Message from Dr. Reilly

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

We hope that you enjoyed a relaxing Spring Break and are eager to finish the year strong. This year’s summer reading selections are ready. Students will be able to read, then participate in activities designed at each grade level to encourage a love of reading and also provide opportunities to further explore topics of interest. Reading shapes the way we understand our world, so it is our hope that this summer, students expand their horizons.  

The books and list of activities will arrive at schools in May and will also be available digitally. We ask that during the week of June 5th, you take time to distribute the book, preview it, and encourage your students to read this summer.

Let this selection of books provide students with the opportunity to have an enriching reading experience while enjoying the relaxation and fun that summer brings.

The list of summer reading books can be found in the links below:

• English Titles: 
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CjwLubrDCu5QGoQiz8OauW7K4vEoSd79
• Spanish Titles: 
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OwIcqONsqeoRczJCj9ZmrbtantW_w_eR

Dr. Reilly

Optional Office Hours for Preschool Teachers

Contact: Marialana Juliano, Office of Early Childhood
Email: mjuliano@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Early Childhood will continue to offer Office Hours for Preschool Teachers every Monday through the end of May from 3:15pm-4:15 pm to support with lesson plans, Creative Curriculum, and Assessments. Please click the links below for the complete schedule and Webex link.

• Office Hours Schedule
• Webex Link (updated link)

Legends of Learning Spring Break Challenge

Contact: Kathleen Tierney, Office of Science
Email: KTierney@nps.k12.nj.us

Legends of Learning will be posting grade-specific science assignments for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to complete during spring break.  All students who complete the assignments will be entered into a drawing for prizes.  The “challenge” will run from April 7th to April 16th.  Login information can be found on the attached document.

• 2023-Spring-Break-Challenge-MS-Science.pptx

Foundational Skills: Measuring Student Progress

Contact: Jazleen Othman, Office of English Language Arts
Email: jothman@nps.k12.nj.us

In the previous session, teachers explored the role of foundational skills in reading success. This session will focus on using formative data to determine students’ strengths and needs in the areas of foundational skills. Teachers will use data to plan high-leverage small group activities and create a plan to monitor student progress during these activities. Please use this link to register.

Dates: April 17th and April 24th

See attached flyer for more information.

• Foundational Skills Residency

Adult Education Flyers for High School Classrooms

Contact: Andre Hollis, T&L – Office of Adult Education
Email: a1hollis@nps.k12.nj.us

Attention High School Teachers,

The Office of Adult Education is requesting all high school teachers to print and prominently display this flyer in their classrooms.

• EveningCoursesFlyer.pdf

Communicating with the Media (New)

Contact: Nancy Deering, Office of Communications
Email: NDeering@NPS.K12.NJ.US

This district works hard to shape and create a narrative that positions the great work that is being done by you and your staff, appropriately. The Director of Communications will serve as spokesperson for the district and take the lead in communicating with the media. So please forward ALL media inquiries, requests for interviews, etc., to Nancy Deering (ndeering@nps.k12.nj.us) and copy your Principal or department head.

A copy of the policy is attached for your convenience:

• FILE-CODE-1110.pdf

Transfer Period: April 17th-30th (New)

Contact: Elizabeth Viscaino, Human Resource Services
Email: evizcaino@nps.k12.nj.us

If you are interested in transferring to one of our AMAZING schools, please visit Frontline during the transfer period to apply and express your interest. Hiring managers will review, and if your transfer is approved by all parties, notifications will be provided by HRS.

Click the links below to view all of the opportunities in our elementary and high schools. 

• NBOE Elementary School Profiles 
• NBOE High School Profiles
• For more information about our high school academies, click the link: https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/academies/  

If you have any questions, please contact Teach@nps.k12.nj.us.

TEACHER JOB FAIR – APRIL 29, 2023!!! (New)

Contact: Elizabeth Viscaino, Human Resource Services
Email: evizcaino@nps.k12.nj.us

• Audience: This job fair is designed for critical areas (SPED, Bilingual/ESL, Math, Science). All teachers are welcome!
• Location: Louise A. Spencer School – 66 Muhammad Ali Avenue, Newark, NJ 07108.
• Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
• Registration Link for Applicants: Use THIS LINK to register for the event or visit: https://tinyurl.com/teachnewark

Please spread the word and post THIS FLYER in all of your social media platforms! Earn $1,000 for each person who is successfully hired with our district. Visit https://teachnewark.com/referral/ for guidelines on our referral process.

Calling All Student Artists!!! (New)

Contact: Carlos Reyes, Human Resource Services
Email: c1reyes@nps.k12.nj.us

Student artists in grades 6 – 12 are invited to participate in a district-wide contest to create a billboard advertisement to recruit teachers.  

• Task: Create an attention-grabbing ad to attract new teachers to our district. Click HERE for guidelines and samples.   
• Deadline: April 24, 2023 before 4:00 pm. 
• Use this link to submit your art work: NBOE Billboard Advertisement Competition
• Prize: The winning student and supporting teacher will each receive a $100.00 gift card. The winning artwork may be used in a billboard placed in a high visibility area. 

Cycle 3 Report Card Timeline (New)

Contact: Darren Watsky, Student Information Services
Email: dwatsky@nps.k12.nj.us

All Cycle 3 grades and comments must be finalized in PowerTeacher Pro by the end of the school day on Thursday, April 20th. Gradebooks will be locked at close of business day on Thursday, April 20th.

Please use the Cycle 3 Report Card Timeline to prepare for the storing of Cycle 3 grades. Grade changes after this date require a grade change form submission to your administrator. If you have questions or concerns, please consult with your administrator(s) and/or PowerSchool clerk.

New Teacher Induction (New)

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

The next New Teacher Induction sessions will take place on Tuesday, May 2nd from 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 are being offered this year. One of the May 2nd sessions will explore: Focusing on the best early childhood practices for facilitating small group instruction, led by the Office of Early Childhood. The meeting link and additional session descriptions can be found in the schedule linked here.

Ailey Day: Free Dance Classes for All Levels at NJPAC (New)

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

FREE dance classes for all levels! 

This day includes a variety of movement classes taught by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s alumni, faculty, and students. Take part in a Q&A session with the instructors and join our engaged partners for arts and wellness activities, including children’s readings, health screenings, and mosaic art making. 

Learn more and register here:

• https://www.njpac.org/event/15th-anniversary-ailey-day/
• 8.5x11_AileyDay_Flyer_7-1.pdf

Register for Kennedy Center Professional Development Workshops at NJPAC (New)

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

Kennedy Center In-Person Workshops: 

• Wednesday, May 3, 12:30pm-3:30pm & 4:00pm-7:00pm

Session 1: “Dramatic Moves: Advancing Cultural Relevance, Equity and Social Emotional Learning, through Arts Integration” with presenter Kimberli Boyd demonstrating how Social Emotional Learning, Cultural Relevance and Equity can be an integral part of an effective arts integrated lesson or any lesson.

Session 2: “Learning the Writing Process through Rap” with presenter Bomani Armah. In this interactive workshop, Baba Bomani will show teachers how to use aspects of hip-hop art and culture to create an engaging learning environment.

Learn more and register here:

• https://www.njpac.org/education-program/kennedy-center-professional-development-workshops/
• Kennedy-Center-@-NJPAC.pdf

Principal’s List Criteria: Grades 3 to 12

Contact: Roger León, Superintendent
Email: Rleon@nps.k12.nj.us

Please be advised that page 41 of the High School Guidebook (section on Honor Roll) has been updated accordingly. Updates are found in the attachment.

• Principals-List-Criteria-Grades-3-to-12.pdf

The Office of Special Education Updates

Contact: Amy Woods, Office of Special Education
Email: a1woods@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Special Education is pleased to announce that our 5th Annual Autism Acceptance Kickoff date was April 4, 2023. The goal of Autism Acceptance Month is for our district staff, students, and families to be more inclusive of our Autism community and to increase understanding and acceptance of children and adults who have Autism. This year’s theme is “Make It Personal, Autism Acceptance.”  

See the attached for upcoming activities, as well as updates on DLM Assessment and ESY Job Postings.

3-27-23-OSE-Teacher-Talk.pdf

Apply for Summer Program 2023 Jobs

Contact: Matt Brewster, Office of Staff Development
Email: MBrewster@nps.k12.nj.us

Select Summer Program 2023 positions are currently available on Frontline. Additional positions will be posted in the coming weeks.

Traditional Mentor Training

Contact: Herb Daughtry, Office of Educator Effectiveness
Email: evaluations@nps.k12.nj.us

The next mentor training session is scheduled for April 26th between 4-6pm. This session is intended for ALL mentors who have not participated in New Teacher Center training. The session will focus on mentoring for equity and using mentoring language to shift teacher practice, as well as reviewing year-end procedures. Registration Link: https://forms.gle/LXDpPp3sVRraH5BZA

Newark Board of Education Career Opportunities

Contact: Elizabeth Vizcaino, Human Resource Services
Email: evizcaino@nps.k12.nj.us

• Are you looking for a different career opportunity within the Newark Board of Education? 
• Do you want to use your skills and talents to enhance our district’s goals and partner with students so all learners can achieve their full potential?

We invite you to look at all of the fantastic opportunities the district offers at our Elementary Schools by reviewing this link: Welcome to Newark Board of Education!

For more information about our Schools, please visit this link: https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/schools/

If you have any questions, please contact Teach@nps.k12.nj.us.

Are you mentoring a Student Teacher?

Contact: Carlos Reyes, Human Resource Services
Email: c1reyes@nps.k12.nj.us

Please complete the Student Teacher Feedback Form for your Mentee using the link below.* Please note, this form is to only be completed by Cooperating Teachers who currently mentor a Student Teacher. Only one submission is required per Student Teacher. Thanks! 

• Cooperating Teacher Feedback Form

Discontinuation of Start Strong Assessments

Contact: Lydia Alvarez, OPPET
Email: LAlvarez@nps.k12.nj.us

The Start Strong assessment was originally piloted in the Fall of 2020 and its administration has continued since then. In the fall of 2021, this assessment was mandated as a mechanism to ensure that districts had access to high-quality, standards-based student data through the suspension of the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA). With the successful reinstatement of the NJSLA in the Spring of 2022, the New Jersey Department of Education will discontinue the Start Strong assessment effective Fall 2023.

Enter the Peace Islands Institute 2023 Art and Essay Contest

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

Peace Islands Institute (PII) welcomes submissions for its 13th Annual Art & Essay (A&E) Contest. This year’s theme is “The Impact of Social Media on Peace-Building”.

The A&E Contest aims to: 

1. Bring middle and high school students from around New Jersey together
2. Promote awareness regarding issues of common concern among New Jersey youth
3. Facilitate their personal and academic growth through a healthy competitive environment
4. Inspire them to make positive change in their communities

For more information, please visit the Peace Islands Institute website: http://artandessay.org/

• PeaceIslandsInstitute2023ArtandEssayContest.pdf

FAFSA/NJAFAA

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

The Office of Student Life is partnering with the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (NJHESAA) to assist members of the Class of 2023 and their parents/guardians to complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application (NJAFAA). The next workshop will be conducted in English and Spanish on May 10th via WebEx from 5pm-6pm. 

Please share the links below with students who have not completed the graduation requirement.

• NBOE FAFSA Workshop Session Flyer
• FAFSA/NJ AFAA Parent Workshop in Partnership with HESAA

School Counselors are available to provide assistance.

RethinkEd – SEL

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

The RethinkEd platform is utilized by students, parents/guardians, and staff to foster social emotional learning, self-care, and wellness. Trainings continue for school counselors and school social workers focused on addressing the needs of students in relation to the 5 CASEL competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. 

The spring Student Self-Assessment/Check In will occur from April 17, 2023 – May 19, 2023 for grades 3-12.

• RethinkEd