Press Releases

Newark Public Schools Switches Out March Madness for Basketball and Replaces it with March Madness for Robotics

More than 200 Students and 20 Robots They Created Participate in City Wide Program & Competition

Free Saturday Event for Families, Students and Robot Enthusiasts


[NEWARK, NJ – March 7, 2019] Nearly 200 students will take to the gymnasium floor on Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Newark’s First Avenue School for the NEWARK MARCH ROBOTICS MADNESS. They are not taking to the gym floor to play basketball during this March Madness basketball season, they are instead taking to the gym floor to display and demonstrate their robots, created by students in the Newark Public Schools. The teams are generously supported by the Overdeck Family Foundation and the Panasonic Foundation.

“I want to thank the Overdeck Family Foundation and the Panasonic Foundation for their generous gifts to Newark Public Schools students, and especially to the Newark First Robotics Teams,” said Newark Schools Superintendent Roger León. “Through the FIRST initiative, our students are expanding their knowledge of science and technology, and robotics development, and their use in our lives today and in the future. I am so very proud of our nearly 200 students and 20 schools who will participate in this monumental exploration of the mind. Our goal is to create the framework for students to use what they learn now and use it throughout their academic career and beyond.”

Students from 20 schools will display and demonstrate science and technology at the annual FIRST student robot program and competition. NEWARK MARCH ROBOTICS MADNESS is being sponsored by Panasonic and Overdeck Family Foundation. Students will display their robots in the gymnasium as part of the FIRST team. FIRST has as a mission to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication and leadership.

“Overdeck Family Foundation is proud to support FIRST’s expansion in Newark, increasing opportunities for students to collaborate in teams to build their STEM confidence, along with problem solving and communication skills,” said Brian Carter, program officer at Overdeck Family Foundation.

“We are honored and thrilled to support March Robotics Madness. We know access to STEM can change the course of a student’s life by meeting the demand of a growing global demand. When students choose STEM-related paths, they develop lifelong skills in teamwork, leadership and communication,” said Alejandra Ceja, Executive Director Panasonic North America Office of Corporate Social Responsibility and the Panasonic Foundation.

“Today, technology is so advanced that we must keep with the times,” said Josephine C. Garcia, President of the Newark Board of Education (NBOE). “Robotics plays a critical role in the structure of our society, from defense to the health industry, and beyond. In Newark’s schools, I am excited to see our students actively involved in making life, as we know it, better. I am so proud of the district for demonstrating to everyone that our children are exposed to opportunities that redefine what our schools are becoming now.”

According to Tim Nellegar, Special Assistant of Educational Technology and Computer Science at the NBOE, the FIRST Lego League division teams will compete against each other in both research presentations and robotics missions. Our FIRST Lego League, Jr. teams will display their projects and research and FIRST Tech Challenge teams will showcase their robots and their 2018-2019 game challenge. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First Avenue School, located at 281 First Avenue.

Newark Board of Education and SPAN Host Workshop for Parents of Students with Special Needs

[NEWARK, New Jersey – March 5, 2019] The SPAN Parent Advocacy Network and the Newark Board of Education will host Session 2, “Supports for Struggling Parents,” of their Parent Workshop for parents of students with special needs.

Three workshops will be held in March – on the 6th and 9th. Workshops on the 6th will be held from 9 – 11 a.m. at the Salomé Ureña School at 284 First Avenue. The afternoon workshop will be held from 1 – 3 p.m. at Oliver Street School, located at 86 Oliver Street and the final workshop for March will be held on Saturday, March 9 from 9 – 11 a.m. at the Newark Board of Education Central Office at 765 Broad Street.

According to the Department of Special Education, students who may be struggling academically and/or behaviorally can often benefit from early and intensive services and supports, according to Carolyn Granato, Executive Director, Special Education. According to Ms. Granato, Session 2 will provide resources and helpful strategies for use at school and at home to help avoid student failure, including details on NJ’s Tiered System of Supports.

Parents and advocates interested in attending can register online at www.span-nps-2019.eventbrite.com or by phone at 973-733-7314. If you have questions, please contact Ayo at 973-642-8100 or abajamo@nullspanadvocacy.org

National Educational Partnership Joins Forces in Newark, NJ to Grow Next Generation of Teachers

Newark Public Schools, Montclair State University, and American Federation of Teachers Launch New Jersey’s Largest Teachers Academy as a Model to Grow Teacher Pipeline and Address Teacher Diversity

teacher academy logo graphic


[Newark, NJ February 26, 2019] National and local education leaders today took the first step towards creating a pipeline to educate, train and prepare future teachers, and diversify the teacher workforce with the launch of Newark Public Schools Teacher Education Academy. The launch of the Academy was led by Newark Board of Education (NBOE) and Superintendent Roger León, State Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, President of Montclair State University (MSU) Dr. Susan A. Cole and President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Randi Weingarten. John Abeigon, President of the Newark Teachers Union, legislators, educators and students also participated in what will be New Jersey’s largest school district’s first teacher academy.

Superintendent León said, “When I became Superintendent, I made a commitment to transform educational opportunities for our students and to identify partners who shared our passion to expand our community of student scholars. Today represents the beginning of a new chapter for our schools, as we launch this, the first in a series of high school academies that will connect Newark Public School students to promising futures, starting with the Newark Teaching Academy. Together we are preparing our students to be the best teachers in Newark, in New Jersey and anywhere in America.” He added, “Thank you to President Cole of Montclair State University, President Weingarten from the American Federation of Teachers, Mayor Baraka and everyone here for being our partner to transform Newark Public High Schools and create pipelines of progress.”

The Teacher Education Academy will be located at Newark’s East Side High School. The launch begins the planning phase for The Teacher Academy, which is expected to open in 2020. Additional high school academies will be announced over the coming months.

“As a 22-year educator in the Newark Public Schools system, I know how critical it is to teach, mentor, and inspire effectively in the classroom. Teachers do more than merely correct tests and read students’ essays,” Mayor Baraka said. “By their every word in the classroom, they create future generations of scientists, entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, and leaders that will create the strong Newark we want to see. So we must place future teachers in our classrooms who are prepared for this immense challenge and can educate and inspire our children through example. I welcome the Teacher Preparatory Academy to Newark and urge any student who has felt the call to commit to this great profession to attend the Academy.”

Montclair State University will help design a curriculum to prepare students for a career in teaching. In addition, the university will provide adjunct professors to teach students, and internships for students will be available, as well. The Teacher Preparatory Academy will be housed at East Side High School, Newark’s largest high school with more than 2,000 students. Partner high schools to East Side H.S are Newark’s University High Schools Media Studies Academy and Arts High Schools Arts Academy. Both academies will be housed at East Side High School. Graduates of The Teacher Academy will receive a substitute certificate and college credits upon completion.

“Montclair State University has been deeply engaged in working with the Newark Public Schools for many decades, in a number of school and curricular reform efforts, bringing millions of dollars in federal grants to support the preparation of the highest quality teachers for Newark schools, and in the education of committed and talented school leaders, including among them Superintendent Roger Leon. This new collaboration, a Teacher Academy in East Side High School and University High School, will take another important step forward, providing Newark with an academically rigorous and innovative pathway to grow their own future teachers,” said Dr. Susan A. Cole, President of Montclair State University.

The Teacher Education Academy will prepare Newark Public School students for careers in education and create a pipeline of diversity in education to reflect the state of New Jersey and the nation. The Academy will also create an environment that makes a teaching career in education a destination for high school and college bound students.

“Today, we take an important step in Newark with the broader education community in New Jersey to grow the educator workforce and diversify the pipeline of people entering the profession through a new grow-our-own program. We are excited to collaborate on this program, which addresses the critical challenge of diversifying the teacher workforce in our classrooms and providing educators with the tools they need to stay in the profession and to succeed. The teaching academy at East Side High School can be the center of a virtuous cycle that prepares Newark’s youth to excel in a high-quality teacher preparation program and return to their community to teach—equipped with the skills and the will to make every public school worthy of the next generation of students. This partnership is what real collaboration looks like: all parties on board reflecting the leadership and diversity of the community, and all committed to moving a powerful vision and a plan that puts schools at the heart of their communities,” American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten.

“On behalf of the members of the Board of Education, thank you to Montclair State University, the American Federation of Teachers, and Mayor Baraka for their commitment to our students and our district,” said Josephine C. Garcia, Board Chairperson. “We look forward to launching this and the other High School Academies.

In the News

STATEMENT: Bus Accident Involving Newark Public Schools Students

A private bus vendor, F and A Transportation, was transporting Newark Public School children yesterday afternoon from 14th Avenue School home. Students on the bus were picked up from the school at approximately 1 p.m. Approximately five minutes later, the driver of the bus was involved in an accident. No student injuries were sustained in the accident. All students on the bus were transported to a nearby hospital, where they were evaluated and released. Immediately following the accident, the Newark Board of Education suspended F and A Transportation from providing the 14th Avenue bus route, which is being operated by the Newark Board of Education until an investigation has been completed.

The driver of the bus is employed by F and A Transportation, not the Newark Board of Education. The only route immediately discontinued by the Newark Board of Education is the one F and A route for the Special Needs students at 14th Avenue that was involved in the accident. The Newark Board of Education is operating that route. F and A is continuing all other routes with us at this time and until the investigation has concluded.

Newark Students Seeking Admission to a Magnet School Must Complete Application by Friday, February 15, 2019

[NEWARK, NJ, February 8, 2019] Newark Public Schools is advising all students who are seeking admission to a magnet school, to complete the application by Friday, February 15, 2019 before 12 p.m. noon. The system will close at 12 noon and applications will no longer be accepted after that time.

Admissions Tests for Schools

  • Admissions tests to attend a Newark Public School will be offered for Newark Public School and non-Newark Public School students on two different days, as outlined below.

Current Newark Public School Students

  • 8th grade students in a Newark Public School will take the admissions test in their school on Friday, February 15, 2019.

Non-Newark Public School Students

  • 8th grade students in a Non-NPS school must report to Science Park High School on Saturday, September 16, 20189 at 8:30 a.m. for the admission’s test.

For more information, visit the Newark Enrolls web site at www.newarkenrolls.org.

According to the school district, it is essential that you take advantage of these opportunities to attend a Newark Public School.

 

Newark Public High School Students Earn College Credit from Rutgers University – Newark

nps-collegecredit-rutgers[Newark, NJ] With the start of the spring semester this week, nearly 40 Newark high school students also began classes on the Rutgers University–Newark campus. The result of the first-ever dual enrollment memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Newark Public Schools (NPS) and Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences–Newark (SASN), students are participating in such course offerings as Introduction to Psychology and Introduction to Caribbean Studies. Students are able to earn three college credits for each course.

“The opportunity for our high school students to realize now that college is possible is embodied in dual enrollment,” said Superintendent Roger León. “This experience is beyond realizing that our students can complete college courses [but that they can] compete at the very highest levels.”

Added Mario Santos, Assistant Superintendent of High Schools, “As a former principal…I know first-hand the advantage of providing resources to our students. I want to thank Rutgers University and encourage our students to take advantage of everything this awesome opportunity provides as they begin their journey through college.”

The MOU, approved by the Board of Education in December 2018, is in line with NPS’s increasing emphasis on college readiness. A recent report released by the Newark City of Learning Collaborative (NCLC) and Rutgers–Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration found that while 54 percent of 2011-2016 Newark high school graduates immediately enrolled in college, only 23 percent earned any type of degree or credential within six years. NCLC brokered the dual enrollment partnership as a direct follow up on the report’s recommendations to improve college matriculation and completion for Newark students.

“Our goal at NCLC is to help as many Newark residents as possible to get into and through college, which is why we are excited to provide this opportunity for students to earn college credit while still in high school,” said NCLC Executive Director Reginald Lewis. “By expanding access to more rigorous course options, like dual enrollment, we ensure that more of our students are on track to graduate high school on time, as well as graduate ready to do college-level work.”

Notable about the agreement is that high school students attend classes on campus alongside current Rutgers undergraduate students, rather than taking online courses or courses offered on high school premises.

It is “not only an opportunity for high school students to enroll and experience the rigors of a college course, but to also get a glimpse into the college student experience. They will engage with our faculty [and] have academic and social exchanges with college students in and outside of the classroom,” said Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education at SASN, LaToya Battle-Brown.

Angela Mincy, Principal of Barringer High School, said, “This dual enrollment opportunity…will undoubtedly be a game changer for students. What better gift can we give our youth than exposure and access to high quality opportunities to push their intellectual and physical boundaries beyond the traditional high school walls?”

Indeed, physically being on a college campus is a key element for high school students to envision themselves as college students in the future. As Barringer High School student Yellybeth Diaz said about the Introduction to Psychology course she is taking on campus this semester, “Taking this class will give me a first-hand experience of what college life will be like…[and] will teach me how to be even more responsible academically and most importantly how to manage my time.”

Plans to expand the current dual enrollment agreement are already underway to include more NPS students and additional higher education institutions, including NCLC’s nine other higher education partners from the Greater Newark area. Increased dual enrollment opportunities provide pathways for more Newark students to successfully transition to college and ultimately earn their desired degrees.

Remarked Mr. Lewis, “The city has a lot of momentum; it’s more than just getting young people through high school, we’re building Newark’s emerging college-going culture.”

For more information about NCLC, visit nclc2025.org.