Message from the Office of Teaching and Learning

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

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!

Best regards,

Sylvia Esteves
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning

End of Year Activities

As preparations begin for end of year activities, please be mindful of already scheduled District-wide events:

• Math Olympics: May 28th
• Academic Awards Night for the Class of 2025: June 4th
• Senior Day: June 6th
• STEM Week: Week of June 9th
• Teacher of the Year: June 12th
• Office of Early Childhood Night at the Museum: June 13th

Calendars SY 2025-26

Please see below for the SY 2025-26 calendars:

• School Calendar SY 2025-26
• 12 Month Calendar SY 2025-26
• 2025-2026 Marking Period and Report Card Dates

Newark Evening High School Is Seeking Teachers (New)

Contact: Tiffany Sheard, Adult Education
Email: tsheard@nps.k12.nj.us

Newark Evening High School is seeking teachers for the 2025-2026 school year.

Program Dates & Times

• September 2025  - June 2026
• Monday/Wednesday  or Tuesday/Thursday schedule
• 4PM - 8:30PM (You must be available for the entire length of the program)

We are seeking:

• Bilingual Instructors
• ESL
• Social Studies
• CTE
• Tech Support
• English
• Bilingual Clerk
• Student Support

Please complete this interest form: https://forms.gle/iY7UkhAnYfez6WP5A

Enter Intuit Hour Finance Challenge for a Chance to Win Chromebooks

Contact: Carynne Conover, Office of Social Studies
Email: cconover@nps.k12.nj.us

In celebration of Financial Literacy Month, Intuit for Education is challenging schools to spend at least one hour learning about budgeting. Schools can compete to win prizes from Intuit.

• National champions: Top three middle and high school winners will be recognized and receive Chromebooks for their schools.
• State-level champions: Each state winner will be recognized and receive a trophy.

Here is the link to review the challenge information and registration.

NJ School Boards Association Call for Student Performances (New)

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

Greetings Performing Arts Educators,

The New Jersey School Boards Association has opened their submission portal for student performances for the 2025 October Conference. This is a great opportunity to showcase our performing arts programs and expose your students to live performances. Please see the details below.

Live Now: Call for Student Performances
Live student performances are the heart of Workshop. NJSBA is looking for students to sing, dance, and perform music to energize the audience, and in some instances kick off special events during the conference.

Submission forms are due by April 18.

Anti-Bullying Specialist MANDATORY Spring Training Session: 4/16/25 (New)

Contact: Stacy Hale, Student Support Services - Office of Student Life
Email: s1hale@nps.k12.nj.us

HIB/Title IX Spring Training:
Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Time: 8:10am-11:30am
Location: Harold Wilson, 190 Muhammad Ali Ave., Newark, NJ

Effective School Solutions (ESS) will conduct a special presentation entitled: “Understanding Conflict: Patterns, Roles and Effective Resolutions”

This is a Mandatory Training Session for all Anti-Bullying Specialists.

Please click the link below to register: https://forms.gle/rT5H1yLepNA9EctE8

Quarterly Grants Newsletter Now Available! (New)

Contact: Jennifer Rodriguez, Office of Federal Programs & Grants
Email: j20rodriguez@nps.k12.nj.us

Discover new funding opportunities! The Office of Federal Programs and Grants publishes quarterly newsletters highlighting upcoming grant opportunities for schools and educators. Review the April 2025 newsletter to find grants to fund diverse educational programs, student athletic equipment, or professional development opportunities for educators.

• Funding-Newsletter-April-2025-1.pdf

For more information and to stay up-to-date with upcoming newsletters, visit the Grants Opportunities and Resources page linked here.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) with NBIMC (New)

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

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) hands on training is back!

• CPR-Training-is-Back.pdf

New Teacher Induction (New)

Contact: Dana Mishoe, HRS - Office of Educator Effectiveness
Email: dmishoe@nps.k12.nj.us

New Teacher Induction sessions will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Teachers should attend 6 of the 10 sessions during the School Year. Please register for the next New Teacher Induction session scheduled for Tuesday, May 13th; 3:30-5:30pm.

One of the May sessions will reflect on teacher practices and student achievement, led by the Office of Language Arts. 

Registration and meeting links for each month can be found in the induction schedule linked here.

2024-2025 Discretionary Funds (New)

Contact: MJames, Human Resource Services
Email: mjames@nps.k12.nj.us

Dear Teachers, Nurses, and Academic Interventionists:

As per District policy, in order to be reimbursed in the amount of $150.00 for items that supplement and affect your work with pupils this school year, you will be providing your receipts to your location treasurer.

Please be guided by the Discretionary Fund Memo below:

• 2024-25-Discretionary-Fund-Memo.pdf

If you have any questions, please speak to your school administrator.

The New Jersey Amistad Commission (New)

Please review The Amistad Commission Broadcast for information on the 2025 Summer Institute.

Cycle 3 24-25 Report Card Timeline and Requirements - Teachers

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

All Cycle 3 grades and comments must be finalized in PowerTeacher Pro by the end of the school day on Thursday, April 17.

Use the Cycle 3 Report Card Timeline document to prepare for the storing of Cycle 3 grades. All subjects should have a grade and/or comment. For subjects not assessed this cycle, include a comment that the student is not in the class this grading period. Historical grade changes require a grade change form submission. If you have questions, please consult with your administrator(s).

April is Earth Action Month!

Contact: Tracy Cummings, Office of Science
Email: tcummings@nps.k12.nj.us

In recognition of Earth Day on April 22nd, we invite you to participate in a month-long Action for Earth. The NJDOE and the Office of Science challenge you to plan and share activities related to the five themed weeks that engage students, educators, and families to be stewards of their communities and their planet as they explore climate-related challenges and solutions.

The five themed weeks will be:

• Reducing Our Impact
• Healthy Communities
• Educating for a Healthy Planet
• Protect and Preserve
• Building Green Spaces

You will find details about each theme and resource linked here. Let us collectively protect our planet.

ELA Teacher Residency Interest Survey

Contact: Jazleen Othman, Office of English Language Arts
Email: Jothman@nps.k12.nj.us

We’re excited to continue our Teacher Residencies, which are designed to support new educators while giving veteran teachers the opportunity to mentor and refine their craft. Scan the QR code on the attached flyer to complete the interest survey to help tailor sessions based on your needs.

• Office-of-English-Language-Arts-Teacher-Residency-Interest.png

April Culture & Climate Activities

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

Please use the April Suggested Activities document to promote awareness for:

• World Autism Awareness Day
• Month of the Military Child
• NJ High School Voter Registration Week

Office of Special Education (OSE) Updates and Resources

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

April is dedicated to Autism Awareness. Please see attached information regarding activities for parents and staff across the District. April is also dedicated to Occupational Therapy Month. Please shout out your school-based OT.

OSE is excited to announce its first Annual Transition Fair. This event will take place on May 1, 2025 and is open to students and families. Participants will have the opportunity to discover resources, connect with local agencies, and explore opportunities for education, employment, and independent living.

Please see attached for full professional development offerings for paraprofessionals, teachers, and child study team members.

• 4-1-25-Teacher-Talk.pdf

Teacher Attendance at IEP Meetings

Contact: Marilyn Mitchell, Office of Special Education
Email: mmitchell@nps.k12.nj.us

The IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) mandates that teachers participate in Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings to ensure that students receive appropriate services and accommodations. Teachers' insights into the student’s academic performance and behavior are essential for developing an effective IEP that aligns with the student’s needs. Please be reminded of the importance of these meetings and that adequate arrangements are made for your attendance or a substitute when needed.

Eligibility Categories for Alternate Assessment in Spring 2026 (Updated)

Contact: Marilyn Mitchell, Office of Special Education
Email: mmitchell@nps.k12.nj.us

Beginning with the Spring 2026 Administration, students eligible for special education and related services under the eligibility categories of specific learning disability (SLD), emotional regulation impairment (ERI), auditorily impaired, orthopedic impairment, and speech or language impairment are not eligible to participate in the DLM assessment. These students must instead be administered the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) or New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA), with appropriate accommodations and accessibility features.

OSE informed CSTs at our April 7, 2025 meeting.

• ChangestoEligibilityCategoriesforParticipationintheAlternateAssessmentEffectiveSpring2026.pdf

Grant Writing Basics

Contact: Jennifer Rodriguez, Office of Federal Programs & Grants
Email: j20rodriguez@nps.k12.nj.us

Join an introductory webinar designed to help our teachers navigate the world of grant writing. In this session, you’ll learn the fundamentals of what grants are, where to find opportunities, and how to determine the best grant for your needs. We’ll cover essential skills to get "grant ready," including project planning, setting SMART goals, creating timelines, and forming collaborative partnerships. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your funding skills and take advantage of our quarterly newsletter for ongoing resources!

Register through Whetstone!

• Grant-Writing-Workshop-2025-Flyer.pdf

You Got the Grant: What’s Next?

Contact: Jennifer Rodriguez, Office of Federal Programs & Grants
Email: j20rodriguez@nps.k12.nj.us

Building on our Grant Writing Basics webinar, we will explore what happens AFTER you've secured funding. Whether you’ve already won a grant or are still in the application stage, this follow-up session will provide valuable insights on how to incorporate award management into your project design and evaluation plan to set you up for long-term success. In this session, we will navigate key aspects of grant administration, including compliance, organization, and implementation. Join us to learn how to stay grant-ready, manage funding effectively, and build a strong foundation for future success!

Register through Whetstone!

• Grant-Writing-Workshop-2025-Flyer1.pdf

2025 Transfer Period

Contact: Stefanie Perrone, HRS - Office of Staffing
Email: sperrone@nps.k12.nj.us

If you are interested in transferring to one of our AMAZING schools, please apply on Frontline between April 7th and April 17th. You will be provided a notification by HRS when your request is reviewed and approved by Hiring Managers and Leadership.

Retrieving your PD Certificate from Grow

Contact: Dana Mishoe, HRS - Educator Effectiveness
Email: evaluations@nps.k12.nj.us

This quick video tutorial will help you navigate to and print the certificate from Professional Development training you were registered for in GROW and have attended. If, after reviewing your transcript, you believe something is missing, please contact the facilitator of that session. The Educator Effectiveness team will not have access to that sign in information.

• Form Link: https://forms.gle/hzuUVbWPKeqnbRXM7

Co-Curricular & Before/After School Program - New Job Codes

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

Reminder: All applicants should have reapplied for all Co-Curricular activities for the 25-26SY by March 31, 2025. All outstanding applications must be submitted as soon as possible.

Please reference the new Job Codes below:

1. 2137 - Before and After-School Per-Diem Teacher - Co-Curricular
2. 2138 - Before and After-School Teacher - Co-Curricular
3. 2139 - Before and After-School Teacher Aide - Co-Curricular
4. 2140 - Before and After-School Tutoring Coordinator- Co-Curricular
5. 2141 - Coach Co-Curricular - Sports Activities
6. 2142 - Co-Curricular Advisor and Coordinator
7. 2143 - Directors - Co-Curricular for Band Related Activities
8. 2144 - Treasurer- After School Activities

Parent Institute Newsletter

Contact: Jill Budinich, Office of Federal Programs & Grants
Email: jbudinich@nps.k12.nj.us

The Parent Institute newsletters provide practical information and tips for families on many school topics in a user-friendly format. The newsletters are broken down by grade span:

• Elementary level (K-5)
• Middle school (6-8)
• High school (9-12)

This publication is available in English and Spanish. This resource is a tool to empower families to help their children develop educational and social-emotional skills to achieve school success. Currently, there are highlighted topics being discussed within our school communities. We encourage you to share with your parents and share your feedback.

America250 Opens Submissions for Nationwide Student Contest: ‘America’s Field Trip’

America250, the official nonpartisan entity charged by Congress with planning the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Semiquincentennial, in collaboration with BNY, kicked off the second installment of “America’s Field Trip” — a nationwide scholastic contest where students have the opportunity to earn a special behind-the-scenes experience at an iconic American historical and cultural site. America’s Field Trip invites students in grades 3-12 to submit artwork or writing that reflects on what America means to them.

Watch this video to learn more about the America’s Field Trip contest and see some of the incredible places awardees visited this summer.

For more information, visit america250.org/FieldTrip, and note the deadline is April 16, 2025.

See the Summer Program 2025 Timelines

Contact: Matthew Brewster, Office of Staff Development
Email: MBrewster@nps.k12.nj.us

Please see the following timelines for Summer 2025:

• Parents, families and schools notified of mandatory registration - February 13, 2025
• Staff job announcements posted - March 3, 2025 
• Program brochure and application launch - April 1, 2025
• Program registration ends - May 16, 2025
• Parent/Student notification of enrollment - June 2, 2025
• Summer Staff Orientation and Organization Days -  June 25 and 26, 2025
• Summer Program Dates - June 30, 2025 through August 1, 2025

For more information, visit our website at https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/summerprograms/.

Parent University – Prudential Financial Literacy Workshop

Contact: Natasha Rouse, Office of Federal Programs & Grants
Email: nrouse@nps.k12.nj.us

Newark Board of Education is partnering with Prudential Pathways to offer financial wellness educational seminars hosted by industry experts. Prudential Pathways aims to make building financial planning strategies less intimidating and more empowering through easy-to-understand educational programs. Please share the flyer with families so they can register. All sessions are FREE!

• Prudential-Pathways-Financial-Wellness-Series.pdf

SY 25-26 School Social Worker 2 Intern Request Form: NOW

Contact: Stacy M Pelham-Hale, OSL - Student Support Services
Email: s1hale@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Student Life is now accepting applications for School Social Worker 2 Internships for the 2025-2026 school year. If your school is interested in hosting an intern, please read the following requirements:

• Principal/Administrator must authorize permission to host intern(s).
• NBOE schools must have a SW2 who is in good standing and is highly qualified to supervise intern(s).
• The SW2 must complete the following Google Request form by 5/23/25.

Note: If a college/university contacts you regarding internship placement, please direct all inquiries to Mrs. Stacy Pelham-Hale, Supervisor at s1hale@nps.k12.nj.us.

Mandatory Affirmative Action Training

Contact: Nichola Camacho, HRS - Affirmative Action
Email: ncamacho@nps.k12.nj.us

Board policy requires all employees to complete annual Affirmative Action training. All training courses launched on February 19, 2025. You will receive an email from the Newark Board of Education containing a link to log in to Vector Solutions using your District email and password. Each training course includes an assessment that must be completed. A certificate can be saved or printed after successfully completing each assigned training course. You must complete all required courses by May 30, 2025.

2024-2025  NBOE Annual Affirmative Action Training Courses

• FILE-CODE-4111142111-NON-DISCRIMINATION-POLICY.pdf
• 2024-2025-Sexual-Harassment-Staff-to-Staff-Training.pdf
• 2024-2025-Discrimination-Awareness-in-the-Workplace-Training.pdf

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

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.

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.