Category Archives: Uncategorized

Wildwood, NJ Schools Show Warrior Spirit During Pandemic



Lack of technology, language barriers, and food insufficiency were just some of the challenges faced by Chief Education Officer J. Kenyon Kummings as he led the charge to take Wildwood NJ School District online during a pandemic. His district, known as the Wildwood Warriors, harnessed its true warrior spirit with students, staff and parents coming together to make it happen. Kummings launched bilingual communications in English and Spanish, the latter to address its 66% minority population which is largely Hispanic. The district loaned Chromebooks, set up a farm-to-table breakfast and lunch pick-up program, and recreated their academic programs including options for Career to Technical Education. They also connected in meaningful ways with students and families on social media. In this podcast, NJASA Executive Director Dr. Richard Bozza talks with Kummings about the challenges and successes, including examples other districts can follow. Visit njasa.net to join us in exploring best practices together.


Staying Connected in Union County School District, NJ



In a matter of days, the Elizabeth school district had to get remote learning materials to 29,000 students. Chief Education Officer Olga Hugelmeyer and her team made it happen. The district reached out to Altice, which offered free internet access for families that had none. For PreK to grade 2, teachers developed packets, which were printed and mailed to families. Working with Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, the district set up a breakfast and lunch pick-up and delivery program. The district also reached out through social workers and guidance counselors for mental health support. Already, the district has lost four teachers and one of its support staff to COVID-19. In this podcast, NJASA Executive Director Dr. Richard Bozza talks with Hugelmeyer about the challenges and successes, including examples other districts can follow. Visit njasa.net to join us in exploring best practices together.


Future-Ready Students Excel at Distance Learning in Morris County, NJ



The Morris School District had a jumpstart on digital learning and using technology in education even before the COVID-19 crisis. Chief Education Officer Mackey Pendergrast was part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Superintendents Technical Working Group. He helped to create the Future Ready Pledge, paving the way for digital learning in the nation’s schools. A forward thinker whose reputation earned him the New Jersey 2020 Superintendent of the Year award, Pendergrast initiated a bold approach for his district that prepared students for a global-based economy. That made for a seamless transition to digital learning. Pendergrast shares details on the district’s new distance learning program with NJASA Executive Director Dr. Richard Bozza, including examples other districts can follow as we all face unprecedented challenges. Visit njasa.net to join us in exploring best practices together.


Closing Education Gap in Camden, NJ During the COVID-19 Pandemic



Without access to computers or the Internet, it seemed impossible to initiate a robust K-12 distance learning program in the Camden City School District. They did exactly that. Thrust into the COVID-19 crisis, State District Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs, M.Ed., MPA, took action. She knew that more than 70 percent of her families had no computers or online access and were in danger of being left behind. She also knew that social emotional needs required attention for her most at-risk students. The State District Superintendent, who is leading the district where she went to school, approached benefactors to help and harnessed the talents of educators and staff to continue to do their best during trying times. As a result, the district received $400,000 in donations to provide Chromebooks for all high school students. NJASA Executive Director Dr. Richard Bozza discusses with McCombs how Camden City School District continues to be the bright light for families, including checking on their social emotional needs. Visit njasa.net to join us in exploring best practices together.


New Jersey’s Public Schools Reinvented Educational Instruction Almost Overnight



New Jersey educators reinvented the delivery of educational instructions from in person to online in weeks. They accomplished what otherwise would have taken years before the urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic unified educators on every level. As the agency of change already known for spearheading technology evolution in professional development and the classroom, NJASA and its chief education officers are leading the way for this extraordinary transformation. In this podcast, NJASA Executive Director Dr. Richard Bozza talks with NJASA President Dr. Scott Rocco, Chief Education Officer, Hamilton Township (Mercer County), and NJASA President-Elect Dr. Margaret Dolan, Chief Education Officer, Westfield. They explore how school superintendents are inspiring, motivating and providing resources for swift frontline adaptation in the best interest of the students. Visit njasa.net to join us as we explore and share best practices together.


NJASA Frontline Education at Home Leadership for Extraordinary Times



With technology playing a pivotal role in restoring normalcy, NJASA Executive Director Dr. Richard Bozza shares the high-level view of New Jersey’s Chief Education Officers on the front line of education at home amid the COVID-19 crisis. As the world’s doctors and researchers work to contain the coronavirus, school leaders must do their part to reduce the stress and fear in our communities by guiding the new experience of education at home. District leaders are responsible for the engagement of educators, parents and students to continue the learning process using technology. NJASA is here to help. Executive Director Dr. Bozza will be interviewing superintendents throughout New Jersey to share their experiences and insights during this temporary disruption so that we all may draw inspiration. Visit njasa.net to subscribe to this video podcast and join us as we explore best practices together.


Matt Miller’s Insights from Techspo®’20



Dr. Richard Bozza, Executive Director of NJASA talks to Matt Miller, educator and author about the aha moment that lead him to “Ditching the Books” and transform his teaching and learning philosophies with technology. Dr. Bozza, sat down with Miller after his Techspo’20® keynote address and learned his feelings about educational risks, thoughts of being fired, his vision for teaching today and tomorrow and the reason he wrote Ditch That Textbook. Miller’s movement and website is instructing teachers across the nation. He is also helping them understand how technology and creativity can keep education fresh, relevant and ultimately benefit their students.

 

 


4 Equity Interview with Dr. Repollet, NJ Commissioner of Education



In our latest podcast, NJASA’s Executive Director Dr. Richard Bozza sat with Dr. Lamont Repollet, Commissioner of New Jersey’s Department of Education to explore the vision at the state level. They discussed Governor Murphy’s new directives, participating in cabinet meetings to stay abreast of statewide objectives and collaborating with other state commissioners to develop strategies for implementing New Jersey’s updated 2.0 education plan. Dr. Repollet shares his vision for a stronger and fairer education system and explains what NJASA’s 4 Equity in action means for delivering fair and equitable opportunities to all students and applicants. Other topics include New Jersey’s school funding formula, access, fairness, providing intervention, systems working together, preparing a qualified and diversified educational and statewide workforce, and addressing the LGBTQ, transgender and disabled communities.

They also addressed what it took to eclipse Massachusetts to earn its No. 1 ranking in Education Week’s latest analysis. Innovation, practice, policy and performance are key factors that will sustain this ranking and equity for New Jersey’s 4.4 million students.


2019 NJASA Spring Leadership Conference Coming Up



NJASA Executive Director Dr. Richard Bozza interviews 2019 New Jersey Superintendent of the Year Dr. Michael Salvatore, Chief Education Officer, Long Branch and NJASA Secretary Dr. Margaret Dolan, Chief Education Officer, Westfield Public Schools about NJASA’s upcoming Spring Leadership Conference titled “Mindfulness for ALL: Connecting Leaders and Learners.” The conference will be held on May 15th through the 17th at Caesars in Atlantic City. Topics of discussion will be the whole child approach to safety, harnessing the power of resistance, school-based interventions without IEPs, STEM and problem-based learning with a purpose and building an inclusive culture. The conference will feature three renowned education experts who will speak on subjects such as neurodiversity, bullying and social-emotional intelligence. This is a wonderful time to share information with fellow colleagues and an excellent networking opportunity.

 


The Need for NJASA 4 Equity



NJASA Executive Director Dr. Richard Bozza discusses the initiatives and value of #njasa4equity with NJASA President Dr. Ken Greene, Chief Education Officer, Newton Public Schools; NJASA Director of Special Projects Judith Rattner; and NJASA President-Elect Dr. Scott Rocco, Chief Education Officer, Hamilton Twp., (Mercer County). Topics covered were future activities and engagement actions, plans for increasing member participation and the consortia for excellence through equity. NJASA’s initial 4 Equity conference will be held on March 29, 2019 in cooperation with NJASA Crown Jewel Sponsor Scholastic. The group talked in length about the program’s mission, organization, and keynote speakers. On April 9th, the Association leadership will meet with the New Jersey Legislative Joint Committee on the Public Schools to discuss #njasa4equity.

Register here for the 4 Equity Conference on March 29th.
http://bit.ly/njasaequity19