Please note the information concerning the Individual Learning Plan (ILP) included in this issue of Teacher Talk. The ILP has been populated with the necessary data and abbreviated. Your input is critical. Full directions from Ms. Jackson can be found here. For those of you who will be completing the form, please complete a timesheet for payment for 1 hour and submit it to your principal for processing.
A Message for K-3 Teachers
Superintendent León and I will be meeting with all of you, by grade level, in a few days. As part of the January reset, we want to discuss how to ensure our K-3 students learn to read and write. In the classrooms I have recently visited, I’ve seen the split between those children who are progressing and the many children who still need to learn consonant letters and their sounds, short and long vowels, blends and digraphs—as well as how to hold pencils correctly and form letters. All of this foundational knowledge is necessary to know in order to read and write.
When we meet, we will discuss what must be taken off of your plates so you can do the best work to make sure students break code. I have included a link that will take you to a brief survey. We want to know what you recommend in order for you to teach your students to read. What needs to be removed from the literacy work you are doing? What content needs to be emphasized? What supports do you and the children need? The solutions will not be a “one size fits all teachers” response. In order to best teach, you must be able to make changes based on what your students need.
Here’s the survey link. It should take you about 5 to 7 minutes to complete it. Please do this today. It will help us to know what you are recommending, what you need, and what students need.
This is the link to the Webex addresses. Use the link to access the Webex meeting that matches the grade you teach. If you teach more than one grade, please select the time you and your principal agree is best.
Principals, we thank you for making these arrangements and we welcome you to join the meeting(s) as well. Only you and the classroom teachers should join. The meetings will be recorded. Thank you.
Attendance
In accordance with the guidance in The Road Forward and by the CDC, and as outlined in our Safe Return Plan, students who are required to isolate (COVID-19 +) or quarantine (“contact”) are not marked absent from school, unless they are not going to learn from home. Please review attendance from December 17-22 to verify and discuss with your school’s designee to update, if necessary. In addition, please be guided by the PowerSchool Attendance Code Matrix and the appropriate use of the new code Q that can be applied to students who are quarantined and learning from home, as outlined here.
Stay informed on everything happening within Newark Public Schools and the Newark Board of Education! Read up on all of the many ways the district is garnering media coverage.
In accordance with the guidance shared by the Superintendent, all students and school staff will be required to test for COVID-19 prior to return from Spring Break. For your convenience, all schools will receive a Spring Break COVID-19 Testing Kit to distribute to each student and employee the week of April 11th. Each kit will include rapid tests and a set of instructions to process the test.
Students and school staff must complete the test on Sunday, April 24th prior to returning to school on Monday, April 25, 2022.
Staff must follow the process of notifying Health Services of positive test results. Parents of students must notify their school nurse of positive test results. Additional details will be provided closer to Spring Break.
2022 Parent University Spring Semester is Here! (New)
Contact: Mariah Alston, Office of Federal Programs & Grants Email: m1alston@nps.k12.nj.us
NBOE Parent University is a system-wide learning program to provide resources, learning opportunities, and linkages for ongoing parent and family involvement and community engagement that supports student learning. The 2022 Spring semester begins on February 7th. It features 8 series on various topics that consist of 4 courses each.
Please share the flyers for Parent University with your students and their families to spread the word. We want to have as many parents as possible benefit from the abundance of information and knowledge that will be shared.
Teachers, Cycle 2 ends on February 2, 2022. All students' grades and comments must be entered & finalized by Feb 8, 2022. Please be guided by the information in the attached document to prepare for the storing of Cycle 2 grades February 10, 2022. If you have questions or concerns, please consult with your school administrator(s) and/or PowerSchool clerk.
An Individual Learning Plan form will need to be completed for all students in grades 1-8. Only one teacher needs to complete a form for each student. All submissions are due by February 15th. The completed forms should be provided to parents as part of Cycle 2 Parent - Teacher Conference.
NH Hope and Healing- Free Virtual Support Groups(New)
Contact: LaTonya D. White, Student Support Services, Office of Student Life Email: ldwhite@nps.k12.nj.us
This program is brought to you by NJ Hope and Healing- CCP program. The Mental Health Association of New Jersey in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Human Services' Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Disaster and Terrorism Branch, is offering a Crisis Counseling Program through FEMA/SAMHSA grant. For more information visit www.mhanj.org
Certified Bilingual/World Language Teachers Needed for Translation (New)
Contact: Julianne Bello, Office of Extended Learning Time Email: jbello@nps.k12.nj.us
The Office of Extended Learning Time continues to partner with the Office of Student Life to provide virtual support for families to complete FAFSA applications in the evenings and on weekends. While counselors support the families in the completion of the application, certified bilingual/world language teachers are needed to assist with translation.
Aspiring leaders interested in earning a graduate degree are invited to an information session for the Newark-Montclair Leadership Pipeline’s Fall 2022 Cohort. This program is a partnership between the district and Montclair State University, and it integrates a variety of instructional delivery models with extensive and intensive fieldwork to develop accomplished strategic leaders.
This program earns students a MA in Educational Leadership and Supervisor & Principal Certification.
Principal and Assistant Superintendent recommendations are required.
Virtual information session: Tuesday, February 22 at 4PM
Join bestselling author and former teacher Tami Charles to discuss the impact of bringing people together through story with the heartfelt picture book "All Because You Matter" illustrated by Bryan Collier. A conversation that is more important than ever, this lyrical love letter delivers a nurturing message to all children that will have a long-lasting impact.
The February New Teacher Induction session will take place on Wednesday, February 2nd @ 4:00pm. Teachers who are new to Newark (regardless of previous experience) are expected to attend 7 of the 9 monthly sessions. Teaching and Learning, Office of Mathematics will facilitate this session along with additional topic options you will find on the calendar.
ENGAGE: Open Conversations- Equity and Mental Health (New)
Contact: LaTonya White, Student Support Services- Office of Student Life Email: ldwhite@nps.k12.nj.us
ENGAGE is a monthly program to help acquire the tools needed to engage individuals, adolescents, and families of color and establish a pathway to behavioral healthcare for those who need it. The conversation will take place on February 2nd. See flyer for details.
Date: Wednesday, February 9, 2022 Time: 1:00PM-3:00PM Audience: Preschool Head Start Teachers Title: Practice Based Coaching
In small focus groups participants will receive intensive coaching based on the needs assessment of the Head Start Teachers and classroom observations for self-contained classrooms. Invitation to follow. If you have any questions, please contact Phylicia Thornton,pthornton@nps.k12.nj.us
The Office of Special Education is hosting professional development for special education teachers grades Pre-K to 12th to be trained in Orton Gillingham. Two groups will begin their training on February 5th. A third session will start soon (seating is limited).
Teachers can attend a paid training afterschool regarding EdPlan's (formerly EasyIEP) new user interface for PLAAFPs and SMART IEP Goals. Please contact your SLT OSE supervisor if you have not yet received the EdPLAN PD registration.
Please see the attached for all PD opportunities within the month of February.
The Office of Teaching & Learning is excited to announce paid residencies will be available for teachers. All residencies require registration. Please register for any residency that you are interested in.
Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Time: 9:30AM-11:00AM Audience: Preschool Head Start Teachers Register here.
In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to tap into student’s love of music, movement, and make-believe to spark meaningful explorations of social-emotional learning. Participants will walk away with strategies for creating songs and facilitating movement in the early childhood classroom. You’ll also learn how to link these lessons to your content area and empower children to actively apply critical thinking skills and evaluate their learning. Participants will also discover natural links between the arts and social-emotional learning.
The third district mentor training will take place on Tuesday, February 15th @ 4pm. All non-NTC mentors are expected to attend this session. Please register for the training session using the following links.
Contact: Heather Lieberman, Office of Teaching and Learning, ELA Email: hlieberman@nps.k12.nj.us
The Office of ELA is offering Office Hours for teachers. We are offering a variety of available options to choose from. Please see the document for dates and times.
Understanding the Attendance Codes in PowerSchool (New)
Contact: Darren Watsky, OPPET, Student Information Services Email: dwatsky@nps.k12.nj.us
The attendance from Homeroom is converted to Daily Attendance that impacts the school’s overall attendance rate. The front office staff are able to change teacher's absent and tardy codes to more detailed codes that affect how a student is reported to the state as absent. The PowerSchool Attendance Code Matrix summarizes all existing attendance codes.
Attendance codes Q and R identify students who are home but receive remote instruction. Consult with your school administrators and nurse to ensure these students are receiving proper remote instruction.
NAACP Newark Honors Educators Teaching Black History
The Newark Branch of the NAACP honors the teaching of Black history. It is important to uplift the teaching of Black history and the Branch will honor up to three educators at their 2022 Black History Month Program where they will each present what they do in their classrooms and receive a special gift. The Branch is inviting educators to submit evidence of ONE way that they incorporate Black history into their curriculums.
Please review the attached flyer and note that submissions are being accepted through February 6, 2022. More details about eligibility and submission requirements can be found here.
The NJDOE’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Educational Resources website offers a variety of resources for educators. Please take a moment to read the announcement from the NJDOE which includes the link to this resource.
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 January 25 through March 17 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.
Newark Yoga Movement - NBOE Staff Your Well-Being Matters
Contact: Mary Garripoli, Student Support Services - Office of Student Life Email: mgarripoli@nps.k12.nj.us
Thanks to CDC Supplemental Funds, the NBOE is excited to partner with Newark Yoga Movement to offer free virtual yoga sessions. These sessions offer self-regulation tools, tips, and supports to relieve stress, anxiety, and trauma heightened by the pandemic. The yoga series will be offered virtually twice a month through June 2022. Each class is 45-minutes and includes breathing techniques, gentle movement, and relaxation. No prior experience is needed to participate.
Please refer to attachment for complete details and registration links. Please note that registration is through Whetstone.
Apply for the VSA International Young Soloist Competition 2022
Contact: Margaret El, Office of Visual & Performing Arts Email: mel@nps.k12.nj.us
This annual event allows outstanding young musicians with disabilities from around the world the opportunity to display their talents. The VSA International Young Soloist Award will allow musicians the chance to participate in professional development, performance opportunities provided by the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and $2,000.
Musicians between the ages of 14 and 25 are invited to apply by February 28, 2022. Entries with incomplete information will be disqualified. Details can be found here.
The Winter MAP administration will open on February 1, 2022 and will close on February 16, 2022.
All students in grades 1-7 are expected to participate, except those that are enrolled in high schools. As an alternative to Winter MAP testing, all eighth graders will participate in the High School Entrance Exam; all high school students will participate in mid-terms and finals. Kindergartners will not participate in MAP. These updates are reflected on the NBOE Testing Website, where you can access to the Testing Calendar and other related content:
This is a reminder that the Newark Enrolls schedule remains the same. The application window will close on February 11, 2022. The High School Entrance Exam will be administered to NBOE eighth graders on February 18th; makeup opportunities will be available on February 25th. Match letters will be released on April 18th.
For additional information, please review the Newark Enrolls website.
Teacher Talk will be delivered every other Monday.
The submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday.
NPS Mobile App!
The district's NPS Mobile App is now available for download for both Apple iOS and Android. With this app you, can:
• Receive Push Notifications when there is inclement weather and school closings
• Track news feeds (powered by your school web site, Facebook and Twitter accounts) at the district and school level
• Look up commonly-sought information directly from the mobile app
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. Teacher Talk is typically published every other Monday. Please open the form with Firefox or Chrome in order to add attachments.
