Dear New Yorker,
As we begin the New Year, we want to reaffirm our commitment to keeping you informed.
As New York City continues to respond to COVID-19, we want to ensure this newsletter continues to deliver information on critical resources and city updates. To this end, we have refreshed the look and organized it to find information easier.
As 2021 promises a new beginning, we are confident that we will overcome any challenges and rise together.
In partnership,
América Cañas,
Acting Commissioner, Mayor's Community Affairs Unit
Key Updates:
New York City middle school buildings will reopen for in-person learning beginning Thursday, February 25.
Your child’s school will contact you with your student’s specific in-person schedule. High school students will continue to learn remotely until further notice.
To find out additional details, visit DOE's COVID-19 Information and Updates page or Read the Chancellor's February 8, 2021 letter to families for more information.
Pre-K
The pre-K application will open on February 24, 2021; the deadline to apply is April 7. During the application period, you can apply online or by phone. Here's what you can do now:
- Sign up for the pre-K admissions email list (Open external link). The Department of Education will send you updates, tips, and reminders throughout the process.
- Learn how to apply and how pre-K offers are made on this page. Missed the virtual Elementary Admissions Events? A recording from one of DOE's January sessions will be available soon, with captions in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Korean, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Russian and Urdu.
- Throughout the admissions process, you'll use MySchools.nyc (Open external link) to learn about pre-K programs, apply, get your offer, and learn about waitlists. Before the application opens you can:
- Set up your MySchools account (Open external link).
- Start exploring pre-K program options in MySchools' online, searchable pre-K directory (Open external link).
Guidance on Coronavirus Resources and
Warnings about Consumer Scams
As New York continues to experience an outbreak of COVID-19, it is imperative that individuals are prepared and informed during this time. In addition to health information, New Yorkers must know about their rights, the resources available to them, and be mindful about potential consumer scams related to COVID-19.
You can find more information on resources, rights, and potential scams from the link below:
Guidance on Coronavirus Resources and Warnings about Consumer Scams | New York State Attorney General (ny.gov)
https://oig.hhs.gov/coronavirus/fraud-alert-covid19.asp
Additional Resources:
NYC Health Post-COVID Clinics:
Post-COVID care clinics bring together multidisciplinary teams (including pulmonology, cardiology, rehabilitation, neurology and mental health) to provide a comprehensive treatment approach. Click here to find out more information.
GETFOODNYC:
NYC Health + Hospitals:
As part of the largest municipal health care system in the world, NYC Health + Hospitals’ public hospitals and neighborhood health centers offer a wide variety of excellent mental health services to foster recovery from mental illness of all kinds. We help patients rediscover their strengths and abilities, as well as overcoming the stigma of mental illness. Click to learn more.
THRIVENYC:
Call 1-888-NYC-WELL If you are thinking about suicide, or know someone who is, counselors are available to listen to and support you 24/7. Contact NYC Well by calling 888-NYC-WELL (888-692-9355), texting “WELL” to 65173 or chatting at nyc.gov/nycwell. If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of hurting themselves, or in immediate danger because of a health condition or other situation, call 911.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Hours: Available 24 hours.
Languages: English, Spanish.
Domestic Violence Support:
NYC 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE
NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP):
File Your Taxes with NYC Free Tax Prep
File your taxes in-person or online with NYC Free Tax Prep if you earned $68,000 or less in 2020. See filing options below. Additional sites will open in January. The deadline to file 2020 tax returns is April 15, 2021.
* Read FAQs about NYC Free Tax Prep.
Workplace Laws
NYC workplace laws are still in effect. There have been new amendments to the NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law that will take effect in 2 Phases. Click here to learn more about employee rights and employer responsibilities.
Returning to Work During COVID-19
Important Information for Domestic Workers and Their Employers. Click here for more information.
Learn more about important guidelines and resources available to workers under Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the reopening: www.nyc.gov/workers
NYC Department of Small Business Services:
Training for Your Employees,” a new resource that provides business owners and their employees with training in digital literacy, marketing tools, online security, and COVID-19 safety. Training courses include:
- Communication: Google Meet and Gmail
- Document Creation: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
- Scheduling and Managing Zoom Meetings (for Hosts)
- Microsoft Office Basics
- Cloud Storage: Microsoft OneDrive and more.
Businesses can learn more about the program’s eligibility criteria and access the application at www.nyc.gov/trainingemployees.
City Agency Service Update:
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