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Back to School

Back to School

Back-to-School Resources

The following resources are intended to provide ideas and inspiration for teachers and administrators as they welcome students back to school.

The 51 applauds and thanks the thousands of teachers and administrators in New York State who do everything possible to ensure their students' health, safety, well-being, and education.

Resources

  • NY Inspires

    • The NY Inspires initiative is redefining what a diploma signifies and how students demonstrate readiness for college, careers, civic life, and the world beyond.

    • In June 2026, the Board of Regents and the Department announced the next phase of the NY Inspires initiative, outlining a historic transformation of P-12 public education to a competency-based system.
    • In July 2025, the Board of Regents and theDepartment officially adopted theNew York State Portrait of a Graduate.ThePortrait of a Graduateserves as a forward-looking framework, where academic excellence intersects with the demands of a dynamic, rapidly changing world.
    • To ensure clarity and support stakeholders’ shared understanding of the Portrait, the Department developed “Need-to-Know” documents for students, parents, educators, administrators, and school board members.
  • Attendance Matters
  • Media Literacy Toolkit

    • New York’s Media Literacy Toolkit helps educators teach students to spot misinformation online. The toolkit includes the following topics:

      • Overview of the 21st century media landscape
      • Introduction to media literacy
      • Key questions for analyzing, evaluating, and using media
      • Importance of media literacy
      • Educator tools/resources
  • Student Well-being
    • ​First day of school tips:
      • Drink plenty of water
      • Get a good night's rest
      • Eat a nutritious breakfast
      • Remember: You don't have to have everything figured out on day one.
    • Additional resources include:
      • The : A vital resource for training, technical assistance, and support around creating safe and healthy school environments.
      • Mental Health Resources: Explore comprehensive resources on ourSchool Mental Health Educationɱ貹.
  • Digital Learning ResourcesWebsite
    • These resources may be used for ideas and inspiration as districts, schools, and teachers utilize technology to provide high-quality learning experiences for their students.