June Newsletter 2025
Teaching Social Studies Journal - Summer-Fall 2025 Edition
Read the articles on our blog!
Membership applications are at the bottom of our home page
2025 NJCSS Conference
"Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: Reflecting, Debating & Celebrating for 250 Years"
Monday, October 20, 2025, Busch Student Center at Rutgers
NJCSS Exhibitor Registration Form 2025 PDF (Deadline is September 5, 2025)
NJCSS Fall Conference Registration Form 2025 PDF
NJCSS Fall Conference Schedule of Workshops
NJCSS Fall Conference Description of Workshops (expected to be posted around July 15)
NJSoC Rev War Award to a NJ Teacher, 2026
Application Form
The New Jersey Society of the Cincinnati (NJSoC) Excellence in Education Award annually honors a notable full-time middle school or high school teacher in the State of New Jersey, in public, private, charter and parochial schools, who excels in teaching the history of the Revolutionary period, and who inspires an appreciation and understanding of the values and ideals of the heroes who fought to establish our nation. The chosen teacher will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize and certificate of recognition.
Resources for Teaching the Presidency
President Trump's Cabinet and Current World Leaders
Continuity and Change: The Presidency of Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump
The Republican Party Platform: 20 Promises to the American People
Executive Orders Applicable to Public Education and the Teaching of Social Studies
from the President of the United States (1/29/25)
Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunities for Families
Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schools
Returning Education to Parents, States, and Communities to Improve Education Outcomes (3/20/25)
NJCSS Statement on Executive Order “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling” (3/19/25)
The NJCSS has contributed to the current NJSLS for Social Studies, provides resources and professional development regarding historical content, disciplinary concepts, and strategies supporting interdisciplinary teaching, inquiry, primary sources, and assessments. The NJCSS supports our state mandates regarding the teaching of the Holocaust, the Amistad Commission's requirements for African American history, U.S. and World History, Civics, Financial Literacy, the history of Asian American Pacific Islanders, LGBTQ people, and individuals with disabilities, climate and the environment. The resources on our website are carefully vetted and support the NJ 2020 Social Studies Standards. We are committed to providing pre-teachers, k-12 teachers, and supervisors with historically accurate resources and lessons supporting inquiry, critical thinking, and multiple historical perspectives as well as relevant professional development opportunities.
National Council of Social Studies Statement
American Historical Association Statement
The Impact of Decisions by Presidents on the Economy (Activities for Discussion on Current Issues)
President Richard Nixon (Inflation)
President Ronald Reagan (Tax Cuts and Social Security)
President Bill Clinton (Vaccinations)
President Bill Clinton (Tariffs and Free Trade Agreements)
Dr. Milton Friedman on Free Trade: Pencil Lesson Video (3 minutes) (You Tube)
Presidents and Labor Strikes
Curriculum Framework with Lesson Resources
NJ Model Curriculum with Best Practices for Elementary Grades
Kindergarten Grade 1 Grade 2
Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5
NJ Model Curriculum for World History in Middle School
NJ Model Curriculum for U.S. History in Middle School
NJ Curriculum Framework for Teaching Civics Mandate within U.S. History available upon request
Engaging High School Students in Global Civics Lessons
NJCHE at Princeton - December 5, 2025
Information & Registration
Dr. Eric Foner (Columbia)
“The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution”
Dr. Minisha Sinha (Univ. of Connecticut)
“The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920
Dr. Janet Chen (Princeton)
“Teaching Modern Chinese History” (Final title pending)
Project Citizen Results for NJ State Competition 2025
Congratulations to all teams on their engaging presentations on substance abuse, park safety, protecting dolphins and whales, later start time for schools, litter cleanup, and affordable tuitions at public colleges.
Middle Schools
Ridgefield Park (advancing to nationals)
Grunin Academy
Montclair Kimberley
North Brunswick
William Satz(Holmdel)
High Schools
Ridge HS (advancing to nationals)
East Orange STEM
Congratulations!
Interdisciplinary Teaching and Teacher Education by Dr. Jiwon Kim and Dr. Sandra Zak from Monmouth University
Contributing authors who are NJCSS members: Hank Bitten, Christine Grabowski, Dr. Mark Pearcy
Interdisciplinary Teaching and Teacher Education
Published by Roman & Littlefield
The NJCSS is Collecting K-12 Lessons on Climate Education
Upload your Lessons to THIS FOLDER
Label lessons by District and Grade Band. (Teacher Name is optional)
NJCSS Middle School Lesson on New Jersey's Progress in reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
NJCSS High School Lesson on The Great Climate Debate
Interactive Map of Flooding in Coastal Communities in New Jersey
Interactive Map of Flooding in NYC by 2040
Still Waiting
A Children's Story Book about Climate Change
Authored & Illustrated by Danielle Lee (High School Student) Video Link
To request author visit, paper books, please email Danielle Lee
Teaching Tips from Subject To Climate
NJ Center for Civic Education Workshops
NJ Center For Civic Education - Events-
Contact Bob O'Dell at [email protected] or Arlene Gardner at [email protected]
Directory of our Videos for PD Credit
Two New Videos!
A Discussion on Clifford Case and the Challenge of Liberal Republicanism
Dr. Bill Fernekes, Tom Frusciano, Bob O’Dell
Register for PD Certificate
The Collections of Clifford Case at Rutgers University
Dr. Bill Fernekes, Author
Register for PD Certificate
The State of Social Studies in NJ Schools
NJCSS Fred Cotterell Teacher of the Year Awards (2024-25)
NJ Elementary Teacher Award (K-5)
Eileen LaTorre
Lincoln School, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
NJ Middle School Teacher Award (6-8)
Lauren Hallgring
Neptune Middle School
NJ High School Teacher Award (9-12)
Dayna Orlak
Waldwick HS, Waldwick, NJ
NJCSS Lifetime Educator Award
Joseph Refinski
East Orange Public Schools
Congratulations!
What is NJCSS?
The NJCSS is a statewide association in New Jersey with 1,300 members devoted solely to social studies education. A major goal and accomplishment of the NJCSS has been to bring together educators from all social studies disciplines, including history, economics, political science, sociology geography, anthropology, and psychology.
Our members are elementary, intermediate, secondary and college educators as well as other professionals who share the commitment to the Social studies. Together, NJCSS members work toward a better understanding of the social studies and its importance in developing responsible participation in social, political, and economic life. Contact Hank Bitten
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Recent Publications
June Newsletter 2025 May Newsletter 2025 April Newsletter 2025 March Newsletter 2025 February Newsletter 2025 January Newsletter 2025 December Newsletter 2024 November Newsletter 2024 October Newsletter 2024 September Newsletter 2024 Beneath the Floorboards Digital Exhibit on Enslaved Persons in Monmouth County, NJ Call for Manuscripts for our August 2025 edition is May 31, 2025 (Click for Details) Teaching Social Studies Journal - Winter - Spring 2025 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Summer-Fall, 2024 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Winter-Spring, 2024 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Summer-Fall, 2023 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Winter-Spring, 2023 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Summer-Fall, 2022 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Winter-Spring 2022 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Summer-Fall 2021 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Winter-Spring 2021 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Summer/Fall 2020 Individual articles are also on our blog: https://teachingsocialstudies.org 2020 NJ Social Studies Standards NJ DOE Resources for Standards Including Grade Bands Profiles New Mandate for Asian American Pacific Islanders History & Contributions NJ Department of Education Curriculum Integration of AAPI & DEI Mandates NJDOE Resources for Diversity, Inclusion & Equity in K-12 NJ Climate Education Resources Google Drive K-12 Curriculum Resources on Interdisciplinary Climate Education 2020 NJ Financial Literacy & Career & Life Skills Standards (Begin p. 21) Educating for Democracy Roadmap (39 pp) Educating for Democracy Report: Excellence in History & Civics (34 pp) Student Recognition Awards for 2024-25 CONGRATULATIONS! Hall of Fame of Recognized Students (2018-2025) *First Place Recognition Award Middle School Division Northern NJ - Maria Konds* (James F. Murray (PS #38), Jersey City (Nominated by James Lindberg), Asil Abouheiba (Joseph H. Brensinger PS #17, Jersey City), Yohanna Serrano Argueta, (William C. McGinnis MS, Perth Amboy), Sophia Barth (Rafael De J.Cordero y Molina School PS #37, Jersey City), Elijah Brown (Walter O. Krumbiegel MS, Hillside). Logan Castillo (Lovell J. Honiss, Dumont), Vihaan Mahajan (Academy 1 MS Jersey City), Madison Peck (Manchester MS), Isabella Saad (Franklin L Williams PS#7, Jersey City), Makaylah Samaroo (Walter O. Krumbiegel MS, Hillside), Tahjera Trotman (Charles A. Selzer School, Dumont) Central NJ - Grace Margerum* Haddon Heights JSH (Nominated by James B. Smith), Kaleigh Casimir (William C. McGinnis MS, Perth Amboy), Darisleidy Hernandez (William C. McGinnis MS, Perth Amboy), Jacob Knapp (Roosevelt Intermediate School, Westfield), Henry Mannah (North Brunswick Township MS), Khaled Zeidan (William C. McGinnis MS, Perth Amboy) Southern NJ - Will Wenk* T.E. Harrington MS, Mt. Laurel (Nominated by Matthew Mortimer) High School Division Northern NJ - *Valentina Colacurto, Leonia High School (Nominated by Timothy Cullen), Jayda Grandison (Dumont HS), Keshavee Khera (Dickinson HS), Yoobi Kim (Leonia HS),Iqra Naz (Infinity Institute, Jersey City), Philip Seto (Pascack Valley HS, Hillsdale), Jiho Shin (Bergen County Technical HS), Nida Waheed (Liberty HS) Central NJ - *Rishay Gupta, Middletown High School South (Nominated by Nina Balestriere D’Urso), Andrew Hum (Holmdel HS), Eduardo Jones (Ridge HS, Basking Ridge), Hoin Lee (West Windsor Plainsboro HS South), Liam Nolan (Immaculata HS, Somerville), Megan Vogt (Hillsborough HS), Southern NJ - *Marcus Sarao, Egg Harbor Township High School (Nominated by Eileen Hannigan) College Division Arlene Gardner Distinguished Scholar Award Lillian G. Bryant (Manasquan) Virginia Tech Join the NJCSS or Renew your membership for 2025-26! (Only $25.00) Online Registration Form PDF Registration Form Payment may be made by PayPal (link is below), PO, or check. Mail your PO or check to NJCSS, Rutgers University-Livingston Campus, Lucy Stone Hall, Suite A-350, 54 Joyce Kilmer Ave., Piscataway, NJ 08854 Join the NJSSSA (Social Studies Supervisors Association) Online Form Contact Gabrielle Rendek, Cranford Public Schools [email protected] Join the NCSS (National Council for the Social Studies) New Jersey Council for the Social Studies Rutgers University, Livingston Campus Lucy Stone Hall, Suite A350 54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue Piscataway, NJ 08854 |
Directions to Busch Campus Center - Rutgers University
