Apply to Run for NYC’s Education Councils by February 16
Get College, Career, and Financial Aid Support at NYC's Public Libraries
As teens start to think about next steps, apply for financial aid for college, and brush up their resumes in preparation for entering the workforce, NYC's public libraries are here to provide support and clear information.
The 3-K and Pre-K Applications for Fall 2025 are Open!
From January 15, 2025 until February 28, 2025, NYC families with children born in 2022 can apply to 3-K programs and children born in 2021 can apply to Pre-K programs for the 2025–26 school year. Learn more about this year's admissions processes, including suggested tips and tools that you can use to discover and select programs, and submit your application!
Stay Healthy This Winter
With winter in full swing, learn more about the resources available to you and your family that can help boost your physical and mental health all season long.
The Month Ahead (January 2025)
See what's in store for NYC Public Schools in January 2025. Key dates include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Lunar New Year, and the start of 2025 3-K/Pre-K admissions.
Opportunities for Students (January 2025)
Kick off the new year with these outstanding learning opportunities, programs, and scholarships available for City students! See what's available for NYC public school students this month and beyond, and register/apply for them today!
What We're Reading
On January 29, 2025, we’re celebrating Lunar New Year! Lunar New Year is a two-week celebration based on the lunar calendar that takes place across many different cultures and countries in Asia, each with their own traditions, food, and festivities. The celebration also marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake—one of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals—which represents wisdom, growth, and renewal. With schools closed on Wednesday, we encourage families to take time to learn more about the holiday, Asian folklore and myths, and the ways that different families celebrate the new year with these books for all ages. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Early Readers (3K–Grade 2)
- The Lunar New Year Surprise, by Jade Wang; illustrated by Tammy Do
- Ruby’s Chinese New Year, by Vickie Lee; illustrated by Joey Chou
- Tomorrow is New Year’s Day, by Aram Kim
- Two New Years, by Richard Ho; illustrated by Lynn Scurfield
Elementary (Grades 3–5)
- Boys Don’t Fry, by Kimberly Lee; illustrated by Charlene Chua
- Dragon Noodle Party: A Story of Chinese Zodiac Animals, by Ying Chang Compestine; illustrated by Paula Pang
- Friends are Friends, Forever, by Dane Liu; illustrated by Lynn Scurfield
- Nian, the Chinese New Year Dragon, by Virginia Loh-Hagan; Timothy Banks
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- Paper Dragons, by Siobhan McDermott
- The Year of the Dog, by Grace Lin
- When You Trap a Tiger, by Tae Keller
- Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, by Grace Lin
Upper Grades (Grades 9–12)
- Lunar New Year Love Story, by Gene Luen Yang; illustrated by LeUyen Pham
- Six Crimson Cranes, by Elizabeth Lim
- The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, by Axie Oh
- The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan
You can find these books and many more great reads on Sora, our Citywide Digital Library, which provides free access to thousands of digital e-books and audiobooks for our students, including those in the "Lunar New Year 2025 - The Year of the Snake!" Collection, which features even more great titles for students of all ages to help you celebrate the holiday!
Missed our previous book recommendations?
Check them out in the "What We're Reading" Archive!
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SCHOOLS
At the start of 2025, we’re looking back at one of our favorite memories from 2024: the first Climate Action Day of the 2024–25 school year! With a focus on reducing waste in their schools, students across the City participated in a variety of fun and educational activities, and helped clean up their schools and communities in the process.
An Introduction to Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos
"I am honored and excited to be your new Chancellor. As a lifelong educator and mom of a New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) student, I am eager to work with and serve you."
Class is in Session with Parent University
Parent University is a free online learning platform for NYCPS families. Start the 2024–25 school year by enrolling in courses you're interested in today!
A MySchools.nyc Tutorial: Learn the Basics
Throughout any stage of New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) application processes for 3-K, Pre-K, Kindergarten, middle school, high school, and Gifted and Talented (G&T) for grades 1, 2, 3, and 4, you can use MySchools.nyc—learn how to today!
Prepare for Remote Learning
In the event that weather conditions or other emergencies require the temporary closure of public school buildings, students will participate in remote learning at home. Make sure your family is ready with these tips and answers to frequently asked questions.
Stay Informed with a NYC Schools Account (NYCSA)
With a NYCSA, you can:
- Access your child's school information on the go
- See your student’s grades, test scores and more
- Complete important forms
- Take classes in Parent University
- Get technology support through SupportHub
Ready to Read: Literacy Resources for Families
NYC Reads is reshaping the way that we teach our students to read, but the learning doesn't have to stop at the classroom door! Whether it's a family book club or a phonics-based 20 questions game, you can bring the "science of reading" home by using any of our helpful resources that will help your children continue to develop their literacy skills, like:
- Reading Games
- Phonics, Vocabulary, and Storytelling Practice
- And more!
