March 11 is SEL Day, which brings recognition to the importance of social and emotional learning (SEL). This collaborative, behavioral approach is a proven way to promote the wellbeing of a child by teaching them how to identify their emotions, empathize with others, and engage with the world in a positive manner. It applies to children of all ages as well as to the adults who nurture their development and learning. SEL plays a huge role in the class- room, where it’s been proven to boost retention, academic accomplishments, graduation rates, and the overall wellbeing of the child. But it can’t take place there or in other areas of a child’s life unless it exists at home. That’s where SEL begins.

We are pleased to announce that SEL4NJ is now accepting applications for the Social-Emotional Development Integration and Learning Cohort Grant Program! 

This grant opportunity is open to any New Jersey teacher or team of teachers from the same school or district for professional study leading to the integration of social, emotional, and character development in their classroom, school, or district. This award will include funding for specific professional development training as well as participation in a professional development network of grantees. Applications will close on December 10, 2021 and awards will be announced in mid-January. See below for more details.

Today’s parents have never had it harder. Between endless stretches of COVID isolation, increased concerns about making ends meet, and dealing with school openings and closings, it’s hard to keep it all together. Tempers and tensions can intensify at home, which only makes the problems that young people may be facing with friends, relatives, and authority figures at school and in the community harder to address. Too often, too many parents think there’s nothing they can do about it. But there is, and it’s called socio-emotional learning, or SEL.

*Kaleena Berryman is the former Director of Abbot Leadership Institute

Click here to view NTE & ALI's Adult SEL Training Overview

At a time of continued ambiguity surrounding back to school success factors, Newark Trust for Education shares insights into challenges facing students, teachers, parents, and administrators. Our Executive Director, Ronald Chaluisan, spoke with local reporters on lessons learned from the pandemic and how to apply them now.

In a conversation with TAPinto Newark, Chaluisan said there must be a clear plan in place for parents if schools are forced to return to remote learning. He also discussed the importance of effective parent-school partnerships, and how parents can get involved in the decision-making process and outlines what successful planning looks like.

Read article here.

This edition of Trust Matters is dedicated to providing opportunities and resources for children and families to enjoy one another and the Newark community throughout the summer months. Here we provide a round up of options to help prevent summer slide, have fun, and engage in self care with resources from Arts Ed Newark, The City of Newark, The Newark Museum of Art, The Newark Public Library and Newark Thrives.

NEW PANELIST & PRESENTER ALERT! We are excited to announce the addition of new panelists and presenters at NTE's third annual Safe and Supportive Learning Environments (SSLE) Summit: Covid-19 & Beyond, including SEL Award Presenters:A'Dorian Murray-Thomas (Newark Board of Education); Kaleena Berryman (Abbott Leadership Institute); and Superintendent Roger León (Newark Board of Education); Day 3 Session#1 The Path Towards Building Systemic SEL: New Panelist - Kelly Allen (NJ Department of Education Office of Student Support Services) and Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D) (New Jersey ); Day 3 Session#3 Arts Education & Healing-Centered Practices to Build Resilience: Panelists - Sheikia “Purple Haze” Norris (NJPAC's Hip Hop Arts & Culture Education Program); Alysia Souder (The Institute of Music for Children); Lara Gonzalez (Independent Dance Teaching Artist); Kelly Heinze (Newark Board of Education Art Educator); and Olivia Betzen (Peshine Avenue Elementary School Music Educator).

The following sessions require separate registration

Day 2 - Session #1 (11:30 am to 12:30 pm) - Tuesday, May 11th

Student-first SEL: Developing a Culturally Responsive Approach to Social Emotional Learning
SEL can be a powerful tool for deepening one's connection to their own culture and for building bridges between communities. For this to occur, SEL initiatives and practices must be developed in a responsible and inclusive manner. This session will deepen participant’s understanding of culturally responsive SEL and its key principles, for application to individual practices and communities. (Facilitators Brandon Frame, Joshua Bobrow, and Fabiola Quinones, Urban Assembly)
Click here to register.

Day 3 - Session #3 (11:00 am to 12:30 pm) - Wednesday, May 12th

Arts Education and Healing-Centered Practices to Build Resilience
As we think about the future of education in a post-pandemic world, we must acknowledge and address the impact of trauma caused or exacerbated by COVID-19 in both students and adults. Since 2018, Arts Ed Newark has partnered with artists, school leaders, community health providers, and philanthropy to develop and implement arts based, healing-centered training to provide the adults in schools with the tools to address trauma and build resiliency in their students. Learn about and experience elements of this scalable and replicable model that is building skills and changing hearts and minds in Newark, NJ and beyond.
(Facilitators: Lauren Meehan, ArtsEd Newark; Chiho Okuizumi Feindler, Save the Music Foundation (STM); Panelists: Sheikia “Purple Haze” Norris, NJPAC's Hip Hop Arts & Culture Education Program; Alysia Souder, The Institute of Music for Children; Lara Gonzalez, Independent Dance Teaching Artist; Kelly Heinze, Newark Board of Education Art Educator; Olivia Betzen, Peshine Avenue Elementary School Music Educator)
Click here to register.

Are you registered?

NEW SESSION ALERT! We are excited to announce the addition of a new session focused on Arts Education and Healing-Centered Practices to Build Resilience at NTE's third annual Safe and Supportive Learning Environments (SSLE) Summit: Covid-19 & Beyond! Scheduled for Thursday, May 12th (11:00 am - 12:30 pm), this session will introduce participants to arts based, healing-centered approaches to address trauma and build resiliency in students.

Are you registered?

The Newark Trust for Education is proud to present the third annual Safe and Supportive Learning Environments (SSLE) Summit: Covid-19 & Beyond! This year’s summit will focus on working together with students and families to create safe and supportive learning environments post pandemic. Over the course of four days (May 10th – 13th) participants will hear keynote remarks delivered by experts including Dena Simmons, Ed.D., Educator. Activist. Lifelong Learner and founder of LiberatED; David Adams, Board of Directors of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and  CEO of The Urban Assembly; and national expert on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) Dave Ellis, Executive Director for the Office of Resilience within New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families (DCF).

DOWNLOAD AGENDA HERE

Did you know that there are four open seats on the Newark Board of Education? On Tuesday, April 20^th Newark residents will have the opportunity to cast their votes for four open seats on the Newark Board of Education (NBOE). Six candidates will vie for three open seats for three-year terms. Two candidates will vie for one open seat to complete a one-year unexpired term.

After the passing of NBOE member, Tave Padilla, Vereliz Santana was appointed to his seat in January of 2021. Santana’s term will expire after the April 20^th election. The candidate elected for the unexpired one-year seat will complete the final year of Padilla’s term. Visit Campaign Central to learn more about the candidates!

Curious about the public question on the ballot regarding the budget for school year 2021-22? Download our Budget Fact Sheet to unpack the question regarding funds for the 2021-22 school year.