News

Newark School of Fashion & Design Students Win FCCLA Fashion Competition

[November 30, 2021, Newark, NJ]  Students from the Newark School of Fashion & Design (NSFD) took home Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in their first competition after being in a new school that opened just 3 months ago.   Twenty-eight NSFD students competed in the statewide Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Fashion Competition. Students participated in categories such as Creative Stitches, Fashion Posters, and Passion for Fashion Sketches. Overall students placed at First Place Gold, Second Place Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

Superintendent Roger León said, “I am not surprised that our students competed against more than four hundred fifty students and won in multiple categories.” He added. “They are extremely talented and we are excited that they have a platform where they can show the world how gifted they are.”

Principal of NSFD, Sakina Pitts shared “Imagine, freshman students beginning their journey into high school on September 7, 2021, and becoming so focused under the tutelage of our Fashion Department Teachers, Ms. Posey, and Ms. Tabman, that they entered their very first Competition just three months into school and brought home the win!”

Ms. Posey, teacher of Art Education at NSFD is proud of her students and encourages them to do their best. Serving as guidance during the competition, she shared “All things are possible for those who have a willing heart, and here at the Newark School of Fashion & Design - we are destined to succeed beyond great measure.”

During the competition, the President of the FCCLA remarked on the impressive manner in which the students of NSFD displayed sportsmanship and resiliency. Students were commended for their style of dress, as well as their professionalism and how they conducted themselves throughout the competition.

The Newark Board of Education couldn’t be any prouder of the innovation and creativity exhibited by the students at the Newark School of Fashion & Design. It is with much excitement that we look forward to all that they will accomplish within the next four years and on.

For more information, please contact:

Nancy J. Deering
Communications, Acting Director
973-733-6265 (office)
ndeering@nullnewark.apppresser.com

Ironbound Academy Elementary School Set to Open in September 2022

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[November 19, 2021, Newark, NJ]  The Newark Board of Education is set to open a new school in September 2022. The new school, formerly Ironbound Catholic Academy, will now be known as Ironbound Academy Elementary School.  The school will open with grades Kindergarten through Fourth grades and grow one additional grade thereafter.  At the Ironbound Academy, students will be grounded with a strong foundation in the academic and social core in order to develop lasting intellect, character, spirit, and responsibility. Keeping in line with the district’s ten-year strategic plan, The Next Decade: 2020-30, this new school will provide another high-quality option to students.  Ironbound Academy Elementary School will also offer a rigorous STEM curriculum starting as early as Kindergarten.

Adding the ninth new school under his administration and in response to the surge in student enrollment of nearly 700 students, Superintendent León continues to deliver on his promise to the students and families of Newark by providing them with more options to guide their educational choice and values. “We are excited that we can implement strategies that give families more choices and in doing so, open schools with innovative programming,” stated Superintendent León.

“The opening of this new school will respond to a greater demand for district schools in our growing City,” said President Dawn Haynes.  She added, “Our parents want more options for their children, and we are doing just that.”

In addition to opening new schools, the district has expanded 6 elementary schools (Roberto Clemente, Elliott, Franklin, Harriet Tubman, Salome Urena, and South Street Schools), introduced 6 new STEM middle school programs with renovated science labs (Avon, Chancellor, Ivy, Lincoln, Mount Vernon, and Peshine elementary schools), and opened 3 new technology labs (Hawkins, Horton, and Hawthorne Avenue Schools).

Last year, the district opened 3 new schools; Newark School of Fashion & Design (Powered by Parsons), Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology steered by Microsoft, and the third Michelle Obama Elementary School in the United States.

The Newark Board of Education continues to strive in establishing and providing new and exciting opportunities for our students to succeed. Students are expected to excel within their individual programs, allowing them to dream and become the very best versions of themselves.

For more information about Ironbound Academy, visit https://newark.apppresser.com/ironbound/

To apply to any Newark Board of Education school, visit NewarkEnrolls.org.

Students from Newark’s JFK School Tapped for the Inaugural Sled Hockey Program

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[Newark, NJ – November 16, 2021]  In partnership with the City of Newark’s Recreation Department, USA Hockey, the New Jersey Devils and Hockey In NJ (Newark), students from John F. Kennedy School will participate in the first ever Sled Hockey Program in Newark. 

JFK is a middle-secondary special education school that offers specialized curriculum for students with multiple disabilities and moderate cognitive involvement.

Sled Hockey provides opportunities for many types of disabilities for recreation/competitions at the local level all the way to the Paralympics. Players sit in specially designed sleds that sit on top of two hockey skate blades.

Each child will receive a donated sled and a full set of equipment this Saturday, November 20th at the 11th annual USA Hockey Sled Classic, presented by the NHL at the Ice Vault Arena in Wayne, New Jersey.  

Superintendent Roger León said, “We are excited at this unique opportunity in establishing our very own NBOE Sled Hockey Program at JFK because this sets the stage to one day celebrate our very own Paralympian.”

JFK students, along with other students from the community who want to play, will be part of the Newark Board of Education’s (NBOE) Inaugural Sled Hockey Program, where they will practice at the James/Gibson Ice Hockey Rink in Newark, NJ. 

 “As the principal of JFK, I am so excited about this opportunity of a lifetime for our students, they will be able to live our school motto and show the world that there are No Limits to What We Can Do” remarked Jill Summers.

Pat Council of Newark’s Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services shares in the superintendent’s excitement, “The City is always excited to partner with the Newark Board of Education on initiatives that are inclusive to all communities that we serve and look forward to the partnership with JFK and the students they serve”

“The addition of Sled Hockey in Hockey in NJ’s (Newark) programming led by Dennis Ruppe and Keith Veltre proves once again that hockey is making great inroads in providing equity and access that allows more kids to participate.”  stated Dan Brennan of Director of USA Hockey Sled National Teams.

For more information, please contact:

Nancy J. Deering
Board Relations, Director
Communications, Acting Director
973-733-6265 (office)

First Avenue Achieves Silver Certification in Sustainable Jersey for Schools Initiative

[Newark, NJ – November 12, 2021] The Newark Board of Education is proud to announce the achievement of First Avenue School for being awarded Silver Certification in Sustainability by Sustainable Jersey for Schools. Sustainable Jersey For Schools is a certification program for New Jersey public schools that want to go green, conserve resources and take steps to create a brighter future, one school at a time. Serving as a non-profit organization that provides tools, training, and financial incentives to support and reward schools as they pursue sustainability programs.

All certified schools were honored during a Virtual Awards Ceremony held on October 20, 2021. Schools were also awarded a certification plaque to commemorate the achievement. The certification holds for three years, ending in August of 2024. Schools earn this certification through consideration by their peers, professional associations, experts, and civic organizations in New Jersey, to be among the leading schools in the state.

Last year the entire District achieved Bronze Certification with 170 points, but First Avenue went a step further and added an additional 190 points to achieve Silver Certification with 360 points.

“We are so proud of the amazing work that is being accomplished here at the Newark Board of Education.” states Superintendent Roger Léon. “In a time where the pandemic has paralyzed the world, we have amazing teachers like Jenna Sandman and the First Ave Green team who continue to put forth great efforts to maintain the excellence of what it means to be part of the Newark Board of Education.”

Principal Rosa Branco set the stage for additional Newark schools to achieve Silver Certification Status, “Our staff, students, parents, and other community stakeholders truly enjoyed the work put into this initiative. Our goal was to ensure that our students learned strategies to build a healthy and happy future. Through the partnership with Sustainable New Jersey, students have been able to acquire the tools needed to preserve our environment and push student learning. We look forward to our continued partnership as it has given us a stronger sense of community and sustainability.”

This recognition comes at a time in which the certification marks a major milestone for the largest increase in the number of schools certified at the silver-level in an application-cycle since the program’s inception in 2015. To date, 373 school districts and 1,025 schools are participating in the program and Sustainable Jersey has awarded over $2.4 million in grants to schools and school districts, respectively. “Participation in Sustainable Jersey for Schools demonstrates a commitment to sustainability. Becoming certified is a significant achievement,” explained Randall Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey. “Thank you to the teachers, administrators, staff, parents, and students who are doing the hard work every day to make a sustainable future.”

This recognition also comes after the school’s acknowledgment on the U.S. News & World Report as “Best Schools in New Jersey”. Superintendent Léon along with the Newark Board of Education couldn’t be any prouder of this tremendous achievement and remain committed to sustainability within all schools in the district.

For more information, please contact:
Nancy J. Deering
Communications, Acting Director
Office: 973-733-6265
ndeering@nullnewark.apppresser.com