A citywide task force is calling on the mayor and the Department of Education to properly address students’ trauma related to COVID-19 and other inequities.

The Healing Centered Schools Task Force, led by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Councilmember Kevin Riley, announced a list of recommendations to the city and the Department of Education to help students deal with trauma as schools reopen in the fall.

The recommendations focus on students’ trauma from the coronavirus pandemic and a long-standing history of racial and social injustice.Some of the recommendations include removing police presence from schools, providing mental health support and staff, and strengthening parent and student voices -- especially those in underserved communities.

The task force says it believes that schools will continue to traumatize their students if these changes aren't implemented and further inhibit academic progress.

 News 12 reached out to the DOE for comment and has not heard back yet.