Happy first day of spring! This week, there is a ton going on in New York in relation to Pre-K news! The articles below cover our top picks for the most important reads for this week. Enjoy!

NYC Schools' 1.1 Million Students Caught in Crossfire of Andrew Cuomo, Bill de Blasio's Political Battle Over their Education – NY Daily News

City officials plan to close 18 schools by 2017, according to the Daily News.

Cuomo’s Education Plan: Where Do Other Lawmakers Stand? – Lohund: The Journal News

As lawmakers enter the final stages of budget negotiations, both the Assembly and Senate agree on one thing — their budgets remove the link between additional education funding and Gov. Cuomo's proposed policy changes.

NYC's Plan for Prayer Break in Pre-K Classes Raises Concerns – ABC News

The city's plan to allow mid-day prayer breaks for pre-K programs operating in religious schools is continuing to raise questions among civil-liberties groups, who say the city "seems to be asking for a lawsuit."

Your Guide to Free Pre-K Programs as Enrollment Begins – DNAinfo

As Mayor Bill de Blasio’s signature education policy change, universal pre-K, enters year two, parents of four-year-olds began applying Monday.

13 Charter Schools Approved to Offer Pre-K this Fall – Capital New York

Sixteen charter schools will offer pre-K in the fall, after the Department of Education approved applications from 13 new schools.

De Blasio Touts Early Pre-K Application Numbers – Capital New York

Nearly 22,000 children signed up for a pre-kindergarten seat on the first day of enrollment, three times as many as last year.

City Nixes 45 Percent of Potential Full-Day Pre-K Providers – New York Post

The city rejected 45 percent of pre-K providers that applied for the city's expansion.

Buery Defends Pre-K Prayer Breaks as City Celebrates Enrollment Kickoff – Chalkbeat NY

There will be "very clear opt-out rules" for students in religious pre-K programs who don't want to take part in prayer activities permitted for next year, a top city official said.

NY1 Online: Deputy Mayor Talks Universal Pre-K, Year Two – NY 1

The official, Richard Buery, also pushed back against criticism that the pre-K expansion disproportionately benefited middle class families, saying most students lived in areas below the city's median income while also highlighting the merits of classroom diversity.

Poll: Voters Sour on Cuomo’s Education Plans – Capital NY

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s statewide approval rating fell to 50 percent – the lowest it’s been since he took office in 2011 – largely due to his proposed education policy changes, according to a Quinnipiac University poll. The poll released Wednesday shows just 28 percent of voters approve of the governor’s actions on education.