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Dear Colleagues,
Regent Elizabeth Hakanson and I celebrated the launch of the summer reading program on Thursday, June 6 at the Utica Public Library. We were joined by library officials, educators, elected officials and members of the Utica community to speak about the importance of summer reading and preventing summer slide.
I was thrilled to participate in story time with a first grade class from Kernan Elementary School (Utica City School District) and enjoyed reading Pete the Cat: Out of This World by James Dean.
Thank you to all the educators, librarians, parents and caregivers for supporting summer reading! Remember to bring your child or student to a public library this summer for free access to books and educational programs.
This edition of News and Notes includes information and updates related to the following:
Sincerely,
MaryEllen Elia
Commissioner
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 2019 Summer Reading at New York Libraries Program
Summer is just around the corner, which means it’s time to register your children and students for a summer reading program! NYSED and the State Library are partnering with 1,100 public libraries and neighborhood branches statewide to launch the 2019 Summer Reading at New York Libraries program. The free, annual program gives children the opportunity to access the vast resources of New York’s public libraries to support their summer reading.
This year’s summer reading program slogan is “A Universe of Stories.” Children and teens participating in the program receive book recommendations and engage in creative and fun educational activities at their local libraries. Library staff help children select reading materials and provide literacy-enhancing programs such as storytelling, music, creative arts and performances. At the end of the program, participants receive formal recognition and celebrate their summer reading goals and achievements.
Students can download free e-books too this summer thanks to NYSED’s partnership with myON by Renaissance. Now through September 30, New York State children and their families can access a digital library of more than 6,000 e-books.
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NYSED Announces Second Class of My Brother’s Keeper Fellows
Last month, the State Education Department named the second class of My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Fellows who were identified as leaders in their MBK communities and who will be provided with mentor relationship opportunities in government, education and business. The 67 Fellows, all high school juniors, represent 22 New York State school districts who attended the Third New York State MBK Statewide Symposium held in Albany on May 31.
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NYSED Proposes Regulations for Substantially Equivalent Instruction for Nonpublic School Students
Over two years, NYSED engaged in a deliberative and thoughtful process to develop the guidance issued last year, consulting with numerous stakeholders, in both the public school and religious and independent school communities. The Department is issuing the proposed regulations in response to a ruling from Albany County Supreme Court that the process detailed in SAPA must be followed.
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State Archives Awards $91,000 in Grants to Preserve New York’s Historical Records
The State Archives administers the Documentary Heritage Program grants, which provide financial support to New York State not-for-profit organizations that hold, collect, and make available New York’s historical records. It is a competitive program with grants awarded based on the merits of the applications.
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Registration for the NYSED P-3 Summer Institute is Now Open!
This year’s Summer Institute will provide focused attention on awareness of the standards themselves, along with ensuring developmentally appropriate, responsive, and effective curriculum development and instruction while building on P-3 systems work started in many districts last year. Kristie Kaurez, National Director of the P-3 Institute at the University of Colorado: Denver, will be the keynote speaker.
Teachers, curriculum and instruction specialists, and administrators responsible for building capacity for standards implementation and serving young children prekindergarten to third grade should attend. The cost is $65 per participant.
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Students Visit State Education Building
NYSED has been fortunate to welcome many students to the State Education Building in Albany to showcase their talents recently! Highlights include the following:
Mount Vernon CSD Performing and Visual Arts School Choir and Drumline
We were thrilled to have the Mount Vernon CSD Performing and Visual Arts School Choir and Drumline perform for members of the Board of Regents and staff last week. 60 vocalists and 25 drummers performed a variety of selections ranging from classical to gospel at the State Education Building.
Future City 2019 Competition Participants
NYSED and the Office of the Professions welcomed local student teams from the Future City 2019 Competition. Future City is a national project-based learning program sponsored by DiscoverE and National Engineers Week. This year’s theme was Powering Our Future! The participating teams from Coxsackie-Athens Middle School and Richard H. O’Rourke Middle School of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake CSD each designed resilient power grids. The teams showcased their STEM skills by providing exciting demonstrations of their projects to NYSED staff.
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