Message from the Office of Teaching & LearningDear Teachers and Instructional Staff,  On this special occasion of World Teachers’ Day, I want to take a moment to recognize the vital and irreplaceable role you play in the lives of your students. The work you do goes far beyond academics. You help shape citizenship, nurture future leaders, and inspire care not only for the communities where we live but for the world at large.
With every lesson you teach and every moment you dedicate, you leave a piece of your heart. Your commitment ensures that students receive a stellar education, engage in rigorous learning, and grow into thoughtful, responsible individuals. In your hands lie the possibilities for the futures of our students, the strength of our communities, and the health of our democracy. I send you my warmest wishes for continued success in your mission and service. May you continue to excel and make a meaningful, transformative impact through your work, helping to build a better world for all. Thank you for your dedication and passion. With gratitude, Sylvia Esteves
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning |
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Early Screening Inventory-3 (ESI-3) Reminder (New)Contact: Victoria Dampare, Office of Early Childhood
Email: vdampare@nps.k12.nj.us The Office of Early Childhood will utilize the Early Screening Inventory- 3 (ESI-3) for all new students, including 3-year-olds and 4-year-old students entering preschool for the first time. As a reminder, the initial screening window opened on September 23, 2025, and will close on October 14, 2025. Please refer to the SY 2025-2026 Early Screening Inventory-3 Guidance and Timelines for required resources and additional information.
Clerks must ensure that all ESI-3 Roster sheets are entered in PowerSchool no later than October 15, 2025. |
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Math Fluency Nights (New)Contact: Amanda Grossi, Office of Mathematics
Email: AGrossi@NPS.K12.NJ.US  Invite families to an exciting evening of math activities hosted by Newark Public Schools Office of Mathematics! This event empowers parents and guardians with proven strategies to boost their children’s math fluency. Each student receives a personalized card highlighting target skills to practice at home. It is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect, build confidence, and strengthen key math skills together!
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CTE Academy Career and Technical Student Organization Advisor Stipend PositionContact: Tara Foxworth, Career and Technical Education
Email: tfoxworth@nps.k12.nj.us Qualifications and Requirements - New Jersey Permanent Teaching Certification
- A minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching experience.
- Excellent writing skills are needed.
- Knowledge of Career and Technical Student Organizations
- Directly support school-based administrator & academy CTE teacher to oversee the CTSO chapter for a specific Career Academy at a school.
To apply, click here |
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CommonLit & Newsela PD (New)Contact: Michael Padilla, Office of Instructional Technology
Email: m4padilla@nps.k12.nj.us  The Office of Instructional Technology is excited to announce that we have District-wide access to CommonLit (grades 3–12) and Newsela (grades K–12).
CommonLit offers thousands of high-quality reading passages, lessons, and data tools designed to help teachers improve student reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Our subscription also includes access to CommonLit’s Assessment Series, which allows teachers to administer specialized benchmark assessments throughout the year.  Newsela provides news and nonfiction articles adapted to multiple reading levels, enabling teachers to offer engaging, differentiated support for students. It supports literacy and subject-area learning by aligning articles with standards and integrating assessment tools.
If you would like to learn more about either of these valuable programs, please fill out this form and contact Michael Padilla at m4padilla@nps.k12.nj.us with any questions.
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Join The Gen Green Initiative (New)Contact: Kathleen Tierney, Office of Science
Email: ktierney@nps.k12.nj.us  Newark's Office of Sustainability is having the city's first youth participatory budgeting initiative focused on climate and sustainability. This program puts the power of change directly into the hands of Newark's young people, allowing them to propose, vote on, and implement real-world projects that will create a healthier, greener community. If you and your students are interested in proposing a green community project in Newark, please reference the Gen Green Concept Paper for more information.
Gen-Green-Concept-Paper.pdf |
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Art Contest: 2026 AKC - NYC Meet the Breeds (New)Contact: Antonia Germanos, Office of Visual and Performing Arts
Email: agermanos@nps.k12.nj.us  Calling all teachers and parents of young artists!
American Kennel Club Public Education is hosting an art contest for students in grades K-12 in the NYC area! Art is due December 23, 2025, for the 2026 NYC Meet the Breeds Art Contest! Visit the American Kennel Club Public Education Contest Website for more information on how to submit: https://www.akc.org/public-education/akc-meet-the-breeds-art-contest/?sc_src=email_2486832&sc_lid=153182121&sc_uid=yDydhPcUhl&sc_llid=588&sc_eh=0545434560f810381 - The theme for the art contest is "400 Years of Dogs in NYC," celebrating New York City's 400th anniversary.
- Open to students in grades K-12.
- A winner will be selected from each category and will receive a prize (Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12)
- Winning art will be displayed at the AKC Museum of the Dog in NYC!
- All finalists will receive two free tickets to the MTB NYC event.
- Entries are due by December 23, 2025.
Contact publiced@akc.org for more details! |
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October Culture & Climate Artifacts (New)Contact: Rania Sawaged, Office of Student Life
Email: rsawaged@nps.k12.nj.us Please use the October Suggested Activities document to promote awareness for: - College Spirit Day (10/3)
- Week of Respect (10/6-10/10)
- World Mental Health Day (10/10)
- New Jersey School Violence Awareness Week (10/20-10/24)
- Red Ribbon Week (10/23-10/31)
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Office of Special Education Resources and Updates (New)Contact: LaPrice Weatherington, Office of Special Education
Email: lweatherington@nps.k12.nj.us OSE continues to provide professional development for Long Term Substitutes serving in the role of a Special Education Teacher. The OSE Long Term Substitute PD Part 1 is available on October 23rd from 5 pm to 6:30 pm. Part 1 of the OSE Long Substitute PD addresses roles and responsibilities when providing instruction to students with an IEP. Attendees will also gain an understanding of what an IEP looks like and the expectations for staff to provide PLAAFP and student data for upcoming IEP meetings. Long Term Substitutes for Special Education will be compensated. See the OSE link within the attached. Additional OSE PD Opportunities are also included. |
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Traditional Mentor Training Dates and Registration (New)Contact: Adalis Alvarez-Craft, HRS - Office of Educator Effectiveness
Email: evaluations@nps.k12.nj.us Our mentor training sessions are designed to equip mentors with the skills, strategies, and resources they need to support and guide others effectively. Participants will deepen their understanding of mentorship, strengthen their communication and coaching techniques, and build confidence in fostering growth and development. Session #1 will be held virtually from 4:00-6:00 pm: https://nboe.webex.com/meet/acraft - Register for this session by clicking HERE.
Traditional Mentor Training: - 10/23/2025
- 12/4/2025
- 2/5/2026
- 4/16/2026
- 5/21/2026
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Viewing Timecard and Accruals through UKG Ready (New)Contact: Randy Schrader, HRS - Office of Payroll
Email: Payrollcs@nps.k12.nj.us The Payroll and Employee Services Teams have created UKG Ready “How To” guides. By clicking the link below, you can access a Google Drive with guides for viewing your timecard and accruals. Additional guides will be added in the coming weeks and months. |
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Certifications Reminders (New)Contact: Eboni Woolridge, HRS - Instructional Staffing and Certification
Email: ewoolridge@nps.k12.nj.us  Register for the Virtual Office Hours with the Certification Team by using the following link: https://forms.gle/J9EmbPxAgG3eiMNb6
Please check NJEdCert to ensure all Instructional, Educational Services, and/or Administrator certificates are accurate and up to date. Contact the Certifications team if you are awaiting the issuance of a Provisional or Standard license or if your license(s) have been issued. It is important that all certifications are reflected in your personnel record.
The Certifications Team can be reached via email at certifications@nps.k12.nj.us. |
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Homework HotlineContact: Michael Padilla, Office of Instructional Technology
Email: m4padilla@nps.k12.nj.us  The Homework Hotline is back! Starting September 22nd, students can go to our Homework Hotline (https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/homework-hotline/) and receive expert assistance from certified Newark Public School teachers on any grade level and content area assignments. Share the exciting news with your students so that they can make use of this wonderful resource.
Please contact Mr. Padilla (M4Padilla@nps.k12.nj.us) or Ms. Maffucci (EMaffucci@nps.k12.nj.us) with any questions. |
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Teach Adult Education Classes in the Evening Contact: Andre Hollis, Adult Education
Email: a1hollis@nps.k12.nj.us
The Adult Education department is looking for interested teachers to teach GED, ESL and other evening classes at various locations throughout the City of Newark. Interested teachers should apply here and complete JobID:2138. EveningCoursesFlyer-Fall-2025.jpg |
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SEL/Mental Health Programming and InitiativesContact: Samantha Parreiral, Office of Student Life
Email: sparreiral@nps.k12.nj.us The attachment below contains Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Mental Health programming and initiatives offered by the Office of Student Life for the 2025-2026 school year: |
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HIB Workshop Trainings / Artifacts Due DateContact: Stacy M Pelham-Hale, Office of Student Life
Email: s1hale@nps.k12.nj.us To: All Anti-Bullying Specialists  Kindly adhere to the following deadline for uploading and submitting all required training and program artifacts. Please click the links below to access all HIB PowerPoint Trainings and the HIB Trainings/Artifacts Google Form.
HIB Parent, Student, Staff Trainings:
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Title IX Student and Staff Trainings Due DateContact: Stacy M Pelham-Hale, Office of Student Life
Email: s1hale@nps.k12.nj.us  To: ALL HIB/Title IX Coordinators
Kindly adhere to the following deadline for uploading and submitting all required Title IX trainings and program artifacts. Please click the links below to access all Title IX Student/Parent Powerpoint Trainings and the Title IX Trainings Artifact Google Form. Title IX Parent and Student Trainings: |
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Rethink Student Self-Check InContact: Jessica Silva-Olmo, Office of Student Life
Email: jsilva@nps.k12.nj.us All 3rd-12th grade students will take a Fall 2025 SEL Self-Assessment in RethinkEd by October 31, 2025. This standard, District-wide, student self-assessment will provide an opportunity for teachers, administrators, and the Office of Student Life to measure what supports students are currently in need of. Thereafter, schools can utilize the Rethink platform to assign lessons to students in order to best support their SEL needs. Students can access the assessment simply by logging onto RethinkEd through Clever and automatically see the prompt for the assessment. Please ensure that students complete this in order to capture all students' SEL strengths and/or challenges. |
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Calling All Superintendent’s Council of LeadersContact: Shamere Williams, Office of the Deputy Superintendent
Email: s21williams@nps.k12.nj.us This entry serves as a reminder that the Superintendent’s Council of Leaders will meet throughout the 2025-26 SY. The Council of Student Leaders is composed of one high school student representative from each grade. The Council of Parent Leaders is comprised of a president of the Parent Organization or a Parent Leader. The Council of Teacher Leaders is made up of one elementary teacher per grade span (PK-2, 3-5, and 6-8), and one high school teacher per grade from each school. The first round of meetings will take place in October per the details in the link below. Please obtain further details from your school Principal. |
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Culture & Climate Calendar SY 2025 - 2026Contact: Rania Sawaged, Student Support Services - Office of Student Life
Email: rsawaged@nps.k12.nj.us Please review the Culture & Climate Calendar for the 2025–2026 school year. This calendar is intended to serve as a guide when planning required and suggested activities, service/community projects, and other school events throughout the year.
To support a more streamlined artifact collection process, the principal will designate one staff member each month to be responsible for uploading photos and artifacts to your school's assigned slide. Please refer to the Culture & Climate Mandatory Artifacts for guidance. |
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HIB/Title IX Documentation Forms: 2025-2026 SYContact: Stacy M Pelham-Hale, Student Support Services - Office of Student Life
Email: s1hale@nps.k12.nj.us 
We are pleased to announce the release of updated online fillable forms for Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) and Title IX documentation for the 2025–2026 school year. The comprehensive documentation packet contains all required forms and resources to support HIB and Title IX investigations, including the following: - The Necessary Tools for HIB/Title IX Investigations
- Student Safety Data System (SSDS) forms 2025-2026
- HIB Complaint forms 2025-2026
- Title IX reporting forms
- HIB/Title IX Summary of Support Services Provided
Please be sure to complete the entire investigation packet when submitting forms for all HIB and Title IX matters. These materials are designed to facilitate thorough, consistent, and compliant documentation throughout the investigative process. Click the link below to access the 2025-2026 SY HIB/Title IX Complete Documentation File Packet: |
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 | Teacher Talk is emailed every other Monday. The submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. |
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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. 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 weekly submission deadline is Wednesday by 5:00 p.m. before Monday distribution. |
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The Benefits Team is thrilled to announce the release of the 
The purpose of this newsletter is to share important benefit information, including the following and much more:
NBOE cares about YOU! We believe that optimal health and wellbeing allows you to perform at your best. That’s why we launched NBOE Well. Discover more about our extensive and complimentary wellness programs, available to all participants in a District medical plan.