News

Falling in Love With Literacy!

Literacy Carnival Brings More than 300 Students and Families Out for a Night of Fun & Learning

[NEWARK, NJ – February 1, 2018] More than 300 families turned out for a night of fun and learning at the Literacy Carnival at 13th Avenue School. For two hours, students and parents played literacy games to encourage a love of literacy and to earn prizes as rewards for their participation and engagement, according to Principal Simone Rose.

Vice Principal LaShanda Gilliam, who created the Literacy Carnival said, “Student writing and literacy projects were the focus of the evening fun night. Games were displayed for families through the entire first floor of the school – all of our games were linked to learning. She added, “Our goal is to get as many families as possible to fall in love with literacy.”

The evening program included the reenactment of a play, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a poetry slam, playing Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and other games that connects reading to fun.

A parent with three daughters commented that the school effort was so rewarding for the children and the parents and it gave parents an opportunity to take, during the week to have fun with their children, in way that stresses learning and fun at the same time.

Assistant Superintendent Erskine Glover, who oversees 13th Avenue School said, “I commend the leadership, teachers and staff for their commitment to their students and the community and their relentless efforts to always highlight learning through educational games and engagement.”

NBA Basketball Standout Hassan Whiteside Returns to East Side High School to Retire His Number After Record Game with Miami Heat


[NEWARK, NJ – January 19, 2018] NBA standout and former East Side High School student athlete, Hassan Whiteside, returned to his high school yesterday to retire his #32 Red Raiders jersey before a packed audience of school administrators, players, cheerleaders, family members and Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra and teammates from the Heat, and representatives of the National Basketball Association. Teammates Goran Dragic, Bam Adebayo, James Johnson were among those on hand.

Hassan played for East Side during his high school years growing up in Newark, where a great deal of his family continues to live. Hassan said, “I am honored to return to East Side and to the Red Raiders to say thank you and to encourage the players and students to do their best, in sports, in their studies and in their life.” He also thanked Coach Anthony Tavares and Coach Bryant Garvin for their commitment to him and the team during his time at East Side and for their continuing commitment to them today.

Whiteside and the Miami Heat are in the NY/NJ Metropolitan area for their game against the Brooklyn Nets. Earlier this week, Whiteside became the first player in nearly eight years to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks and make 80 percent of his field-goal attempts in a game, since Orlando’s Dwight Howard against the Thunder on Feb. 25, 2011. In that game, Whiteside scored 27 points, had 13 rebounds and blocked six shots while also making 10 of his 12 field-goal attempts.

Dr. Mario Santos, Principal of East Side High School thanked Hassan and his family and coach for their visit to the high school to recognize Hassan’s accomplishments and “to inspire students to be their very best.”

U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist NJ Resident and KPMG Literacy Champion Laurie Hernandez Reads to Newark Public School Students

[Newark, NJ – January 12, 2018] Second and third grade students at Lafayette Street School were treated to a morning of reading and excitement focusing on literacy by U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist, Dancing with the Stars Winner, New Jersey resident and KPMG Literacy Champion Laurie Hernandez.

Laurie spoke to the students in an assembly program that included more than 200 students, followed by reading to two classes, including Ms. Lebre’s third grade class. Ms. Lebre said, “We are so excited and honored that Laurie Hernandez is visiting with us today.”

Each student received a book and a certificate that highlights a reading goal and a commitment to literacy. In addition to Laurie reading, staff from KPMG read to a number of classrooms as well.

KPMG started the literacy partnership with Lafayette Street School two years ago. The Literacy Campaign started 10 years ago. Since its inception in 2008, KFFL has donated 3.5 million books to schools nationwide to help combat illiteracy.

500 Parents and Students Participate in High School Enrollment Night

9th Grade Bound Students Prepare for Selecting a Newark High School

[NEWARK, NJ- January 12, 2018] More than 500 people attended the Newark Enrolls High School Night, held yesterday at Bard High School Early College on Bergen Street.

The Enrollment Fair included presentations, demonstrations, and conversations about the high school experience. Students and parents met and interacted with principals, vice principals, teachers and students. The evening also included a personalized question and answer period, and resources from high schools. Participating high schools included American History, Arts, Bard, Barringer Academy of S.T.E.A.M., Barringer Academy of The Arts and Humanities, Central High School, Eagle Academy for Young Men, East Side, Great Oaks Legacy Charter, KIPP NJ: Newark Collegiate Academy, Malcolm X Shabazz, M.E.T.S. Charter, Marion P. Thomas Charter, People’s Preparatory, Science Park, Technology, University, Weequahic and West Side High Schools.

In addition to Newark Enrolls High School Night, parents and students can still complete applications for grammar schools by visiting the Newark Enrolls web site. This year Newark Enrolls is focused on continuing to improve how the enrollment process works for Newark families. More information is available at www.newarkenrolls.org, where a detailed School Guidebook is available. The application window to enroll students in all schools remains open until Friday, February 16, 2018.

NPS Announces Enrollment Fair for 8th Graders/High School Bound Students

[NEWARK, NJ- January 9, 2018] Newark Public Schools Newark Enrolls High School Night 2018 will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2018.  The enrollment fair will be held at Bard High School Early College, which is located at 321 Bergen Street in Newark.

The Enrollment Fair, which is for all 8th grade high school bound students, will include presentations, demonstrations, and conversations about the high school experience.  Students and parents can also gather information and resources from high schools, interact with school staff and experience personalized question and answer sessions, to help parents and students select their high school for the 2018-2019 school year.

Participating schools are: American History, Arts, Bard, Barringer Academy of S.T.E.A.M., Barringer Academy of The Arts and Humanities, Central High School, Eagle Academy for Young Men, East Side, Great Oaks Legacy Charter, KIPP NJ: Newark Collegiate Academy, Malcolm X Shabazz, M.E.T.S. Charter, Marion P. Thomas Charter, People’s Preparatory, Science Park, Technology, University, Weequahic and West Side High Schools.

In addition to Newark Enrolls High School Night on Thursday, parents and students can still complete applications for grammar schools by visiting the Newark Enrolls web site. This year Newark Enrolls is focused on continuing to improve how the enrollment process works for Newark families. To do this, the district has built on recent improvements to continue to provide neighborhood preference for 100% of district elementary schools, to focus on keeping siblings in the same school, to provide direct online access for parents to make enrollment changes through the Family Enrollment Portal, and to closely review school placements for students who require special services to ensure appropriate services are available. The district also continues to incorporate feedback from parents and community members to make further improvements around how families actually directly interact and learn about the enrollment process, they include changes to improve family experience and more and better information and resources.

Grammar school students in the last grade in their current school, enrolling in a school for the first time, or who want to enroll in a new school that best fits their needs should apply. As always, students who plan to remain at their current school DO NOT need to apply. More information is available at www.newarkenrolls.org, where a detailed School Guidebook is available.  The application window to enroll students in all schools remains open until Friday, February 16.

Newark Public Schools Honors Football State Champions Shabazz and State Finalists Weequahic

[December 21, 2017 – Newark, NJ] Newark Public Schools (NPS) and the Newark Board of Education honored state football champions Malcolm X Shabazz High School and state football finalists Weequahic High School at the Board meeting on Tuesday night.

Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Christopher D. Cerf said, “Both high schools have brought great honor to the sports programs and to the city of Newark with their successful football seasons this year. Thank you to the players, the coaches, the parents, the teachers and everyone who has contributed to a successful season for both teams.”

In addition to remarks from the Superintendent, Board Chair Marques Aquil-Lewis spoke, in addition to Principals, Athletic Directors, Head Coaches and Student Athletes from both schools. Assistant Superintendent Roger León thanked Shabazz representatives Principal Damon Holmes, Elizabeth Aranjo, Darnell Grant and Michael Fields. Speaking on behalf of Weequahic were Principal Andre Hollis, Gary Westberry, Brian Logan and Quaison Home.

Shabazz Student Athlete Michael Fields said, “On behalf of my brothers and teammates, I am proud of how far we have come and how we have worked together to achieve what we did this season, thank you. Weequahic Student Athlete Quaison Home said, “Although we didn’t win the championship, we came far and we did it together, particularly with a lot of underclassmen. I congratulate Shabazz on their win.”