| May 10, 2024 Dear Parents and Families, This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and we are celebrating the incredible work of New York’s wonderful educators. Teachers are truly helping to shape the future generation, and their impact on our communities is unrivaled. I invite you to take time this week to show your appreciation for everything your children’s teachers do to touch the lives of students and families. 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. 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 also recently announced the regional winners of the Statewide Elementary Mathematics Tournament. Congratulations to the regional winners, and good luck in the statewide tournament in June! 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. We encourage students 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. If your child is pursuing a career in healthcare, 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. Thank you for taking the time to read about what’s happening at NYSED. I appreciate all you do to support strong family and community involvement in our schools. Sincerely, Betty A. Rosa Commissioner |