Superintendent's Corner

Finishing Strong: Gratitude, Resilience, and the Final Stretch Ahead

As we enter the month of May, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your continued dedication, professionalism, and care for the students and communities we serve. Your daily efforts do not go unnoticed, and they are the reason our organization continues to make a meaningful impact. While the school year is beginning to wind down, there is still important work ahead, and I appreciate the focus and commitment you bring each day. By the time our next newsletter is shared, we will have moved past Memorial Day weekend and likely be feeling the first signs of summer—hopefully with a bit more consistency than our recent stretch of “shorts and A/C one day, winter coats and heat the next.”

I also want to acknowledge that this time of year can be particularly challenging. Across the state, school systems are navigating difficult financial realities, and non-renewals and reductions in force are, unfortunately, a common part of that landscape. The NRESC is not immune to these pressures, and I recognize the uncertainty that can create. Please know that you have my continued support, and that every effort is made to approach these decisions thoughtfully and responsibly. Thank you again for all that you do—your work matters, and it makes a difference every single day.

Beyond my monthly updates, I encourage you to check out the monthly newsletters from the following NRESC departments and programs:

Onward!

Dr. Nicholas V. Vancheri
NRESC Superintendent of Schools

Pearl Expands Her Pawprint: Welcoming PCTVS to the Pack! 🐾

We are excited to welcome Passaic County Technical Vocational Schools (PCTVS) to our growing therapy dog client list! Pearl continues to be a very busy (and beloved) member of our team, now making weekly visits to North Haledon, Manchester, JP Holland Charter School, and PCTVS. She has quickly made herself at home in each location—so much so that she’s already sniffing around for a raise! With her schedule filling up fast, there’s even some talk about adding a sister or brother therapy dog to the NRESC team in the near future.

Tee Up for Fun — NRESC Education Foundation Golf Outing, May 11! ⛳☀️

The NRESC Education Foundation’s annual Golf Outing is coming up on May 11, and we can’t wait to hit the greens with our amazing supporters! As of this newsletter, we have 53 confirmed golfers (compared to 32 last year!)--so there are only five (5) foursomes remaining for purchase! Opportunities for tee sponsorships and tickets for the dinner are also still available.

Join us for a day of fun, friendship, and friendly competition — all for a great cause. Spring, sunshine, and golf: the perfect triple crown! 🏌️‍♂️🏌️‍♀️

Play, Score, & Support: NRESC Hits the Arcade!

The newest NRESC Education Foundation Fundraiser is LIVE! Buy a $20 Power Card, use it at Dave & Buster’s, and 50% supports our programs!

Celebrating the Heart of Our Organization: Administrative Assistants Appreciation

This month, we thanked our incredible administrative assistants throughout the profession! Special shoutout to our NRESC central office administrative assistants—Fran Leishman & Debbie Rubestello—for their dedication, organization, & support. Your work keeps everything running smoothly & we are truly grateful! They do a great job managing my energy and craziness--and I only run on decaf!

Cultivating Independence, Life Skills, and Connection at Second Home

At Second Home, we planted more than just seeds this month, we’re growing independence, life skills, and connection.

Rooted in Learning: Ms. Liz and Phoenix Students Celebrate Arbor Day 🌳

At Phoenix, Ms. Liz and her students celebrated Arbor Day with a special arts lesson!

April Bloomed at Phoenix Center with Hands-On Spring Learning

April at the Phoenix Center brought spring activities! From planting, to creating bird feeders, and to going on egg hunts, our Phoenix students enjoyed the transition to the new season with multi-sensory learning.

School 5 (Paterson) Students Step into Spring Through Engaging Speech & Language Exploration

Spring has sprung at Paterson’s School 5, with Ms. Weinstein’s interactive speech lesson!

Enhancing Technology Services Through Cooperative Purchasing

The NRESC remains committed to improving services while maintaining fiscal responsibility. By utilizing a cooperative purchasing program, we are securing a new VoIP phone service that reduces cost while enhancing overall performance.

Through this process, we have partnered with Document Solutions, a New Jersey-based vendor offering reliable technology and responsive customer support. This upgraded system will do an excellent job of keeping us connected with our clients, staff, and faculty, ensuring clear and consistent communication across all of our programs.

Behind the Scenes, Ahead of the Curve: NRESC Shared Technology Services Prepares Partner Districts for a Smooth Testing Season

As our partner districts approach the state testing window, we would like to recognize the dedicated efforts of the entire NRESC Shared Technology Services team. Recently, on-site staff at Woodland Park School District and JP Holland Charter School, were caught in action preparing student devices for testing.

Our team takes a proactive approach by ensuring all Chromebooks are updated with the latest security patches, properly configured, and fully operational well in advance. This preparation helps prevent disruptions and allows students and staff to focus on the testing process.

The consistent, behind-the-scenes work of our technology professionals is critical to a smooth and successful testing experience, and it reflects our commitment to reliable, high-quality service for our partner districts.

Daycare Students Host a Judge!

Thank you to Judge Ronda Cotroneo for being a surprise guest reader at the Ramapo Ave. Learning Center in Pompton Lakes on April 28!

It was a Great Open House at Ramapo Ave Learning Center!

April 21 was a great Open House at Ramapo Ave. Learning Center. Registration for Pompton Lakes and the Ramapo Ave. Learning Center is now open for daycare students! If you missed our Open House, give Supervisor Susan Koger a call to visit!

New Summer Camp Opportunity in Woodland Park!

Make this summer unforgettable! At our Woodland Park- ECC Summer Camp, children can play, grow and create memories. Our program offers a wonderful opportunity for campers to stay active and build lasting friendships in a safe, familiar environment right in their own community. Children from surrounding communities are welcome to join the fun!

We provide a balanced mix of structured activities and

creative freedom to keep every camper engaged:

Outdoor Adventures

Creative Arts

Games & Sports

Special Events

Registration information will be shared shortly!

Summer School is Right Around the Corner!

The NRESC will host summer schools in throughout the region during July of 2026. Summer credit recovery is available for students in grades 6-12 at all locations. This service allows students to stay on track to ensure that they graduate on time, eliminates and/or eases the need for students to double up on courses during the school year, and ensures that class sizes are reasonable.

Feel free to contact the Commission if you would like to explore offering a summer program within your school district.

Partner District Spotlight: Pompton Lakes

The NRESC and Pompton Lakes Public Schools have built a strong, long-standing partnership centered on supporting students and families across multiple needs. Together, they provide comprehensive before, day, and after care services, as well as previously coordinated support in both special education and non-public programming. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to ensuring high-quality, reliable services that enhance the educational experience for all learners.

Partner District Spotlight: Woodland Park

Woodland Park Public Schools and the NRESC have maintained a strong and enduring partnership dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of students, staff, and families. Through this collaboration, they deliver a range of services including before and after care, technology support, substitute staffing through the registry, and related supports such as physical therapy. This ongoing partnership underscores a mutual commitment to providing dependable, high-quality services that strengthen and enrich the educational experience for all learners.

20% OFF Mother's Day Sale!

Keep shopping and showing off your NRESC spirit! As a reminder, 12% of all purchases on the website go back to our programs! Currently, there is a MOTHER'S DAY SALE, with 20% off SELECT ITEMS!

https://apparelnow.com/northern-region-esc-apparel

Friendly Reminders

All human resources questions and inquiries can be sent to Ms. Marta Ortiz and Ms. Jennifer Manansala at hr@nresc.org.

All payroll questions and inquiries can be sent to Mr. Benito Squillaro at payroll@nresc.org.

Calendar Reminders

May: Better Hearing & Speech Month
May 1: School Principal's Day
May 2: School Lunch Hero Day
May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 5: Teacher Appreciation Day
May 6: School Nurse's Day
Friday, May 22: The NRESC central office, as well as the Phoenix Center and Second Home, will have an EARLY DISMISSAL.
Monday, May 25: The NRESC central office, as well as its schools and programs, will be CLOSED for Memorial Day!

Evaluation Season is Winding Down!

All certificated staff will receive their third round observations by April 24 (non-tenured) OR May 1 (tenured).
All certificated staff will complete their SGOs/PGOs/admin goals by May 1, regardless of tenure status.
All certificated staff will receive their summative evaluations by by May 8, regardless of tenure status.
All non-certificated staff and individuals being evaluated outside of TEACHNJ/ACHIEVENJ will receive their summative evaluations by May 29.

Follow us on Instagram!

NRESCNJ

Follow us on X!

@NRESCNJ

@DrV_NRESC

Follow us on Facebook!

Northern Region Educational Services Commission

Follow us on LinkedIn!