News
Arts High School Guitar Quintet Performance for Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona
Superintendent León joins County Executive DiVincenzo and Essex County Commissioners in Honoring Board Vice President Santana and Principal Echevarria at the annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Principal Echevarria and Board Vice President Santana with Director Terrones and Commissioner Pomares
Principal Echevarria at the podium
Board Vice President Santana and Principal Echevarria
Board Vice President Santana at the podium
Board President Santana with Commissioner Mercado
Principal Echevarria with Commissioner Pomares
Commissioner Mercado, Principal Echevarria, Board Vice President Santana, Commissioner Pomares, Commissioner Luciano, and Commissioner Sebold
New Smart Panels Empower Teachers to Transform the Classroom Environment
Student at Science Park High School interacting with a newly installed Smart Board
The district has completed the first 3 phases of the Smart Board Replacement project replacing nearly 1200 older Smart Boards with new Smart Panels in all district schools. The new Smart Panels empower teachers to use a modern tool to deliver instruction in a contemporary manner and transform the classroom environment for the new generation of learners. The new Smart Panels have fully functioning operating systems and manage as large computers on the wall. They allow teachers to download and utilize modern educational Apps and tools that will enhance teaching and learning in the digital age. The district has also implemented training for all teachers on the use of the new Smart Panels to ensure the effective and efficient use of this technology in the classroom.
A remote management platform is in place to allow Smart Panels troubleshooting from the district’s IT office to minimize the deployment of expensive IT resources to the field. The district’s IT office also has the ability to remotely deploy apps to a large number of Smart Panels and program their automatic shutdown during non-business hours resulting in conservation of energy. The new Smart Panels in the first 3 phases of the project have been funded by Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER II) funds.
The final phase of the project, which will be funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), will commence in October 2022 and will result in the replacement of the remaining 450 older Smart Boards in the district. The caliber of this type of project would normally take about 3 years to complete; however, the district’s IT office, understanding the importance of this technology, started in April 2022 and has successfully replaced 1200 Smart Panels!
District Creates New Pathways to Teacher Certification
The Office of Human Resource Services (HRS) implemented innovative recruitment and retention strategies to attract new teacher candidates and support current staff members as they continue in the career they desire with the Newark Board of Education (NBOE). From the new teacher salary negotiations with the Newark Teachers Union, to the new career advancement pipelines that support the continuous development of staff, the HRS team accomplished a herculean task of getting district schools fully staffed for this school year. Investments in “Grow Your Own” (GYO) programs, such as Pathways to Teaching, has assisted over 200 non-instructional employees (i.e. custodial workers, parent liaisons, clerks, and per diem teachers/aides) in obtaining their teacher certification. Several candidates completed the program and have been offered full-time teaching positions. This initiative was made possible through the district’s firm commitment to staff and with the incredible support from post-secondary partners such as Montclair State University and Rutgers-Newark.
The HRS Benefits Services team, in partnership with Aetna and insurance brokers, proudly launched the district’s wellness program, NBOEWell. NBOEWell provides a comprehensive benefits program where staff learn more about taking charge of their overall health, resulting in a robust workforce. Full-time staff receive outstanding health benefits to enhance their overall social, emotional, and physical well-being. Through the NBOEWell Program, staff receive access to Noom, Peerfit, Teledoc, and several other health programs that help bring a healthy work-life balance. All of these programs serve the NBOEWell mission: empowering the staff with the tools and resources they need to Know More. Choose Better. Live Well.
Over 1,500 Participants Received Giveaways at the Back-to-School Resource Fair
Students display their balloon sculptures created at the Resource Fair!
On September 8th, the Newark Board of Education Office of Federal Programs & Grants was excited to partner with Amerigroup to host a back to school event for families at Mt. Vernon School. Families enjoyed a fun-filled event with music, games, food trucks, health screenings, community information and valuable resources. There were over 1,500 participants who received bookbags, groceries, books and various school supplies. It was a great way to start the school year with families, schools and community organizations partnering for student success.