Category: Portfolio Archive
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Advisory: School districts in NYS required to teach child sexual abuse prevention classes to K-8 students
On August 29, 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation known as Erin’s Law, which will require New York state public schools to teach child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention classes to students in grades K-8. This legislation mandates these prevention classes to include age-appropriate instruction that helps students recognize what sexual abuse might look like…
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Advisory: Clarification on distribution of concussion-related materials
Earlier this fall, the School Communications Portfolio released an advisory for districts regarding new legislation that requires schools offering tackle football programs to provide specific concussion materials to parents/guardians of participating students. There has been some confusion as to how exactly districts need to distribute the materials, which are available on the New York State Department of Health…
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Advisory: New law requires schools offering tackle football programs to provide specific concussion information
State legislation requires school districts to make concussion-related materials available for parents and guardians. Learn about what and how to communicate this information.
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2-1-1: Getting help to where it’s needed
While school staff can work with students to address academic and behavioral issues, other challenges (such as hunger or homelessness) are often outside the scope of services a school can provide. These issues, which can directly affect student performance, behavior and attendance, are present in all communities at varying levels. By dialing 2-1-1, school professionals…
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Advisory: Employers in NYS required to establish a sexual harassment prevention policy, provide prevention training
The 2019 New York state budget included new requirements for employers related to preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. What are all employers — including school districts — required to do? Under the new law, every employer in New York state was required to: Employers are encouraged to provide the sexual harassment policy and training…
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Help teachers enhance communication with parents/guardians
Research has shown that frequent, customized communication from teachers to parents/guardians has the potential to boost student achievement, improve attendance and decrease dropout rates. However, opening and maintaining the lines of communication can be a challenge for some educators. To help bridge this gap, the Capital Region BOCES School Communications Portfolio is re-releasing its Teacher/Parent…
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Communicating about a student/staff death by suicide
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and a good time to make sure your school district is aware of the importance of having a plan in place to communicate both internally and externally in the event that a student or staff member dies by suicide. Any death involving a student or staff member is…
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New law expands definition of discrimination to include hairstyles, traits
On July 12, 2019, Governor Cuomo signed a new law (S6209A/A7797A) that amends the Human Rights Law and Dignity for All Students Act to make clear that discrimination based on race includes hairstyles or traits associated with race. The legislation: The bill’s provisions are effective immediately. Recommended communication actions School districts will want to review…
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Advisory: Updated substance abuse materials released by the state
Earlier this month, the New York State Education Department and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services issued updated joint guidance and resources for school districts to assist with addressing substance abuse. The collaboration provides districts with information to assist students, teachers and parents looking for help and support related to…
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Advisory: Religious exemptions removed from state vaccination law
With the worst outbreak of measles in more than 25 years taking place in the United States and outbreaks in New York state primarily driving the crisis, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on June 13 signed a bill into law that immediately removed the religious exemption for school vaccination requirements. Per the amendment to Public Health Law…