin welcoming students back to in-person and blended learning. Like elementary and middle schools, as well as our District 75 programs, high schools will follow the strong practices we have established to help keep school communities healthy and safe. This includes weekly random testing of students and staff for COVID-19, physical distancing, masks, and nightly deep cleaning. In the meantime, I’m excited about this important milestone in the city’s recovery. And I’m proud to lead a school system that has set the standard for the nation in reopening efforts.

This is such a hopeful and historic time for our schools and our city, and I want to thank you for all you have done to support our students and schools. In the coming weeks, there will be opportunities for us to meet and talk. I promise to hear and include your voices as we finish out this school year and plan for the next.

Let’s go. Let’s do this. We’re ready.

Sincerely,

Meisha Porter

New York City Schools Chancellor

…

February 11, 2021

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe we are already in the second half of this unusual school year. I am so grateful for your continued perseverance and flexibility during these difficult times, including the added challenges of our recent snowstorms.

Your voice and leadership are important, and I want to briefly share how you can use them to help our schools and students in a very important way. You can now apply to run for a seat in the coming election for Community and Citywide Education Councils. As a member of a Council, you are a voice for your community—and you can help make a direct impact on education policy. This includes through hosting Town Halls with me, collaborating with superintendents to improve student achievement, and advising on school building changes.

Each of the 32 geographic school districts has a Community Education Council, and there are four Citywide Councils: High Schools, English Language Learners, Special Education, and District 75. To apply to be a candidate for a council, simply log into your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) to get started. If you don’t have a NYCSA account, you can sign up for one at mystudent.nyc and then contact your parent coordinator to add your students. You can submit your application through February 28.

Later in the year, for the first time ever, parents and guardians with a child in a New York City public school will have the chance to vote for their preferred Community Education Council candidates and have a direct hand in shaping important decisions in our city. You need a NYCSA account to vote, so if you don’t have one, again, please sign up at mystudent.nyc. Whether as a candidate or a voter, I very much hope you will take advantage of these opportunities to impact our schools.

In other news, I am excited to share that we will be reopening our middle schools for in-person learning on Thursday, February 25. We have developed strong practices to help keep school communities healthy and safe.

If you have a student in grades 6-8 and selected blended learning, your child’s principal will reach out with their new schedule. All schools will have 20 percent of students and staff randomly tested on a weekly basis. Students who have not already done so are required to provide consent for testing by their first scheduled in-person learning day in order to learn in person. I encourage families to submit consent through your NYC Schools Account prior to your child’s first day of in-person learning.

And here’s some good news for families currently applying to middle or high school: We’re giving you more time to submit your applications. The new deadline to apply to middle school is February 23 and the new deadline for eighth- and ninth-grade families to submit their high school application is March 1. As a reminder, you can apply one of three ways: online at MySchools.nyc, through your child’s current school counselor, or through a Family Welcome Center (schools.nyc.gov/WelcomeCenters).

This is an exciting and important time in our schools, as together we celebrate both Black History Month and Respect for All Week. Our educators and students across the city are engaged in thoughtful exploration of these issues as they connect to our lives and our national experience. Having this conversation deepens our understanding of how we can make progress toward justice and fairness. You can find some great resources to help with these discussions on the DOE’s official blog The Morning Bell at morningbellnyc.com/2021/commemorate-bhm and at morningbellnyc.com/2021/celebrate-rfa-week. You can also enroll in courses related to Black History Month on Parent University at parentu.schools.nyc

Thank you again for working alongside us as we educate your children. We know how important school is for your student, whether they are learning remotely or in person—and our dedication to them remains unwavering during this challenging time.

I hope you and your families enjoy the upcoming midwinter recess, February 15–19. And Happy Lunar New Year to those who celebrate on February 12!

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor

…

January 22, 2021

Dear Families,

I hope the new year is treating you and your loved ones well and that your children are settling back into their learning routines. There are a lot of great things happening in our public schools this month!

First, we are committed to continuing to improve teaching and learning during this unprecedented school year. Your feedback is key to this effort. This week, we launched our School Experience Survey to learn about our students’ and families’ experiences with remote and in-person learning this school year. Our goal is to use that feedback to improve learning for the rest of the year. Families of children in grades 3-K – 12, and students in grades 6 – 12 can go right now to schools.nyc.gov/experiencesurvey to tell us what you think!

Second, you may be aware that we are making some important changes to our elementary, middle, and high school admissions processes to better serve all our students. These changes will help us continue to move toward a better, more equitable school system that helps every student succeed.

In the Update for Families below, you will find additional information on these new admissions policies, as well as on the School Experience Survey.

In other news, I want to share that we have delivered 450,000 free devices to students since last spring to help them with their remote learning. We have 50,000 more devices on the way. Need a device? Ask your school. You no longer need to fill out an online form; your school will help you through the process to receive one.

The free COVID-19 vaccine is also in the news, and you probably wonder when and where you can get yours. New Yorkers age 65 or older and certain frontline essential workers, including school and childcare staff, are now eligible to get the vaccine. Eligible New Yorkers can reserve their appointment by calling (877) VAX-4NYC or by visiting nyc.gov/VaccineFinder. You can also access up-to-date information about who is eligible anytime at nyc.gov/vaccinecommandcenter. COVID-19 vaccines are not yet being administered to children under age 16; however, we will communicate if and when children under age 16 are eligible to receive it.

Thank you again for partnering with us to ensure that all our students receive the best education possible in the greatest city in the world.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor

…

January 22, 2021

New York City Department of Education

Update for Families, January 22, 2021

Fall 2020 School Experience Survey

We want to know about your experience with remote and in-person learning during the current school year. Now through February 5, please share your opinions via the Survey by visiting schools.nyc.gov/experiencesurvey.

The survey collects feedback from families, students, and teachers about remote learning, communication, technology use, and health, safety, and instruction for those students and teachers who attended school or worked in person at any point this school year. Your feedback will help us understand student needs and improve remote and in-person learning for the rest of the school year.

The survey is open to families and teachers of students in grades 3-K–12, and students in grades 6–12. The survey is available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Urdu. All feedback provided is anonymous and confidential.

Anyone who cannot complete the survey online can call 311 to find support to complete the survey by phone. The survey closes on Friday, February 5, and we want to hear from you!

Middle and High School Admissions

Middle school applications opened January 14 and high school applications opened January 20. This year we’ve made some changes to better support our students’ learning journeys and to ensure a fairer process for all our public school families.

Middle Schools

Students in their final year of elementary school can now apply to middle school! The deadline to apply is February 9. As the DOE shared in December, middle schools that formerly evaluated (“screened”) applicants for admissions will not use academic records, auditions, or other screens or assessments to evaluate or admit students this year. This pause on screening will be in effect for all 70,000 fifth graders entering middle school this fall.

• Eligibility requirements (which students can apply to a specific school) and admissions priorities (the order that student groups are admitted to that school) are not changing. Students will continue to have priority to attend middle schools close to where they live or attend elementary school. If any middle school program has more applicants than available seats, offers will be made to that program by lottery and using any admissions priorities the school has (e.g., for students with disabilities or multilingual learners. This is how most middle school programs in New York City already admit students.

• We will engage school communities to help inform the use of screens for future years.

We decided to pause on middle school screens this year because the measures our screened schools previously used to make admissions decisions were no longer available due to the pandemic. In addition, the COVID-19 health crisis has had a disproportionate impact on our communities of color, immigrant families, and other traditionally underserved communities. Pausing on screens for admissions this year will help create more inclusive learning environments and more opportunities for all our City’s students.

To learn more about middle school admissions, please visit schools.nyc.gov/middle.

High Schools

Now that the high school application is open, you will be able to apply online at MySchools.nyc or through your school counselor. The deadline to apply is February 23.

Also, if you have not done so yet, you can still register for Specialized High Schools admissions; learn how at schools.nyc.gov/SHS.

• To apply to any of the eight testing schools, register as soon as possible to take the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test. All current eighth-graders who registered by the January 15 deadline will take the test on January 27. You can still register through January 28 to take the test on a later testing date. Registrations will not be accepted after January 28.

• To apply to LaGuardia High School’s arts programs, register by February 23 to audition for LaGuardia High School. Please note that all high school auditions this year—including for LaGuardia High School—will take place virtually. You can find updated requirements for audition programs at schools.nyc.gov/HSAuditions.

As part of a larger effort to make the high school admissions process simpler and more equitable for families, geographic (location-based) admissions priorities for high schools will be phased out over the next two years. This means that, after next year, the location of a student’s home cannot alone determine their chances of getting into a certain high school.

Attend Virtual Arts High School Fairs

Interested in arts programs? Join us at any of these events to learn about audition requirements for each discipline, the audition process for this year, and how to submit your audition online. This is also a chance to meet representatives from NYC’s audition schools, including LaGuardia High School. Please note that schools from different boroughs will join and present on different dates. At the end of the event, school and DOE staff will answer your questions.

To learn more about high school admissions generally, visit schools.nyc.gov/high.

Changes to Gifted & Talented Programs

Last week, we announced that this will be the last year New York City administers the current Gifted & Talented test to four year-olds. We believe there is a better way to serve our young learners.

• We will spend the next year engaging communities around what kind of programming they would like to see that is more inclusive and enriching, and truly supports the needs of diversely talented students at different ages.

• We will also engage communities around how best to integrate enriched learning opportunities to more students, so that every student can access rigorous learning that is tailored to their needs and fosters their creativity, passion, and strengths.

Students currently in Gifted & Talented programs, including those entering programs this fall, will be able to complete their elementary school program. Information on this year’s test will be posted in the coming weeks on the DOE website and shared with school communities.

…

December 11, 2020

Dear Families,

What an exciting week this has been, reopening our school buildings for in-person instruction after this recent brief closure. I want to thank our students and families, our teachers, principals, and school staff for a safe and smooth reopening. I know it hasn’t been easy, but public education is critical to our city’s, and nation’s, future, and it is why we continue to do everything in our power to keep our school communities thriving.

With support from all corners of New York City, we have been able to bring students in 3-K through fifth grade, and students in all grade levels in District 75 schools, back into classrooms. This is an important step in fulfilling our pledge to you: to provide a safe, secure environment in which your children can learn and grow. And a quick reminder: for blended learning to work best for everyone, we need your child to show up to school on their scheduled in-person days. Blended learning students in grades 6 through 12 in district 1–32 schools, including those participating in District 75 Inclusion Programs, will continue to learn remotely at this time.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still very much with us. Given the ongoing fight against a citywide resurgence, please note that we have changed our in-school testing protocol. In order to keep our buildings open, we now require mandatory, weekly in-school testing for COVID-19 for a randomly selected portion of staff and students in grades 1 and higher.

And this is critical: If your child returns to school for in-person instruction without a consent form on file, principals and school staff will contact you to obtain consent. After that, students without consent forms on file, who do not have an approved or pending medical or disability-based exemption, must be moved to fully remote instruction.

In this Update for Families, you will find information on:

• What you need to know about mandatory, in-school testing

• How to submit consent for in-school random testing

• What to do if your child has recently traveled

• What you need to know about exemptions from in-school testing

• How to apply for kindergarten for the 2021–2022 school year

• How to learn more about elementary admissions

• How to participate in Parent University, a new platform offering families on-demand courses and resources on a host of subjects.

Because so much uncertainty comes with this pandemic, we remain committed to our time-honored traditions, which remind us that we are a community. One of those is our annual Big Apple Awards, recognizing outstanding teachers and college and career counselors. This year, it feels especially important to honor the teachers or counselors who have made a difference in your child’s life. Nominate an educator by January 10, 2021 by visiting the Big Apple Awards website at schools.nyc.gov/bigappleawards.

As always, I am grateful for your flexibility and patience as we continue our journey together through this unprecedented year. There is no doubt that Covid-19 has affected our children—academically, socially, and emotionally, and we are already looking ahead to the next school year. This week, the Mayor and I introduced the 2021 Student Achievement Plan to bring our schools back stronger than ever next fall. Working with our educators and all of you, we will create a roadmap rooted in healing and learning. I’ll be sharing more on this in the months to come.

I know that if we all do our part, we can ensure a strong, supportive education for every child every day—no matter where they are learning.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor

New York City Department of Education

…

Update for Families, December 11, 2020

What You Need to Know about Mandatory, In-School Testing

In order for your child to return to in-person learning, you must submit the consent form for in-school COVID-19 testing by the first day your child returns to their school building.

• Testing will happen weekly for a random selection of staff and students in your child’s school.

• Any student in grade 1 or higher returning to school buildings must submit a consent form for COVID-19 testing in school by their first day back in school buildings.

• 3-K, pre-K, and kindergarten students are excluded from random testing.

• The test is quick, safe, and easy. If you have not submitted a consent form and your child is learning in person, you must do so right away.

How to Submit Consent for In-School Random Testing

Submitting consent to have your child tested for COVID-19 in school is quick and easy. Even if you have already submitted consent, we ask you to do so again to ensure your student has the latest consent form on file.

There are two easy ways to submit:

1. Fill out the form online using a New York City Schools Account (NYCSA) at mystudent.nyc.

   If you already have a NYCSA account linked to your student(s): Log in, click your student’s name, click “Manage Account,” and then when a dropdown menu appears, click “Consent Forms.” Read the page, and then choose the consent option at the end for your student.

   If you do not already have a NYCSA account: You can create one right away! If you have an account creation code from your school, you can create a full account in approximately five minutes, and then provide consent as described above. If you do not have an account creation code from your school, you can still provide your consent right away by clicking “Manage Consent” under “COVID-19 Testing” and filling out your and your child’s information to provide consent.

2. Print and sign the attached form and bring it to your child’s school on the first day they are back in the school building. A printable PDF file is available in ten languages at schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting.

What to Do if Your Child Has Recently Traveled

• If your child has recently traveled outside of New York to a place on the State’s travel advisory list they must quarantine for 14 days.

• They also have the option to test out of quarantine based on the State’s guidelines: coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory.

• You or your child should continue to complete the health questionnaire daily.

What You Need to Know about Exemptions from In-School Testing

Exemptions will only be granted in certain limited cases, and two types of exemption request forms are available at schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting:

• A form for students who need a medical exemption due to a health condition that would make it unsafe to undergo testing (e.g., facial trauma, nasal surgery). This form must be signed by a physician and be submitted with supporting medical documentation.

• A form for students with disabilities who cannot be safely tested in school due to the nature of their disability. Students with an approved disability-based exemption will be expected to get tested outside of school.

How to Apply for Kindergarten for the 2021–2022 School Year

It’s time to start your child’s journey through elementary school! If you live in New York City and your child was born in 2016, the kindergarten application is now open. Be sure to apply by January 19, 2021.

You can apply one of two ways:

• Online at MySchools.nyc. Click on the link to create or access your MySchools account.

• By phone at (718) 935-2009. Call Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., or Saturday through Sunday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

With MySchools, you can search for schools, find great choices for your child’s application, and apply to kindergarten—all in one place.

To learn more about kindergarten admissions, visit schools.nyc.gov/kindergarten.

Our new Elementary Admissions Video series will walk you through what to expect, how to set up your MySchools account, and how to apply. Stay tuned: More videos are coming soon!

For questions, call (718) 935-2009 or email ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov.

How to Learn More About Elementary Admissions

Join us for a virtual Elementary Admissions event to learn about 3-K, pre-K, and kindergarten admissions. Find out what to expect and how to apply. All New York City families are welcome to attend.

Sessions will be held on the following dates:

• Tuesday, December 15, at 2 p.m.

• Thursday, December 17, at 6 p.m.

• Wednesday, January 6, at 6 p.m.

• Thursday, January 7, at 6 p.m. This event will be hosted in Spanish.

• Tuesday, January 12, at 2 p.m

Register for a session at tinyurl.com/NYCDOEElementaryEventsSurvey. When you register, be sure to indicate your language preference—interpretation services in specific languages will be provided for each session based on these responses.

How to Participate in Parent University

Parent University is a new online platform that offers a catalog of courses, live events, and activities to help connect with families and support students. The platform offers all New York City parents and guardians access to live and on-demand courses and resources across multiple subject areas and grade bands. Courses are available in multiple languages and we’re working to expand the number of multilingual offerings.

All families, from early childhood to adult education, can create a free account and register for workshops, attend an event, find a training and more. There are currently 95+ courses offered covering a wide range of topics including:

• Remote Learning and Technology

• Health and Wellness

• Special Education

• Multilingual Learners

• Early Childhood Education

• Parent Leadership

• School Buildings and Operations

• Adult and Continuing Education

You can start Parent University today at parentu.schools.nyc.

…

November 29, 2020

Dear Families,

I hope you have had a restful break, and an opportunity to enjoy time with family.

As you are aware, on November 18, we temporarily closed school buildings for teaching and learning, and all New York City public school students transitioned to fully remote learning. Today, I am pleased to write to you with our plan to reopen school buildings for in-person instruction for many of our students. As always, health and safety remain our highest priorities, and this letter also contains information regarding mandatory weekly in-school testing for COVID-19 in all reopened buildings, and how you can submit the required consent forms.

The guidance below applies to students in blended learning, who have already chosen to learn in the school building part of the week, and from home the rest of the week. Students who chose fully remote learning prior to building closures will continue to learn remotely full time.

When can my child return to in-person learning?

• Students in Grades 3K through Grade 5 will return to in-person learning beginning on Monday, December 7.

  • This includes all students in grades 3K through 5, across early education and elementary school types (e.g., in K-2 schools, K-3 schools, K-5 schools, as well as District Pre-K Centers, K-8 schools, and K-12 schools).

  • This excludes schools currently located in State-designated Orange Zones, or Red Zones if they are declared. You can see if your school is currently in one of these Zones at http://nyc.gov/covidzone.

• Students in all grade levels in District 75 will return to in-person learning beginning on Thursday, December 10.

  • This also excludes schools located in State-designated Orange Zones, or Red Zones.

• Students in grades 6 through 12 (outside of District 75) will continue to learn remotely until further notice.

• Students who have recently traveled outside of New York to a place on the State’s travel advisory list must quarantine for 14 days. You also have the option of testing out of quarantine based on the State’s guidelines: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory. Students should continue to complete the health questionnaire daily.

• These return dates apply to students in blended learning, including those who selected blended learning during the recent opt-in period.

What do I need to do to return to my school building?

In order for your child to return to in-person learning, you must submit the consent form for in-school COVID-19 testing by the first day your child returns to their school building. Testing will happen weekly for a random selection of staff and students in your child’s school. Given the ongoing fight against a citywide resurgence of COVID-19, this mandatory weekly testing for COVID-19 is a crucial part of our plan to keep all schools safe.

Any student in grade 1 or higher returning to school buildings must submit a consent form for COVID-19 testing in school by their first day back in school buildings.

• Any student in grade 1 or higher returning to school buildings must submit a consent form for COVID-19 testing in school by their first day back. 3K, Pre-K, and Kindergarten students are excluded from random testing.

• The test is quick, safe, and easy. A video showing the testing process is available at schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting.

How do I submit consent?

Submitting consent to have your child tested for COVID-19 in school is quick and easy. Even if you have already submitted consent, we ask you to do so again to ensure your student has the latest consent form on file. There are two easy ways to submit:

1) Fill out the form online using a New York City Schools Account (NYCSA) at mystudent.nyc.

• If you already have a NYCSA account linked to your student(s): Log in, click your student’s name, click “Manage Account,” and then when a dropdown menu appears, click “Consent Forms.” Read the page, and then choose the consent option at the end for your student.

• If you do not already have a NYCSA account: You can create one right away! If you have an account creation code from your school, you can create a full account in approximately five minutes, and then provide consent as described above. If you do not have an account creation code from your school, you can still provide your consent right away by clicking “Manage Consent” under “COVID-19 Testing” and filling out your and your child’s information to provide consent.

2) Print and sign the attached form and bring it to your child’s school on the first day they are back in the school building. A printable PDF file is available in ten languages at schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting.

Can my child receive an exemption from weekly random testing?

Exemptions will only be granted in certain limited cases:

• For students who need a medical exemption, due to a health condition that would make it unsafe to undergo testing (e.g., facial trauma, nasal surgery), you will be able to submit a separate form for consideration. This form must be signed by a physician and you must submit medical documentation from a health care provider.

• For students with disabilities who cannot be safely tested in school due to the nature of their disability,you will be able to submit a separate request for an exemption.

• The exemption forms will be available in English on Monday, November 30 at schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting. Translations will be available shortly thereafter.

What happens if I don’t submit consent?

You must submit consent by the day that your child returns to your school building; this is the due date, and we need all students to participate.

• If your child comes to school on their first day back for in-person instruction without a consent form on file, principals and school staff will contact you to obtain consent.

• After that, students without consent forms on file, who do not have a medical or disability-based exemption submitted, must be moved to fully remote instruction. More information on exemptions will be provided by your child’s school principal this week.

What if my child’s school is in an Orange or Red Zone?

• As of now, schools in Orange Zones remain closed for in-person learning. We are working with the State to develop a plan to reopen buildings in Orange Zones as soon as possible.

• We will share information as soon as a plan is confirmed with the State of New York.

• There are currently no Red Zones in New York City, but per the State, school buildings in Red Zones would also be closed.

As always, I am grateful for your flexibility and patience as we continue our journey together through this unprecedented year. All of us at the DOE are focused on a strong, supportive education for your child every day—no matter where they are learning—and that will never change.

We look forward to welcoming students back into school buildings in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor

New York City Department of Education

…

November 24, 2020

Dear Families,

As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to express how grateful I am for your patience and partnership, and how honored I am to serve you and your children. We have been through so much together this year. But despite these trying times, we have shown the nation, and the world, that New York City is not just a sprawling metropolis, but a community of good, caring people who—when times are difficult—come together to protect and support each other.

Closing all our school buildings to in-person learning for the second time this year has been one of the most painful actions I have had to take as Schools Chancellor. I know it’s disappointing for the hundreds of thousands of students who were thrilled to be back in classrooms learning face-to-face with their teachers and classmates. It is equally hard on adults, who have been forced to make more adjustments to their schedules and lives. However, this is a temporary closure, and we will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. You and your family are part of this effort—because it will take all of us to once again drive COVID-19 rates down so we can reopen our doors to teaching and learning.

The increasing levels of COVID-19 infection overall in the city are very concerning, and we must strengthen precautions further for our school communities. Therefore, no student will be permitted to return to the building without a signed consent form for in-school testing. Your consent must be submitted by the first day your child resumes in-person learning. If you have already provided consent via NYCSA or a paper form, we encourage you to submit it again to ensure we have the most up to date form on file. You can find instructions on easy ways to submit consent below.

In the meantime, we have pulled together some resources to help you and your children get the most out of fully remote learning. In this Update for Families, you will find information on:

• devices for remote learning

• attendance requirements for remote instruction

• grading in the 2020-21 school year

• how to provide consent for in-school testing (when blended learning resumes)

I also want to remind you that the ninth annual Big Apple Awards, honoring outstanding teachers and college and career counselors, recently kicked off. This year, it feels especially important to honor the teachers or counselors who have made a difference in your child’s life. Nominate an educator by January 10, 2021 by visiting the Big Apple Awards website at schools.nyc.gov/bigappleawards.

And a quick reminder for our high school families that the Board of Regents and the New York State Education Department have cancelled all Regents exams that had been scheduled for January 2021. No decisions have been made regarding the June and August 2021 administrations of the Regents exam, but we’ll share updates as we receive them.

As we continue to focus on immediate issues and needs in this unprecedented year, we are also thinking about the future, especially around middle and high school admissions. We are carefully examining all potential paths for admissions policies for the 2021-22 school year, and we look forward to sharing an update as soon as possible.

We have achieved so much together despite so many unsettling challenges. I want to assure you that everyone at the DOE is working tirelessly to ensure your children continue to receive the high-quality education they deserve.

On behalf of myself and everyone at the Department of Education, I wish you and your families a happy, healthy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor

New York City Department of Education

…

November 18, 2020

Dear Families,

I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.

All of us at the Department of Education have been so proud to witness the joy of students and educators reuniting and learning together this year. We have been the only major school district in the nation to reopen our buildings. The benefit to hundreds of thousands of students is incredible, as school communities have reconnected in person for learning, growing, and supporting one another.

All along, we have kept health and safety at the forefront of everything we do. That includes carefully monitoring COVID-19 transmission rates across the city and, when necessary in response to infections, temporarily closing our school buildings and transitioning students to fully remote learning. Given recent increases in transmission, we have reached a point in our City’s infection rate that requires all students to transition to remote learning. Beginning Thursday, November 19, all school buildings will be closed, and all learning will proceed remotely for all students, until further notice. You will hear from your principal shortly about next steps for you and your student. Please note that this is a temporary closure, and school buildings will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.

I am sure you have many questions, and below you can find some important guidance to provide some answers. As always, we are committed to academic excellence, community-building, and social-emotional support for your child—no matter where they are learning.

Devices for Remote Learning

Do you need a device, need technical support or to fix a broken device, or are dealing with a lost or stolen device? Call DOE’s IT Help desk at 718-935-5100 and press 5 to get assistance.

You can also get quick help online:

• Browse tech support topics: schools.nyc.gov/technicaltools

• File a tech support ticket: schools.nyc.gov/techsupport

• Request a device: schools.nyc.gov/devices

• Get support with a DOE-issued iPad: schools.nyc.gov/ipadfixes

• Issues with your Internet connection: schools.nyc.gov/internet

We are committed to ensuring every student is learning 5 days a week. Your child’s school will support you in remote learning if you currently don’t have a device by providing paper-based work. Contact your school for more info.

Free Meals for Students and Families

All families and students can continue to go to any school building between 9:00 a.m. and noon on weekdays to pick up three free grab-and-go meals. No identification or registration is necessary. Halal and kosher meals are available at some sites, which are listed at schools.nyc.gov/freemeals.

From 3-5 p.m., New Yorkers of all ages can pick up free meals at 260 Community Meals sites across the city. For a list of sites, please visit schools.nyc.gov/freemeals.

Learning Bridges

Learning Bridges, the City’s free childcare program for children in 3-K through 8th grade, will continue to serve families enrolled in blended learning. We will continue to give priority to children of essential workers, as well as students in temporary housing or residing in NYCHA developments, children in foster care or receiving child welfare services, and students with disabilities. Families can learn more and apply at schools.nyc.gov/learningbridges, and new offers will be made to families weekly as seats are available.

Early Childhood Education

3-K and Pre-K classrooms in district schools and DOE Pre-K Centers will be closed. If your child attends a program in a community-based center that is not located in a public school, or attends a family childcare program that is part of a DOE network, it will remain open. If you are not sure which type of program your child attends or have questions about your child’s services, please contact your program directly. Strong supports are in place to ensure that these sites can continue operating safely.

Although we are temporarily shifting to fully remote teaching and learning for all students, if you have recently elected to enroll your child in blended learning, your child will be able to begin in-person learning after we reopen. I know that for many of you, this decision to temporarily close school buildings that we recently opened up will be disappointing, and I understand. But by confronting these challenges together, we can continue to fight back against COVID-19. And I am confident that before long, we will be able to safely reopen our school buildings again.

Please remember the “Core Four”: wash your hands, wear a face covering, keep six feet of distance from others, and stay home if you’re feeling sick. These are critically important steps that all of us can take every day.

We will continue to provide updates, supporting you and everyone in the DOE family as this public health crisis continues to evolve. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school with any questions or concerns. We are grateful for your partnership and all you do for our city.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor

New York City Department of Education

…

October 28, 2020

Dear Families,

As Halloween approaches, we know many children and families across the city are looking forward to celebrating. We are excited to share ways to safely have fun with your family, while still being mindful of key COVID-19 prevention measures.

Here are top tips for a healthy Halloween:

• Stay outdoors: Try going to a scavenger hunt in a park or walking around your neighborhood to see all the spooky decorations. Do not attend a haunted house or other indoor events.

• Keep your group small: The best idea is to keep to your own household. If you meet up with people outside your household, stay outdoors and keep the group small. You should not go to parties. It is not safe to host or attend large gatherings indoors or outdoors even if everyone feels well.

• Trick-or-treat safely: If you go trick-or-treating, be sure everyone is wearing a face covering, stay outdoors and 6 feet away after knocking on a door, and bring plenty of hand sanitizer.

These precautions are very important, because we now know that there is significant transmission of COVID-19 by people who do not have symptoms, and that COVID-19 spreads more efficiently indoors.

No matter where you are, remember these key actions that help prevent COVID-19 transmission:

1. Stay home if you are sick or were recently exposed to COVID-19.

2. Keep physical distance from others.

3. Wash your hands often.

4. Wear a face covering.

For more tips on how to protect yourself, your children, and others, review the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Halloween guidance at nyc.gov/health/halloween.

We wish you a spooky, safe celebration!

Sincerely,

Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc

Commissioner

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

…

September 29, 2020

Dear Families,

We are so excited to welcome you back into our school building! As we begin this new school year, the health and safety of all students and staff remains our top concern. That’s why many things in our school buildings will look different this year, from face masks to physical distancing in every classroom to disinfecting every school, every night. We are taking all of these steps to ensure that our schools remain safe, our students and staff stay healthy, and that you feel confident sending your children for in-person learning.

Today we are writing to ask for your help with another important element of our health and safety work: testing our students and staff for COVID-19. Keeping school buildings open depends on helping us stay aware of and take immediate action to address COVID-19 concerns in our buildings. That’s why we have partnered with NYC Health + Hospitals, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the NYC Test & Trace Corps to arrange for testing of NYC DOE students and staff for COVID-19 infection.

Our testing partners will test a randomly selected group of staff and students in schools once per month. The number of children and staff to be tested each month will depend on the size of the school population. In addition to the random monthly testing, we are also working hard to offer in-school testing later this year for students who are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or are a confirmed close contact of someone in the school who has tested positive. The test is easy, quick, and safe. Instead of the “long swab” that goes in the back of the nose, this test is a short, small swab (like a Q-Tip) that goes just in the front of the nose. Later this school year, it is possible that tests will be administered by collecting a small amount of saliva (spit).

In order for us to administer a COVID-19 test to your child, we need your consent. We strongly encourage you to sign and return the attached consent form as soon as possible.

Monthly testing of randomly selected staff and students is a vital part of our efforts to prevent COVID-19 transmission in our buildings, because it helps identify positive COVID-19 cases when symptoms are not present. As with other health and safety measures we are requiring to keep our staff and students safe, the success of this testing initiative relies on the partnership and cooperation of staff and students.

While consent to testing is not mandatory, providing our testing partners with a sufficient monthly sample size to identify the prevalence of COVID-19 is critical in our ongoing fight against this virus and to ensure we can keep school communities in school buildings for in-person learning. For the safety of our school community, students who do not have consent forms on file may be required to learn remotely if we do not receive forms from enough students in the school.

We want to assure you that if your child is selected for testing but is uncomfortable or unable to be tested, we will not test your child and will work with you to address any concerns so that they can participate in future testing. We are focused on making this a brief, and gentle experience for our students, led by trained testers.

If your child is tested, we will let you know they were tested and when and how you will receive the results, which will typically be provided within 48-72 hours.

We know you likely have questions, and we are sharing more information in the attached Frequently Asked Questions document. Please review this with your child.

Testing in schools will begin in October. You can reach out to your school at any time with any questions or concerns.

We deeply appreciate your partnership and your commitment to keeping your school community safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc

Commissioner, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Ted Long, MD, MHS

Executive Director, NYC Test & Trace Corps

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor, New York City Department of Education

…

September 25, 2020

Dear Families,

As our buildings reopen and your child reconnects with their school community, we are reminded of how much it takes from all of us to operate the largest school system in the nation. Serving each of our 1.1 million students takes an immense amount of resources, and right now the federal government isn’t coming through with the funds that our city desperately needs.

You can make a huge difference by filling out the 2020 United States Census. While the Census deadline has been temporarily extended, I still encourage families to complete it today as the final deadline has yet to be determined. It’s a short online survey to count all New Yorkers, and it only happens once every ten years. Filling it out ensures our city gets the money, power, and respect we deserve from the federal government.

Without an accurate population count, our City will lose out on billions of dollars in federal funding for our schools, but also healthcare, roads, hospitals, public transportation, and more. New York could even lose two seats in Congress.

Here is how to fill it out immediately:

How to Fill Out the United States Census

• Go online to my2020census.gov.

• Filling it out takes five minutes or less.

• The Census is available online in 15 languages.

• In addition, you can complete your census over the phone by calling 844-330-2020.

The Census is Safe and Private

• The Census counts all residents, regardless of citizenship or immigration status—therefore, the Census does not include a citizenship question.

• Even if you are undocumented, filling out the Census will not put you or your family at risk.

• Census responses are private, protected by federal law, kept strictly confidential, and can never be used against you by a court, government agency, law enforcement authorities, or third parties like a business or your landlord. Too much is at stake for us to be undercounted, so please fill out the Census if you have not already done so, and encourage your friends and family members to do so as well!

Making sure that all New Yorkers are counted is so important to guarantee a bright future for our city and our children.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor

New York City Department of Education

…

September 18, 2020

Dear Families,

I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. I am writing to you today with an important update on the start of school.

As you know, for months we have been preparing to reopen our school buildings. Thanks to all of you and everything you have done over the last six months, the city’s low infection rate makes us the only major city in the country able to welcome our children back to our schools for in-person learning.

Just as you have done everything necessary to reduce the COVID-19 infection rate, we have made a pledge to you that we would put health and safety first. That is what we have done – inspecting tens of thousands of classrooms for proper ventilation; distributing millions of masks, bottles of hand sanitizers and cases of cleaning supplies; prioritizing students and staff for expedited COVID-19 testing; developing a swift testing, quarantine, and tracing protocol anytime we might see COVID-19 activity in our schools; and more.

We must continue living up to that pledge as we get closer to opening our buildings, knowing that this year demands more supplies, more staff, more space, more inspections, and more training. To do that, we have some new updates on the school calendar to announce.

All students will still begin full-time instruction on Monday, September 21. School buildings will reopen to our students in blended learning (in-person in schools some days of the week, and remotely from home other days of the week) on a phased basis, detailed below. Here is the updated calendar for the start of the 2020-21 school year:

• Children enrolled in fully remote programs will still begin full-day instruction on Monday, September 21.

• Children in blended learning (in-person in schools some days of the week, and remotely from home other days of the week) will be learning remotely beginning Monday, September 21 until their in-person start date as outlined below. Please reach out to your child’s school if you have questions about when your child should report according to their blended learning schedule.

I know this is a last-minute change. This crisis has demanded so much flexibility and patience from you and your children since the beginning, and I am in awe of how you have risen to meet the challenges and uncertainty this pandemic has presented. Everything we do is to try to provide stability and certainty, while protecting the health and safety of our city.

I am deeply grateful every day for each of you, and the commitment you have shown to your children and this city. So many of you have told us how eager you are to reconnect with your school communities – I know I am excited for that as well. We believe this extra time will help make sure that all schools and all educators are in the best position to deliver a strong, safe, and supportive environment for teaching and learning to take place.

I always say that New York City has the best students, staff, and families in the world, and nothing will ever change that—no matter when, where, and how we are learning.

Thank you for everything you do.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor

New York City Department of Education

…

August 20, 2020

Back to School Pledge

Health and Safety Always Come First

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies will be supplied to all schools, and the New York City Department of Education (DOE) will have a 30-day supply on hand at all times – with a hotline for principals to call for immediate resupply for their schools

• There will be a full-time nurse in every public school building

• Any school building or room found to have inadequate ventilation will not be used by students or staff

• Students and staff will practice physical distancing in all school buildings

• Students will remain in pods for as much of the day as possible

• Students and staff will wear face coverings throughout the school day; if they do not have them, they will be provided for free

• We will place hand sanitizer in every classroom

• City-run testing sites will prioritize free COVID testing and expedited results for school staff; free testing is also available to all students, families, and New Yorkers citywide

• We are encouraging all DOE employees to be tested monthly

• NYC Department of Health and Test + Trace Corps will immediately investigate confirmed cases to prevent spread of the virus

• Schools will communicate with all students and families when there are confirmed cases in schools

• When necessary, classrooms or school buildings will temporarily close to maintain safety of school communities and prevent spread of the virus

• School buildings will close if the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests in New York City is 3% or more using a 7-day average—the most aggressive threshold in the nation

NYC Public Schools Will be Cleaned and Disinfected, Day and Night

• All school buildings will be disinfected overnight, every night

• High-touch zones will be cleaned multiple times throughout each day

• Electrostatic disinfectors will clean surfaces daily with zero physical contact

Students Will be Learning Five Days a Week, No Matter What

• Whether in-person or online, students will study in supportive environments with rigorous academic standards

• Remote students will interact with their teachers every day

• Student schedules – both remote and in-person – will be preset and consistent to allow families to plan

• Academic instruction will integrate social-emotional learning and trauma-informed care to support students holistically

• Teachers will have time each day to engage one-on-one with students and families

Sign up to get the latest update, get a My Student account today!

…

August 17, 2020

Dear Families,

In good times and in challenging times, I know that you want the best for your children. You want them to be safe, healthy, and happy. And you want them to always be learning, growing, and getting ready to take on the world. Our schools play such an important role in that, especially now, when the children of our city have been through so much.

For us, health and safety always lead the way. Our vision for the fall is a safe, strong, and supportive learning environment and an excellent education for every one of our students. Schools will be in session and students will be learning five days per week—no matter where they are.

We know a lot more now about how the learning experience is going to work. In this week’s Reopening Update for Families, you will find:

The latest health and safety information, including on ventilation, school nurses, and testing and tracing in schools

• How to stay informed on confirmed COVID-19 cases in your school community

• How families can change their children’s learning preference to/from fully remote learning

• What happens if students attend school in-person on a day they are not scheduled to attend

• Supports for students with Individualized Education Programs

• Supports for students in temporary housing and foster care

We know that planning for the new school year isn’t easy—for you, for our educators, for school staff, and for our communities. But I believe that by working together we can start the school year strong. I want to acknowledge the tireless work of your principals and school leaders, who have been hustling all summer to be ready for the first day of school.

I also want to thank you. Your partnership has made it possible for us to consider and plan for both in-person and remote learning. Your continued investment and engagement in your school communities is a vital part of ensuring our students’ success not just during this upcoming school year but for years to come. We are privileged to serve you and your children, the young people who not long from now will be the ones leading our city.

If you have questions regarding the information in this letter, please contact your principal. You can find principal contact information by searching for your child’s school on Find a School: schoolsearch.schools.nyc. Principal information is on each school’s web page at schools.nyc.gov, in the “School Contacts and Information” section. And as always, all information regarding back to school can be found at schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor

New York City Department of Education

…

Reopening Update for Families: August 17, 2020

The updates below are included on our school reopening webpage at schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020, available 24/7 to help you find information about the upcoming school year.

The Latest Health and Safety Information

For school buildings to open in September and remain open, the city must see fewer than 3 percent of all COVID- 19 tests come back positive on a weekly average. Since June, the city positive test rate has been between 1 and 2 percent. We have strict protocols for testing, tracing, and quarantining if there is a confirmed case in school, and we will use every effort to prevent the spread of infection in schools if a student or staff member is feeling sick or has a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Many families have questions about ventilation. Our commitment is simple: if a room does not have adequate ventilation, it will not be used by students or staff. We are assessing and performing maintenance in buildings to maximize ventilation with outdoor air to the greatest extent possible. We expect maintenance to be completed by the opening of school.

Finally, this fall, every school building in New York City and all early childhood programs across the city will have access to nurses. Through a partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals, in addition to our established nursing workforce, every student will have access to a qualified nurse every day as we reopen schools safely and continue to stop the spread of COVID-19. Nurses will be in-place by the first day of school.

How to Stay Informed on Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Your School Community

When the school year begins, we want to make sure we can contact you quickly and effectively to share information, including about confirmed COVID-19 cases in your child’s school. Please sign up for a New York City Schools Account (NYCSA) so we can contact you via phone, email, or text message.

Your NYCSA account can also help you find your child’s grades, test scores, schedules, transportation information, and more— from anywhere, and in all nine standard DOE language translations. I encourage you to keep your contact information up to date, so we can get in touch with you in the event of an emergency. If you don’t have an account, sign up today at schools.nyc.gov/nycsa. It only takes five minutes!

How to Change a Child’s Learning Preference to/from Fully Remote Learning

Your school principals, in partnership with district and central administrators, are continuing to develop school- level plans for every public school in New York City. We are currently planning for around three-quarters of our students (over 700,000 students) to begin the school year in a blended learning mode. This means that they’ll learn in-person in a school building part of the school week and continue learning remotely from home for the rest of the week. The remaining families in our DOE community will begin the year in fully remote learning mode.

You can move your child into 100 percent remote learning at any time using the Learning Preference online form: nycenet.edu/surveys/learningpreference. Families who choose 100 percent remote learning can opt back into blended learning on a quarterly basis, beginning in November.

What Happens if Students Attend School In-Person on a Day They are Not Scheduled to Attend

Schools will work closely with families to clearly communicate which days their child will attend school in- person. The DOE encourages you to make alternate childcare arrangements and to build a plan to help ensure that your child does not arrive at school on unscheduled days. If a student arrives at school on days when they are scheduled for remote learning, your child’s school will inform you. All children attending on an unscheduled day will need to be picked up or will be sent home, depending on age and other factors. For more information on policies for students who attend school on a mistaken day, visit schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020.

Supports for Students with Individualized Education Programs

The DOE will provide students with disabilities access to in-person instruction during blended learning. If your child's IEP recommends related services, you will soon receive a survey where you will be asked to express your preference for in-person or remote therapy. Upon school opening, your child's school will contact you to discuss your child's specific schedule and make every effort to align your request to available services. The DOE will release additional guidance and information for families of students with disabilities shortly.

Supports for Students in Temporary Housing and Foster Care

Students in temporary housing and foster care face unique challenges as a result of COVID-19, including the shift to remote learning. We have been providing additional supports to these students, including ensuring their early receipt of remote learning devices. Any remote learning devices given to students in shelter have cellular capabilities. As possible and appropriate, students in temporary housing and foster care may also receive additional in-person instruction, depending on a school’s programming model, overall student needs, and capacity.

…

August 3, 2020

Dear Families,

I hope you are safe and healthy, and finding some rest and relaxation this summer. As we are approaching the start of the 2020-21 school year, I want to share some important new information with you about health and safety protocols in your child’s school—and every school—for the upcoming year.

All schools are preparing for blended learning, during which students learn in-person in school buildings for part of the week, and continue learning remotely from home on the other days. However, any family can choose 100% remote learning for any reason. If your preference is 100% remote learning, we ask that you let us know by this Friday, August 7, so that schools have enough time to plan. Please visit schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020 to fill out a short web form, or call 311.

In this letter you will find:

• Criteria to Open Schools and Keep them Open

• What Happens if Someone Gets Sick: New Information on COVID-19 Testing and Tracing in Schools

• Overall Health and Safety Protocols for Every School

Criteria to Open Schools and Keep them Open

While we continue to carefully monitor a constantly changing health landscape, one thing remains steadfast: our commitment to the health and safety of our students, teachers, and staff. This priority is the foundation of all of our policy moving into September.

On July 31, the Mayor and I announced that for school buildings to open in September and remain open, on a weekly average the city must see fewer than 3% of all COVID-19 tests come back positive. Additionally, if 3% or more of New Yorkers who are tested for COVID-19 are found to have the virus after we open, school buildings will close again, and 100% of learning will be remote for every student.

Since June, we’ve hovered around 1-2%, and are working closely with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health), NYC Test + Trace, and the Mayor’s Office to prepare for a coordinated school reopening. If staff and students aren’t healthy, they can’t teach and learn, and we are doing all we can to ensure that schools remain safe and healthy for learning.

What Happens if Someone Gets Sick: New Information on COVID-19 Testing and Tracing in Schools

In close collaboration with our expert colleagues at NYC Health, we have developed strict protocols that address prevention, precaution, and response to one or more of our students or employees having a confirmed case of COVID-19. It’s important to know that a “confirmed case” means that a parent or guardian, student, or staff member submits a positive test result from a healthcare provider or laboratory—like a City-run testing site, a private doctor, or an urgent care center—to the school.

Our protocols to keep school communities healthy include:

• Prevention: Starting with the first day of the 2020-21 school year, if a student or staff member is feeling sick, they are required to stay home. Additionally, if their symptoms are consistent with COVID-19, they will be asked to get tested.

• Feeling Sick in School: If a student begins experiencing symptoms in school, they will be isolated and monitored by a school staff member until they are picked up by their parent or guardian. Staff members who become symptomatic at school must notify administration and immediately leave the building.

• Testing: All school staff members are asked to get tested for COVID-19 in the days leading up to the beginning of school, and will be prioritized for expedited results at the 34 City-run testing sites. All school staff are also asked to get tested monthly during the school year. This free testing is also available for families citywide.

• Tracing: In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case in a school, NYC Test + Trace and NYC Health will investigate to determine close contacts within the school. All students and teachers in the classroom with the confirmed case are assumed close contacts and will be instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days since their last exposure to that case. In older grades where students may travel between classes, this applies to all classes that the confirmed case was in.

If there's more than one case in a school, and it's not in the same classroom, learning will continue remotely and the school building will close for at least 24 hours while NYC Test + Trace and NYC Health investigate. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, affected classrooms or the whole building will remain closed for 14 days for quarantine.

Students will continue their learning remotely during any necessary quarantine periods.

• Communication: Whether symptoms begin at home or in school, there will be a clear flow of information to facilitate fast action and prevent spread. If a COVID-19 case is confirmed, schools will communicate to all families and students at school.

Overall Health and Safety Protocols for Every School

Testing and tracing are part of several strict health protocols designed to keep our school communities healthy. Here are the key things that you and your family should know about NYC Department of Education (DOE) health and safety practices, policies, and protocols as we re-open our school buildings in September:

• At all times, students and staff must wear face coverings protecting their nose and mouth while at school or on their way to school. Exceptions will be made for children who can’t wear a face covering for medical reasons, and for younger children who aren’t developmentally able to wear a face covering.

• Students and staff must maintain six feet of physical distancing throughout the school day, anywhere on school grounds and to and from school.

• Schools will be cleaned throughout the day and disinfected each night, with special attention to high-touch areas.

• Face coverings, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies will be readily available in throughout every school.

• Every school will have a school-based team ready to respond in the event that there is a health concern in a school.

• Every school will have a designated isolation room for use in the event that a student becomes ill during the school day.

For more details on these and other policies, please visit schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020 and click “Health and Safety” for additional information and all the latest updates.

We are approaching reopening by centering health and safety and basing our policies on the expertise of health professionals—period.

I’ve been a public school parent, teacher, and principal, and I know what it feels like to want the best possible education for your child while ensuring the health and safety of your entire family. We have collectively learned a lot since March—both about the virus, and about our ability to react and respond to it in real time. That’s why we won’t settle for anything but the strictest and most rigorous processes for coming back to school.

We will send more information in the coming days and weeks. As always—thank you for being part of the DOE family.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor

New York City Department of Education

…

July 27, 2020

Dear Families,

I hope you and your children are well and enjoying some time off this summer. September will be here before we know it, and I am writing to you today to keep you updated on the 2020–21 school year and make sure you know how to be part of the conversation. Throughout this summer, as we diligently work to clarify operations for the fall, I promise to be transparent about what we know—and what we don’t yet know.

Your Learning Options

First things first: New York City students will be learning five days a week, whether in person or at home. As previously announced, schools are planning for blended learning, in which students will be taught in school buildings for part of the week, and will continue learning remotely from home on the other days of the week. Any family can also choose all-remote learning, for any reason. We know that the majority of families want as much in-person instruction as is safely possible, and we will work to maximize it at every turn, consistent with health and safety requirements. However, if you intend to choose all-remote learning for your child and have not yet notified us, please let us know by August 7 so schools can plan accordingly. You can fill out a web form at schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020 or call 311

To enable you to make a more informed choice, we have prepared some important comparisons about what you can expect from each mode of learning, which you can find at the end of this letter. Families who choose all-remote instruction will be able to opt back in to blended learning on a quarterly basis throughout the school year, beginning in November.

No matter whether you are at school in-person or you are learning remotely, you and your child are still enrolled in and part of your school community. Your child’s schedule and learning experience will be fully managed by your school. The vast majority of students who participate in fully remote learning will be taught by teachers from their school. While there may be some limited exceptions on a school-by-school basis, you should expect your child to be assigned teachers from their school when they receive their full schedule before the school year begins.

As our plans continue to come together, we must be nimble. We will make adjustments as public health conditions continue to evolve.

How to Learn More

Every week, we will be posting more information about school operations to schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020. Please bookmark this page and visit it frequently. On this page, you will find information on Physical Education, Arts Education, and more. We are asking for your patience and flexibility throughout this process as we work through a great deal of planning in collaboration with our teachers, principals, and school-based staff.

Your voice and feedback are essential as our work continues. We are creating many opportunities for you to discuss the year ahead with the DOE, and we hope you will get involved. We hosted our first citywide information session on July 16, and received many great suggestions from families across the City. Please join us for one of the upcoming info sessions Tuesday, July 28; Wednesday, August 12; and Thursday, August 27. You can visit schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020 to register and submit a question.

In addition, each school will host a parent meeting to discuss the proposed school schedule and to review planning for the year ahead, and we will be holding community and advocate round-table meetings, briefings with Community Education Council leaders and elected officials, and more.

While the world around us continues to change, our commitment to the health and safety of our students, teachers, staff, and families remains steadfast, and so does our focus on equity and excellence. We will deliver what your child needs to succeed academically, knowing the traumatic impact this crisis has had on New Yorkers of all ages. We will ensure your child feels welcome and supported in their school community, no matter what.

Thank you for continuing to share your comments and questions. I have said it before, but it’s no less true now: You are our most important partners and I am grateful for you today and every day. Please stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor

New York City Department of Education

…

July 8, 2020

Dear Families,

I hope you are having a restful summer so far, and staying healthy and safe. I am writing today to share important information about the fall, when school will start up again for the 2020-2021 school year. At the conclusion of this note you will find this information organized by topic, including school scheduling, health and safety protocols, and more. Please bookmark schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020, where more information is available, and which will be regularly updated as we get closer to reopening. 

Our commitment to health and safety drives everything that we do. It drove the transition to remote learning this past March, when we knew that closing school buildings was essential to flattening the curve of COVID-19 infection across New York City. It was profoundly challenging, but you and your children handled it with unbelievable grace and effort, and school communities came together to make it work in historic fashion. 

Now, almost four months later, our commitment to health and safety will drive us into the new school year. We have been through so much together, and as we look ahead to September, we see the big picture: the continuing rise in cases across the country; current guidance from City, State, and Federal health authorities; and the knowledge that as the trajectory of the virus continues to evolve, the guidance we must follow will also evolve. When it does, we have to be ready, and prepared to adapt. We’ve also received over 400,000 responses from families and students to a survey asking about preferences and concerns for the upcoming year, and your input has been critical in our planning.

Taken together, this picture demands we begin the 2020-21 school year in an unprecedented way—including new health protocols, physical distancing, and more. Make no mistake: New York City students will still be learning 5 days a week. A major difference is that we are preparing to deliver their education through a blended learning model. Blended learning means students will be taught on-site in school for part of the week, and will attend school remotely on the other days of the week.

Any family can also choose all-remote learning, for any reason. But we know that the majority of families want as much in-person instruction as is safely possible, and we will work to maximize it at every turn, consistent with health and safety requirements. We will continue to lead with the lens of equity and excellence, giving your child what they need to excel—and recognizing the ways that will be different from each of their classmates, especially in a time of crisis. We will not look away from the ways this virus has further magnified the effects of systemic racism in our communities. We will continue to explore opportunities to directly correct structural inequities— like closing the digital divide.

Our plans must be nimble so we can adjust and update as needed, as the public health landscape continues to evolve. We are also awaiting guidance from the State of New York, and we will be closely coordinating with them once it is released. All of the most up-to-date information will be available at schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020, and at the end of this letter are the most important takeaways for you at this moment. Please remember that this guidance may change as public health conditions evolve. 

In closing, I want to say that I’m excited, and I’m anxious—just like you. I know that blending in-person and remote learning feels like an improvement over the all-remote experience of the last three months, but still comes with many questions and concerns. We will work with you every step of the way to answer questions around sibling scheduling, transportation, what happens if there’s a confirmed case in a school, and more. I’m committed to doing everything I can to make this easy for you—and I will not compromise on health and safety.

I always say that New York City has the best students, families, and staff in the world—and that nothing will ever change that. A safe return to schools in the fall, and the broader safety of our whole city, will require we consistently work together as partners—DOE staff, families, and students. Together we can ensure that the 1.1 million students—your children—in the NYC public school system get the education they deserve in the safest, most supportive environments possible.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor

New York City Department of Education

…

Return to School 2020: Critical Information

Overall Guidance

• The 2020-21 school year will start in September 2020. We will announce details about the first day of school in the coming weeks.

• NYC students will be learning 5 days a week, whether in-person in school buildings or remotely at home.  

• We are maximizing in-person instruction as much as possible given health and safety guidance, which includes social distancing. Students will return in either a blended learning model (a combination of remote learning from home, and in-person instruction in school buildings), or a fully remote learning model from home, if you so choose.  

• Health officials have made clear that following basic safety protocols are key to reducing the spread of COVID-19: social distancing, face coverings (masks), handwashing, and staying home when sick. 

Developing Your Child’s Schedule

As of now, given current health and safety guidance, we will not be able to have 100% of students present in a school building on any given day. You should expect to hear from your school in August regarding your child’s specific schedule.

Under the blended learning model, students will be taught on-site in school buildings for part of the week, and will learn remotely from home on the other days of the week.

• Schools will choose a schedule from a limited number of models that take into account the space constraints of their school buildings, and that prioritize consistency for parents and students in their scheduling. 

• You can expect your child or children to be in school one to two consistent days per week, with additional in-person days on a rotating schedule based on groups or cohorts of students.

• Schools will make every effort to safely conduct as much instruction in-person as possible, and your principal will communicate your child’s schedule with you in August. 

We know that there are families who may not feel comfortable going back into school buildings in the fall. You can elect to choose all-remote learning for your child; a web form will be shared with you on July 15 that will allow you to select that preference by August 7. Families who have chosen fully remote learning at the beginning of the school year will be allowed to transition back into in-person instruction on a quarterly basis. Once the school year begins, families can choose to go fully remote at any time. 

New Health and Safety Protocols

• All people (including students and adults) in a school building should remain at least 6 feet apart at all times, including in classrooms, common areas, and during lunch periods. 

• Face coverings will be required for all students, staff, and visitors while inside buildings. Disposable face coverings will be provided to students and staff who need them.  *Exceptions will be made for those who cannot wear masks for developmental reasons, including based on their age.

• Students and staff will have increased access to handwashing and sanitizer. Schools will be supplied with additional cleaning supplies, including hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. 

• All schools will identify a space to be equipped as an Isolation Room in the event a student or staff member becomes ill while at school. 

• Our buildings will be deep-cleaned on a nightly basis with electrostatic disinfectant sprayers, and HVAC systems are being upgraded to ensure better ventilation. 

Equity and Excellence: Our Continued Commitment

Our vision of educational equity and excellence for all students persists even during this time of crisis. We are laser focused on helping your child achieve academic excellence by providing key academic, social-emotional, and other supports to unlock their full potential to learn—no matter who they are. We remain focused on highquality, tailored instruction for every student. In addition, here is some of what we will do to help our children reach their highest potential:

• We will allow time for students to readjust to being in school buildings, and to adapt to changes.

• We will integrate social-emotional learning and trauma-informed care into core academic instruction, and all New York City public schools will prioritize access to mental health supports throughout the 2020-2021 school year.

• For students with IEPs, this fall we will continue to offer in-person services to all who opt to receive inperson services to the greatest extent possible. 

• Multilingual learners will receive an instructional program that will ensure continued progress in both their language development and content area knowledge.

Keeping You Informed

As we finalize plans for a school year like no other in our history, we know how important it is that our students, families, and staff have the information they need to prepare. We know that for each piece of information we are providing, more questions can emerge. Please visit the Return to School 2020 webpage at schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020 on a regular basis for the latest updates.

Throughout the summer we will continue to engage with families, students, and community leaders—both centrally through the DOE and within each school community.  

• Centrally, the DOE will host a series of online Family & Student Information Sessions to answer any questions or concerns that families may have. The first of these will be held on July 16. More details and a full calendar will be available at schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020.   

• We will be convening community and advocate roundtable meetings, briefings with elected officials and Community Education Council leaders, and more.   

• Specific guidance will be coming soon for families with children enrolled in CBO-based early childhood programs. 

  schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020

…

June 26, 2020

Dear Families,

As this unprecedented school year comes to a close, I want to thank you and your children for your patience, resilience, and perseverance in adapting to the closing of school buildings and remote learning. No one ever imagined confronting such a disruptive and damaging pandemic. I recognize it imposed hardships on you, and brought new complications in the education of our students—especially those who are building their proficiency in English.

I started off in kindergarten not speaking a word of English, so I personally know the kinds of challenges that you and your children face even under normal circumstances. That is why all of us at the DOE embrace your home language, home culture, and traditions—all of the things that make you and your child who you are. We are dedicated to making your child’s educational experience safe, welcoming, and supportive. That’s true in our school buildings and when we are teaching your children remotely.

Over the summer and heading into the fall, we remain committed to equipping our educators with the knowledge and tools they need to ensure your child has the language support required to learn grade-level material. I encourage you to connect with your teacher if you have not already to identify what programs, resources, and strategies you can use over the summer to build your child’s language development. Supporting your child’s summer learning process is a high priority for all of us.

At the same time, please work with your child in your home language as well! Reading, writing, and asking questions in the language you use will lead to their academic success in both languages.

We are looking toward the fall and making key decisions regarding re-opening school buildings in the safest way possible. If you have not already done so, please help us guide that process by completing our Return to School survey at schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020 by June 30.

I am grateful for your partnership in educating your child and hope you enjoy your summer!

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza
Chancellor
New York City Department of Education

…

June 26, 2020

Dear Families,

As this unprecedented school year comes to a close, I want to thank you and your children for your patience, resilience, and perseverance in adapting to the closing of school buildings and the implementation of remote learning. I recognize that the situation imposed hardships on you and brought new complications in the education of our students—especially those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). We are extremely grateful for everything you have done to partner with us in supporting your child and helping us adapt to these challenging times.

As we have engaged in virtual instructional and teletherapy programs, you have risen to the occasion and been your child’s greatest source of support. In continuing to explore options to best address your child’s needs, we will rely heavily on the strong bonds we have forged with you along our collaborative journey to help us make decisions that truly make a difference.

Your child’s teacher should have contacted you for an end-of-year wrap-up conversation to support the transition to summer. Should you seek additional information, please reach out to your child’s principal directly. We encourage you to ask questions about progress made on your child’s IEP goals, to make recommendations and offer feedback about what has and hasn’t worked for your child during the remote learning period, and to request information to support the transition to summer. We also encourage you to talk to your child’s teacher and school administrators about any recommendations regarding summer school for additional academic support.

During these past three months, we have broadened our vision of what family engagement and empowerment can truly mean. We have heard the voices of parents and families like you during various workshops and forums, offering questions, concerns, and recommendations about your child’s learning process. We have heard from many of you that the Beyond Access series of online learning workshops for families of children with disabilities, as well as family office hours, provided valuable information that can be put to immediate use. We will continue to provide resources, workshops, and family sessions in order to support you as we prepare for September and beyond.

As we look toward the fall and make key decisions regarding re-opening school buildings in the safest way possible, we will continue to rely on you to offer input about what would work best for you and your child. If you have not already done so, please help us guide that process by completing our Return to School survey at schools.nyc.gov/returntoschool2020 by June 30.

We at the DOE are deeply committed to serving all of our students with IEPs and providing them with an excellent education.

I am grateful for your partnership in educating your child and hope you enjoy your summer!

Sincerely,

Richard A. Carranza

Chancellor

New York City Department of Education

…

June 15, 2020

Letter from the Chancellor for Voting and the 2020 Census

Dear Families,

I hope you had a safe and restful weekend. I’d like to share information provided by our City colleagues about two important actions you can take immediately to have your voice heard about the future of our city: filling out the 2020 United States Census, and voting in the primary election on Tuesday, June 23. Here is what you need to know:

How to Vote in the June 23 Primary Election 

This month, primary elections will take place across New York City. You can confirm which races are happening in your district with nyc.pollsitelocator.com(Open external link). Here’s how you can vote:

Vote by Mail  

• In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all New Yorkers with primary elections are able to vote by mail. You must request your mail-in ballot by Tuesday, June 16, which can be done online at nycabsentee.com(Open external link), by calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC, or by mail. 

• For those who are away from home, you may request that your ballot be sent to your current residence. Once you receive your ballot, you must complete and postmark it by Tuesday, June 23. For more information, visit vote.nyc(Open external link)

Vote in Person  

• In-person voting, including early voting, is still available. You may do so during the early voting period from now until Sunday, June 21, or on Election Day, June 23.

• If possible, we recommend voting early, when crowds are expected to be smaller and lines to be shorter. To find your early voting site, Election Day site, and poll site hours, visit nyc.pollsitelocator.com(Open external link)

• To register to vote in future elections, update your existing registration, find your assigned poll site, check your registration status, or get more information on voting, visit voting.nyc(Open external link) or call 311. 

How to Fill Out the United States Census 

The Census is a headcount of the U.S. population that happens once every ten years. It is extremely important to fill out because it determines critical educational resources available to New York City, as well as other vital government benefits and electoral representation.

This year, filling out the Census is easier than ever. You can complete it in five minutes, in fifteen languages, online at or over the phone by calling 844-330-2020.

The Census does not include a citizenship question. Even if you are undocumented, filling out the census will not put you or your family at risk. Census responses are private, protected by federal law, and will never be shared with NYCHA, ICE, HRA, Department of Buildings, or any other government agency—or your landlord.

You and your family need to be counted because Census results determine critical school funding, including special education grants, extra supplies, much-needed technology, and more teachers for our classrooms. It also helps to set funding for Early Learn Centers, In-School and Out-of-School Youth Programs, child care programs, and more.

The Census also serves enormously important non-education purposes. That includes funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, hospital care, affordable housing, and more. Plus, the Census affects each state’s allotment of representatives to Congress and Electoral College votes.

Now more than ever, we need to step up and help make sure all New Yorkers are counted! A complete count will bring our city the resources we need as we recover from the pandemic and its economic impact.

Civic participation is critical for a healthy democracy. I hope these resources are of use to you and your family.

…

June 12, 2020

Letter from Chancellor Carranza about the Return to School 2020 Survey

Dear Families,

I hope you are staying safe and healthy. We are heading towards the end of the school year, soon to close the chapter on an experience none of us could have imagined.

But while we are thinking about concluding one chapter, we are focused on the beginning of another: what the future of our schools will look like, and how we will come back in September for the 2020-21 school year. I am writing today with an important update and an opportunity to lend your voice to the planning for this fall.

You, your children, and all the staff at DOE have done an extraordinary job adjusting to a total transformation of education in the nation’s largest public school system. We must continue to center health and safety and be prepared to follow guidance issued by health experts and other important authorities as autumn approaches. Since we don’t know what the state of the coronavirus will be at that time, we must be ready for a number of options for teaching and learning. In addition to the risks posed by COVID-19 directly, we are acutely aware of the emergence of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a condition related to COVID-19 that has affected children in New York City as well as across the country and the world.

What Might Fall 2020 Look Like? 
We have not yet made any firm decisions for what this fall will look like as we start the 2020-2021 school year. However, we believe that all options will need to take into account social distancing. We know that for many students, nothing can quite match full-time teaching and learning in a school building. Given the ongoing health risks related to COVID-19, we also need to prepare for a variety of educational models and approaches, including what I call blended learning. Blended learning means combining in-person and remote instruction to create a powerful educational experience where each mode of learning supports the other. Throughout it all, the goal remains to provide as much in-person learning as possible, and give every child the academic support they need while keeping them safe.

Lend Your Voice Through the Return to School 2020 Survey 
There are many ways blended learning can operate, and we know every student and family has experienced remote learning differently. We want to hear from you about your preferences and concerns as we head into the 2020-2021 school year. We have created a short survey for both families and students—please take a moment to fill it out and share your thoughts by Tuesday, June 30, 2020. The survey is anonymous and should take about 7 minutes to complete. It’s available in 9 languages, and those without the ability to complete it online can do so by calling 311. Thank you in advance for taking the time to again give us your feedback: it will help us to better serve you.

Working together, we will build a strong, just, safe, and successful future for our schools and our City.

Parent Survey

Student Survey

…

June 3, 2020

Letter From the Chancellor on Striving for Justice 

• View and print this letter (Open external link) in 9 DOE languages.

• DOE staff can visit the InfoHub (Open external link) for messages and resources.

Dear Families,

It is hard to recall another time as gut-wrenching and heartbreaking as these recent days have been. George Floyd’s murder at the hands of police officers last week was horrifying. I am sickened. But, like many of you, I am not surprised. We have seen this abominable disregard for Black lives so many times before, including multiple times in recent weeks. It is truly agonizing to witness; it is nothing short of another pandemic presenting itself on the streets of America.

The New York City Department of Education condemns police brutality and this brutal loss of life. My heart breaks to know that yet another Black family has lost a son, a father, a brother. I stand in solidarity with Black New Yorkers and Americans, and with everyone who is mourning yet another senseless loss. Pain ripples and resonates across communities all over the City. I am with all of you as we individually and collectively reckon with this tragic injustice. The demonstrations happening in the five boroughs and in nearly 140 cities across the country are a reflection of this anguish, and the desire for a better world.

It is incredibly difficult to be a parent or caregiver right now: grappling with emotions, seeking actions that both feel of service and of the magnitude needed in this moment, and thinking through ways to begin or deepen conversations with children and families about recent horrific incidents and the systemic racism from which they spring—all at the same time. The pain and struggle are very real.

For communities of color, nothing about this pain is new. It’s been in the bodies, minds, and hearts of millions of New Yorkers and Americans for generations—because racist violence has been perpetrated for that long.

Racism also causes new harm in other ways, every day, because it is systemic—woven deeply into the fabric of our institutions, our economy, and the systems that make up our shared community. That is true in New York City, as progressive and forward-thinking as we are, including in our public school system.

At the DOE we have said, and we will continue to say: no more.

We must answer the call to be actively anti-racist and work every day to undo these systems of injustice. We will continue in our resolve to advance equity now. We will honor the dignity and humanity of every student, parent, educator, employee and member of our community every day.

No matter the form teaching and learning takes—in brick-and-mortar classrooms or on a digital device—the goal remains the same: providing an excellent education to every single student. In doing so, we must also continually find ways to dismantle institutional racism and reverse its effects.

That work is underway. It includes implementing restorative practices, training all educators and employees on implicit bias, providing mental health supports to school communities, and more. This work creates a lifelong effect in children and has the potential to transform our society in ways that make that the world safer, more just, and better for everyone.

When, for example, children learn from books featuring protagonists and lessons featuring stories from people of different races, abilities, genders, ethnicities, languages, and more, they learn also to value difference and diversity. When students experiencing anger or resentment are taught healthy ways to communicate, it’s more likely they won’t react out of unfounded fear.

We will not relent in the work to intensify equity until, student by student and school by school, change comes. We all need this, because racism doesn’t just harm Black, Brown, or Asian families—it harms us all.

Everyone has a role to play. In addition to continuing our work centrally, we are supporting educators with resources to teach episodes from our history and our present, episodes where these same shudders of injustice and outrage, peaceful protest, and also violence and destruction have ripped through our city and society.

At the same time, many of you have already been doing this work at home or are otherwise putting personal resources into these efforts—your time, your energy, your heart, or your voice. We see you, and we are grateful for your powerful commitment. Children see and feel the world around them, and now is an important time to guide them in understanding and engaging with their experiences and those of their friends, families, and fellow New Yorkers.

Below you will find resources to help start, continue, or deepen conversations with children about racism and injustice. We are also sharing resources to help with stress, exhaustion, and self-care. As parents and caregivers, caring for yourself is essential in order to be able to care for others. We will continue to update resources as we move ahead.

I have been reminded of this quote by the writer James Baldwin that resonates so powerfully in this moment: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” These are difficult days of reckoning, but we have the opportunity—and a calling—to go farther in facing injustice.

You are our most important partners in the education of the children of New York City and the building of a better world. We are grateful for you today and every day. 

Resources for Families

How to Talk to Your Children About Race and Current Events 

• Guidance for Family Conversations about George Floyd, Racism, and Law Enforcement (Open external link) (Anti-Defamation League)

• Talking to Kids About Racism, Early and Often (Open external link) (New York Times)

• 31 Children’s books (Open external link) to support conversations on race, racism and resistance (Embracerace)

• Black Lives Matter Still Matters (Open external link) (Teaching Tolerance)

• Talking about Race for Parents & Caregivers (Open external link) (National Museum of African American History & Culture)

• Coming Together, Standing Up to Racism (Open external link) (Sesame Street)

Mental Health Resources

These can help address stress and trauma that children and families may be experiencing at this time

• Managing Strong Emotional Reactions to Trauma (Open external link) (National Association of School Psychologists)

• Radical Self Care in the Face of Mounting Racial Stress (Open external link) (American Psychological Association)

Free Mental Health Support 

• NYC Well For Staff, students and parents 

  • Call: 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355)

  • Text: WELL to 65173

  • Live Chat