This week the Trust is thrilled to include some news of our own! And please note at the end of the Newswire are some funding opportunities for schools and classrooms shared by our friends at the Foundation Center. 

LOCAL

The Newark Trust Welcomes Its New Executive Director
The Newark Trust for Education has selected Ronald Chaluisán as our organization’s new Executive Director. Ronald is uniquely qualified for his new role leading the Trust, bringing with him a life-long commitment to public education and to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to learn. 

SDA Officials Break Ground for New South Street Elementary School in Newark
New Jersey Schools Development Authority has broken ground on a new Pre-K to 8^thgrade school that will serve roughly 650 students when completed.  The school, in Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood, will replace the original South Street School built in 1883.

Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates’ Program Expanding in Newark
Newark Public Schools Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf, State Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz, and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation yesterday announced that the successful ‘Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates’ program will be expanding. In addition to Barringer Academy for the Arts and Humanities, students at Barringer STEAM Academy; West Side Campus; and Weequahic High School will participate in the ‘Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates’ program.

This School Network Is Recruiting Its Own Graduates to Diversify Its Teaching Force
The Uncommon Schools charter network has had success in recruiting minority teachers who are alumni of its own schools, including the North Star Academy in Newark. There are 147 soon-to-be college seniors who participated in this year’s Student Teaching Fellow program, run by the Uncommon Schools charter network.

REGIONAL

U.S. Department of Education Awards More Than $5 Million to Three School Districts to Promote Student Resilience
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded over of $5 Million to St. Louis, Baltimore and Chicago school districts to promote student resilience following significant trauma related to episodes of civil unrest in their communities. The new discretionary grant program—Promoting Student Resilience (PSR)—provides funding to school districts or a consortia of school districts to establish school-based mental-health, counseling and behavioral programs.

Don't Judge N.J. Teachers Based on Standardized Test Scores, Lawmakers Say
Student performance on standardized tests was added as a factor in some teacher evaluations beginning in the 2013-14 school year as part of New Jersey's tenure reform law. How students fare on those tests would no longer influence how teachers and administrators are evaluated under a bill that cleared an Assembly committee Monday.

The Public School Funding Battle: No Holds Barred
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and State Senate President Steve Sweeney could not be farther apart on the issue of public school funding. The only thing they have in common is their desire to change the status quo.

Here's the Plan to Expand N.J.'s Largest Vocational High School 
The Passaic County Technical Institute has received county and state funding to build its STEM Academy, despite opposition from local school officials whose budgets will be affected by the move. The school, whose student body includes residents of Paterson, Clifton and Passaic, features programs in areas including biomedical careers, computer science and engineering.

NATIONAL

For Teachers, Election 2016 Is a Fraught Subject
Teachers nationwide are struggling with how to address the 2016 presidential election when inappropriate language and questionable racial rhetoric have become the norm. 

This District May Close All of Its High Schools; It's About Much More Than Money
After years of deep budget cuts that have left schools in Erie, PA lagging behind, Erie’s school superintendent wants to send students to wealthier, whiter, neighboring suburban districts for high school. NPR examines the pros and cons of the proposal.

Learning Through Play
Schools nationwide have scaled back or even cut recess to devote more time to reading and math instruction, but scientific research has proven that play provides myriad benefits to students. As schools now work to reinstate recess into their schedules, some are debating the merits of structured versus unstructured play time.

In Pursuit of Integration
U.S. Education Secretary John King hopes that strategies such as magnet programs, dual-language school and district-wide choice will promote “voluntary integration” among parents, but critics argue that the issue is much too far-reaching and complicated to be handled in this manner.

California Passes Game-Changing Ethnic Studies Bill
just passed a landmark bill that mandates the creation of a model Ethnic Studies course for state high schools. A growing movement of educators and activists have championed ethnic studies as a way to engage an increasingly diverse student body.

Six questions for the U.S. Department of Education’s Ed. Tech Chief
Joseph South wants teachers to use educational technology to change the way they teach, as opposed to simply using it to enhance their existing methods. That’s why he’s working to make sure that all schools have the kind of connectivity that allows students to be digital creators, not digital consumers.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Target Accepting Applications for K-12 Field Trip Grants Program
Grants of up to $700 will be awarded in support of efforts to introduce K-12 students in the United States to museums, historical sites, and cultural organizations....
Deadline: 10/1/2016

Save on Energy Accepting Entries for Best Lesson Plans on Energy and Sustainability
Six grants of $500 in the form of Visa Reward Cards will be awarded for classroom materials/activities related to energy and/or sustainability....
Deadline: 10/21/2016

NCTM Accepting Applications for Grants to Engage 6-8 Grade Students in Mathematics
Grants of up to $3,000 will be awarded to teachers to incorporate materials or lessons that engage students in tasks and experiences aimed at deepening and connecting their content knowledge....
Deadline: 11/4/2016

NCTM Accepting Applications for Classroom Research Grants for Teachers of Grades 7-12
Grants of up to $6,000 will be awarded to support and encourage classroom-based research in pre-college mathematics education....
Deadline: 11/4/2016

NCTM Accepting Applications or Equity in Mathematics Grants
Grants of up to $8,000 will be awarded to projects that incorporate middle school classroom materials designed to improve the achievement of student populations with a record of underachievement....
Deadline: 11/4/2016