[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”65229″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”65230″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][Newark, NJ – May 4, 2018]  “How did the city of Newark influence you?”  “Did you grow up in Newark? How did growing up in Newark affect who you are today?”  Did you always want to be superintendent?”

These are just some of the questions asked of Newark Public Schools Interim Superintendent Robert Gregory by 7 student ambassadors and writers for Ann Street School’s 12 year-old publication entitled, “Down Neck Diaries.”  

Yesterday, the Interim Superintendent sat down for an interview to be published in the next edition of the magazine that was started by then new principal Ann Richardson.  Today the magazine is led by 8th grade Literary Advisor Caitlin Spiller and Art Teacher Melanie Valente Schor, while Ms. Richardson continues to lead Ann Street School as the principal.  

Interim Superintendent Gregory said in response to the litany of questions, “Everything I do is shaped by my growing up in Newark – being a child of this city, influenced my choices and decisions about life.”  Gregory said it was as a child of Newark that he became so excited about history; like where the nicknames Down Neck and Ironbound came from – he told the ambassador journalists why these names were created. He talked about attending church at Metropolitan Baptist Church and attending music classes at the Lincoln Park Music Center.  He added that he wanted to be teacher from a very young age and that his interest in teaching grew as he finished high school and entered college.

When asked whether he has always taught in Newark, Interim Superintendent Gregory said, “My first teaching job was going to be in the suburbs of Philadelphia, but then I remembered a promise I made to my father, who was an educator with Newark Public Schools, that I would explore teaching in Newark.   He continued, “My promise to my father was realized when just before my grandmother died, she asked me to please come back to Newark to teach because there I could really make a difference. Her legacy and the promise to my father, made me decline the offer to begin teaching outside Philadelphia and that September I instead packed my bags and headed to Newark to teach and I’m still here and I still love education.” [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Newark, New Jersey — The Chad School Foundation, in partnership with Programs for Parents and Newark Public Schools, awarded 18 recipients, in three different categories: (1) Incentives that Work; (2) Going Above and Beyond for Good Attendance; and (3) Outside of the Box Attendance Strategies, for their work to reduce chronic absenteeism in early childhood education in Newark and in Essex County. Awardees were announced at Programs for Parents 8th Annual Breakfast on Thursday, April 18th celebrating the Week of the Young Child held at Nico’s Kitchen at NJPAC in downtown Newark.

Too many of Newark’s children are missing the learning opportunities that set the foundation for education. NPS data shows that many of our pre-k children, more than 40%, are chronically absent each year. Pre-K is a critical step for our young learners as they make their trajectory from home to Grade 12 and beyond. Programs for Parents, Newark Public Schools, and The Chad School Foundation are commitment to ensure that high Pre-K seats are available, and that parents and families are welcomed as valued partners in the success of their children.

The Newark Public Schools – Office of Early Childhood has invested in the implementation of a full curriculum, and improving its supports for children, families and the community, teachers, family workers and advocates, operational staff and leaders. Nana Ofosu – Amaah, Executive Director of the Office of Early Childhood – Newark Public Schools emphasized that, “NPS is committed to deepen this work and will continue to raise the bar for Newark’s children. There are a myriad of circumstances that prevent consistent attendance in pre-k but these hurdles can be overcome and the recipients of the Attendance Innovation Awards are a testament to the fact that something can be done, and that we must be creative with our solutions.” For more information on Newark Public Schools – Office of Early Childhood Education, please visit https://newark.apppresser.com/departments/early-childhood/

Programs for Parents is committed to the collaborative partnerships with Newark Public Schools and The Chad School Foundation to ensure the academic success, emotional stability and well-being of all children and their families throughout the city of Newark. “Our Week of the Young Child Breakfast today illustrates that when we come together and leverage our resources, great things can happen. It also recognizes that all members of the early care and education field must work cooperatively on behalf of children, including parents, teachers, directors, policy makers, family workers and the community at large.”, said Beverly Lynn, CEO of Programs for Parents. For information on our programs and services, including child care referrals, child care financial assistance, health care information, training and more, visit our website at http://www.programsforparents.org.

Dr. Kia Calhoun – Grundy, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of The Chad School Foundation shared remarks about Chad’s commitment to excellence in education. Eric Stevenson, Chad’s Executive Director, presented with awards along with Rosie Grant, Executive Director of the Paterson Education Fund. Stevenson highlighted that, “Providing grant funding for the 2018 Attendance Innovation Awards signifies Chad’s nearly fifty-year commitment to early childhood education. In the legacy of the founders of The Chad School, The Chad School Foundation is honored to partner with Newark Public Schools and Programs for Parents to encourage community – based innovation as a catalyst to reduce chronic absenteeism in early childhood education. Chad is invested in Newark’s success, and the Foundation applauds the community leaders who were awarded the 2018 Attendance Innovation Awards.” For more information on The Chad School Foundation’s work in the Newark community, please our website at www.thechadschoolfoundation.org

Student Survivors Bring Their Message to Build & Strengthen a Coalition with NJ Students

[Newark, NJ – April 14, 2018] High schools students from across Newark converged at Science Park High School on Saturday for a forum against gun violence featuring Jaclyn Corin and Alfonso Calderon, both survivors of the Parkland Massacre in Florida.

The forum, which was attended by hundreds of Newark youth, was designed to allow New Jersey students to dialogue and develop coalitions in New Jersey and across the state to stop the spread of gun violence and to demand stricter gun laws.

This student-led conversation on gun violence is aimed at strengthening the student voice and identifying solutions nationally and locally. The visit from Parkland students comes just two weeks after a massive rally in Newark as part of the March For Our Lives demonstrations across the country.

“The voices of Newark youth will have a transformative impact on the future of gun violence in the world,” said Kim Gaddy, Newark Board member and co-organizer of the event at Science Park High School. “They have the opportunity to correct the legislative injustices and prevent the future killing of individuals to gun violence,” Gaddy said.

Interim Superintendent Robert Gregory and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka both addressed the student-only audience. The focus of the meeting is to share the latest with the students, listen to their concerns and to form a collaborative to address gun violence and gun policy going forward.

“Gun violence is becoming a national epidemic. It is time for the students to be heard as we are the ones being targeted. Newark students stand together to demand change,” said Jubilee R., a Science Park High School Student.

“We are so excited to speak with students from Essex County, as the youth is the future,” said Jacklyn Corin, one of the Parkland survivors. “We came all the way from Parkland to make sure everyone knows the importance of their voice and their vote.”

“It truly is an honor to have the privilege and opportunity to be able to speak to the students of Newark,” said Alfonso Calderon, another of the Parkland survivors. “Hopefully we will be able to reach the kids who are and will be the future of our country on the issues that truly matter such as voting and gun reform.”

“One of the things our generation is good at is speaking our mind. We see something we say something,” said Princess Sabaroche, a senior at North Star Academy Charter School and an organizer of the event. “If the government isn’t listening to us now they should be. We see everything, we hear everything. We’re listening and we’re always ready.”

“Common sense gun laws save lives,” Dr. E. Asyah Aquil, president of Essex Million Moms March/Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

Jaclyn was a leader in the trip of 100 classmates to the Florida State Capital soon after the Parkland shooting and a leader in the #NeverAgain movement, speaking at the Washington, D.C. rally. Alfonso is a founder of the March for Our Lives committee and has worked since the shooting to prevent gun violence, as well.