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Newark Public Schools Joined the Festivities at the Annual Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade

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Newark Public Schools proudly showcased their talents at the Newark St. Patrick's Day Parade on Friday, March 15, 2024. Marching bands from Wilson Avenue Elementary School, Malcolm X Shabazz High School, East Side High School, Barringer High School, and Science Park High School captivated audiences with exceptional performances. In addition to the musical performances, color guards and dance teams added to the parade's excitement. Barringer High School's JROTC also participated in the parade, bringing their unique flair to the event. Students, proud ambassadors for Newark Public Schools, left an unforgettable impression on the parade crowd, showcasing the district's thriving arts and music programs.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade celebration highlighted Newark's student musicians' immense talent and served as a testament to the dedication and passion nurtured within Newark Public Schools. With their electrifying performances, these young artists brought joy and inspiration to all who witnessed their remarkable achievements, embodying the spirit of creativity and excellence that defines Newark Public Schools.

Join the NBOE Team: Highlights from the District-Wide Hiring Fair

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The Human Resource Services (HRS) Recruitment Department hosted a District-wide hiring fair on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 10:00am-1:00pm at Science Park High School. Principals and hiring managers from all NBOE schools were present as the District aims to recruit highly effective and qualified staff. During the fair, hiring managers provided contingent offers to viable candidates on the spot!

Visit www.teachnewark.com for more information. Existing NBOE employees are eligible for a $1,000 referral bonus for each successful hire. Learn more about the referral program at https://teachnewark.com/referral/.

On March 13, 2024 the Office of Special Education held their 2nd Annual Special Education Conference, titled Brand New Day: Transforming Educational Practices to Optimize Student Success at Newark Vocational High School.

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On March 13, 2024 the Office of Special Education held their 2nd Annual Special Education Conference, titled “Brand New Day: Transforming Educational Practices to Optimize Student Success! at Newark Vocational High School. The Newark Board of Education utilized Staff Development Day to assemble Special Education Teachers, Child Study Team members and administrators for a day of professional learning. Superintendent Roger León and Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services Carolyn Granato delivered opening remarks and extended a warm welcome to teachers, child study team members, and board members. The dynamic Keynote speaker, LeDerick Horne, shared his personal journey of receiving special education services in school and overcoming challenges to become a celebrated poet, author, and advocate for individuals with disabilities. His presentation, "A Path to Pride and Success," offered educators advice, strategies, and resources on how to help students build positive self-esteem and recognize their disability as a strength.

More than 750 special education staff participated in the full-day conference with 38 concurrent workshops covering various topics such as Differentiating instruction for special education students, Assistive Technology, Strategies for Behavior Supports, IEP Development, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Collaboration with Parent/Caregivers.

The success of the conference was made possible through collaboration with the Culinary Arts students and staff at Newark Vocational High School and Principal DeSantis. Special thanks to Student Ambassadors from NJ Regional Day and John F. Kennedy schools and the NBOE Paraprofessionals for their assistance to conference attendees throughout the day.

Reading Is A Ticket To Adventure

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Principal Daniel Guerra was delighted to host and commemorate "Read Across America'' at Luis Muñoz Marín Elementary School on March 7, 2024. The theme for this year, "Reading is a Ticket to Adventure," truly came alive as district and community leaders graciously accepted invitations to share their love for reading and pleasantly surprised students by reading books to them. The event transformed into a lively celebration of literature, showcasing the incredible journeys that books can take us on. The District expresses its sincere gratitude to NBOE President Hasani K. Council and Board Member Josephine C. Garcia, as well as all the participating leaders, for making this event a memorable adventure for our young readers.

It is worth noting that for the past five years, Franklin School has been the heart of celebrity read events, captivating the community with the enchantment of storytelling through the Read Across New Jersey Initiative sponsored by Wellpoint. This recognition is a testament to their dedication to literacy and their innovative approach to making reading an exciting and engaging experience. This year, their commitment to fostering a love for reading has been acknowledged statewide, as they were chosen for the prestigious and star-studded affair. To kick off this event, all 2nd and 3rd grade students were invited to the auditorium for an energetic pep rally, where they were inspired to read through lively dancing with pom poms waving in the air. The New Jersey Jackal read the book "Freedom Soup" by Tammy Charles to the crowd, and numerous community partners were invited to read to classrooms. This remarkable achievement highlights Franklin School's role as a dynamic center for literacy, fostering a vibrant reading culture that resonates throughout the community.

The District Integrates Grief Education Through Strategies for Health and Physical Education Teachers

Health and Physical Education Teachers participate in Grief Education Training
Health and Physical Education Teachers participate in Grief Education Training

On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, the Office of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics hosted a professional development opportunity named "Good Grief" for K-12th grade health and physical education teachers. The purpose of the workshop was to provide educators with the necessary tools and knowledge to address grief education in accordance with the state's new bill. This bill requires all public schools in New Jersey to offer instruction on the physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms of grief to students in grades 8 through 12.

The workshop took place at three different locations: Central, East Side, and Science Park high schools, with a total of 170 teachers in attendance. Throughout the sessions, participants engaged in discussions, learned effective strategies, and gained insights on how to incorporate grief education into their curriculum. The event stressed the significance of understanding and supporting students coping with grief, while also equipping educators with resources to facilitate meaningful conversations and provide appropriate assistance.

3rd Annual Office of Student Life Conference: Maximizing Your Capacity to Support Students

NBOE Office of Student Life Team welcomes attendees to the 3rd Annual OSL Conference
NBOE Office of Student Life Team welcomes attendees to the 3rd Annual OSL Conference

The Newark Board of Education held its 3rd Annual Office of Student Life (OSL) Conference at St. Elizabeth University on March 5, 2024. The District's phenomenal support staff experienced a myriad of valuable workshops that offered effective strategies to support the positive development of students' social-emotional skills, while also learning ways to support their own personal well-being. This year's conference included presentations facilitated by prominent figures in the field of mental health, social services, and wellness education. During both the morning and afternoon sessions, participants were provided with valuable keynote insights from renowned authors. Sheila Robinson-Kiss, LCSW, the author of "JOY Shows Up" and the founder of Rebalancing America and Beyond, shared her expertise. Additionally, Marline Francios-Madden, LCSW, the author of "The State of Black Girls" and the CEO of Hearts Empowerment Counseling Center, also delivered a thought-provoking session. The keynote speakers addressed ways to combat emotional fatigue and burnout by incorporating tangible strategies to build capacity as helping professionals and enhance physical and mental well-being.

Some of the highlights of the conference included ways school counselors and social workers can maximize student support through legal and ethical school counseling, understanding the concepts of racial trauma, including groundbreaking insights that delved into ways to maintain a growth mindset. Sterling Woods, a Personal Development Coach & Trainer, emphasized the importance of honing skills that can foster resilience and motivation for ongoing personal and professional growth. As participants learned ways to help engage students in exciting real world experiences through career development and SEL strategies, they also experienced the ZEN DEN of holistic self-care practices facilitated by Brianna Pirro, Yoga and Reiki Expert and Founder #SelfLoveIs.