Spring is Approaching!
"Our life is March weather, savage and serene in one hour."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
February is over and March is here. Spring is in the air, although, a warm March day in New Jersey could be followed by 6 inches of snow days later. March is the month where playing outside happens a bit more, March Madness will be in full effect, baseball will be starting (YES!), and we make the push to close out another very successful school year.
With spring so close (and yet so far), here are some tips for success regardless of your position/role:
1) Clean, organize, & rearrange. Go through that dreaded container drawer in the kitchen, sift through that filing cabinet with lesson plans from 2017, throw out that box of red pens with dried up ink, and so on.
2) Get some sleep, wake up early, and take advantage of sun and fresh air.
3) Start taking morning, lunch break, and after dinner walks. With a 1 year old hound dog who wakes up at 6am, this has become the norm for my family!
4) Focus on self care. You are not selfish for knowing and addressing when you need a mental or physical recharge.
5) Minimize technology usage when you can. Yes, we need technology to function but when it creates habit forming "check-ins" or FOMO (fear of missing out), we need to step away.
6) Make time to read every day.
7) Journal your thoughts.
8) Drink more water!
Onward!!!
Dr. Nicholas V. Vancheri
NRESC Superintendent of Schools
New Items are Available & All Program/School Logos are Now Customizable
Keep shopping and showing off your NRESC spirit! As a reminder, 12% of all purchases on the website go back to the programs! In addition, there are always FLASH SALES so check in regularly!
https://apparelnow.com/northern-region-esc-apparel
Whether you need a Childcare hoodie, a Phoenix Center lunch bag, a Hope Academy pair of shorts, an Ascend hat, or Second Home leggings, we now have it all! We have even expanded our options for kids so feel free to get the students to wear NRESC clothing or dress your kids up in these cozy items!
Fantastic Art Show at the Phoenix Center!
From the wonderful art on display, to the opportunity for parents who live in New York and Pennsylvania to view the program virtually, it was a great night at Phoenix!
Family Game Night at Hope/Ascend!
Digital Learning Day at Hope Academy
Ms. LeFebvre's classes participated in the 2024 Digital Learning Day. This day celebrates the use of digital technology in learning, and in particular, highlights innovative and forward-thinking use of technology for learning in the classroom. Ms. Lefebvre's students explored Google's Applied Digital Skills activities and created logos that expressed their identity.
Hope Composers in Action
Students in Mr. DePaola's music classes are creating musical arrangements that incorporate verses, choruses, and transitions using Incredibox. These compositions promise to be amazing and will be ready to be released at Hope's April Arts Night. Stay tuned for more details!
Black History Month at Phoenix
During Black History Month, students learned about black artists like Alma Thomas (pictured), who was known for her vibrant abstract art. Through Thomas's work, students explored art appreciation, artistic techniques, historical context, and cross-disciplinary connections. By integrating Thomas's abstract art into Black History Month lessons, students celebrated diversity, developed cultural awareness, and honored black artists' contributions.
Language Arts with ETRAN at Phoenix
The Eye Transfer (ETRAN) Board is a special tool for people who can't move or speak well but can control their eye movements. The board has letters, numbers, and symbols on it. Users communicate by looking at these symbols with their eyes. For instance, if they look at the letter "A," it might mean they want to say something that starts with "A." In language arts, the ETRAN Board helps students join in language-related activities like storytelling or writing.
Counseling through Our Emotions at St. James
What a treat to observe our school counselor at St. James, Terri Giunta, during School Counselor Week! This hands on lesson explored all the emotions we may feel throughout our days, as well as ways to be mindful on how to address these emotions. Added bonus - glitter jars for self care!
Culinary Masters in the Making at Second Home
OT on Sunny Days at Second Home
Second Home clients are hard at work developing their skills in occupational therapy. Our therapists love to make functional skills fun!
A Technology Long-Term Plan is Launching!
The NRESC Technology Department, under the leadership of Director Brian Zinn, has formed a committee to formulate a two year action plan to support NRESC schools/programs, as well as current and future partner school districts and municipalities. We are excited for what the committee will present to the public at the June 2024 meeting! And there are other new initiatives in the works in our technology department..... STAY TUNED!
Another Day Habilitation Center is in the Works!
Although the NRESC is in its very beginning stages of planning--and after the success of Second Home--we are committed to bringing an additional day habilitation center for adults with special needs to Passaic County, this time to the City of Paterson! STAY TUNED!
School/Program Newsletters for This Month
Click on the links below for the monthly newsletters from each specific school, program, or department:
Soar Academy at the Phoenix Center
Childcare (Pompton Lakes & Riverdale)
Friendly Reminders
All payroll questions and inquiries can be sent to Mr. Gregory Barrington-Smith and Mr. Benito Squillaro at payroll@nresc.org.
Calendar Reminders
- March: Celebrate Women's History Month!
- March 1: Early Dismissal for Staff & Students at Hope, Phoenix, and Second Home. Staff PD will take place in the afternoon. Ascend is IN SESSION.
- March 8: NRESC Board of Directors Meeting (9am).
- March 29- April 5: NRESC central office, schools, and programs are CLOSED (Spring Break). The central office will be open on April 2 (Tuesday) and April 3 (Wednesday).
Evaluation Season is Upon Us!
- All certificated staff will complete their SGOs/PGOs/admin goals by April 26, regardless of tenure status.
- All certificated staff will receive their third round observation by April 26 (non-tenured) OR May 3 (tenured).
- All certificated staff will receive their summative evaluations by May 3 (non-tenured) OR May 10 (tenured).
- All non-certificated staff and individuals being evaluated outside of TEACHNJ/ACHIEVENJ will receive their summative evaluations by May 31.
Join Our Family!
If you or someone you know is interested in any of our available positions, resumes can be sent to jobs@nresc.org . Retirees are welcome to apply for part-time and full-time positions!
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