NBOE Teacher Talk 8/27/2025

Message from the Office of the Superintendent

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

We are excited to welcome you back to the 2025-26 school year! In preparation for a successful year, please review the following important information thoroughly.

Wishing you all an incredible school year!

Superintendent León, Deputy Superintendent Severe, and Assistant Superintendent Esteves

Important Links

The Next Decade: 2020-30

• Strategic Plan
• NPS Clarity 2020
• Logic Model
• The Next Decade: 2020-30 Strategic Plan Slides
• Year 1 Report (2020-21)
• Year 3 Report (2021-23)
• Year 5 Report (2023-25)

Academic Walkthrough

• Academic Walkthrough Tool

NJGPA & NJSLA Resources

• NJGPA ELA Blueprint
• NJGPA Math Blueprint
• NJSLA ELA Blueprint
• NJSLA Math Blueprint

EdResearch for Recovery

• Learning Loss and Key NPS Strategies
• School Practices to Address Student Learning Loss

Upcoming Events

• August 22 - August 30: Peace Week (Board Approved Resolution 8/21/25)
• August 26: School-Based Staff Development
• August 27: District-Wide Staff Development
• August 28: District Staff Convocation
• September 2: First Day of School for Students
• September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month (Board Approved Resolution 8/21/25)
• September 15: Advisors Meeting at Malcolm X Shabazz at 4:00 PM
• September 16: Coaches Meeting at Newark Vocational at 4:00 PM
• September 17: High School Convocation

Give Me 5 Campaign

The District’s “Give Me 5” campaign has proven to have a positive impact on student attendance and student success. Every staff member will receive an email with a list of students to contact their families and remind them of the importance of being in school every day and on time.

I Believe in You Grant

Teachers are vital to the success of our students. With the “I Believe in You” grant, teachers will demonstrate how they are helping students learn to think critically and solve problems. Grants in the amount of $1,000 will be issued to every teacher in each school. Grant funds can be used for instructional materials and supplies. See below for further information:

• 2025-2026 I Believe in You Grant
• I Believe in You and PLC FAQ

I Believe in My PLC Grant

This grant provides teachers, possessing a broad vision of what it means to teach and learn, the resources needed to pursue self-designed professional learning experiences. Teacher teams will work collaboratively to determine how funds will be allocated for the grade level or department. One grant will be allocated per school in the amount of $3,000-$7,000. Grant funds can be used for instructional materials and supplies. See below for further information:

• 2025-2026 I Believe in My PLC Grant
• I Believe in You and PLC FAQ

Teacher Talk (TT) Distribution Schedule

Guidance for Emergency Remote Instruction 2025-2026 (New)

Contact: Marialana Juliano, Office of the Deputy Superintendent
Email: mjuliano@nps.k12.nj.us

In accordance with New Jersey State Legislature P.L. 2020, Chapter 27 and State of New Jersey Department of Education guidance, the Newark Board of Education will implement the Guidance for Emergency Remote Instruction during a District closure lasting more than three consecutive days due to a declared state of emergency, declared public health emergency, or a directive by the appropriate health agency or officer to institute a public health-related closure.

The Guidance for Emergency Remote Instruction 2025-2026 can be accessed from the District’s website: https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/guidance-for-emergency-remote-instruction/

All Teachers and Instructional Staff should have created virtual Webex classrooms and ensure that the links are shared on the school’s website. Also, please be mindful that all students will need to have their Chromebooks at home if and when the Guidance for Emergency Remote Instruction is implemented.

Calling All Superintendent’s Council of Leaders (New)

Contact: 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.

• Click here to view the Council of Leaders Calendar

2025-2026 Marking Period Calendar (New)

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

Here is the 2025-2026 Marking Period Calendar. The first Progress Report is Wednesday, October 1. Only assignments in the Formative Assessment and Summative Assessment categories will count toward final grades at the end of the cycle.

PowerTeacher Pro Gradebook Categories (New)

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

NBOE uses two categories of assignments to determine a student’s grade: Summative Assessments and Formative Assessments. If other categories are used for assignments in PowerTeacher Pro, the assignments will not count for the student’s overall grade. All categories should be made inactive except for the two categories that are district wide categories in all gradebooks. Use the Inactivating Gradebook Categories document to view and edit your gradebook categories as needed.

Arts in Action: Reloaded! (New)

Contact: Devonne De Nose, Office of Visual and Performing Arts
Email: d1denose@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Visual and Performing Arts is excited to welcome you to the 2025-2026 school year! Our first PD Day will take place on August 27th at Newark Vocational High School. Please ensure that you register here. This year’s theme is: Arts in Action: Reloaded! and we will work together towards further celebrating the creativity of our students as they develop artistic literacy and grow their craft.

As we launch into this school year, remember that National Arts in Education Week is September 8 - 14, 2025! Please use the flyer to spread awareness. Our office would like to see all of the wonderful celebrations and work throughout the week of September 8th, so please upload your submissions here!

Excel Enrichment Expansion - We Need You! (New)

Contact: Dr. Julianne Bello, Office Of Extended Learning
Email: jbello@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Extended  Learning will be expanding Excel Enrichment offerings this year! Do you have talent or experience you’d like to share as part of our growing portfolio of student offerings? 

Please fill out the interest survey here! 

We are looking for individuals with experience in sewing, crew/rowing, fencing, American Sign Language, Law Day/Mock Trial, and more!

Monthly OSE Professional Development Updates (New)

Contact: Candice Wells, Office of Special Education
Email: c1wells@nps.k12.nj.us

The Office of Special Education (OSE) is excited to provide monthly supports. Please be sure to check out monthly submissions by our office which highlights professional development opportunities available across the District. New Special Education Teachers are encouraged to sign up for the monthly OSE Special Education Teacher Academy workshops. Veteran special education teachers are welcomed to attend as well.

Weekly Office Hours are available regarding EdPlan which is the District's platform for IEPs. PD opportunities and asynchronous resources are available for accessing EdPlan. 

Please see attached for more OSE PD opportunities and/or office hours for paraprofessionals, Pre-K disabled program teachers, child study team members, substitute teachers, Handle with Care, and more.

8-26-25-Teacher-Talk.pdf

Feel free to reach out to our office for questions.

Culture & Climate Calendar SY 2025 - 2026 (New)

Contact: 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.

HIB/Title IX Documentation Forms: 2025-2026 SY (New)

Contact: 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:

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oYoRrcmRcGWwpH04sebEyZvMKxY6K1Hc/view?usp=sharing

Submitting Employee Credentials (New)

Contact: Justine Carter, HRS - Office of Staffing
Email: j1carter@nps.k12.nj.us

Employees often submit credentials to their Hiring Manager. Please note in order for Human Resource Services to properly document employee files, these credentials should be forwarded to the appropriate Human Resource Representative. Transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution to your Human Resource Services representative.

Staffing Reminders! (New)

Contact: Justine Carter, HRS - Office of Staffing
Email: j1carter@nps.k12.nj.us

1. Ensure candidates apply to the correct vacancy on Frontline.
2. Onboarding must be completed before starting with the District.
3. Instructional hires must minimally hold a substitute certification, fingerprint approval, and a Physical/TB test before they begin.
4. Review Pathways Program Guidelines (subject to change)

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

Contact: Marilyn Williams, HRS - Office of Employee Services
Email: mjwilliams@nps.k12.nj.us

Employee Services encourages all staff to become familiar with two online tools:

• NBOEHRS.com: A 24/7 resource for information on benefits, pensions, payroll, and much more.
• Employee Self Service (ESS): This platform allows you to complete various HR activities, including viewing your paycheck, updating direct deposit or W-4 information, confirming and updating personal information, and submitting retirement or resignation requests.

Teacher Talk is emailed every other Monday.

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