Back to School: Academic Recovery Town Hall

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Eyewitness News hosted a special town hall, "Back to School: Academic Recovery," to get ready to send students back to the classroom.

Anchors Michelle Charlesworth and Mike Marza hosted the live town hall on Wednesday.

NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks was joined by eight panelists to fill parents and students in on everything to know before the first day of school on Thursday.

RELATED | PHOTOS: Share your back-to-school moments with us

They covered topics like what is new this year, including curriculum changes, security upgrades, healthy meal changes and more.

RELATED | NYC schools launching new chapter in academics and mental health

A new school year means a lot to look forward to for students in the city -- not just in the form of academics, but mental health too. Crystal Cranmore has the details.

Other important topics included school safety initiatives, mental health, the influx of migrants in the city and the possible school bus driver strike.

Emma Vadehra explains the contingency plan if NYC school bus drivers do go on strike.

Banks also announced he will join the UFT on Thursday morning to make a "special announcement" on increased staffing as the city works to educate its newly arrived students amid an influx of migrants in NYC.

Meet the panelists:

RELATED | Celebrating teachers: Share your stories of special educators with us

----------

* Get Eyewitness News Delivered

* More New York City news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.