N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.35-36 requires boards of education to include instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in appropriate places in the middle school and high school curriculum. The law also requires boards of education to adopt inclusive instructional materials that portray the cultural and economic diversity of society including the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and LGBT people, where appropriate.

 

NCS follows the NJ State Learning Standards (NJSLS)  that are written and revised by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) and voted on by the New Jersey Legislature. We are not required to teach Critical Race Theory in our K-8 schools. We do follow the guidelines as written by the NJDOE. Any questions about this specifically can be directed to the Atlantic County Department of Education. 

 

NCS strives to be culturally responsive in teaching and learning. We are empathetic to all learners and are committed to providing culturally relevant, responsive and diverse learning material so all of our students see themselves reflected in what they are learning. We will continually review and update our teaching and learning materials. 

 

In our elementary school (grades PS-4),  tolerance and respect is taught in social studies as well as integrated in other contents via character education and social skills.

 

In our middle school (grades 5-8), social studies classes teach tolerance and the historical contributions made by disabled and LGBTQ individuals commmunity contributions. Discussions will include accomplishments of these individuals without delving into their personal beliefs and characteristics. We will encourage students to be open minded about individual differences without offering opinions and reasons that may cause these differences. We simply want to let our students know that all people can be positive contributors to our community and country regardless of their backgrounds - be it race, color, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identification, and/or disability.

 

Resources provided by the NJDOE:

Relating to Disabled Individuals

• The Smithsonian Institute provides the stories, events, and contributions of disabled individuals throughout the history of the United States.

• Virginia Commonwealth University provides resources for teaching about disabled individuals.

• Disability History Museum provides a history of disabled individuals and their contributions.

• Special Olympics This resource contains information that can be used in a physical education curriculum.

• U.S. Department of Labor: The Campaign for Disability Employment  provides the stories of disabled individuals and their struggles and triumphs

Relating to LGBTQ Individuals

• Library of Congress provides a variety of primary and secondary source materials containing books, posters, sound recordings, manuscripts and other material reflecting the contributions of the LGBTQ community.

• National Archives Educator Resources website provides primary sources and teaching activities that explore the concept of breaking barriers through the lens of LGBTQ accomplishments.

• National Park Service LGBTQ Heritage website provides free education tools and materials for teachers and students that highlight the people and places of LGBTQ history in America.

• People with a History (Fordham University) provides hundreds of original texts, discussions, and images, and addresses LGBTQ history in all periods, and in all regions of the world.

• Welcoming Schools provides LGBTQ and gender inclusive professional development training, lesson plans, booklists and resources.