NYC Parents Can Fill Out the Remote Learning Device Request Form Now

By filling out the DOE form, your NYC student can receive an internet-enabled iPad to assist him with online learning.

By Jacqueline Neber January 22, 2021

On March 23, New York City schools shifted to a Remote Learning Model for all school days, per Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza. As it stands, school buildings are scheduled to remain closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year as a result of the coronavirus outbreak in NYC. In an effort to help support students’ new at-home learning process, the Department of Education is lending 300,000 internet-enabled iPads to families (255,000 have already been given) with children in public schools and children with special needs in nonpublic schools. While there was a deadline to fill out the request form previously, the DOE has lifted that deadline and will continue to fulfill requests.

How to Get an iPad from the NYC DOE

If you’d like to request an iPad from the NYC Department of Education for your child, here’s what you need to know:

Parents are required to fill out a device request form, one for each child who needs a device.
There is no deadline to fill out this request form.
Teachers and school staff can submit a request on behalf of their students.
Families must fill out the Student Device Loan Agreement.
There is a limit of one device per student.
All devices must be returned once on-site learning resumes.
iPads are being distributed on a rolling basis each week.
Priority is given to students who are most in need.
You can cancel a device request at any time if your child’s needs change.

Regional Enrichment Centers will also be available for children of first responders, health care workers, transit workers, and for the city’s most vulnerable student populations—more details to follow. Parents can get DOE-specific Learn at Home resources for students in preschool through 12th grade, including for students with disabilities, through the DOE website as well. Be on the lookout for more information in the coming days from the DOE.

On Tuesday, March 17, NYC teachers and administrators began professional development in remote learning. Students also began picking up materials for continued instruction, including the technology needed. More guidance on next steps will be communicated to families throughout the coming weeks. Three free Grab-and-Go meals will be available for students and families who need them at the entrance of select school buildings from 7:30am-1:30pm until further notice.

More At-Home Learning Help

Because of the social distancing and quarantine measures the area is taking to reduce the spread of COVID-19, many parents are undertaking the role of homeschooler for their children for the first time ever. There are ways you can manage the new role of homeschooling and have the learning-at-home experience successful for everyone. Just remember, you’re not expected to turn into an educator overnight.

If you need to figure out how to balance working from home with homeschooling, there are plenty of techniques and strategies to implement with your family to ensure everyone gets their work done. Plus, some of our favorite parenting bloggers and influencers share how they’re keeping their sanity while homeschooling their kids.

And for an extra boost of at-home learning when the school assignments are done, these 10 apps are both educational and fun. Talk about a win-win!