New York City and State Government Resources for Children

THE CITY OF NEW YORK PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
The Parks and Recreation Department's Park Planner challenges children in grades five through eight to name and create their own park while staying within a budget. Paths, ponds, fountains, recreational equipment, lampposts, or trees can be used to create a playground, park or arboretum.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
Hot Dog is a Dalmatian dog with a dozen important safety activity lessons in a downloadable coloring book. Children in grades kindergarten through four will learn to"stay cool in a hot spot" while completing the learning activities which stress problem solving and making choices.

THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CITYWIDE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
The City Jobs Home Page presents vocational information for high school students featuring over thirty different civil service careers. Links to the Department of Employment's Youth Employment Program.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
The NYPD Kids Corner's downloadable coloring book features a friendly policeman offering preschoolers and new readers cars, boats, helicopters, motorcycles, horses, police dogs and an offer of assistance in the event that one becomes lost.

NEW YORK STATE

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MARY O. DONOHUE'S SCHOOL VIOLENCE TASK FORCE
A Student's Guide to Rights, Roles and Responsibilities enumerates the academic and disciplinary rights of  high school students while informing them of their own obligation to contribute to the orderly functioning of their school. Links to other sites feature youth led efforts to eradicate school violence.

THE LONG ISLAND POWER AUTHORITY
Lipa Louie is a firefly who takes children in grades two through four on a guided tour through Louie's Space to teach them about electricity with an emphasis on safety. The history of electricity and basic concepts of energy and conservation are offered with a certificate of completion for those who complete the interactive lessons Puzzles and games reinforce what has been learned.

THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
The New York State Assembly Kids' Page is divided into elementary and secondary sections. Although the elementary page is listed as suitable for kindergarten through sixth grades, the academic content is really more suitable for third through sixth grades . Only the coloring material is feasible for younger children. The site explains what the New York State Assembly is and what is does, offers facts and figures about New York State and a topically appropriate word search puzzle. The seventh through twelfth grade site offers a similar introduction to the New York Assembly but with greater detail and depth, a search engine into which children can enter their zip code to find out who their assemblyman is and a short biography of New York State's most famous state assemblyman, President Millard Fillmore. The "something for everyone" link offers more material suitable for middle school children such as short audio presentations of historical interest, a link to a women in the assembly site and an online tour of the State Assembly and capital building. Links to teacher material are provided.

THE NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION ON QUALITY OF CARE
Disabilities Awareness: Articles by High School Students is a collection of essays written by high school students for high school students which offer an insider's perspective on life with a disability. Numerous links to essays featuring topics such as life with Asperger's Syndrome, the challenges of wheelchair weight lifting or a poem about Juvenile Diabetes offer answers and insight about physical and emotional differences.

THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The State Department of Agriculture Kids Pages features informative coloring and puzzle activities for children in kindergarten through second grade which promote New York State agricultural products.

THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The New York State for Kids Official Tourism Website offers games, trivia, puzzles, contests, coloring and facts about New York State. The noteworthy state history link features a complete list of New York State governors in chronological order from 1777 to the present. Most of the features are suitable for grades four through six although the coloring feature can be enjoyed by children from kindergarten onward.

THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
The New York Career Zone page provides high school students with interactive materials designed to aid in self assessment of vocational preference and aptitude. Links allow students to target interests, build a portfolio and obtain financial aid for higher education. Information about specific careers and resources of interest to job seekers, counselors and teachers is also available.

THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicle's Traffic Safety Kids Page, explains the rules of the road as applied to bicycles, scooters, inline skates, rail road crossings, public transportation and "safe walking,"to children in grades three through seven. Numerous puzzles, word scrambles and a traffic sign quiz provide learning fun.

THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
The New York Department of State's Kids Room Fire Safety Page offers children in kindergarten through fourth grade the opportunity to click on the paw print of Hershey the Arson Dog to discover various aspects of fire fighting. Diagrams and explanations regarding the differences in various types of fire trucks and links to "action photos" of firemen fighting real fires will hold the attention of beginning readers.

The New York Department of State's Kids Room Get the Facts site features information about New York State for children in grades three through six. The biographies of governors, origins of county names, state symbols, and trivia are presented in a clear and well organized format. Puzzles, quizzes and coloring exercises help reinforce what has been learned.

THE NEW YORK HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICES CORPORATION
Advice for eighth through twelth grade students regarding academic and financial preparation for college. Explanations as to what Regents requirements entail, how to apply for financial aid and helpful links to streamline college applications serve to illuminate the higher education adminssions process.

THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE FOR THE AGING
Caregiving and Teens addresses the unique concerns of teenagers who find themselves in the role of caregiver for an elderly person. Practical advice regarding the physical and emotional strains of caregiveing and links to local Caregiver Resource Centers and Regional Offices for the Aging are provided.

THE NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM
The Unified Court System's Court Classroom is divided into elementary, middle and high school level activities which are designed to reinforce knowledge and vocabulary about the court system. The elementary activities are only suitable only for advanced fifth or sixth grade students. The Case of the Month link is suitable for high school students who wish to delve more deeply into case law and statutes. An interactive link allows students to email a judge with questions about the judicial system.

THE OFFICE OF THE NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL
The Attorney General's Kids and Young Adult Page is divided into four age appropriate sections all of which offer information about health and safety and New York State. The Little Kids link features information for kindergarten through second grades offering web pages with large, easy to read type, coloring books, and mazes. The Big Kids link for grades three through five features an introduction to technical terminology and a noteworthy Create- a-Story page with a crime prevention theme. The Junior High link for grades six through eight expands on the previously mentioned information and adds a personal finance page which offers comparative shopping and beginning budget tips. The Teens Page for grades nine through twelve addresses age appropriate concerns with links to information about issues such as obtaining a drivers license and registering to vote

SENATOR CHARLES E. SCHUMER
Senator Schumer's Kid's Page provides biographical and vocational information about the Senator for grades six through nine. The "Your Government" link offers a good, succinct explanation of the three branches of government.

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
New York Learns addresses questions pertaining to the availability, cost, and type of post secondary education for students in grades ten through twelve. Includes links to information about apprenticeships, distance education, and financial aid for college.