A Century in the Making: New School Building Opens in Newark’s East Ward
By: Jessica Mazzola | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com |Email the author | Follow on Twitter
For the first time in 104 years, there is a new school building in the city’s East Ward. School and city officials gathered Tuesday to open the new Oliver Street School, the second new school building the district opened this year. “The new Oliver Street School building represents a new chapter for the East Ward community’s families, one in which our future workforce will be educated in a modern, state-of-the-art facility,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said…The 137,000 square foot building boasts 40 classrooms, a cafeteria, media center, gym, and 21st Century learning equipment, officials said. About 850 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade will attend. The Schools Development Authority paid for Oliver Street’s $73.6 million construction, officials said. District Superintendent Chris Cerf said the new building will “not only be a positive a place for students to learn, but will also be a benefit to the community.” (NJ.com, 06/15/16)
Oliver Street School Unveils New Facility
Local elected officials cut the ribbon at a new state of the art public school facility in the city’s East Ward. Oliver Street School received a long awaited $73 million dollar face lift. Mayor Ras Baraka told students that no dollar amount can be put on the price of their education. “This building is only as beautiful as you are,” Baraka said. “The building is great, we’re putting it up, we put everything in it so you can have everything that you need. But the building won’t be remembered unless the people in it do something outstanding. If you do something outstanding, then people will remember the building because you came from Oliver Street School.” School Principal Douglas Petty says it’s a state of the art facility. “I have no doubt that in the 148 years of excellence and tradition that has become the Oliver way, will not only continue, but will afford students with more access and more opportunities to grow and flourish like never before.”…Walter Chambers, a 1945 alumni says he’s happy for the community. “When I was coming up at this age, we didn’t even have television and look what we have today…to hear that the students from pre-kindergarten and on up will have the devices and all just blows my mind, it’s amazing.” (WBGO News, 06/14/16)
Abington Avenue School is happy to announce that 5 of their 7th graders were accepted into the Rutgers Future Scholars program: Jennifer Dong, Yorquiria Maldonado, Vivian Franco, Nicole Jaramillo, and Omar Rodriguez. Rutgers Future Scholars seeks to increase the number of academically talented high school graduates from less-advantaged communities who are accepted to and graduate from Rutgers University. They offer ongoing support, inspiration, and preparation, beginning the summer prior to 8th grade and continuing until they successfully entire college. Once accepted to a Rutgers campus, our children will complete college tuition-free!
Two of our Abington students, 5th grader Melanie Peralta and 6th grader Daniela Rosillo, were accepted with full scholarships into the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp at NJIT this summer. The EMBHSSC is open to students entering 6th – 8th grade who show academic excellence, demonstrate strong communication skills, and have an interest in mathematics, science, technology. They will live on campus for two weeks, will be introduced to campus life, and will develop knowledge and skills that will help lead them toward a potential career path in science, math, or engineering.
11 Abington Students received scholarships to Appel Farm Arts Camp, totaling more than $60,000 in scholarships for our students alone. Private donations of over $5000 helped provide luggage, camp supplies, transportation to camp, required money in their canteen funds, and requisite clothing for our Abington campers. At Appel Farm, located near the Delaware border in Elmer, New Jersey, students select a major and minor to study two performing and/or visual arts. Emphasis is placed on the creative process, hands-on learning, and collaborative projects. End of the summer performances and exhibitions allow the children to demonstrate their learning. We are thrilled that our students have earned this opportunity to develop creatively and build life-long friendships. Pictured are 10 of our 11 campers: Ashley Romero, Alvin Agbenyegah, Axel Agbenyegah, Edwin Pineda, Eunice Kong, Janet Ortega, Malachi Abernathy, Rayner Perez, Victoria Rodriguez, Jordan Wallace. Missing from the photo is Helen Jaramillo.
