Message from the Superintendent
Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,
National School Day of Non-Violence and Peace
As a reminder, the National School Day of Non-Violence and Peace is on January 30, 2024. As the District emphasizes the importance of non-violence and peace, you are encouraged to showcase the ways in which non-violence and peace are promoted and celebrated in your classroom.
3rd Annual Women’s Leadership Conference
We are excited to share that the District is hosting the 3rd Annual Women’s Leadership Conference on Saturday, March 23, 2024. This conference is open to current and aspiring women leaders throughout our District. Please note that more details will be shared soon.
Summer Programs 2024
Get ready to embark upon an incredible journey as we dive into NEW details about our Summer Programs for 2024!
Summer Achieve! (8:30 AM - 1:00 PM): Our Summer Achieve! academic program for 2024 will continue to provide students in rising grades 1-8 with rich academic instruction ensuring they have the skills and knowledge they need to achieve. This program will focus on accelerating learning through access to a high quality grade-level ELA and mathematics curricula. We are enthusiastic about the positive impact it will have on our students' learning.
NEW Summer Quest! (1:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Our NEW Summer Quest! enrichment program for 2024 will be staffed by our own instructional personnel. Our dedicated teachers, coaches, and support staff members will be leading exciting and engaging activities for students in rising grades 1-8 to make the summer an unforgettable experience. From hands-on projects to creative exploration, Summer Quest! is designed to foster a love for learning beyond the traditional classroom setting.
We are actively seeking creative, enthusiastic, and qualified individuals from ALL content areas to join our team and contribute to the success of both Summer Achieve! and Summer Quest! For those interested in one or both of these fantastic initiatives, please be on the lookout for job postings in February. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact on our students' summer experiences.
Please note that information and details for our High School Summer programs are forthcoming. Stay tuned!
Have a great week of teaching and learning!
Sincerely,
Superintendent León
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| Elementary School Teachers |
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Training for Elementary Tutor Coordinators: NJ High Impact Tutoring Grant (New)
Contact: Julianne Bello, Office of Extended Learning
Email: jbello@nps.k12.nj.us
The District has been awarded a NJ High Impact Tutoring Grant for students in grades 2-5. This program will be inserted into the existing elementary tutoring programs. All elementary tutor coordinators are required to attend training on Wednesday, January 24, from 3:30-4:30pm.
Please use the link here to join:
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Cycle 2 23-24 Report Card Timeline and Requirements - Teachers (New)
Contact: Darren Watsky, Student Information Services
Email: dwatsky@nps.k12.nj.us
 All Cycle 2 grades and comments must be finalized in PowerTeacher Pro by the end of the school day on Monday, February 5th.
Use the Cycle 2 Report Card Timeline and Requirements document to prepare for the storing of Cycle 2 grades. All subjects should have a grade and/or comment. For subjects not assessed this cycle, include a comment that the student is not in the class this grading period. Grade changes after February 9th require a grade change form submission. If you have questions, please consult with your administrator(s). |
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Adolescent Health Services & Education Paid Professional Development (New)
Contact: Jennifer Rodriguez, Office of Federal Programs and Grants
Email: j20rodriguez@nps.k12.nj.us
Thanks to CDC Grant funds, the NBOE has partnered with Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan NJ to offer development opportunities focused on adolescent health education and services available at the 2 Planned Parenthood health centers in Newark. The sessions will be held virtually from 4-5 PM on March 20, 21, 27, and 28 and are open to all District teachers and support staff.
Participants will receive supplemental pay and the opportunity to win a raffle. See the attached flyer for descriptions and Whetstone registration links:
For more information, contact j20rodriguez@nps.k12.nj.us.
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SAC Information Sheet (New)
Contact: Rania Sawaged, Office of Student Life
Email: rsawaged@nps.k12.nj.us
IMPACT Team members (administrators, counselors, social workers and nurses):
Please see the quarterly SAC information sheet for December-February:
As a reminder, members of your school IMPACT Team may join the "Informational" Google classroom with this code: 3z6whmq, or by utilizing this LINK to stay informed and communicate effectively with your assigned SLT SAC.
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New Teacher Induction (New)
Contact: Herb Daughtry, Educator Effectiveness
Email: evaluations@nps.k12.nj.us
 New Teacher Induction sessions are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Teachers should attend 6 of the 10 sessions during the school year.
Be sure to register for the next session taking place on Tuesday, February 13th between 4-6pm. One of February's sessions offered will be hosted by the Office of Special Education and will focus on connecting accommodations or modifications to lesson planning and supporting students in a least restrictive environment.
The registration and meeting links for each month are linked below:
Induction Schedule
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Traditional Mentor Training (New)
Contact: Herb Daughtry, Educator Effectiveness
Email: evaluations@nps.k12.nj.us
The next mentor training session for non-NTC mentors will be held on the February 1st Staff Development Day. The session will be conducted virtually from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and will focus on analyzing student learning. The February 1st session is intended for 1st and 2nd year mentors, but all mentors are welcome.
Please register for your session here: https://forms.gle/FYvWWbTozHB5ekQKA
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Transfer Period: April 8th - April 19th, 2024 (New)
Contact: Justine Carter, Human Resource Services
Email: j1carter@nps.k12.nj.us
If you are interested in transferring to one of our AMAZING schools, please visit Frontline between April 8th and April 19th 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.
Check out the fantastic opportunities at the elementary and high school level by reviewing the following links:
For more information about our academies at the high school level, please visit:
https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/academies/
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Friendly Referral Bonus Reminder! (New)
Contact: Carlos Reyes, Human Resource Services
Email: c1reyes@nps.k12.nj.us
 The anticipated job postings for school year 2024-25 are now live and open for external candidates to apply!
We encourage all staff members who qualify for the referral program to take advantage of this great initiative and earn $1,000 for EACH teacher candidate that is successfully hired in our District.
For additional information, please visit https://teachnewark.com/referral/ or email us at Teach@nps.k12.nj.us.
Thank you!
HRS - Recruitment Team
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Montclair State University (MSU) Bilingual/ESL Program Update (New)
Contact: Eboni Woolridge, Human Resource Services
Email: ewoolridge@nps.k12.nj.us
 Please be advised of the following criteria before nominating an employee to participate in the MSU Bilingual/ESL Program:
- The employee must possess a Standard or Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) NJ teaching license.
- For Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or LImited CE holders, they must have completed one year of a NJDOE approved Provisional Teaching - Alternate Route program.
For more information, please contact teach@nps.k12.nj.us.
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Certifications Updates (New)
Contact: Eboni Woolridge, Human Resource Services
Email: ewoolridge@nps.k12.nj.us
 Register for January Virtual Office Hours by using the following link:
Urgent Request: Contact the Certifications team for the following:
- CE/Limited CE Holders Only: Provisional program selections must be submitted immediately for provisional license registration.
- All licenses must be submitted to the certification team upon issuance. Email certifications@nps.k12.nj.us.
Pathways Programs: All certification progress must be uploaded via Google Form:
Mentorship: All novice Provisional and Pathways employees should be paired with a mentor.
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Updates from the Office of Special Education
Contact: Candice Wells, Office of Special Education
Email: c1wells@nps.k12.nj.us
The Office of Special Education and The Office of English Language Arts are collaborating to purchase Fundations materials for grades K-1 and SIPPS materials for grades 4-8 (self-contained classes). In order to coordinate shipment of materials and to provide PD, special education teachers should complete the needs assessment (see attached).
Thank you to all schools that participated in Inclusive Schools Week. Check out all schools' participation by viewing the OSE Inclusive Schools Week Slidedeck 2023.
Please also see attached for upcoming PD Opportunities for teachers, paraprofessionals and CSTs.
1-2-24-Teacher-Talk-Updated.pdf
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Prudential’s Parent University Series – January 2024
Contact: Mariah Alston, Office of Federal Programs & Grants
Email: m1alston@nps.k12.nj.us
We are excited to announce a new semester of Parent University, a system-wide learning program to provide resources, learning opportunities for ongoing parent and family involvement, and community engagement that supports student learning. This semester we are excited to share our new collaboration with Prudential.
Through June 2024, Prudential will host virtual financial workshops for families and staff. Each month will have a different area of focus.
Registration is required.
Please share the flyer and encourage families to attend.
REGISTER HERE TODAY!
January 2024 Workshops:
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A Trifecta of Illnesses on the Rise
Contact: Shameekqa Warren, Office of Health Services
Email: swarren@nps.k12.nj.us
This school year, a trifecta of illnesses is on the rise:
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- Influenza
- COVID-19
These illnesses can be avoided or mediated with vaccinations. Vaccines are recommended for individuals aged six months and up and for those with underlying health conditions or compromised respiratory systems. Please discuss the appropriateness of these vaccinations with your primary care physician.
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NBOE and Montclair State University Leadership Pipeline Program Fall 2024
Contact: Matthew Brewster, Office of Staff Development
Email: MBrewster@nps.k12.nj.us
If you have been contemplating leadership opportunities within the NBOE and are eager to elevate your professional education and career, now is the perfect time to take action.
Join us for a virtual information session on February 7 at 4:00 PM to learn how the Newark Board of Education and Montclair State University Leadership Pipeline Program is designed to equip educators like you with the skills, knowledge, and credentials necessary to thrive in leadership roles within the field of education in your school District.
Please access the flyer to register:
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Grant Program - Apply to Teach STEM Classes In Nonpublic Schools
Contact: Kathleen Tierney, Office of Science
Email: ktierney@nps.k12.nj.us
The DOE has a grant program that remunerates public school teachers to teach Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) classes in nonpublic schools during hours in which the teacher has no conflicting public school duties.
For more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply, please click on the link below:
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Pathways to Teaching Program Check-In Meetings
Contact: Justine Carter, Human Resource Services
Email: j1carter@nps.k12.nj.us
Below you will find the schedule for the Pathways to Teaching and Career Pathways monthly check-in meetings:
- Tuesday, 2/13 - 3:20PM
- Tuesday, 3/12 - 3:20PM
- Tuesday, 4/9 - 3:20PM
- Tuesday, 5/14 - 3:20PM
- Tuesday, 6/11 - 3:20PM
WebEx links are sent to your NPS emails one week prior to the check-in date. Contact your HRS Partner with any questions or concerns.
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Mental Health Resources for Staff
Contact: Samantha Parreiral, Student Support Services - Office of Student Life
Email: sparreiral@nps.k12.nj.us
Please find attached Mental Health Resources for staff. This document contains a list of different mental health directories that can be used to support the mental health of employees who are in need. The providers listed on this page are all able to be filtered by a variety of factors, including type of concern, gender, language, location, insurance, private pay, teletherapy or in-person, etc.
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Empowering Educators: Unwind and Recharge with Yoga!
Contact: Jennifer Rodriguez, Office of Federal Programs and Grants
Email: J20rodriguez@nps.k12.nj.us
We are excited to continue offering free virtual yoga classes to all NBOE staff! Thanks to grant funding, the District has continued to partner with Newark Yoga Movement to provide yoga classes twice a month through the end of the school year. Staff who attend at least 4 classes will receive a free yoga mat while supplies last. Please see the flyer below to register for the classes you would like to attend:
For more information, contact j20rodriguez@nps.k12.nj.us.
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Disciplinary Guide
Contact: Mary Leigh Harvey, Office of Student Life
Email: mharvey@nps.k12.nj.us
The attachment contains the disciplinary guide:
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Teacher Talk is emailed every other Monday.
The submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. |
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Contact Us
To support and encourage highly effective instruction, Teacher Talk synthesizes information and resources that will help NPS teachers meet the expectations of the framework for effective teaching. Please open the form with Firefox or Chrome in order to add attachments.
You may submit items for inclusion in the Teacher Talk newsletter via this form:
https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/departments/communications/teacher-talk-form/
The weekly submission deadline is Wednesday by 5:00 p.m. before Monday distribution.
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RECORD HIGH, a contemporary music education program designed to prepare New Jersey high school students for a career in the music industry both on and off the stage, is partnering with the Devils Youth Foundation for the second annual scholarship program. Individual awards of $1,000 will be given to twelve high school seniors demonstrating notable talent in music, industry interest, technical support, and leadership roles within their local communities.