Message from the Office of the Superintendent

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

As we approach winter recess, we encourage you to take a moment to reflect on all that has been accomplished so far this school year. You and your students have put in unwavering effort, and your students’ progress is a testament to your commitment and dedication. Additionally, be mindful that the new year provides us with an opportunity to reset and reground ourselves in what is most important to the success and well-being of our students.

On behalf of everyone here at the District, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes to you and your families. May your holidays be joyful and the new year bring continued growth and blessings.

Warm regards,

Superintendent León, Deputy Superintendent Severe, and Assistant Superintendent Esteves

Saturday School Attendance (New)

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

Teachers who are part of the school’s Saturday School program must take attendance on Saturday. Attendance is taken for the Saturday class in the very same manner that attendance is taken for Homeroom or any other class in which attendance is taken on a daily basis. Attendance MUST be taken every Saturday.

District Student Art Exhibition

Contact: Antonia Germanos, Office of Visual and Performing Arts
Email: agermanos@nps.k12.nj.us

Attention! The Office of Visual and Performing Arts is thrilled to announce the 2024-2025 districtwide Young Artists Annual Exhibition, hosted at the prestigious NJPAC Victoria Theatre Gallery. 

We invite all schools to submit their best grade 6-8 student artworks for consideration. Your participation is essential in creating a vibrant and enriching experience that celebrates the creativity and talent of our students.

Please review the linked guidance for submission details, and join us in honoring the extraordinary achievements of our young artists!

Migrating from Google Classroom to Schoology Learning (New)

Contact: Abdullah Ansari, Executive Director, Division of Information Technology
Email: aansari@NPS.K12.NJ.US

Schoology Learning is a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS) with advanced capabilities that will facilitate personalized learning and will serve as the foundation for the District’s adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the area of Teaching and Learning. Unlike Google Classroom, Schoology natively integrates with the entire PowerSchool suite, including our newly established Data Warehouse called Connected Intelligence. Further, the integration of the PowerBuddy AI app within Schoology will provide teachers and students with an AI-based assistive technology that will transform teaching and learning. Schoology will provide a sophisticated environment for collaboration for all stakeholders including teachers, students, parents, school administrators, nurses, etc. The AI capability of Schoology will allow teachers to rapidly create lesson plans and assessments which will save them a significant amount of time. Students can use the AI capability to have a personal tutor at their disposal at any time of the day. The advanced analytics associated with Schoology will facilitate data-driven decision making which plays a pivotal role in contemporary educational settings. Other features such as the ability to grade students’ work in Schoology and have it automatically sync with PowerSchool is a major improvement over Google Classroom. Schoology also integrates with the Google Workspace including Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc. so users will not lose any of those functionalities when they migrate to Schoology. The ability to provide access in multiple languages, including Spanish, is also a major advantage over Google Classroom.

In short, Google Classroom is a basic LMS with limited functionality that does not have the sophistication and the rich feature set required in a contemporary instructional setting. Further, as the District migrates to an AI-enabled technology paradigm, implementation of a contemporary LMS such as Schoology in place of the legacy Google Classroom is a crucial first step in establishing an AI-based Ecosystem that the District strives to achieve.

We are currently at Technology, Data Science & Information Technology, Hawkins, Speedway, and Roberto Clemente, and assisting teachers to successfully roll-out this change in a methodical way. We will be eventually coming to all other schools in the District in due time and will post updates in Teacher Talk.

Cycle 2 Progress Reports: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 (New)

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

The Q2 progress reports will be delivered on Tuesday, January 7. In PowerTeacher Pro, update each student’s Q2 final grade with a comment. Comments should include the student’s current level of achievement, and the teacher should have data to support the statement. Comments are limited to 1000 characters due to space limitations. To view all comments entered, select:

Reports » Final Grade Report » Select Classes » Select Comments » Run Report

Grant Program - Apply to Teach STEM Classes In Nonpublic Schools (New)

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

The Department of Education has a grant program that remunerates public school teachers to teach Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) classes in nonpublic schools during hours in which the teacher has no conflicting public school duties. 

For more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply, please click on the link below:

• https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/STEMFY26 

The survey must be completed by January 15, 2025.

Trauma Informed Care/Healing Centered Arts Models Peer Learning Community (New)

Contact: Antonia Germanos, Office of Visual and Performing Arts
Email: agermanos@nps.k12.nj.us

ATTENTION: Arts Ed Newark (AEN) is offering 6 FREE virtual sessions focusing on Trauma Informed Care/Healing Centered Arts Models Peer Learning Community to anyone who has completed the AEN Healing Centered & the Arts Training Series.

AEN is offering a stipend to participants who attend all 6 sessions. 

See flyer attached:

• Trauma-Informed-Care-Healing-Centered-arts-models-Peer-Learning-Community.pdf

Adult Education Teaching Opportunities Open! (New)

Contact: Andre Hollis, Adult Education
Email: a1hollis@nps.k12.nj.us

The Newark Public Schools Adult Education Department is currently accepting applications from certified, internal teachers for its adult education program. Classes are held at schools across all wards of the city and in local public libraries. Schedules and locations vary depending on the classes offered.

For more details about the program, please visit https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/adult-education/

To apply, please click this link and apply to JobID: 1832

Holiday Food Distribution Event (New)

Please share and forward the

• Dec 19 food distribution flier - English_Spanish.

1,000 Turkeys and Food Boxes will be distributed
(until supplies last; one turkey & box per car/family). 

• Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 at 9 a.m.
• Essex County Branch Brook Park
• Cherry Blossom Welcome Center

Office of Special Education Highlights and Resources

Contact: LaPrice Weatherington, Office of Special Education (OSE)
Email: lweatherington@nps.k12.nj.us

OSE thanks all schools that participated in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week. Please check the NBOE webpage to see highlights or Inclusive Practices from across the District.

December 2nd was National Special Education Day. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was signed into law on this day in 1975. Please continue to share with OSE highlights of inclusive practices that occur each and every day at your school.

Please see attached for upcoming PD opportunities for both general education and special education teachers. PCG continues to provide EdPlan PD.

• 12-2-24-Teacher-Talk-1.pdf

High School Entrance Exam

Contact: Lydia Alvarez, Office of Policy, Planning, Evaluation, and Testing (OPPET)
Email: Lalvarez@nps.k12.nj.us

We are looking for certified teachers and staff members.

It's that time of year when we invite staff members to sign up to assist with the High School Entrance Exam.

This year, the first administration is scheduled for February 15, and the second for February 22.

Student Loan Forgiveness Applications

Contact: Ivette Toledo, Human Resource Services
Email: itoledo@nps.k12.nj.us

We encourage you to take advantage of the financial relief opportunities that are available to you. By actively researching various student loan forgiveness programs, you can find options that best suit your needs.

Our dedicated Records Verification team is ready to assist you with any employer verification forms required for your application. However, you must research these programs and submit your documents on time. Your proactive approach will significantly improve your chances of success.

HIB/Title IX Q&A Hour: Every First Fridays

Contact: Stacy M Pelham-Hale, Office of Student Life: McKinney Vento
Email: s1hale@nps.k12.nj.us

Please join our HIB/Title IX Monthly Q&A Hour! We’ll be meeting every First Friday to provide an open space for questions, discussion, and guidance. This is a valuable opportunity to ensure we’re all aligned on best practices and have the support we need to address our students' needs. Our goal is to make these sessions collaborative and impactful, so come prepared with any cases, questions, or concerns you may want to address.

Newark Enrolls & Children of NBOE Staff

Contact: Rochanda Jackson, OPPET
Email: rjackson@nps.k12.nj.us

Policy code 5111, previously approved by the Board, allows District staff who do not reside in Newark to enroll their children in our schools. The application launched on November 2, 2024 and will close on February 7, 2025. 

Here is the link to the Newark Enrolls application: https://newarkenrolls.org/

If you have any questions, please reach out to Rochanda Jackson, Executive Director of the Office of Policy, Planning, Evaluation, and Testing at rjackson@NPS.K12.NJ.US.

Newark Public Schools Marching Band Competition 2025 - Interest Form

Contact: Jordan Peters, Visual and Performing Arts
Email: j1peters@nps.k12.nj.us

The Battle of the Bands/Marching Band Competition is happening this school year on April 12th. Please click on the following links to register your school:

• Elementary/Middle Schools Sign Up: https://forms.gle/Hrm3dDwnCGXCyGLL9
• High Schools Sign Up: https://forms.gle/7mPo97kMRdQFiB14A

NBOE and MSU Leadership Pipeline Program for Fall 2025

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

If you have been contemplating becoming a supervisor or school administrator, now is the perfect time to take action. Join us for a virtual information session on February 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM to learn how the Newark/MSU Leadership Pipeline Program is designed to provide educators with the skills, knowledge, and credentials needed to acquire a leadership role in the District.

• Earn your Master of Arts in Educational Leadership in addition to Supervisor and Principal certifications
• Reduction in tuition prices

Click here to register!

Grant Opportunity - Help Our Teacher Fund

Contact: Michelina Thornton, Federal Programs & Grants
Email: mthornton@nps.k12.nj.us

The FOUNDATION for IMPACT on LITERACY and LEARNING created this fund to help educators with expenses related to a special project or classroom supplies. Ten Newark teachers will be awarded a $500 grant in January 2025.

Go to the website to submit an application by the 12/31 deadline.

Help-our-Teachers-Fund-Grants-Flyer.pdf

Immunizations PreK-12

Contact: B. Helena Blackwell, Office of Health Services
Email: bblackwell@nps.k12.nj.us

To prevent some of the most serious infections, the New Jersey Department of Health implemented immunization rules. Immunization of Pupils in Schools (N.J.A.C. 8:57-4) requires students to receive a series of immunizations. In addition, schools are required to enforce requirements, maintain records, and submit annual reports.

There are specific requirements for preschool, kindergarten and sixth grade. Please see the links below for vaccination schedules:

• Preschool Requirements
• K-12 Requirements

Certifications Yearly Reminders

Contact: Eboni Woolridge, Office of Staffing
Email: ewoolridge@nps.k12.nj.us

The Certification Team is hosting Virtual Office Hours and Certification Trainings throughout the 2024-2025 school year.  

Register for the Virtual Office Hours and the Trainings by using the following link: https://forms.gle/J9EmbPxAgG3eiM

Please check NJEdCert to ensure that your Instructional, Educational Services, and Administrator certificates (if applicable) are accurate and up to date.

Contact the Certifications team if you are awaiting the issuance of a Provisional or Standard license.

The Certifications Team can be reached via email at certifications@nps.k12.nj.us.

Connecting with NBOE HRS through Employee Self Service (ESS) and NBOEHRS.com

Contact: Randy Schrader, Employee Services
Email: mjwilliams@nps.k12.nj.us

Employee Services would like to encourage all staff to become familiar with the two online tools:

1. NBOEHRS.com: 24/7 source of information Benefits, Pension, Payroll, and much more.  

Employee Self Service (ESS): to complete numerous HR activities, including View Paycheck, update Direct Deposit or W-4, confirm and update Personal Information, and Submit Retirement and Resignation.

Culture & Climate Annual Calendar SY24-25

Contact: Rania Sawaged, Student Support Services - Office of Student Life
Email: rsawaged@nps.k12.nj.us

Review the Culture & Climate Calendar SY 2024-2025. This calendar is suggested to be utilized as a guide and reference when planning for required/suggested activities, service/community projects, and additional school events throughout the school year.

To streamline the artifact collection process, each month, the principal will designate one person from your school to be in charge of uploading pictures and artifacts to the relevant slide assigned to your school.

Please reference the due dates and directions.

Teacher Talk is emailed every other Monday.

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