From classrooms to community spaces, we want to uplift youth voices and empower residents to actively shape civic life in their communities, by organizing events and activities related to service, education, media, wellness, art, non-partisan voter engagement and more.

This initiative will:

• Highlight civic education and engagement already taking place across New Jersey
• Expand opportunities for all communities to participate in civic life
• Strengthen statewide collaboration for lasting impact

This isn’t just a single day—it’s part of an ongoing effort to strengthen our democracy by helping our neighbors practice civics year-round.

It’s your choice about how to take part. While CivicsNJ isn’t producing a signature event, we invite you to participate in Civics Day NJ by showcasing a civics related program or activity you already have planned on or about October 27th, or by creating your own program or activity. We will showcase these events on our website and through social media.

If you would like to participate in Civics Day NJ or learn more about the day, please visit the Civics Day NJ web page. There you will find a full description of the Program, Guidelines, Resources, Promotional Materials, as well as a sign-up form. Please feel free to share this information with others who may be interested.

The deadline to sign up is October 19, 2026.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at contact@civicsnj.org.

Join us for an exciting interactive discussion about what K-12 civics education looks like in New Jersey at present and how Revolutionary Schools are celebrating America 250.

Ashley Woolsey-Greene is the Social Studies Coordinator in the Office of Standards at the New Jersey Department of Education, where she promotes standards-based instruction, develops curriculum guidelines, and delivers professional development to support implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Social Studies and related legislative mandates. She also leads Department initiatives in personal financial literacy and information literacy.

Before joining the Department, Ashley spent 13 years as a secondary social studies and special education teacher, bringing U.S. history, world history, civics, and financial literacy to life for students across New Jersey.

In her five years at the Department, Ashley has been an advocate for civic engagement — championing high school voter registration efforts and elevating the role of civics education statewide through the Revolutionary Schools program. She collaborates with government agencies, commissions, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, and curriculum consortiums to advance exemplary social studies education across New Jersey.

A lifelong New Jersey native with a passion for global perspectives, Ashley holds a Bachelor’s degree from Ramapo College and a Master of Arts in International Educational Development, with a concentration in Policy Implementation and Planning, from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is driven by a deep commitment to her work and looks forward to seeing its impact firsthand as her own young children prepare to enter New Jersey’s public schools.

Register.

This event is hosted by Justin Kiczek who serves as President of the F. M. Kirby Foundation, based in Morristown, N.J. As such, he oversees the family foundation’s grantmaking to programs in the arts and humanities, human services, environment, health, education, and public policy.  Justin worked previously at the Turrell Fund in Montclair, N.J. , first as a Program Consultant for 15 years and subsequently as Vice President of Programs, where he helped support the foundation’s efforts to improve early childhood outcomes in New Jersey and Vermont. He also has experience as an English teacher and adjunct lecturer in secondary and higher education institutions, including seven years at the all-scholarship Regis High School. As a lifelong participant in non-profit work, Justin also volunteers regularly with the Interfaith Food Pantry, Homeless Solutions, and his local PTA. He lives in Morristown, NJ with his wife and their four daughters.

Date and Time: Wednesday, July 15, 12:00–1:00 PM

Register.