NBOE Teacher Talk

Happy April! As we embrace this vibrant month, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible hard work and dedication you bring to our classrooms every day. With Spring Break just around the corner and testing on the horizon, we find ourselves in a crucial and exciting time for both you and our students.

Your commitment to fostering a positive learning environment is truly inspiring. Research shows that maintaining high expectations and providing consistent support can significantly enhance student performance (Hattie, 2009). Let’s keep the momentum going and encourage our students to stay focused and motivated as we navigate this busy period together.

As we prepare for testing, I encourage you to consider providing Spring Break assignments. Studies indicate that students who engage in learning activities during breaks tend to retain knowledge better and return to school more prepared (Cooper et al., 2000). These assignments can be a fantastic way to reinforce skills while allowing students to explore their interests and creativity.

Let’s also take time to celebrate the progress our students have made. Each small victory contributes to their confidence and readiness.

And don’t forget to reflect on your own well-being! The upcoming break is the perfect opportunity to recharge and return with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication. Together, let’s spring into success and make this a successful and impactful month!

Message from the Superintendent Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff, 

While I will be amongst the first to say that quarterly assessments are critical towards assisting students in learning the curriculum and exceeding state standards, timing is also everything. For the month of April, we will continue to focus on the curriculum and everything that is important that we are teaching so that students demonstrate excellence every day, as well as on the state assessments next month. 

However, we will not be administering benchmark assessments this month. No, this is not an April fool’s joke either. I hope this sends a strong message to you that we are watching and we do hear you. We need to make sure we have taught our students everything they need to know to be ready next month and even one period away from that is just too much at this time. We will space these exams differently as we plan for next school year. For now, no benchmark assessments. In the spirit of that decision, please make sure that throughout this month our students demonstrate mastery of whatever would have been assessed because we still want them ready. 

Finally, Spring Break comes at the worst time possible as we are finalizing readiness and then we are off for an entire week. We won’t have much time to regroup upon everyone’s return so let’s take advantage of this month and the days leading up to the NJSLA.

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

As shared previously, please see below for the SY 2025-26 calendars:

• School Calendar SY 2025-26
• 12 Month Calendar SY 2025-26

Additionally, please review the 2025-2026 Marking Period and Report Card Dates.

All Homeroom Teachers should distribute the School Calendar SY 2025-26 to students and their families, if they have not done so already.

Have a great week of teaching and learning!

Superintendent León

This week, we proudly join schools across the nation in celebrating the joy of reading and the power of storytelling. Read Across America is a wonderful opportunity to inspire our students to explore new worlds, expand their imaginations, and develop a lifelong love of reading.

As we celebrate, I encourage you to promote independent reading as a way to increase endurance and comprehension skills. Research shows that independent reading not only enhances students' reading fluency but also fosters a deeper understanding of texts. According to the National Reading Panel (2000), students who engage in regular independent reading demonstrate improved vocabulary, comprehension, and overall academic performance. Additionally, a study by Krashen (2004) highlights that self-selected reading significantly contributes to literacy development and motivation. By allowing students to choose their own grade-level appropriate books based on their interests, we can help them build stamina and confidence in their reading abilities.

I am thrilled to share that I have been invited to be a Guest Reader at several schools across our District this week. I am truly excited to engage with our students, share in the magic of storytelling, and see their eyes light up as they journey through the pages of a good book.

Let’s make this week unforgettable by creating vibrant reading experiences and continuing to cultivate a culture of literacy in Newark.

Thank you for your passion, creativity, and commitment to nurturing the minds of our young readers.

Together, let’s inspire our students to read, dream, and achieve!

With excitement and gratitude,
Assistant Superintendent Esteves

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

As we move forward in our commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, I want to commend you for your dedication to implementing Cornell notes and student work portfolios as essential tools in fostering student engagement, critical thinking, and content mastery. Research consistently affirms that structured note-taking and the intentional collection of student work are powerful strategies that enhance comprehension and long-term retention.

The Power of Cornell Notes
Cornell notes serve as more than just an organizational tool—they actively promote higher-order thinking and metacognitive skills. According to Pauk and Owens (2014), “Cornell notes are an effective way to encourage students to summarize, question, and reflect, leading to improved retention and understanding of material.” By consistently reinforcing this strategy, we can help students develop habits that support independent learning and academic success.

I am sharing a student-friendly Cornell notes rubric to be shared with the students to help guide them in their implementation of Cornell notes. This rubric should not be used punitively but rather as a supportive tool to encourage self-assessment and reflection. By using this rubric, students can better understand the expectations and improve their note-taking skills, ultimately enhancing their learning experience.

Leveraging Student Work Portfolios
Student work portfolios provide a comprehensive view of learning progression and allow both teachers and students to reflect on growth over time. Research from Darling-Hammond et al. (2019) underscores that “portfolios not only document learning but also encourage students to take ownership of their progress, fostering deeper engagement and self-efficacy.” I encourage you to make portfolios an integral part of instruction, using them as a foundation for student conferences, formative assessments, and goal setting.

Proactively Using Data to Inform Instruction 
As we continue refining our instructional practices, I urge you to leverage available data—including benchmark assessments, formative checks, and student work analyses—to make informed instructional decisions. Hattie (2009) highlights that “teachers who systematically use data to guide instruction see greater learning gains, as data-driven decision-making allows for targeted interventions and responsive teaching.”

By maintaining momentum in these areas, we will continue to drive student achievement and instructional excellence. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students and for consistently striving to elevate their learning experiences.

Let’s continue to be Focused, Friendly, Flexible, and Fast in our approach, ensuring that every student receives the best possible education.

Best regards,
Assistant Superintendent Esteves

As we move into the second half of the academic year, I want to thank you for your continued dedication to our students' success. I am writing to remind you that the Quarter 2 Benchmark Assessments will open tomorrow, January 22, 2025, and remain open through January 30, 2025.
 
Benchmark assessments play a pivotal role in informing our instructional practices. According to research, "benchmark assessments provide critical insights into student progress and help educators identify both strengths and areas for targeted intervention" (Black & Wiliam, 2018). These assessments allow us to monitor growth, adjust our teaching strategies, and ensure we are meeting the diverse needs of our learners.
 
All students are expected to complete the benchmark assessments during this testing window. Full participation not only offers an accurate representation of student performance but also promotes equity in our instructional delivery and support. As you prepare for this week, I encourage you to set aside adequate time for testing and proactively address any logistical or technical challenges.
 
Together, we can leverage this critical tool to drive student achievement and maintain high standards for all.
 
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.

Assistant Superintendent Esteves

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the dedication, creativity, and passion you bring to our classrooms each day. Your tireless efforts make a profound difference in the lives of our students, and I am excited to see all that we will accomplish together in the year ahead.

As we continue our journey of excellence in Teaching and Learning, I want to remind you of the importance of two key practices that are integral to student success: utilizing Cornell Notes and building student work portfolios. Research underscores the value of these strategies. Jacobs (2008) found that Cornell Notes improve organizational skills and significantly enhance retention and understanding of material, empowering students to become active and reflective learners. Similarly, Paulson and Meyer (1991) emphasize that student portfolios are transformative tools, offering a living, growing collection of work that showcases their efforts, progress, and achievements. These practices not only enrich learning but also foster critical thinking, self-assessment, and ownership of their educational journey.

As we move forward, let us collectively recommit to these approaches, ensuring they are fully embedded in our instructional practices. Together, we can continue to nurture an environment where students thrive, achieving excellence and personal growth.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our mission. Here’s to a successful and inspiring year ahead!

Assistant Superintendent Esteves

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

As we approach winter recess, we encourage you to take a moment to reflect on all that has been accomplished so far this school year. You and your students have put in unwavering effort, and your students’ progress is a testament to your commitment and dedication. Additionally, be mindful that the new year provides us with an opportunity to reset and reground ourselves in what is most important to the success and well-being of our students.

On behalf of everyone here at the District, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes to you and your families. May your holidays be joyful and the new year bring continued growth and blessings.

Warm regards,

Superintendent León, Deputy Superintendent Severe, and Assistant Superintendent Esteves

Message from the Office of Teaching and Learning

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

I hope this message finds you well. I want to remind you that Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, December 5, 2024. These conferences are a cornerstone of fostering strong partnerships between school and home, as research consistently shows that parental involvement is a key lever for student success.

According to a study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology, students whose parents are actively involved in their education tend to have higher academic achievement, better attendance, and improved behavior in school (Fan & Chen, 2001). Furthermore, the National Education Association emphasizes that effective communication between teachers and parents can lead to increased student motivation and engagement (NEA, 2010).

As educators, you play a pivotal role in creating meaningful connections with families. These conferences provide an invaluable opportunity to celebrate student achievements, discuss areas for growth, and collaborate on strategies to ensure each child reaches their full potential. Your efforts to engage parents and families are instrumental in building trust and fostering a shared commitment to student success.

Thank you for your dedication to nurturing these vital partnerships and for the care and professionalism you bring to these important conversations. Together, we can make a significant impact on our students' educational journeys.

Warm regards,

Sylvia Esteves
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning