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Welcome
¡Bienvenidos!
欢迎
Dias até o início das aulas!
Welcome from Todd Shy,
head of school
What's new!
Information will be posted here throughout the spring.
What to expect over the next few months
Small World–5th Grade
March
- Register for Summer@Avenues. Click here to learn more. (date tba)
April
- Small World Welcome Event (date tba)
- Lower Division (Grades 1–5) Welcome Event (date tba)
- Families in nursery through 5th grade will be paired with an Avenues Buddy, a current Avenues family who will be available to connect with you and act as a resource as you prepare for the fall.
- Families in Small World will receive the contact information of other families in your child’s class.
May
- Nursery and pre-K Welcome Event (date tba)
- Kindergarten Welcome Event (date tba)
July
- Families will receive access to OPEN, our community portal, where you can complete required health forms, update household information, sign policy documents, and more.
- Families entering the Early Learning Center and 1st grade will receive messaging from their respective division heads outlining information about the year ahead and what to expect.
August
- Class lists and divisional information will be shared via e-mail.
Grades 6–12
March
- Students in grades 6–12 will receive a course and elective preference survey along with a course catalog. Students will also have the chance to sign up for Wellness and Movement (WAM) and athletics.
- Students will receive a language preference survey ahead of placement testing in April. Please return this within one week.
April
- Students will receive math and language placement tests. Tests and instructions will be sent via email and should be completed asynchronously by students during a two-week window.
Please note:- Grade 6 students do not take a math placement test.
- Those without prior language proficiency in their selected language track (i.e. beginners) do not need to take a language placement test.
May
- For those families who request an Avenues buddy, (a current Avenues family who will be available to connect with you and act as a resource as you prepare for the fall) will be matched.
- New Family Welcome Event – Save the Date!
Wednesday, May 7 at 5:30-7:00 pm. RSVP to follow.
June
- Families will receive a welcome letter from their child’s dean. The dean will be your family’s point person for your experience here at Avenues. Your dean will be here to get to know your child, cheer them on, and provide guidance when they need it. Your dean will keep you informed of all of the exciting things happening in your child’s grade and they will be there to answer any questions you might have.
July
- Families will receive access to OPEN, our community portal, where you can complete required health forms, update household information, sign policy documents and more.
August/September
- Embark for Students
Dates & details to be announced. Check back for updates.
Embark is our new student orientation, welcoming students to their new school at the end of August. Students will have the chance to build connections with classmates, meet faculty and deans, and learn their way around the school. Embark will include technology orientation, an overview of important school policies, and an introduction to life as an Avenues student. And most importantly, a lot of fun! - Embark for Parents
Dates & details to be announced. Check back for updates.
We want to welcome our new families as well! Join us for Embark for Parents. You’ll meet school leadership, get to know other new families, and learn some of the ins and outs of being an Avenues family. We can’t wait to welcome you to our community! - Upper Division student schedules are typically shared in the days before school starts.
Upcoming events
Join the Avenues community for some exciting upcoming events!
Saturday, February 1
10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Join us for the 2nd annual ELC & LD Lunar New Year event as we celebrate the Year of the Snake with performances, games, crafts and food. Price: $15/person. Tickets are limited!
Saturday, February 8
10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
You won't want to miss our annual Avenues Book Fair! Books in both English and target language for all ages will be available for purchase. There will be plenty of additional activities including arts, crafts, guest readers and more. RSVP is free, but required.
DEI Faculty and Family Book Club
This year, Avenues colleagues and families will join together to read and discuss The Night Watchman, by Louise Erdrich. Meeting dates are 7:00 p.m. on February 12, March 12, and April 16. Interested participants should email Upper Division teacher Natasha Chadha at natasha.chadha@avenues-ny.org.
Black History Month Concert
Sunday, February 9 3:00 P.M.
Organized by the Avenues Black Families Affinity Group. We welcome you to the Brooklyn Public Library to see James Baldwin’s work Turkey Saved My Life - Baldwin in Istanbul, 1961–1971 | Brooklyn Public Library
Black History Month Concert at Brooklyn Public Library — The Harlem Chamber Players concert that starts at 4:00 P.M. RSVP is free, but required.
Black History Month Dinner
Sunday, February 26
5:00 P.M.—7:00 P.M.
Please join us for food from the African-American diaspora, and the opportunity to learn more about Black culture and fellowship. Catered by James Beard Award-winning Chef JJ Johnson’s Field Trip, this event will include presentations and representatives from the campus speaking on the 2025 Black History Month theme, “African Americans and Labor”. RSVP is free, but required.
April 17 8:30 A.M.—10:00 A.M.
May 14 8:30 A.M.—10:00 A.M.
June 12 8:30 A.M.—10:00 A.M.
All are welcome to join for coffee and breakfast. This is a great way to meet other parents, chat with APA members, find out what's going on around school and shop swag! RSVP is free, but required.
Welcome Packet
School Start and End Times
Arrival and dismissal times for the 2025–26 school year have not yet been solidified. To give you a sense of our schedule by division, we are including arrival and dismissal times from this current school year.
Small World
- 1s Early Morning Session: 8:30–10:30 a.m.
- 1s Late Morning Session: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
- 2s Morning Session: 8:30–11:30 a.m.
- 2s Afternoon Session: 12:00–3:00 p.m.
- Full Day: 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Early Learning Center
Chinese Track: 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Spanish Track: 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Lower Division
8:20 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Upper Division
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Grades 6 and 7: 8:50 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Grades 8–12: 9:00 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Wednesday
Grades 6 and 7: 8:50 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.
Grades 8–12: 9:00 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.
Calendar
View the 2025–26 quick-hits calendar here. A more comprehensive calendar will be posted to Avenues OPEN, our community portal, over the summer.
Campus Contacts
| Avenues New York | Main number | 212-524-9000 | |
| Divisional Information | |||
| Small World | Clarissa Byer | smallworld@avenues-ny.org | 646-664-0822 |
| Early Learning Center | Rachel Gordian | rachel.gordian@avenues-ny.org | 646-664-0962 |
| Lower Division | Allison Cousin | allison.cousin@avenues-ny.org | 646-664-0895 |
| Upper Division (6–8) | Josh Ackerman | josh.ackerman@avenues-ny.org | 646-664-0895 |
| Upper Division (9–12) | Jeannie Wei | jeannie.wei@avenues-ny.org | 646-664-0888 |
| School Information | |||
| General School Information | Miscandy Corporan | miscandy.corporan@avenues-ny.org | 646-664-0953 |
| Explorers | Juliana Casadei | juliana.casadei@avenues-ny.org | |
| Athletics | Jennifer Inniss | athletics@avenues-ny.org | 646-664-0964 |
| School Nurses | nurse@avenues-ny.org | ELC 646-664-0907 LD and UD 646-664-0901 |
|
| College Counseling | Katy Nowiszewski | katy.nowiszewski@avenues-ny.org | 646-664-0889 |
| Accounting/Billing | Chequanna Kelley | accounting@avenues-ny.org | 646-664-0867 |
| Parent Portal (OPEN) | Kati Cowardin | open@avenues-ny.org | |
| Registrar | Juana Lee | registrar@avenues-ny.org | 646-664-0936 | Security, Main Building | Joseph Millan | security@avenues-ny.org | 646-664-0992 |
| Security, ELC & Co.Lab | 646-664-0947 | ||
| Transportation | transportation@avenues-ny.org | ||
Avenues OPEN: The New York Community Portal
Avenues OPEN, the Avenues New York community portal, serves an important role in the functioning of our campus and contains important resources for families. OPEN is where you can access school news, highlights and information, view and pay your bill, edit your family profile to include emergency contacts and authorized pick-ups and submit required student health forms. You can also access a school-wide directory and directory preferences, download class lists, access student records and reports and receive information from campus leadership and communications. New families can expect to receive their login credentials for OPEN in July, and will also be able to complete the necessary health information through Magnus at that time. We look forward to sharing more information with you and officially welcoming you to our online community!
Health
The Avenues Health Office is happy to welcome new students and families for the coming school year. We pride ourselves on our ability to work together with families, faculty and healthcare providers to ensure the health and well-being of our students.
Following are some important notes about health forms and procedures for the 2025–2026 school year:
Online Health Database
Student health information will be collected in our online health database, Magnus. This platform is accessible via Avenues OPEN and more information on how to access and use Magnus will be sent out to all families in mid-July. Forms will be available later this spring so families can start collecting health information before uploading them over the summer.
Immunizations
Please note that for the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff, all students must be immunized according to the New York State guidelines in order to attend school. As per New York State law, we are unable to accept any religious exemptions for immunizations. If you plan to submit a request for a medical immunization exemption, please reach out to the health office directly at nurse@avenues-ny.org.
All students must have an annual physical and record of immunizations on file. We will accept annual physical exam forms that have been completed by a healthcare provider from any state located within the United States.
Form Submission Deadline August 15, 2025
All health forms are due no later than August 15, 2025. Students are unable to start classes and/or participate in athletic events until their health forms are completed. The completion of these forms is required by the NYC Department of Health regulations.
If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please feel free to contact us via telephone or email. We look forward to another year of providing care for all our students and helping them reach their personal health and academic goals.
Andrea Marotti, BSN, RN
Ricki Richards, BSN, RN
Siena Mariotti-Hills, MSN, RN
Suzie Dastoor, BSN, RN
Taysia Wallace, MSN, RN, PNP
Small World, Lower Division and Upper Division
259 Tenth Ave | New York, NY 10001
646-664-0910 | nurse@avenues-ny.org
Early Learning Center
536 W 26th Street | New York, NY 10001
646-664-0907 | nurse@avenues-ny.org
Required Health Forms
Please note that you will only be able to submit completed forms via Magnus starting mid-July.
Food
At Avenues, the meals we serve each day are nutrient-rich, delicious and culturally diverse. We want all students to develop agency in their meal decisions while developing a positive relationship with food. We create balanced menus made in-house that are low in added sugars and meet the unique needs of students ranging from age two to 18.
We strive to expose students to global cuisine. We serve a variety of international dishes using culturally appropriate ingredients and techniques that honor those traditions. We also aim to minimize our ecological impact and carbon footprint by choosing local and seasonal produce and being plant-forward where feasible.
Lunch
Each day, students and colleagues are offered a protein-based entrée with a minimum of two coordinating side dishes, one of which is a starch and the other a vegetable. Vegetarian options, as well as vegan, gluten-free, and more are available daily and additional options include a sandwich, grain/pasta side, fresh fruit, and salad.
Snack
Each student receives two snacks per day—one hand fruit (local or organic when possible) and one other option, including homemade bread, organic string cheese, packaged snacks (ex: MadeGood, Nature's Bakery, etc) organic yogurt or applesauce (no sugar added), among others.
Allergies
Our food program seeks to minimize the risk of allergic reaction by avoiding some ingredients and clearly communicating when others are used. We prepare individually wrapped plates for students in the ELC who have documented food allergies.
Peanuts and tree nuts (including coconut) are never used, and breads and baked goods are purchased from peanut and tree-nut-free bakeries. Fish, shellfish, soy, milk, eggs, wheat, sesame and gluten are also clearly labeled in accordance with the FDA allergy labeling laws.
Sustainability
Our program is designed to minimize ecological impact and to support Avenues’ Zero Waste initiative. Leftover foods are reused or donated to local partners. Where possible, foods will be local, seasonal and organic. Our flatware, bowls, plates and containers are either compostable or recyclable. We also encourage students to bring in their own reusable cutlery and water bottles.
Safety & Security
We are committed to fostering a positive school climate in which all members feel welcome, safe and respected.
Our Team
Our security team at Avenues is of the highest caliber; comprised of experienced law enforcement officers. Under the leadership of Joe Millan, who served with the New York City Police Department for 20 years where he rose to the rank of lieutenant, this team is tirelessly devoted to the safety and security of our campus. Our security team is highly trained in how to respond to a variety of threatening scenarios. The school follows a written Emergency Management Plan (EMP), which is submitted to the nearby 10th Precinct.
Staff + Visitors
Once arrival is complete all doors except the main entrances are locked and all school entrances are monitored to ensure students, parents and authorized visitors are the only people entering our buildings. All visitors, including parents and caregivers, must check in first with security. Visitors will also receive a sticker tag, which must be worn at all times.
Faculty and staff, students in the Upper Division and parents are required to badge in when entering the building. Each visitor, faculty and staff member is required to wear a lanyard with an ID badge while on the school property.
Emergency Preparedness
Teacher/Staff Training: Every teacher, staff member, long-term substitute and volunteer at Avenues must complete and pass a background check prior to working with children. Additionally, every colleague is required to complete active shooter response training. Teachers and staff review emergency preparedness procedures at the start of each school year, as required by section 2801-a of NYS Education Law. Each room on campus contains a chart with need-to-know information should a situation arise.
Drills: Avenues conducts four lockdown drills a year with our faculty and students. There are also eight evacuation drills each year to practice for fire or related emergencies. Teachers and staff review emergency preparedness procedures at the start of each school year. All teachers and staff are responsible for knowing where their students are while on campus and at school-sponsored events or trips.
Style Guide
Our Style Guide reinforces a sense of belonging by making our students easily recognizable to one another and other members of our community. It provides us with a sense of identity with enough flexibility for individuals to personalize their choice of clothing. What the Style Guide is intended to accomplish are the following:
- Define an Avenues identity.
- Avoid advertising differences in economic circumstances.
ELC + Lower Division
Students may wear solid color gray, white or black clothing from any source.
- We ask that there be no words, images, brands or logos prominently visible. An exception is for official
- Avenues branding and logos.
- Shoes should be safe for wear in school. Closed shoes and sneakers are best; sneakers are required for ELC.
Students should wear boots in rainy and snowy weather.
Upper Division
Students may wear solid color gray, white, blue or black clothing from any source.
- We ask that there be no words, brands, images or logos prominently visible. An exception is for official Avenues branding and logos.
- Shoes should be safe for the stairs and surfaces in school.
- During Wellness and Movement (WAM), athletic clothing and sneakers are required. Clothing may be gray, white, blue or black.
- We ask that students exhibit sensitivity to differences in economic circumstances in their choice of shoes and accessories as well as clothing.
Transportation Options
Student OMNY Cards Provided by Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT)
The Office of Pupil Transportation also provides full-fare student OMNY Cards to students in grades K–12 who meet the eligibility requirement. OMNY Cards will be distributed to all eligible students during the first week of school. Students in grades K–5 who use OPT bus service will not receive an OMNY.
Bus Option 1: Selby Transportation Corporation Bus Service (At a Cost)
Selby is a private bus company that provides pick-up and drop-off service at a cost to Avenues families. Selby buses are equipped with GPS and car seats for nursery students. As Selby routes are generated from family interest, Selby will confirm routes and which neighborhoods they are able to service after registration closes during the summer. Schedules are aligned with ELC and Lower Division arrival and dismissal. Upper Division students are eligible for afternoon service on Wednesday afternoons only when they dismiss at an earlier time.
Anticipated costs for 2025–26
- Nursery–5th Grade Round Trip: $7,620
- Nursery–5th Grade AM or PM only: $5,105
- 6th–12th Grade AM only: $3,810
- 6th–12th Grade Wednesday PM: $765
If you have any questions regarding Selby bus service, please reach out to avenues@superselby.com. Additionally, their FAQs can be found here.
Bus Option 2: Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) Bus Service (Free)
OPT is a free public bus service that is provided to all eligible students in kindergarten through 6th grade by the NYC Department of Education. Due to distance restrictions, OPT bus stops are only available within Manhattan:
- Below 100th Street on the Upper West Side
- Below 63rd Street on the Upper East Side
We typically receive our routes from OPT in late August and will notify registered families at that time. OPT route schedules are aligned with ELC and Lower Division arrival and dismissal. Upper Division students are eligible for afternoon service on Wednesday afternoons only when they dismiss at an earlier time.
While you are welcome to opt into the service at any time, if we receive your response after June 30, OPT might not be able to accommodate any further stop requests or location changes. Please let us know if you have any questions by emailing transportation@avenues-ny.org.
Technology
Technology is intentionally integrated into our program and school day across all grades and subjects to be used to appropriately enhance student learning. The technology team works in partnership with our entire community to ensure the success of the technology program. We value the leadership potential of all of our students and expect them to follow the same community norms of Welcome, Safety and Respect while responsibly navigating our digital tools and resources.
Assets
Avenues New York subscribes to over 700 educational apps and more than 70 online research databases, while also offering a library of almost 10,000 e-books. These are carefully and thoughtfully curated by our Technology Integrators, our Library & Media Specialists, and our Teachers to offer educational value in a safe digital environment.
Equipment
- Small World–5th Grade: Students are issued an iPad with all necessary accessories and AppleCare Protection. Students in 5th grade are also issued a MacBook Air to be used while at school.
- Grades 6–12: Students receive an iPad, an Apple Pencil and a MacBook Air with all necessary accessories and AppleCare Protection. The primary use of the equipment by the student is for the student’s educational programs. The student/parent shall abide by the school’s Acceptable Use and Responsible Use policies.
Email
Avenues leverages a combination of Microsoft and Google online collaboration suites for authentication, communication, and collaboration purposes. Every Avenues student is assigned a Microsoft email + calendar account that is connected to the school-issued systems and apps. The email component is disabled for students in 2nd grade and below and restricted within our domain for students in grades 3–5. Middle and upper-grade students are able to receive and send emails outside of the Avenues domain.
Additionally, all students are issued a school Google account that should be utilized for instructional and school-related activities only.
Digital Citizenship
Avenues has partnered with Common Sense Media as a part of their Supporter School Program. Throughout the school year, students will participate in digital citizenship activities and discussions. We encourage you to explore the Common Sense Media website, which contains a wealth of resources on the use of media and technology. Parents should discuss individual family values and expectations regarding technology use at home.
Athletics
We are so proud of our athletics program and have grown tremendously over the last few years. We are getting ready for the 2025-2026 season and all schedules will be available on avenuesathletics-ny.org once available. Team registration will begin later this spring and student-athletes in grades 7–12 should indicate their fall, winter and spring athletic choices so we can plan accordingly. If your child will be in grades 7–12, please discuss with them whether they have an interest in participating on a school team and make sure they make that selection when it is time. Over the summer, coaches will send an email to fall athletes with more details about the fall pre-season.
Go, Aviators!
Avenues Explorers (After School + Summer)
After-School Specialty Classes 🤖
Avenues’ after-school specialty classes offer a wide array of exciting on-campus activities after the school day ends. Offerings include robotics, parkour, ballet, soccer, coding, painting and more.
Stay & Play 🪁
Stay & Play, our aftercare program, begins directly after school and runs until 5:15 p.m. Children are provided a healthy snack and are given a supervised space to catch up with friends, complete homework, play games and/or engage in a number of wholesome, screen-free activities.
Private Music Lessons 🎼
Private Music Lessons provide personalized, one-on-one musical instruction in a variety of instruments and musical options, depending on the student’s grade and teacher availability.
Chess Team ♟
The award-winning Avenues chess team is a year-long commitment, where students scrimmage, develop strategy and new skills, and receive coaching to prepare them for tournament play.
Lego Challenge 🧱
(4th–5th grade and 6th–8th Grade)
Guided by our coaches, the Lego Challenge League teams research real-world problems, such as food safety, recycling and energy and are challenged to develop a solution. They also must design, build and program a robot using Lego technology and compete on a table-top playing field. Both teams participate in at least one qualifying event per year.
Summer@Avenues Immersion Camp ☀️
Our signature summer program offers rising nursery–grade 5 students an engaging and interactive experience delivered in two language tracks—Spanish or Chinese. Through interactive, play-based learning led by our exceptional Avenues teachers, campers will engage in a wide variety of activities throughout the day, discover their skills and passions, and continue to develop proficiency in their target language.