The Newark Public Schools – Division of Human Resource Services Benefit Services Presents Recertification/Open Enrollment 2008

Mandatory Recertification of Health and Fringe Benefit Coverage for all Newark Public Schools Employees Commencing: September 15, 2008 – October 31, 2008

Recertification: Employees will be required to provide proof of eligibility for continuation of health and fringe benefit coverage for employees and their eligible dependents:

Open Enrollment: Employees can add dependents not previously enrolled, drop dependents that have become ineligible (This can also be done throughout the year) and change Health Benefits Plan  (All Changes become effective January 1, 2009)

Representatives will be stationed at your school location from10:00am - 4:00pm each day.

Download PDF’s here:
Saturday Re-cert schedule
SLT 2 Re-cert schedule
SLT 3 Re-cert schedule
SLT 4 Re-cert schedule
SLT 5 Re-cert schedule

A Message to Newark Public Schools' Students, Parents and Staff
School Uniforms update, read more

A CALL TO ACTION!!!  Join the NTU Leadership, Newark Parents, Community Activists, Students and Teachers as they rally their opposition to the School Funding Formula in Trenton on Monday, September 22, 2008.
 
The NTU has provided two (2) Camptown buses. Designated pickup locations are Camden Middle and William Brown Academy Schools. Buses will arrive at 7:15am for boarding and scheduled departing time is 7:30am. Buses will return to Newark by 2:00pm.

In Trenton, there will be a Press Conference at 9am, Meet with the Legislators at 10am and a rally throughout at the New Jersey Supreme Court Hearing.
For more info on Abbott and equitable education funding, click here.

For the Rally Flyer, click here…
For more information the following organizers may be contacted.

Pat Jelly @ 973-752-4578
Johnnie R. Lattner @ 973-752-5481
Voice Your Support For Abbott!
Support Your Children And Our Schools!
In Unity, There Is Strength!
The People United Can Never Be Defeated!Working Together Is Better Than Working Alone!

First Public Hearing on School Uniforms hosted at Blemont-Runyon School

On Wednesday, August 27, 2008, nearly 200 professionals, parents, friends and community activists listened to Dr. Janey newly appointed Superintendent and Panel Members introduce the Districts upcoming initiative for School Uniforms. After Panel Members which included administrators, parents and students discussed their personal and professional experiences with implementing School Uniforms.  Following Panel Discussions, questions, concerns and recommendations were entertained from the audience. The majority of parents who spoke at the Public Hearing favored School Uniforms. The primary concerns voiced were vendor accessibility, affordable pricing and uniform selection around the district.

Dr. Janey indicated that the District’s School Uniforms Program will officially kick-off December 2008 but it will be voluntary until September 2009 when it will be mandatory with exclusions suggested for religious beliefs and medical reasons. Currently, the topic of School Uniforms and everything that goes with it is decided by administrators, teachers and parents at each school.

Check back at www.ntuaft.com for ongoing updates, developments and information on School Uniforms.

NEWARK TEACHERS UNION 2008-2009 RESOURCE GUIDE. We are about to embark on a new school year. A school year that will be a journey of change and excitement for all our members. As we fondly remember the tenure of Doctor Bolden, we look forward to beginning our collaboration with Dr. Clifford Janey, our new superintendent.

Download Resource Guide here
Browse Resource Guide site here

The Newark Teachers Union and the Newark Public Schools collaborated on developing the Standards Clarification Search Engine. This new resource integrates New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) resources from the Standards Clarification Project, new NJDOE third through eighth grade assessments and the previously developed CCCS CD ROM. It should help stakeholders better align their professional practices with state standards and assessments.

NJ Standards Clarification Search Engine – Phase 1

Newark students win big in Army cyber contest
Four ninth-graders from West Side 9th Grade Academy received a criteria award in this year's national eCYBERMISSION competition. With this award, each team member will receive a $2,000 savings bond.
Read full Star-Ledger article here

(Click photo to enlarge. From left to right.  Shirley Watson, Chief Scientist Dr.Arthur Ballato, Junior Meme, Nieer Newman, Shaneequah Thomas Sahkeelah Mcneilt, Director of CERDEC-Communication-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center, Fort Monmouth Mr. Gary Blohm.

Pre-Retirement Seminar
View flyer here - Oct. 6,7,14 2008

Retiree Trip to North Carolina and Virginia
View trip itinerary here
View letter regarding trip here

Special Edition - Charter Schools. 
A comprehensive and revealing analysis of Charter Schools and Newark Politics. NTU’s Research and Communication Department scrutinizes commonly held perceptions about the benefits of Charter Schools but the data points to discriminatory enrollment procedures, exorbitant administrative expenses, little State oversight, questionable achievement results and costly, segregated placement of special education students. Click here to download your electronic copy of the complete NTU Bulletin...

PIF - Professional Improvement Form

For old NTU articles and events  see the News Archive page

© Newark Teachers Union 2008

Last updated: October 06, 2008

To request an event to be added to the calendar send an e-mail to webmaster.

Cartoon Corner by AFT.org

Find Your School (click map)

Recent topics:

School Uniforms in Newark?

Newarks Mayor “Pay to Play” deals

MRSA discussion

Lesson Plans - Revisited

Superintendent Search Committee

NTU Kudos
The NTU wants to recognize members’ accomplishments, awards and special projects in and out of the classroom.  Send us your photos and stories using an upload utility. We will gladly “sing your praises” on the NTU Web Site.  For more information, visit the kudos page or you can email the NTU at webmaster@ntuaft.com

Recent kudos:

Teen Actress wins scholarship

Joe Fonseca receives award

Harriet Tubman School

Rafael Hernandez School

Malcolm X. Shabazz and NPS

Onsite Mentor Program
Come meet our veteran teachers who are ready to help answer your concerns and make your teaching experience easier.
No Appointments Necessary - Located at NTU Offices.

Ed Issues Dept launches Mentor Program via email for new Teachers...  Looking for practical, survival tips in navigating your day to day professional and personal demands and challenges?  Now you can reach out to our veteran teacher staff 24/7 via email when it is convenient for you.

To work with a veteran mentor in:
k-4 area, click here.....
5-8 area, click here.....
9-12 area, click here.....
Special Ed area, click here.....

NTU Membership Sign-up Giveaways!
The NTU has three packages available for Prospective Members, New Members, and Agency Shop to Full Members. 
These packages are FREE and we only require that you complete, sign and return to the NTU office via mail or drop-off your (white) dues deduction and (blue) cope deduction forms. These two forms can be downloaded here.
Once we have verified receipt of your forms, we will notify you via email that your package is ready to be picked up.
Click here to enter the NTU General Store.
While supplies last and one package per member.

President’s Column

Joseph Del Grosso

Dear Teachers, Aides, and Clerks,

I hope you had a restful summer as we are about to embark on a new school year. A school year that will be a journey of excitement and change for all our members and the educational community at large.

As we fondly remember the tenure of Dr. Bolden and wish her the best, we also look forward to beginning our collaboration with Dr. Clifford B. Janey, our new superintendent.

It is my fervent hope that we will work closely together on behalf of our children, our community, and our members to make the Newark Public Schools a model for urban schools throughout New Jersey and our country. My motto has always been “…with our teachers, aides and clerks, all is possible.” Education is the path and the solution to a better Newark. We will make it so.

We hope the 2008-2009 school year is a safe and successful one for you and your students.  As always, if you have any questions or problems, please contact the Newark Teachers Union at (973) 643-8430 or visit our AFT award-winning website at  www.ntuaft.com

Follow the links below for more information:

– The Newark Teachers Union 2008-2009 Resource Guide or Browse Resource Guide site here The PDF will also be distributed shortly.  This valuable resource will also be available on our website. Click here for the 2008-2009 NTU Resource Guide.

– The always helpful and popular Pre-Retirement Seminars for those members who are considering retiring soon and need the real facts before making that most important decision. The Pre-Retirement Seminars are scheduled for October 6, 7 and 14, 2008 at the NTU. Click here for the NTU Pre-Retirement Seminar flyer.

 –  The Essex-West Hudson Labor Council AFL-CIO will sponsor its 17th Annual “Celebration of Labor” Parade on Friday, September 5, 2008 commencing at 5:00 p.m. The Celebration of Labor Parade will commence with a Pre-Parade Program at Newark City Hall before the march from City Hall to Washington Park. This activity is the only event of its kind held in New Jersey that honors working families in an interfaith religious setting.  There will be food and refreshments afterwards. Click here for the 17th Annual “Celebration of Labor” Parade Flyer.

In Solidarity,
Joseph Del Grosso, President

Newark, New Jersey
Population (2005): 280,666
Pop. density: 11,793 sq. mi. Pop. change (2000-05): 2.6%; Area: 23.8 sq. mi.
Employment (2005): employed 95,581; 8.3% unemployed
Per capita income: $43,277; increase (2000-2001): 6.0%
Mayor: Cory A. Booker (Dem)
History: Settled by Puritans 1666; used as supply base by Washington 1776; inc. as town 1833, as city 1836.
Transportation: 1 intl. airport; 1 intl. seaport, 4 railroads; bus system; subways.
Communications: 5 TV, 6 radio stations, 1 daily newspaper, 8 weekly papers.
Medical: 5 Hospitals.
Education: 5 universities and colleges; 58 public elementary schools, 13 junior and senior high schools, 10 special schools, 2 vocational schools, and 40 private schools.
City Map of Newark