Public
Schools It’s important to understand the city’s public school system, particularly given the widespread changes that have taken place in the past year. The Department of Education’s web site, www.nycenet.edu, provides great resources for parents.
The school system is now organized into 10 Regions across the city — each one including approximately 120 schools — with Queens divided into Regions 3, 4 and 5. Each Region has a Learning Support Center which houses the instructional leadership team for the Region as well as a full service Parent Support Office. Six of the Learning Support Centers also house Regional Operations Centers which provide operational support to schools.
Region 3 Superintendent: Judith
J. Chin Region 4 Superintendent: Reyes
Irizarry Region 5 Superintendent: Kathleen
M. Cashin The Regions are led by 10 Regional Superintendents who serve as the senior instructional management team for the school system and report directly to Deputy Chancellor for Teaching and Learning Diana Lam. Within each Region, the Regional Superintendent supervises 10 to 12 Local Instructional Superintendents (LISes), each of whom has supervisory responsibility for a network of about 10 to 12 schools and principals. The LISes are to provide schools in their networks with instructional leadership while supporting principals and their teachers in implementing the new instructional approach and improving the quality of teaching and learning in their schools. Principals within each network report directly to the Local Instructional Superintendent assigned to lead that network. According to the DOE, the new structure is designed so that each school will receive greater individualized support and supervision. Below we have culled some of the more pertinent information from the department.
FAQs Who must register for public school? All children between the ages of six and 17 must be enrolled in school. You must only register children who are entering our public schools for the first time and those who are changing schools because you have moved. If you need to register, you should do so by the opening of the school year.
When and where can I register my child for school? If your child is a first-time public school student entering Pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, you may register at your child’s zoned school. If your child is in high school you can register at the Jamaica High School located at 167-01 Gothic Drive, Jamaica, NY. You are strongly encouraged to register before the first day of school so your children may participate in the instructional program that begins on that day. If you have questions about registration or your school location, please call 311.
What do I do if my child is scheduled to attend high school next year? Every eligible student is assured entrance into one of our New York City public high schools. To file his or her application, your child must be a resident of New York City and meet eighth or ninth grade promotional standards.
What steps must I take to have my child placed in a high school? The high school application process requires that parents work closely with school guidance counselors. Parents need to learn as much as possible about the choices available for their children and the way the application process matches students with schools. To facilitate the application process, the Department of Education has compiled a comprehensive, student-friendly Directory of the New York City Public High Schools which includes checklists, a calendar of action, and descriptions of all high schools in the City. Your child should rely on this Directory, as well as his/her school guidance counselor to identify the school programs that best fit his/her interests and academic record. This Directory is available to all students applying to high school, and they can receive a copy at their current school. If your child is interested in applying any of the Specialized High Schools, you should obtain a copy of the Specialized High Schools Student Handbook from your child’s school. There are seven specialized high schools in New York City. At six of these schools (Bronx High School of Science, Brooklyn technical High School, High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College, High School of American Studies at Lehman College, Queens High School for the Sciences at York College, and Stuyvesant High School) admission is based on the score attained on the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT). The exception is at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts (LaGuardia High School) where admission is by audition only. The Specialized High Schools Student Handbook describes all programs and admissions procedures which involve a special test or audition.
How do I find out what my child’s zoned school is? You child’s zoned elementary school, middle school or high school can be obtained by contacting any public school or by calling 311.
What documents do I need to register my child? You must bring the following items with your child when you go to register at your zoned school or at a Borough Center: Verification of home address (electric or gas bill; house deed; notarized letter from landlord attached to a lease). Verification of child’s immunization. Child’s birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or passport. For children previously in school, documentation that your child is eligible to enter the grade for which you are registering (e.g., a report card). If your child was recently enrolled in another NYC public school, you are not required to bring your child’s birth certificate or immunization record.
Will my child be eligible to ride on a school bus? The Department of Education provides yellow school bus service for eligible general education children in Kindergarten through sixth Grade. In general, eligibility is based on your child’s grade and the distance you live from school, and is determined at the time you register your child. You can obtain additional information regarding eligibility at http://www.opt-osfns.org/opt/eligibility/default.asp
Do I need to bring my child to school on the first day? You should accompany elementary and middle school children on the first day of school. You do not need to accompany a high school student on the first school day if you previously registered the child at the school.
How do I register my child for home schooling? If you are interested in teaching your child at home, you should write a letter of intent to the Regional Director of Youth and Family Support Services in the Region in which you reside. For additional information on requirements, please call any Learning Support Center.
Reading and Math Coaches To support teachers in their classrooms during the year, we have assigned experienced reading and math coaches to schools throughout the City. These reading and math coaches will:
Share best teaching practices and instructional strategies; Set up demonstration classrooms where teachers can watch sample lessons which they can include in their classes; and work with small groups of teachers during planning time.
Newcomers High School 28-01 41st Avenue Long Island City, (718) 937-6005 Newly arrived families can enroll their high school aged children in Newcomers High School, where multilingual teachers and a specialized curriculum address the needs facing immigrant students. To be admitted at the school, students must reside in Queens, be in the United States for no more than 1 year; and not have English as a first language. The goal of the school, according to the mission statement, is to "prepare students for entry into institutions of higher learning and American society in general." Students can opt to stay in the school or transfer to their local high school. Classes at Newcomers are taught in a variety of languages, including Spanish, French, Chinese and Bengali. The school seeks to improve English language skills through an intensive language course, while at the same time providing an arena to celebrate the student body’s various cultures. The school – often compared to the United Nations for hosting such a diverse student body – offers many of the same social, academic and athletic programs as other schools, including a basketball team, math and chess clubs. The school is exempt from the citywide educational curriculum that many other public schools follow, allowing the school to better address the individual needs of their student body. Unique programs include the school’s partnership with the Anti-Defamation League, where students discuss various topics related to their immigration to Queens. For more information, contact the school at (718) 937-6005.
Breakfast and Lunch Programs As part of our Children First reforms, we are developing a comprehensive program to improve nutrition and the overall food service in our schools. Recognizing that well-fed, well-nourished children are better equipped to learn, the Office of School Food and Nutrition Services ("OSFNS") will, over the next few years, provide more appealing and nutritious foods and a more inviting dining environment for students. The first step of this effort establishes higher and more comprehensive nutritional standards for all food and drinks sold in schools, starting with the school meal program and including food and drinks sold in school vending machines and school stores. Over the next three to five years, school lunches will exceed the standards set by the USDA, with lower fat and sodium content, an emphasis on whole wheat, more fish and plant-based proteins and greater availability of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, among other important improvements.
Free Breakfast As the first step in the effort to encourage students to eat a healthy breakfast each morning, Breakfast for all NYC Public School Students will be free. Too many of students start the day without breakfast, which is widely-regarded as the most important meal of the day. Good nutrition is essential to every young person’s health and development. Youngsters who eat regular, well-balanced meals are better able to concentrate and learn. By insuring that every student can enjoy a free, nutritious breakfast, the Department is supporting teaching and learning in the classrooms.
Full Price Lunch Price For the first time in many years (8 years in elementary and junior high schools, at least 11 years in high schools), the price of lunch for students not eligible for free or reduced-price meals will increase. Full price lunch will go from $1.00 to $1.50, effective September 22nd. Previous to the change, New York City had one of the lowest priced lunches of the nation’s urban school districts. After the change, New York will be more in line with other districts. These changes will only affect students who are not eligible for free or reduced-price meals or eligible students who do not turn in their Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals. There will be no change for students eligible for free meals or reduced-price meals (reduced-price lunch will stay at $0.25) who complete the SD1041 Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals.
Free And Reduced-Price Meal Application Most of our school children are eligible to receive free or reduced price meals through the School Meals Program. In order to receive this benefit, eligible students must complete and return the Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals (SD1041). These forms are available at your schools through the general office. Please return these completed forms to your students’ schools as quickly as possible. Note that the application process has been simplified this year. You only need to complete 1 form for all children from the same family that attend the same school. Completed forms not only enable students to receive free and reduced price meals, but they are also the basis for determining and distributing additional educational funding from the state and federal governments.
Eligibility Because the programs are federally subsidized, there are regulations that define a household’s eligibility to participate on a full-price, reduced price or free basis. A household’s eligibility is based on income eligibility guidelines issued annually by the federal government. The income guidelines are based on a national poverty index. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those between 130 percent and 185 percent are eligible for reduced price meals. Those households with incomes over 185 percent of poverty pay a full price. Lunch Menu Lunch menus are available in all school offices. For more information, please call 311
School Report Cards School Report Cards enable parents, students, teachers and members of the community to access uniform information on every school in the system. Data that are gathered include test scores, attendance rates, extracurricular activities provided, and student demographics. To view a school report Cards visit: www.nycenet.edu/daa/SchoolReports/
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