NBOE Teacher Talk

Message from the Superintendent

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

I am so honored and proud to congratulate the following students, schools, teachers, departments, and staff for these accomplishments:

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

As we return from Spring Break, I hope you had the opportunity to rest and recharge. As we look ahead to National Teacher's Day on May 6, 2025, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible work you do every day. Research shows that effective teaching is one of the most significant factors influencing student achievement (Hattie, 2009). Your dedication and passion for education are what drive our students to succeed.

Please know that you are appreciated not just on National Teacher's Day, but every day. Thank you for your hard work, resilience, and commitment to fostering a love of learning. Let’s continue to inspire our students and each other as we prepare to celebrate this special day.

Wising you all the best as we move forward together!

Warm regards,

Sylvia Esteves
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning

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