Newark Board of Education & Newark Public Schools, the Office of Mayor Baraka and the Newark Municipal Council To Hold 1st Citywide Rally & Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Giveaway

The Community Engagement Committee of the Board of Education Connects the Community to Resources for School Readiness

The Rally and Giveaway at Shabazz Stadium is Open to All School-Age Children

[NEWARK, NJ – August 3, 2018] As part of a district and citywide effort to prepare students for the first day of school in September; the Newark Board of Education, Newark Public Schools, the Office of Mayor Ras J. Baraka and the Municipal Council will hold the 1st Citywide Rally & Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Giveaway on Thursday, August 30, 2018 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Malcolm X Shabazz High School stadium. The school is located at 80 Johnson Avenue. The event is open to all school-age children.

Backpacks and school supplies; such as notebooks, pencils, ink pens, markers, and other items needed by students to start the school year off right, will be distributed at the event. This is the first partnership between the Board of Education, the school district, the city and the Municipal Council, according to Josephine Garcia, Chair of the Newark Board of Education. “One of our goals as a Board is to begin to develop community-based programs that benefit NPS students,” Chair Garcia said.

“I want to thank members of the Board, especially the Community Engagement Committee, the Office of the Mayor and Municipal Council for their collective support to help prepare our students for the first day of school,” said Roger León, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “We want our students to be excited about the beginning of a new school year – the rally will raise the level of excitement and engagement and a new book bag and school supplies are important symbols to mark the beginning of the new school year.”

“We are approaching back-to-school season, and for the first time in more than 20 years, our public schools are under the control of the people of Newark. It is emblematic of community control that many partners have joined with our new school leadership to give students tools they need to learn, study, and excel. All of us in Newark are entering a new era in public education, which will create a stronger more vital city,” said Mayor Ras J. Baraka.

In addition to backpacks and school supplies, students will also be treated to a day of sports and entertainment, community partners and programs, health and safety and kiddie fun. “Fat Boy” will perform, and “Just One” Soccer Clinic, and Street Hockey by the NJ Devils will be there. In addition, find out more about community programs and partners; like the Dr. Marion A. Bolden Student Center, Newark Thrives, Newark YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters and more. For health, check out the dental hygiene van, fingerprinting, fire truck, the FQHC Health Van, immunizations, free haircuts and nail etiquette and manicures. Finally kids can have fun at the Bounce House and other fun activities.

The event is free and open to all school-aged children who are residents of the city of Newark. According to Community Engagement Committee Chair Yambeli Gomez, “We want our students to be excited about the first day and throughout the year – this event will help raise their level of engagement and excitement about going back to school.”

“I am extremely excited about the 2018 Newark school year. It has been over 20 years since there has been local control of the Newark Public School system,” said Mildred C. Crump, President of the Newark Municipal County. “I want to thank Mayor Baraka, the Newark School Board and everyone who worked tirelessly over many years to make this moment possible. I want to congratulate Mr. Roger León on his recent selection as our Superintendent. I know that he will have the success of our children at the forefront of his agenda. I wish the faculty, staff, parents, and most importantly, our children a tremendous 2018 school year. Once again, the destiny of our children is in our hands. Let’s make it happen!”

Please register in advance of the event. All children must be accompanied by a parent. The rain date for the 1st City-Wide Back to School Rally is Friday, August 31, 2018. Click here to register.

[Newark, NJ – July 25, 2018] Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Roger León yesterday received full and unanimous approval from the Newark Board of Education to hire seven new principals. In keeping with his mission to engage students, families, teachers, community members and partners, Superintendent León restored a version of the School Leadership Council principal hiring process that has been dormant for nearly a decade. 

The process, once mandatory, resulted in the creation of an interview panel represented by key stakeholders from each school to recommend new principals for hire. In total, 48 members of the community participated in the selection of these new principals; a level of public engagement unseen in the Newark Public Schools in almost a decade.

Superintendent León said, “This is an extraordinary time for students, parents, the community, and the City of Newark – we have a unique opportunity to write our collective story about what the future of education will look like in Newark.” On the heels of his appointment as Superintendent in May, Mr. León addressed the community in a public forum and promised to restore confidence in the consciousness of the community by engaging them in the most critical decisions. “The principal selection process will be no exception…empowering the community in decision-making will undoubtedly result in high levels of engagement in all matters related to education,” said León.  

The selection process begins with a central office screening and review of candidates that apply through LeadNewark.com, the district’s online application portal. The vetted candidates undergo a rigorous Selection Day process by the Human Resource Department; the same process that began a few years ago. 

“In the district’s new process, the most qualified candidates are advanced to an interview panel comprising of students, families, teachers, community members, and partners,” said Josephine Garcia, Chairperson of the Newark Board of Education. “The school-based team recommended candidates for a final interview with the Superintendent, who then ultimately recommended to the Newark Board of Education a candidate for hire,” she said.  

Superintendent León said, “One of the most important elements of this new process for me and I believe the school district, is to engage and listen to the voices of our future.”  Eduardo J. Torres-Pineda, a rising senior at East Side High School said, “I enjoyed the process because our school is very rigorous and being part of deciding who is going to become principal was great. East Side has become one of my homes!” 

“After implementing this additional and very important step to the principal hiring process, the Superintendent recommended seven extraordinary candidates,” said Reginald Bledsoe, Chairperson of the Newark Board of Education Personnel Committee.  “The Board fully supported the recommendations of the Superintendent and unanimously endorsed his candidates who were publicly introduced to the community as the new leaders of their schools after our votes,” he said.  “As the chairperson of the Personnel Committee,” Mr. Bledsoe continued, “I was proud of the process, proud of the new principals, and proud of our Superintendent.”

The seven new principals approved by the Newark Board of Education join a team of all-star principals in the Newark Public Schools.  Like Superintendent León, the new principals were born, educated, or served as educators in the Newark Public Schools.  Superintendent León proudly announced that, “It is extremely important to me to lead with superior educators and administrators, who at their core represent the best of Newark and the best in education. The community asked for it, I promised it, today we begin anew.” 

The Newark Board of Education gave León approval for principals at three elementary schools, three high schools, and one specialized school. Biographies of the seven new principals will be available on the district web site. 

“A Changing of the Tide”

New Superintendent Announces Expanded Concepts in Summer Learning Going Forward

[NEWARK, NJ – July 9, 2018] The Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Roger León today presented before more than 200 elementary school teachers and principals was held yesterday. More than 300 teachers and principals attended the two days of training for teaching summer school.

All summer programs begin Monday and continue through August 10th. High school classes will be held at Central and Science Park High Schools from 7:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. The district also hosts Summer Plus for grades K-7th. Summer Plus is a district wide initiative to curb summer learning loss and to provide enrichment experiences for students that will inspire learning. Other summer programs include English Plus, Extended School Year, Summer Music Camp and Summer Sports Camp.

Superintendent León said to the teachers and principals, “There is a lot of talent in this room. Principals are an important of leading and guiding you and the school’s direction. As teachers, you are close to the heartbeat of our schools and our children.” In speaking to the grammar school teachers and principals, Superintendent León said, “The students you will be teaching are our babies. It is important for you to establish a good relationship with each of them to impress upon them how much we care about their academic future.”

The Superintendent said “it’s a new day” for education in Newark because as teachers you are here for a number of reasons: 1) to engage students over the summer months; 2) to be a part of the progress we will experience as we are on the cusp of incredible change in the district; and 3) to work towards and become the highest performing school district in the country.

Superintendent León encouraged the teachers and principals to be engaged and focused. He said, “You are the critical force to get the job done, with our students and in our schools.”

The Superintendent said going forward; summer school will take a new meaning. He said traditionally summer school has always been about recovering credits to stay in your grade and to get academic assistance to excel. In the future, Superintendent León said, “Summer school will be for students who are not “behind” in school, but who are “ahead” in school – it will be a reward for doing well. He mentioned music training programs at Arts High School and students who studied at Johns Hopkins for the summer. He said, “Programs like these, are areal summer school to get our students excited and engaged throughout the academic year.”

Newark’s First Superintendent after Restoration from State to Local Control Newark’s First Latino Superintendent

[NEWARK, NJ, July 1, 2018] Roger León officially began his term today as the first Superintendent of Newark Public Schools since the return to local control after 22 years. In the Newark school system’s 163 year history, he is the first Latino Superintendent.

Superintendent León was born in the city of Newark, grew up in the city of Newark, comes from humble beginnings, remains a proud product of the Newark Board of Education, dedicated 25 years of service to the children in the Newark Public Schools, still lives in Newark, and now leads New Jersey’s largest school district.

“I am honored, humbled, blessed, prepared, and poised for this opportunity, and look forward to the journey ahead,” said Superintendent Roger León. “As Superintendent, I will inherently be a proficient and influential agent of change. Where we are today is historic, but we will need to work collaboratively unlike ever before so that all of our students win. When the children of Newark win, we all win.”

Superintendent León has lived his entire life in Newark and has a long history with the Newark Public Schools. As a resident, student, teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent in Newark, Superintendent León has taught thousands and mentored hundreds. He has witnessed generational progress and has inspired and encouraged his students to remain in Newark, like he has. “I have lived the full spectrum of this city and its educational system. I have lived through what it was, struggled and fought through what it became, and will influence what it has the potential to become,” he said.

“We are at a very important time in this district’s history and we unequivocally believe that he has the vision to guide us progressively forward,” said Josephine Garcia, Board Chairperson. “We are very confident in his leadership and passion,” echoed Dawn Haynes, Vice Chairperson who added, “He believes in Newark and Newark believes in him.”

“We will create a clear direction and vision for 2020,” Superintendent Leon stated. “The vision will focus in areas that have concerned us for decades and where we are now required to steadfastly move, from birth to cradle through college and career. This will be inclusive of an advanced technological curriculum, cross institutional relationships, workforce development, and collaborations with the bioethics field. We will promote parent choice and ensure that every student is enrolled in a high-quality school in every ward throughout this city, regardless of school type. We have much work to do in these efforts and we are at a great point in time to accomplish these goals.”

Mr. León attended Hawkins Street School from Kindergarten to 8th grade and graduated from Science High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at Rutgers University and was determined to remain in Newark to teach and impact lives at both of his alma maters. For three years, he taught 5th grade at Hawkins Street School and was the Head Coach of the Science High School Debate Team for eight years. His classes won local competitions and his students demonstrated high academic growth. The debate team won local, state, and national championships. The 8th Grade Algebra Pilot resulted in his move to Rafael Hernández Elementary School. Mr. León taught Algebra I to 8th graders for high school credit and provided intensive professional development in mathematics to Newark teachers across the district. The success of this project resulted in hundreds of 8th grade students earning high school credit in Algebra I, teachers earning dual certification in Mathematics, and the district’s highest elementary mathematics standardized test scores in years.

Mr. León earned his Master of Arts in Administration and Supervision from Montclair State University and subsequently served as a turnaround principal in Newark for ten years. Mr. León was the principal of Dr. William H. Horton School for four years and University High School of the Humanities for six years. Since Mr. León believes that every child is a genius, it was his responsibility to lead and work collaboratively with all stakeholders to improve both schools. With the Accelerated Schools Project model at Horton, he promoted data driven instruction, built a strong culture of achievement, and increased parent and community involvement. Student achievement increased, attendance improved, and discipline referrals decreased. Under his leadership at University, the school implemented its own whole school reform model, which was a return to the school’s original design; a school that is an engine of social change and social justice. As a result, the middle grades standardized test scores ranked #1 in New Jersey and the school became the top performing high school in the city, one of the top 75 high schools in the state, and ranked one of the top high schools in the country.

Mr. León has served as the Assistant Superintendent in the Newark Public Schools for ten years. Mr. León’s vision was to set high educational standards for everyone in every school and provide all of the necessary time and resources to effectuate change across the district. His mission was to improve the lives of our students and their families and strengthen the community. In this capacity, he supervised the school leadership team of the high schools and a network of elementary schools, served as the Deputy Chief Academic Officer in charge of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support Services, and directed administration responsibilities district-wide. This ten-year experience drove national, state, and local education reforms where he led, co-led, and implemented new standards from ESEA to NCLB to now, ESSA. The reforms influenced early childhood, special education, bilingual education, and elementary and secondary education in the city of Newark. Mr. León spearheaded and organized major initiatives and community conversations influencing change throughout the entire district. During these ten years, Mr. León led and worked collaboratively with local and state agencies, higher education, foundations, private-public partners, community based organizations, faith-based organizations, elected officials, principals, teachers and staff, every central office department, community advocates, parents, and students.

Mr. León is passionate about education, passionate about Newark, and passionate about progress.