Message from the Office of Teaching & LearningDear Teachers and Instructional Staff, As we launch into the 2025-2026 school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for all of us. This year, our Superintendent León has chosen the motivating theme, “Keep on Moving,” which invites each of us to embrace continuous growth, resilience, and forward momentum in our work with students and colleagues. Together, let’s commit to making this a year of meaningful progress and positive impact across our District. Since Tuesday, September 9, 2025, our Phase 1 Teaching and Learning (T&L) School Support Visits have been underway and will continue through Thursday, October 30, 2025. These visits focus on reinforcing District priorities such as writing across the curriculum, reading with an emphasis on informational text, Cornell note-taking, Everybody Writes, oracy, and Independent Reading. In mathematics, the focus is on mastery of fractions and multiplication, along with the strategic use of calculators and manipulatives. We are shifting toward a more cohesive, District-wide approach to instruction that ensures all students have access to high-quality learning experiences. This alignment is essential not only for delivering the curriculum consistently but also for making sure that the work students produce truly demonstrates their understanding and growth. By closely examining student work alongside our curriculum, we can better support each learner’s progress and tailor instruction to meet their needs. We are committed to collaborating with educators to promote instructional excellence and student success. A continued priority is fostering active student engagement. We emphasize strategies like Cornell notes and writing across disciplines to deepen students’ understanding and ownership of their learning. To support this, the Superintendent’s Academic Walkthroughs provide ongoing feedback aimed at strengthening instructional practices. I also want to take a moment to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our schools this past year! At the elementary level, Michelle Obama School, led by Principal Gilliam, was the highest performing school in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. At the high school level, Science Park High School, under the leadership of Principal Gearheart, achieved the highest results on the NJSLA assessments in both Math and ELA. Congratulations to the students, their teachers, Principal Gilliam, Ms. Marques, Principal Gearheart, Dr. Ortiz, and their entire teams for these outstanding achievements. These successes highlight effective strategies that we hope to learn from and build upon as we move forward. Over the summer, we completed several curriculum updates designed to increase rigor and align with state standards. Your dedication and input have been invaluable in shaping a clear path forward for both educators and students, and we sincerely appreciate your efforts. Thank you to all our teachers and instructional staff. We need you now more than ever to keep moving our District forward. Your commitment, passion, and hard work are the driving forces behind our students’ success and the continued growth of our schools. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” Let’s carry this spirit forward as we inspire our students to reach new heights! Wishing you a successful and inspiring start to the school year and a week full of meaningful teaching and learning. Best regards, Sylvia Esteves
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning |
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CTE Academy Career and Technical Student Organization Advisor Stipend Position (New)Contact: 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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Education Week Access (New)Contact: Michael Padilla, Office of Instructional Technology
Email: m4padilla@nps.k12.nj.us  Newark Public Schools continues to have access to Education Week, which is an excellent resource to stay informed on all aspects of K-12 education. “Education Week provides in-depth reporting, analysis, and opinions on key issues such as curriculum, policy, equity, school leadership, and classroom practices.”
Note that Education Week does not utilize Clever SSO.
If you already have an account, you may sign in at edweek.org using your login credentials. If you forgot your password, you may request a reset from the site. If you need to create an account, here is additional information.
Please contact Michael Padilla (m4padilla@nps.k12.nj.us) with any questions. |
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Cycle 1 Progress Reports - October 1 (New)Contact: Darren Watsky, Student Information Services
Email: dwatsky@nps.k12.nj.us The Q1 progress reports will be delivered on Wednesday, October 1. In PowerTeacher Pro, update each student’s Q1 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. |
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PowerSchool Maintenance Days 2025-2026 (New)Contact: Darren Watsky, Student Information Services
Email: dwatsky@nps.k12.nj.us PowerSchool requires periodic downtimes to run processes not possible while the system is running. The PowerSchool Maintenance Calendar is subject to change. All PowerSchool maintenance days occur when school is not in session, and every effort is made to not have PowerSchool down the weekend before grades are due or stored. All staff and teachers are notified on the PowerSchool login screen when an upcoming shutdown will occur. |
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NBOE Celebrates 2025 Week of Respect (New)Contact: Stacy M Pelham-Hale, Office of Student Life
Email: s1hale@nps.k12.nj.us  The 2025 Week of Respect is October 6-10, 2025. This week is designated by the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act and is celebrated in all public schools throughout New Jersey. During this week all Newark Board of Education Schools are encouraged to provide age appropriate instruction to promote kindness and inclusion and to prevent bullying, harassment, and intimidation.
Click the links below to access valuable resources that can assist you with planning lessons and events for the week: |
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HIBster Influencer "Anti-Bullying" Poster Contest (New)Contact: Stacy M Pelham-Hale, Office of Student Life
Email: s1hale@nps.k12.nj.us  The Office of Student Life is excited to share an excellent opportunity for your students to participate in the statewide HIBster Influencer Poster Contest, open to all schools across New Jersey. This contest invites students to creatively express what it means to be a HIBster Influencer and to promote anti-bullying messages through original poster designs.
Please click the links below to register your students for this contest and consider incorporating it as a featured activity or event during the October 6-10, 2025 Week of Respect. Participating in the HIBster Influencer Poster Contest is a meaningful way to engage students in positive school climate initiatives, foster student voice, and reinforce our commitment to respect and anti-bullying efforts. Please share this opportunity with your school community and support your students in submitting their entries. Let’s work together to make NBOE 2025 Week of Respect impactful and inspiring for all! |
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Mandatory Fall HIB-SSDS and Title IX Training (New)Contact: Stacy M Pelham-Hale, Office of Student Life
Email: s1hale@nps.k12.nj.us Attention all Anti-Bullying Specialists/Title IX Coordinators and Administrators: The Office of Student Life annual "Fall HIB-SSDS and Title IX Training" will take place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Marion Bolden Center (230 Broadway Newark, NJ). Attendance is MANDATORY for all the School Anti-Bullying Specialists (ABS)/Title IX Coordinators and the Administrator who is responsible for discipline. Sessions are assigned by SLT. Please see below and attend the session tailored for your specific school location. FYI: Parking is limited. Carpooling is highly recommended. |
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Classroom Emergency Procedure GuideContact: Levi Holmes, Safety & Security
Email: L1Holmes@NPS.K12.NJ.US  The District is dedicated to preparedness and proactive safety measures. For this reason, every classroom has a Classroom Emergency Procedure Guide to equip teachers with essential guidance for handling emergencies efficiently. Teachers are encouraged to review these guides thoroughly upon receipt to familiarize themselves with the procedures to be better prepared in the event of an emergency.
If you have any questions, please contact your Principal so they may connect with the school’s respective Security Supervisor. |
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Avigilon - New AI-Based Surveillance SystemContact: Abdullah Ansari, Division of Information Technology
Email: aansari@NPS.K12.NJ.US The District has replaced its legacy surveillance system with a new state of the art Artificial Intelligence (AI) based surveillance system with over 7,500 high resolution cameras that will extend the District’s surveillance coverage by nearly 300%. In addition, the new system’s advanced capabilities will significantly enhance the safety and security of students and staff in all District buildings. It shall be noted that the new system has been installed locally in the District’s data center where cameras record their footage on locally hosted servers and not on the Internet. The District plans to extend the capabilities of the new surveillance system by adding HALO Smart sensors (similar to smoke detectors at home) to detect vaping, smoking, air quality, CO2 level, etc. The devices will be integrated with the new surveillance system and will be configured to alert the security personnel and school administration when vaping is detected. The work will begin in High Schools in the next few months. |
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Student Health AssessmentsContact: Dr. Marguerite Leuze, Health Services
Email: MLeuze@NPS.K12.NJ.US N.J.6A:16-2.2 requires that districts provide student health assessments, including height, weight, hearing, vision, blood pressure, entry physical examinations and sports physicals. Students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade are included in this mandate. In addition to the above screening requirements, students in Pre-Kindergarten must have all their screenings completed by late October. Additionally, students ages 10 to 18 will be screened for scoliosis according to the scoliosis guidelines, on a biennial basis. The document below outlines the grade level needs of student assessments: |
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Apply for the Superintendent's Leadership PipelineContact: Matthew Brewster, Office of Staff Development
Email: MBrewster@nps.k12.nj.us The Superintendent’s Leadership Pipeline is an initiative designed to develop the next generation of leaders in our District. This program offers two distinct pathways: - Aspiring Leaders, aimed at instructional staff who are encouraged to pursue supervisor or principal certification, and
- Rising Leaders, focused on those who already hold these certifications and seek to refine their leadership skills through targeted professional development.
If you believe you are ready to advance in your educational leadership journey, we encourage you to express interest using the link below: |
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Become a National Board-Certified Teacher Contact: Dr. Nicole Bethea, Office of Staff Development
Email: nbethea@NPS.k12.nj.us
National Board Certification (NBC) is a voluntary, advanced teaching credential that goes beyond state licensure. NBC has national standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certifies teachers who successfully complete its rigorous certification process. The NBOE attests to the positive effects the NBC process has on their classroom practices and acknowledges the growing body of research that links NBC with improved student achievement. Please complete the interest form below: |
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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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Guidance for Emergency Remote Instruction 2025-2026Contact: 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. |
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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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Excel Enrichment Expansion - We Need You!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! |
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Monthly OSE Professional Development UpdatesContact: 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. |
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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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Submitting Employee CredentialsContact: 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. |
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Staffing Reminders!Contact: Justine Carter, HRS - Office of Staffing
Email: j1carter@nps.k12.nj.us - Ensure candidates apply to the correct vacancy on Frontline.
- Onboarding must be completed before starting with the District.
- Instructional hires must minimally hold a substitute certification, fingerprint approval, and a Physical/TB test before they begin.
- Review Pathways Program Guidelines (subject to change)
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Connecting with HRS through Employee Self Service (ESS) and NBOEHRS.comContact: 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.
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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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All schools have access to Khanmigo, which is Khan Academy’s AI-powered teaching assistant and tutor.
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.