I want to echo the message John Abeigon, your NTU President, sent on Friday. He quoted Neil Gaiman who said, "I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly; you're doing something."
I hope you will remain curious and in doing so embrace that wide-awake living that Gaiman references. Let's make the most of these last five weeks for our students.
Please take note of several upcoming events during the month of June for you and your students:
Math Olympics- Discover Your Inner Mathematician: June 3, 2021
Academic All-Star Awards Ceremony for the Class of 2021: June 4, 2021 @ 6pm Teacher of the Year Celebration: June 11, 2021 @ 9am Science Olympics: June 17th-June 22nd
Information pertaining to each of these events is included in the Newsletter submissions.
Based on the questions that have been fielded by T & L and OPPET regarding the completion of the Individualized Learning Plans, a one pager is now available with additional guidance for the K-7 English, Math, Science, and Social Studies teachers to consider as they complete this task.
The Office of Mathematics is hosting weekly, one-hour sessions in which unit overviews from curriculum guides will be reviewed with emphasis on students’ conceptual understanding and resources for student engagement.
The session will be divided into two parts: first, the Summaries of Key Learnings will be reviewed and, second, teachers and coaches will have an opportunity to engage in a question-and-answer session. Join us Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. See the attached flyer for details.
Kean University Community Writing Program for Teachers in Grades 3-8(New)
Contact: Brian Mooney, ELA Office/ Teaching and Learning Email:bmooney@nps.k12.nj.us
Through a new partnership with Newark Board of Education, the Kean University Writing Project will develop and deliver customized programming on the teaching of writing across the curriculum based on writing process, community building, and critical digital pedagogy, specifically designed for ELA teachers in Grades 3-8. Mandatory participation required in summer writing retreat on July 12, 13, 14 from 9am - 3pm. PD hours will be awarded to participants.
In support of determining the students’ expected final grade for 2020-2021, the teacher gradebooks are unlocked for all grading cycles so that teachers can update previous cycle grades. Teachers will provide the Historical Grade Change Form to the Scheduling VP who will then edit the Historical Grade in PowerSchool.
Please remember that the teacher’s Gradebook is a legal document and is the authoritative source of a student’s grade. The student’s final grade in a course is determined by what the teacher has in the gradebook for the cycle and exam grades.
By the time grades are stored for the end of the year, there should be no results when running the gradebook vs Stored Grades report. [Please refer to the link attachment]
If you have questions or concerns, please consult with your administrator(s) and or PowerSchool clerk.
The Office of Special Education is providing an opportunity for permanent aides in the Autism and Emotional Regulation Impairment (ERI) Programs to participate in the Registered Behavior Technician Training Initiative Program. Paraprofessionals will complete 40 hours of training in order to successfully complete an RBT® initial competency assessment. The RBT® certification is a widely recognized and respected credential since it is offered by the BACB, the nation’s first organization to certify behavior analysis professionals.
Also, see the attached for additional information regarding Compensatory Services due to the impact of COVID19.
Dear Teachers, Nurses, or Academic Interventionist:
As per District policy, in order to be reimbursed in the amount of $300.00 for items that supplemented and affected your work with pupils this school year and COVID-19 related expenses, you will be asked to complete and submit a District Discretionary Fund Certification.
All individuals requesting reimbursement will be required to scan and upload a copy of their 2020-2021 discretionary receipts as supporting documentation no later than June 1, 2021. Please see the attached memorandum for further instructions and to access the link.
The school calendar has been revised for this school year with the last day of school for students and all 10-month employees on June 25, 2021. Graduation ceremonies will take place no earlier than June 25, 2021. Dismissal time for all other students on the last day of school is noted on the calendar as 1 pm. If you can close-out by that time, then you will also be dismissed at 1 pm.
The revised school calendar needs to be distributed to families and students.
The Newark Board of Education 2021 Math Olympics will take place virtually this year June 3rd for grades 6-12 . All students must register to compete in this year's Math Olympics. Students should complete the registration form below for the categories of Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculus and Statistics/Probability no later than June 2, 2021. Prizes and fame will be awarded!
This competition is open to only students who are currently enrolled in a Newark Board of Education School.
Contact: Margaret El, Visual & Performing Arts Email: mel@nps.k12.nj.us
The Road Safety Art Contest is open to students in grades K-12. This contest invites students to use their creativity to raise awareness of how to stay safe on the road, particularly when driving, biking, or walking around large commercial motor vehicles. Entries can be hand-drawn, digital art, animated and live videos, crafts, or photos. The contest is open until June 4th. One GRAND PRIZE, one HONORABLE MENTION, and one PEOPLE’S CHOICE winner will be awarded in four categories (k-5, 6-8, 9-10, 11-12).
Contest entry form and submission guidelines here.
Contact: Margaret El, Visual & Performing Arts Email: mel@nps.k12.nj.us
The Arts Office looks to support the artistic growth of students through expanded Summer Arts Enrichment Programs located at Arts High School. Share the appropriate flyer with students/families and encourage enrollment for this fun and engaging arts enrichment program.
• Middle School Summer Visual and Performing Arts Academy-current grades 5-7 only (dance, instrumental music, vocal music, theatre and visual art) • High School Musical Theatre-current grades 8-11 only (singing, acting, dancing, stage design and lighting) • High School Visual Arts-current grades 8-11 only (art studio atmosphere)
Due to the District being immersed in virtual learning for most of school year, Pre-K4 students at Contracted Pre-K Provider locations may not have the opportunity to visit feeder school locations for Kindergarten tours. To that end, The Office of Early Childhood is again requesting short video clips from Kindergarten Teachers to welcome rising Kindergarteners and provide a glimpse of a “day in the life” of a Kindergarten student. This is a monumental educational milestone to be celebrated, and we’d appreciate representation from teachers.
We hope that you and family are continuing to remain safe and healthy. This is a reminder for those enrolled in the Escrow Program that the deductions will be ending on Friday, May 28, 2021. The refund dates are as follows:
>>>One Check Option – issued in one (1) lump sum on Friday, June 11, 2021 >>>Four Check Option – issued in four (4) equal installments on July 9th, 23rd, August 6th and August 20, 2021.
Escrow Open Enrollment –May through July 15th of each year, if you are interested in enrolling, switching options or discontinuing from the Escrow Program we ask that you do so through ESS (Employee Self Service). We are excited to introduce our ESS (Employee Self Service) way of enrolling in our Escrow Program this year!! Please see attachment quick reference on how- to- enroll “Enrolling in the Escrow Program through ESS”.
Earn While You Learn! SEL Rethink Training - Cohort 3
Contact: Deborah Jennings, Office of Federal Programs & Grants Email: djennings@nps.k12.nj.us
Registration is now open for the Rethink Social Emotional Learning Training – Cohort 3. This series of SEL topics is offered to teachers, social workers, counselors, and nurses. The 8 sessions will be from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm, twice a week beginning Tuesday, May 5 through Thursday, June 3 (no sessions the week of May 24).
Two different topics will be offered each week. Participants will receive supplemental pay. You can register through Whetstone or via the attached SEL Calendar that lists the session titles and dates.
The Office of Science will be hosting a Science Olympics competition in June for students in Grades 6-12. Middle school students will have the opportunity to showcase their science knowledge by competing against schools across the district in a quiz bowl team competition. High school students will compose and present science-related content in a spoken word format.
For more information, including registration links, join the 2021 NBOE Science Olympics google classroom- the class code is twjfk36.
As we continue to build various pipelines, we know there are teachers and other instructional personnel with master’s degrees from accredited colleges/universities who hold NJ Principal certification or a Certificate of Eligibility. Individuals in that category who have not submitted their principal certification information to HRS can do so by sending an email to certifications@nps.k12.nj.us.
Additionally, so that we may provide you with some important information and resources, we ask that you complete the Principal Certification Survey linked below:
We also know that some of you are currently enrolled in a master’s program at an accredited college/university that will lead to a NJ Principal Certificate of Eligibility. If this describes you, please complete the survey below so we can share some important information with you.
The Office of Mathematics is hosting it's first lecture titled, Aligning Neuroscientific and Mathematics Education Research to Understand Rational Number Cognition. All school administrators and teachers at all levels are encouraged to attend. Presenters include:
Arthur B. Powell – Rutgers University – Newark - USA Miriam Rosenberg-Lee - – Rutgers University – Newark - USA Roberto Abreu-Mendoza – Rutgers University – Newark - USA Rogéria Viol Ferreira Toledo – IFMG - Brazil Maria Alice Veiga Ferreira de Souza – IFES - Brazil
The Office of Science is excited to present: What’s Your Evidence? (Poster Competition)
We encourage teachers and students to get creative with the CER framework and enter our poster competition.
Theme: “Plants Are Our World” Showcase your grade level specific investigable question provided or create your own investigable question based on the theme: “Plants Are Our World”
Posters can be made by hand or using a computer.
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR JUDGING, ALL POSTERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, June 4, 2021.
The Office of Science is offering a free professional development experience for a select group of middle school science teachers interested in exploring how to use the tools provided by the NGSS to best support students. Please see the attached flyer for additional information. Anyone interested in this opportunity should submit the google form linked below. Once individuals have been selected, the Office of Science will complete the registration process for the district to attend the NGSS Summer Institute.
Do you know an amazing BILINGUAL or ESL Teacher who would be a perfect match for the Newark Board of Education? If you are a current employee and you refer someone who gets hired as a full-time Bilingual or ESL teacher for the 2020-21 or 2021-22 school year you can earn $1000 per hire. Find out more about this opportunity here.
The Newark Board of Education will be opening three additional schools for the 2021-2022 School Year. The district will also be creating additional grade levels in eight schools! With the additional schools and grade expansions, there will be a multitude of positions that will be available for hire. WE NEED YOU!
The applications for the various titles are NOW LIVE! Interviews will be scheduled and held virtually. We are looking for dynamic candidates that will personify the culture of each of our new schools. If you know someone who is ready to join our growing district, share this announcement.
Take a look at the schools’ overview below and Apply Today!
The district's NPS Mobile App is now available for download for both Apple iOS and Android. With this app you, can:
• Receive Push Notifications when there is inclement weather and school closings
• Track news feeds (powered by your school web site, Facebook and Twitter accounts) at the district and school level
• Look up commonly-sought information directly from the mobile app
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