Press Releases

Newark Public Schools Will be Remote On January 3, 2022

[Newark, NJ  December 30, 2021]  The Newark Public Schools announced today that its schools will implement remote instruction beginning on January 3 and continuing through January 14, with an anticipated return to in-person instruction on January 18.  Superintendent Róger Leon explained that he made the decision to activate remote instruction, in consultation with the Newark Health Department, in light of a number of factors that have arisen in recent days, including spikes and surges in COVID-19 positive numbers.  "This is not the news I want to be sharing with students and their families at this time because we need to continue in-person instruction, but the health and safety of students and staff remains the top priority," he said.

Newark's return to in-person instruction this fall included adherence to very strict district health and safety protocols and procedures.  With those and other mitigation strategies, including vaccinations and weekly COVID testing, the district created a safe environment in its schools and buildings.  The percentage of vaccinated Newark Public Schools students and district staff is itself a story worthy of a headline. In the district, 100% of executive staff, 90% of school administrators, 91% of instructional support staff, 88% of classroom teachers, and 75% of non-instructional staff are vaccinated. The fact that over 83% of students 12 years and older in Newark are vaccinated is incredible, with the opportunity for children 5 and older underway.

In response to the rise in COVID-19 positive numbers in the weeks after Thanksgiving, the district began to implement precautionary measures and asked everyone to prepare for the possibility of remote instruction at the start of the new year.  Students were instructed to take home everything they would need to prepare for remote instruction.

“The lives of all of our students mean more to me than anything else, especially since three of them are actually mine,” said Board President Haynes.  “We will do everything to protect our children in this fight against this horrible virus and we will get back to in-person instruction as soon as possible.”

Additional resources for students and families are available on the district's and schools' websites.  For the next two weeks, meal distribution sites will be open on Mondays at various schools from 8 am - 11 am.  Meals for each full week will be available to all students and their families regardless of the school they attend in Newark.  We anticipate that the City will announce the opening of learning pods in partnership with the district to assist families who have childcare concerns.  Upon our return, we will continue the district's protocols, procedures, and weekly COVID-19 testing in schools.

Newark Board of Education Receives Environmental, Sustainability and Governance Bond Deal Award

[December 20, 2021] - Superintendent León and members of the executive staff attended the Bond Buyer’s 20th Annual Deal of the Year Awards Ceremony on Thursday, December 16, 2021 where the Newark Board of Education was awarded the Environmental, Sustainability and Governance Award for their participation in the Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP). This prestigious award recognizes excellence and innovation in municipal financing by the finance community for implementing projects that advance quality of life in the nation’s municipalities using creativity and resourceful measures. These efforts are high-lighted by the District’s partnership with Johnson Controls to develop and execute a $95 million ESIP that in return will save the District $120 million over 20 years. The ESIP will modernize approximately 60 school facilities by upgrading classrooms with light, heat, space air, and technology to a state-of-the-art level. The partnership also includes a forum for raising energy awareness amongst our students, teachers, staff, and the community.

In addition, Newark Board of Education was chosen as one of the finalist in the Nation’s “Deal of the Year” Award. In accepting the award, Superintendent León shared “We are proud and deeply honored to receive the Environmental, Sustainability and Governance Bond Deal of the Year. We are privileged to be included with such an esteemed group of recipients.” He concluded his remarks with “Our bond will allow our district to make significant changes in buildings that average 98 years old. In addition, we will be able to complete several building envelope components. These projects will improve environmental conditions in our buildings, and we believe will support improving academic achievement. Any effort requires teamwork and this project is the result of work by a number of people.”

Superintendent León also acknowledged the following people in his acceptance speech: Valerie Wilson, NBOE School Business Administrator, Rodney Williams, NBOE Director of Sustainability and Energy, Robbi Accompora, Financial Advisor of Phoenix Financial Advisors, Everett Johnson, Bond Counsel of Wilentz, Goldman and Spitzer, Derek O’Neil, Bond Sales of Siebert, William Shanks and Company, Paul Napoli, Esco Partner of Johnson Controls, and members of Newark Public Schools Executive Staff and Team.

President of the Board Haynes stated, “The Newark Board of Education couldn’t be more proud of this accomplishment. This offering positions the district to address a number of structural projects that would otherwise not have been possible.”

The entire team worked tirelessly to ensure the District was able to solicit bonds for the projects, marking history with a NBOE bond offering for the first time in over thirty years. It is due to hard work and dedication that our solicitation was extremely successful. We look forward to an exemplary implementation that will benefit all of our students.

35th Annual Title 1 Parent Conference

The Newark Board of Education hosted their 35th Annual Title 1 Parent Conference: Hope Grows A New Beginning Through Learning on Saturday, December 4, 2021. With a total of 765 registrants, parents and community members were able to choose from over 30 live or on-demand sessions throughout the day. Those who tuned in were also able to connect with and gather information from 22 community partners. The day began with welcoming words from Superintendent Leόn and Deputy Superintendent Johnson, followed by student performances and inspirational words from keynote speakers, Judge Victoria Pratt and Jasmine Lopez.

Superintendent Roger León said, “We are committed to providing opportunities for our parents, guardians, and caregivers to experience continuous learning as outlined in The Next Decade: 2020-30.  And, based on the feedback from parents and presenters, this year’s conference exceeded all expectations”.

Presenters of the conference noted how well organized the event was and shared their interest in presenting again. Participants referred to the presentations as “informative” and “phenomenal”. One parent stated, “A lot of great tips were given in the How Parents Can Support Children in Grades 8-12 session. This is usually an under-supported target group. So I was glad to see attention being paid to it.” Schools were encouraged to promote the event and share the information with their families as a means of additional support to parents and guardians of Newark Public Schools. “There were a lot of First Avenue parents who joined and they were very happy with the content presented, “said Ms. Aquino, Parent Liaison from First Avenue Elementary School.

“I could not be more proud of this conference.  Every part of this day was well thought out and designed with excellence!  There was a session for everyone, from Pre-K to postsecondary,” stated Deputy Superintendent Nicole T. Johnson.

Ms. Dawn Haynes said, “As a parent and President of the Newark Board of Education, I am thrilled with the quality of the presenters and content of this year’s Title I Conference.  I can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year.

For additional information:  35th Annual Title I Parent Conference

District’s “I Believe” Grants for Teachers Funded with over $3 Million Dollars

[Newark, NJ (December 3, 2021] In 2018, Superintendent León initiated the “I Believe in You” and “I Believe in My PLC” grants to impress on teachers his full commitment to the important work they do in teaching and learning.

In response to the global pandemic, the Superintendent reintroduced these two grant for teachers and funded it with its largest installment of over $3.3 million dollars reserved for teachers and teacher team driven projects.  The “I Believe in You” grant provides every teacher with $1,000 and the I Believe in My Professional Learning Community” for one team of teachers per school with $7,000 for the purchase of supplies, materials and researched based strategies.  “Our teachers have been front and center through the pandemic.  The projects submitted are a testament that they continue to be steadfast in supporting our students’ academic and social-emotional needs”, said Superintendent Leόn.

Teachers have been creative in using these funds to support all curricular areas including Literacy, Mathematics, STEM, Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts, and Physical Education.  Teachers are taking advantage of this opportunity with one-third of the schools spending 100% of their total installment to date.  “This grant was a win-win for my students and me!  My small investment of taking the time to complete the grant was outweighed by the impact it will have on student learning and my own personal success as a teacher,” said Mr. Vargas, Teacher.  While teachers are struggling and wrestling with the effects of the global pandemic, they are nothing less than selfless and resilient.  This year’s installment of both of these grants for teachers is a reminder to all that our teachers are committed to our students, and we are committed to them,” added Superintendent Leόn.

In addition to ensuring teachers are equipped with the resources to help students learn and think critically, the district is keenly aware of their heroic efforts and personal needs.  Through a Center for Disease Control grant to support teacher and staff mental health, all staff have access to the WHIL App, a digital training platform for mindfulness, resilience, and mental & emotional wellbeing.  The platform for staff also contains digital courses on meditation, reducing stress and anxiety, and improving physical health.

“We continue to be inspired by our teachers’ relentless drive and excited to know they are taking advantage of all the supports made available to them.  We are proud of our teachers and staff,” said Board President Dawn Haynes.

Newark Board of Education Announces the 35th Annual Title I Parent Conference

[November 30, 2021, Newark, NJ]  The Newark Board of Education is pleased to announce the 35th Annual Title I Parent Conference: Hope Grows A New Beginning Through Learning, which will be held virtually on Saturday, December 4, 2021, between 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Parents, guardians, families, staff, and members of the Newark, NJ community are invited to participate.

The conference will offer sessions in multiple languages on an array of topics such as Financial Aid, Autism Awareness, Safely Navigating Technology, American Sign Language, and more. In addition to over 20 workshops, there will be two keynote speakers as well as a plethora of community organizations present at the conference.

“We look forward to the Annual Parent Conference every year because it is a meaningful collaboration of staff, parents, partners, and community that culminates into a rewarding event for participants,” said Superintendent León, and “This year’s Conference, promises to be more engaging than last year’s.”

The first 500 individuals to register for the conference will be able to submit their information to receive a Swag Bag, compliments of the Parent Engagement team in the Office of Federal Programs and Grants at the Newark Board of Education.

President Dawn Haynes and Board Members are equally excited at this year’s offerings and they encourage everyone to register.

Please complete the registration online at nboeparentconference.pathable.co.

For additional information:  35th Annual Title I Parent Conference

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