News

Newark Students Embark on a Day to Remember During the Jets High School Football Media Day

NBOE high schools participate in Football Media Day
NBOE high schools participate in Football Media Day

On August 8th, 2023, The Jets, Nike, and North Jersey Super Football Conference collaborated to host the 6th Annual Media Day at MetLife Stadium as a part of Play Football Month. The event was attended by 320 high school players and coaches from the 112-team league, and was made available to local high school football media outlets.


As a component of the media day, NBOE players were provided with media training, sportsmanship guidance, and a Q&A session with Jets Legends Tony Richardson and Leger Douzable, along with Jets Director of Communications, Meghan Gilmore. All six of the District’s football teams participated and the following players were in attendance:

  • Barringer- Rakir Brown, Alexander Feliciano, Nyzir Kearney
  • Central- Jahsyn Reid, Quran McMillan, Nahshon Brown
  • East Side- Emmanuel Mingo, Arthur De Lima, Javon Tyler 
  • Malcolm X Shabazz- Kezah Hall, Nazir Smith, Judah Pruitt
  • West Side- Kishon Brow, Vincent Smith, Yahzeed Thomas
  • Weequahic- Elijah Motley, Rashawn Marshall, Tyheed Simmons

Students Create Magic While Developing Skills During Summer Enrichment

High School Musical Theatre students close their show with a bang during a performance of “This is Me” from “The Greatest Showman”
High School Musical Theatre students close their show with a bang during a performance of “This is Me” from “The Greatest Showman”

The vibrancy of Summer 2023 came alive for Newark as Visual and Performing Arts students in grades 6 to12 from across the entire city united for the District’s extraordinary five-week intensive arts enrichment summer programs: Visual and Performing Arts Academy, High School Musical Theatre and High School Culture Creators. Under the expert guidance of NBOE’s highly effective art educators, students immersed themselves in a world of artistic exploration that transcended the traditional classroom. Through hands-on instruction, captivating field trips like the Greater Newark Conservancy, NYC’s Aladdin on Broadway, and NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, students engaged in social-emotional learning activities, delved into various artistic disciplines that ignited their imaginations, and fostered a profound appreciation for the arts.

Throughout the program, students honed their visual arts, music, theater, and dance skills, culminating in awe-inspiring art exhibitions and spellbinding performances showcasing the fruits of their labor. The transformative power of creative expression was evident in the growth and confidence exuded by each participant. Beyond mastering techniques, the students embraced creative writing as a means of self-discovery, adding a unique layer of introspection to their artistic journey. As they unveiled their creations to an enthusiastic audience, these young artists celebrated their individual achievements and collectively demonstrated the potential that blossoms when passion meets purpose. The summer arts enrichment programs enriched the students' artistic prowess, forged lasting friendships, instilled a deeper understanding of the profound impact of creativity in education, and proved to be a resounding success.

Igniting the Entrepreneurial Flame

Sadia White, an Executive Mentor for The Newark Board of Education, presents students with a check for one hundred dollars to sustain their business
Sadia White, an Executive Mentor for The Newark Board of Education, presents students with a check for one hundred dollars to sustain their business

Barringer High School echoed with enthusiasm and energy on August 4th as the culmination of weeks of hard work and dedication was celebrated. Students, parents, peers, and members of the Newark Board of Education (NBOE) gathered to witness the incredible showcase of business ventures developed by these young entrepreneurs.

Throughout the summer, students embarked on a transformative journey, navigating the intricacies of business planning, building, and presentation. The Office of Bilingual's "Entrepreneurs on the Rise" curriculum, ignited students' passion for entrepreneurship, resulting in a stunning array of business ideas that ranged from socially conscious initiatives to glamorous ventures. Armed with newfound skills, knowledge, and a sense of determination, our students are ready to embark on their individual journeys of entrepreneurship, continuing to chase their dreams and make a lasting impact on the world.

NBOE Maximizes Student Achievement During the Extended School Year

Summer Fun Day Activities at Ivy Hill, Rafael Hernandez, Arts High School, and Louise A. Spencer
Summer Fun Day Activities at Ivy Hill, Rafael Hernandez, Arts High School, and Louise A. Spencer

During the summer, the Office of Special Education administered two Extended School Year (ESY) Programs to support over 700 students. ESY provides inclusive opportunities for students to attend the Summer Plus Program with their peers at Belmont Runyon, Chancellor Avenue, Elliott Street, Ivy Hill, McKinley, Oliver Street, Louise A. Spencer, and Thirteenth Avenue from July 5th to August 4th. Additionally, the Low Incidence Program, which supports students from the Autism, Auditory Impairment, Emotional Regulation, and Intellectual Disability Program, also runs at the same school sites in addition to Rafael Herndandez, John F. Kennedy, and NJ Regional Day School (July 5th to August 11th).

It is worth noting that although students may attend specialized schools, inclusive opportunities continue to prevail. For instance, five students from NJ Regional Day attended the summer arts program at Arts High School. Furthermore, this year saw the development of the high school ESY Program at Weequahic High School. The ESY program provided students with the opportunity to engage in summer learning and fun while also supporting related services as indicated in their IEPs. For more information on the activities occurring across the district for ESY, please click here.

Unlocking the Potential of Students Through Summer SEL Programming and FAFSA Support

Students at Chancellor Avenue summer learning site participate in a Social Emotional Learning activity
Students at Chancellor Avenue summer learning site participate in a Social Emotional Learning activity

The Office of Student Life has made significant progress in increasing student interest in postsecondary education. Building upon the successes of the previous year, the department successfully hosted its 2nd Annual Grade 7 College Exploration and Information Tour this summer. The college and university partnership was expanded to include Berkeley College, Drew University, and Kean University.

During the summer, SEL Counselors and Social Worker II's delivered a comprehensive SEL program that focused on self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, social awareness, and self-awareness. Additionally, students participated in various culminating projects and events to commemorate their summer SEL experience.

Furthermore, the FAFSA Summer 2023 Assistance Program was launched this summer. Two high school counselors remained on board to assist rising seniors with the completion of the FAFSA and to ensure that they start their senior year on the right track. The program's results led to nine workshops conducted with NBOE students, and rising seniors were also given the opportunity to create their FSA ID. NBOE is excited to support the Class of 2024!

Experience the Impact of Newark’s Summer Programs

NBOE Summer Highlights
NBOE Summer Highlights

The 2023 Summer Programs of the District commenced on July 5th and concluded on August 19th, signifying the culmination of the High School Summer Bridge week. NBOE provided a diverse range of programs that catered to over 10,000 students, ranging from the youngest learners entering Kindergarten to rising high school seniors. At fourteen NBOE elementary sites, students were actively engaged in academic pursuits in the morning until noon, followed by a wide selection of enrichment activities that were coordinated by the Office of Extended Learning in collaboration with community-based partners until 3pm. The students' learning experience was further enhanced through exciting field trips to the Liberty Science Center, Yogi Berra Museum, and Imagine That! In addition, the District offered a Summer STEM Academy, the Summer Visual and Performing Arts Academy, multiple Sports Camps, and other programs. To culminate the summer program experience, schools organized events to showcase student work and celebrated a Fun Day for the students and staff. Click here to view the showcase.