Dear Jazz,

In the chaos of vacation planning, summer sports, pool parties, and exhausting childcare while also managing a work schedule, it may seem like the best option to simply give the little ones an iPad to get them to quiet down and give you a much-needed break in the summer time.

However, it’s essential never to forget the importance of ensuring children's minds stay as active as their bodies. Did you know that many students – especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds – start the academic year in the fall with achievement levels lower than where they were at the beginning of summer break? Education researchers know this phenomenon as summer reading loss, summer setback, or summer slide.

Shockingly, the equivalent of one month of learning is lost during summer vacation. Teachers spend up to six (6) weeks re-teaching old material in the fall to make up for the summer learning loss. But summer setback isn’t unavoidable. Although our students need to rest and recuperate from a busy school year, it’s just as vital that they continuously challenge themselves academically. It only takes two (2) to three (3) hours of work per week to prevent learning loss over the summer.

The Plainfield Public Library is just one of the many incredible resources for summer activities in our city. Besides their beloved summer movie days, the dedicated and talented Plainfield librarians offer various activities and programs for students of all ages and interests. From slime labs, chalk sessions, rock painting, bubble shows, animation lessons, card game parties, and more, there is something for every child! And, of course, there are many adult programs and activities for parents to participate in. One of the most active summer programs hosted by the library is its Teen and Adult Summer Reading Program, which motivates residents fourteen (14) years old and older to read and receive special prizes.

Some ways to motivate your child to read in the summer are to explore games, apps, and online reading programs that promote reading for young students; find a good book list they can refer to; keep reading materials around the house; check out kid’s magazines or books based on your children’s favorite movies; and looking for books that involve any interests your child has. It is also suggested that students focus on topics or subjects they struggled with during the school year to avoid falling further behind. The summer is a time to enjoy family, friends, and fun, but we cannot let our guard down and let it become a time that harms the progress our children are making as they chase the most important thing we can give them – an education. 

#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield

Creating One Plainfield. One Future.

WEST ORANGE – As part of the Murphy Administration’s ongoing efforts to advance health care affordability on behalf of the residents of our state, Governor Phil Murphy today signed three bills he announced in partnership with legislative sponsors last year to help make prescription drugs more affordable for New Jerseyans. The three bills, which were signed alongside legislators and advocates, will work together to cap certain out-of-pocket costs, establish greater oversight of Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and promote transparency across the pharmaceutical supply chain.

“This is a huge step forward in our ongoing efforts to deliver much-needed relief to countless families throughout our state who are struggling to afford critical medications,” said GovernWEST ORANGE – As part of the Murphy Administration’s ongoing efforts to advance health care affordability on behalf of the residents of our state, Governor Phil Murphy today signed three bills he announced in partnership with legislative sponsors last year to help make prescription drugs more affordable for New Jerseyans. The three bills, which were signed alongside legislators and advocates, will work together to cap certain out-of-pocket costs, establish greater oversight of Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and promote transparency across the pharmaceutical supply chain.

“This is a huge step forward in our ongoing efforts to deliver much-needed relief to countless families throughout our state who are struggling to afford critical medications,” said Governor Murphy. “I am proud to sign nation-leading legislation that will make a real difference in the lives of New Jerseyans as we continue to work towards making prescription drugs and other health care services more affordable and accessible to everyone.”

Today’s bill package advances one of the most comprehensive prescription drug price transparency programs in the country to date. The legislation also makes New Jersey only the second state in the nation to cap out of pocket costs for asthma inhalers and EpiPens in addition to capping consumer costs for insulin.

The three bills the Governor signed today are:

• S-1614 – Caps out-of-pocket costs for many residents by extending Medicare’s new $35/month insulin out of pocket cap to state-regulated markets and NJ public employee plans, as well as capping out of pocket costs for EpiPens and asthma inhalers at $25 and $50 respectively for a month’s supply. 
• S-1615 – Creates a new data and transparency system within the Division of Consumer Affairs to collect, analyze, and report on the entire process of drug pricing across the supply chain in an effort to gain greater insight into drugs with high price increases and launch prices. The bill also establishes a Drug Affordability Council to formulate legislative and regulatory policy recommendations that help advance the goal of prescription drug affordability and accessibility.
• A-536/2841 – Establishes greater oversight of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), the third-party companies who manage many prescription-drug plans, to prevent certain practices that drive up costs. This bill requires rebates to be used to lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs for consumers and prevents the practice of spread pricing (when a PBM pockets the difference between what it charges a health plan and reimburses a pharmacy). It also requires PBMs to apply for a license from the NJ Department of Banking & Insurance to strengthen regulatory oversight.
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or Murphy. “I am proud to sign nation-leading legislation that will make a real difference in the lives of New Jerseyans as we continue to work towards making prescription drugs and other health care services more affordable and accessible to everyone.”

Today’s bill package advances one of the most comprehensive prescription drug price transparency programs in the country to date. The legislation also makes New Jersey only the second state in the nation to cap out of pocket costs for asthma inhalers and EpiPens in addition to capping consumer costs for insulin.

The three bills the Governor signed today are:

• S-1614 – Caps out-of-pocket costs for many residents by extending Medicare’s new $35/month insulin out of pocket cap to state-regulated markets and NJ public employee plans, as well as capping out of pocket costs for EpiPens and asthma inhalers at $25 and $50 respectively for a month’s supply. 
• S-1615 – Creates a new data and transparency system within the Division of Consumer Affairs to collect, analyze, and report on the entire process of drug pricing across the supply chain in an effort to gain greater insight into drugs with high price increases and launch prices. The bill also establishes a Drug Affordability Council to formulate legislative and regulatory policy recommendations that help advance the goal of prescription drug affordability and accessibility.
• A-536/2841 – Establishes greater oversight of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), the third-party companies who manage many prescription-drug plans, to prevent certain practices that drive up costs. This bill requires rebates to be used to lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs for consumers and prevents the practice of spread pricing (when a PBM pockets the difference between what it charges a health plan and reimburses a pharmacy). It also requires PBMs to apply for a license from the NJ Department of Banking & Insurance to strengthen regulatory oversight.