White Plains High School Hosts Visit by Secretary of Education Cardona

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Superintendent Joseph Ricca, left, chats with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona during Thursday’s tour.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona continued the “Help Is Here” School Reopening Tour, when he visited White Plains High School on Thursday for a tour and Roundtable Discussion. The visits are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader efforts to support states, schools, students, parents, and educators as they navigate returning to in-person learning and highlight how the American Rescue Plan will aid them in these efforts.

The Roundtable Discussion featured Secretary of Education Cardona, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, White Plains Superintendent Joseph Ricca, White Plains Teachers Association President Kara McCormick-Lyons, Board of Education President Rosemarie Eller and local students, educators and administrators.

“It was an absolute pleasure and honor to welcome Secretary Cardona to the WPCSD. We are thrilled that the Secretary identified the district as a national leader as our country continues to navigate the challenges of the pandemic. Visiting classes, participating in a roundtable meeting with stakeholders and engaging with students, staff and parents/guardians, the Secretary shared that he and his team would be sharing the details of the WPCSD’s reopening strategy with the President and the administration. As we say in the WPCSD, we are #WPProud of our community and the strong partnerships that allowed us to move forward in a safe, smart and supported manner,” said Schools Superintendent Joseph Ricca who is a member of the BCW Board.

During the “Help is Here” tour, Secretary Cardona will visit schools that have successfully reopened and stayed open to highlight best practices and discuss how schools can ensure reopening efforts are advancing educational equity. He will also visit schools that are facing challenges as they work to reopen to provide educators with encouragement, support, and technical assistance.

Secretary Cardona will share what he is hearing and learning on the visits with other states and districts and across the Biden-Harris Administration to help more schools reopen quickly and safely and reach the President’s goal of reopening the majority of K-8 schools within the first 100 days of his administration.