Message From Dr. Reilly

Dear Teachers and Staff,

“S..L..O..W.. it all down. Pause from your full calendar and long task list. Take a moment or ten- to simply be. To remind yourself that this is life, right here and right now. To reacquaint yourself with your pulsing heart and your incredible body that allows you to do all that you do. To remember that life is precious and fragile and should be lived in love. To remind yourself that whatever is happening or wherever you find yourself in your journey, it is all as it is supposed to be.”
-Nikki Banas

The Office of Teaching and Learning and NTU  will be sponsoring Grades K-3 Guided Reading paid residencies for classroom teachers and ELA coaches starting in January 2023. The Office of Mathematics also will be hosting Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics residencies in January 2023 for middle school mathematics teachers. These residencies too will be paid. Registration links will be provided in the next issue of Teacher Talk.

Until then, rest, reflect, and take care of yourselves and those you love.

Happy Holidays,
Dr. Reilly

Preschool Winter Break Packet (New)

Contact: Mara Kaplan, Office of Early Childhood
Email: mkaplan@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Early Childhood is excited to announce the Preschool Winter Break Packet based on the book, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. 

The packet will serve to support families through 5 days of engaging reading activities focused on Social Emotional Learning, Literacy, and Mathematics with a culminating project that students can present to their classmates after Winter Break. 

Teacher Coaches will be visiting your locations this week to deliver books, packets, and bags for all Pre-Kindergarten students!

Pre-K Holiday Reading Challenge (New)

Contact: Kimberly Ramsay, Office of Early Childhood
Email: kramsay@nps.k12.nj.us

During  the winter break, have your Pre-K students participate in the Pre-K Holiday Reading Challenge! All you have to do is read 20 minutes a day, log it, and YOU could be the grand prize winner! Post on IG and tag us @nps_prek  #NewarkPreKReads

The winner with the most likes will receive a special prize. Click on the link  and attachments below for our flyers and logs (electronic and paper version).

We cannot wait to see you reading!

https://forms.gle/AXQp1DJ7QmXcmFw59

• Pre-K-Holiday-Reading-Challenge-Paper-Log.pdf
• Holiday-Reading-Challenge-Flyers.pdf

Office Hours

Contact: KeLee Brown
Email: k10brown@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Early Childhood is offering Office Hours for Pre-K teachers to support with lesson plans, Creative Curriculum and Assessment. Please see the dates below, and note the hours are from 3:15PM-4:15PM.

Office Hours link- https://nboe.webex.com/nboe/j.php?MTID=m4ea770a02a2fa540d527c99813fcb179

• Monday, December 19, 2022

Pre-K Learning Environment Expectations Checklist

Contact: Mara Kaplan, Office of Early CHildhood
Email: mkaplan@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Early Childhood has created the Learning Environment Expectations Checklist to support teachers in understanding the expectations of a Pre-K classroom. The purpose of this document is to ensure consistency across all Pre-K classroom as we continue to focus on Priority 2 of The Next Decade. Hyperlinks to supporting documents as well as examples have been included. Please reach out to your Teacher Coach for additional support around specific items.

K-5 Classroom Libraries: All K-5 Classroom Teachers (New)

Contact: Heather Lieberman, Office of ELA
Email: hlieberman@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Teaching and Learning is excited to share that all K-5 classrooms across the district will be receiving libraries made up of 300 books. All genres and content areas are represented through a carefully cultivated collection of inclusive and culturally responsive books. We are excited for students to have access to these wonderful books. These books are set to arrive in January. Please see the attached document for more information.

• K-5-Class-Library-Information-for-Teachers.pdf

Grant Program to Teach STEM in Nonpublic Schools (New)

Review the attached NJ Department of Education (NJDOE) Broadcast for information and criteria on a grant program that provides additional remuneration for public school teachers to teach Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) classes in nonpublic schools during hours mutually agreed upon by the teacher, district, and nonpublic school.

If interested, submit your contact information in the TeachSTEM survey link.

NJDOE Broadcast: RequirementtoNotifyTeachersaboutGrantProgramtoTeachSTEMinNonpublicSchools.pdf

Share NJPAC Spring Saturday Classes with Students and Families (New)

Contact: Margaret El, Office of Visual & Performing Arts
Email: mel@nps.k12.nj.us

Ages: 9-18

• Acting: 10AM–3PM. Bring your actor’s tools of body, voice and imagination to rehearsals for Mirror of Most Value: A Ms. Marvel Play.
• Musical Theater: 10AM–3PM. Learn the fundamentals of musical theater as you rehearse for Raise Your Voice, a Broadway Junior musical.
• Hip Hop: 10AM–3PM. Offers a deep dive into music production, choreography and technique, emceeing and hip hop’s rich history.

Ages: 13 – 18

• Jazz for Teens: 10AM–5PM. Comprehensive and sequential jazz education program develops well-rounded young performers.

• NJPAC-Saturday-Registration.pdf
• NJPAC-Spring-Classes.pdf

Enter to win the Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest (New)

Contact: Margaret El, Office of Visual & Performing Arts
Email: mel@nps.k12.nj.us

The Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest is designed to inspire creativity in youth, ages 4-15, and help them imagine the future of mobility. Nine U.S. art contest winners are selected each year: the top three in three age categories (4-7 years; 8-11 years; and 12-15 years). There are three judging criteria for the artwork: execution, uniqueness, and artistry. For contest rules, artwork criteria and entry guidelines use this link: https://www.toyotadreamcarusa.com/

NEW Maven Family Forming Benefit Coming 1/1/23! (New)

Contact: Jennifer Medina, Office of Benefit Services
Email: j1medina@nps.k12.nj.us

All employees enrolled in an Aetna medical plan, along with their partners, will have free, unlimited access to the Maven digital healthcare platform to help navigate preconception, pregnancy and postpartum. This includes support of your journey whether it is for fertility treatment, IVF, IUI and egg freezing; adoption; surrogacy; and returning to work after parental leave. 

For more information, visit https://nboehrs.com/medical/. After 1/1/23, you will also be to visit mavenclinic.com/join/nboe.

• NBOE-Maven-One-Pager.pdf

NEW! Brightline Pediatric Behavioral Health Benefit (New)

Contact: Jennifer Medina, Office of Benefit Services
Email: j1medina@nps.k12.nj.us

Beginning on January 1, 2023, employees with children enrolled in an Aetna medical plan will have access to this benefit for their children and teens. Personalized coverage includes:

• Connect+: On-the-go access to content, group classes, interactive exercises, and chat with coaches.
• Coaching: Help from behavioral health experts in as few as four sessions.
• Care: Behavioral therapy, medication evaluation, and support from licensed clinicians.

For more information, visit https://nboehrs.com/medical/.  After January 1, 2023, sign up at hellobrightline.com/aetna. To contact Member Support, call 1-888-224-7332 or email care@hellobrightline.com.

• Brightline_Aetna_2Pager_1108.pdf

Retrieving your PD Certificate from Whetstone (New)

Contact: Dana Moore-Mishoe, Office of Educator Effectiveness
Email: evaluations@nps.k12.nj.us

This quick video tutorial will help you navigate to and print the certificate from the Professional Development training you were registered for in Whetstone and have attended. If, after reviewing your transcript, you believe something is missing, please contact the facilitator of that session. The Educator Effectiveness team will not have access to that sign in information. 

Form Link – https://forms.gle/hzuUVbWPKeqnbRXM7

New Teacher Induction (New)

Contact: Dana Moore-Mishoe, Office of Educator Effectiveness
Email: evaluations@nps.k12.nj.us

The next New Teacher Induction session will take place on Tuesday, January 10th 4-6pm.  All teachers who are new to Newark (regardless of previous years of experience) are expected to attend at least 6 of the 10 monthly sessions that will be offered this year. One of the sessions will focus on using Technology to improve student achievement, led by the Office of Instructional Technology. The meeting links and session descriptions can be found in the schedule linked here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LBTAibPzenR0OBaqO_6Z7k_HKxIjQT-Q/

The Office of Special Education Monthly Updates

Contact: Maria Jara, Office of Special Education
Email: majara@nps.k12.nj.us

See resources available for Inclusive Schools Week. Professional development opportunities for CSTs and teachers are are also included.

• 12-5-22-OSE-Teacher-Talk.pdf

AIA Newark & Suburban Architects Holiday Student Art Contest

Contact: Margaret El, Office of Visual & Performing Arts
Email: mel@nps.k12.nj.us

Holiday Student Arts Contest

Do you find architecture interesting? Do any places or buildings inspire you? Do you think about how architecture and design influences our everyday life? Do you like to draw or make art?

To celebrate the holidays, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) of the Newark & Suburban area would like to see what places you like and find interesting.

• What: An art and drawing contest
• Ages: Grades 6-12
• Prizes: will be awarded in 2 age groups (Grades 6-8) (Grades 9-12)

Requirements and submission information are found on this flyer.

Enter the 22-23 Protect Me With 3+ Poster Contest

Contact: Katherine Brodhead Cullen, Office of Visual & Performing Arts
Email: kbrodhead@nps.k12.nj.us

Protect Me With 3+ is an annual poster and video contest, and a collaboration between The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey and the New Jersey Department of Health.  This contest aims to raise awareness about the importance of adolescent immunizations among preteens, teenagers and parents, and increase vaccination rates for several important vaccines. 

Prizes will be awarded in the categories of middle school (5-8) and high school (9-12). 

Submission information located at: https://protectmewith3.com/

Rethink Ed SEL & Mental Health PLC Series

Contact: Jennifer Rodriguez, Office of Federal Programs and Grants
Email: j20rodriguez@nps.k12.nj.us

The Rethink SEL & Mental Health PLC series is now open for registration in Whetstone. The PLC series is offered for K-12 teachers and support staff from December 6 through January 19 every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

One topic per week will be offered. Participants will receive the contractual supplemental pay. Please see the session descriptions and access the registration links in the attached calendar. For more information, contact j20rodriguez@nps.k12.nj.us.

• Rethink-Ed-PD-Calendar-Dec-2022-Jan-2023.docx.pdf

Mandatory Affirmative Action Training

Contact: Nichola Camacho, Human Resource Services
Email: affirmativeaction@nps.k12.nj.us

All Staff,

Board policy requires all employees to participate in Affirmative Action training. The training was launched on 12/5/22 from Vector Solutions. All training must be completed by 1/27/23.

You will receive an email from the Newark Board of Education. Please click on the link to log into Vector Solutions using your NBOE username and password. After taking the course, please complete the assessment and print/save the certificate.

Course Title: Discrimination Awareness in the Workplace 

NOTE: Managers shall provide all employees access to computers to complete the training.

Assessment of Classroom Technology Readiness and Needs

Contact: Abdullah Ansari, Division of Information Technology
Email: AAnsari@nps.k12.nj.us

The Division of Information Technology (DIT) strives to facilitate digital learning in our schools by providing classroom technology resources and the associated technical support services. To ensure that teachers have the necessary technology resources in their classrooms to perform their daily tasks, DIT hereby requests that all teachers promptly take the following technology readiness survey. The survey results will enable DIT to address any remaining technology related concerns that teachers may have and provide any additional technology resources that may still be needed in the classrooms.

https://forms.gle/v1Xqe7nsECqZv1hG9

SNAP Electronic Health Record

Contact: B. Helena Blackwell, Office of Health Services and Nursing
Email: bblackwell@nps.k12.nj.us

School nurses are now using the SNAP program. The SNAP program is an electronic health record created specifically for school nurses. A SNAP review will be offered to all nurses once a week on Fridays at 2pm to provide ongoing support. The program is the required documentation format for the district. It is tied to the nurse framework and will be an integral component of the evaluation.

Homework Hotline is Open

Contact: Timothy Nellegar
Email: tnellegar@nps.k12.nj.us

Homework Hotline is open and ready to help students for the 2022-23 school year. Students can call and get assistance on homework, reviewing the day’s lesson, or other instructional questions Monday through Thursday from 3:30-5:30pm. For more information, as well as a list of our current instructors and their contact information, please visit the Tutoring Resources page under Students on the Newark Board of Education website.

https://sites.google.com/nps.k12.nj.us/tutoring-site/home

Please encourage your students to use this free service to help them throughout the school year.

SEL/Mental Health Programming Supports SY 22-23 

Contact: Mary Harvey, Office of Student Life – Student Support Services
Email: mharvey@nps.k12.nj.us

Attached is an informational resource on the NBOE SEL/Mental Health Programming Supports being delivered for the 2022-2023 school year.  As you move forward through the school year, should you have questions and/or need support, you may contact our office.

• SEL_Mental-Health-Programming-and-Initiatives_SY22-232.pdf

2022-2023 Educational Technology Office Hours

Contact: Timothy Nellegar, Office of Educational Technology
Email: tnellegar@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Educational Technology will have virtual office hours every Monday from 3:00p-3:45p. This will allow educators to drop in, receive a quick training on an educational technology strategy or platform and to ask questions to help them better use technology in their classroom.

To join office hours, please use this link: https://nboe.webex.com/nboe/j.php?MTID=m71bfa10824509d7c09c77df7edaf6752.

We look forward to seeing you there.