Press Releases

A Community Conversation on Education – Newark’s Superintendent Hosts Community Discussion on Goals for the District The Public Is Invited

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[NEWARK, NJ – January 14, 2019] Newark Superintendent of Schools Roger León and key Newark stakeholders will host “A Community Conversation,” to discuss the future of Newark Public Schools (NPS) on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Central High School. Central H.S. is located at 246 18th Avenue in Newark.

According to the Superintendent, the Conversation will include Goals and Timelines on four major topics that will inform the discussion, and direction of NPS going forward. The four topics are; 1) NPS Clarity 2020 Strategic Plan; 2) The Next Decade: 2020-2030 Strategic Plan; 3) Roundtable Forums and Stakeholder Meetings and 4) Review of District Policies and Needs Assessments.

“The Community Conversation will provide the opportunity for us to discuss and begin planning the future of our school district,” said Superintendent Roger León. “Our goal is to be inclusive in the education of our children. Each of us has a role to ensure every student becomes an integral part of our community and the global community. The pipeline for success starts here at Newark Public Schools and we want the public to be a part of the dialogue and decision-making.”

According to the Superintendent, public input is essential to this process, which is why he is encouraging public participation. Superintendent León said, “Education is the answer. I need you not to be a bystander, and instead to be in the game to move our students and our school district forward.”

East Side Students Excel Receive Full Four-Year Scholarships and QuestBridge Honors

QuestbridgeEastSide2018[Newark, New Jersey, December 21, 2018] Gabriel Margaca, an academic leader of the Class of 2019 has just been matched by the QuestBridge Foundation to attend Dartmouth College, an Ivy League School, on a full scholarship. The QuestBridge National College Match is a college and scholarship application process that helps outstanding low-income high school seniors gain admission and full four-year scholarships to the nation’s most selective colleges. His academic excellence includes all Honors and AP classes with a Cumulative GPA of over 4.5. In fact, this year, Gabriel took advantage of our IB program and took an IB class as well. Gabriel had visited Dartmouth through East Side’s Student Council two years ago and was very impressed by this very prestigious college. Once he became a QuestBridge finalist, Dartmouth was on the top of his list. Gabriel is one of 25 students who has been matched through QuestBridge to Dartmouth. This is quite an accomplishment and his East Side family could not be happier for him.

Gabriel is a graduate of Oliver Street School and East Side was his first pick to attend. According to Principal Michael West, Gabriel is not only defined by his academic excellence but also his commitment to our school and community. Gabriel is so proud to be an East Sider and it shows.” Gabriel is President of the Student Council, Vice President of the Honor Society and a host of other activities where he shows his leadership in promoting and helping anyone in need. Gabriel is also a scholar athletic by being the Co-Captain of our Golf Team. His brilliant, leadership and compassion will serve him well. Congratulations to Gabriel Margaca for your QuestBridge Match and good luck at Dartmouth College next year.

Natalie Fernandez, our salutatorian for the Class of 2019 has also been matched by the QuestBridge Foundation to attend University of Notre Dame on a full four-year scholarship. Last year, Natalie went on a Student Council trip to visit Notre Dame and this opened the possibility of attending the most beautiful campus that she had ever visited. So, once she became a QuestBridge finalist she put Notre Dame at the top of her list. Notre Dame only accepts 42 QuestBridge matches a year. This is a dream come true for any student. QuestBridge will pay the total tuition for four years. Natalie’s academic achievement includes all Honors and AP classes with a cumulative GPA of 4.5 along with highs scores on her AP placement tests.

Natalie is a graduate of Hawkins Street School. Natalie has a host of extra-curricular activities and community service projects. She is a member of our National Honor Society where she was elected treasurer this year. She is the Secretary to the Student Council, a member of UN, the Anatomy Club, and Public Speaking. She joined the Robotics Club in her sophomore year and is now the driver and Co-Captain of the Club. Natalie has a generous spirit and has always given back to her school and community. She has raised money for breast cancer, was active in fundraising for Hurricane Harvey and Maria worked at a Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and countless other initiatives. The one that stands out is what she did over one summer. She returned to the DR to help out victims from the hurricane. She went into the mountains where her family is from to give medical aid to the elderly and helped bring supplies to them. According to Principal West, “Natalie is a brilliant student and community servant and we are so excited for her to attend the University of Notre Dame on a full scholarship.”

Dawn of a New Day Newark Public Schools Hosts 32nd Annual Title 1 Parent Conference

“NPS CLARITY 2020”

Nearly 500 Parents, Educators, Advocates and Others Attend

[NEWARK, NJ – December 20, 2018] The Newark Board of Education hosted the 32nd Annual Title 1 Citywide Parent Conference for parents, educators, advocates and others, recently. The 2018 theme, NPS Clarity 2020, provided a look at the strategies that will be used to educate Newark Public School students in the coming year. The purpose of the conference is also focused around expanding the partnership with parents to plan a roadmap for success for every Newark Public School student.

Roger León, Superintendent of Newark Schools said, “The Title 1 Parent Conference is a unique opportunity for parents, advocates, educators and the Newark community to come together to collectively understand the priorities of the school district and how together, we can help our children achieve academic success.” The Superintendent added, “The 2018 conference theme, NPS Clarity 2020, represents the strategic direction of the district in educating students going forward.”

The 2018 conference featured workshops on parental involvement, independent reading, science, conflict resolution, social emotional learning and communicating effectively with your child and school. The conference also featured workshops focusing on challenges; such as the impact of trauma, stress management and relaxation and more. In addition, several workshops provided the tools to help prepare the parent to be college-ready to help their child. Also, this year, the Community Engagement Committee of the Newark Board of Education presented a workshop so parents and others can share their thoughts, concerns and ideas to support positive experiences for their child and our student.

Board Chairwoman Josephine C. Garcia and other members of the Board of Education’s Community Engagement Committee led a panel discussion, providing an opportunity for parents to engage in a face-to-face discussion on positive programs and events for students and families to experience as part of their educational experience.

The Superintendent added, “The compact we have between the school and the home will move this district in a positive trajectory.” Mr. León said the compact is comprised of a “Principal Who Leads, A Teacher Who Cares, a Parent Who Loves and a Student Who Learns.”

Hockey Scholar at East Side H.S. Selects Washington University for College

Matthew Atehortua
Matthew Atehortua

Matthew Atehortua, a scholar and hockey player at East Side High School, will attend Washington University of St. Louis in the Fall of 2019. Washington University’s ranking in the 2019 edition of US News Best Colleges is 19 for National Universities.

Matthew is a hardworking student-athlete at East Side High School. His work ethic allows him to balance his duties as captain of the ice hockey team and vice president of the student council while maintaining a 4.4 GPA.  In addition to being an active student at East Side High School, Matthew gives back to the community by volunteering as a mentor and coach in Newark for Hockey In New Jersey.  

In the near future Matthew will play hockey for the Bears and major in Biology at Washington University. Matthew plans to study Pre-med, attend, medical school and ultimately become a surgeon.

Girls Who Code Founder and CEO Reshma Saujani Hosts Event with Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León Celebrating Newark Public Schools Commitment to Tech Education for Girls

Newark Public Schools commit to launching a Girls Who Code Club in every school and teaching the organization’s Women in Tech lesson plans

 

December 13, 2018 (Newark, NJ) — Today, Girls Who Code founder and CEO Reshma Saujani and Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León are hosting an event at the Rafael Hernandez School in Newark, New Jersey to celebrate the city’s commitment to tech education for girls.

As a part of a new partnership with Girls Who Code, Newark will open a Girls Who Code club in 24 of the district’s middle schools—providing more than 3,000 girls with the opportunity to learn to code. Newark Public Schools will also introduce the organization’s Women in Tech lesson plans to every middle school.

“It’s time that we prepare our students—specifically, our girls—for the future of work,” said Girls Who Code Founder and CEO Reshma Saujani. “This effort starts in our schools. With more partnerships like this one in Newark we can make sure our girls are ready to take on the highest-paying jobs and that, one day soon, we eliminate the gender gap in tech. We are grateful to Newark Public Schools and to Superintendent Roger León for such incredible leadership in tech education.”

In the six months since launching the lesson plans, nearly 3,000 teachers and advocates across the country have accessed the Girls Who Code resource. Based on the overwhelming popularity of these lessons plans, Girls Who Code has released a second set. The lesson plans feature women pioneers in tech, including: Chieko Asakawa, Nicole Dominguez, Grace Hopper, Ayanna Howard, Katherine Johnson, Miral Kotb, Ada Lovelace, Vanessa Tostado, Brenda Wilkerson, and the ENIAC women.

“I want to thank Girls Who Code for bringing their vision, energy and resources to Newark students,” said Newark Superintendent of Schools Roger León.  “I often say, ‘education is the answer’ While this is true, we must also acknowledge and that educating our students has changed and will continue to change over time.  Computer Science and more importantly, computational thinking, are at the core of learning and preparing for a future in which Newark students will lead. Access to careers of the future starts today, which is why bringing Girls Who Code to Newark is both monumental for our students, our families, school district and city and the first step of our broader commitment to provide a CS education for every student in our schools.”

This partnership builds on a recent $2 million commitment by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to expand computer science education in the state by requiring that all public high schools offer computer science in the 2018-19 school year and increasing the number of schools offering advanced computer science classes.

One of the primary challenges that girls face in pursuing computer science as a career is a lack of female role models. In a study by Stanford professor Raj Chetty, research confirms that if girls are as exposed to female inventors as boys are to male inventors, female innovation rates would rise by 164 percent and the gender gap in innovation would fall by 55 percent. According to a report done in partnership by Accenture and Girls Who Code, introducing girls to computing earlier means they are more likely to show interest in computing throughout their high school and college years.

Girls Who Code Women in Tech lesson plans are available for free to teachers nationwide online at https://girlswhocode.com/women-in-tech-lessonplans/.

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About Girls Who Code:
Girls Who Code is an international non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. Through their programs,, they are leading the movement to inspire, educate, and equip young women with the computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities. Girls Who Code has reached over 90,000 girls in the United States since starting in 2012. To join the movement or learn more, visit girlswhocode.com.

Source: https://girlswhocode.com/2018/12/13/newark-public-schools-partners-with-girlswhocode/

Do You Need to Enroll Your Student in A School for the 2019-2020 School Year?

Newark Board of Education Opens the Universal Enrollment Application And Hosts the 2018 Enrollment Fair for Parents to Meet School Administrators and Complete Applications

[Newark, NJ, December 6, 2018] The Newark Board of Education has announced important dates for parents looking to enroll their students in Newark Public Schools; for the 2019-2020 school year and, for the 2018 School Fair where parents and students can learn more about Newark Public Schools and charter schools. The application to enroll your students for the 2019-2020 school year opened on Monday, December 3. The 2018 School Fair will be held Saturday, December 8, at Barringer High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Newark Schools Superintendent Roger León said, “The enrollment period and the 2018 Enrollment Fair are two of the most important opportunities for parents and students to decide where their student’s educational future lies.” The Superintendent said, “I want to encourage every parent to take advantage of this unique, informational and truly family fun day to find out more and meet the people who make Newark Public Schools a destination for your child’s educational success and academic future.”

Enrollment Process

The enrollment window to apply for a school is open for 11 weeks to allow families to apply to the district or charter schools of their choice. Students will be assigned to the highest ranked choice available.

Families must complete an application if, 1) their student is in the last grade in their current school year, 2) their student will be enrolling in school for the first time, or 3) if they are looking to attend a new school for Fall 2019.

This year Newark Enrolls continues to improve the enrollment process for Newark families by providing neighborhood preference for 100 percent of district elementary schools, focusing on keeping siblings in the same school, providing direct online access for parents to make enrollment changes through the Family Enrollment Portal, and closely reviewing school placements for students who require special services to ensure appropriate services are available. The District also incorporated feedback from parents and community members to make further improvements around how families directly interact and learn about the enrollment process.

There are three types of students who should apply for a new school: 1) Students in the last grade in their current school, 2) enrolling in a school for the first time, or 3) students who want to enroll in a new school that best fits their needs, should apply. As always, students who plan to remain at their current school DO NOT need to apply.

In addition, parents and students have three options to complete their applications: 1) Submit an online application, 2) Submit a paper application to the school your student is currently attending; or 3) Submit a paper application to the Family Support Center.

More information is available at www.newarkenrolls.org.

Enrollment Fair

In addition, on Saturday, December 8, the Newark Board of Education will host the 2018 School Enrollment Fair. The Fair will be held at Barringer High School, located at 90 Parker Street in Newark. The Fair will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The School Fair is for students attending Pre-K, elementary and high school. You should attend the 2018 School Fair to 1) explore school options, and 2) complete the enrollment application and 3) see and experience school performances for those with arts programs focused on music and instruments. In addition, the School Fair will feature family fun, pizza and light refreshments, giveaways and more.

The Enrollment Fair is a fun-filled four hours of meeting and greeting principals, teachers, school staff, coaches for all 60 Newark Public Schools and 11 charter schools. The Fair is an informational and family-fun destination to learn more about your student attending school. Parents and students will have an opportunity to meet school staff, watch performances from school bands and hear from Superintendent Roger León.

In addition, to help you navigate your way around the Enrollment Fair, all high schools will be located in the gymnasium, and elementary schools will be located in the cafeteria. The “application room” is available for parents and students to complete the application – staff will be located in this space to assist parents and students.

To enroll your student or find out more about the 2018 School Fair, visit us online at www.newarkenrolls.org.