• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

RECOVERING, REBUILDING, AND RENEWING: THE SPIRIT OF NEW YORK’S SCHOOLS REOPENING GUIDANCE THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK Regents of The University Betty A. Rosa, Chancellor, B.A., M.S. in Ed., M.S. in Ed., M.Ed., Ed.D. ........... Bronx T. Andrew Brown, Vice Chancellor, B.A., J.D. ................................................. Rochester Roger Tilles, B.A., J.D. ..................................................................................... Manhasset Lester W. Young, Jr., B.S., M.S., Ed.D. .......................................................... Beechhurst Christine D. Cea, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. ................................................................. Staten Island Wade S. Norwood, B.A. .................................................................................... Rochester Kathleen M. Cashin, B.S., M.S., Ed.D. ............................................................. Brooklyn James E. Cottrell, B.S., M.D. .......................................................................... New York Josephine Victoria Finn, B.A., J.D. ................................................................... Monticello Judith Chin, M.S. in Ed. .................................................................................... Little Neck Beverly L. Ouderkirk, B.S. in Ed., M.S. in Ed. ................................................. Morristown Catherine Collins, R.N., N.P., B.S., M.S. in Ed., Ed.D. ................................... Buffalo Nan Eileen Mead, B.A., M.A. ............................................................................. Manhattan Elizabeth S. Hakanson, A.S., M.S., C.A.S. ...................................................... Syracuse Luis O. Reyes, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. ........................................................................ New York Susan W. Mittler, B.S., M.S. ............................................................................ Ithaca Frances G. Wills, B.A., M.A., M.Ed., C.A.S., Ph.D. .......................................... Ossining Interim Commissioner of Education and President of The University Shannon L. Tahoe The State Education Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, services and activities. Portions of this publication can be made available in a variety of formats, including braille, large print or audio tape, upon request. Inquiries concerning this policy of nondiscrimination should be directed to the De- partment’s Office for Diversity and Access, Room 530, Education Building, Albany, NY 12234. Message from Chancellor Betty A. Rosa When the Board of Regents, the Education Department, and I decided to convene a Task Force to help create this guidance document, it became immediately clear that we needed to hear from as many voices as possible. New York is a large and diverse state, and we knew that our diversity had to be well-represented on the Task Force. By holding four separate regional meetings, we were able to ensure the work of the Task Force was done in a thorough and deliberative way. By including stakeholders with expertise in various substantive areas, we were able to elicit the critical input we needed to inform the decision-making that went into this guidance document. We also held a statewide Youth Forum to hear directly from students, because we must always consider their perspective and listen to their voices. The students did not disap- point; the Regents and I were absolutely amazed at their mature and thoughtful contri- butions. They told us what has worked for them and what has not, and they suggested actions the State can take to improve their educational experience next year and into the future. As with the adult stakeholders, the students’ input is reflected throughout this guidance document. We are truly grateful to all the Task Force and Youth Forum participants for their time and rich contributions. As well, we would like to thank the staff of the State Education Department for their valuable contributions to this document – with a special note of appreciation for the extraordinary efforts of Dr. Kimberly Young Wilkins, Deputy Commissioner for P-12 Instructional Support, who oversaw every aspect of the project. The COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed what many of us have always known: schools are an irreplaceable part of our lives and our communities. We have come to rely on them to provide essential services that go far beyond traditional aca- demics. Simply put, schools must function for our society to function. Everybody wants our students back in school. But it would be reckless to return until it is safe to do so. That is why this guidance document contemplates three possible reopening scenarios: in-person instruction, remote instruction, and a combination of the two. COVID-19 has had a particularly harmful impact on people of color and the poor – in terms of health, in terms of employ- ment, and in terms of their ability to receive a meaningful education. Many poor students in poor communities simply did not have access to the internet or the devices they needed to meaningfully participate in remote learning. This kind of un- equal access to resources occurs throughout the entire education system and only serves to strengthen my resolve, and the Regents’ resolve, to ensure educational equity for all students. When you experience a tragedy – and to be sure, we are all living through a profound national tragedy – it is important to try to take something meaningful from that experience and to build and grow from it. That is what we are hoping to accom- plish as we work our way through this pandemic. With the help of our fellow New Yorkers, we will recover, rebuild, and renew the spirit of our schools. Recovering, Rebuilding, and Renewing: The Spirit of New York’s Schools 3 Questions related to this guidance may be directed to [email protected] Message from Interim Commissioner Shannon Tahoe On March 16, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an Executive Order closing schools for two weeks due to the COVID-19 crisis, and subsequent Executive Orders closed schools for the remainder of the school year. These orders triggered fundamental chang- es to New York’s education system. Educators and students were forced to shift to remote learning overnight, parents had to convert their living space into classrooms and become teachers, and students needed to adjust to a new way of learning. Millions of meals were prepared and delivered, millions of lessons have been taught virtually, millions of phone calls, texts, zoom calls and millions of small gestures of dedication and compassion demonstrated the best of who we are as New Yorkers. My greatest thanks and admiration must be extended to students, parents, and the entire education community for adapting and working collaboratively to overcome the unprece- dented challenges we faced this past school year. As the mother of three school-aged children, I know just how difficult this time has been, and continues to be, for so many people, on so many levels. Like countless parents who worked from home while overseeing their children’s schoolwork this past spring, I now have an even deeper respect for the work New York’s teachers and school leaders do every day to edu- cate our children. As we look to the next school year, we must be mindful of the many uncertainties we continue to face. The Board of Re- gents and I are hopeful that this comprehensive guidance document, which was informed by the four regional task force meetings and the student forum, will assist the field in developing their reopening plans so that they can be prepared for the multiple circumstances that may exist over the next school year: whether it be in-person instruction, remote learning or a blended learning situation. The guidance addresses numerous issues including health and safety; transportation, facilities, and nutrition; teaching and learning; digital equity and access; budget and fiscal; social-emotional needs; special education; bilingual education and the needs of multilingual learners and English language learners; and staffing and human resources. The next school year may be even more challenging, but the educational community is strong and together the Board of Regents and the Department are committed to do everything we can to support the educators, parents and students of this State. I would like to thank the Board of Regents for its leadership throughout this arduous journey. Finally, I must thank the staff of the Education Department, not only for their exemplary work in putting this guidance document together, but also for their tireless efforts to ensure instruction and meals continued through the crisis – and for ensuring that the needs of all students, including English language learners, students with disabilities, homeless students, and migrant students were met. At the same time, staff also worked to ensure districts and school leaders received much-needed guidance and flexibility during this unprecedented time. I am forever grateful for your efforts. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed and challenged us in ways we never could have imagined. I am overwhelmed by the compassion and caring I see every day from so many administrators, teachers, school staff, parents and students across the State. I know in my heart that their strength and their spirit will carry us through these troubling

Load more

  145

Copy Link