District

Shabazz & Weequahic High Schools Open Newark Museum Celebration

[NEWARK, NJ – February 23, 2018] The Malcolm X Shabazz and Weequahic High School marching bands performed as the opening act at the official reopening of the Front Doors at the historic Newark Museum on Wednesday. The opening ceremony and ribbon cutting celebrated the opening of the front doors of the museum for the first time in 20 years. The renovation of the new grand entrance includes a welcome reception area and art designed by an African artist, entitled, “Gateway.”

Interim Superintendent of Schools Robert Gregory said, “Art and culture play an important role in Newark and in any city. Bringing youth together around the arts is essential. Today is a special day because our bands performing together marks a new era of focusing on the arts in Newark Public Schools. I want to thank Margaret El, Special Assistant for the Arts, for creating a bridge from Malcolm X Shabazz and Weequahic High Schools to the Newark Museum. We have a longstanding relationship with the Museum and we look forward to furthering it even more.”

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said, “Today is a special day, not just because of the opening of the front doors of this beautiful edifice, but also because this is the first time I have seen the Shabazz and Weequahic marching bands perform together. Thank you to all of the students.”

Various Newark Public School marching bands will also perform at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 16 from 1 – 3 p.m.

Rhodes Scholar Jordan Thomas Continues To Share His Experiences with Students at Two NPS High Schools

“Newark has Prepared Me Well for My Future”

[NEWARK, NJ – February 12, 2018] Princeton University student Jordan Thomas is sharing his academic and personal experiences with students as a way to inspire Newark Public Schools students to create their own path to success in college and beyond. The 2014 graduate of University High School recently went back to his Alma Mater to talk to students about staying focused in high school, planning their path through college and deciding their future goals, beginning now.

Thomas said, “Your freshman year is as important as your senior year in high school, you have to be serious about your studies from the day you walk into the school until the day you graduate.” Many of the students approached Jordan after the event to get personal recommendations on challenges and opportunities. Principal Edwin Mendez said, “It was an honor to meet with Jordan to discuss his research project for Princeton and to see him engage the students in a way that was informative and interesting to them.”

Thomas also met with more than 50 grammar school age male students at Hawthorne Avenue School. All of the young men are members of the Young Men’s Leadership Academy, established by Principal Henry James. Every week for more than 8 years at Hawthorne, Principal James meets with 6th, 7th and 8th grade male students to discuss challenges in their lives and at school and opportunities for them to soar. Principal James said, “Our neighborhoods need you to come back and help prepare the next generation of leaders which is what Mr. Thomas has done.” Principal James also noted three students who attended Hawthorne are employed at Hawthorne as teaching assistants and mentors to the boys.

Interim Superintendent Gregory said, “I grew up down the street from this school on South 11th. Street. I know what it’s like to be a NPS elementary school student; I am an example of what you can do with the opportunities before you.” He added, “Jordan Thomas is an example of where education and opportunity can take you, as well. As a student, as a person, it is important that you never live just in the moment but plan five years ahead and decide how you can empower yourself through education. My final message is to always believe in yourself and what you have the power to do in your life.”

This was Thomas’ first time speaking to an elementary school. He thanked Assistant Superintendent Roger León for recommending him to speak at Hawthorne Avenue Elementary School. León told the student you can accomplish your goals – whatever they are – but you must first have a plan of action.

In closing, Thomas said, “You must start with a vision of what you want to do and who you want to be in your life. This is the moment – you are powerful, soak up all of the knowledge and wisdom you can as a student. I would not be the person I am today, had I not grown up in Newark. This city has prepared me well for my future.”

Interim Superintendent Robert Gregory Kicks Off Celebrity Read in Newark Public Schools

[NEWARK, NJ – February 12, 2018] Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Robert Gregory recently kicked off the United Way’s Celebrity Read Program at First Avenue School. He was joined by Assistant Superintendent Erskine Glover, Principal Jose Fuentes, Essex County Freeholder Robert Mercado, members of the Newark Police Department and others. Celebrity Readers are reading in nearly 20 Newark Public Schools this year.

Interim Superintendent Gregory said, “The Celebrity Read Program allows us to share the joy of reading with our students and our community. Thank you to the United Way and to all participating NPS and to the United Way for continuing to bring this important program to our schools during the month of February.”

Celebrity Read was established by the United Way of Essex and West Hudson in 1991 as a community-building initiative to diversify the United Way volunteer base while inspiring elementary school children to read, dream, and set and accomplish goals. Recruited from all walks of life, Celebrity Readers travel to local schools where they read a brief passage about the accomplishments of model people of color who have played an important role in American or world history. The Readers also share their own life experiences to instill in the students a sense of pride and hope for the future, emphasizing the importance of education and reading in particular. Originally conceived as a way to celebrate African American History Month, the program was subsequently expanded to include people of other minority descent.