Supporting Our Families While SNAP Funding is Disrupted
Nearly 1.8 million New Yorkers, including 540,000 children, depend on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to help put food on their table. Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits are experiencing disruptions, leaving many of our families unsure of where their next meal will come from. The City has announced an additional $15 million in emergency funding that will help feed families in need. During these challenging times, it's important that we know how we can best come together to support one another.
Students receive free, healthy breakfast and lunch every school day–no application needed. Learn more at Food Service for Parents and Students. Together, we can make sure no child goes hungry.
It's Never Too Early to Plan for Your Child's Career
Don’t wait until your child's high school graduation to plan for their future. Get started on their career development now and learn how NYCPS can help.
Cleaning Up Our Act: Climate Action Days Are Back!
The first Climate Action Day of the school year is coming up on Wednesday, November 19! Plus, National Plastic Free Lunch Day is also taking place this month. Find out how you can take action in your school community to protect our environment in ways related to this month's theme: reducing waste.
Opportunities for Students (November 2025)
November's here, and while the weather might be cooling down for the season, the opportunities are certainly heating up for NYC students! Check out November's outstanding learning and earning opportunities available for City public school students this month, including free virtual classes, paid internships, and even family-friendly activities, and register/apply for them today!
Budgeting Basics: Consumer Tips for Young Adults
Kickstart your family’s conversations about saving and spending money with these useful tips to help set up your young adult child for financial success.
The Month Ahead (November 2025)
Out of seemingly nowhere, November's here! See what's happening in NYC Public Schools in November 2025, including Election Day, Veterans Day, Parent-Teacher Conferences, the SHSAT, and Thanksgiving!
Apply to NYC Middle Schools for Fall 2026 by December 12
From October 15 until December 12, 2025, NYC families can apply to middle school for the 2026–27 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!
Apply to High School for the 2026–27 School Year
From October 7 until December 3, 2025, NYC families can apply to high school for the 2026–27 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!
Native American Heritage Month Spotlight: Maria Tallchief
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, we are sharing our Hidden Voices profile of Maria Tallchief, an Osage woman who went on to become the first prima ballerina from the United States, which she did right here in our city, at the New York City Ballet. Over the course of her career, Tallchief was credited with transforming ballet from a "foreign" art form into an American one.
Each year on November 20, the Transgender Day of Remembrance honors lives lost to anti-transgender violence while also celebrating the courage and resilience of the transgender community. We hope you enjoy the book recommendations below, which explore diverse stories across genres for students of all ages.
Early Readers (3K–Grade 2)
- Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope, by Jodie Patterson; illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
- I Am Jazz, by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings; illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
- My Rainbow, by DeShanna Neal and Trinity Neal; illustrated by Art Twink
- When Aidan Became a Brother, by Kyle Lukoff; illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
Elementary (Grades 3–5)
- Flor Fights Back, by Joy Michael Ellison; illustrated by Francesca Ficorilli
- Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!, by Joy Michael Ellison and Teshika Silver
- Too Bright to See, by Kyle Lukoff
- Zenobia July, by Lisa Bunker
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- Lily and Dunkin, by Donna Gephart
- Linus and Etta Could Use a Win, by Caroline Huntoon
- Melissa, by Alex Gino
- The One Who Loves You the Most, by medina
Upper Grades (Grades 9–12)
- Felix Ever After, by Kacen Callender
- Self-Made Boys, by Anna-Marie McLemore
- The Sunbearer Trials, by Aiden Thomas
- Transmogrify!, edited by g. haron davis
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. You can also find even more great recommendations in the Come as You Are Collection on Sora!
Missed our previous book recommendations?
Check them out in the "What We're Reading" Archive!
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SCHOOLS
This fall, nearly 25,000 NYCPS high school student-athletes participated in our Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL). From the gridiron to the swimming pool, together, this incredible number of student-athletes showed off their determination, grit, and self-confidence while collectively providing us with an outstanding PSAL season! Win or lose, we could not be prouder of our athletic scholars for making the start of the 2025–26 PSAL season a special one.
In celebration of an outstanding start to athletic year, check out some of the recent photos we captured throughout the end of the PSAL Football 4A regular season—join us in congratulating ALL of this season's incredible student-athletes!
Make Your Own Upcycled Bird Feeder for Climate Action Day!
Celebrate Climate Action Day at home by recycling your milk carton into a beautiful, homemade birdhouse!
Get Ready for More Learning and Less Scrolling
Beginning this September, NYC Public Schools will be implementing its new Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy across all K–12 City public schools, including charter programs, in accordance with New York State law. Learn more about this "cell phone ban," and start getting ready for distraction-free schools this fall!
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!
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
