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New Jersey high school opens doors every Friday night to keep students off streets
NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) — A school full of kids on a Friday night is all part of one man’s mission to keep students at a Newark high school off the streets and out of trouble.
Hundreds of kids packed the halls of West Side High School on Friday night because it’s a space free of fear.
It’s all part of the Lights On program which is now in its fourth year and is open to everyone.
Many would think it’s the last place students would want to be, but they are there to avoid what lurks outside of the school:
“Anything that keeps me off the streets I’ll do,” one student said. “Selling drugs and stuff, I’m not into that.”
“I just realized that if I come here I’ll see friendly faces,” another student said.
“Security,” said another student.
Within the walls of the school, every Friday night until 11 p.m., kids can shoot pool, play video games, hit the hardwood, practice cheers or even lay down tracks in a recording studio.
Within in the walls, they can simply laugh.
Nadia Camacho graduated in 2008.
“If it was around back then, I think that we wouldn’t have lost so many of my classmates,” Camacho said. “If we had a class reunion right now a lot of my classmates wouldn’t be here due to gun violence.”
“I haven’t lost any more kids to gun violence since the start of the school year,” Principal Akbar Cook said.
Cook says the results can’t be ignored.
His name may sound familiar because last summer he installed a free laundry room inside the school after his students were bullied because of dirty clothes which resulted in chronic absenteeism.
Cook says there been a 10 percent increase in daily attendance since he opened the laundry room.
“I was finding out just from being a principal that the kids don’t eat during the weekends,” Cook said.
The school also serves hot meals to the kids on Friday nights.
During the summer, the program is held three nights a week. It’s all made possible by donations from the community and alumni.
It all goes to show what a school can become when the community cares about kids who just want a chance.
“It’s fun, safe too. It’s better than being out on the streets,” one student said.
“On the street it’s dangerous, people get killed, you could be killed walking home, gunshots everywhere,” one student said.
McKinley Students Meet Kobe Bryant!
In the simplest of terms, this book is amazing. It's a perfect little trap. It hauls you in and never lets you go until you finish reading."
- Kauan, age 14, Newark, NJ
Kamila Nieves and Kauan Almeida had the unique opportunity to read Kobe Bryant’s new book before its release. This book, “Wizenard Series Training Camp,” was written for teen readers.
If you click here and scroll down you can see the following book review from Kauan. Over Christmas Break they were given the final edited copy of the book before it went into the final print phase and were asked to write a book review. Kobe Bryant and his publishers were so impressed they decided on using an excerpt from Kauan Almeida’s review for all digital advertising for the book!
Both Kauan and Kamila, along with one of our teachers, Ms. Yancey, were then invited to meet Kobe himself on March 20th!
United Airlines & the Newark Board of Education Partner to Benefit Students and Teachers
Thank you to United Airlines for partnering with the Newark Board of Education (NBOE) and a number of our schools to provide a unique STEM based experience for teachers and students. Last year, United and the NBOE began a partnership to provide a unique STEM experience to teachers in three Newark Public Schools and to provide opportunities for students, as well. The teacher program, entitled, “United Air Camp” was launched with teachers spending three days at an away camp to learn more about STEM opportunities associated with flying. Last month, United sponsored 250 Newark Public Schools students to spend a day at the Liberty Science Center where the students received a special presentation on the four forces of Science of Flight: thrust, gravity, lift and drag. They also learned how weather conditions affect flight. They also gained an overall understanding of basic flight and aeronautics through hands-on demonstrations, such as the hovercraft and a Jet powered chair. Finally, United has sponsored career day at Mt. Vernon School and will be visiting additional schools soon.
Oliver Street School: 101 Dalmatians
The students at Oliver Street School worked very hard to put on a fabulous production of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids. The students were led by talented music teachers, Paul Gaita and Jeanne Kaufhold. Special thanks to the many staff members and parents who helped this show be a success!
All City Middle School Music Concert 2019
The All City Student Concert is one of the Newark Board of Education’s major music programs. The concert brings together 200 students representing more than 20 schools performing in a 1-hour concert, which is a favorite around the city of Newark, because it brings students together around music, the arts and instruments. This year’s concert featured a choir, solo performances, orchestra and a special guitar recital.
Congratulations and thank you for the wonderful concert last evening. Music education in Newark is continuing to be elevated!
In preparation for the concert teachers and staff activated student strengths, provided enrichment, nurtured high intellectual performance and built relationships in and across schools.
Thank you Principals and supporters as we cultivate and increase music education!