The Department of Education is calling on this year's high school graduates to subscribe to a website, launched today in partnership with its fund-raising arm,  The Fund for Public Schools.  In his weekly letter to principals, Chancellor Klein said the website  is a way to "help us stay in touch with our students as they graduate from high school" .

An  announcement on the DOE website  bills  it as an effort "... to build a community of NYC public school alumni who can help make our schools stronger for generations to come."  It goes on to invite non-graduates  to participate as well:  "if you are not an NYC public school alum but are interested in getting involved with the city's schools, please sign up too!

Perks for graduating seniors who sign up, entering their contact information along with the schools they attended, include a discount coupon and a chance to win a $200 gift certificate to Modells sporting goods store. The first school that signs up 75 students, will win $1500 in Staples supplies.

DOE Spokesperson Matt Mittenthal said the website is an attempt to build a database to keep in touch with alumni. The DOE is asking schools to encourage their high school seniors to sign up before schools close for summer vacation at www.nycgrads.org.

Beyond soliciting support for city schools, it's unclear whether the database could be used as a way to track  graduates progress post -high school,  as a networking  tool to organize alumni associations, or for other purposes.