Teacher Talk - November 8, 2021

Message from Deputy Superintendent Johnson

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

Now that the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 has been approved by the FDA, the City of Newark will begin information sessions on COVID-19. Sessions will occur this week and will be made available in your school in the morning and afternoon. Information will be forthcoming for you to share with students and families. You will also receive consent forms for this population once available. Please continue to share approved information from your Principal and school nurse.

All individuals aged 12 and older who live, work or study in NJ are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. Pre-registration is available but not required. Walk-ins are welcome. Parents must give consent for their child during the registration process.  Please feel free to contact Shamere Williams, (s21williams@nps.k12.nj.us) with any questions.

Important Links:
Safe Return Plan 2021-2022
Covid-19 Testing Sites
Free Covid-19 Vaccines
CDC Guidance for Traveling During Covid-19

Superintendent’s Council of Leaders
A few years ago, Superintendent León created three Councils of Leaders, one each for high school students, parents and teachers. The Council of Student Leaders is comprised of the heads of the senior class student government associations. The Council of Parent Leaders is comprised of Parent Liaisons and the heads of the various schools’ parent associations. The Council of Teacher Leaders is comprised of representatives from the various elementary grade clusters (PK-2, 3-5, and 6-8) as well as representatives from each grade level in the district’s high schools. Additionally, each council has representatives who participate by special invitation. Superintendent León will continue to meet with these Councils monthly to provide the members with important information and to receive critical feedback from them to help inform his decisions. 
 
The 35th Annual Title I Parent Conference
Our theme for this year is Hope Grows a New Beginning Through Learning. Please share the flyer below and invite parents to join us for this informational session to be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021. The first 500 parents to register will receive a special gift!

Title I: Parent Conference Flyer

Deputy Superintendent Johnson

Message from Dr. Reilly

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,
 
Good morning and welcome back. Marilyn Mitchell, Director of Special Education, sent me a link to an online article, “5 Metacognitive Questions For Students Learning New Material” published by Edutopia. I thought you would find it informative. I appreciate how succinct it is and how these five questions can help students confront and learn new material.

1. What stands out to me? What makes me wonder? 
2. Which parts or terms are new to me, and which parts do I recognize? 
3. How does this connect with what I already know? 
4. What follow-up questions do I have? 
5. Why is this idea important?

In visits to schools the last few weeks, we have seen evidence of these questions in play as teachers guide students to think.  Having students jot/type these questions in a notebook so that they can, independent of you, pose these questions to themselves as they need, will be quite helpful.

Mary Ann Reilly

• Science Materials Grab And Go (New)
• Ed Tech Office Hours with Discovery Education (New)
• Virtual Teachers for Home Instruction Needed (New)
• All Kids to Calculus-Spring 2022 Coursework (Elem/Middle School Teachers) (New)
• Differentiating Instruction with Newsela (New)
• Daily Student Attendance - Robocalls Update (New)
• No Red Ink New Teacher Training - 11/16 (New)
• Submit Student Art to Statewide Student Art Project (New)
• Office of Special Education Updates (New)
• Office of English Language Arts Office Hours (New)
• Benefits Open Webinars (New)
• Apply for APLI Arts Professional Learning Institute (New)

• Math & Art Desmos Contest 2021-2022 
• Rethink Ed Health & Wellness Training Series 
• Whil - Mental & Emotional Wellbeing App 
• Parent University is Here! 
• English as a Second Language Certification Program 
• Student Support Services - Office of Student Life Newsletter 
• Pandemic Response Team 
• Supporting Student Sense-Making 
• Enter Students in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 
• Registration Open for NJSO Training Ensemble Grades 4-12 
• Yogi Berra Museum Learning Opportunity - NBA Math Hoops 
• RethinkEd SEL Self-Assessment 
• Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal Professional Development Offerings 
• NBOE Staff Support Spa 
• Office of Health & Physical Education Office Hours 
• FAFSA Parent Workshops: Fall 2021 Sessions (English/Spanish) 
• NBOE SST/I&RS Meeting Dates and Toolkit 

Science Materials Grab And Go (New)

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

Beginning on November 8th, the science supply rooms at Harold Wilson (rooms 207 and 208) will be open on Mondays (for North and South/West Ward schools) and Wednesdays (for East/Central Ward schools) from 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. for science teachers (Grades K-8) who would like to see what is available. These rooms have Inspire Science and IQWST materials, in addition to classroom supplies. Teachers are welcome to take what they want.

Teachers can also reach out to Ms. Tierney (ktierney@nps.k12.nj.us) or Ms. Cummings (tcummings@nps.k12.nj.us) directly to schedule an appointment outside of these hours.

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Ed Tech Office Hours with Discovery Education (New)

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

Join us on Tuesday, November 23rd at 3:00pm for a special office hours session with Discovery Education. We will learn about ways you can engage students across grade levels and content areas with ready to use activities, activity templates and checks for understanding in the Discovery Education Studio.

Join us with this link. 

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Virtual Teachers for Home Instruction Needed (New)

Contact: Edwin Mendez, Office of Attendance
Email: Emendez@nps.k12.nj.us

Virtual Home Instruction is Now Open to All Teachers.

Effective immediately, NBOE teachers may apply to provide virtual home instruction to students eligible for services. Home instruction provides continuity of educational services for students outside of regular school hours. Monday thru Friday, for 1 to 2 hours, beginning at 4:00 pm. Hourly rate - $40/hour, if interested click on the link below and complete the Google Form.

Please email Ms. Denise Holland (DHolland@NPS.K12.NJ.US) if you have any questions.

Home Instruction Interest Form

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All Kids to Calculus-Spring 2022 Coursework (Elem/Middle School Teachers) (New)

Contact: Darleen Gearhart, Office of Mathematics
Email: dgearhart@nps.k12.nj.us

The mission of the "All Kids to Calculus" program is to provide elementary school teachers a minimum of 30 credit hours of baccalaureate mathematics courses in order to provide Algebra 1 to Grade 8 students in all NBOE schools, thereby ensuring all students have the opportunity to reach Calculus.

Tuition, fees, and textbooks are paid for by NBOE.

The next course in Spring 2022 is Pre-Calculus. If you've previously had College Algebra and would like to join the current cohort in January 2022, complete the google interest form at the link (here).

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Differentiating Instruction with Newsela (New)

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

Join the Office of Social Studies and the Office of Educational Technology on Tuesday, November 9th from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm as we present a session on Differentiating Instruction with Newsela.

Newsela trainers will facilitate this session that will provide you guidance, tips and tricks for getting the most out of using Newsela while differentiating instruction to reach all learners across the curriculum.

We look forward to seeing you at this event. To join please click here. 

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Daily Student Attendance - Robocalls Update (New)

Contact: Elizabeth A. Haden, OPPET - SIS Team
Email: ehaden@nps.k12.nj.us

This confirms that robocalls to parents/guardians of absent and tardy students will be re-established in the coming week.

Per prior protocol, this requires that Homeroom attendance must be taken and submitted in PowerTeacher Pro before 9:30 a.m. Another call and/or e-mail message will be sent to students’ parents again after 4:30 p.m.

We anticipate 100% participation from all teachers. Thank you.

[High Schools: All students' attendance must be taken every period - except LUNCH]

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No Red Ink New Teacher Training - 11/16 (New)

Contact: Jennifer Beaugris, Office of Teaching and Learning
Email: jbeaugris@nps.k12.nj.us

No Red Ink will be conducting a training for teachers who are new to the district, and/or unfamiliar with No Red Ink. The training session will be held on Tuesday, November 16th from 3:00p.m. - 4:00 p.m., during ELA Office Hours.

Please use this link to join the WebEx on 11/16.

Meeting number: 2623 412 0910
Password: 4mvTBSmic88

Learn more about No Red Ink (here).

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Submit Student Art to Statewide Student Art Project (New)

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

New Jersey Department of Education Announces Statewide Student Art Project:

Students are encouraged to submit artwork reflecting the theme of “Hope, Healing and Resilience Through the COVID-19 Pandemic”

New Jersey students from Preschool through 12th Grade (ages three through 21) are eligible to submit an art piece. Artwork may be submitted by the students, guardians, or educators on their behalf. Artwork may be created in a variety of two-dimensional (2-D) media that do not exceed one inch in depth.

Application information available using this link. 

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Office of Special Education Updates (New)

Contact: Devvon T Crawford, Office of Special Education
Email: d1crawford@nps.k12.nj.us

In this Edition of Teacher Talk we want to highlight preparation to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week.

OSE Updates

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Office of English Language Arts Office Hours (New)

Contact: Janice Grevious, ELA-Office of Teaching and Learning
Email: jgrevious@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of ELA is offering office hours for teachers on Tuesday from 3:00PM - 3:45PM.
Please click the links below to access the Webex Sessions.

Tuesday, November 9
Grades K-2: Running Records & Guided Reading 
Grades 3-8: Open Office Hours 
Grades 9-12: Open Office Hours

K-1 Notice of Incoming Materials: Blank books have been sent to all schools for K & 1 for students to create alphabet books. Please click below.

Student Alphabet Book Directions

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Benefits Open Webinars (New)

Contact: Randy Schrader, Human Resource Services
Email: rschrader@nps.k12.nj.us

Open Enrollment is around the corner - November 15, 2022 - December 1, 2022
Benefits Open Enrollment webinars will start November 8.

The purpose of the webinars:

• 2022 Benefits overview
• Highlight changes
• Where to get additional information
• Where to enroll

See the attachment below for session dates and times.

Links to participate are available at www.hrconnection.com, site key NBOE.

Please note: if you are unable to attend in-person, the recordings will be posted. If you have additional questions please email the Benefits Team at benefits@nps.k12.nj.us

2022-OE-Back-to-Benefits-Flyer.pdf

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Apply for APLI Arts Professional Learning Institute (New)

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

Open to all educators! Apply now! Join a community of educators and creators. The Arts Professional Learning Institute is New Jersey’s art education professional learning program for teaching artists and school educators.

Deadline is November 19th and includes:

• Free workshops
• Stipend included
• Free Residency for your school
• Networking opportunities

Application and Information available using this link. 

Application Flyer

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Math & Art Desmos Contest 2021-2022 

Contact: Darleen Gearhart, Office of Mathematics
Email: dgearhart@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Mathematics is hosting the Math & Art Desmos contest for the 2021-2022 school year. Students enrolled in Grade 6 through Calculus are encouraged to participate as creating art in Desmos Graphing Calculator provides students with an opportunity to express their creativity while simultaneously reinforcing mathematics understanding of concepts ranging from rational numbers to functions. Submissions are due April 29, 2022.

More detailed information can be accessed using this link. 

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Rethink Ed Health & Wellness Training Series 

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

Taking Care of Self is a 4-part series, that is offered for K - 12 teachers and support staff for four successive Tuesdays. Training and resources to build participants' capacity to overcome increased stress and anxiety will be offered beginning October 26, 2021 from 4pm - 5pm.

Participants will receive the contractual supplemental pay. The session descriptions and Whetstone registration links are in the attached calendar.

For information contact: j20rodriguez@nps.k12.nj.us.

Rethink Ed Health & Wellness Flyer 

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Whil- Mental & Emotional Wellbeing App 

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

Whil, a digital training platform for mindfulness, resilience, and mental & emotional wellbeing has been purchased as part of the CDC Supplemental grant funding.

All NBOE employees, regardless of role, can utilize this platform free of charge for the 2021-2022 school year. In an effort to address the shift of moving from hybrid back to in-person learning, the WHIL app provides digital courses on meditation, reducing stress and anxiety, improving physical health, taking short breaks, and more. Please share this new resource with your staff and encourage them to participate.

Welcome-to-Whil-NBOE

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Parent University is Here! 

Contact: Mariah Alston, Office of Federal Programs & Grants
Email: m1alston@nps.k12.nj.us

Please join us in promoting the Fall 2021 Semester of NBOE’s Parent University! Parent University is a semester long schedule of courses to provide information, support, and skills to parents in order to in turn support their students. Please post the enclosed flyer to your Google Classrooms and encourage parents to attend the courses that fit their interests.

Click the link for more information. 

Parent University Flyer

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English as a Second Language Certification Program 

Contact: Matthew Brewster, Staff Development
Email: MBrewster@nps.k12.nj.us

Montclair State University’s Teaching English as a Second Language Certification Program will offer teachers a fully online, non-degree program of study leading to New Jersey Department of Education English as a Second Language Certification. The program prepares certified teachers to teach ESL in addition to their first-field certification. The TESL program sequence consists of six fully online courses offered during after-school hours.

Interested Spring 2022 applicants, please attend a virtual information session:
Wednesday, November 10 at 4:00 p.m.
Please use the link (here) to register!

NBOE-ESL Cert Session Flyer (Spring 2022)

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Student Support Services - Office of Student Life Newsletter 

Contact: Mary Garripoli, Student of Support Services - Office of Student Life
Email: mgarripoli@nps.k12.nj.us

Attached please find the quarterly newsletter from Student Support Services – Office of Student Life.

In the October 2021 edition, you will find highlights, information and resources to support your students and staff. If you would like to showcase the culture and climate in your schools, please share information and artifacts regarding school activities and events with Mary Garripoli, Office of Student Life (mgarripoli@nps.k12.nj.us).

The information that you share, can be included in an upcoming newsletter.

Office of Student Life Newsletter

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Pandemic Response Team 

Contact: Shamere Williams, Office of the Deputy Superintendent
Email: s21williams@nps.k12.nj.us

In accordance with state guidelines in the fight against COVID-19, districts were to establish a Pandemic Response Team. In Newark, the Pandemic Response Team (PRT) includes the Principal, Case Manager, School Counselor/Social Worker, School Nurse, School Safety, Teacher, Parent Liaison, etc. Additionally, members of this team meet with the Superintendent monthly to ensure alignment with guidelines provided by the CDC and Newark Health Department, and district protocols as we continue to operate during in-person learning. Should you have questions about protocols, please feel free to reach out to members on your school’s Pandemic Response Team.
 
We encourage you to remain patient and flexible with receiving updates as we know the CDC’s guidelines continue to change as new information is made available.
 

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Supporting Student Sense-Making 

Contact: Tracy Cummings, Office of Science 
Email: tcummings@nps.k12.nj.us

Office of Science in partnership with NSTA Presents K-2 Science Teacher Cohort: Web Seminar Series-Support Student Sense-Making. This series of eight 90-minute web seminars ranging starting at 3:20pm - 4:50pm from November 9, 2021 - June 7, 2022.  

Web seminar dates:

November 9, 2021
December 13, 2021
January 11, 2022
February 14, 2022
March 14, 2022
April, 11, 2022
May 9, 2022
June 7, 2022

K-2_-Science-Teacher-Cohort-6

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Enter Students in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 

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

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Registration Open for NJSO Training Ensemble Grades 4-12 

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

NJSO Training Ensemble is BACK and more robust than ever!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Please see the attached PDFs for registration details and instructions. Offering both in-person and virtual programs for beginner string students grades 4-12. Please feel free to pass it along to any family that may be interested in the program. Samuel McDonald, Education Manager (smcdonald@njsymphony.org) can answer any questions or be of any help in the registration process and do not hesitate to contact him directly on his cellphone (732-366-3694). 

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Yogi Berra Museum Learning Opportunity - NBA Math Hoops 

Contact: Darleen Gearhart, Office of Mathematics
Email: dgearhart@nps.k12.nj.us

The Yogi Berra Museum is offering a FREE professional development workshop to learn the NBA Math Hoops game and curriculum, gain free access to the Learn Fresh program and all materials, and improve your 4th to 8th grade students' math skills (and have fun in the process)! The sessions are November 10, 2021 from 4:30pm -6:00 p.m. (In-Person) as follows:

Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center
On the campus of Montclair State University
8 Yogi Berra Drive, Little Falls, NJ

If you would like to attend virtually contact Jenny Pollack at pollackj@montclair.edu

Math-Hoops-PD-Nov-2021.pdf

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RethinkEd SEL Self-Assessment 

Contact: Jessica Silva-Olmo, Office of Student Life
Email: jsilva@nps.k12.nj.us

All 3rd to 12th grade students will take the Fall SEL Assessment the first week of November. Use the attached documents to assist with administration. As a reminder, this is NOT a test; it is a check-in to measure what social emotional skill sets the students are strong in and need support with. Results from assessment will assist schools in forming groups for follow up as well as students who can possibly be utilized as peer mentors.

NOTE: Assessments are assigned by the school on the platform.

Rethink-Ed-NPS-Office-Hours-PLC-Schedule-2021-2022SY
2021-2022-Educator-Guide-to-Getting-Started-SEL-NPS
2021-2022-Administrator-Guide-to-Getting-Started-SEL
21-22-NPS-SEL-Scope-and-Sequence
 

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Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal Professional Development Offerings

Contact: Matthew Brewster, Staff Development
Email: MBrewster@nps.k12.nj.us

The Newark Board of Education continues to create a district-wide culture of continuous learning for all to support the growth and development for all district personnel. We are excited to announce that Montclair State University Network for Educational Renewal is currently offering a series of free professional development opportunities for our instructional personnel.

Please use the link to register for the professional development sessions that best meets your needs.

MSUNER Professional Development Offerings

Learn more about our professional development opportunities by visiting the district's Staff Development website here.

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NBOE Staff Support Spa 

Contact: LaTonya D. White
Email: LDWhite@NPS.K12.NJ.US

We understand the need for intentional moments to disconnect, regroup and ground ourselves for ongoing inner strength. To help alleviate challenge with locating support and managing a busy schedule, NBOE and OSL will continue providing a Staff Support Group (Spa) in the Fall from September 15th - December 22nd.

Sessions will run biweekly on Wednesdays from 5:15pm - 6:15pm. This is an opportunity for employees to learn more about topics that can impact overall mental health and well-being. It is open to all staff and will be facilitated by an outside licensed clinician.

NBOE Support Spa Flyer 

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Office of Health & Physical Education Office Hours 

Contact: Krystle Rhett, Health & Physical Education - Office of Teaching & Learning
Email: krhett@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Health, Physical Education and Athletics will be hosting office hours for teachers. During the months of September and October, we will cover the following topics during the sessions in addition to discussing best practices and providing resources to support student achievement:

- Health & PE Curricular Guides Review and Implementation
- K-12 SPARK PE Curriculum
- KidsFit
- McGraw Hill Health textbook

Sessions will be as follows:

Elementary H/PE Teachers
Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00-3:45

High School H/PE Teachers:
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00-3:45

Please use department Google Classroom Link to join all sessions.

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FAFSA Parent Workshops: Fall 2021 Sessions (English/Spanish)

Contact: Vernon Pullins Jr, Office of Student Life
Email: vpullins@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Student Life will host FAFSA Parent Workshops in both English and Spanish to support our families with the completion of the FAFSA. The Webex Link, Meeting ID and Password are provided for easy access (excluding the September 15, 2021 workshop). All workshop sessions begin at 5:00pm. Our partner in this process is the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

If you have any questions regarding the fall series, please contact Vernon Pullins Jr., Supervisor, Student Support Services, Office of Student Life at vpullins@nps.k12.nj.us

Thanks!

FAFSA-Fall-Series-2021

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NBOE SST/I&RS Meeting Dates and Toolkit 

Contact: Jessica Silva-Olmo, Office of Student Life
Email: jsilva@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Student Life will provide monthly training sessions to SST and I&RS Teams.

REQUIRED ATTENDANCE: Administrator overseeing SST and the SST Coordinator, Administrator overseeing I&RS and I&RS Coordinator. *All other team members are welcome to join.*

SY 21-22 Meeting Dates: September 17th, October 25th, November 29th, December 9th, January 24th, February 28th, March 28th, April 25th, May 5th and June 2nd.

Meeting Link
Toolkit Link

MAYASA-IRS.SST-Training-Schedule

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Teacher Talk will be delivered every other Monday.

• The submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday.

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

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.

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 submission deadline is Thursday by 5:00 p.m.