School News: PreK-Spots, G&T Testing, Private School for Gifted, More

10/29/09 - By Anna Fader

A round-up of some recent news stories about New York City schools, plus a random silly video for your viewing pleasure. But first, the news:

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City Parents Opting Out of Swine Flu Vaccine. As people around the country clamor for swine flu vaccine, less than half of the students in New York City who are eligible to receive the vaccine in school are expected to do so, reflecting the ambivalence of parents who remain skeptical about the need and effects of the vaccine... [NY Times]

The DOE has announced that it still has 5000 empty Pre-K seats available for this year. Applications must be in by October 30, 2009. If you need free Universal Pre-K this year find a school with Pre-K seats near you and contact the schools directly for registration information.

If you want to have your child tested for GIfted and Talented programs, the deadline is November 6. You can apply to request testing online. Find out more about Gifted and Talented testing on the DOE website.

The New York Times writes about a new private school for gifted children, Speyer Legacy.

The Village Voice writes about the ramifications of the City's hiring freeze for teachers.

For a little bit of fun, check out this parody video Total Eclipse of the Heart: Literal Version:

About the Author

Anna Fader

Founder of Mommy Poppins

A fourth-generation Brooklynite, Anna started Mommy Poppins in 2007 to help families find the best things to do with kids in NYC, with a particular emphasis on sharing activities that are free, affordable, and enriching. The site, used by millions of families, has grown to become the ultimate resource for parents in the major US cities, plus travel guides for 100s of destinations.

Anna is a believer in the magic of summer camps, traveling with kids, and that you can raise kids on a budget and still have a rich life full of amazing memories. Anna's first Mommy Poppins book, The Young Traveler's Journal and Activity Book, published in 2025 and co-written with her daughter, Amelia Eigerman, brings that ethos to life, in addition to this website.