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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

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In This Issue:

  1. SCL Working group
  2. Role of NTU Building Rep in SLC
  3. NTU Wear Blue
  4. AFT Virtual Conference
  5. Numerous scholarship opportunities!
  6. Harvard Civics Workshops
  7. Red Bulls Reading Goals

    And Much More!

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In This Issue:

  1. Membership Meeting Recap
  2. SLC Subcommittees
  3. NBOE Transfer Period
  4. NTU Wear Blue
  5. The Consequences of Gutting Federal Funding
  6. Community Resource Event

AND MORE!

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Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

As we move forward in our commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, I want to commend you for your dedication to implementing Cornell notes and student work portfolios as essential tools in fostering student engagement, critical thinking, and content mastery. Research consistently affirms that structured note-taking and the intentional collection of student work are powerful strategies that enhance comprehension and long-term retention.

The Power of Cornell Notes
Cornell notes serve as more than just an organizational tool—they actively promote higher-order thinking and metacognitive skills. According to Pauk and Owens (2014), “Cornell notes are an effective way to encourage students to summarize, question, and reflect, leading to improved retention and understanding of material.” By consistently reinforcing this strategy, we can help students develop habits that support independent learning and academic success.

I am sharing a student-friendly Cornell notes rubric to be shared with the students to help guide them in their implementation of Cornell notes. This rubric should not be used punitively but rather as a supportive tool to encourage self-assessment and reflection. By using this rubric, students can better understand the expectations and improve their note-taking skills, ultimately enhancing their learning experience.

Leveraging Student Work Portfolios
Student work portfolios provide a comprehensive view of learning progression and allow both teachers and students to reflect on growth over time. Research from Darling-Hammond et al. (2019) underscores that “portfolios not only document learning but also encourage students to take ownership of their progress, fostering deeper engagement and self-efficacy.” I encourage you to make portfolios an integral part of instruction, using them as a foundation for student conferences, formative assessments, and goal setting.

Proactively Using Data to Inform Instruction 
As we continue refining our instructional practices, I urge you to leverage available data—including benchmark assessments, formative checks, and student work analyses—to make informed instructional decisions. Hattie (2009) highlights that “teachers who systematically use data to guide instruction see greater learning gains, as data-driven decision-making allows for targeted interventions and responsive teaching.”

By maintaining momentum in these areas, we will continue to drive student achievement and instructional excellence. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students and for consistently striving to elevate their learning experiences.

Let’s continue to be Focused, Friendly, Flexible, and Fast in our approach, ensuring that every student receives the best possible education.

Best regards,
Assistant Superintendent Esteves

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In This Issue:
1) Black History Month - Carole A. Graves

2) Making Positive Change

3) Attendance

4) NTU Wears Blue

5) Student Led Nutrition Council

AND MUCH MORE!

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In This Issue:

  1. Membership Meeting
  2. Psychological Safety
  3. NTU Member of the Month
  4. NTU Wears Blue
  5. Valentine's Day offers and PD
  6. NTU Hall of Fame Dinner


    AND MUCH MORE!!

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