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Teacher Appreciation Week - A Message from Dr. George
Teacher Appreciation Week - A Message from Dr. George

Colleagues,

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible impact each of you has not just on your students, but on the entire community around you. Your passion, creativity, patience, and resilience make all the difference in shaping the minds and hearts of tomorrow.

While you often hear how wonderful and appreciated you are (and rightly so!), I want to share a few facts about the teaching profession that might surprise you:

  • The word "teacher" comes from the Old English tǣcan, meaning "to show" or "to guide." You are not just instructors, you are guides through a lifelong journey of learning.
  • In a recent survey, 88% of people said a teacher had a "significant, positive impact" on their life, second only to family members.
  • Teachers collectively influence three million students each year. Imagine the ripple effect of that reach.

Each day you step into your classroom, you are doing far more than teaching lessons. You are building confidence, nurturing dreams, and planting seeds of kindness, curiosity, and courage that will grow for years to come.

Please know that your work matters deeply, that you are seen, and that the world is better because of you. This week (and every week), we celebrate you. Thank you for everything you do.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Bill
William O. George III, Ed.D. 

Superintendent
Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission
CopyofSmoreTwoColumnGrid-NJVSLogo (PDF)
New Jersey Virtual School Helps Student-Athlete Jumpstart Success at Ohio State
New Jersey Virtual School (NJVS) continues to pave pathways to success for ambitious students aiming to accelerate their academic and athletic careers. Recently, NJVS played a pivotal role in supporting high school student-athlete Jaylen McClain, who leveraged NJVS courses to graduate High School early and begin his collegiate football journey at Ohio State University.
 
During his senior year, Jaylen enrolled in four NJVS courses, which allowed him the flexibility to complete assignments at his own pace. Reflecting on his experience, Jaylen shared, "What I liked about NJVS was that I could do things at my own pace, so on days when I had a lot of time, I could complete many assignments. The platform was easy to use, provided you followed the units and pacing guide."
 
Beyond the flexibility, Jaylen appreciated the strong support from NJVS teachers. "Teachers really want you to succeed. They give you the opportunity to correct mistakes and get a better grade on assessments," he said. The rigorous yet manageable coursework, combined with personalized assistance, proved invaluable in helping him navigate his academic responsibilities while preparing for collegiate athletics.
 
Thanks to NJVS, Jaylen successfully graduated early and enrolled mid-year at Ohio State. This head start significantly benefited him both academically and athletically, allowing him extra time to acclimate to university life and the competitive demands of a major NCAA football program. His early enrollment was instrumental in his impressive freshman season, where he saw substantial playing time, ultimately helping Ohio State win a National Championship.
 
Reflecting on his journey, Jaylen expressed gratitude for NJVS: "I am grateful for the opportunity because I am now an academic sophomore, which will also allow me to graduate in 3.5 years. I would recommend this program to anyone who needs additional options to getting credits and graduating." 
 
NJVS continues to demonstrate its critical role in empowering students like Jaylen McClain, providing innovative solutions to support their dreams on and off the field.
 
Construction Forges Ahead on Schedule
Construction Forges Ahead on Schedule
Exciting developments are underway at MOESC’s Regional Achievement Academy and the Bayshore Jointure Commission’s Shore Center, with new facilities on pace for completion by September 2025. Central office staff are set to move into the new space as early as July.
 
The new two-story facilities will include a state-of-the-art conference room, esports lab, modern classrooms, office spaces, additional meeting rooms, and more. This addition will seamlessly connect to the existing Regional Achievement Academy building.
 
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held upon the building’s official opening to celebrate this significant improvement and reinforce our ongoing commitment to expanding and enhancing our services, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality, cost-effective support to our partner districts.
 
Click Here for more information on MOESC’s Regional Achievement Academy
Click Here for more information on the Shore Center
 
MOESC Operating Budget Unanimously Approved: Advancing Education Through Innovation and Collaboration
MOESC Operating Budget Unanimously Approved: Advancing Education Through Innovation and Collaboration
The Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission (MOESC) continues to set the standard for excellence in educational support services, and the recent unanimous approval of its 2025-26 operating budget further solidifies its commitment to New Jersey’s schools. The newly adopted budget reflects MOESC’s dedication to providing high-quality, cost-effective services while maintaining financial stability for its member districts.
 
A major highlight of the budget is MOESC’s decision to freeze rates for essential services, including transportation and grant management, ensuring affordability for districts. Additionally, tuition, the APPs Program (aides), and child study team service rates remain strategically held below industry standards, reinforcing MOESC’s mission to make specialized education services more accessible.
Despite stable rates, MOESC continues its remarkable growth, expanding programs and services that directly benefit schools across the state. Key increases in the 2025-26 budget include:
  • Administrative Fee for Co-Op Services increased from $50,000 to $500,000 (a $450,000 increase), reflecting the rapid expansion of cooperative purchasing initiatives, allowing schools to save significantly on essential purchases.
  • Transportation Services increased from $64.4 million to $66.5 million (a $2.1 million increase), supporting the expansion of coordinated transportation services across districts while maintaining efficiency.
  • Tuition Revenue for RAS (Regional Achievement Services) continues to grow, with demand increasing as the new addition opens in September 2025, providing even greater access to specialized education programs.
  • Child Study Team and Related Services continue to support schools statewide by providing essential services such as nursing, evaluations, and therapies. The 2025-26 budget includes nearly $6.5 million in these critical services.
  • Grants Management expands significantly, as MOESC will now oversee over $11 million in Nonpublic funds for schools across four counties, in addition to managing McKinney-Vento Homeless Funds for the NJ Department of Education.
“MOESC continues to prioritize fiscal responsibility while maintaining the highest level of service for our member districts,” said Board President Scott T. McCue. “By keeping our rates stable and below industry standards, we ensure that schools can allocate their resources where they are needed most—toward student success.”
 
MOESC’s commitment to innovation is evident in its continuously expanding cooperative purchasing program, which helps districts maximize buying power. Through negotiated contracts and streamlined procurement processes, MOESC delivers high-quality goods and services at competitive prices, helping schools stretch their budgets further.
 
“Our cooperative purchasing program is designed to empower school districts by giving them access to the best pricing available,” said Dr. William O. George, Superintendent. “We are proud to offer innovative solutions that help schools maximize their resources while maintaining high standards of education and services.”
 
As MOESC moves forward with the 2025-26 budget, it remains steadfast in its mission to provide unparalleled support, ensuring schools have the tools and resources necessary for success. Through collaboration, efficiency, and a commitment to excellence, MOESC continues to be a leader in educational services across New Jersey.
 
For more information about MOESC’s services and programs, visit Moesc.org.
 
a girl on her laptop wearing headphones with text that reads NJVS at the bottom.
NJVS Announces Transition to Genius SIS
New Jersey Virtual School (NJVS) is pleased to announce an upcoming system upgrade designed to enhance user experience and streamline student data management. On May 19th, NJVS will transition from the current Maestro Student Information System (SIS) to Genius SIS, a more robust and user-friendly platform.
 
This upgrade underscores NJVS's ongoing commitment to providing an optimal online learning environment. Genius SIS will offer several key improvements, including:
  • Enhanced User Interface: Users will experience easier navigation and improved access to important information.
  • Advanced Data Tracking and Reporting: Students, parents/guardians, counselors, and school district partners will have access to more detailed data, such as login activity and communication records, which will provide valuable insights into student progress and engagement.
  • Expanded Site Coordinator Capabilities: Partner school districts will benefit from enhanced administrative control features, allowing for streamlined processes.
Please note that the existing courseware platform, Edmentum, will remain unchanged. Users' current login credentials will also remain the same, with continued access to NJVS at go.njvs.org. Additionally, all necessary historical data will be securely and seamlessly transferred to Genius SIS.
 
NJVS is committed to ensuring a smooth transition. In the coming weeks, informational resources and training materials will be distributed via email and posted on njvs.org, providing comprehensive guidance on using the new system. NJVS anticipates users will find Genius SIS straightforward and intuitive.
 
Should any questions or technical issues arise during this transition, users are encouraged to submit a support ticket at help.njvs.org.
NJVS looks forward to the positive impact Genius SIS will have on the school community and remains dedicated to student success and district satisfaction.
 
Sincerely,
Derek Tranchina
Director, New Jersey Virtual School
 
MOESC Leads the Way in Supporting Homeless Students
MOESC Leads the Way in Supporting Homeless Students
The Monmouth Ocean Educational Services Commission (MOESC), on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Education, administers the McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth (NJ Region III EHCY) program. Authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and guided by the New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:17, this essential program provides vital support to homeless youth and their families.
 
Serving Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex, and Mercer counties, the Region III team coordinates closely with district Homeless Liaisons to identify homeless students. The office collaborates extensively with social service agencies, law enforcement, family courts, health providers, shelters, and housing organizations.
 
Professional development and technical assistance are critical elements of the Region III office's services. Training efforts include district-specific workshops, monthly sessions with the Children’s Interagency Coordinating Council, and broader regional training. These programs emphasize adherence to state and federal laws, effective data collection practices, maintaining school stability for homeless students, and clarifying district responsibilities. Additionally, the office actively assists with dispute resolution between families and school districts, partnering closely with County Executive Superintendents.
 
The exceptional efforts of the Region III McKinney-Vento program have received state and federal recognition for innovative initiatives, including:
  • Children’s Interagency Coordinating Council/McKinney-Vento training partnership
  • The College Initiative, providing vital support for homeless graduating seniors entering college
  • Ongoing, comprehensive district-specific training workshops
  • YMCA Summer Overnight Camp opportunities for elementary and high school students
This school year, the Region III Director, Alan Ferraro, is also honored to deliver specialized training to the New Jersey School Transportation Directors and New Jersey School Business Administrators during their annual conferences in Atlantic City.