April 2024
Volume 16 Issue 12
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I. Ongoing Priority
Teacher/Supervisor Trainings
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In the 2023-2024 school year, the NJ Safe Schools Program (NJSS) will continue implementing an expanded special grant funded initiative in partnership with the NJ Department of Education-Office of Career Readiness. The goal is to provide teachers free work-based learning (WBL, or formerly school-sponsored structured learning experiences) supervisory trainings for career and technical education (CTE) and WBL in non-hazardous occupations throughout NJ via targeted recruitment. Only an administrative fee will be charged.
Eligible teachers are endorsed (certification credentials) in CTE, agricultural education, business, human services-cosmetology, allied health, and/or family and consumer sciences. This application is only available for those individuals that hold a NJ teacher certificate and a NJ CTE endorsement.
There will be six cohorts of trainings available between fall 2023 and summer 2024. Eligible participants are selected and assigned to cohorts using application form via PsychData.
The application form is now available. To access and submit the application form, please visit https://www.psychdata.com/s.asp?SID=198539.
Please note: If you previously completed the four required courses for WBL, formerly school-sponsored structured learning experiences (SLE), then you do not need to retake these courses in this capacity. If you apply and are not eligible for this opportunity, NJSS will contact you and provide more information to register for our regular work-based learning training cohorts, held throughout 2024.
The teachers eligible for this opportunity are required to take the four required courses for work-based learning supervision. An outline of the required courses for WBL supervision is below. The teachers eligible for this opportunity are also required to take two other online topical courses—otherwise offered for free to teachers and students statewide—on apprenticeships and cyber-safety/cyber-security.
A. Federal Wage & Hour and Child Labor Laws
Online course. This course is hosted on the Rutgers Canvas learning management system (LMS) and takes about 5-6 hours to complete.
B. New Jersey Wage & Hour and Child Labor Laws
Online course for 2023-2024. This course has two parts. First, the online course on the Rutgers Canvas learning management system (LMS), then the live session hosted on Rutgers WebEx.
C. OSHA 10 Plus
Online course for 2023-2024. This course has three parts. First, the “OSHA 10 General Industry” online course on CareerSafe, then the NJDOE 2-hour Safety and Health overview on the Rutgers Canvas learning management system (LMS), and lastly the live session hosted on Rutgers WebEx.
D. Designing & Implementing Student Training Plans
Online course for 2023-2024. This course has two parts. First, the online course on the Rutgers Canvas learning management system (LMS), including the completion of the mandatory day two field assignment, then the live session hosted on Rutgers WebEx.
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B. 2024 Required Trainings for Supervising Students in Work-Based Learning: Schedule and Registration
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The regular schedule for work-based learning (WBL, formerly known as Structured Learning Experiences or SLE) trainings for certified teachers applying for a cooperative education coordinator certificate-hazardous occupations, a cooperative education coordinator certificate, or who are appointed to coordinate WBL placements has been released for 2024.
Course costs and registration are now available on our website: https://sph.rutgers.edu/njss/required-courses.
Email: cscbre@sph.rutgers.edu
Six cohorts will be available for registration, including a summer cohort. The first cohort begins January 2024 and last cohort ends in November 2024. You must complete the four paid, required work-based learning online courses during the selected cohort’s time period and select the same live session day for all courses. All trainings will be online, with asynchronous and synchronous parts to each of the four required WBL trainings.
A. Federal Wage & Hour and Child Labor Laws
Online course. This initial course is hosted on the Rutgers Canvas learning management system (LMS) and takes about 5-6 hours to complete.
B. New Jersey Wage & Hour/Child Labor Laws
Online course for 2023-2024. This course has two parts. First, the online course on the Rutgers Canvas learning management system (LMS), then the live session hosted on Rutgers WebEx.
C. OSHA 10 Plus
Online course for 2023-2024. This course has three parts. First, the “OSHA 10 General Industry” online course on CareerSafe, then the NJDOE 2-hour Safety and Health overview on the Rutgers Canvas learning management system (LMS), and lastly the live session hosted on Rutgers WebEx. A memo with additional details will be emailed to participants upon registration.
D. Designing & Implementing Student Training Plans
Online course for 2023-2024. This course has two parts. First, the online course on the Rutgers Canvas learning management system (LMS), including the completion of the mandatory day two field assignment, then the live session hosted on Rutgers WebEx.
Note: In 2023-2024, we are accepting payment by credit card via our registration system, ANCOR. Courses paid by credit card are eligible for a full refund upon cancellation in 2023-2024. There are no refunds for courses paid by personal check or district/school check in advance; however, you may move to another open training date for the same course in the same calendar year.
If you must, for a documented reason agreed to by NJ Safe Schools Program, delay completion of course(s), then we strongly suggest a delay of one cohort time period. We will handle specific requests on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the NJDOE.
Please note "late registration" or "last chance registration" fees will apply.
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New Jersey Wage and Hour and Wage Payment and Child Labor Laws, Regulations, and Hazardous Orders
(Online Course - $145) | OSHA 10 Plus
(Online Course - $189) | Designing and Implementing Student Training Plans
(Online Course - $375) | Cohort 3
April 19, 2024 – May 31, 2024
Live Session: May 15 or 22, 2024
Register Here
Deadline for registration:
April 26, 2024 | Cohort 3
April 19, 2024 – May 31, 2024
Live Session: May 15 or 22, 2024
Register Here
Deadline for registration:
April 26, 2024 | Cohort 3
April 19, 2024 – May 31, 2024
Live Session: May 15 or 22, 2024
Register Here
Deadline for registration:
April 26, 2024 | Cohort 4
May 17, 2024 – June 28, 2024
Live Session: June 5 or 12, 2024
Register Here
Deadline for registration:
May 24, 2024 | Cohort 4
May 17, 2024 – June 28, 2024
Live Session: June 5 or 12, 2024
Register Here
Deadline for registration:
May 24, 2024 | Cohort 4
May 17, 2024 – June 28, 2024
Live Session: June 5 or 12, 2024
Register Here
Deadline for registration:
May 24, 2024 | Cohort 5
July 8, 2024 – Aug. 29, 2024
Live Session: Aug. 14 or 21, 2024
Register Here
Deadline for registration:
July 15, 2024 | Cohort 5
July 8, 2024 – Aug. 29, 2024
Live Session: Aug. 14 or 21, 2024
Register Here
Deadline for registration:
July 15, 2024 | Cohort 5
July 8, 2024 – Aug. 29, 2024
Live Session: Aug. 14 or 21, 2024
Register Here
Deadline for registration:
July 15, 2024 | Cohort 6
Oct. 7, 2024 – Nov. 25, 2024
Live Session: Nov. 13 or 20, 2024
Register Here
Deadline for registration:
Oct. 14, 2024 | Cohort 6
Oct. 7, 2024 – Nov. 25, 2024
Live Session: Nov. 13 or 20, 2024
Register Here
Deadline for registration:
Oct. 14, 2024 | Cohort 6
Oct. 7, 2024 – Nov. 25, 2024
Live Session: Nov. 13 or 20, 2024
Register Here
Deadline for registration:
Oct. 14, 2024 | | |
II. Resources and Opportunities
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A. NJDOL New Online Application Process for Minor Working Papers
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New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) launched a new online application on June 1, 2023 for teenagers who need working papers. Schools are no longer involved, but minors, employers, and caregivers all play a role and receive email notifications when it’s their turn to act. The minor and employer will receive an email letting them know the application has been approved or rejected. The NJDOL Minor Working Papers (MWP) Team is responsible for administering this digitized process.
Minors who need working papers to start a job – and any employer who hires a worker under age 18 in New Jersey must visit:
MyWorkingPapers.nj.gov to register and follow the prompts to complete the application.
In summary, the process is:
- Employers receive a unique 8-digit code when they register, which they share with every minor they hire.
- Once Minor receives an offer of employment, they complete the online application, entering their caregiver’s name and email address, and the employer’s 8-digit code, which links the application to a specific employer.
- Emails prompt the employer and caregiver to complete their portions of the application and sign off. Caregivers will be asked to upload a copy of a birth certificate, passport or other official document verifying the minor’s age.
- The minor can begin working when their application is approved.
Please refer to the link below for MWP quick reference contact and helpful information:
https://nj.gov/labor/assets/PDFs/Grants/FY24/MWP%20Quick%20Reference.pdf
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B. Youth Apprenticeship Week is May 5-11, 2024 |
The first Youth Apprenticeship Week (YAW) will take place May 5-11, 2024. The goal of the weeklong celebration is to bring awareness to registered apprenticeships and highlight there benefits and value. Daily themes focus on parent/guardian roles, building awareness, underserved populations, signing day, and federal partners. For more information, click here.
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C. Rutgers Boggs Center Training on Job Coaching for Career Exploration in Community Settings |
The Rutgers Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities is offering an online training on Job Coaching for Career Exploration in Community Settings on April 19 and 26, 2024 from 9:30 AM to 2 PM on Zoom. This two-day training will describe the roles and responsibilities of school-based staff, or job coaches, who provide on-the-job support to students participating in work-based learning experiences in community settings. The training will provide an overview of disability history, the evolution away from segregated to integrated employment settings, person-centered approaches, evidence-based strategies including the application of direct and systematic instruction used at job sites, data collection, and use of data for informed decision-making.
Note: An individual must complete both days of the Job Coach training to be considered fully trained.
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D. Rutgers Youth Tobacco Product Monitoring Project
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The Rutgers Center for Rapid Surveillance of Tobacco is newly funded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products to monitor tobacco product trends, including to help identify the next emerging brand or product early to inform a timely policy or program response.
One of the activities is to collect images of tobacco and nicotine products that have been confiscated or relinquished by young people in schools or organizations. The Center is asking NJSS for help in sharing the attached flyer with NJ schools. The goal is to have NJ schools share images to understand in real-time which products youth are using and inform national data collection and enforcement efforts.
If anyone has questions, please contact Dr. Jessie Jensen (jessie.jensen@rutgers.edu).
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III. Permanent NJ Safe Schools Free Online Resources
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A. NJ Safe Schools Program Publishes Two New Journal Articles
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The NJ Safe Schools Program (NJSS) recently published two new journal articles. Read more below. | |
An article titled "Assessing Indicators of Mental Health Distress Among New Jersey High School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic" was published in January 2024 for a special COVID-19 theme issue of the European Society of Medicine Medical Research Archives journal. This preliminary study presents insights concerning potential mental health effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on New Jersey teachers.
Campbell, M. L., Aggarwal, J., & Shendell, D. G. (2024). Assessing Indicators of Mental Health Distress Among New Jersey High School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Medical Research Archives, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v12i1.4923
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An article titled "Perspectives and Attitudes of Newer New Jersey High School Teachers towards Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting Consumer Products Used in School Classrooms" was published in February 2024 for a special issue of the MDPI International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health journal. A subset of newer teachers shared experiences regarding safety and health while working in school-based settings through a series of online surveys.
Aggarwal, J., Campbell, M. L., Rehman, M., Nguyen, K. T., & Shendell, D. G. (2024). Perspectives and Attitudes of Newer New Jersey High School Teachers towards Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Consumer Products Used in School Classrooms. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(2), 211.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020211
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B. NJ Safe Schools “Non-SLE” Free Topical Safety & Health Courses
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NJ Safe Schools program offers Non-SLE General Occupational Safety and Health Courses for teachers and students. For 2023-2024, we encourage teachers and students to take advantage of these asynchronous, free, ~1.5-3- hour opportunities to augment in-person class and other online activities with your students. They can help meet curricular planning and implementation goals approved by district and school(s). Upon completing online courses, students and teachers receive a certification of completion for each course. Also, teachers will receive professional development units (PDU).
If you are interested in enrolling your students and yourself in any of the courses, please email cscbre@sph.rutgers.edu with an Excel spread sheet or Word table containing each student’s first name, last name and school administered (or formally accepted for tracking purposes) email address.
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C. Frequently Asked Questions on the NJ Safe Schools Website | |
We have a frequently asked question (FAQ) section on the NJ Safe Schools (NJSS) website. There are over 50 FAQs on the list covering a range of topics in four subcategories pertaining to work-based learning (WBL), previously known in NJ as school sponsored structured learning experiences (SLEs). Questions about SLE supervision eligibility, SLE program set-up, worksite placement considerations, required paperwork and on-site workplace concerns for students in SLEs are included. The list of FAQs was compiled from actual questions submitted by NJ teachers/supervisors. Each of the responses previously appeared in print or electronic newsletters through NJSS or the “SLE info share listserv.” | |
D. NJ Safe Schools Manual
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The NJ Safe Schools manual reflects both federal and/or State of NJ codes pertaining to the National Fire Protection Agency and National Electrical Code, Hazard Communication Standard, etc. The Manual includes a collection of self-inspection checklists covering environmental, health and safety regulations for secondary occupational and career orientation programs in New Jersey public schools and private schools for the disabled. It is available to access online and meets Accessibility Guidelines. It is easily navigated via a home page description- -Checklists, Support checklists, Appendices (download to computer, tablet or smartphone as PDF files).
Note: The NJ Safe Schools Program released Manual update #43 for 2021 in late August. To support NJ school districts and schools re-opening local and county campuses, classrooms, gyms, laboratories and shops in August-September 2021 and 2022 for in-person learning (general education, work-based learning, extracurricular activities, etc.), we wanted to remind our colleagues in administration and designated persons roles (facilities, operations and maintenance, Right to Know, etc.) of resources available online for free to assist walk-through assessments. To view a copy of the memo released regarding the Manual update, please click here.
Final Note: The Manual does not replace responsibility of each school district and school to provide students with a safe and healthful environment, i.e., beyond hazards outlined in Manual.
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E. Online Incident Reporting Mandated by State of NJ Law
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The New Jersey Safe Schools/NJDOE Incident Reporting Form for Career and Technical Education Programs, Cooperative Education Experiences, and Structured Learning Experiences is online.
Schools are required by code (N.J.A.C. 6A:19-6.5) to submit their incident report online. You can download a copy of the newly updated “Guidance Manual for Completing the Incident Reporting Form” on this site. Note: The Guidance Manual was last updated as of December 2018.
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F. Official State and Federal Resources for Youth/Young Adult Workers, COVID-19, etc.
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Official State
Guidance & Resources
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Official Federal
Guidance & Resources
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Contacting NJ Safe Schools Program | | | | |