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Welcome to the November edition of News and Notes! This month, we’re spotlighting hands-on learning, student voice, and real-world connections across New York State. From the BOCES Expo in Albany to inspiring visits in Western New York and beyond, every story reflects our shared commitment to preparing students for success. Together, we are building a future where every learner has access to opportunity and excellence.
In this issue, you’ll find highlights from recent school visits, new resources for students, parents, and educators, and updates on policy initiatives shaping the future of education. Explore how schools are implementing the Portrait of a Graduate, discover upcoming professional development programs, and learn about innovative practices that bring learning to life.
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I am especially thankful for the dedication and passion of New York’s educators, leaders, and school communities. Your commitment makes a lasting difference in the lives of students. I wish you and your loved ones a safe, joyful, and happy Thanksgiving!
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Sincerely,
Betty A. Rosa
Commissioner
| | BOCES Expo Showcases Innovation and Hands-On Learning | The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recently hosted the BOCES Expo, spotlighting the power of hands-on learning and innovation in education. Members of the Board of Regents and NYSED staff experienced firsthand how Career & Technical Education (CTE) is shaping futures across New York — from student-led demonstrations to cutting-edge programs that bring the NY Inspires vision to life. | Elevating Student Voice and Innovation in Western New York | | |
Commissioner Rosa, Senior Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey Matteson, and NYSED staff spent a day in Western New York visiting schools and connecting with students, educators, and leaders to spotlight innovative programs and amplify student perspectives.
The day began at Lake Shore Senior High School with an inspiring Indigenous Student Roundtable, where students from Lake Shore, Gowanda, and Silver Creek shared their experiences balancing academics, athletics, and cultural identity while preparing for college and careers.
Next, the team joined Erie 2 BOCES component superintendents for a town hall focused on implementing the Portrait of a Graduate, expanding CTE, and strengthening regional collaboration.
At WNY P-TECH STEM Academy in Dunkirk, students led a hands-on tour showcasing cutting-edge learning in mechatronics, welding, and mechanical technology—skills that open doors to high-demand careers.
The day concluded at Jamestown High School, where students and staff demonstrated how literacy, numeracy, and civic readiness are being integrated into career pathways and work-based learning opportunities.
Thank you to all the students, educators, and leaders who made this day so meaningful. Your voices and work are shaping the future of education in New York State.
| Commissioner Rosa and Regent Mannion Visit Rome and Utica | Recently, Commissioner Rosa joined Regent Patrick Mannion, Senator Joseph Griffo, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, Madison-Oneida BOCES District Superintendent Scott Budelmann, Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES District Superintendent Patricia Kilburn, and local school leaders at Rome CSD and Utica CSD to celebrate regional collaboration and spotlight innovative practices that support student success. From classroom visits to roundtable discussions and a regional town hall, the day was filled with collaboration, inspiration, and a shared commitment to equity and opportunity for all learners. | Brooklyn STEAM Center Showcases Real-World Learning | |
Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr., Commissioner Rosa, NYSED leadership, and BOCES District Superintendents recently visited the Brooklyn STEAM Center at the Brooklyn Navy Yard to explore innovative collaboration in education.
Together with industry and arts partners, we're preparing students for 21st-century careers in the maker economy—where learning by doing is the foundation for success.
Student leaders from Benjamin Banneker Academy and Medgar Evers College Prep spoke about how the NY Inspires initiative supports real-world learning and career readiness.
One student summed it up perfectly:
“We need more STEAM Centers. Coming to a place where students like me can learn by doing, apply what we learn in the classroom, earn money, and set ourselves up for amazing careers makes me excited to come here every day.”
| Workforce Readiness at MESA Charter High School | |
Commissioner Rosa, BOCES District Superintendents, and NYSED leaders visited the Alumni Lab at MESA Charter High School—an inspiring space where opportunity meets preparation.
The Alumni Lab empowers graduates from MESA and NYC DOE high schools with real-world skills, confidence, and the tools they need to thrive in the workforce.
Students are actively putting Portrait of a Graduate skills into action and gaining the tools they need to enter the workforce.
| Connecting Classrooms to Careers: Exploring Agri-Tech Opportunities | |
Regent Susan Mittler, BOCES leadership, and NYSED staff recently toured some of New York’s leading agri-tech, manufacturing, and farming partners — including Cornell Ag-Tech, Agriculture in the Classroom, Love Beets Farms, the Wegmans Cheese Cave, the Ontario County Soil Conservation District, Monroe Tractors, and El-Vi Farms — in partnership with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.
They explored workforce and internship needs across the agri-tech sector and saw firsthand how BOCES and school districts are preparing students for high-demand, high-paying careers in trades and technology.
Agri-business leaders emphasized the need to invest in BOCES programs, with over half a million skilled jobs projected in the coming years. Through experiences like these, BOCES stay aligned with industry needs, strengthen internship pipelines, and ensure students are career and college ready.
The future of agri-tech depends on students equipped with critical thinking, communication, global awareness, and academic excellence — all central components of New York’s Portrait of a Graduate.
| | Board of Regents and Department Explore and Expand K-12 Instruction to Support College, Career, and Civic Readiness | | Literacy Support Briefs for Linguistically Diverse Learners | | |
At the November Board of Regents meeting, NYSED staff and invited guests spotlighted new topic briefs designed to support the implementation of the NYSED Literacy Initiative for English Language Learners (ELLs) and Multilingual Learners (MLs).
These briefs showcased evidence-based practices rooted in the Science of Reading, helping educators better serve linguistically diverse students across New York.
Thank you to our featured presenters!
- Dr. Socorro Herrera, Kansas State University
- Dr. Kathy Escamilla, University of Colorado Boulder
- Dr. Robin Cabral, Kansas State University
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State Education Department Releases Online Platform:
Teaching the Holocaust and Other Genocides
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NYSED recently launched Teaching the Holocaust and Other Genocides, a new online resource platform for educators.
Developed in partnership with the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center and New York Archives Magazine, this guide offers primary sources, case studies, and learning tools to support instruction and engage students on complex historical topics.
| | NYSED Issues Guidance to Schools to Support Students and Families Experiencing Food Insecurity | | |
NYSED issued guidance to schools and local educational agencies to support students and families experiencing food insecurity.
We’re proud of the many schools already stepping up to meet community needs, and we remain committed to helping those impacted by the loss of benefits.
| | 2025 New York State Principals of the Year | | |
At the November 2025 Regents meeting, the Board of Regents and NYSED recognized the 2025 New York State Principals of the Year, awarded by the School Administrators Association of NYS, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Congratulations to the awardees!
The New York State Principals of the Year are:
Elementary School Principal of the Year
Dr. Matthew Wentworth
Goshen Intermediate School, Goshen Central School District
Middle School Principal of the Year
Rebecca Belkota
Perry Jr./Sr. High School, Perry Central School District
High School Principal of the Year
Pierre Orbe
DeWitt Clinton High School, New York City Public Schools
| | Parent's Guide to Special Education | | |
The Special Education in New York State for Preschool and School-Age Students with Disabilities: A Parent’s Guide has been updated and is now available online!
This essential resource helps parents understand the special education process, their rights, and the protections provided under federal and state law.
Schools must provide this Guide (or a locally approved handbook) to parents after a child is referred for evaluation. It also fulfills the requirement to notify parents of their rights when a child enrolls in public school.
The Guide will be made available in the 12 most commonly spoken languages in New York State.
| | Native American Heritage Month | | |
November is Native American Heritage Month! Join us at the Cultural Education Center as we honor the rich cultures, diverse histories, and ongoing contributions of Native Peoples—this month and every month.
Explore upcoming programs and discover additional resources from the New York State Museum, Library, Archives, and PBS, highlighting Native voices, stories, and history across New York State.
| | Free Entrepreneurship and STEM Summer Opportunities for Students and Teachers | | |
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is now accepting applications for two exciting summer programs: the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) and the Appalachian STEM Academy (STEM). These immersive learning experiences are designed to empower students and educators across the Appalachian region with hands-on skills and real-world knowledge.
Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA)
Held July 11–24, 2026, at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, the AEA will welcome 26 high school students for an experiential program focused on innovation, business development, and leadership.
Appalachian STEM Academy
This hands-on STEM learning opportunity is open to middle and high school students, as well as high school teachers. Participants will engage in cutting-edge science, technology, engineering, and math activities led by experts in the field.
STEM Academy Dates:
- Middle School Session 1: July 11–17, 2026
- Middle School Session 2: July 18–24, 2026
- High School Session: July 11–25, 2026
These programs are open to students and educators in counties served by the ARC, including Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chemung, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins.
The application deadline for both programs is December 3, 2025.
| | Teachers: Attend Free CTLE-Eligible Professional Development Workshops at the New York State Museum | | |
The New York State Museum is excited to offer free, CTLE-eligible workshops on January 24, 2026.
Teachers will gain valuable insight into the forefront of scientific research, highlighting hidden stories from within the museum collections. These workshops are aligned with specific New York State Learning Standards.
2026 Themes:
- Anthropology and Archeology: Underwater Archeology and the Mystery of the World Trade Center Ship
- Evolution and Ecology: Understanding Aquatic Ecosystems
- DH Cadwell Earth and Space: Water’s Effects on the Landscape
Learn more about the 2026 New York State Museum Teacher Workshops here.
| | 2026 New York Farm to School Summit | | |
The New York State Education Department, in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest NY, invites school administrators, educators, food service directors, farmers, and community leaders to the 2026 New York Farm to School Summit. This dynamic three-day event is dedicated to strengthening the link between local agriculture and school nutrition programs.
The New York Farm to School Summit offers a rich lineup of opportunities, including:
- Inspiring keynote speakers and expert-led workshops;
- Networking with Farm to School stakeholders from across the state;
- Practical strategies to boost student wellness and local food sourcing; and
- Valuable resources to support your district’s Farm to School initiatives.
This summit will take place February 23-25, 2026, in Saratoga Springs. It will provide the tools, insights, and partnerships needed to make a lasting impact.
Register for the New York Farm to School Summit here.
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