Spring 2025 Offerings

4000 - Bio PLC- Supplies, Rinaldi, Audience Biology Teachers/Spec Ed Bio, Virtual, 4/3, 3:45- 5:45 (CS)

To discuss ordering for the coming school year. 

4001 - Elementary PE: Gaga Ball gameplay and set up, Wannat, Audience Elementary PE Teachers, Virtual, 4/7, 4-5 (CS)

Learn the game of Gaga Ball and different ways to adjust the rules. Also, explain different ways the game can be set up. The game requires a pit and not all schools have a Gaga ball pit. 

4002 - Elementary PE: Incorporating nutrition into fitness, Wannat, Audience Elementary PE Teachers, Virtual, 4/9, 4-5 (CS)

Talk about different games and activities that can incorporate the subject of nutrition into the lesson. Ways to use nutrition as a tool for fitness. 

4003 - Math Lab Workshop, Mele, Audience BMS Math Lab Teachers, BMS, 4/22, 3:30-4:30 (CS)

This is for the Math Lab teachers at BMS to assess our current and future progress monitoring assessments.

4004 - Elementary Physical Education Motivating all participants in track and field testing.Couto, Audience Elementary PE Teachers, Virtual, 4/23, 3:35- 4:35 (CS)

Elementary physical education teachers will learn various motivational strategies for 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade students participating in track and field assessments.

4005 - For Them, It Wasn’t Over: The Vietnamese Boat People, Giannotti, Audience Social Studies Teachers and all interested in APPI Mandate, Virtual, 4/23 & 4/30, 3:30- 5 (CS)

April 30th, 2025, marks the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War- however, the American withdrawal is not the end of the story for the Vietnamese who came to the United States and other allied nations post-war. This course tells the harrowing and complex story of the Vietnamese Boat People, refugees who fled Vietnam after the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. We will explore the historical context of their exodus, their perilous journeys, and the global responses to the crisis. This presentation is offered in part with the Teach Asian Americans Stories Fellowship and is geared to help teachers meet the AAPI Inclusive History Mandate. Teaching Asian Americans stories is part of AAPI NJ. 

4006 - Balancing Acts- Math, Cappello, Audience Teachers Grades 3-5, Brookdale B3, 4/23, 3:45- 4:45 (CS)

This class will examine ways of instilling an early understanding of balancing equations and the idea of what it means to be equal! We will utilize Desmos and hands-on activities!

4007 - How to Incorporate Literacy through Play in Preschool Pellicano & O'Neill, Audience PreK Staff, ECC, 4/23 & 4/24, 3:20-4:20 (CS)

Attendees will participate in activities to learn creative ways to scaffold play activities that foster creativity and imagination and promote literacy skills in early childhood. 

4008 - Pre-Algebra and Algebra Honors BMS, Grasso, Audience BMS Math Honors, BMS 256, 4/24, 3:40- 4:40 (CS)

The 7th and 8th grade honors math teachers will work together to discuss curriculum and assessments.

4009 - Elementary Physical Education Adapting Activities for All: Inclusive PE Strategies, Couto, Audience Elementary PE Teachers, Virtual, 4/29 & 4/30, 3:35- 4:53 (CS)

This course will help elementary physical education teachers cover modifications for students with various needs (physical, cognitive, and behavioral). K-3 / 4-6

4010 - Moving and Grooving with Phonics, Dimeck & McCarthy, Audience K-1 Teachers, Virtual, 4/30, 3:45- 4:45 (CS)

During this virtual BTA session, K-1 teachers will have the opportunity to create a collection of phonics videos/songs to use during their daily Benchmark and/or reading instruction. Most of our time together will be a “working session” to produce grade-level collections.

4011 - Dyslexia: What is it and how can we help our students who struggle with reading challenges? Fine, AudienceK-3 Teachers & Spec Ed, Virtual, 5/6, 3:45- 4:45 (CS)

We will discuss some common forms of dyslexia. A focus will be placed on several activities that can help strengthen the reading skills of our students with dyslexia/reading challenges.

4012 - Effective Assessment Strategies in Elementary Physical Education, Couto, Audience Elementary PE Teachers, Virtual, 5/7 & 5/8 3:45- 4:45 (CS)

This course is for elementary physical education teachers to give insight on how to go beyond traditional assessments for every grade at the elementary school level. This course will be broken into 2 courses. Targeted on K-3 / 4-6.

4013 - Handwriting Without Tears for Preschool, Pellicano, Audience PreK Staff, ECC, 5/7, 3:15- 4:45 (CS)

Attendees will learn ways to incorporate the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum into their preschool classroom. 

4014 - Increasing Participation in Group Work, Lewis, Audience K-12 Math and Science Teachers, Virtual, 5/8 3:45- 5:15 (CS)

In this workshop, teachers will learn how to leverage group work to provide students with more learning opportunities. Teachers will gain insights into productive group work while reflecting on their current group work practices. Facilitated by experienced teachers, participants will leave with small, practical changes that can be implemented to make the group work structure more productive for all students.

4015 - Music Teacher Resource Share, Chimento & Iannelli, Audience Elementary Music Teachers, Virtual, 5/12, 3:45- 4:45 (CS)

Teachers should bring with them a prop, instrument, book, or other resource they want help incorporating into their music lessons. Teachers will PLC to brainstorm new lesson ideas with their colleagues. They can also get inspiration regarding future purchases through their department budget.

4016 - Updating the District Music Repertoire Archive, Chimento & Truskolawski, Audience Elementary Music Teachers, BHS Mac Lab, 5/19, 4:30- 6 (CS)

Teachers work on their repertoire lists with track links (essentially an archive of our concert sets throughout the years).

This helps teachers track how long ago they programmed certain songs and when shared, it gives colleagues song ideas for their programs, especially new teachers. It also informs colleagues of what grade level is most appropriate for each song.

-Participants will upload CDs to Google Drive/upload pre-existing MP3s to a shared folder.

Teachers who sign up can help with one or both objectives.

4017 - 6th Grade ELA - Word Work Planning Johnson, Audience 6th Grade ELA Teachers, BHS Conference Room, 6/5, 3:45- 5:15 (CS)

This course is specifically for 6th-grade ELA teachers to share and develop word work lessons.

Educational Technology

4018 - Watsessing Link It Review & Updates, Roche & Herzog, Audience Watsessing Staff, Watsessing Media Center, 4/8 3:45- 4:45 (ET)

WATSESSING ONLY- We will answer questions regarding the inputting of data, creating and re-configuring pods, using assessment tools (NEW!), and take any questions or feedback to share at future training. 

4019 - AI in assessment, Valdivieso, Audience All, Virtual, 4/9, 3:40- 4:40 (ET)

Teachers can use these AI tools to their advantage; AI isn’t going away and teachers should learn how to make their practice easier and better with these tools. AI can save teachers a significant amount of prep time; as well as can fill in the blanks for ideas about assessments they didn’t have.

4020 - Getting Started with Raz-Plus, Arnold, Audience Elementary Teachers Using Raz, Virtual, 4/9, 3:30- 4:30 (ET)

This session is designed to help educators navigate the Raz-Plus and discover key resources to supplement literacy instruction. Participants will learn to locate resources to supplement and guide instruction, understand the Kids A-Z student experience, and learn how to customize the settings in Student Management.

4021 - Canva in the Classroom, Gurmankin, Audience All Staff, Virtual, 4/30 & 5/7, 3:45- 4:45 (ET)

Learn how to use Canva in your classroom. Explore making worksheets, slide presentations, digital resources, anchor charts, and more through Canva. There will be an overview of the tools Canva offers that can enhance your instruction. This course is for anyone, whether you have tried Canva before or you're brand new to it.

4022 - Creating Digital Text Sets in Padlet, Arnold & J Agens, Audience All Staff, Virtual, 5/8 3:30- 4:30 (ET)

During this session, participants will learn to use Padlet to create text sets with digital texts, videos, and more.

4023 - Gizmos - Intro and Exploration, Lewis, Audience 3rd- 5th Grade Staff, Virtual, 5/13, 4- 5 (ET)

This course will give a brief description of how to effectively search for Gizmos and then time to explore possible Gizmos to use in the content area.  Kerith Lewis will provide some suggestions.  

4024 - Expanding Gizmos, Explore Learning Audience 3rd- 5th Grade Staff, Virtual, 4/22, 3:45- 5:15 (ET)

Expanding the Gizmos Experience helps teachers develop a deeper understanding of how to integrate Gizmos into their curriculum and effective uses of whole group and small group instruction. The course shows teachers how to get the most from the Gizmo Lesson Materials by making these intentional instructional decisions.

4025 - ISTE Technology Evaluation Tool & Evaluation Practice, Roche, Audience All Staff, Watsessing Media Center, 5/15, 4-5 (ET)

ISTE - Teacher Ready Evaluation Tool - a way to give data and feedback on digital tools we use every day! This can be used for platforms, curriculum apps online access points, and assessment tools and apps, too!

Learn how to use the evaluation tool & practice evaluating some of our digital resources.

Give meaningful feedback in committee meetings, supervisor surveys, etc with the results of this thorough & easy to use tool. 

4026 - Ay, I Can Do That!, G Agens, Any K-12 Faculty, BHS Media Center, 4/2, 3:45-5:15 (ET)

Participants will acquire a working understanding of AI tools and how they can be implemented in the classroom.

4027 - Ay, I Can Do That!, G Agens, Any K-12 Faculty, BHS Media Center, 4/9, 3:45-5:15 (ET)

Participants will acquire a working understanding of AI tools and how they can be implemented in the classroom.

4028 - Ay, I Can Do That, Too!, G Agens, Any K-12 Faculty, BHS Media Center, 5/15, 3:45-5:15 (ET)

Participants will be able to utilize AI tools to perform a handful of tasks that enrich their classrooms in a meaningful and engaging way.

4029 - Ay, I Can Do That, Too!, G Agens, Any K-12 Faculty, BHS Media Center, 5/22, 3:45-5:15 (ET)

Participants will be able to utilize AI tools to perform a handful of tasks that enrich their classrooms in a meaningful and engaging way.

4031 - Intro to School Messenger (Parent Communications), Pierce, Audience All Staff, Virtual, 4/24, 3:45- 4:45 (ET)

School Messenger is a powerful part of PowerSchool anyone can use to communicate by email and SMS messaging. Learn step by step how to harness this communication tool from both the teacher and admin portals for better and easier communication with parents. This class is appropriate for all users: teachers, secretaries, admins, and anyone else who would like to communicate directly from within PowerSchool.

4033 - K Family & Community Service Projects, Halpin, Audience K-Kids Builders, Key Club, and anyone interested in fostering a love of community service, Virtual, 4/1 & 5/14, 4- 5:30 (OT)

This course will focus on the K-Family(K-Kids, Builders, Key Clubs) and their working together to plan and promote community service. The goal is to assess the needs of the community and provide opportunities to address those needs through community service projects. This is not limited to the K-Family and would be open to anyone interested in community service for the Bloomfield community.

4034 - Coaching Conversations: Session, Cappello, Audience K5 Elementary & Teachers in Years 1-3, In-Person, 4/9, 3:45- 4:45 (OT)

This course is for newer Bloomfield Staff. We will continue to discuss staff needs, end-of-year responsibilities and requirements, instruction, and student engagement.

4035 - How to Create a Safe and Inclusive Environment for LGBTQIA+ Students, Schiavone, Audience All, Virtual, 4/21, 4-5 (OT)

This course will discuss the different identities of students in the LGBTQIA+ community and how to make those in the community feel safe, respected,d and welcome in the classroom. 

4036 - Embracing LGBTQ+ inclusion in the preschool classroom, Reedy, Audience ECC Staff, ECC, 4/28 3:15-4 (OT)

This interactive session will provide a space for preschool teachers to discuss LGBTQ+ topics and explore ways to integrate inclusive practices into the classroom and Creative Curriculum. Through facilitated discussion, we will share strategies for fostering a welcoming environment and incorporating diverse family structures & identities into everyday learning. We will also spend time planning engaging activities for June.

4037 - Teacher Finance and Investing 101, Rodriguez, Audience All, BMS Rm 125, 5/15 & 5/19 3:40- 4:40 (OT)

With financial literacy standards spanning K - 12, educators need to first make sound personal financial decisions to assist in transferring that knowledge to students. Learn and get better with your pension, finances, budgeting, debt payoff; and investing.

4038 - Teacher Finance and Investing 201: Budgeting and Debt Payoff, Rodriguez, Audience All, BMS Rm 125, 5/28 & 6/4, 3:40- 4:40 (OT)

With financial literacy standards spanning K-12, educators need to first make sound personal financial decisions to assist in transferring that knowledge to students. Learn and get better with budgeting, tracking expenses, debt payoff & growing the gap.

4039 - Teacher Finance and Investing 202: Investing and Financial Independence, Rodriguez, Audience All, BMS Rm 125, 6/6, 3:40- 4:40 (OT)

With financial literacy standards spanning K-12, educators need to first make sound personal financial decisions to assist in transferring that knowledge to students. Learn and get better with your investing, and financial independence.

4040 - Supporting Executive Functioning in Middle School and High School Students, Dublanica, Audience All, Virtual, 4/3 & 4/24, 3:45- 4:45 (SE)

Executive functioning skills such as planning, organization, impulse control, and task initiation are critical for student success, yet many middle and high school students are underdeveloped in these areas. This workshop will help teachers and paraprofessionals understand what executive functioning is, how deficits impact learning and behavior, and practical strategies to support students in the classroom. Participants will explore accommodations and interventions that foster independence and success. 

4041 - Sp. Ed Collaboration & Articulation, Roche, Favato & Kahn, Audience Elementary & Spec Ed Teachers, Virtual, 4/10, 4:15- 5:15 (SE)

This is a virtual session held to allow grade-level bands and self-contained classes to meet and discuss resources, share ideas, problem problem-solve solutions for students together. Creating a community of special educators across buildings to be able to continue sharing resources throughout the school year. 

4042 - Everything Frontline IEP/504, Wilks-Ramundo, Audience CST, Speech & School Counselors, In-Person, 4/10, 3:45- 4:45 (SE)

Review the basics of Frontline, learn how to print reports, customize reports, troubleshoot issues, and become more familiar with the system to assist in your case management. 

4043 - Transforming Middle School Math Standards to an IEP Goal, Rodriguez, Audience BMS Math Teachers, BMS Rm125, 4/303:40- 4:40 (SE)

7th and 8th Grade special education math teachers will collaborate to transform middle school math standards to IEP goals and objectives.

4044 - How to Effectively Utilize Support Staff in the Preschool Classroom, Pellicano & O'Neill, ECC Staff, ECC, 5/1, 3:20- 4:20 (SE)

Attendees will learn strategies and ways to use support staff best to meet the needs of their classroom and students. Attendees will learn how to be an effective support staff person. 

4032 - Google NotebookLM: An AI-Powered Tool for Educators, Khoury, Audience All Staff, Virtual, 4/29, 3:45- 4:45 (GS)

Learn to leverage Google's powerful AI tool, NotebookLM, for efficient note-taking, research, and information synthesis. Discover how to organize your thoughts, extract key insights, and boost productivity with this intuitive platform.

4030 - Google Gemini Gems by George, G Agens, Any K-12 Faculty, BHS Media Center, 5/29, 3:45-5:15 (GS)

Participants will understand what they can do with Google Gemini Gems, a personalized AI assistant accessed via Google Gemini. A more advanced tool within the AI, Gems is designed to help users with repetitive tasks, provide specialized assistance, and enhance productivity.