Press Releases

Newark Public High School Leadership Team and Devils Youth Foundation Partner to Fight Chronic Absenteeism at School

Program To Recognize and Reward Students Who Increase Attendance Rates at Four Newark High Schools

Newark BOE seal
Devils Youth Foundation - Logo

[NEWARK, NJ (January 10, 2023)] The Devils Youth Foundation, which serves as the charitable arm for the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center, announced a partnership program with Newark Public High School Leadership Team to help students who struggle with attendance or are chronically absent from the city’s high schools. The primary focus is to raise attendance numbers of children in participating schools, a consistent concern in the education community, via positive messages, motivation, and incentives.

The program will run from January 2023 through June 2023 in four Newark High Schools – Barringer, Central, Malcolm X Shabazz and Weequahic High School – which educate 3,400 students combined. To launch the initiative, the Newark Public High School Leadership Team and the Devils Youth Foundation have teamed up to provide students with exciting rewards for achieving attendance goals, including Amazon gift cards and tickets to select Devils home games.

Each month, ten students from each school will be selected as winners, along with one student from each school who achieves perfect attendance in that month.  Additionally, a grand prize winner will receive a “Choose Your Own Adventure at Prudential Center,” which includes a 16-person catered suite to any mutually agreed upon Prudential Center event (game, concert or family show).

Newark Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Maria Ortiz, states, “Newark Board of Education and Devils Youth Foundation partner to fight chronic absenteeism.  In our community, we work collaboratively to encourage, motivate, and inspire our students, families, and staff. The message is not only that we are attentive to communal needs, but invested in working together and responsive to our children. We are looking forward to all of our students arriving to school every day and on time.”

“We created this program with Newark to immediately address chronic absenteeism in our high schools and, in the long-term, to address the core issues students are facing that contribute to them missing school,” said Kate Whitman Annis, Executive Director of the Devils Youth Foundation. “This working partnership continues the Devils Youth Foundation’s mission to support organizations that focus on positively impacting youth in New Jersey.”

This groundbreaking endeavor aims to increase attendance at the participating schools by 2%. At the end of the school year, students will sit down with Newark Public High School Leadership Team and the Devils Youth Foundation to discuss what motivated them for consistency and accountability while providing a foundation to expand the program’s impact in the future.

ABOUT NEWARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Newark Public Schools is the largest school district in New Jersey and dates back to 1676.  The district currently enrolls over 38,000 students in 62 schools.  After more than two decades of state operation and upon return to local control in 2018, the district has opened 8 new schools under Superintendent León’s leadership with an additional portfolio of new options to be announced in the coming years.

ABOUT DEVILS YOUTH FOUNDATION
Devils Youth Foundation (DYF), a 501(c)(3) organization, enriches the lives of New Jersey’s youth by creating life-changing opportunities and inspiring youth in our communities through the power of sports and entertainment. The Foundation addresses issues such as food insecurities, health and wellness, safe places to play, learn, and grow, and diversity and inclusion by creating and expanding youth programming through strategic partnerships with community organizations. The Devils Youth Foundation raises funds for the organizations and initiatives it supports through signature fundraising events like Devils Sweep the Deck Gala, Martin Brodeur’s “MB30” Charity Golf Invitational as well as on-going and seasonal online auctions including autographed jerseys, helmets and one-of-a-kind experiences, branded merchandise and apparel sales. For more information go toDevilsYouthFoundation.org or find us on Instagram at @devilsyouthfoundation.

Newark Public Schools Enrollment Continues to Increase

[NEWARK, New Jersey] During state control of New Jersey’s largest school district, enrollment decreased to an all-time low. Now, in its third year of local control, the district proudly announced that enrollment has increased to 38,000 students, and is growing.

On July 1, 2020, the Newark Board of Education launched a historic ten-year strategic plan, The Next Decade: 2020-30, in order to build a new educational ecosystem that provides world-class education for every child in Newark. Through developing reciprocal partnerships, everything is done to provide the best opportunities for Newark students. This is clear evidence of the successful impact of the strategic plan, as a result of the communities best thinking.

"The Newark Public Schools has always been the place to be. Our staff is second to none. Our students are geniuses demonstrating this every day. Year in and year out, families are voting with their feet by enrolling their children in our schools," said Superintendent León.

The City's approved universal enrollment system, Newark Enrolls, has made it easy for families to find the right school for their children based on their interests. A Newark Enrolls Guidebook is available to all parents and guardians to help with the process. Families will find a one-page profile for each school that includes essential information about the schools in the unified enrollment system process.

Board President Dawn Haynes said, "I am so proud of the enrollment growth the district is experiencing.  It is clear that the strategic plan is working as evidenced by this increased growth.”

The District looks forward to the continued exponential growth in student enrollment and stands ready to provide all of Newark’s children with exceptional schools that are second to none.

About Newark Public Schools
The Newark Public Schools is the largest school district in New Jersey and dates back to 1676.  The district currently enrolls over 38,000 students in 62 schools.  After more than two decades of state operation and upon return to local control in 2018, the district has opened 8 new schools under Superintendent León’s leadership with an additional portfolio of new options to be announced in the coming years.

Newark Public Schools Launches the Next Phase of B4K Initiative

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Microchip Robotics for Prekindergarten Students

NEWARK, New Jersey— The Office of Early Childhood has launched its second installment, Microchip Robotics for Pre-K, of the Before Kindergarten (B4K) Initiative which provides innovative experiences for our prekindergarten students beyond the school day. Data Science and Information Technology High School and Mount Vernon Elementary School will serve as the Microchip Robotics program for preschoolers. The high school students who participate in the Robotics and E-Sports Team have the opportunity to complete their community service hours by serving as assistants to the teacher leading the course. Guided by their high school mentors, prekindergarten students will explore where energy comes from, as well as how it is transferred from one place to another while being cost-efficient and environmentally friendly for consumers.

As outlined in the District’s ten-year strategic plan, The Next Decade: 2020-30, students from age three to grade three focus on building a strong academic foundation that includes a rich literacy experience and exposure to engaging, enriching learning experiences. “Exposing children to STEM at a young age supports their overall academic growth and helps to develop early thinking and reasoning skills, encourages independent and collaborative learning, and allows for continued curiosity,” said Superintendent Roger León. “The real-life skills children develop when learning STEM help make them better problem solvers and learners,” he added.

The program takes place on Saturdays as a pre-cursor to the elementary Robotics programs using the FIRST Robotics Discover Program. Students will have a home/school connection as the program encourages the use of materials students can use at home with their families.  The program will also allow the students to attend the Newark Board of Education Robotics Competition in January 2023 where they will see their teaching assistants compete and view other projects created throughout the district.

Board President Dawn Haynes said, “The Superintendent and the District are living up to the strategies in The Next Decade: 2020-30.  They are introducing programs that stimulate their curiosity for learning at the start of their first years of school.”

Building on the success of the Ballet and Microchip Robotics for Pre-K programs, the District looks forward to the continued implementation of the B4K Initiative throughout this school year.

Five Science Park High School Students Receive QuestBridge Scholarships

NBOE Science Park High School QuestBridge Scholarship Recipients<br> Rooney Salas, Jennifer Sanmartin, Ayomide Adewole Adekoya, and Sthefany Ayumi Fukagawa
NBOE Science Park High School QuestBridge Scholarship Recipients
Rooney Salas, Jennifer Sanmartin, Ayomide Adewole Adekoya, and Sthefany Ayumi Fukagawa

[NEWARK, New Jersey] The Newark Public Schools is proud to announce that five seniors from Science Park High School have received full four-year QuestBridge scholarships to the nation’s best colleges. QuestBridge’s college partners include top liberal arts colleges such as Amherst, Pomona, and Carleton and exceptional research universities such as Duke, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, University of Chicago, and Yale. The Match Scholarship is offered as part of a generous financial aid package provided by each college that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses.

“Our students continue to show the world what we in Newark already know – they are extremely talented and we enjoy sharing their genius with the world.  We look forward to the day when they return to the City and pay it forward,” said Superintendent Roger Leόn.

These five outstanding Science Park High School seniors have an average weighted GPA of 4.41 and are in the top 10% of their graduating class. The recipients and their college choices (shown left to right in the photo) are Rooney Salas (Massachusetts Institute of Technology-MIT); Jennifer Sanmartin (Princeton University); Ayomide Adewole Adekoya (Princeton University); Sthefany Ayumi Fukagawa (Pomona College); and, Vivan D Robles-Pinos (Washington University in St Louis).  Science Park High School Principal Darleen Gearhart reported, “We are extremely excited about the future of our scholars. This is the first step towards many great things to come.”

Board President Haynes added, “We are so proud of our students and their accomplishments.  They are very deserving of this recognition for their hard work.

Science Park High School is a magnet public high school located in the University Heights section of Newark. The school opened in 1974 and serves students in seventh through twelfth grades as part of Newark Public Schools. Science Park High School is ranked 27th in New Jersey. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate coursework and exams. The mission of Science Park High School is to offer students a high-quality educational experience. Students are prepared to engage in further study and make lifelong contributions in the STEM fields, with an appreciation for the arts. Science Park High School’s rigorous curriculum is punctuated by college-level coursework which is driven by interdisciplinary study, research, ethical leadership, global perspective, and service.

Newark Board of Education Launches Adult Education Program

Adult Education Program set to begin semester on January 9, 2023

[NEWARK, New Jersey] The Newark Board of Education proudly launches registration for its Adult Education Program. The Adult Education Program builds an on-ramp to educational opportunities and careers that honor the skills and intelligence of residents who are ready to make an impact and thrive in a rapidly evolving labor market. The free adult education classes will run from January 9, 2023, through June 16, 2023, at several locations throughout the City of Newark, taught by dedicated, qualified instructors. "Earning a high school diploma or learning to speak English opens doors to opportunity in the workforce," said Roger León, Superintendent of Schools.

The goals of the Adult Education Program are to offer programs and pathways for adults to attain a GED, participate in Adult Basic Education, learn to speak, read, and write English, participate in skill trades education and apprenticeships, and take college preparation classes. “This citywide initiative will give more adults the learning opportunities they need to move toward successful career and job opportunities that are growing in Newark and the entire metropolitan area,” said León. “Our administration remains committed to breaking down barriers of entry for adult learners that prevent equitable access to quality education.”

“There are so many adults who are looking to get their high school diploma so we are so excited that with the launch of the Adult Education Program, the Newark Board of Education can fulfill that need,” said Board President Dawn Haynes.

The Adult Education Program provides adults the opportunity to earn a high school equivalency diploma, in addition to many other educational opportunities such as computer basics, spoken word, and exercise aerobics. Implementation of the Adult Education Program is in line with the strategies and priorities contained in the District’s ten-year strategic plan, The Next Decade: 2020-30, which among other things, priorities continuous learning opportunities for all.

To be eligible, individuals must be residents of the City of Newark, 18 years of age or older, and officially withdrawn from school. For more information contact Director Andre Hollis, at a1hollis@nullnewark.apppresser.com or visit newark.apppresser.com/adult-education to register.

Newark Public Schools Launches Aviation Program with Aviation Institute of Maintenance

[Newark, NJ – November 22, 2022] The Newark Board of Education (NBOE) approved a strategic partnership with the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), of Teterboro, New Jersey.  AIM is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and graduates hundreds of aviation maintenance technicians every year.  NBOE students will be allowed to start coursework in this high-demand field involving aircraft systems that can lead to careers as aircraft mechanics, avionics technicians, and aircraft inspectors.  “The district continues to identify sectors with critical labor shortages and partners with industry professionals to provide programs and opportunities today, preparing our students for careers tomorrow,” announced Superintendent Roger León.

While air traffic has not fully reached pre-pandemic levels, airports around the world continue to deal with labor shortages that impact every level of the aviation industry.  Last summer’s travel season was one of the worst in history.  “Plagued by delays and cancellations for varying reasons, this industry needs an injection of new high-skilled professionals and AIM in partnership with the Newark Board of Education is prepared to do just that,” shared De’Kylen Jordan, Campus Executive Director of Aviation Institute of Maintenance.  “With the recent expansion at Newark International Airport and its proximity to our schools, we know the opportunities are real,” added NBOE President Dawn Haynes.

The partnership with AIM will launch this spring for eligible graduating seniors, with plans to expand for full-time enrollment of NBOE students at AIM.  Students will be immersed in all aspects of the industry through extended learning experiences at local airports and guest speakers.  “The aviation industry has many opportunities for career advancement and we intend to make them available to our students,” said Superintendent Roger León.  To receive more information about the NBOE x AIM partnership, please visit NBOE & AIM Partnership

About Newark Public Schools
The Newark Public Schools is the largest school district in New Jersey and dates back to 1676.  The district currently enrolls over 38,000 students in 62 schools.  After more than two decades of state operation and upon return to local control in 2018, the district has opened 8 new schools under Superintendent León’s leadership with an additional portfolio of new options to be announced in the coming years.