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Teacher Talk - October 11, 2022

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Message From Dr. Reilly

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

I have been thinking about the value of micro-interventions after visiting 50 classrooms during the last few weeks. Micro-interventions are brief supports, such as feedback, adaptation, and reteaching that teachers provide during the live lesson to assist a student or group of learners struggling to attain the lesson’s learning intention before the lesson ends. As the lesson unfolds, micro-interventions can be used to alter student interactions with the curriculum, allowing the temporary support to bridge the gap between not understanding and attaining the lesson outcome. Taking these actions can prevent bigger gaps from occurring and are critical to accelerating learning. Blogger, Kelly Harmon, explains the benefits of micro-interventions this way:

“…recently a group of fourth graders were practicing finding the main idea and key details of each paragraph in order to summarize an informational text. They were not given any success criteria to guide their thinking. As they read and discussed each paragraph, they kept identifying the topic, rather than taking it further to the main idea. This misconception (that a topic is the main idea) needed to be addressed quickly. I stopped the group before they went on to the next paragraph and provided a quick teach on topic vs. main idea. This micro-intervention took less than two minutes and helped the students close the gap.”

Recently, I saw an 8th grade ELA teacher engage students in a quick 2-minute lesson to ensure the students understood a key term that they could then use when writing in response to a daily instructional task. Similarly, in a recent publication by Learning Sciences Inc., ACHIEVEMENT GAPS AND THE LOST COVID-19 GENERATION, the author Michael D. Toth provides 8 key strategies to better ensure acceleration of learning. The seventh strategy is the “Development of structures to verify student learning and offer real-time micro-interventions.” Toth (2020) writes, 

“In the classroom, teachers…verify student learning by circulating to check student work, pulling small groups or individuals, collecting papers, and other means. Teachers could jump in the moment they saw gaps forming and provide interventions.”

Toth is discussing the power of micro-interventions. What micro-interventions do you provide that allow students to use new or refined knowledge you directly teach in order for them to learn the expected content? I’d be curious to know what you discover as you consider monitoring the micro-interventions you use during the next two weeks. I’d be interested in knowing which ones are particularly helpful at bridging knowledge and skill gaps.

Below are links to sign up for Orton Gillingham institutes and also The Writing Revolution workshops. Both can help educators develop methods to accelerate K-12 students' reading and writing capacities.

The Writing Revolution has added an additional cohort for grades K-2 and 3-12. If you have not already joined a cohort please be sure to register using this link.

Orton Gillingham institutes will be available for teachers who were not educated previously. The institute consists of 5 full days spread across 5 weeks. Participants must attend all 5 days. The hours for the training are 8:20 am – 3:05 pm.

Dr. Reilly


 

Lesson Plan Guidance

The following documents will help guide teachers with lesson planning. 

The following template is a generic Teaching & Learning lesson plan template along with a guidance document

Social Studies teachers in grades 6-11 have the 5E lesson plan template designed alongside the curriculum.  

Pre-K teachers shall use the lesson plan template designed for Pre-K classroom instruction.


ELEMENTARY TEACHERS


New Resources For Middle School Science Teachers (New)

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

New features have been added to the interactive digital editions of IQWST.  Teachers now have the ability to customize activities. In addition, translations into French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Spanish are available. The videos linked here explain how to use these features in IDE.


 

ELA October Office Hours (New)

Contact: Heather Lieberman, Office of ELA
Email: HLieberman@nps.k12.nj.us

October’s ELA Office Hours will focus on using the K-5 Reading Behavior Tracker. Any questions or areas of concern are welcome. Please see the attached document for further information.


 

Running Record Training: Grade K-5 Teachers (New)

Contact: Heather Lieberman, Office of ELA
Email: HLieberman@nps.k12.nj.us

Volunteer training on taking and analyzing running records is being offered to all K-5 teachers and support staff. This training is being offered on October 14th. Please see the attached document for more information and how to sign up if you are interested.


ALL TEACHERS


2022-2023 Escrow Program (New)

Contact: Maribel James, Human Resource Services
Email: npscompensation@nps.k12.nj.us

Dear Employee:

The Escrow Deductions will commence Friday, October 14, 2022 through Friday, May 26, 2023.   To view the option you have selected,  log into ESS (Employee Self Service). You will find the instructions attached.   

The refund dates are as follows for the option you have selected:

» One Check Option – issued in one (1) lump sum on Friday, June 23rd

» Four Check Option – issued in four (4) equal installments on July 21st, August, 4th , August 18th and August 31st

If you wish to discontinue, kindly do so through the ESS process. Selection change can only be updated during open enrollment May 1st through July 15th of each year.


 

NCTM Resources and Group Access for Mathematics (New)

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

The Office of Mathematics has purchased Group Access for resources from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics for 3,000 math teachers across Newark's public schools.  By signing up you receive access to NCTM resources including Illuminations (standards-based resources, interactive tools, and instructional support for teachers and students), Problems of the Week (an extensive library of math problems), Students Explorations in Mathematics (an archive of hands-on activities and materials), and MyNCTM (an online community of math teachers across the globe).

Please sign up for NCTM group access at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_n1tXhaylHGkOaF-B42TrOcJWucWDBJ8FUTvM4QM_W3fXeQ/viewform?usp=sf_link


 

Certifications Team Virtual Office Hours and Professional Development (New)

Contact: Eboni Lee, Human Resource Services
Email: E2Lee@nps.k12.nj.us

To help support administrators and teachers, the Certification team will continue to host Virtual Office Hours and Professional Development through the month of October.

Register for the Professional Development and virtual office hours using the following link: https://forms.gle/J9EmbPxAgG3eiM

The NJ Department Of Education no longer uses TCIS. The new portal is NJ Ed Cert.

Please make sure all of your Instructional, Educational Services and/or Administrator certificates are current.  The Certifications team can be reached via email at certifications@nps.k12.nj.us to answer your certification questions.


 

World Mental Health Day October 10, 2022: Make Mental Health (New)

Contact: Samantha Parreiral, Office of Student Life
Email: sparreiral@nps.k12.nj.us

Dear Mental Health Advocates and Supporters,

In 1992, the World Federation for Mental Health and the World Health Organization declared October 10th World Mental Health Day, and it continues to be observed. The goal of this day is to increase awareness about mental health and to promote greater and equal access to resources and necessary treatment. Below are some of the mental wellness resources provided by the Office of Student Life.

Please post activities occurring at your school.


 

Parent University – Self-Paced Courses! (New)

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

Parent University is back for a new semester of learning! Through our website, families can navigate a plethora of Parent University courses on different topics at their own pace! 

Please print, share, post, and distribute the Parent University flyer and encourage families to explore all our website has to offer.


 

The Office of Special Education (New)

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

October is designated as Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to recognize the 70 million people in the United States who have learning and attention differences. Please take a moment to visit and celebrate your school based Learning Disability Teacher Consultant (LDTC).  October is also National Physical Therapy Month.  Please see the attached for additional details.

The attached includes various PD offered by OSE such as New Users to Goalbook, S.E.T.A., CST PD, ReThink PD, STAR Autism PD and PD provided by Gallaudet- Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center.


 

Cannabis on School Grounds (New)

Contact: Anthony Jackson, Office of Safety & Security
Email: a2jackson@nps.k12.nj.us

Please review Newark Board of Education Policy pertaining to the possession and use of Cannabis/Marijuana on District property.

Cannabis-on-School-Grounds-updated.docx


PREVIOUS ITEMS


Earn $1,000 for each teacher referral!


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

Earn $1,000 for each candidate successfully hired in hard-to-staff areas!

How It Works

  1. Visit https://teachnewark.com/referral/ and complete the form for each candidate you refer.
  2. Tell the candidate to apply online at TeachNewark.com. Ask the candidate you’re referring, to include your name in response to the question “How did you learn about this position?”
  3. For each referral we hire for the start of the 2022-23 school year, you receive a bonus. It’s that easy!

Still have questions? Send an email to teach@nps.k12.nj.us for more information.


 

SEL/Mental Health Programming Supports SY 22-23 

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

Attached is an informational resource on the NBOE SEL/Mental Health Programming Supports being delivered for the 2022-2023 school year.  As you move forward through the school year, should you have questions and/or need support, you may contact our office.


 

2022-2023 Educational Technology Office Hours

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

The Office of Educational Technology will have virtual office hours every Monday from 3:00p-3:45p. This will allow educators to drop in, receive a quick training on an educational technology strategy or platform and to ask questions to help them better use technology in their classroom.

To join office hours, please use this link: https://nboe.webex.com/nboe/j.php?MTID=m71bfa10824509d7c09c77df7edaf6752.

We look forward to seeing you there.


 

Inactivating Gradebook Categories

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

NBOE updated the grading guidelines and now uses two categories of assignments to determine a student’s grade: Summative Assessments and Formative Assessments. These two categories have been delivered to all teachers’ gradebook. If other categories are used for assignments in PowerTeacher Pro, the assignments will not count for the student’s overall grade. All categories should be made inactive except for the two categories that are district wide categories in all gradebooks. Use the Inactivating Gradebook Categories document to view and edit your gradebook categories as needed.


 

NBOE Grading Policy - SIS Implementation

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

The updated NBOE grading policy calls for two grade categories: Summative and Formative Assessments. These categories are delivered district wide to every PowerTeacher gradebook. The policy calls for all grades to be calculated using a GPA point scale. PowerTeacher now averages all grades on a scale proportional to the 4 point GPA scale. The Uniform Grading Policy - SIS Implementation document provides more detail.


 

Disciplinary Guide 

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

The attachment contains the revised Disciplinary Guidebook.


 

Newark Board of Education: City-Wide School Fair (MARK YOUR CALENDAR)

Contact: Ivelisse Woodson, OPPET
Email: iwoodson@nps.k12.nj.us


We are excited to celebrate all participating schools at the City-Wide School Fair on Saturday, November 5, 2022! 

The event will take place at Barringer High School, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Please mark your calendars and be on the lookout for NBOE School Fair Flyer.


 

Week of Respect & School Violence Prevention Week

Contact: Rashon Dwight & Mary Garripoli, Student Support Services
Email: mgarripoli@nps.k12.nj.us

Please be reminded that October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.  As part of the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, schools are mandated to provide programming around Bullying Prevention and School Violence Awareness & Prevention. The Week of Respect is October 3rd - 7th, 2022 and School Violence Awareness Week is October 17th - 21st, 2022. Attached are links for suggested resources and activities that can enhance your educational programming.


 

McKinney-Vento Resource Hour

Contact: Ana Osoria, Student Support Services
Email: a1osoria@nps.k12.nj.us

The McKinney-Vento Resource Hour is a monthly virtual presentation featuring a different community agency that will discuss strategies, resources, and information on specific areas that affect our most vulnerable population, homeless and displaced families.


 

Bootstrap Algebra & Data Science Professional Development


Contact: Darleen Gearhart
Email: Dgearhart@nps.k12.nj.us

Bootstrap: Algebra and Data Science apply mathematical concepts and rigorous programming principles to creating a simple video game while teaching algebra and geometric concepts through the computer programming. The unit is aligned to National/ State Standards for Mathematics, as well as the CSTA standards and K12CS frameworks and can be taught as a separate, standalone tech or can be integrated into a math class. Professional development sessions are October 19, December 3, February 1, March 15, and April 1. Sessions are open to grades 6-9 math teachers.

Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWvifXLPQ211pymqwVunQZhYaL8XFcVYMdd6Y8JwCnqMi0wQ/viewform?usp=sf_link


 

Health, Physical Education & Athletics Office Hours


Contact: Krystal Rhett, Office of Health, Physical Education & Athletics
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

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

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/eiwHVogt9A9RVRDx5


 

Free Virtual Yoga Classes for NBOE Staff


Contact: Jennifer Rodriguez, Office of Federal Programs and Grants
Email: J20rodriguez@nps.k12.nj.us

Thanks to grant funding, the Newark Board of Education has partnered with Newark Yoga Movement to offer free yoga classes twice a month starting in October through June 2023. Breathing techniques, gentle movement and relaxation are included in each 45-minute class. No prior experience needed to participate.

Register through Whetstone for the sessions you would like to attend using the links in the attached flyer.


 

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Teacher Talk will be delivered every other Monday.

The submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

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/

 


 

 

NBOE in the News

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. 

News Stories

Oct 07, 2022: Arts High School Guitar Quintet Performance for Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona

Sep 29, 2022: Superintendent León joins County Executive DiVincenzo and Essex County Commissioners in Honoring Board Vice President Santana and Principal Echevarria at the annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Sep 23, 2022: New Smart Panels Empower Teachers to Transform the Classroom Environment

Sep 23, 2022: District Creates New Pathways to Teacher Certification

Sep 23, 2022: Over 1,500 Participants Received Giveaways at the Back-to-School Resource Fair

Sep 23, 2022: District Upgrades Over 500 Instructional Spaces

Sep 23, 2022: NBOE Fall Athletics Back in Action

Sep 23, 2022: Advancing Artistic Practice through Teacher Learning

Sep 23, 2022: OSE Introduces the “New CST Workshop”

Sep 23, 2022: Improving Attendance One Swipe at a Time

Sep 23, 2022: 600 New Teachers Are Welcomed and Receive Curriculum Support

Sep 23, 2022: NBOE Opens 8th New School Since 2018


 

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

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