District

Mayor Baraka, NJIT, and Newark Public Schools Partner to Double Number of Newark Students Attending NJIT and Award Three Full Scholarships as Well

Written by: City of Newark | View on the City of Newark Website


Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, NJIT President Joel S. Bloom, and Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León launched a partnership with the university to create two initiatives: NJIT/Newark Math Success and The Mayor’s Honors Scholars Program, in a press conference today in City Hall.

‍The NJIT/Newark Math Success Initiative (MSI) will seek to dramatically increase by doubling the number of Newark residents who enroll at NJIT for undergraduate education. Currently, only about 200 Newark students are attending NJIT.

‍“As a 22-year-educator in Newark Public Schools, I know just how dedicated, talented, and motivated our students are to succeed in the classroom and in life. I also know that numbers of them must overcome considerable challenges to gain the high grades they need to in turn achieve their goals in life. This partnership between NJIT, Newark Public Schools, and the City will enable many deserving Newark students to gain a pipeline to classes, scholarships, and networking that will in turn enable them to attend college and excel. These two initiatives are more than an academic opportunity for our youth – they are an investment in our city’s future,” Mayor Baraka said.

‍The Mayor’s Honors Scholars program at NJIT will create opportunities for talented students from the Newark Public Schools to enroll in NJIT’s Albert Dorman Honors College. Each year, NJIT will work with the Newark Public Schools to select three Mayor’s Honors Scholars for admission to ADHC. These students will receive full scholarships as well as paid internships with the City of Newark during the summer months.

‍Established in 1995 through the generosity of NJIT alumnus Albert Dorman, who founded AECOM Technology Corporation (the largest architecture and engineering firm in the world), the ADHC has been ranked as a top public honors college by Inside Honors. Students in the ADHC have exclusive access to the James Kennedy Honors Center and may apply to live within the Honors Residence Hall. Their curriculum includes special classes, seminars, colloquia (lectures, trips, networking with distinguished speakers and alumni) as well as opportunities to engage in research and practical learning experiences, such as co-ops, internships and apprenticeships.

‍“These two STEM-focused programs will change the lives of thousands of Newark students,” said Superintendent León. “The initiatives will allow us to move our agenda for education and student scholarship forward. We are redefining our high schools and Dr. Bloom and NJIT and Mayor Baraka are providing a pathway to progress and success for our students and for that I am grateful.”

‍The goal of the NJIT/Newark Math Success Initiative is to increase the total enrollment of Newark residents at NJIT to a minimum of 600 through a partnership between NJIT, the Office of the Mayor and the Newark Public Schools. The MSI will provide direct mathematics instruction and support to rising 12th graders and mathematics-certified teachers at the following high schools: Central, Science Park, Technology, and Malcolm X Shabazz, where NJIT alumnus Naseed Gifted is principal. This will begin in the summer of 2019 and continue throughout the academic year. The program is designed to strengthen Newark high school students’ mathematics knowledge, skills and preparation for college work, so they are able to succeed as first-semester, first-year college freshmen taking MATH 111 Calculus at NJIT.

‍The first cohort of MIS students, as well as eight teachers, will complete a seven-week program from June 24 – August 9, 2019, on NJIT’s campus. Hands-on, applied mathematics instruction will be enhanced by counseling, tutoring, and other college preparatory support services interspersed with recreational activities in campus facilities. The participating high school teachers will engage in professional development activities and will be mentored by NJIT mathematics faculty while supporting students working in small groups during class instruction and recitation. They also may conduct research with NJIT faculty in mathematics pedagogy and applications. The Newark Public Schools will identify the students and faculty participating in the program.

‍During the academic year, selected high school teachers will meet monthly with NJIT mathematics faculty members through a combination of on-line and face-to-face interactions to further explore mathematics pedagogy. They also will build a peer network that will be extended to mathematics teachers assigned to other Newark high schools. The academic year experience for the student cohort will feature instruction in credit-bearing mathematics courses during the week and on Saturdays at NJIT. Students also will receive assistance with submitting the Common Application accepted by the NJIT Office of Admissions and completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

‍“Math is the foundation for success in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines, and STEM is where the greatest career opportunities exist. We will continue to partner with Mayor Baraka and Superintendent Leon to make math proficiency less of a barrier for Newark students, so they can take advantage of having one of the nation’s leading polytechnic universities right in their own hometown,” President Bloom explained. “In addition to the programmatic aspects of this effort, NJIT will work to assure that none of these students leave our university because of financial need by investing more than $1 million per year to support their success.”
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About New Jersey Institute of Technology
One of only 32 polytechnic universities in the United States, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) prepares students to become leaders in the technology-dependent economy of the 21st century. NJIT’s multidisciplinary curriculum and computing-intensive approach to education provide technological proficiency, business acumen and leadership skills. NJIT has a $2 billion annual economic impact on the State of New Jersey, conducts approximately $160 million in research activity each year (R1 Carnegie Classification), and is a global leader in such fields as solar research, nanotechnology, resilient design, tissue engineering, and cybersecurity, in addition to others. NJIT is ranked #1 nationally by Forbes for the upward economic mobility of its lowest-income students and is among the top 2 percent of public colleges and universities in return on educational investment, according to PayScale.com. NJIT also is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 50 public national universities.

Superintendent León visits with Superintendent Krasnisky and her incredible students and staff at Katzenbach School for the Deaf in Ewing, NJ

Superintendent León visits with Superintendent Krasnisky and her incredible students and staff at Katzenbach School for the Deaf in Ewing, New Jersey. Joining him was Executive Director Carolyn Granato, Principal Kyle Thomas, and the awesome staff from the Office of Special Education, Bruce Street School for the Deaf, and Technology High School.

Superintendent León visits with Superintendent Krasnisky and her incredible students and staff at Katzenbach School for the Deaf in Ewing, New Jersey.

Joining him was Executive Director Carolyn Granato, Principal Kyle Thomas, and the awesome staff from the Office of Special Education, Bruce Street School for the Deaf, and Technology High School.

RogerSchooloftheDeafPhoto-3
RogerSchooloftheDeafPhoto-2

Newark Board of Education Renames School Salomé Ureña School After Trailblazing Educator

First Newark School to Be Named for a Hispanic Woman

[Newark, NJ, October 24, 2018] The Newark Board of Education has officially renamed North 10th Street School, Salomé Ureña School in honor of a Hispanic woman who is considered a trailblazer in Hispanic education. The renaming and ribbon cutting of the Salomé Ureña School took place on Friday, October 19, 2018. More than 100 students welcomed guests to the ribbon cutting in the auditorium. Superintendent Roger León was joined by Newark Board of Education Chair Josephine C. Garcia, Board members Reginald Bledsoe, Asia Norton, Yambeli Gomez and Flohisha Johnson , and Councilman Anibal Ramos.

Superintendent of Newark Schools Roger León said in speaking to the students, “There is nothing more important than your name. Starting today, we begin to say the name of a great woman who changed the course of education for Hispanics in the Dominican Republic. Every day when you walk through the front door of this school, remember Salomé Ureña.”

Principal Sandra Marques said, “We honor her (Salomé Ureña) for her vision, ‘Sparkle & Shine Because It’s Teaching and Learning Time,” referring to the school’s new motto.

As part of the program, 3rd grade student Yamilex Ramos read the poem, “El Ave Y el Nido” to the audience, as part of the tribute and to celebrate the birthday of Salomé Ureña, which was the same day as the renaming.

Board of Education Chair Garcia said, “As a proud mother of three Dominican young men, this tribute is perfect as we see more women taking the helm of organizations and businesses.” Chairwoman Garcia spoke about the changes women of all races, colors and creeds are making across the world and here in the United States. She said it was such an honor for Newark to name its first school after a woman. She said, “It’s a proud moment for all women, for all Hispanics, for Newark.”

Salomé Ureña was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on October 21, 1850. She was the daughter of writer Nicolas Ureña de Mendoza and Gregoria Dias de Leon. She was influenced by literature and began publishing her first works at the age of 17. Around 1881, Salomé, with the help of her husband, opened the first center of higher education for young women in the Dominican Republic, which she did under the name of “Instituto de Senoritas.” Within five years, the first six female teachers were graduated from the Institute, something uncommon at the time.

Councilman Ramos said, “I take great pride in our schools – they are a model of service and engaging our parents in a positive way.” He continued, “Salomé Ureña founded higher education opportunities for girls. This is a historic day for our city to name a school after a great Hispanic.”

The Newark Board of Education introduced a resolution in 2017, introduced by then Board Member Ariagna Perello. Ms. Perello also attended the ribbon cutting.