Dear Yonkers Public Schools Educators,

The Power Standards for Academic Success - Blueprint for Leveraging Grade Level Standards for grades kindergarten through eight provide structures for teaching and learning in the Yonkers Public Schools for the 2020-2021 school year. Our collective experience with Distance Learning and social isolation from March through June 2020 helps guide our work moving forward. Technology driven flexible instruction is the “new” normal for education moving forward.

As the school district reopens following this extended school closure, it is evident that school leaders and teachers will need to devote time during the school day to address Social Emotional Learning (SEL) as well as learning gaps. In the upcoming school year teachers and students must focus on the most critical skills, in tandem with the full curriculum, when engaging in teaching and learning to mitigate the potential long-term learning gap impact. Therefore, in collaboration with school leaders, teachers and content directors, the District developed the Power Standards for Academic Success that is a plan to access grade level standards emphasizing depth over breadth in English language arts, math, science and social studies.

The Next Generation Learning Standards, the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards, the New York State K-12 Social Studies Framework, and other New York State Education Department Office of Curriculum and Instruction guidelines are still in place. The Power Standards are not to be used as the full curriculum; school leaders and teachers must continue to consult State learning standards in their instruction. The Power Standards are to be used in conjunction with data-informed teaching and learning to adjust pacing of instruction and scaffold using a Multi-Tiered System of Supports to bridge learning from the previous school year.

The Power Standards for Academic Success are structured by grade level and content area as follows:

• Conceptual Understanding, or broad concepts for the grade level, communicate the big picture
• Key Ideas support that Conceptual Understanding
• Required Skills communicate what students should know and be able to do to succeed in the next grade level

With a collective, focused and relentless commitment we can, we must, reverse the impact COVID-19 has wielded on our students achievement and wellbeing. The 2020-2021 school year offers magnificent opportunities for creative innovative teaching and learning. I look forward to working with you as we navigate this journey for our students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Edwin M. Quezada
Superintendent of Schools