On September 4th (Thursday), it will be the first day of the 2025-2026 school year for the public schools in New York City. To assist families in preparing, the Chinese Parents Association, in collaboration with the City Department of Education District 25 and the Flushing Library, announced on Friday that they will be hosting a “Back to School Day” event on September 6th. This event aims to provide students and parents with guidance for the new school year, as well as learning resources. The District 25 Superintendent mentioned during the press conference that the schools are prepared to ensure the smooth implementation of the new rule banning the use of mobile phones.
This event has been held for nine consecutive years since its establishment, becoming an important educational event in the community welcomed by both parents and students. This year’s event will once again take place at the Flushing Library, featuring curriculum and activity introductions, parental guidance, and educational resource displays to assist families in fully embracing the challenges of the new academic year.
During the event, District 25 Superintendent Michael Dantona will be present to provide detailed explanations to parents and students on the “Overview of Public School Curriculum and Activities,” helping parents better understand the course arrangements and campus culture. Zhu Baoling, the Chairperson of the Chinese Parents Association, will speak on “How Parents Can Help Children Prepare for the New School Year,” offering practical educational guidance suggestions for parents. Additionally, the Flushing Library will showcase various educational resources to enable families to access learning information conveniently. Flushing Library’s director, Zeng Yang, will introduce the resources available for student learning at the library.
Congresswoman Grace Meng from New York will also deliver a speech at the event, encouraging community families to actively participate. She emphasized that this year’s Back to School Day event is especially significant, moving beyond traditional “free giveaways” activities to a carefully planned day. “We aim to help more parents and families, especially those facing language barriers or new immigrants, by providing them with essential information and tools for their children’s learning,” Meng stated.
Speaking on the importance of the event, Superintendent Dantona expressed, “I particularly enjoy such back-to-school events because they provide us with the opportunity for face-to-face interactions with families. While we typically share information through messages, it is challenging to have close interactions. Through such occasions, we not only listen to the voices of the community but also strengthen the connection between the school and the district office.”
With the recent government approval of the policy “Prohibiting K-12 students from using smartphones during school hours,” parents and students are highly concerned. Dantona mentioned that District 25 has made comprehensive preparations, whereby students must store their phones in designated bags or lockers upon arrival at the school until dismissal. He stressed, “While the storage methods may vary among schools, the principle remains consistent: students are not allowed to use phones from entering the school gate until leaving.”
Regarding handling students who refuse to comply with the regulations, Dantona stated that the schools will focus on guidance and support rather than punishment. He explained, “We will engage in proactive communication with students and families, establish support programs to ensure students gradually adapt to the new policy. We believe that the majority of students will choose the right behavior.”
Looking ahead to the new school year, Dantona emphasized that District 25 will continue its commitment to providing a safe, disciplined, and supportive learning environment for students. “We look forward to all children returning to the campus in the new school year, joining hands to embrace a stronger and more successful academic year.”