Message from the Office of Teaching and Learning

Dear Teachers and Instructional Staff,

I hope this message finds you well. I want to remind you that Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, December 5, 2024. These conferences are a cornerstone of fostering strong partnerships between school and home, as research consistently shows that parental involvement is a key lever for student success.

According to a study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology, students whose parents are actively involved in their education tend to have higher academic achievement, better attendance, and improved behavior in school (Fan & Chen, 2001). Furthermore, the National Education Association emphasizes that effective communication between teachers and parents can lead to increased student motivation and engagement (NEA, 2010).

As educators, you play a pivotal role in creating meaningful connections with families. These conferences provide an invaluable opportunity to celebrate student achievements, discuss areas for growth, and collaborate on strategies to ensure each child reaches their full potential. Your efforts to engage parents and families are instrumental in building trust and fostering a shared commitment to student success.

Thank you for your dedication to nurturing these vital partnerships and for the care and professionalism you bring to these important conversations. Together, we can make a significant impact on our students' educational journeys.

Warm regards,

Sylvia Esteves
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning

Benchmarks

In response to the HSLT’s request, the Office of Teaching and Learning is carefully considering the elimination of benchmark assessments in the high schools. We will be holding a meeting soon to discuss this further, with a focus on reviewing data to fully understand the impact of this decision.

While we work through this process, Quarter 3 assessments are temporarily on hold. Our current focus is on analyzing Midterm and Final Assessment data to gain a clearer picture of student performance. We hope that this data-driven approach will guide us in making a well-informed decision regarding the continuation of assessments at midyear and the end of the year.

Thank you for your assistance and commitment as we thoughtfully evaluate the best path forward for our students.

District Student Art Exhibition (New)

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!

Register for the Student Eco Citizenship Program

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

Classes in grades 5-8 can participate in a FREE program that will encourage the next generation of environmental citizens. Once registered, teachers will have access to lesson resources that will guide students toward implementing a project that is a solution to an environmental issue.

Please click on the link below for more information:

https://www.fill.foundation/panasonic/

AP Reader Recruitment

Contact: Lydia Alvarez, OPPET
Email: LAlvarez@nps.k12.nj.us

All AP teachers currently teaching an AP course are invited to apply to become an AP Reader. This role involves evaluating AP students’ free-response answers to ensure accurate grading that reflects college-level achievement. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the AP Exam, which can enhance your teaching.

AP Readers work in June, either on-site or remotely. Compensation is $30 per hour, with travel reimbursement for on-site work. Apply today on the New AP Reader application page!

I have included details in the AP classroom.

Supporting Families for Parent/Teacher Conferences (New)

Contact: Noreen Noel Joyce, Office of Federal Programs & Grants
Email: nnoeljoyce@nps.k12.nj.us

Parent engagement is a strategy for student success!!  

Parent/Teacher Conferences help build trust with families to support positive communication. The December Parent Newsletters can be given to families during the conferences as they are evidence-based newsletters that provide practical, proven information for families on a comprehensive array of school success topics.  

The newsletters are broken down by grade spans to meet the needs of our District parents: 

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

They are also available in Spanish. Please download and share them with your families.   

Office of Special Education Highlights and Resources (New)

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

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

December 2nd is 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

New Teacher Induction - December 10th, 3:30-5:30pm (New)

Contact: Dana Moore-Mishoe, Human Resource Services - Educator Effectiveness
Email: evaluations@nps.k12.nj.us

Teachers new to Newark (regardless of previous years of experience) are expected to attend 6 of the 10 monthly sessions that will be offered this year.

One of the December sessions will focus on reviewing and planning for improvement before Mid-Years and Annuals (will also include a discussion with a panel of 2nd year teachers). This session will be led by the Office of Educator Effectiveness.

• Registration, meeting link, & other sessions can be found in the schedule here.

High School Entrance Exam (New)

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! Starting this month, 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.

Click the link below to register for our December 6, 2024, 10am-11am session:

• https://nboe.webex.com/webappng/sites/nboe/
  webinar/webinarSeries/register/5cb4bd2afa8f4b50ad2fc99a8a38f724

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

Principal/Supervisor Certification Survey

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

We are gathering information about District personnel who hold Principal and/or Supervisor certificates or those currently enrolled in a graduate program leading to certification. If you hold one of these certificates (standard or provisional), or are in the process of obtaining one, please complete the Principal/Supervisor Certification Survey.

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!

DISTRICT-WIDE HIRING FAIR - Saturday, December 7, 2024!!!

Contact: Carlos Reyes, Office of Recruitment and Educator Effectiveness
Email: C1Reyes@nps.k12.nj.us

Please spread the word and post THIS FLYER in all of your social media platforms! Take advantage of our referral program and earn $1,000 for each teacher successfully hired by our District.

• Registration for Applicants: USE THIS LINK.
• Audience: Certified Teachers – all grades & content areas
• When: Saturday, December 7, 2024
• Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
• Location: Science Park High School - 260 Norfolk Street, Newark, NJ 07103

If you have any questions, please contact Teach@nps.k12.nj.us.

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

Saturday Tutoring Attendance

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

Teachers who are part of the school’s Saturday tutoring program must take attendance on Saturday for their Tutoring class. 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. Since the Saturday Tutoring class is the only class on that day, it is the only class that is highlighted in the Take Attendance column of the PowerTeacher Home Page. Attendance MUST be taken every Saturday.

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.