Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Get Free School Supplies In Manhattan At These 5 Events

You won't want to miss Virtual Open House at Berkeley College on the New York Patch calendar

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Wednesday August 19th Patch AM
Wednesday August 19th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Morning New York! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Where to grab free backpacks and supplies across Manhattan
  • Penn Station tunnel reopens as another long closure looms
  • See which NYC public high schools lead the 2026–27 rankings

Also on today's calendar: Virtual Open House at Berkeley College and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 87 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy, brief showers, temps: high: 82, low: 67.
  • Friday: Partly sunny and less humid, with a high of 80 and low of 68 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Get Free School Supplies In Manhattan At These 5 Events (patch.com) — Families in New York City can pick up free backpacks and essential school supplies at several upcoming Manhattan events, many of which also offer games, snacks, and music. Giveaways are scheduled in Inwood, around Columbia University, East Harlem, and Midtown before public schools reopen on Sept. 10, with children required to be present to receive items.
   

2. A Penn Station Tunnel Is Open Again. Another One Will Close This Fall (patch.com) — Train riders in New York City are seeing one East River tunnel into Penn Station back in service after a 15‑month Sandy-related rebuild, but another damaged tunnel will shut down later this fall. Amtrak's full-closure repair strategy, affecting LIRR, NJ Transit and Amtrak trains, will bring continued capacity limits and potential crowding through at least 2027.
   

3. These Are The Best Public High Schools In NYC For 2026-27: U.S. News (patch.com) — New York City families can see how 15 local public high schools stack up in U.S. News & World Report's 2026–27 rankings, which draw on 2023–24 performance data. The list highlights top schools across all five boroughs and explains how graduation rates, test scores, and college readiness shape each school's standing. It also notes how underserved students' outcomes and advanced coursework factor into the results.
   

4. Housing Provider Must Help Tenants Avoid Eviction: Lawsuit (patch.com) — New Yorkers in CAMBA supportive housing now have stronger protections against eviction under a new legal settlement, which requires the nonprofit to help tenants apply for city rental assistance like the One Shot Deal. The agreement forces CAMBA to explore payment plans and other alternatives before seeking eviction in housing court, with Legal Aid monitoring compliance across supportive housing units in New York City. These changes could affect thousands of vulnerable tenants citywide.
   

5. Confidence In Historic Super El Niño Grows: What To Know In NYC (patch.com) — New Yorkers are being told to brace for a potentially historic El Niño that could reshape the city's upcoming winter, influencing how much snow actually falls. Federal forecasters now see a very high chance of a very strong event, while private outlooks suggest warmer temperatures, active storms, and a tricky mix of rain, snow, and ice for the Northeast. The exact balance between snow and rain in New York City remains uncertain, but expectations are rising for a complicated season.
   

📸 Around New York

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🗓 Upcoming Events in New York

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday August 19
  • New York City FC II vs FC Cincinnati 2
    Randall's Island Park Alliance 20 Randall's Island Park, New York, NY 10035
    1:00 pm
  • Adult Watercolor Class with Peri
    Cliffside Park Public Library Online Only
    7:00 pm
    • Monday August 24
  • Elementary Classmate Lists/Teacher Assignment Available on Parent P
    Great Neck UFSD Great Neck, NY 11020
  • SH Gr. 12 Photos by Appt.
    Great Neck UFSD Great Neck, NY 11020

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • MAGIC SHOW for All Ages in Times Square Sun., Sept. 13
    The Broadway Magic Hour is NYC's favorite family-friendly magic show. Now in its 3rd epic year, award-winning magicians Jim Vines (Penn & Teller:... (More info)
  • UES songwriter/author wins 2026 Hollywood Independent Music Award for Best Children's Music!
    Mallory J. Stevens has just won the 2026 Hollywood Independent Music Award for Best Children's Music, along with her song co-songwriter, film and... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • The Chinese-American Planning Council Hosted 2026 Annual Queens Special Needs Summer Festival —Douglas Read on Patch
  • Real New York Announces Expansion of Management Team, Including New Chief Operating Officer —Kelly Kreth Read on Patch
  • NYC Wastes $5 - $20 Million 0n Useless Fluoridation, Yearly —Carol Kopf Read on Patch
  • AIRE Ancient Baths posted a job opening for Male Housekeeper in New York. Apply here.
  • KB Search Team, LLC posted a job opening for Import Coordinator in New York. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near New York here.

Ok New York! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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