Expanded, enriched learning opportunities

NYC community schools provide expanded learning time (ELT) before, during, and after school and during the summer. Many also provide ELT during evenings, weekends, and school holidays. ELT programs include classroom push-ins, individualized academic support, project-based learning, and enrichment activities.

The goals of ELT are to:

Provide balanced curricular opportunities and allow time for personalized learning
Foster social and emotional competencies and physical well‐being
Provide opportunities for youth to explore their interests and creativity in a safe and supportive environment
Build skills that support academic achievement and growth
Cultivate youth leadership and community involvement
Ensure access to high-quality summer learning

Additional Resources

Afterschool Alliance - Principles of Effective Expanded Learning Programs: A Vision Built on the Afterschool Approach

Beyond the Bell - Program Plan Template

New York State Network for Youth Success

OCS & NYC PS Resources

OCS Guide to School and CBO K-12 Afterschool Program Partnerships

Field Trip Planning Resources

Field trips have the power to help students make real-world connections to their learning and memories that last a lifetime. Field trips are an important piece of expanded learning time, one of the four core features of community schools.

Field trips that are fully or partially funded from the community school budget need to be pre-approved by the OCS Program Manager. Below are resources for lead CBOs planning a field trip and information on the process to get the necessary pre-approval. Please also refer to the guidance in the OCS fiscal manual that is relevant to your funding source.

Below is a timeline for how far in advance you should request approval, and the goal turnaround time:

Trip Approval Table

Trip Type:	Request Approval By:	PM Review Timeline Goal:
Local Trips	≥ 4 weeks before trip date	≤ 1 week
Out of Town or Multi-Day Trips	≥ 8 weeks before trip date	≤ 2 weeks

Note: If you do not request prior approval, the expenses may not be reimbursed.

Please refer to these resources below to aid your planning: OCS Field Trip Guide, OCS Field Trip Destination Ideas, and OCS Field Trip Pre-Approval Request Form. Click the document icons or the blue resource buttons to access the documents.

Field Trip Guide for CBOs document cover page

This Field Trip Guide serves as a jumping-off point to assist you in planning field trip destinations near you, drafting high-quality lesson plans, and navigating operational logistics. You will also find answers to FAQs.

OCS Field Trip Guide

NYCDOE Office of Community Schools Field Trip Repository spreadsheet listing NYC destinations

This is a collection of high-quality field trip destinations sortable by borough, audience, or topic. This list is meant to be a sampling, and by no means exhaustive nor an endorsement of any particular location. CBOs may also contact their OCS Program Manager to suggest trip destinations to be added to this list.

OCS Field Trip Destination Ideas

Download a Word copy of the OCS Field Trip Pre-Approval Request Form, complete it, and email it to your OCS Program Manager.

OCS Field Trip Pre-Approval Request Form

Through a partnership with Change Impact, a library of self-paced workshops is available to you on the Change Up Learning platform. The platform includes a set of courses designed specifically for NYC community schools as well as a broad library of youth development and education topics.

Each community school can set up two accounts on the platform at no cost. Please note only NYC community schools are allowed to use this link, and accounts are available through June 30, 2025.

Activate your account using this link.

Once you register and log in, you can enroll in courses such as:

Expanded, enriched learning opportunities

Additional Resources

OCS & NYC PS Resources

Field Trip Planning Resources

Core Features

Resources

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