September 2026
Education is the vaccine of violence. Edward James Olmos
Welcome back!
The NJ PBSIS team welcomes you back to the 2026-2027 school year. We look forward to robust discussions in team meetings, exciting implementation innovations, and our continued partnership with school and district personnel.
In the News
Kids Code Act. Beginning September 1, 2027, The New Jersey Kids Code Act (A4015) is a 2026 law that requires online platforms to implement strict default privacy settings for minors, ban targeted ads, limit data collection, restrict algorithmic recommendations, and block certain notifications.
State Teacher Shortages Report 2026. The Learning Policy Institute released its 2026 report showing that teacher shortages persist.
National Study of Special Education Spending. The Institute of Education Sciences in partnership with the American Institutes for Research, NORC at the University of Chicago, and Allovue (a PowerSchool company) begin a study to update national estimates of spending on special education and related services for students with disabilities.
September is Suicide Prevention Month
Data trends from 2013-2023 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System shows persistent trends in bullying, violence, and poor mental health, with 2 year improvements in some areas. Start the year by teaching students when, who, and how to access help for social, emotional, and academic concerns.
- Promote Asking for Help: PBSIS Sample Lesson
- NJ DOE Comprehensive Mental Health Guide
- NJ Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S)
- NJ Suicide Prevention Conference (September 10)
- NJ DOE Suicide Prevention
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center
- New Jersey Association of School Pyschologists
- Preventing Suicide in Youth: What Parents Need to Know
New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education
- NJ DOE Office of Special Education Engagement Page for upcoming training opportunities
- Social and Emotional Learning Course for School Leaders
- NJ DOE OSE Discipline Requirements for Students with Disabilities
- NJ DOE Back to School Resource Packet
Positive Connections
Student social, emotional, and behavioral health begins with a positive school climate in which everyone is seen and heard. To support school climate building, each month we amplify the history and accomplishments of a group, whose achievements contribute to the social fabric of New Jersey schools. Begining September 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
- Bill S-2335 Teaching the history & contributions of Latino and Hispanic communities
- The New Jersey Hispanic Research and Information Center at the Newark Public Library
- The New Jersey Center for Hispanic Policy, Research, and Development
- National Hispanic Heritage Month
- National Museum of the American Latino
- National Education Association Curated Resource List
- New Jersey Education Association
- Mid Atlantic Equity Center Curated Resource List
- New York City Public Schools Curated Resource List