News

Oliver Street School Hosts Their First STEM Fair: This is Where the Magic Happens

More than 100 students create STEM Projects

[Newark, NJ – March 13, 2018] Oliver Street School students presented their science projects to the school community, parents and relatives at the First Annual STEM Fair at the school. More than 100 students participated in the fair which included students in grades 3 through 8.

Oliver Street School Principal Douglas J. Petty said, “I am proud of our students and their commitment to exploration of the mind. The projects presented at the STEM Fair exemplify a spirit of academic adventure and engagement and that is the core of student success.”

According to STEM Fair organizer Vice Principal Shana Burnett, Oliver Street School students presented their STEM fair projects to parents and the school community for two days. Ms. Burnett said that participating students were tasked with thinking and acting like engineers to imagine a real world problem they wanted solved. Students had to plan, imagine, and create a solution to this problem while applying Science, Technology, Engineering and Math principles.” The fair also included James Intrabartolo and Caitlin Riccardi.

Ivory Williams, Special Assistant overseeing Science for Newark Public Schools said, “Congratulations to the entire Oliver Street School family on a successful STEM Fair. Ms. Williams said the projects were thoughtful and solutions based with great attention to detail in solving issues impacting our community.”

Kathy Duke Jackson Assistant Superintendent overseeing Oliver Street School extended congratulations to the administration, teachers and most importantly to students on a job well done. This is the first year Oliver Street School participated in the STEM fair.

Technology Visits Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.

Technology Visits Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.Ninth grade students at Technology High School traveled to Washington D.C. on February 20, 2018 on a trip funded by the Morris Rubell Holocaust Remembrance Journeys. THS students visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Lincoln Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on a tour led by Michael Rubell, whose father, Morris Rubell, survived the Holocaust. At the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, students were able to see actual artifacts from the Holocaust, watch informational videos, and walk through an actual train car that was used for transports. While visiting the Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorials, the students were able to draw connections and understand the importance of being an “upstander” and not a bystander, as explained to them by Fred, a living survivor of the Holocaust who traveled on the trip and shared his experiences with the students throughout the day. The students who attended this trip will use the experience of this trip to enrich their upcoming reading of Night by Elie Wiesel.

3 NPS Schools Named Finalists in Panasonics Kid Witness News Video Contest!

The first round of judging for the Panasonic National Human Interest Stories has been completed! Technology High School video students have place in the top ten for the second year in a row 2017-2018.

These videos were viewed by a panel of judges from the City University of New York, Bronx Community College, Media and Digital Film Production Program – Bronx, NY. They have chosen the top 10 videos from each grade and video category – Human Interest and Eco PSA – that are now being judged by a select group of VIP judges that work within the industry.

The VIP judges will select the top 3 New Vision Award (Human Interest) winning videos from each grade category and the “Best PSA of the Year” Eco Effect winning video. An independent judge will then choose the Human Interest “Best Video of the Year” for Primary and Secondary School.

Top 10 Human Interest – Primary Schools (in alphabetical order):

  • Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School, Charleston, SC – “Why Our City Flooding”
  • Branch Brook School, Newark, NJ – “SM & I’net Safety for Kids”
  • Edwards T. Bowser Elementary School, East Orange, NJ – “Immigrants Impact School”
  • Marcus Garvey School, Chicago, IL – “Overcome Your Challenge”
  • New Roberto Clemente Middle School, Paterson, NJ – “1 LovePeace for Paterson Project”
  • Prairie View Elementary School, Enid, OK – “A Voice for Meredi”
  • Rancho Minerva Middle School, Vista, CA – “Nurtured by Nature”
  • Sheridan JR High School, Sheridan, WY – “Which Door Will You Choose”
  • Travis Ranch School, Yorba Linda, CA – “Efx of Social Media on Teens”
  • Vista Academy Middle School, Denver, CO – “Girl Boss”

Top 10 Human Interest – Secondary Schools (in alphabetical order):

  • Eastlake High School, Chula Vista, CA – “Family is Always First”
  • Gardiner High School, Gardiner, ME – “Library Compliments”
  • HCST County Prep High School, Jersey City, NJ – “Women’s Rights”
  • Kauai High School, Lihue, HI – “A Piece of Home”
  • Maui High School, Kahului, HI – “Just for Show”
  • Maury High School, Norfolk, VA – “Stress: A Monster You Can Manage”
  • Mooresville High School, Mooresville, NC – “Equal Rights”
  • Piscataway High School, Piscataway, NJ – “Snap Judgement”
  • Technology High School, Newark, NJ – “Women’s March”
  • Val Verde High School, Perris, CA – “Stitched Love”

Top 10 Eco PSA – Secondary Schools (in alphabetical order):

  • East Side High School, Newark, NJ – “Urban Gardening”
  • Eastlake High School, Chula Vista, CA – “Trash to Cash”
  • HCST County Prep High School, Jersey City, NJ – “How to Stay Green in 4 Easy Steps”
  • Kauai High School, Lihue, HI – “Global Warming”
  • Maui High School, Kahului, HI – “Our House”
  • Maury High School, Norfolk, VA – “Save the Living Earth”
  • Piscataway High School, Piscataway, NJ – “Destroy all Bacteria”
  • South Plainfield High School, South Plainfield, NJ – “Litter Say What”
  • Val Verde High School, Perris, CA – “Litter-ly Stalked”
  • Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, Staunton, VA – “The Last Supper”

Congratulations to the Finalists!!!

The 20 videos from each grade and video category will be posted on the KWN website in the coming weeks. The top 3 winning schools will be announced by Friday, March 30, 2018. If your school did not make the top 20 videos, please don’t feel discouraged. Everyone did a great job and we are very proud of all your students!

NICE Celebrates African American History Month with Celebrity Chef Jesse Jones!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”35136,35137,35139″ img_size=”275×206″][vc_column_text]On Tuesday, February 20, 2018, Newark Institute of Culinary Education (NICE) celebrated African American History month by hosting “Newark’s Own” Celebrity Chef Jesse Jones!

Chef Jesse Jones a native Newarker who attended Quitman Street and West Kinney Street Schools. He learned his culinary technique at Hudson Community Culinary Arts Program in Jersey City, NJ. His Southern Cooking with a Country French twist has earned him celebrity clients like Tyler Perry and victories at cooking competitions, including Ultimate Chef of Bergen County, NJ in 2010.

Chef Jesse as he is affectionately known started his day with the NICE students by sharing his story and reading excerpts from his new cookbook-memoir POW! My Life in 40 Feasts! He emphasized that his story was their story, as he spoke about how the kitchen saved him from the streets.

He ended the day with a cooking demonstration on the preparation of his “Sweet Potato Waffles”; followed of course with the students from West Side High School, Barringer High School and New Jersey Regional Day sampling and enjoying the tasty treats!

For more on Chef Jesse Jones:

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Technology High School Hosts Humanities Night Titled: “1920s Escape Rooms”

Technology HS homepage slide 1920 Escape Room
On Thursday, February 22, Technology High School hosted its first annual Humanities Night titled, “1920s Escape Rooms.” Over 200 students, staff, and parents enjoyed the evening. Langdon Wagner, THS history teacher, and Shagun Kukreja, THS English teacher, both Humanities Club coordinators, created and coordinated this event. With the help of other THS English and history teachers (all clothes in 1920s fashion), they created three escape rooms for participants: The Dance Hall, which featured jazz music by the THS jazz band and lessons for the Charleston; the Bootlegger’s Birthday Room, and the Renaissance Poetry Room which emphasized riddles and poetry. The night was a huge success, and at the end of the evening participants enjoyed a meal together while escape room teams received their winning prizes.

Newark Public Schools Recognize Black History Month with Programming, Lessons, Arts and Culture and Events

[NEWARK, NJ – February 23, 2018] Newark Public Schools students, teachers and principals are recognizing Black History Month with a number of programs, events, and arts and culture initiatives throughout the month to recognize the many contributions of African Americans.   The month long recognition included special guest speakers and lectures at Weequahic High, Hawthorne Elementary School, First Avenue School, Chancellor Avenue, Mt. Vernon, Carver Bruce Street School and East Side High School, to name a few. In addition, a number of schools conducted Celebrity Read Program and tributes to African Americans who have contributed to the American experience in this country and the office of Family and Community Engagement hosted a health fair focusing on wellness in the community.

“Thank you to every principal, vice principal, teacher, aide, student and parent, who this month paused to remember the many contributions of African Americans,” said Robert Gregory, Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “It is our responsibility to remember African American history, not just in February, but to remember it at all times and to and teach African American history year round, in and outside the classroom.”

Below is a partial list of programs and events that recognizing African American history month.

  • First Avenue- Students Protest Parade-Hallways
  • First Avenue- Motown Theme
  • Chancellor-“Celebrity Read” (Black History Theme & a Partnership w/ United Way)
  • Chancellor- MVOL Family FUN Night
  • Chancellor- Black History Showcase Performances: Songs, Dance, Poetry, Monologues, Video Clips, etc…)
  • Newark Evening- Know the past, shape the future
  • Carver/Bruce- Carver Black History Month (A School-wide Celebration of History & Culture)
  • Early Childhood North- Celebrating in the Auditorium history through

Song, dramatization, chants and affirmations

  • North 10th Street- Celebrating Famous African American Woman
  • East Side High- Black History Month Wall (Display)
  • Abington- Brief history of Jamaica, Musical, Dance, Singing