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Prekindergarten through Grade 12 Education


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From Senior Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier
September 14, 2009


Colleagues:

I hope you are all making a successful transition into the new school year. The month of September always brings with it a certain amount of newness and opportunity. This year is no different. As you are welcoming students back to the classroom, I wanted to take an opportunity to share with you some important transitions now underway at the State Education Department.

As was announced in July, the Board of Regents has elected David Steiner as New York State Education Commissioner and President of the University of the State of New York. He will assume the post on October 1st. More information on Commissioner-elect Steiner’s appointment is available on the Web at http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/BORElectsDavidSteinerCOE.html. I hope you will join me in welcoming him to this new position.

Also, this month, I am pleased to share that the Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), Nancy L. Zimpher, recommended to the SUNY Board of Trustees that I be appointed as the Chancellor's Deputy for the Education Pipeline of the State University of New York external link icon. Subject to approval by the SUNY Board, this position will provide leadership on education initiatives and programs from early childhood through K-12, postsecondary and workforce development for the 64 campuses of the University. As I embark upon this new role, I want to thank you for the support you have provided me as Senior Deputy Commissioner of Education, as well as for your friendship, leadership, and service. You are a remarkably talented group of educators. Together, we have shared many achievements and successes. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with you.

I share this news with you today with optimism about the opportunities ahead and because I believe passionately in the importance of helping students graduate from high school prepared to succeed in college and the workforce. To that end, I look forward to continuing to work with you in new ways in the years ahead and to lasting friendships that I will value always.

Johanna


News and Announcements:

  • September Meeting of the New York State Board of Regents

    The New York State Board of Regents is meeting in Albany on September 14 & 15, 2009. Meeting agendas and materials are available on the Web at http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/.

  • Information now Available on School Absenteeism and School Dismissal Monitoring for Novel H1N1 Influenza (Flu) Virus in K-12 Educational Facilities for the 2009-2010 School Year

    Please find important new guidance to schools regarding the novel H1N1 influenza virus from New York State Health Commissioner Richard Daines and Interim Education Commissioner Carole Huxley on the Web at http://usny.nysed.gov/swine-flu-info.html. Please share this information with the leadership of your school communities.

  • Please Join us for a Webcast on Reporting on the Use of ARRA Funds on September 18th and for Online Question and Answer Sessions

    This month, the New York State Education Department will be conducting an online webcast and online Question and Answer sessions on Reporting on the Use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funds. Any organization that receives ARRA funds through the State Education Department should participate. Details on the webcast and the "Q and A" sessions can be found at http://usny.nysed.gov/arra/.

  • New Information on the Administration of Medications to Students by Parent/Guardian Designees

    The Department is pleased to share with you news of a clarification that allows a parent/guardian to designate a friend or relative to administer medication to their child at a school event when a school nurse and/or parent is not present. More information, along with a sample permission form, is available at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/sss/schoolhealth/schoolhealthservices/.

  • Violent and Disruptive Incident Reporting (VADIR)

    School districts, BOCES, and charter schools may report 2008-09 violent and disruptive incident data to the Department beginning September 8, 2009 through the SED Web Business Portal. The due date to complete 2008-09 VADIR reporting to the Department is September 30, 2009. No revisions or modifications in the data collected or format have been made to the 2008-09 VADIR form. Forms, instructions, and a glossary of VADIR terms are available at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irts/vadir/.

    User IDs and passwords necessary for access to the SED Web Business Portal are managed by the SED Delegated Account System (SEDDAS). Information regarding SEDDAS can be found at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/seddas/seddashome.html or by calling the SEDDAS help desk at (518) 473-8832. For other questions, please contact the Office of Information and Reporting Services at (518) 474-7965.

  • Request for Updates to the P-16 Compendium

    In 2007, we created a Compendium of P-16 Partnerships to identify and gather information on the various educational working relationships in place across the State from pre-kindergarten through collegiate completion. The compendium, which continues to be a “work in progress,” has helped to bring to light the wonderful work being done across the P-16 continuum to improve student achievement. At this time, we would like once again to gather information on the various partnerships existing among schools, colleges, and other institutions dedicated to improving educational access and outcomes. I would ask and encourage you to share information on P-16 partnerships or collaborations in your school, district, or region. An information sheet PDF file icon (60 KB) is available here for you to use as a guide to share information on the innovative and important work in which your institution is involved. Please email information on your initiative(s) to Richard Rose in the Office of K-16 Initiatives at RRose@mail.nysed.gov. Thank you for your work to provide all students with the support they need to succeed and graduate.

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Last Updated: September 23, 2010