News

NJ Education Leaders Debate the Reopening of Schools

By Toni Yates | Wednesday, July 22, 2020 5:08PM

NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) — New Jersey state leaders held a meeting Wednesday over the plan to reopen schools and how to protect students from the coronavirus pandemic.

The New Jersey Assembly Education Committee, along with experts, are digging into an issue they’ve never had to consider executing: reopening schools in the fall, during a year when a pandemic has killed more than 144,000 people in the U.S. and infected millions more.

“We’re going to need to think about not opening schools as soon as the day after Labor Day weekend,” Mila Jasey of the NJ Assembly Education Committee said.

This is new and critical territory, as evidenced by the concern from the School Nurses Association.

“There will be mass absenteeism of both staff and students as close contacts for those who have tested positive will also have to quarantine for 14 days,” school nurse Robi Cogan said.

To ensure school nurses across New Jersey are best equipped for the health and wellness needs of students, the education committee approved legislation that would create the position of State School Nurse Consultant within the Department of Education.

The consultant would work in collaboration with the Department of Health and with other state agencies and stakeholders.

They would also be responsible to serve as a liaison and resource expert on school nursing and to help facilitate the development of school health policies.

Some school districts across the country have already decided to keep remote learning in place, while others consider alternative models like alternating weeks where some kids go to school and others learn from home.

Summer school is in session at the First Avenue School in Newark, where 50 kids actually come in, with safety measures in place.

“We have stations for screening questions that parents and students get to ask, temperatures checks as well as shoe and hand sanitizing stations,” principal Andre Barquin said.

Fiona Promo sends her daughters Chelsea and Gabrielle, but she’s unsure about the idea of them returning in the fall.

Newark Board of Education Installs the First Remote Power Unit Off-Grid Wind/Solar LED Street Light in the City of Newark

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Featured in this photo are: Diane Marcillo, Steven Morlino, Superintendent Roger León, Marcus Johnson and Rodney L. Williams

The Newark Board of Education takes great pride in the upkeep of our campus and adopting cutting edge technologies. We continue to invest in and provide our students and staff with the best facilities and educational experiences possible.

In the fall of 2019, Rodney Williams, Director of Energy & Sustainability of the Newark Board of Education and staff members, met with Aris Wind to discuss renewable energy solutions for the district. They were particularly interested in Aris’ wind and solar powered streetlight that is called a Remote Power Unit (RPU).

“I want to thank Superintendent León and Mr. Steve Morlino for allowing me and my staff to be a part of such a progressive team.  We took advantage of the opportunity to do something beyond the need of light, and our students and community will benefit from years to come,” said Rodney.

After extensive research, the decision was made to locate the RPU outside of the flagship Science Park High School.  The District felt this investment would be a wonderful improvement to the campus landscape and provide a great learning opportunity for the student body.  The RPU is off the grid and will provide resilient power and light. The district plans to incorporate the unit’s wind and solar data into its STEM curriculum at Science Park High School.

“The RPU is an important key that unlocks a wealth of cutting edge 21st Century technology and is aligned with the priorities outlined in our strategic plan, The Next Decade: 2020-30,” said Superintendent of Schools, Roger León.  “The installation of the RPU is the first of its kind to be installed in the City of Newark.  It will teach and expose our students to different ways to be leaders in helping their community become more sustainable,” he added.

The wind turbine and solar panel on the RPU will provide 100% renewable clean energy. Improving the safety and security of the grounds, it will provide power and light, even in the event of a grid outage. The RPU will capture wind and solar energy year-round which can be stored for up to five-days, depending on usage and demand.

The Newark Board of Education is very enthusiastic about the many opportunities this RPU will create for the students to learn about the science of renewable energy.

Dan Connors, COO of Aris Wind commented, “We are very pleased with the opportunity to provide one of our RPU’s to Newark Schools, particularly at this location!   The Science Park team’s commitments to sustainability, their STEM curriculum, and security of their students, is perfectly matched to the RPU.”

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For more information, please contact:

Newark Board of Education
Nancy Deering, Interim Executive Director
Communications
973-733-6265

About The Newark Public Schools District
The Newark Public Schools District, with 66 schools, 5,877 employees and a student population of 37,291 is the largest and one of the oldest school systems in New Jersey. Its origin dates back to 1676. Barringer High School, in Newark’s North Ward, is the third oldest public high school in the nation. The ethnic diversity of the city provides a rich educational experience for pre-kindergarten to secondary school students. The district continues to revise its services to meet the changing needs of students.

Newark Receives 2019-2020 Meritorious Budget Award

Superintendent León thanks and congratulates SBA Wilson, Shirley Zachary, Pablo Canela, Elvis Matos, Joao Dias, and the entire Operations Staff in this accomplishment.

ASBO - Logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Molly Barrie
866.682.2729 x7075
mbarrie@nullasbointl.org

ASBO Awards School District for Excellent Budget Presentation

[Ashburn, VA - July 19, 2020] The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) is proud to recognize Newark Public Schools for excellence in budget presentation with the Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for the 2019-2020 budget year.ASBO-Newark-PS-award-certificate2019-2020

ASBO International’s MBA and Pathway to the MBA promote and recognize best budget presentation practices in school districts. Participants submit their applications and budget documents to a panel of school financial professionals who review the materials for compliance with the MBA Criteria Checklist and other requirements and provide expert feedback that districts can use to improve their budget documents.

Districts that successfully demonstrate they have met the necessary program requirements may earn either the MBA or Pathway to the MBA, an introductory program that allows districts to ease into full MBA compliance.

“Districts that apply to the MBA or Pathway to the MBA programs recognize the importance of presenting a quality, easy-to-understand budget internally and to the community,” ASBO International Executive Director David J. Lewis explains. “Participating in the MBA and Pathway programs provides districts with important tools and resources they need to communicate the district’s goals and objectives clearly and illustrates their commitment to adhering to nationally recognized budget presentation standards.”

The MBA and Pathway to the MBA are sponsored by ASBO International Strategic Partner Voya Financial®. Learn more about the program at asbointl.org/MBA.

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Read the letter from the Association of School Business Officials International

About ASBO International

Founded in 1910, the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) is a nonprofit organization that, through its members and affiliates, represents approximately 30,000 school business professionals worldwide. ASBO International is committed to providing programs, services, and a global network that promote the highest standards in school business. Its members support student achievement through effective resource management in various areas ranging from finance and operations to food services and transportation. Learn more at asbointl.org.

About Voya Financial®

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), helps Americans plan, invest and protect their savings - to get ready to retire better. Serving the financial needs of approximately 13.8 million individual and institutional customers in the United States, Voya is a Fortune 500 company that had $8.5 billion in revenue in 2018. The company had $547 billion in total assets under management and administration as of March 31, 2019. With a clear mission to make a secure financial future possible - one person, one family, one institution at a time - Voya’s vision is to be America’s Retirement Company® . Certified as a “Great Place to Work” by the Great Place to Work® Institute, Voya is equally committed to conducting business in a way that is socially, environmentally, economically and ethically responsible. Voya has been recognized as one of the 2019 World’s Most Ethical Companies ® by the Ethisphere Institute; as a member of the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index; and as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” on the Disability Equality Index by Disability:IN. For more information, visit voya.com. Follow Voya Financial on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @Voya.

The Newark Board of Education Returns to In-person Central Office Operations

The Newark Board of Education (NBOE) operated virtually for more than three months.  The Central Office Staff resumed in-person operations on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.  While working remotely, the District used the opportunity to establish and implement safety measures and protocols to prepare for their safe return.

Prior to returning to in-person operations, every staff member had to submit proof of having tested negative for the coronavirus.  In addition, they must wear a mask and follow a 4-step procedure before being allowed to enter the building: symptoms screening, temperature check, footwear sanitizing, and hand sanitizing. 

Click here for a visual representation of the process – https://newark.apppresser.com/news/nboe-returns-from-virtual-operations/. 

To further safeguard staff, the District has also taken additional measures including but not limited to, contactless deliveries, avoidance of large in-person group meetings, restricting access to building employees, and the installation of air purifiers that meet HEFA standards.

“We understand that these are evolving guidelines based on external conditions and we will continue to follow the guidance of the Governor’s Executive Orders and the CDC,” according to Superintendent Roger León.  “The safety and well-being of our staff and students is of the utmost importance, and we are prepared to make immediate adjustments whenever necessary.” 

For more information, please contact:
Newark Board of Education
Nancy Deering, Interim Executive Director
Communications
973-733-6265

About The Newark Public Schools District

The Newark Public Schools District, with 66 schools, 5,877 employees and a student population of 37,291 is the largest and one of the oldest school systems in New Jersey. Its origin dates back to 1676. Barringer High School, in Newark’s North Ward, is the third oldest public high school in the nation. The ethnic diversity of the city provides a rich educational experience for pre-kindergarten to secondary school students. The district continues to revise its services to meet the changing needs of students.

 

 

The Newark Board of Education Approves a 10-Year Strategic Plan The Next Decade: 2020–30

In a bold statement, the members of the Newark Board of Education approved the District’s 10-year strategic plan, The Next Decade: 2020-30, at the Public Board Meeting held on June 23, 2020.

In order to transition to The Next Decade, Superintendent Roger León first looked at the strategic plans of his predecessors and he created NPS Clarity 2020. This was a one-year strategic plan which resulted from the ideas, time, and planning of many members of the Newark community.  NPS Clarity 2020 built a new ecosystem of education within our city utilizing collaborative planning, coordinating local resources and agencies, engaging stakeholders, aligning board members, prioritizing equity, and keeping students at the center of all decisions. NPS Clarity 2020 is the bridge that connects us to The Next Decade: 2020-30.

The Next Decade: 2020–30, is a plan like no other, because for the first time in the history of the Newark Board of Education, there is a roadmap that connects the past and sets the stage for an incredible future.  The Next Decade: 2020-30 spans ten years, has six major priorities and thirty-five strategies: 

  • Priority 1:  Unified and Aligned Systems
  • Priority 2:  A Rigorous and Relevant Framework for Curriculum and Instruction
  • Priority 3:  Strength-Based and Responsive Culture
  • Priority 4:  Continuous Learning for All
  • Priority 5:  Integrated System of Supports
  • Priority 6:  Strong Reciprocal Partnerships

The Next Decade 2020-30 is the gold standard for collaborative strategic planning because it contains methodologies that incorporate learning from conception to cradle to college to careers, and considers equity at all levels. 

For more information, please contact:

Newark Board of Education
Nancy Deering, Interim Executive Director
Communications
973-733-6265

About The Newark Public Schools District
The Newark Public Schools District, with 66 schools, 5,877 employees and a student population of 37,291 is the largest and one of the oldest school systems in New Jersey. Its origin dates back to 1676. Barringer High School, in Newark’s North Ward, is the third oldest public high school in the nation. The ethnic diversity of the city provides a rich educational experience for pre-kindergarten to secondary school students. The district continues to revise its services to meet the changing needs of students.