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  • Advisory: Promoting the 988 mental health helpline

    This post provides considerations for communicating about the newly established Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Line.

  • NYSED Parent Dashboard goes live

    The New York State Education Department recently notified school districts of the launch of its Parent Dashboard on Oct. 29, 2020. Like the School Report Cards, the Parent Dashboard is part of the state’s ESSA plan to advance equity in education and school accountability, and provides access to the following school-data information elements: NYSED has…

  • Copyright: How to stay on the right side of the law

    The sudden shift throughout the state to online teaching and learning is raising a host of copyright questions for educators. To help them assess if they are staying on the right side of copyright law, the School Communications Portfolio is re-releasing its four-page flyer on copyright basics. This ready-to-use handout can help principals, teachers and…

  • Help parents determine if their child is ready for school

    For many districts, prekindergarten and kindergarten registration time is right around the corner. However, parents and guardians in your district may be unsure of whether their child is actually ready to attend school. To help them assess if their child has met—or is on their way to meeting—the developmental milestones that will help ease the…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Advisory: New law requires districts to designate employee to provide substance use materials/resources

    In an ongoing effort to support those dealing with addiction and substance use, the New York State Education Department recently amended both Education and Mental Health Hygiene laws to ensure that students, parents and staff know where to go within the school community for information on substance use and support services. What are schools required…

  • ‘Equity’ and ‘equality’ are not interchangeable

    Explaining funding in building-level spending reports Both the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the New York State Division of Budget now require districts to report per-pupil spending for each school. These mandates are the result of an increased focus on educational equity. They are intended to shine a light on how money is…

  • Help district leaders understand state and federal fiscal transparency requirements

    Both the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the New York State Division of Budget are requiring districts to report per-pupil spending for each school. These mandates are the result of an increased focus on educational equity. They are intended to shine a light on how money is distributed across a district and whether…

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