Latest news with #NewYorkCityPublicSchools
24-07-2025
- Health
NYC expands school cellphone ban to include smartwatches, tablets
New York City Public Schools, the nation's largest school district, is expanding its student cellphone ban to include any "internet-enabled" devices such as tablets and smartwatches. The new change will go into effect this upcoming 2025-26 school year across all 1,600 public schools in New York City. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in January a statewide student cellphone ban policy in schools, saying it would help students concentrate on academics and reduce distractions and mental health pressures. New York City Public Schools' latest policy update adds to Hochul's statewide mandate. A few exceptions are being allowed under the expanded rule. Students will be able to use any of their "internet-enabled" devices while commuting to and from school but are required to shut them down during the school day. Students who require devices for medical reasons, instructional purposes or who have one as part of their Individual Education Program can be exempted from the policy. Schools are also required to offer at least one way for families to contact students during the school day in the event of an emergency, offer a "secure way" to store devices when not in use, and keep families informed annually on the school policy. "We know that excessive cell phone use is harmful to our children's concentration and mental health, and, with this new policy, we will finally reduce distractions as we help our students reach their full potential," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in part in a statement released Wednesday. New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said in a separate statement that she is "proud" to introduce the expansion, which is "designed to be responsive to the diverse needs of schools, individual students, and families." "As an educator and a parent, I have seen firsthand how constant access to cell phones in the classroom distracts from learning, divides attention, and significantly impacts our students' mental health, inside schools and at home," said Aviles-Ramos. "I am proud to be introducing a policy that takes input from unions and advocacy groups, families, community members, and our students into account." New York City Public Schools' cellphone ban expansion takes the recent wave of student cellphone bans a step further, as districts in multiple states, including California, Florida, Ohio, and Virginia, have already introduced student phone use limitations. The policy changes follow growing concerns about the mental health impact of smartphone and social media use in young children and teenagers. According to a June Pew Research Center survey, 74% of American adults support a cellphone ban for middle school and high school students, an increase from 68% in 2024. Some early studies abroad found that cellphone bans can improve student performance, their mental health and may even cut down on bullying, but more research is needed to see if the same is true closer to home.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Monroe University Confers Degrees on 2,785 Students Representing 65 Countries at Annual Commencement
Bronx County District Attorney Darcel Clark and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos Deliver Commencement Addresses BRONX, N.Y., June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Monroe University, a national leader in educating first-generation and international students, held its 92nd Annual Commencement today at Radio City Music Hall in midtown Manhattan. Degrees were conferred on 2,785 students from around the world during the day's warm, joyful celebration of the Class of 2025. This year's Commencement was particularly special as it marked the first one held at the iconic venue since Monroe's elevation to university status last summer. President Marc Jerome reflected on the institution's historic achievement during his uplifting, celebratory remarks. Two separate ceremonies were held to accommodate the families and friends of the students earning Associate, Bachelor's, or Master's degrees or professional and advanced certificates. Graduates participating in the morning ceremony completed programs of study in Monroe's School of Business and Accounting, School of Criminal and Social Justice, School of Information Technology, and School of Nursing. The Grand Marshal was Cicely Spann, a valued member of staff for 30 years who currently works within the Office of Loan Management. Bronx County District Attorney Darcel Clark gave the keynote address. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson shared a warm congratulatory message with the graduates and their families. The afternoon ceremony conferred degrees on graduate students from Monroe's King Graduate School, as well as undergraduate students from the School of Allied Health Professions, School of Education, and School of Hospitality Management and the Culinary Institute of New York. Maria Vega, a member of the Student Financial Services team who has also served Monroe students for 30 years, led the processional as Grand Marshal. New York City Public Schools Chancellor and former Monroe University Vice President Melissa Aviles-Ramos delivered the keynote address. NYC Council Member Pierina Sanchez gave congratulatory remarks. Graduates in the Class of 2025 represented 65 countries. In addition to students from the U.S. and its territories, the next largest contingents were from, in order: India, Saint Lucia, China, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Bangladesh. The University conferred 596 Master's degrees; 1,081 Bachelor's degrees; and 1,051 Associate degrees this year, as well as awarded 57 professional and advanced certificates. The University's three-semester academic calendar enables Monroe students to earn 45 or more college credits per year (compared to the 30 credits college students typically earn per year at other institutions). That means that many of the graduates this year earned their Bachelor's degree in three years or their Associate degree in less than two years. ABOUT MONROE UNIVERSITY Founded in 1933, Monroe University is a recognized leader in urban and international education. The University is proud of its innovative programs to increase college access, affordability, and completion outcomes, especially among first-generation students, and for the national recognition it receives for its strong impact on graduates' social mobility. Programs are offered through Schools of Allied Health Professions, Business and Accounting, Criminal and Social Justice, Education, Hospitality Management and the Culinary Institute of New York, Information Technology, and Nursing, as well as through its King Graduate School. Liberal arts and continuing education programs are also available. For more information and admissions criteria, please visit Media Contact Jacqueline Ruegger, Monroe University, 914-740-6455, jruegger@ Twitter View original content: SOURCE Monroe University
CBS News
07-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Queens high school student detained after immigration court hearing, officials say
Another New York City public school student has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE agents detained an 11th grader from Queens outside a local courthouse during a scheduled immigration appointment earlier this week, New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles Ramos confirmed. The student's identity has not been made public. Aviles Ramos released the following statement: "We are deeply saddened to learn that one of our students was detained by ICE while attending a legal hearing to seek asylum. This young person should be returning home from school today, surrounded by family — not facing detention. Our commitment to all students, including our newest New Yorkers, remains unwavering. Our policies have not changed: schools are and will continue to be safe, welcoming spaces for every child. This incident did not happen in a school, and we urge families to keep sending their children to school, where they belong." The New York ICE field office did not respond to a request for comment on the detention. The student's whereabouts remain unknown to his family. Bronx student remains in ICE custody Assemblymember Claire Valdez represents the Ridgewood neighborhood and has been in contact with both the school and the 11th grader's family. "They are in incredible pain right now. They are terrified for their son. They are terrified for the rest of their family," Valdez said. "I don't think that you have to be a parent to put yourself in their shoes and to imagine someone that you love more than life itself being taken away in this incredibly, incredibly cruel way." This is the second time in recent months a New York City public schools student has been detained by ICE. Back in May, a 20-year-old Ellis Prep High School student named Dylan was picked up during an asylum hearing. He remains in ICE custody. "They're just summarily grabbing people literally off the streets or in courthouses and shipping them to God knows where, where their own families don't even know," Sen. Michael Gianaris said. "These are our neighbors. These are our children. It's unbelievably cruel, and New York state has a responsibility to stand up against it," Valdez said.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
NYC Public Schools hiring for dozens of positions at Brooklyn fair
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn (PIX11) — Looking for a job in teaching? New York City Public Schools will be looking to fill positions for teachers in all subjects at an upcoming hiring fair in Brooklyn. Perspective applicants for teaching positions can join the Brooklyn South Hiring Fair on May 28 at Clara Barton High School from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. More Local News Representatives from more than 25 different high schools will be on-site to meet candidates and discuss open positions for all subjects. Entry into the hiring hall is free but interested candidates are advised to register online and bring physical copies of their resumes and cover letters. Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NYC schools chancellor affirms support for trans, other LGBTQ kids in face of Trump policies
As the Trump administration continues to target transgender and other LGBTQ students, New York City Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos penned a letter Monday assuring families that local protections are still in place. The city's public school system allows transgender students to change their name and gender on school records, regardless of legal documentation, according to the regulations linked in the memo. Public school students may also participate in competitive sports and gym classes aligned with their gender identity. 'Our policies remain in effect, and in fact, we have strengthened them in recent years, including updating our guidelines on gender inclusion,' read the letter going home Monday in children's backpacks across the five boroughs. 'I'm proud that at New York City Public Schools, we have robust curricula, resources, and programs to support students who identify as LGBTQ+ and to increase representation and inclusivity within our schools.' During his first month in office, President Trump signed a series of executive orders, from declaring there are only two sexes on federal documents to excluding transgender students from girls sports, which Trump's allies have pushed as an issue of fairness. Yet another order threatens to pull federal funding from any school found to be teaching 'gender ideology.' In the midst of those changes, scores of parents called on Aviles-Ramos to issue some kind of acknowledgement of the rhetoric and the reversal of years of precedent at the federal level. While the chancellor showed her support for LGBTQ students at an annual Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Summit and local town halls, no systemwide communication went out to all families. Earlier this month, at a sprawling protest to support transgender youth in Union Square where organizers estimated the crowd reached 7,000 people, multiple parents expressed disappointment in the school system's silence. 'I'm disappointed that we haven't heard more supportive statements from our leadership at the DOE,' Brooklyn mom Hallie said on Feb. 8. 'I think pretty much everyone agrees that [Mayor] Adams is under Trump's thumb right now, and we can't count on him to look out for anyone but himself.' Adams, who said he is refraining from publicly criticizing Trump and dealing with him one-on-one instead, directed his commissioners in a closed-door meeting to follow his lead, including Aviles-Ramos. The mayor has denied any quid pro quo with the Trump administration in exchange for dismissing his federal corruption case. The schools chancellor's letter on Monday pointed to a few resources, including GSA student clubs, classroom resources featuring the voices of LGBTQ+ people, and mental health support. Aviles-Ramos did not mention Trump by name or any of his specific policies. For some parents, the direct communication did not go far enough. 'I think this is still too little too late. It would be great if they could actually address the orange elephant in the room,' said Gavin Healy, a progressive member of a Manhattan education council, in an apparent reference to Trump. Last school year, the panel — Community Education Council 2 — passed a resolution calling on the school system to reconsider its gender inclusive policy in school sports. Then-Schools Chancellor David Banks forcefully condemned the measure, which was nonbinding. Healy, who voted against the resolution and has since been supporting a push to rescind it, described the absence of an explicit mention of sports as 'concerning.' 'The chancellor's letter still leaves that line of attack open,' he said, 'and that's alarming.'
