NJSBA is offering members and school/district personnel two opportunities, on May 24 and June 7, to attend a one-day “Are You Future Ready?” working session. There is no cost for this program.
The “Are You Future Ready?” working session will introduce district teams to the Future Ready Schools – New Jersey (FRS-NJ) initiative, and engage participants in the process of building digital learning into their school or district’s strategic plan.
The Future Ready Schools—New Jersey (FRS-NJ) program, which is designed to promote digital learning in the state’s schools, is the result of a partnership between the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey School Boards Association, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
FRS-NJ will be structured like the successful Sustainable Jersey for Schools program, which leads to certification of schools and districts that adopt environmentally and financially sustainable practices. The FRS-NJ program, which will be based at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), will provide guidance to educators and assistance to schools in securing technology. It will also recognize schools and school districts for best practices in digital learning.
Working Sessions The day-long FRS-NJ working session includes discussion time where district teams can talk about their current digital learning profile and begin working on their strategic plan for digital learning. Presentations will cover best practices from a district team committed to digital learning.
Schools and districts are encouraged to send a decision-making team of stakeholders, including the superintendent, school building principal, information technology director, educational technology director, assistive technology director, business administrator, curriculum director for elementary and secondary schools, board of education members, parents or guardians, and students.
Both sessions will run from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (registration begins at 9 a.m.) at the NJSBA headquarters, 413 West State Street, Trenton. The sessions are free and include a continental breakfast, lunch and program materials. Pre-registration is required and seats are limited.
Registration Links Online registration for the May 24 program is available here. Online registration for the June 7 program is available here.
Each district team should bring at least one wireless laptop to use during the working session and a copy of their technology plan.
FRS-NJ will be aligned to the national Future Ready Schools program, and will launch in October at Workshop 2016.
For further information on the working sessions, please contact Jo Ann Dempsey at [email protected].