News

Marin Is Green: Trees Grow in Newark

Luis Muñoz Marin (LMM) Elementary School for Social Justice and the New Jersey Tree Foundation held a Tree Planting Ceremony and Event on April 16, 2019 to enhance the school and community grounds. The event was well supported with over 75 volunteers consisting of local dignitaries (Councilman Anibal Ramos, Council Member Luis A. Quintana and Dupre Kelly, Founder of 211 Community Impact), community partners (One Tree Planted Organization, Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey City University, Rutgers University Police Department, Lyft, Hertz, and United Way: Project Warmth), central office personnel, staff members, parents and scholars.

This opportunity sponsored by the Renaissance Trees Program, maintains an outstanding partnership between LMM and the New Jersey Tree Foundation. The New Jersey Tree Foundation will water, weed, mulch and secure the 31 trees that were planted on the school grounds. Under the tutelage of Principal Maria Ortiz, School Operations Manager Courtney Johnson, Community Engagement Specialist April Anderson-Brown, Renaissance Trees Program Coordinator Crystal Wessel and Project Director Jasmine West-Romero, the LMM school community will benefit tremendously from the educational experiences and community outreach extended by the additional green spaces. LMM will continue to engage in social justice and local/global consciousness projects to raise environmental projection awareness. Held days just before Earth Day, the Tree Planting Ceremony and Event made a lasting impression on participants and hopefully in the years to come as the trees flourish on Newark grounds.

Internationally-renowned pianist, Lang Lang, Cuts Ribbon for First Avenue School’s Piano Lab

Students Play Alongside Pianist

 

Assistant Superintendent Jose Fuentes is joined by Vice Principal Alan Usherenko, Margaret El, Special Assistant for Arts Education, and First Avenue Principal Rosa Branco, to welcome Lang Lang to First Avenue School.

[NEWARK, New Jersey – April 22, 2019] Internationally-renowned pianist Lang Lang and The Lang Lang International Music Foundation®) recently joined students at Newark Public School’s First Avenue Elementary School to celebrate the opening of a new Keys of Inspiration® piano lab.

Keys of Inspiration® (KOI), which is part of the GRAMMY™ Music Education Coalition, is an innovative program designed to revolutionize what music education looks like in American public schools. Created to inspire change from within, KOI weaves rigorous, keyboard-centric, musical instruction into selected Title 1 public schools’ mandatory curriculum––integrating group piano classes for grades 2-5, twice a week.

As a recipient of the Keys of Inspiration® grant, First Avenue Elementary School received the following:

  • Classroom set (20-30) new, state of the art Roland digital pianos and benches
  • 300 Lang Lang Method Books (Levels 1-3)
  • Music curriculum developed in collaboration with The Royal Conservatory of Music
  • Supplemental training and ongoing support/professional development

According to First Avenue School Principal Rosa Branco, the school is a prekindergarten through 8th grade school located in a diverse learning community that empowers students to express themselves through academic and creative learning. It is through the visual and performing arts that you can truly see students shine and reach goals they never thought possible.” First Avenue is a recipient of the Lang Lang Keys of Inspiration grant which has given their students the opportunity to learn and explore on pianos at an early age.

Ms. Branco said, “First Avenue's music teachers recall the first day they witnessed their students enter the classroom and the look of amazement on their faces when they saw what they now had in their classroom and at their fingertips. This experience has given their students not only the opportunity to learn piano, but a chance to be creative and grow as a confident musician.”

The Grammy-nominated, internationally-renowned pianist Lang Lang, has been supporting children through music for over a decade. Heralded by the New York Times as “the hottest artist on the classical music planet”, Lang Lang plays sold-out concerts covering all continents of the globe. He was designated a United Nations Messenger of Peace with a special focus on global education, and worked as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). He hails from humble beginnings and is committed to creating and participating in charitable activities focused on children through the strategic work done at his foundation. “When you give a child the gift of music, you give a child the world,” said Lang Lang.

According to Margaret El, Special Assistant, overseeing Arts Education, “The Lang Lang Foundation provided a unique opportunity for students to learn to play piano. Three of our schools applied for the grant which covers a cost of approximately $50K per school. We are very honored to be the recipients of this wonderful grant and to provide an opportunity for our students to play with Lang Lang.”

The Lang Lang International Music Foundation believes that all children should have access to a music education, regardless of their background. LLIMF’s unique programs encourage music performance at all levels as a means of social and emotional development for today’s youth. By igniting a child’s passion for music, LLIMF helps children worldwide aim for a better future. Their primary music education initiative, Keys of Inspiration™ aims to encourage students to create music, and through music, help them find a secure space where they can freely be and believe in themselves.

Newark Board of Education Connects with Families for Autism Awareness

[NEWARK, New Jersey – April 19, 2019] Earlier this month, the Newark Board of Education and the Office of Special Education launched into a month-long series of programs, lectures and parent-focused events to share information and updates with parents of students with special needs. This year’s kickoff included a number of special speakers, in addition to parents and student performances.

Superintendent of Newark Schools Roger León said, “I want to commend the Office of Special Education (OSE) for incorporating guest speakers to discuss programs and services both as part of the Newark Board of Education’s curriculum and external programs designed to keep parents informed and engaged in the education of their child.”

This year, the following speakers presented: Anne Marie Sullivan of Spectrum Works, Megan Stuhrman of Rethink Ed, Sharnette Vidal of Nassan’s Place and Allison Hawkins of Rutgers University DDC.

Carolyn Granato, Executive Director of the OSE, said, “It was our goal to bring information to the many parents who attend the kickoff celebration, that was punctuated by the fascinating performances of many of our students attending Special Education.” She added, “Throughout the month, we hosted workshops and informational sessions so that our parents are aware of new services and opportunities for their child.”

According to Ms. Granato, recent numbers show an increase in the number of cases of children with autism in New Jersey. The most recent CDC findings (2018) show the overall US ASD prevalence to be 1-in-59 and indicate that NJ ASD prevalence is even higher — 1-in-34.   Boys are about 4 times more likely to have ASD than girls. In NJ, approximately 4 percent of all 8-year old boys have ASD. The cost of caring for a child in the US with autism are in the range $60,000 per year.  (In NJ, out of district autism annual cost of placement in a special school may exceed that amount, of course.)

For the remainder of this month, programs will be held on April 29 at 14th Avenue, Ivy Hill and Camden Street Schools. On April 30, programs will be held at Central High School and American History High School, and 14th Avenue and Ivy Hill Schools. Also, Spencer Miller School will host an Autism Walk on the 30th. Finally, on Friday, May 3, the following schools will host programs; Salome Urena, Quitman Street, Camden Street and First Avenue Schools.

In closing, Ms. Granato said, “National Autism Awareness Month represents an excellent opportunity to promote autism awareness and autism acceptance. It is our goal to incorporate these tenets into our teaching and into the culture and climate of every school and in every encounter. We believe we can move one step closer to a society where those with ASD’s are truly valued for their unique talents and gifts.”

For more information on remaining events, visit our District Calendar.

Student Essay Contest: Agitate! The Legacy of Frederick Douglass and Abolition of Newark

The Rutgers University-Newark Chancellor, Nancy Cantor, and the entire Rutgers Newark campus commemorated the 170th anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ visit to Newark.

NBOE Award winning students are:

  • 1st Place: Avinash Venukopan – Grade 6, Mount Vernon Elementary School
  • 2nd Place: Allure Massey – Grade 8, Chancellor Avenue School
  • 3rd Place: Kettlen Souza-Pereira – Grade 6, Wilson Avenue School

Today is Election Day in Newark

Voters Will Choose the Next School Board Members and Residents Can Vote on the School Budget for the 1st Time in Nearly 23 Years

[Newark, NJ – April 16, 2019] Newark residents will vote today on who will serve as the next three members of the Newark Board of Education (NBOE). In addition, residents will vote on the school budget. This is a historic vote because Newark residents were not able to vote for the school budget while the school district was under state control. The NBOE is asking voters to vote YES on the ballot question to approve the school budget recently approved by members of the sitting Board. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Background on the Budget:
The budget takes into consideration a number of factors; including an increase of $24.8 million in state aid, an increase in the NBOE allocation to Newark charter schools, transportation and the cost of educating Newark children attending school outside of the school district. The budget also reflects a decrease in some spending by the NBOE and a total contribution of fund balance in the amount of $57 million, more than any other district in the state, percentage-wise.

State aid for Newark increased by $24.8 million raising the annual state aid contribution to $812 million. The budget also reflects an increase in payments to charter schools reflecting a cost of nearly $289 million and the cost of educating Newark students in out of district placements in the amount of $44 million.

Additionally, the FY 2019-2020 budget reflects curriculum improvements, school facility improvements and upgrades and initiatives focused on improving the academic and overall school experience for students, according to Newark Schools Superintendent Roger León. He added, “Our charge is to take our students from very good to great and for them to be intelligent and contributing residents of Newark and the world. Our investment in them today, will yield superior students and citizens in the future.”

Board Chairperson, Josephine C. Garcia said, “We are counting on our residents because they play a very important role in shaping the future of our most valuable assets, our students.”

Finally, the NBOE budget also reflects a $2.7 million increase in the tax levy for Newark taxpayers. This increase, according to NBOE Business Administrator Valerie Wilson, is slightly above the 2% minimum allowable by the state. Ms. Wilson added, “The tax increase reflects an average increase in property taxes of $57 a year on a home valued at $175,000 – which amounts to approximately 16¢ a day. Our goal is not to have a negative impact on the citizens of Newark, yet to have a transformative impact on our students.”

This is the first time in 22 years’ residents of Newark can vote on the Newark Board of Education School budget. The election to vote on the budget, as well as NBOE School board candidates is Tuesday, April 16. The Superintendent added, “We are encouraging all Newark citizens to vote yes on the School Budget, so that we can go forward to build upon the greatness of our district and more importantly, our students.”

Click here to review the FY 2019-2020 Budget.

Voters Will Choose the Next School Board Members and Residents Can Vote on the School Budget for the 1st Time in Nearly 23 Years

[Newark, NJ – April 16, 2019] Newark residents will vote today on who will serve as the next three members of the Newark Board of Education (NBOE).

 

In addition, residents will vote on the school budget. This is a historic vote because Newark residents were not able to vote for the school budget while the school district was under state control. The NBOE is asking voters to vote YES on the ballot question to approve the school budget recently approved by members of the sitting Board. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

 

Background on the Budget:

The budget takes into consideration a number of factors; including an increase of $24.8 million in state aid, an increase in the NBOE allocation to Newark charter schools, transportation and the cost of educating Newark children attending school outside of the school district. The budget also reflects a decrease in some spending by the NBOE and a total contribution of fund balance in the amount of $57 million, more than any other district in the state, percentage-wise.

State aid for Newark increased by $24.8 million raising the annual state aid contribution to $812 million. The budget also reflects an increase in payments to charter schools reflecting a cost of nearly $289 million and the cost of educating Newark students in out of district placements in the amount of $44 million.

Additionally, the FY 2019-2020 budget reflects curriculum improvements, school facility improvements and upgrades and initiatives focused on improving the academic and overall school experience for students, according to Newark Schools Superintendent Roger León. He added, “Our charge is to take our students from very good to great and for them to be intelligent and contributing residents of Newark and the world. Our investment in them today, will yield superior students and citizens in the future.”

Board Chairperson, Josephine C. Garcia said, “We are counting on our residents because they play a very important role in shaping the future of our most valuable assets, our students.”

Finally, the NBOE budget also reflects a $2.7 million increase in the tax levy for Newark taxpayers. This increase, according to NBOE Business Administrator Valerie Wilson, is slightly above the 2% minimum allowable by the state. Ms. Wilson added, “The tax increase reflects an average increase in property taxes of $57 a year on a home valued at $175,000 – which amounts to approximately 16¢ a day. Our goal is not to have a negative impact on the citizens of Newark, yet to have a transformative impact on our students.”

This is the first time in 22 years’ residents of Newark can vote on the Newark Board of Education School budget. The election to vote on the budget, as well as NBOE School board candidates is Tuesday, April 16. The Superintendent added, “We are encouraging all Newark citizens to vote yes on the School Budget, so that we can go forward to build upon the greatness of our district and more importantly, our students.”

To review the FY 2019-2020 Budget, click here.