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Inclusive Schools Week 2022

First grade students from Avon Avenue School display their “All Hands On Deck” activity in celebration of Inclusive Schools Week
First grade students from Avon Avenue School display their “All Hands On Deck” activity in celebration of Inclusive Schools Week

Newark Public Schools proudly celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with activities, resources, and books about inclusive practices in each of the district’s 63 schools. Students from Pre-k to 12th Grade participated in this celebration of inclusion, which ran from December 5th to December 9th.

The  Newark Public Schools website features the NPS Inclusive Schools Week 2022 slideshow highlighting inclusion activities from across the district. The Office of Special Education would like to send a huge THANK YOU to NBOE schools for their incredible support in making inclusive practices a year-round initiative.

NBOE and WestEd Collaborate to Provide Language and Literacy Supports to Teachers and Administrators

An interactive workshop on ESL instructional strategies for teachers and administrators
An interactive workshop on ESL instructional strategies for teachers and administrators

ESL teacher strategies and curriculum implementation in collaboration with WestEd’s Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) continues. As the district focuses on building a shared understanding of key elements of effective teaching and learning for English Learners, immediate and applicable instructional practices are provided to incorporate into classroom instruction.

The workshop's key themes for teachers and administrators included supporting English Learners to engage in high challenge/high support learning opportunities and methods to incorporate daily quality academic interactions. NBOE educators will continue to engage in high-yield pedagogical practices to support language and literacy development in tandem.

NBOE Music Educators Attend The Midwest Clinic

Music Educators Lawrence Liggins (Arts High School) and Thaddeus Expose (East Side High School) with Chiho Feindler from Save The Music attending the 76th Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in Illinois
Music Educators Lawrence Liggins (Arts High School) and Thaddeus Expose (East Side High School) with Chiho Feindler from Save The Music attending the 76th Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in Illinois

As guests of Save The Music Foundation, two NBOE music educators attended this year’s Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, Illinois. The Midwest Clinic is recognized as one of the best music conferences in the country, and perhaps the best music, band, and orchestra clinics in the world. During this experience, teachers attended Clinics and Reading Sessions to get an in-depth look into music topics of their choice and hear live performances highlighting new music pieces available for instrumental ensembles. Rehearsal Labs provided opportunities to learn the best teaching practices currently in practice through interactions with techniques and strategies from around the world. To top it off, The Midwest Clinic showcased World Class Performances from professional musicians to university, high school, and grade school bands, to jazz bands and much more.

Mr. Expose shared, “One of the most fun, enjoyable and knowledgeable segments of the clinic was the large exhibition hall and discovering new scores, music products, music companies, universities and much more.” Mr. Liggins stated, “One of the most inspiring clinics I attended was the clinic on Empowering Female Conductors: A Focus on Allyship, Mentorship, and Representation. It was very inspiring to hear each of the presenters' journey to how they got to where they are now, the challenges they faced along the way, and the challenges they are currently facing.” Save The Music continues to enrich music education programs in Newark Public Schools through two new instrument grants awarded to Ann Street School and Speedway Avenue School. Additionally, this opportunity will provide access to world class professional development opportunities for NBOE music educators.

A Holiday Basketball Success

Photo 1: Superintendent Leon, Coach Anthony Tavares, and East Side Boys Basketball Team<br><br> Photo 2: University Pic- Mayor Baraka, Coach Amiri Baraka, Superintendent Leon, and Board Member Hasani Council with University Girls Basketball Team
Photo 1: Superintendent Leon, Coach Anthony Tavares, and East Side Boys Basketball Team

Photo 2: University Pic- Mayor Baraka, Coach Amiri Baraka, Superintendent Leon, and Board Member Hasani Council with University Girls Basketball Team

The 2022 Holiday Basketball Tournament was a smashing success! The finals were held at Weequahic’s Ronald G. Stone Gymnasium. In the Boys Division, #3 seed, East Side High School, defeated #5 seed, Arts High School, with a score of 46-37. Sophomore forward, David Ekhelar, scored 10 points and had seven rebounds, while senior forward, Quatrell Wilson, collected nine points and nine rebounds.

In the Girls Division, # 1 seed, University High School, defeated #2 seed, Central High School, with a 64-46 victory. Sophomore point guard, Paradise Fisher, paced the game with 15 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Junior guard, Morgan Marshall, netted 18 points and Senior forwards, Destiny Bynum-Johnson and Michaela Guest, contributed 10 rebounds; a piece to propel University to their Holiday Tournament Championship.

Malcolm X Shabazz head boys basketball coach, Nassir Barrino, in conjunction with Team Discipline (a youth basketball program), and local business, Pure Love Pies, rewarded a student athlete with the highest GPA participating in the boys and girls NBOE Holiday Tournament. Each student athlete received a Nike bookbag, Nike gift card, and a laptop. Congratulations to West Side High School girls basketball player, Saniya Wright, who has a 4.125 GPA and Bard High School boys basketball player, who has 4.05 G.P.A.

Reading in a Winter Wonderland

Park Elementary School provides an engaging evening for families during the My Very Own Library kick-off
Park Elementary School provides an engaging evening for families during the My Very Own Library kick-off

My Very Own Library is a district initiative that focuses on strengthening the literacy skills of elementary school students. Through the partnership with United Way and the University of Chicago, students receive 10 free books throughout the year to help them create and build their own personal libraries at home. Families are encouraged to use these books to develop a love for reading at home and build upon the use of researched-based reading strategies to increase students’ reading skills and stamina.

Parent Liaisons collaborated with school staff and community stakeholders to create fun and interactive events for families, parents and caregivers to kick off this year’s family literacy event. Families were invited and encouraged to attend a festive event that included storytime, arts & crafts, and gameplay. These events allow families and caregivers to participate in learning experiences with their children. By strategically empowering parents and families, the Newark Board of Education can help strengthen and further support students one family at a time. Let’s continue to do the work of collaborating and connecting with families for student success.

Restoring the Past

Wilson Avenue Annex facade replacement (before and after)
Wilson Avenue Annex facade replacement (before and after)

The Office of Facilities is continuing its efforts to reinvigorate some of the district’s oldest buildings. Wilson Avenue Annex was built in 1900 and its solid brick structure has been the foundation for many students to experience. At the signs of water infiltration, the Facilities team conducted a thorough investigation. The office of Design Services contacted an architect who suggested replacing the old cornice and repointing the brick mortar joints to ensure that water drains properly. This posed a challenge as there was a PSE&G utility pole that blocked access. Although this obstacle is very common for the facilities team, following the proper procedures to ensure compliance is critical. Thus, NBOE was able to work with contacts at the utility company and the City of Newark Building Department to have the pole temporarily relocated until the work could be completed. This particular scheduled maintenance work allowed for all classrooms in the building to be utilized while extending the life of this historic building.