Back-to-school season is here, and we’ve rounded up everything you need to start the year off right. Our guide includes the DOE school calendar, day camp ideas for those early school holidays, after-school programs, Back-to-School events, giveaways, and donation drives—plus the latest school news, including this year’s citywide cell phone ban.
The school calendar for all 3K–12 DOE public schools is available here. The first day of school is Thursday, September 4. Look ahead to upcoming holidays like Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and plan ahead now by exploring our guide to day camps on school holidays.
Searching for an after-school class or activity? We’ve got you covered, with guides featuring programs in soccer, art, dance, gymnastics, tennis, and more!
Brooklyn has a fresh wave of new after-school programs launching this year, including programs in basketball, soccer, ceramics, dance, and more. Check out our roundup of the newest after-school classes in our neighborhoods, with ages, days and times, costs, and locations for each class.
4th Annual Brooklyn Blends Back-to-School Giveaway | Park Slope
Tuesday, September 2 | 10:00am-1:30pm
Join for the 4th Annual Brooklyn Blends Back-t0-School Drive with free haircuts!
Back-to-School Drive at Rodney Playground | Williamsburg
Tuesday, September 2 | 3-5pm
Join for a District 34 giveaway at Rodney Playground (Rodney St and South 3rd St.) to help your child get ready for this upcoming school year! A child must be present to receive school supplies. Supplies are given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
Back to School Celebration at Red Hook Interim Library | Red Hook
Wednesday, September 3 | 2-3pm
Come celebrate back to school with us at the Red Hook Interim Library! Come for a giveaway of pencils, library bag, and an arts and craft kit. There will also be a free book giveaway.
Back-to-School in the Park at Herbert Von King Park | Bed-Stuy
Thursday, September 4 | 5-6pm
500 Men Making a Difference is making sure our young scholars start the school year strong! Join us for our annual backpack & school supply giveaway. There will be free backpacks and school supplies and a special performances by Universoul Circus!
Saturday, September 6 | 12-4pm
This back-to-school event at BRIC House will have tons of fun for families: a breakdance performance, kid rapper, robo-doodling, notebook collage, Back2School bucket hats, a music maker zone, BRIColoring, friendship bracelets, and a community mural.
Explore Schools Back to School Rodeo | Crown Heights
Saturday, September 13 | 12-3pm
Join for a fun Back to School Block Party! There will be games, giveaways, and more! Note: backpacks are limited to one per family.
Back to School Party | Brooklyn Heights
Sunday, September 14 | 4-6pm
Join Brooklyn Bridge Parents for our annual Back to School Party during Open Streets on Montague on Sunday, September 14 from 12 to 4 pm with 25 free kids activities, dance party and bubble show. We will have games, arts & crafts, soccer, face painting, building activities and obstacle course, much more.
Cell Phone Ban in Public Schools
State law now requires that smartphones and other personal internet-enabled devices like smartwatches cannot be used on school grounds during the school day. Here’s everything you need to know about the cell phone ban, including what devices are affected, how families can get in touch in an emergency, exceptions to the policy, and more.
40 New After-School Sites Launching in Fall 2025
Mayor Eric Adams is launching 40 new after-school sites in September 2025, adding 5,000 K–5 seats in high-need areas as part of the $331 million “After-School for All” plan. By FY 2028, the initiative will serve 184,000 students annually. The 10 Brooklyn sites are:
P.S. 230 Doris L. Cohen | Kensington
P.S. 159 Isaac Pitkin | East New York
P.S. 160 William T. Sampson | Borough Park
P.S. 176 Ovington | Dyker Heights
P.S. 204 Vince Lombardi | Bensonhurst
P.S. 101 The Verrazano | Gravesend
P.S. 128 Bensonhurst | Bensonhurst
P.S. 253 | Brighton Beach
P.S. 255 Barbara Reing School | Madison
Imagine Me Leadership Charter School | Ocean Hill
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Updated: August 31, 2025. Main Image: PS 58 in Carroll Gardens.
