Back to School Checklist

Get ready for the first day of school, Thursday, September 7!

Download a convenient, printable checklist to help your family get ready for the start of the school year, available in multiple languages below:

Get Connected

Make sure your school has your current contact information.

Update your contact information in your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA), or you can complete the emergency contact form provided by your school. If you do not have an NYC Schools Account, visit our NYCSA page to learn how to sign up.

Stay informed and updated on the latest news.

Bookmark our website, and follow us @nycschools(Open external link) and @doechancellor(Open external link) on Twitter/X—as well as our official @nycschools accounts on Facebook(Open external link) and Instagram(Open external link)—so you’ll always know about the exciting things happening in NYC Public Schools.

Be prepared. 

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

Start now to get your children on a regular sleep schedule. Then, a few days before school starts, practice your family’s expected morning routine, including getting ready, eating breakfast, and heading out the door to your bus stop or subway station in order to arrive at school on time.

Make sure your child knows what to expect on their first day, and that they have their supplies packed and ready to go. We also suggest labeling your child’s belongings to ensure they can be returned to you if misplaced. 

Review the 2023–24 NYC school calendar.

View important dates and find printable files of the 2023–24 school year calendar in multiple languages on our Calendar page.

Get ready for reading. 

Reading is a fantastic way to prepare for the upcoming school year and foster a love for learning. Visit our Literacy page for tips and reading resources to help you develop your child’s literacy at home.

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

If NYC public school buildings are closed as a result of inclement weather, students will participate in remote learning at home. Visit our Digital Learning webpage for resources and information that can help you and your child be ready for remote learning days. 

Stay Engaged

Know your child’s teachers. 

Meet your child’s teachers and learn about their classroom routines and curriculum.

Meet your school’s principal and parent coordinator.

Principals and parent coordinators can provide answers to many of your school-related questions and concerns. Call or visit your child’s school to get your parent coordinator’s contact information.

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

Your school can provide free translation and interpretation services. Learn more from your school’s parent coordinator or principal, or visit New York City Public Schools Speak Your Language! for more information and resources for families of multi-lingual learners. For sign-language interpretation services, please call contact your school’s parent coordinator or email OSLIS@schools.nyc.gov.

Meet—or join—your PTA.

Parent Teacher Associations play a vital role in enhancing the school experience for both students and parents. Learn how you can get involved.

Stay Healthy

Complete Health Forms

Is your child starting school or child care for the first time? Before school starts, make sure your child receives a complete physical exam from a health care provider, documented by the Child and Adolescent Health Examination Form (CH205). You can find more information about this form and download a printable version at Health Requirements to Attend School.

If your child needs to take medications or receive any medical treatment at school, then you must complete a Medication Administration Form (MAF) and/or Medically Prescribed Treatment Form. Your child should submit an updated MAF every school year. Find out more about Health Services available in our schools.

Get Vaccinated

New York State Public Health Law requires students to get certain vaccines, including those for measles and polio, in order to attend child care or school. Before the school year begins, your child should receive all required immunizations. You can find more information about required vaccines for students of each age at Immunizations.

We can’t wait to see you on the first day of school, Thursday, September 7.