May 2024

Dear Colleagues,

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! I'm so glad to have the opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to every one of you for the work you do. From engaging the curiosity of young minds to inspiring future leaders, you touch the lives of students and their families in countless ways. Your dedication to your students and passion for learning make a lasting impact beyond your classrooms and across your communities.

In addition, it is National Nurses Week, and we celebrated School Nurse Day on Wednesday, May 8. We appreciate all New York's school nurses who care for students and promote learning by helping keep children healthy. School nurses play an integral role in our schools, and we are grateful for their knowledge, care, and professionalism.

Thank you for all you do to help shape the future generation!

Sincerely,

Betty A. Rosa

Commissioner

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recently hosted a School Safety Summit at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. School administrators and staff, school resource officers, and school safety team members attended the two-day, in-person summit. The summit provided training, information, and resources on topics related to Emergency Response Plan development and implementation. Participants engaged in sessions designed to help create safe and supportive learning environments for the whole school community.

NYSED submitted its report on mayoral control of New York City schools to the Governor and Legislature. The report, which includes detailed analyses, findings, and recommendations from the public, examines the New York City public school system before and after the 2002 enactment of mayoral control. Additionally, the report summarizes direct feedback from the public—including students, parents, teachers, administrators, and education experts—on their experiences, assessments, and review of mayoral control. The final report is a robust, nearly 300-page document that reflects the thorough nature and seriousness of this legislatively required project.

NYSED has selected 23 middle schools, high schools, and BOCES programs from across the state to participate in the Performance-Based Learning and Assessment Networks (PLAN) Pilot. Each of the selected schools will be part of a Pilot Network where educators will receive training and professional development to shift their instructional practices and implement high-quality, performance-based approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment. Schools participating in the PLAN Pilot will work together in networks to learn and support each other in successfully implementing performance-based learning and assessment practices. A list of PLAN Pilot Schools is posted on the Department’s PLAN Pilot website.

The Board of Regents is accepting nominations for the 2024 Louis E. Yavner Teaching and Citizen Awards. These awards provide recognition of a teacher and a citizen who have made outstanding contributions to New York State education about the Holocaust and other violations of human rights.

Nominations for the Louis E. Yavner Teaching and Citizen Awards must be submitted by May 31, 2024. The Louis E. Yavner Teaching and Citizen Awards webpage provides additional information about both awards, including application forms, award criteria, and required documentation. 

Spring is the perfect time to think about financial aid, grants, and scholarships. College financial aid starts with the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA), which is the first step in determining students' eligibility for federal financial aid and a requirement for receiving many New York State grants and scholarships.

Students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA and NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) applications as soon as possible. Eligible TAP recipients can receive up to $5,665 to help cover tuition expenses.

To learn more about the 2024-25 FAFSA, visit New York State’s FAFSA Ready website.

The Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) website offers more than 24 programs to help make higher education more accessible for New York residents.

NYSED is pleased to announce the 2024 Statewide Elementary Mathematics Tournament regional contest winners! 

The Grade 1 regional winners are from the following schools:

• Setauket Elementary School, Three Village Central School District
• Locust School, Garden City School District
• Glenmont Elementary School, Bethlehem Central School District
• Lee Avenue Elementary School, Hicksville Union Free School District
• P.S. 144 Col Jeromus Remsen, New York City Public Schools
• C.R. Weeks Elementary School, Windsor Central School District
• P.S. 072 Lorraine Elementary School, Buffalo Public Schools
• P.S. 075 Emily Dickinson, New York City Public Schools
• P.S. 101 School in the Gardens, New York City Public Schools
• P.S. 109 Glenwood Academy, New York City Public Schools

The Grade 2 regional winners are from the following schools:

• Deasy Elementary School, Glen Cove City School District
• Pine Brook Elementary School, Greece Central School District
• Bolivar Road Elementary School, Chittenango Central School District
• East Rochester Elementary School, East Rochester Union Free School District
• P.S. 181 The Brookfield School, New York City Public Schools
• Richard P. Connor Elementary School, Suffern Central School District
• Marion G. Vedder Elementary School, North Babylon Union Free School District
• P.S. K315 The School of Performing Arts, New York City Public Schools
• P.S. Q016 The Nancy DeBenedittis School, New York City Public Schools
• Storefront Academy Charter School

The Grade 3 regional winners are from the following schools:

• New Explorations into Science, Technology, and Math, New York City Public Schools
• Vanderbilt Elementary School, Half Hollow Hills Central School District
• Claremont Elementary School, Ossining Union Free School District
• Howell Road Elementary School, Valley Stream 13 School District
• Leary Elementary School, Rush-Henrietta Central School District
• John A. Sciole Elementary School, Lancaster Central School District
• P.S. 161 The Arthur Ashe, Jr. School, New York City Public Schools
• East Syracuse Elementary School, East Syracuse Minoa Central School District
• P.S. 209 The Clearview Gardens School, New York City Public Schools
• P.S. 105 The Blythebourne School, New York City Public Schools

The Grade 4 regional winners are from the following schools:

• George A. Jackson Elementary School, Jericho Union Free School District
• Nathaniel Hawthorne School No. 25, Rochester City School District
• Chancellor Livingston Elementary School, Rhinebeck Central School District
• Nassakeag Elementary School, Three Village Central School District
• West Elementary School, West Seneca Central School District
• P.S. 048 William G. Wilcox, New York City Public Schools
• Cherry Road Elementary School, Westhill Central School District
• P.S. 139 Alexine A. Fenty School, New York City Public Schools
• P.S. 019 The Curtis School, New York City Public Schools
• P.S. 173 Fresh Meadows, New York City Public Schools

The Grade 5 regional winners are from the following schools:

• Hinsdale Elementary School, Hinsdale Central School District
• Main Street School, Irvington Union Free School District
• Hillside Grade School, New Hyde Park-Garden City Park Union Free School District
• Thornell Road Elementary School, Pittsford Schools
• P.S. 174 William Sidney Mount School, New York City Public Schools
• Eastport Elementary School, Eastport-South Manor Central School District
• Guilderland Elementary School, Guilderland Central School District
• P.S. 184m Shuang Wen School, New York City Public Schools
• P.S. 108 The Captain Vincent G. Fowler School, New York City Public Schools
• P.S. 206 Joseph F. Lamb, New York City Public Schools

Congratulations, and best of luck in the statewide tournament in June!

The New York State Library announced its programming for May, including webinars and events related to history, genealogical services, and other interesting topics. The free programming requires registration and is available in person or offered online.

Visit the State Library's website for a complete list of upcoming programs. Additional programs will be added to the website as they are confirmed.

We are excited to announce a new scholarship opportunity to students entering the healthcare workforce! 

The “Healthcare Workers for Our Future” Scholarship provides a two-year scholarship to approximately 500 selected recipients covering tuition, room and board, and other related expenses in an approved program of study at any approved New York state public or private college or university.

Participants can complete an online entry form for the Healthcare Workers for Our Future Scholarship drawing. Recipients of the scholarship must agree to work in an underserved area in NYS as Registered Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, Clinical Laboratory Technologists, Radiologic Technologists, or Surgical Technologists for two years upon graduation.

For the scholarship application, complete program rules, and FAQs, visit the scholarship website. The deadline to apply is June 24, 2024.