What the heck is "Jersey Week"?

[Sammie]

I've seen some mention of Jersey Week. What does that mean? Please forgive my stupidity.

Don't feel bad, first time I saw the term I thought it was a cow show.

As to the AC convention center: The facility contains 500,000 contiguous square feet of space and occupies a site of nearly 31 acres, making it one of the East Coast’s largest Convention Centers.

So I am sure it can handle the crowd. In the past they have had crowds of 50,000 plus attend.

 

[thelobstershanty]

As to the AC convention center: The facility contains 500,000 contiguous square feet of space and occupies a site of nearly 31 acres, making it one of the East Coast’s largest Convention Centers.

So I am sure it can handle the crowd. In the past they have had crowds of 50,000 plus attend.

31 acres! I do not think all of Atlantic City is 31 acres.
But as far as whether the teachers go to the convention or not, they do. Not all of them go but many, many do go. Also some of the school districts require the teachers to go and they must bring back proof that they attended.
It should also be noted that the teachers spend their OWN money at the convention to purchase things for their classrooms and for their students.

NJEA is a huge convention that has been held for years in Atlantic City. The town is packed with teachers walking around with NJEA badges. As far as I know, they do not sell those badges on Atlantic Ave., so obviously they are attending the convention.

 

[JandD Mom]

Even if 50,000 do go to the convention (and they don't), that's 25% of the NJEA membership. (Let's not forget that many of the people there are not even NJEA members, but are politicians, vendors, other educators, etc).

That means 75% do not go.

You are right that teachers need to spend their own money to go, and they buy materials for their classes there (much of which is not reimbursed). You are also right that it is a great convention and much can be gained from going.

I spoke to many teachers (who are tenured) who do not go because it is too expensive. I agree. I never said it wasn't a valid and worthwhile experience.

But whatever the reason, 75% are not there.

By the way, I work in this field and am very familiar with this and other educational conventions (school boards for example - at which the attendees DO get reimbursed by the way) in NJ. My figures are correct.

Frankly, if I were a teacher living in South Jersey, or somewhere close to AC like Egg Harbor Township, I would probably go. If I were a teacher living in Warren or Hunterdon County, I probably wouldn't go because it's just too far to go and would cost me a substantial amount of my own money.

 

[vonpluto]

Interesting thread.
Just thought I'd post this for you uberplanners:

NJEA Convention dates
2006
Thursday, November 9
Friday, November 10
Saturday, November 11
2007
Thursday, November 8
Friday, November 9
Saturday, November 10
2008
Thursday, November 6
Friday, November 7
Saturday, November 8
2009
Thursday, November 5
Friday, November 6
Saturday, November 7
2010
Thursday, November 4
Friday, November 5
Saturday, November 6
2011
Thursday, November 3
Friday, November 4
Saturday, November 5

 

[pklein09]

Depending on where in DE you are, better check the airfare for "Jersey Week". The airlines know about Jersey Week and jack the prices of airfare up. If you go that week, you're better off flying out of BWI than PHL. If you can go a different week, do it just to save on airfare.

 

[ACDSNY]

Thanks for the dates...it will help plan our 2008 trip. We try to avoid that week, rather not have the crowds, nothing against NJ. Hey can we have a CA week in Oct/Dec?

 

[Copper3]

Interesting thread.
Just thought I'd post this for you uberplanners:

NJEA Convention dates
2006
Thursday, November 9
Friday, November 10
Saturday, November 11
2007
Thursday, November 8
Friday, November 9
Saturday, November 10
2008
Thursday, November 6
Friday, November 7
Saturday, November 8
2009
Thursday, November 5
Friday, November 6
Saturday, November 7
2010
Thursday, November 4
Friday, November 5
Saturday, November 6
2011
Thursday, November 3
Friday, November 4
Saturday, November 5

Thanks for the dates, it does help with planning.

 

[fishermouse]

31 acres! I do not think all of Atlantic City is 31 acres.
But as far as whether the teachers go to the convention or not, they do. Not all of them go but many, many do go. Also some of the school districts require the teachers to go and they must bring back proof that they attended.
It should also be noted that the teachers spend their OWN money at the convention to purchase things for their classrooms and for their students.

NJEA is a huge convention that has been held for years in Atlantic City. The town is packed with teachers walking around with NJEA badges. As far as I know, they do not sell those badges on Atlantic Ave., so obviously they are attending the convention.

31 acres really is not all that big, for a building yes for a city just a couple blocks. As far being held for years NJEA was there in the 60s when I grew up.
Loved having the time off but If I remember correctly it was held around Easter which gave us an Easter break. Was a long time ago so could be wrong about that.

 

[bopper]

Most of New Jersey has moved to PA

Ya, but most of Staten Island NY has moved to NJ!

 

[Sammie]

31 acres! I do not think all of Atlantic City is 31 acres.
But as far as whether the teachers go to the convention or not, they do. Not all of them go but many, many do go. Also some of the school districts require the teachers to go and they must bring back proof that they attended.
It should also be noted that the teachers spend their OWN money at the convention to purchase things for their classrooms and for their students.

NJEA is a huge convention that has been held for years in Atlantic City. The town is packed with teachers walking around with NJEA badges. As far as I know, they do not sell those badges on Atlantic Ave., so obviously they are attending the convention.

From the ACCC website:

The Atlantic City Convention Center is "Your Northeast Business Address." Opened May 1, 1997, it contains 500,000 square feet of contiguous space, more on one floor than most other convention centers. It occupies a site of 31 acres and was erected at a cost of $268 million.

 

[Sammie]

Even if 50,000 do go to the convention (and they don't), that's 25% of the NJEA membership. (Let's not forget that many of the people there are not even NJEA members, but are politicians, vendors, other educators, etc).

That means 75% do not go.

You are right that teachers need to spend their own money to go, and they buy materials for their classes there (much of which is not reimbursed). You are also right that it is a great convention and much can be gained from going.

I spoke to many teachers (who are tenured) who do not go because it is too expensive. I agree. I never said it wasn't a valid and worthwhile experience.

But whatever the reason, 75% are not there.

By the way, I work in this field and am very familiar with this and other educational conventions (school boards for example - at which the attendees DO get reimbursed by the way) in NJ. My figures are correct.

Frankly, if I were a teacher living in South Jersey, or somewhere close to AC like Egg Harbor Township, I would probably go. If I were a teacher living in Warren or Hunterdon County, I probably wouldn't go because it's just too far to go and would cost me a substantial amount of my own money.

Why would you say 50,000 do not attend. I am sure they keep attendance figures and that is what is listed.

 

[RLevy29]

Even if 50,000 do go to the convention (and they don't), that's 25% of the NJEA membership. (Let's not forget that many of the people there are not even NJEA members, but are politicians, vendors, other educators, etc).

That means 75% do not go.

You are right that teachers need to spend their own money to go, and they buy materials for their classes there (much of which is not reimbursed). You are also right that it is a great convention and much can be gained from going.

I spoke to many teachers (who are tenured) who do not go because it is too expensive. I agree. I never said it wasn't a valid and worthwhile experience.

But whatever the reason, 75% are not there.

By the way, I work in this field and am very familiar with this and other educational conventions (school boards for example - at which the attendees DO get reimbursed by the way) in NJ. My figures are correct.

Frankly, if I were a teacher living in South Jersey, or somewhere close to AC like Egg Harbor Township, I would probably go. If I were a teacher living in Warren or Hunterdon County, I probably wouldn't go because it's just too far to go and would cost me a substantial amount of my own money.

Actually, it is just the opposite. The teachers living in Northern NJ like going because it is a vacation for them. Teachers in South Jersey tend to go for a day or a half day .

How do you know that it is 75% that are not there. I'm really curious.Is it just because you see teachers during "Jersey Week" wearing NJEA t-shirts? Or do you have data to back up that statement?

 

[JandD Mom]

Actually, it is just the opposite. The teachers living in Northern NJ like going because it is a vacation for them. Teachers in South Jersey tend to go for a day or a half day .

How do you know that it is 75% that are not there. I'm really curious.Is it just because you see teachers during "Jersey Week" wearing NJEA t-shirts? Or do you have data to back up that statement?

I could get the data tomorrow when I get to work. NJEA does not post it on its web site. But it was Sammie, not me, who said that the AC convention center have held conventions where as many as 50,000 people attend. If 50,000 is the most that have ever attended a convention there, than that means the most NJEA members who ever attended a convention there was 50,000. Giving the benefit of the doubt that everyone there is an NJEA member (which they are not), that means if there are 200,000 members, 150,000 can't be there. That's 75% of the membership.

It's nice that many people from North Jersey go. It is quite a financial commitment for them to be there and pay for it themselves. AC hotels are not cheap (unless you have comps), especially when there is a convention in town.

By the way, you seem disturbed by my reference to NJEA t-shirts. You can get them anywhere. Teachers give them out at events. NJEA likes to make all kinds of little handouts (nail files, mirrors, combs, t-shirts etc) with the NJEA logo. Uniserv reps make sure they get distributed to the local reps. By the way, NJEA member dues pay for that.

 

[RLevy29]

I could get the data tomorrow when I get to work. NJEA does not post it on its web site. But it was Sammie, not me, who said that the AC convention center have held conventions where as many as 50,000 people attend. If 50,000 is the most that have ever attended a convention there, than that means the most NJEA members who ever attended a convention there was 50,000. Giving the benefit of the doubt that everyone there is an NJEA member (which they are not), that means if there are 200,000 members, 150,000 can't be there. That's 75% of the membership.

It's nice that many people from North Jersey go. It is quite a financial commitment for them to be there and pay for it themselves. AC hotels are not cheap (unless you have comps), especially when there is a convention in town.

By the way, you seem disturbed by my reference to NJEA t-shirts. You can get them anywhere. Teachers give them out at events. NJEA likes to make all kinds of little handouts (nail files, mirrors, t-shirts etc) with the NJEA logo. Uniserv reps make sure they get distributed to the local reps. By the way, NJEA member dues pay for that.

I am not "upset" by your reference to NJEA t-shirts. I just don't think that because you see people wearing NJEA t-shirts during "Jersey Week" at WDW that you should assume that they are teachers( many support staff such as custodians, secretaries, maintenance people, paraprofessionals, etc. belong to NJEA )or that if they are teachers they did not attend the convention. By the way, many teachers go in groups of 4 so that makes the room much less expensive.
And yes, the AC convention center can hold as many as 50,000 people at one time. The convention is held over 3 days and all of the people are not there at the same time. I still dispute your original statement that "few" teachers attend and that they are at DW instead. Maybe some are at DW instead; maybe some attend the convention and then go to DW.

 

[JandD Mom]

Actually, if you reread my statement in post #11, I say that you will see many teachers in WDW during the convention (I don't know how to use the quote function here sorry). I stand by that statement as accurate. I think many people who go then agree that it is accurate, and I am not going to debate it.

Apparently, they expected 50,000 people at the 2005 convention according to the AC convention center's press release. That is roughly 25% of NJEA's membership. Again, that means 75% are not there. I did not realize that NJEA members got to attend for free. I am suprised then, that such a small percentage go. Don't just take my word for it, you can read the press release for yourself NJEA Convention Brings 50,000 People to AC :


Media Contact:
Susan Ricciardi
(609) 449-7126
Elaine Zamansky
(609) 449-7166


NJEA Convention Expected to Bring 50,000 Educators to Atlantic City Convention Center November 10 and 11, 2005

Atlantic City, NJ, October 17, 2005 - The Atlantic City Convention Center will host the 151st annual New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) Convention - the world's largest educational and professional development gathering - on Thursday, November 10 and Friday, November 11, 2005.

Roughly 50,000 educators are expected for this conference, which revolves around the theme, "Advancing Public Education." The convention will feature more than 200 professional development and educational opportunities, workshops, exhibits and keynote speakers over the course of two days.

Acting Commissioner of Education Lucille E. Davy will discuss challenges facing education in the state at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 10. She will tackle such issues as professional development, student assessment, teacher certification, recruiting new teachers, Abbott regulations and current initiatives in education. There will be a question-and-answer session following the presentation.

The state Board of Education, led by President Arnold Hymdman, will address and answer questions about issues affecting New Jersey's educational system at 9:30 a.m. Friday, November 11. The audience will be able to ask board members questions regarding education policy in the state. Also on Friday, the NJEA Higher Education Luncheon Meeting will start at 1 p.m. at the Sheraton Convention Center Hotel. New Jersey Senator Diane Allen will give the keynote address on the topic "Issues and Challenges Facing Higher Education."

Among the other convention highlights are:

At the Celebration of Excellence, meet this year's NJEA Frederick L. Foundation for Excellence in Education grant recipients and learn about their innovative school programs. NJEA President Joyce Powell will make a keynote address.
On the exhibit floor, find more than more than 700 exhibits featuring classroom materials, college and university representatives, class trip and fundraising programs, great buys in the NJEA Marketplace and more. The NJEA Park, which is centrally located, is a great place to relax, take in the sights and sounds of the convention and meet colleagues. Also, the Great Ideas Forum, located in the Great Public Schoolhouse on the exhibit floor, showcases the programs designed by Hipp grant recipients.
The Teen Arts exhibit, located in Hall D, is the only one of its kind in the state to feature adjudicated works from teenage artists in all 21 counties. Also in Hall D will be Authors' Alley. Meet NJEA members/authors and learn how you can get your good ideas published.
The NJEA will express their appreciation to those who have served in the armed services by honoring the N.J. Veterans Memorial Homes, which are located in Vineland, Paramus and Menlo Park. Donations can be dropped off at the services center or at a designated location in the atrium.
New Jersey school graduate Billy Van Zandt, a successful playwright and Middletown High School alumnus, will receive NJEA's 2005 Award for Excellence. The honor recognizes state public school grads who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in their fields of expertise.
After a full day of workshops and trips up and down the exhibit floor, attendees can take a break and enjoy the musical talents of state students.

New Jersey public school students will perform at the All-State Jazz Ensemble Concert on Thursday in the Music Box Theater at the Borgata. Also, the All-Star Chorus and Orchestra will hold a concert on Friday in the Adrian Phillips Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall.

One of the convention's traditions, the annual NJEA Boardwalk run, will be held - rain or shine - at 9 a.m. Friday. A Fun Walk begins immediately after the final runner leaves the starting line. The top three male and female runners in each of the seven age groups will receive awards.

Admission to the convention is free to NJEA members and their immediate families. However, family members must be registered NJEA members and will only be admitted to the exhibit floor. The registration fee for non-members is $75 per day; $50 per day for affiliated members who are not NJEA members and $40 per day for student affiliated group members who are not NJEA members.

Convention organizers have arranged for special train transportation and shuttle buses. A special train will run on NJ Transit's Atlantic City Rail Line both Thursday and Friday mornings. The NJEA Express leaves Cherry Hill at 7:42 a.m. each day, making all stops en route to Atlantic City, and arrives at the Atlantic City Convention Center at 8:50 a.m. There will be an additional train departing from Atlantic City Rail Terminal at 1:25 p.m. and arriving in Cherry Hill at 2:40 p.m.

Please contact NJ Transit at (800) 626-RIDE or visit www.njtransit.com for additional information. Those individuals requiring special assistance should contact the NJEA Professional Development Division by October 28 at (609) 599-4561, ext. 2257 and ask for Annalisa Russell.

For those arriving by car, free NJEA shuttle buses are available from several Atlantic City hotels and satellite parking lots at Sandcastle Stadium and Atlantic City High School, both located on the Black Horse Pike. However, no evening shuttle service will be provided this year.

For a complete schedule of events, registration and transportation information, call (609) 599-4561 or visit www.njea.org.

The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development. The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall on behalf of its parent agency, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

EDITORS: Media coverage of the NJEA Convention is welcome. To arrange coverage in advance, please contact the NJEA communications department at (609) 599-4561. During the convention, please register at the press room in room 310 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. To reach the pressroom by phone during the convention, please call (609) 449-3948 or (609) 449-3962.

 

[RLevy29]

Apparently, they expected 50,000 people at the 2005 convention according to the AC convention center's press release. That is roughly 25% of NJEA's membership. Again, that means 75% are not there. I did not realize that NJEA members got to attend for free. I am suprised then, that such a small percentage go. Don't just take my word for it, you can read the press release for yourself

Once again NJEA does not just consist of teachers. And the release says that 50,000 were expected. That is not necessarily the number that showed up. And the people that didn't were not all at DW.

I guess as a teacher I took offense to the statement about schools being "forced" to close. The NJEA convention has been around for many , many years. It is not like the teachers work any less or are paid for this time. NJEA at one time wanted to hold the convention in the summer when schools were closed but Atlantic City did not want it then.

 

[JandD Mom]

I guess as a teacher I took offense to the statement about schools being "forced" to close. The NJEA convention has been around for many , many years. It is not like the teachers work any less or are paid for this time. NJEA at one time wanted to hold the convention in the summer when schools were closed but Atlantic City did not want it then.

This is way, way OT, but you mentioned that teachers don't get paid for this time. Actually most do, because the statute requires that there be no loss in pay to the teachers for these days off. If you are not getting paid for these days, then you ought to talk to your rep. You should not be getting docked for those days. If you are getting docked for those days, then you might as well joing us in WDW next year!

Please don't misunderstand me. I have no beef with teachers at all. Most are hardworking and good people, some are not. It's the same in every profession. I just happen to know the folks at NJEA and know a bit about how they operate, and I don't care for them. But the folks at NJEA don't teach kids ... they run the NJEA.

 

[RLevy29]

I happen to be a rep and we do not get paid for any of our days off except sick time and 3 personal days. We do not get vacation time. We are contracted to work a certain number of days
( in our district 185) and that is how our calendar is planned. We are not paid for Winter or Spring break either. Sorry for being off topic but I just wanted to set the record straight. By the way, I will be glad when I retire and can take a WDW vacation other than when schools are closed -Jersey week or summer,or Christmas week!

 

[JandD Mom]

I happen to be a rep and we do not get paid for any of our days off except sick time and 3 personal days. We do not get vacation time. We are contracted to work a certain number of days
( in our district 185) and that is how our calendar is planned. We are not paid for Winter or Spring break either. Sorry for being off topic but I just wanted to set the record straight.

I was not aware of that, and I think you folks should certainly be paid more.

 

[thelobstershanty]

I think NJEA should just move the whole convention to WDW. Then everybody would be happy. I bet that would greatly increase the convention attendance and there would be even more people wearing NJEA tee shirts. I can see it now, Main Street packed with NJ residents decked out in NJEA tee shirts.