Dear Principals,

I hope you’re enjoying the summer.

You may have heard the reports that the federal government is intending to initiate ICE raids in New York City and nationwide this Sunday, July 14. As the Chancellor has already said in his June 25 letter, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of our immigrant parents and students to be active, valued participants in our school system. In the current federal climate, it is crucial that we reassure parents and students that they are safe in our schools at all times, including over the summer. Please share the current Chancellor’s letter to students and families and one-pagers reminding families of our commitment to them and of the policies that we have put in place to protect immigrant parents and students. We also ask that you review the Protocols for Non-Local Law Enforcement document and familiarize yourself and your team with the protocol for if an ICE agent does attempt to enter a school. We appreciate your commitment to all families, regardless of immigration status.

Thank you.

Best,

Cheryl Watson-Harris

First Deputy Chancellor

Dear Parent/Guardian,

As of June 13, 2019, public, private and parochial schools and childcare programs in New York can no longer accept requests for religious exemptions from school immunization requirements. This law applies to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and to all childcare settings. Schools and childcare programs will continue to accept medical exemptions.

Children attending summer or year-round programming
Children who had a religious exemption and who will be attending childcare or public, private or parochial school in the summer must now receive the first age-appropriate dose in each immunization series by June 28, 2019 to attend or remain in school or childcare. Additionally, by July 14, 2019, parents and guardians of such children must show that they have scheduled appointments for all required follow-up doses.

Children attending until the end of the school year and returning in the 2019-20 school year
Students must meet immunization requirements in order to attend school. Children who have not received all required immunizations must receive the first dose in each immunization series within 14 calendar days after the first day of school or enrollment in childcare. Within 30 calendar days of the first day of school, parents or guardians of such children will also need to show that they have scheduled appointments for all follow-up doses.

A list of the new school immunization requirements for the 2019-20 school year is summarized below.

All students in childcare through grade 12 must meet the requirements for the following vaccines:

• DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis or whooping cough)
• Poliovirus
• MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Hepatitis B Children under age 5 who are enrolled in child care and pre-kindergarten must also meet the requirements for these vaccines:

Children under age 5 who are enrolled in child care and pre-kindergarten must also meet the requirements for these vaccines:

• Hib (Haemophilus influenza type b)
• PCV (pneumococcal disease)
• Influenza (flu): Children must receive the flu vaccine by December 31, 2019

Children in grades 6 through 12 must also meet the requirements for these vaccines:

• Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
• MenACWY (meningococcal disease)Please review your child’s immunization history with their health care provider. Their provider can tell you whether additional doses of one or more vaccines are required for your child to attend or remain in childcare or school. Visit schools.nyc.gov and search for “immunizations” for a full list of required vaccines. If it is not possible for your child to receive their vaccines from their health care provider, the Department of Health has one walk-in immunization clinic (www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/services/immunization-clinics.page).If you have questions about these requirements, please contact your childcare center or school’s administrative office.