From the brief: "The COVID-19 pandemic that has upended nearly all aspects of daily life has exacted a particularly devastating toll on the same communities that acutely bear the brunt of systemic racism and its felt effects. These multiple and ongoing crises are contributing to a collective and individual trauma that has deep implications for the mental health, wellness, and opportunities to learn for youth across the nation. As school and district leaders rethink school structures and practices for both the short and long term, their work should be grounded in two essential questions: How can we address the acute needs of young people and adults who continue to grapple with the dual impacts of COVID-19 and systemic racism? And how can we take this moment to advance long-needed changes to transform schools into nurturing communities that are committed to equity, diversity, and anti-racism?"