Press Releases

Hundreds of NJIT Students to Help Newark Teachers Prepare for School Year

1000+ Participate in NJIT’s First Year Day of Service Across Essex County

NJIT's Day of Caring for college freshman
Malcolm X Shabazz High School Principal Naseed Gifted welcomes Superintendent Roger León to the high school along with NJIT President Dr. Joel Bloom and NJIT Chief External Affairs Officer Angela Garretson for NJIT’s Day of Caring for college freshman.

[NEWARK, N.J., Aug. 30, 2018] More than 1,000 incoming freshmen at New Jersey Institute of Technology will provide service to community agencies, including assisting Newark teachers as they prepare for the opening of the 2018-2019 school year, as part of NJIT’s First Year Day of Service on Thursday, August 30. In addition to supporting the Newark Public School system, NJIT students will travel to food banks, childcare learning centers, rehabilitation clinics and public parks to lend a helping hand.

NJIT students will be at the Bessie Mae Women and Family Health Center, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, the Fairmount Heights Neighborhood Association, the Catholic Charities Immigration Assistance Program, the Grace West Manor Senior Tower and Children’s Community Center, the Greater Newark Conservatory, the Job Haines Home, Jersey Cares—Care of the Park, the Unified Vailsburg Services Organization, St. John’s Soup Kitchen, the Urban League of Essex County, the South Mountain Conservancy, Seamen’s Church, and Rebuilding Together, as well as the following schools:

  • Abington Avenue School
  • Avon Avenue School
  • Barringer High School
  • Belmont Runyon Community School
  • First Avenue School
  • Lincoln School
  • Luis Muñoz Marin School
  • Malcolm X Shabazz High School
  • Roberto Clemente Elementary School
  • Speedway Academy
  • Sussex Avenue School
  • KIPP NJ Life Academy
  • KIPP NJ Spark Academy
  • University Heights Charter School

NJIT President Joel S. Bloom and Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León will join students and new Principal Naseed Gifted (a 2001 electrical engineering graduate of NJIT) at Malcolm X Shabazz High School at 10 am.

“Community service is a critical component of our mission at NJIT, and this day of service is representative of the great partnership we have achieved with Mayor Ras J. Baraka,” said Bloom. “For the last six years, NJIT has engaged first-year, incoming students with the community through a day of service that has strengthened our university’s relationship with the City of Newark and its residents. This day provides an opportunity to foster meaningful relationships between students and community partners while creating a learning opportunity that demonstrates the value of community service.”

“I want to thank Dr. Bloom, Ms. Garretson and the NJIT freshman who have donated their time to help beautify and prepare our schools for opening,” said Roger León, Superintendent of Schools. “Community service is an essential part of the student experience in Newark. We look forward to partnering with NJIT in the future.”

About NJIT
One of only 32 polytechnic universities in the United States, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) prepares undergraduate and graduate students and professionals to become leaders in the technology-dependent economy of the 21st century. NJIT’s multidisciplinary curriculum and computing-intensive approach to education provide technological proficiency, business acumen and leadership skills. NJIT has a $1.74 billion annual economic impact on the State of New Jersey, conducts approximately $140 million in research activity each year, and is a global leader in such fields as solar research, nanotechnology, resilient design, tissue engineering and cybersecurity, in addition to others. NJIT is ranked #1 nationally by Forbes for the upward economic mobility of its lowest-income students and is among the top 2 percent of public colleges and universities in return on educational investment, according to PayScale.com.

University Hospital and Newark Public Schools Partner to Expand Access to Health Education & Services for Newark Students & Families

Partnership kicks off with University Hospital providing Stop the Bleed training for NPS employees; Foundation for University Hospital will donate more than $30,000 to fully cover costs of the training and response kits

[Newark, NJ] On August 29th, the a partnership between University Hospital and Newark Public Schools (NPS) will kick off when the hospital’s Community Training Center will train approximately 150 public school employees—including nurses and security personnel—in emergency bleeding control skills. The event will mark the beginning of a formal relationship between the hospital and NPS to address the health of students and their families. Over time, programming will also include medical screenings, health education, workshops, smoking cessations classes, and insurance enrollment for Newark families.

The training program will eventually prepare nearly 5,000 NPS employees in emergency bleeding response. University Hospital is the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, and to date the only New Jersey hospital to offer a training program of this kind. Dr. Adam Fox, a committee member on the Stop the Bleeding Board and a surgeon in the trauma division at University Hospital, will be leading the training on August 29th.

To support this effort, The Foundation for University Hospital will donate more than $30,000 to cover the cost of the training and purchase nearly 550 bleeding control kits that will be distributed to all of Newark’s 66 public schools. The bleeding control kits that the Foundation is donating each contain tourniquets, pressure dressing, hemostatic agents, chest shields, gloves, and scissors, and can treat 3-4 patients each, depending on the severity of the wound.

The training initiative is part of a nationwide Stop the Bleed campaign and is funded by grants by the Department of Homeland Security and the New Jersey Department of Health. Stop the Bleed aims to equip bystanders with the skills needed to assist wounded individuals in the critical period before medical help arrives. According to research conducted by the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, around 40% of trauma-related deaths are a result of uncontrolled bleeding and hemorrhaging, which often occur while a victim is waiting for medical attention.

Ras Baraka, Mayor, City of Newark: “Good health, wellness, and public safety require that health care providers form meaningful, long-lasting relationships with the communities they serve. The new partnership between University Hospital and Newark Public Schools is a step in the right direction.”

Roger León, Superintendent, Newark Public Schools: “Schools are much more than just places of learning because they serve as community hubs where teachers and families can work together to create a better environment for our children. Partnering with University Hospital to expand health education and access to medical services is not only good for the 55,000+ students attending Newark’s schools – it’s good for Newark as a whole.”

John Kastanis, President & CEO, University Hospital: “On behalf of University Hospital and the Foundation for University Hospital, we are extremely proud of this partnership with the Newark Public Schools. We believe our duty as healthcare providers extends beyond the walls of the hospital and necessitates a greater presence in the Newark community. Ensuring the health and safety of Newark’s students will help to develop a culture of health in the city.”

University Hospital is one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, and is the Level 1 Trauma Center for Northern New Jersey. Located at University Heights in Newark, University Hospital is a principal teaching hospital of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and a regional resource for advanced services across many medical specialties. For more information about University Hospital, please visit www.uhnj.org.

The Foundation for University Hospital is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization founded to support University Hospital. The foundation develops relationships and financial resources to sustain and enhance healthcare programs, and services of University Hospital.

West Side High School’s “Lights On” Program Wraps Up for the Summer More than 500 Youth Attend Last Night of Summer Evening Programs
[NEWARK, New Jersey – August 30, 2018] – West Side High Schools “Lights On” Program, an evening program for Newark youth to engage in positive activities with their peers, ended the 2018 summer program last week. More than 500 youth attended the final program, which featured a disc jockey, ice cream truck, yoga, basketball, nail design, cheering and flag twirler classes, cooking and much more for teen and pre-teen Newark youth.

The program was created by then Vice Principal Akbar Cook. Mr. Cook, who was recently named Principal of West Side High School, began the program to reinforce positive behavior and programs for students in Newark. “Lights On” has become a destination, not only for West Side High School and Central Ward students, but for students throughout Newark.

This summer, “Lights On” hosted more than 2,000 youth throughout the summer. According to Principal Cook, young people were looking for a positive alternative to the streets, especially on Friday night. “Lights On” is a good alternative to the streets that is fun and educational.

Newark Community Partners Celebrate Superintendent Roger León

[NEWARK, New Jersey – August 30, 2018] – Newark Community Partners recently honored the new Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Roger León at a reception at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Ryan Gallery. The Community Partners are the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark City of Learning Collaborative (NCLC), Newark Trust for Education, Prudential Financial, and Rutgers University-Newark.

A brief program featured remarks from Reginald Lewis, Executive Director of the NCLC, Rich Levao, President of Bloomfield College and Anthony Munroe, President of Essex County College.

Photographed with Superintendent León are members of the Arts High School Jazz Ensemble and Newark Board of Education member Asia Norton. The Superintendent is also photographed with President Levao of Bloomfield College, Nancy Cantor, President of Rutgers University – Newark, President Munroe of Essex County College, Ron Chaluisán, Executive Director of the Newark Trust for Education and Reginald Lewis, Executive Director of the NCLC.

Technology High School Welcomes Students with Back2School Kickoff Free Haircuts, Backpacks, School Supply Giveaways

[NEWARK, New Jersey, August 24, 2018] – Newark’s Technology High School is hosting a Back2School Kickoff for students on Friday, August 24, 2018. The program begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. and will be held at the high school, located at 223 Broadway in Newark.

The kickoff will include free haircuts, backpacks and school supplies, raffle prizes, informational tables, live entertainment, refreshments and more.

Newark Superintendent Roger León said, “Student learning and achievement are increased when students are familiar with their surroundings, school leaders and student colleagues. I commend Principal Reyes, his staff and all of the partners responsible for developing a program to engage students and families in getting ready for the beginning of the school year.” He added, “How you start defines how you finish. We are starting strong at Technology High School. We are getting prepared early in Newark.”

Technology High School Principal Edwin Reyes said, “The day was designed to provide resources that students and families need for the beginning of the school year, from a haircut to school supplies. Expenses associated with the first day of school are financially challenging for some families – particularly for families with more than one student – that’s why the kickoff is about more than just a fun day, it’s a practical day to come out for many families.”

This event is for Technology High School students and their families, only. You must register in order to attend. For more information contact the school or the Community Engagement Specialist Noemi Ballester at nballester@nullnewark.apppresser.com

Newark’s New Superintendent Brings New Meaning to the Phrase “First Day of School” with August High School Orientation

[NEWARK, New Jersey, August 22, 2018] Newark’s new Superintendent Roger León is bringing new meaning to the high school student experience for the city’s public school students. During the week of August 27, Superintendent León will host Orientation Week for incoming seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen. This is the first time high school students will return to school before the official first day of school, which is Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

Superintendent León said, “We are changing the way we conduct business and deliver educational services to Newark Public School students. My goal with Orientation Week is to engage high school students on a level that is above and beyond the ordinary practice – there is nothing ordinary about our students.” He continued, “By providing orientation before the official first day of school, we are putting in place a new process that will help students be extraordinary beginning on Day 1.”

Orientation for seniors is on Monday, August 27, for juniors on Wednesday, August 29, for sophomores on Thursday, August 30 and freshmen orientation is Friday, August 31. All sessions will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. at the student’s respective high school.

According to the Superintendent, “The high school orientation will provide an opportunity for students to meet with the Principal and class advisor, and find out more about class goals and objectives, scheduling for the school year and graduation requirements.

“Every student throughout the district should start the first day of school with an eye towards college, and in every high school, with a roadmap of how to get there,” Superintendent León added. “The orientation will mirror what many colleges do to prepare students for the year. By getting in front of students early and prior to the first day, I want to set the tone that we will prepare every student for college now. Newark is a college town and choosing college will be an option.”