This is a difficult time in our country. The recent confluence of events has brought to the forefront, more than ever before, the inequities that we face in our society. Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa, the Board of Regents and I join our voices with those mourning the indefensible and tragic death of George Floyd. We must all do everything we can to make the world a more just and equitable place for our children. We must also empower our students to make informed decisions and to become active participants in civic life who make their voices heard and bring about real change.

This moment is an opportunity for us to get better. The unrest and division, the COVID-19 pandemic, and months of school closures have shed light on the inequities in educational opportunities and resources available to our students. The Board of Regents and the New York State Education Department (NYSED) are committed to ensuring that all students succeed and thrive in school no matter who they are, where they live, where they go to school, or where they come from.

That is why we continue to make educational equity the cornerstone of our work. It is why we continue to invest in the New York State My Brother's Keeper (MBK) initiative, which is focused on closing and eliminating the opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color so that all young people have the chance to reach their full potential. Members of the Board of Regents and education leaders from across the state have joined us over the last few months to offer words of encouragement and direction to our MBK students, and many of our MBK Fellows have offered their own reflections on their trials and triumphs during the COVID-19 crisis. These young men are committed to strengthening themselves and their communities, and they are our future.

I truly believe that we will collectively lift ourselves up to create a brighter future, but I know many of our hearts are heavy as we approach the end of the most unusual school year in our memory, bypassing many cherished annual traditions. At the same time, we are looking to the future and preparing to confront the uncertainties that lie ahead of us. This week, the New York State Board of Regents and NYSED announced four Regional School Reopening Task Force meetings that will take place this month. The meetings will be held virtually and will gather input needed to develop guidance and regulatory changes that will enable New York's schools to continue safely educating their students this fall.

The monumental impact of COVID-19 and the diverse landscape of New York State makes the task of developing a framework to reopen our schools a significant undertaking. The input we receive from task force members at the regional meetings will inform our work as we develop the guidance and regulatory changes that schools need to best support their students.

Finally, I know that this has been a challenging time for college and high school seniors, their families, and their school communities that care about them. I would like to congratulate each graduating college and high school senior who will now begin the next phase of their lives. These seniors have not had the year they planned, but with their hard work and commitment, they remained steadfast in achieving this honor in spite of the hardships of the last few months.

I would also like to recognize the teachers, administrators, professors, and parents who helped these students succeed during this difficult time. I have been inspired by the way that you - our heroic educators - have worked tirelessly to create new ways to help students stay engaged outside the classroom, to recognize their achievements, and to celebrate their important milestones. Your dedication, positivity, and kindness have made a world of difference.

To the Class of 2020 - and to your teachers, administrators, professors, and parents - I will remember your bravery and resourcefulness in this time, and your dedication throughout your school years. Take all of the adversity and uncertainty of these last months, and use it as you move forward. Congratulations on your well-deserved accomplishments!

Below, you can find details on the major announcements and resources that we have released over the last month: