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Update your contact information.

Don’t miss important updates from NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) and your child’s school! You can update your information online in your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) or complete the emergency contact form provided by your school. If you do not yet have an NYC Schools Account, visit schools.nyc.gov/NYCSA to learn how to sign up.

Visit a physician for a physical exam.

Is your child starting school or childcare for the first time? Make sure your child receives a complete physical exam from a health care provider before the start of school, documented on the Child and Adolescent Health Examination Form (CH-205), found at New Admission Physical Exam Form (CH-205)

Make sure your child is up-to-date on required immunizations.

New York State Public Health Law requires students to get certain vaccines in order to attend childcare or school. You can find more information about required immunizations at schools.nyc.gov/immunization. Visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or call 877-829-4692 to find a location to receive required and recommended vaccinations near you.

Review the 2025-26 NYC public school calendar.

View important dates, like the first parent-teacher conference of the year, and find printable files in multiple languages for the 2025–26 school year at schools.nyc.gov/calendar.

Check your child's transportation options and eligibility.

Your child may be eligible for several different transportation options to get to and from school each day. If you’re not sure how your child will be traveling to school this year, visit schools.nyc.gov/transportation for more information. Visit schools.nyc.gov/OMNY for information about free Student OMNY cards. If your child is assigned bus service, check their route, pick-up, and drop-off times with NYCPS’ official NYC School Bus app using your NYC Schools Account! Learn more at schools.nyc.gov/SchoolBusApp.

Talk to your child about not using cell phones or internet-enabled devices in school

Starting this year, NYCPS students will not be allowed to use personal, internet-enabled electronic devices such as cell phones during the school day. Each school will share its own rules on device use and storage on their campus with families and students. Make sure you and your child read and understand these rules before the school year begins. For more information on our updated policy, please visit schools.nyc.gov/DevicePolicy and review Chancellor’s Regulation A-413 (schools.nyc.gov/VolumeA).

Prepare your child's school supplies.

Your child’s teacher or school may send you a recommended list of school supplies, as well as a schedule for the first few days of school. Make sure your child knows what to expect on their first day, and that they have their supplies packed and ready to go. We suggest labeling your child’s belongings (i.e. clothing, water bottles, pencil cases, etc.) to ensure they can be returned to you if they are misplaced! Check your school’s website or contact the parent coordinator to access your school supply list.

Set a standard bedtime and morning routine before the first day of school.

Ensure a smooth transition to the new school year by getting your children adjusted to a regular and healthy sleep schedule before September. Then, a few days before school starts, practice your family’s expected morning routine, including getting ready, eating breakfast, and traveling to your child’s school.

Connect with your school's parent coordinator.

Parent coordinators can provide answers to many of your school-related questions and concerns. Use the Find a School tool at schoolsearch.schools.nyc or call your child’s school to find contact information for your parent coordinator and other school staff.

Ask your principal or parent coordinator about translation and interpretation services.

NYCPS translates our official documents into 12 languages—Arabic, Bangla, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, and—new this school year—Albanian, Ukrainian, and Uzbek. If you need additional support, your school can provide translation and interpretation services for free. Ask your school’s principal or parent coordinator, or visit schools.nyc.gov/hello, for more information. For American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services, visit schools.nyc.gov/signlanguage.

Prepare for remote learning in the event of weather-related or emergency closures.

If NYCPS buildings must close, students will participate in remote learning at home. Make sure your child has an internet-connected electronic device, school supplies, and a workspace at home. In addition, confirm that your child can log in to their NYCPS Student Account and access the online tools they need for their schoolwork. Visit schools.nyc.gov/DigitalLearning for resources to help prepare for remote learning days.

We can’t wait to see you on the first day of school, Thursday, September 4!