Press Releases

Parent Engagement is at the Heart of Educating Every Newark Child

NPS Acknowledges Nearly 100 Parents for Participating in Monthly Workshops for Students


[Newark, NJ, July 2, 2018] Parent engagement is at the heart of educating every Newark child, according to the office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE). For the last two years, the office of Family and Community Engagement has hosted monthly parent meetings in each of the city’s five wards to engage parents in their child’s education. More than 130 parents and/or family members attended the event.

The Parent Engagement Meetings were developed to provide an opportunity and an open forum for parents to engage in their child’s academic experience, to learn more about the many resources and programs of Newark Public Schools and to work with other parents to move all of our children forward according to Margarita Muniz, Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement.

Roger Leon, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools said, “Parent engagement is essential in everything we do at Newark Public Schools. Access to NPS leaders and information are key to parents understanding how to be the best advocate for their child and to navigate the many resources offered by the school district.”

For the last two years, the F.A.C.E. office hosts a dinner to show our appreciation to the many families who have participated in our programs. The 2018 dinner included more than 80 families and 100 people. Ms. Muniz said, “On behalf of my staff, we want to thank Superintendent Leon for joining us for dinner and the parents and family members who have taken advantage of our programs and services.”

She added, “Parent appreciation night is yet another occasion to acknowledge and celebrate the value of parent/guardian engagement in our schools and their contribution to academic achievements. Tonight we honored 96 parent advocates who volunteer and donate of their time within their school community.”

Members of the Newark Board of Education were also in attendance at the event, as well. Dates for the 2018-2019 school year will be posted after school opens in September.

NPS Graduating Class of 2018 Shows Historic Improvements

Increase in the Number of Graduates
Increase in SAT Scores
Data Implies Increase in Graduation Rate

Members of the Class of 2018 were awarded over $15 million in scholarships and will attend over 110 U.S. institutions of higher education in the fall

 

[Newark, NJ – June 28, 2017] – The 2018 graduating class of Newark Public Schools (NPS) 16 high schools have recorded the largest increase in SAT Scores, the number of graduates and is trending toward a record graduation rate, as well. These rates break records for achievements since Newark Public Schools was taken over by the State of New Jersey 24 years ago.

The data indicates more than 280 additional student graduates, bringing the total to 2,206; SAT Composite scores increased by 153 points over the last two years; surpassing Charter and Magnet school increases in Newark and New Jersey, overall. And according to preliminary data, NPS is expecting to bypass last year’s graduation rate of 78 percent.

“The data we have received on SAT scores, graduation rates and the size of the graduating class. for the class of 2018 shatters the record for achievement in the recent history of this city and our school district,” said A. Robert Gregory, Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “This is a historic year, a monumental moment in time for our students, their parents, our school district and the Newark community. I am humbled, honored and grateful to all who have contributed to the success of our students. The trajectory for their success is high based on these promising results. The strategies we developed over the last several years to improve student engagement and outcomes are clearly working. Interim Superintendent Gregory served as the Assistant Superintendent of High Schools, prior to serving as Deputy and then Interim Superintendent.

According to data compiled, comprehensive high schools showed an increase in 153 points on the SAT’s, while Magnet schools showed an increase of 125 points and Charter Schools showed an increase of 67 points.

In 2017 there were 1,926 graduates from NPS high schools. This year’s number shows an increase of 280 students to 2026.

Interim Superintendent Gregory also indicated that more than 70 percent of NPS graduates are attending college; 43 percent are attending a four-year college, 29 percent are attending a 2 year college, 5 percent are attending trade schools and 2 percent are entering the Military.

Throughout the 2017-2018 academic year, NPS seniors researched, visited, and applied to a wide-range of institutions. Below are a few significant facts about this year’s graduating class:

  • More than 70% of graduating seniors are expected to attend two or four year colleges or universities. In addition:
  • 23 students from East Side H.S. earned their Associates Degree from Essex County College
  • 57 students from Bard Early College earned their associates degree from Bard College.
  • The majority of students are attending Rutgers University and other NJ colleges
  • Students will also be matriculating at Brown University, Emory University, Spelman College, Swarthmore College, Syracuse University, University of Pennsylvania, Villanova, Wake Forest, Wellesley College and the University of Murcia in Cartagena, Spain.
  • Collectively, NPS seniors have already received more than $15 million in scholarships from a wide range of colleges, universities, community organizations and additional institutions across the United States.

“I’m incredibly proud of our NPS graduates for their accomplishments that have resulted from the hard work, talent, and grit that they have displayed throughout their lives,” Interim Superintendent Gregory said. Gregory also served as the former principal of American History High School. “I’m confident our scholars will continue to make Newark proud as they go on to pursue and achieve their future goals and I look forward to hearing about all that they accomplish in the coming years.”

Over the past several months, NPS seniors have celebrated the conclusion to their K-12 journey through a variety of events, including the district’s second College Decision Day in May and the fifth annual Superintendent’s Awards Banquet earlier this month.

Early projections show that NPS will once again increase its high school graduation rate this year, though these projections will not be officially confirmed until data is finalized in August. Last year, the New Jersey Department of Education released data showing that the graduation rate in 2017 increased to 78 percent up 4.5 points from the 2016 graduation rate of 73.5. This data also showed that this is the fifth consecutive year this rate has increased in Newark.

Hawkins Street School Publishes a Book that Captures Their Immigrant Experience in America

“The Hispanic American Dreamers of Hawkins Street School”

[Newark, NJ – June 27, 2018] Students of Hawkins Street School started a simple writing assignment a couple of months ago. Before long, what started off as personal presentations of fifth graders stories for Hispanic Heritage Month have become a published book!

The Hispanic American Dreamers of Hawkins Street School is a compilation of more than 50 stories of student and teacher experiences of living life as part of an immigrant family in Newark and New Jersey. The collection of stories and photographs were compiled by bilingual teacher Ana Couto.

The book was revealed at a recent event held at Hawkins Street School. Principal Alejandro Lopez said, “The book reveal was truly an inspirational day. To see Bilingual children who are typically overlooked and voiceless so empowered through the publication of a book they contributed to is simply amazing. Considering the climate of America concerning these very immigrant children, we, at Hawkins Street School see this as a victory against the immoral actions happening on a national level. Teachers like Ms. Couto can change the world through their work and their voice.”

Ms. Couto said in referencing her students and this exercise, “We use the word grit every day here and now that I know you (the students) better-I see you have a lot of grit in you. You are warriors and I lack the words to tell you how proud I am of you all.” Ms. Couto said she shed a lot of tears during the process of reading the stories, editing them, and receiving the first set of books in the mail. On the day of the book reveal she said, “The tears I cry today are of happiness.”

Hispanic American Dreamer 5th grade student Carlos Idrovo said, “I came to the U.S.A. because my dad was not paid correctly in Spain. He could not pay for the school, for my food and my education. When we came here, everything changed and we can get an education. So that is why we are in the U.S.A.’

Ms. Couto added, “When I thought about being a bilingual teacher, the creation of a book is something I had in mind right away. I never thought it would be completed my first year though. It makes me excited for the future because if a published book is our starting point- just imagine the possibilities.”

Ms. Couto added that she plan to compile the stories of African American students as well, that will be titled, “The African American Dreamers of Hawkins Street School.” Third grade student Amiyah Pettiford said, “As an African American girl, it means that I am powerful. I am strong. I am loving.”

NPS Honors Outstanding Student Achievement at 5th Annual Superintendent’s Awards Banquet

78 students in their senior year from across the district were recognized for exceptional accomplishments


[Newark, NJ – June 22, 2018] Interim Superintendent A. Robert Gregory of Newark Public Schools (NPS) hosted the fifth annual Superintendent’s Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 11, to recognize 78 students in the 2018 senior class for their outstanding academic achievements. Nearly 250 members of the NPS community were in attendance to celebrate each student, including students, parents, teachers and administrators. The valedictorian and salutatorian from each NPS high school were presented with awards, as well as 48 students, who received the “3E” Award, a prestigious accolade presented to students who display significant achievements in the areas of equity, effort or excellence.

“I am honored to recognize these outstanding students,” said Interim Superintendent A. Robert Gregory. “Throughout their high school years, particularly their senior year,” our honorees have excellence academically and in working with others to accomplish important goals both inside and outside the classroom. All of the honorees inspire and motivate their classmates and others with acts of kindness, their commitment to their work and their ability to succeed in all they do.”

In order for a student to be a “3E” Award recipient, he or she must strongly exhibit one of the following values:

  • Equity: focus on justice and fairness: the nominee exemplifies spirit and intent of the old adage “treat others the way you want to be treated”
  • Effort: hard work and consistency of effort: the nominee shows diligence and perseverance in overcoming obstacles and consistency of effort over time
  • Excellence: results driven: the nominee exhibits exceptional and tangible results in community involvement for social justice, self-improvement and academic achievement

Congressman Donald M. Payne spoke at the ceremony, thanking each student for their commitment to their academic work and their community. Representative Payne said, “It was an honor and privilege to join Newark Public Schools to celebrate the achievements of young people. He said, “Make the best of your college experience. I have triplets, all of whom are in college right now. He closed with, “Congratulations on graduating with honors!”

In addition to Congressman Payne, Terri Seeney-Majette, Director, Community Relations & Outreach Programs for the Panasonic Corporation of North America said, “Panasonic was thrilled to participate in this year’s Newark Superintendents Award Ceremony. Contribution to society, more specifically through education, is a critical initiative at the core of our business principles. Congratulations to all 2018 Newark Public Schools graduates and Superintendent Award recipients,” said Terri Seeney-Majette, Director, Community Relations & Outreach Programs, Panasonic Corporation of North America.

“Panasonic was thrilled to participate in this year’s Newark Superintendents Award Ceremony. Contribution to society, more specifically through education, is a critical initiative at the core of our business principles. Congratulations to all 2018 Newark Public Schools graduates and Superintendent Award recipients,” said Terri Seeney, Director, Community Relations & Outreach Programs, Panasonic Corporation of North America. All honorees also received Panasonic Stereo Headphones and a $100 Amazon gift card.

This year’s valedictorians, salutatorians and “3E” Award recipients will be attending the following colleges and universities after graduation:

Outside of NJ

  • Bridgewater College in Virginia
  • Delaware State University
  • Denison University, Ohio
  • Emory University
  • Husson University, Bangor, Maine
  • Spelman College
  • Swarthmore College
  • Syracuse
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Villanova University
  • Wake Forest University
  • Wellesley College, MA
  • University of San Francisco
  • Spelman College
  • University of Murcia in Cartegena, Spain

New Jersey

  • Rutgers University – Camden
  • Rutgers University – Newark
  • Rutgers University – New Brunswick
  • The College of New Jersey
  • Montclair State University
  • Rider University
  • College of Saint Elizabeth
  • The College of Saint Elizabeth
  • Bloomfield College
  • St. Peter’s University
  • New Jersey University
  • NJIT
  • Rutgers University, Camden
  • Kean University
  • Bloomfield College
  • William Paterson University
  • Essex County College
  • The Ailey School(Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater)

To read the student bios of each of the 2018 senior class valedictorians, salutatorians and “3E” Award recipients, click here.

Abington Avenue School Students Are #1

Elementary School is Selected as NPS’ Most Active School


[Newark, NJ – June 22, 2018] Abington Avenue Elementary School was recently celebrated as “Newark’s Most Active School,” in the annual Activity Works Program. The school is the recipient of a $1,000 cash prize to improve the health and wellness of students at their school. Activity Works is the classroom-based program that combines physical activity and core curricula content to get students up and moving each day is being sponsored by Novo Nordisk and the Devils Care Foundation.

“On behalf of the principals, administrators and students of our 10 participating schools, thank you for bringing Activity Works to Newark Public Schools,” said A. Robert Gregory, Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “I want to thank our partners, particularly the Prudential Center, who continue to support the many programs and services of Newark school children.

Activity Works (activityworks.com), an interactive on-demand physical activity video series for K-4 classrooms designed to reduce childhood obesity, is now available to hundreds of more classrooms in Philadelphia, Newark and Trenton thanks to a new three year grant from Novo Nordisk, a global leader in diabetes care. With new classroom activations having begun in January 2018, Activity Works is already on track to be implemented in approximately 500 classrooms in these new markets, with aspirations to grow to more than 1,500 active classrooms by year three. Since its inception, the annual goal of Activity Works has been to empower as many children and families through physically-based wellness curricula and programming.

Tom Sullivan, CEO of Activity Works said, “We are so proud of the students at Abington Avenue for their contagious energy and joyful performances today. It is easy to see why they were the winners of Newark’s Most Active School Contest. Newark Public Schools should also be proud because their participating schools achieved over 93 million steps since February and led the way among participating districts including Philadelphia and Trenton.”

“We believe in programs that grow the mind and body of our next generation” said Jim Leonard, executive director of the Devils Care Foundation. “The partnership we have with Activity Works and the Newark Public Schools does just that, and we are proud to be involved in such a worthwhile endeavor” said Jim Leonard, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, of the Prudential Center.

During Newark’s Most Active School contest (February 1, 2018 – April 30, 2018), Abington Avenue Elementary alone achieved:

  • 185,000 Minutes of Physical Activity
  • 645,000 Calories Burned
  • 15.4 Million Steps

Abington Avenue School Principal Nelson Ruiz said, “Thank you to the students, teachers and our sponsors for all they have done to improve the health and wellness of our students.”

Newark Principal Wins Most Valuable Principal Award from Playworks

[NEW YORK, NY – June 20, 2018] – Last night Playworks honored Speedway Academies principal Atiba Buckman for her leadership and commitment to creating a healthy and engaging playing environment for her students at Speedway.   More than 200 philanthropists, educators, students, families, Playworks coaches and community members gathered to honor and celebrate the best of what Playworks has to offer. Playworks works with local community schools to provide services to ensure that students have access to daily structured, healthy play. PlayWorks services 11 schools in Newark and over 1,000,000 students across the country.

For her work at creating a safe and nurturing environment for student play at Speedway Academies, Principal Atiba Buckman was honored as this year’s “Most Valuable Principal.” Describing Principal Buckman, PlayWorks NY/NJ Board President Laura James stated that Principal Buckman has made Speedway Academies into a beacon for the community. Principal Buckman said, “This award is a testament to the positive impact of inclusive practices and engaging play on students’ lives. I am so proud of the Speedway Academies and PlayWorks teams for all that they have done for students.”

In addition to honoring Principal Buckman, Spencer Miller Community School’s Tony Vasquez-Tipanta (Grade 5) received the PlayWorks Junior Coach Leadership Award, along with students from the Bronx and Brooklyn.

Playworks brings out the best in kids, through play

Playtime is kids’ time. But schools can and should create play environments that help kids be their best. Studies show that recess matters: a thoughtful approach to recess improves children’s physical health and social and emotional learning. Playworks helps schools and districts make the most of recess through on-site staffing, consultative support, professional development, free resources, and more. We also support youth programs and other organizations that wish to improve playtime. Organizations like SHAPE America, The Centers for Disease Control, and City Year all look to Playworks to inform practice and policy.

Helping Schools Rethink Recess

For over 20 years, Playworks has helped schools figure out what works well on their playgrounds.  For recess to reinforce school culture, we’ve learned that a holistic approach is needed.  According to their website the schools are:

  • Belmont Runyon Elementary School
  • Hawkins Street School
  • Louise A. Spencer School
  • Oliver Street School
  • Philips Academy Charter School
  • Quitman Street Community School
  • Rafael Hernandez School
  • Roseville Community Charter School
  • South Street School