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Ridge Street School Celebrates Making Your Struggles Your Success 

Left: Mr. Jordan Toma (author of “I’m Just A Kid With An IEP”); Center: ECC North Student; Right: Autism Awareness Display at ECC North
Left: Mr. Jordan Toma (author of “I’m Just A Kid With An IEP”); Center: ECC North Student; Right: Autism Awareness Display at ECC North

At Ridge Street School, Principal DeOliveira held two events to launch the celebration of Autism Awareness Month. Jordan Toma, a motivational speaker and author of “I’m Just a Kid With an IEP,” visited the 6th through 8th grade students to discuss the value and importance of making your struggles your successes. After the presentation, students had an opportunity to ask questions and receive a signed copy of his book.

On Tuesday, April 4th, ECC North, led by Vice Principal Rios, took part in the district-wide Autism Acceptance kick-off. As part of the celebration, all students received a sensory integrative swag bag. ECC North and Ridge Street School will continue to highlight the importance of raising awareness about autism, celebrating strengths and opening the doors to compassion and acceptance throughout the month of April.

Montclair State University’s Commitment to Creating Lasting Change

Story by Staff Writer Marilyn Joyce Lehren. Photos by John J. LaRosa.

Faculty and students collaborate on social justice, health equity and environmental initiatives to improve New Jersey communities

These undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students chose Montclair for the opportunities to make meaningful contributions to important matters in their fields. From left, top, Colleen Potocki, Phetlavanh Sinpaseuth, Nurul Kadir and Jennifer Asamoah. Bottom row, from left, Krystle Davis, Maurice Jenkins and Melissa De Almeida.
These undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students chose Montclair for the opportunities to make meaningful contributions to important matters in their fields. From left, top, Colleen Potocki, Phetlavanh Sinpaseuth, Nurul Kadir and Jennifer Asamoah. Bottom row, from left, Krystle Davis, Maurice Jenkins and Melissa De Almeida.

From a young age, Melissa De Almeida was determined to become a teacher in the same Spanish and Portuguese working-class neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey, where she grew up. “It’s always been my plan,” she says. “I find it important to have a teacher who looks like you, who comes from the same background as you, sometimes even speaks the same language as you. It can make a big difference in your education.”

Wanting to make an impact made her college choice an easy one: Montclair State University offers the renowned Red Hawks Rising Teacher Academy, a pipeline for diverse teachers and a nationally recognized program addressing the shortage of teachers of color.

This partnership with Newark Public Schools and the American Federation of Teachers is among the many ways that Montclair faculty, students and partners are working to make the world a better place – tackling such wide-ranging issues as unequal educational and health outcomes, environmental and social justice, poverty, and the catastrophic effects of climate change.

The work defines, as President Jonathan Koppell often says in his public remarks, what it means to be a university with a public purpose, one that not only creates transformational opportunities for students, but also partners with communities to find solutions to pressing problems.

“To do that, however, we must lay down deep roots, be active participants, and demonstrate commitment to lasting, sustainable change,” he said when announcing “One Square Mile” – a new collaboration with Paterson Public Schools and supported by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

“Montclair demands a lot of us. I don’t think it’s a place where people sit with easy answers. I think it’s a place where people want to question and think critically about what’s going on in the world,” says Eve Schaenen, executive director of the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center, her observations among the dozens gathered this academic year on what it means to be a public-serving university.

Click here to continue to read the full story on montclair.edu.

Newark Board of Education Hosts: The 2nd Annual Women’s Leadership Conference: Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories

wlc-group-photo-2023

On Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25, 2023, Newark Board of Education Deputy Superintendent Nicole T. Johnson proudly hosted the 2nd Annual Women’s Leadership Conference: Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories. The conference was open to current and aspiring women leaders across the district. Over the course of two days more than 300 women attended. The two-day conference kicked off with a pre-conference networking event held at the Newark Museum. As the women entered the venue, they were mesmerized by the outreach of greeters who were dressed in regal purple shirts with the conference theme, “Celebrating the Women Who Tell Our Stories”. During this powerful and empowering event, Deputy Superintendent Johnson stayed true to the theme by sharing her own story and journey through leadership. Attendees were reminded of the importance of authenticity, purpose, and mentorship.

On Saturday, the conference began with a welcome address by Deputy Superintendent Johnson, followed by special messages from Superintendent Roger León, Board President Dawn Haynes, and Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education, Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan. Keynote Speaker, Michellene Davis, Esq. boldly shared her story and encouraged each woman leader to fearlessly use her voice as a game changer agent.

Breakout sessions, led by an incredible line up of dynamic women leaders, allowed current and aspiring women leaders to choose their path for the remainder of the conference. Session titles included:  The Art of Leadership, Finding Your Own Path to Serendipity, By the Power Vested in Me, and The Balancing Act: Passionate Leadership with Personal Self-Care. Throughout the event, all participants engaged with the presenters and one another through lively conversations. The excitement continued on social media with the hashtag #NBOEWLConference2023.

In alignment with The Next Decade: 2020-30 Strategic Plan Priority 4: Continuous Learning for All, the Women’s Leadership Conference manifests the district’s investment in the potential and development of highly effective women leaders. The conference was a historic event and a purposeful learning experience for women leaders. At the close of the conference, Deputy Superintendent Johnson stated, “To our current and aspiring women leaders, let us be bold, courageous, and fearless as we come together to elevate our voices and tell our own stories”.

I Said What I Said
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I Said What I Said
The Art of Leadership
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The Art of Leadership
The Empathetic Leader: Keep Yourself in Your Own Shoes
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The Empathetic Leader: Keep Yourself in Your Own Shoes
Improving Mindfulness
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Improving Mindfulness
Finding Your Own Path to Serendipity
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Finding Your Own Path to Serendipity
The Divine Feminine: A Coming to Balance
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The Divine Feminine: A Coming to Balance
The Balancing Act: Passionate Leadership with Personal Self-Care
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The Balancing Act: Passionate Leadership with Personal Self-Care
By the Power Vested in Me
Play Video
By the Power Vested in Me
Courageous Leadership
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Courageous Leadership
Leading WELL!
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Leading WELL!
Download the event program here

NBOE Launches Its New Aviation and Career Readiness Program for High School Seniors

Students working on coursework at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM)
Students working on coursework at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM)

On February 21, 2023, eleven students from the Class of 2023 began taking courses at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) located in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. Students are learning the specialized skills necessary to work on structures, power plants, aircraft systems, flight-controlled systems, and engine systems. AIM also prepares students to become eligible and prepared for certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic. AIM is committed to providing interested Newark Board of Education students an education in aviation maintenance or a trade technician profession. Moving forward, students will apply in their senior year to be admitted into this program.

Over 750 Special Education Staff Attend the Building Bridges: Connected to Student Success Conference

The Office of Special Education hosts a Special Education Conference and Student Ambassadors are greeted by Superintendent Leòn
The Office of Special Education hosts a Special Education Conference and Student Ambassadors are greeted by Superintendent Leòn

The Office of Special Education utilized the District’s Staff Development Day to lead the Building Bridges: Connected to Student Success Conference on March 15, 2023. The conference was held at Newark Vocational High School and well attended by Special Education Teachers and Child Study Team members. Greetings were presented by Superintendent Leòn, Assistant Superintendent Granato, and Director of Special Education, Mrs. Mitchell. Nicole Eredics, the Keynote speaker and author of “Inclusion in Action,” shared with teachers the importance of inclusion for students with disabilities.

Over 750 special education staff attended the full day conference with 43 presenters and 96 sessions with topics that include, but not limited to, Assistive Technology, Strategies for Behavior Supports, IEP Development, Transition Needs, the content areas (ELA, Math and Science), Supporting English Language Learners, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, and Student Self-Determination and Motivation.

The conference was made possible through collaboration with Principal DeSantis and the Newark Vocational team. The school’s culinary arts and hospitality program provided meals for the day. A special thank you to Student Ambassadors from NJ Regional Day and John F. Kennedy Specialized Schools who assisted conference attendees throughout the day. Additionally, kudos to the District’s paraprofessionals who were an essential part of the coordination for the conference activities.

NBOE Sees a 66% Increase in Students Awarded the NJ Biliteracy Seal

Students from Arts High School receive the NJDOE Biliteracy Seal Award
Students from Arts High School receive the NJDOE Biliteracy Seal Award

The New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in at least one language, in addition to English, by high school graduation.

This year, 157 NBOE High School students will receive the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and/or Portuguese upon graduation from Arts High School, East Side High School, and Science Park High School. This is an increase of over 66% from the 2021-2022 school year.