2024 Back to School Welcome Site

Please use this URL to access all your school related logins: https://parents.bis-ny.org/
(*Note: credentials will be shared to Managebac and SchoolsBuddy over the summer)

We highly encourage all families to bookmark this link, as it contains several important websites families may need to access throughout the year, including but not limited to:

• Managebac - For classroom newsletters, school reports, and absence requests.
• TADS - For enrollment and billing.
• SchoolsBuddy - For after school club registration.
• LandsEnd - For uniforms.
• TBD - For Lower School lunch orders (more details below)

All of these individual websites have been included in their respective sections below, but the Parent Portal is a quick and convenient way to access not only these sites, but the Welcome Site as well for future reference!

In the coming days you will receive a Welcome email from ManageBac, our online parent communication portal. Please follow the instructions in the email to set up your account with your own password. This will offer you access to weekly class newsletters, school reports, and student absence requests.

Please note that the first time you log in, ManageBac may appear as "Under Construction" as we finalize class lists and after school options in the coming weeks. ManageBac will be fully accessible in late August.

For any questions with setting up your account, please email our IT Manager, Rodrigo Rodriguez, at r.rodriguez@bis-ny.org.

Please see attached the 2024-2025 Parent Handbook and Acknowledgement Form.

All Students:

• All students are required to submit an updated NYS Medical Form completed by a New York State Licensed Physician within fourteen (14) days of starting school.
  • The Physician red link above has a list of some suggested physicians located near the school.
  • All students are required to have a vision and dental screening performed by their pediatrician, as this is included on the medical form.
• Please review the NY State Immunization Forms and bring your child's vaccine card to the pediatrician appointment - New York has a couple of vaccines that are not given in other countries (Hepatitis B and Varicella/Chickenpox).
  • Your child will need at least 1 dose of each or proof of immunity by blood test.
• If your child has an Epipen for allergic reactions or an asthma inhaler, please have a doctor complete these forms: 
  • Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan
  • Asthma Medical Form
• For families moving to New York, a reminder to not ship all key medical records, so you have these available for your child's appointment, in the event any shipped belongings are delayed.

Year Group-Specific Requirements:

• Nursery, Reception and Year 1 students are required to have a hearing screening performed by their pediatrician, as this is included on the medical form. 
• Nursery, Reception and Year 1 under 59 months (6 years old) students are required to have a Flu vaccine as per NY State. This can be given by a local pharmacy. Please bring a print out of confirmation of the vaccine with you to the school. 
  • The flu vaccine is required to be administered prior to December 20, 2024, or your child's first day of school if they are starting after this date.
• Nursery, Reception and Year 1 students will need a lead assessment. If blood tests were previously done, the doctor can check - 'NO RISK' and date '2024'. 

Additional Vaccines Requirements:

• These vaccines are due prior to school commencing and are NY State requirements, therefore not at the discretion of the school to waive. If your child is not due for their yearly exam, you can book an appointment for the vaccine and schedule the yearly exam when it is due.
  • Year 7 -  Tdap
  • Year 8 - Meningitis ACWY
  • Year 13 - Meningitis ACWY

All Students:

• All students are required to submit an updated NYS Medical Form each year, completed by a New York State Licensed Physician.
  • All students are required to have a vision screening performed by their pediatrician, as this is included on the medical form.
  • Your child will not be able to participate in any sports teams without an updated medical form.
• Please review the NY State Immunization Forms.
• If your child has an Epipen for allergic reactions or an asthma inhaler, please have a doctor complete these forms: 
  • Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan
  • Asthma Medical Form

Year Group-Specific Requirements:

• Nursery, Reception and Year 1 students are required to have a dental and hearing exam completed on the medical form. 
• Nursery, Reception and Year 1 under 59 months (6 years old) students are required to have a Flu vaccine as per NY State. This can be given by a local pharmacy. Please bring a print out of confirmation of the vaccine with you to the school. 
  • The flu vaccine is required to be administered prior to December 20, 2024.
• Nursery, Reception and Year 1 students will need a lead assessment. If blood tests were previously done, the doctor can check - 'NO RISK' and date '2024'. 

Additional Vaccines Requirements:

• These vaccines are due prior to school commencing and are NY State requirements, therefore not at the discretion of the school to waive. If your child is not due for their yearly exam, you can book an appointment for the vaccine and schedule the yearly exam when it is due.
  • Year 7 -  Tdap
  • Year 8 - Meningitis ACWY
  • Year 13 - Meningitis ACWY

The following uniform items are provided by or purchased through BIS-NY once term begins:

• School Ties (House Color) 
  • Optional for Years 2 - 4
  • Required for Years 5 - 9
     
• Swim Caps (House Color)

These items are not supplied by BIS-NY nor offered by LandsEnd, so should be purchased independently:

• Footwear
  • School shoes for non-PE days (black; no trainers)
  • Sports shoes for PE days (white or primarily white)
     
• School-appropriate Swimwear
  • Speedo or similar (black or navy)
     
• School Bags
  • These may be purchased from LandsEnd or an appropriate school bag of your choice may be used.

Please take note of your House Color below as shared by the Admissions Team following your enrollment.

This color indicates the color of your PE Polo Shirt when ordering uniform for students from Year 1 upwards. Nursery & Reception/Pre-K students all wear RED polos. For returning Year 1 students, please note your child may require a new polo for PE days depending on their House.

King - Red   |   Shakespeare - Blue   |   Glennie - White
Unsure about your House? Please contact admissions@bis-ny.org.

When should my child wear their Summer and Winter uniforms respectively?
Children can wear either Summer or Winter uniform in September. We officially change to Winter uniform after the long weekend in October, and Summer uniform after the spring break in April.

Should my child wear their PE kit on PE days or bring it to change into?
Children should wear their PE kits for the full school day when they have PE, as well as on days when they have swimming. Swimsuits should be packed separately to be changed into.

I'm having trouble finding an appropriate size for my older child.
For taller students we would recommend buying the uniform in adult sizes so to purchased you would click on that tab within a product vs the kids tab (as indicated in the screenshot below). If you need further assistance with sizing, LandsEnd has asked you to please call them at 1-800-469-2222.

Club proposals for the September - February rotation will be shared in August, alongside instructions on how to register for SchoolsBuddy and enroll in the clubs. Clubs will begin meeting the second or third week of school, to offer students a chance to settle into their classes and choose clubs with their peers.

After school care is available daily for students in Nursery - Year 6 until 5:30pm, at a non-prorated charge of $22/hour. You can sign up for this on a regular or ad hoc basis by emailing Ms Rodriguez at frontdesk@bis-ny.org.

You can find full details on our peripatetic music lesson offerings on the brochure here. 

For any questions or to register your child for private lessons, please contact Ms Viola at g.viola@bis-ny.org.

BIS-NY offers competitive sports teams throughout the school year, competing in a number of different leagues. The PE Department will be in touch closer to the start of school (and again prior to each sport season) to confirm the full list of offerings, including schedules, venues, and registration requirements, but please find an anticipated roster below:

*Unless otherwise stated, dates and times for practices / meets / games are TBC.

American International Private School League (AIPSL)

• Fall
  • Middle School Soccer (Co-ed)
    • Years 8 & 9, but occasionally open to Year 7 depending on past experience/ability
    • Season plays from September - early November 
    • 1x practice per week and approx. 6 games
  • Middle School Volleyball (Girls)
    • Years 7 - 9
    • Season plays from September - end of October
    • 1x practice per week and approx. 6 games
  • Cross Country (Co-ed)
    • Years 6 - 9
    • Season from September - early November
    • 1x practice per week (Mondays 3:45 - 5:00pm) and approx. 4 meets at Van Cortlandt Park (Bronx)
• Winter
  • Middle School Basketball (Boys)
    • Years 7 - 9
    • Season plays from December - late March
    • 1x practice per week and approx. 6 - 8 games
  • Middle School Basketball (Girls)
    • Years 7 - 9
    • Season plays from December - late March
    • 1x practice per week and approx. 6 - 8 games
• Spring
  • Track (Co-ed)
    • Years 6 - 9
    • Season from March - May
    • 1x practice per week (Mondays 3:45 - 5:00pm) and approx. 4 meets at Van Cortlandt Park (Bronx)
  • Tennis (TBC)
    • Years 7 - 9
    • Season plays from April - end of May
    • Approx. 4 matches

Confederation of New York Schools & Team Sports (CONSAT)

• Fall
  • Middle School Volleyball (Co-ed)
    • Years 7 - 9
    • Season plays from September - end of October
    • 1x practice per week and approx. 6 games
• Winter
  • MESH Basketball (Co-ed)
    • Years 5 - 7
    • Season plays from January - late March
    • 1x practice per week and approx. 6 - 8 games
• Spring
  • MESH Indoor Soccer (Co-ed)
    • Years 5 - 7
    • Season plays from January - late March
    • 1x practice per week and approx. 6 games
  • Middle School Flag Football (Co-ed)
    • Years 7 - 9
    • Season plays from April - June
    • 1x practice per week and approx. 6 games

Upper School Sports

• Fall
  • Girls Volleyball
    • Years 10 - 13
    • Season plays September - November
    • 1x practice per week and approx. 6 games
• Winter
  • Girls Basketball (TBC)
    • Years 10 - 13
    • 1x practice per week and games TBC
  • Boys Basketball
    • Years 10 - 13
    • 1x practice per week and approx. 6 games
• Spring
  • Boys Volleyball (TBC)
    • Years 10 - 13
    • Season would play March - May

*Practice and game schedules for each team are subject to change throughout the year for a variety of factors such as field permits, available gym space, and weather.

The NYC Department of Education provides a free school bus service for BIS-NY students in Years 1 - 7 (Specific eligibility by Year Group and distance can be found here).

• The current timetable for the free public school bus can be found here - This will continue to be updated throughout the summer, as stops are configured based on family registration.
  • Please note routes and timing are subject to change throughout the school year based on families enrolling for and withdrawing from the service.
• The school bus service will begin on the first day of school (Wednesday, September 4th) and you will be notified in advance of any days where Department of Education does not have bus service running, so you have time to make alternate arrangements.

To register for the bus service, or for any questions, please contact Ms Sita at frontdesk@bis-ny.org.

• If you wish for your child to use the bus part-time (mornings/afternoons only, MWF only, etc.), please make note of that for Ms Sita in your email.

All students Year 1 and up are eligible for a free metro card provided by the city on a monthly basis. Students in the Early Years program (Nursery & Reception) can ride public city transit for free.

To request a metro card for your child, please contact Ms Sita at frontdesk@bis-ny.org. These can be collected from the front desk at the Lower School once ordered.

BIS-NY can be reached by several different New York City public transit options:

• Bus
  • M23-SBS (crosstown on 23rd Street) - From the FDR Drive stop walk under the FDR, turn left at the marina, and walk north two blocks along the East River. From there, a spiral ramp will take you up to plaza level (for Middle & Upper School students), or turning right at the guard post will take you to the main entrance (for Lower School students or parent meetings).
  • M15 / M15-SBS (up 1st Avenue, down 2nd Avenue) - From the stop closest to 25 Street (these vary based on direction and Select or Regular bus service), walk east on 25th Street towards the FDR. A set of stairs will take you to the footpath over the FDR and onto Waterside Plaza. Lower School families can use the ramp or riverside staircase to access the main entrance.
  • M34A / M34 (crosstown on 34th Street) - The M34A's last stop is Waterside Plaza, by the guard's gate; the M34's last stop is the East River Ferry terminal (directions below).
     
• Ferry
  • The East River Ferry runs regularly from Williamsburg / Greenpoint / Long Island City and drops off at the 34th Street Ferry Terminal, north of the school. (About a five-ten minute walk along the river.)
     
• Subway
  • 1, 6, E, F, Q Trains
  • 63 St/6 Ave Shuttle
  • W Train to 23rd St; then take the 23rd Street crosstown bus east (M23 - more details above) to FDR Drive.

*For families new to the city, we highly recommend the Citymapper app to help navigate public transit options, even for non-school travel!

The driveway is an emergency access route and so while you can have cars drop off your children, there is no parking allowed outside the school nor along the plaza service road adjacent to the FDR.

However, should you wish to park your car and escort your child to/from school, there is a 30 minute grace period that allows for an exit with a Gratis transaction upon egress for all transient parking at the Waterside plaza garage. All rates posted are applicable thereafter. 

To enter, Scan the QR code at the entrance with your smartphone camera and follow the instructions prompted. Upon egress Scan the QR code again and follow the instructions prompted.

For questions regarding parking, please contact Robin Stewart at rstewart@spplus.com. The garage office phone number is (212) 532-9268 and the office hours are from 7:00am - 8:00pm.

Please download the NutriSlice app or use the desktop link here to order lunch for your students.

Please ensure you have ordered for the week ahead by 12pm noon of the Wednesday prior.

We have attached an FAQ guide here, but please feel free to email our Catering Team on lunch@ctyfs.com with any queries.