STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The 2025-2026 school year is just days away, as thousands of New York City — and Staten Island — students prepare to return to classrooms.
As students across the borough head back to public and Catholic schools on Thursday, Sept. 4, here are four key topics impacting the upcoming academic year.
Cellphone ban
As part of a new state law, New York public schools will prohibit the use of cellphones and other internet-enabled devices throughout the entire school day starting on the first day of school.
As part of this bell-to-bell cellphone ban, New York City public schools are required to create their own policies on how they will ban and store student phones, such as using locked pouches. Policies will also include at least one method for parents to contact a student during the school day, such as a direct phone number to the school.
There are some exceptions to this ban, including use for an Individualized Education Plan or medical conditions. Policies will also include a way for parents to communicate in case of an emergency.
Math initiative
NYC Solves — which is currently in all public high schools and 101 middle schools citywide under the curriculum’s first implementation phase — will expand to 84 additional schools across six middle school districts, including Staten Island’s District 31.
Schools in these districts will have the option to choose between several curricula options, including Illustrative Mathematics, Amplify Desmos and iReady Mathematics.
NYC Solves aims to revolutionize and standardize how math is taught in schools through high-quality, research-based curricula implemented across districts with intensive educator training and coaching, according to the city. Schools will take a collaborative problem-solving approach that encourages kids to explore multiple strategies and make connections between current and past solutions, fostering deeper understanding and independence in learning to fight a persistent problem — fear of math.
New school seats
Hundreds of new school seats will be available on Staten Island over the next few years — including three new buildings this fall.
PS 26 in Travis will expand and transition into PS/I.S. 26 — utilizing its existing school building at 4108 Victory Blvd., and the new building at 4074 Victory Blvd.
New World Preparatory Charter School underwent a major renovation to its main campus in Port Richmond to create a state-of-the-art learning environment.
PS 5 has a new addition opening this fall. The school in Huguenot was under construction to connect a new facility to the original main school building.
Longer winter break
New York City students will have a longer winter break this year, as an extra day was added to the recess on the school calendar.
Schools will now be closed from Dec. 24 through Jan. 2. Initially, students were set to return to classes on Friday, Jan. 2, meaning students would have been forced to go to school for one day that week.
Students will now return to school on Monday, Jan. 5.
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