April 2026

'Education is not just about going to school and getting a degree.  It’s about widening your knowledge and absorbing the truth about life.' Shakuntala Devi

2026 Leadership Forum

The Positive Behavior Support in Schools (NJ PBSIS) team (www.pbsisnj.org) hosted the 17th Leadership Forum event on March 27, 20206.  The Leadership Forum is an annual event to support personnel at the PBSIS network of schools with sustaining implementation of their multi-tier system of support.  This year’s event hosted 230 attendees from 126 schools and 59 districts located across state regions.  The event featured intensive workshops and action planning sessions on topics such as promoting attendance, messaging with families and class level prevention plans.  Presentations and posters from 14 Showcase Demonstration Sites were the highlight of the day.

Implementation Resources:  

• Planning Next Year's Rollout
  • Get some great ideas from Lindeneau Elementary School’s superhero themed rollout 
  • Refer to the NJ PBSIS Rollout Planning Tool to organize your to do list
• Just Released!  Family / Caregiver Engagement Resources 
  • An Opportunity for Partnership:  Collaboration with Local Parent Centers
  • Leveraging the PBIS Framework to Promote Equitable Family Engagement

Happening in April

• Month of the Military Child:  Visit Month of the Military Child | U.S. Department of War to learn more and access the Toolkit

• Week of the Young Child (April 11-17): Visit NAEYC to learn more about celebrating young learners and ideas for school activities.

• Public School Volunteer Week (April 20-24):  Learn more about Public School Volunteer week and how to get involved.

Arab American Heritage Month

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.

• Check out the following curated educational resources for Arab American Heritage Month. 

In Memoriam

It is with deep sadness that we share news of the passing of Ann Marie McVay, our beloved friend and colleague, on February 13, 2026. Ann Marie was a vital and vibrant part of The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development, serving as a dedicated member of the New Jersey Positive Behavior Support in Schools for 23 years. Read the full tribute.