Press Releases

Family Expo 2018

Learn More About Summer Opportunities for Newark Students: Academic, Athletic, Camp, Employment and Internships

 

[Newark, NJ – April 2, 2018] – Newark Public Schools Office of Family and Community Engagement Parents as Partners Program, along with Newark Thrives will host FAMILY EXPO 2018 on Thursday, April 5, 2018. The Expo will be held from 3 – 7 p.m. at Bard Early College High School, located at 321 Bergen Street, Newark.

The purpose of the FAMILY EXPO is to connect families and students to programs for this coming summer. The 4-hour open house will feature program experts to tell you more about 8 specific program areas that will be offered this summer; including:

  • Summer Plus academic and health and wellness programs
  • Summer Sports
  • Grades/Credit Recovery Information
  • Pre-College Programs
  • Day Camps
  • Sleep Away Camps
  • Summer Youth Employment
  • Internship Opportunities

Most of the programs for this summer are for students entering 1st grade through 12th grade. “Our goal for this summer, according to Robert Gregory, Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools, is to provide a myriad of academic enrichment programs and services that will prepare our students for the coming school year. I encourage families and students to take advantage of these great programs.”

For more information about the FAMILY EXPO 2018, visit on line at https://newark.apppresser.com/events/family-expo-2018/

 

Mayor Baraka Says Students Deserve a Strong Voice in Charting the Future of Newark Schools under Local Control

Student Press Conference Kicks Off a New Chapter as Mayor Baraka responds to questions and A. Robert Gregory, A Former NPS Student, Takes the Helm as Interim Superintendent

 

[Newark, NJ - February 1, 2018] This morning, new Interim Superintendent A. Robert Gregory joined Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, members of the Newark Board of Education, and students at a press conference at Science Park High School. The press conference, run by student reporters and leaders at Science Park, was an opportunity for students ask the Mayor questions about the future of Newark schools. The program also provided an opportunity for Interim Superintendent and Board members to address students. Interim Superintendent Gregory took the helm of New Jersey’s largest school district on Thursday, February 1, 2018, as the State of New Jersey officially returns control of NPS back to Newark after 23 years under state control.

“I look forward to working with the Newark Public Schools and the Newark Community as we move forward into this next phase,” shared Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “I think it is appropriate that we spend the first day of this new chapter speaking with and listening to Newark students, as they are our most important constituency. Our students helped to make this day possible. They spoke out, marched, demonstrated, mobilized their families to demand quality education and that the people of Newark regain the power to determine their own destiny. We must work with them and give them a voice in setting a vision for the future of education in our city.”

Robert Gregory will lead Newark Public Schools as Interim Superintendent during the Superintendent search process, which is expected to be finished in July. Robert Gregory is a third-generation Newarker, as well as an experienced educator and school leader who began his career as a history teacher over 20 years ago with the district. Mr. Gregory most served as the founding principal of American History High School before taking on the role of Assistant and then Deputy Superintendent overseeing all high schools in recent years. The high school graduation rate increased from 68% to over 78% in three years under Mr. Gregory’s leadership and the number of students enrolled in AP and college credit-bearing classes increased significantly.

“I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve Newark Public Schools during this historic time,” said incoming Interim Superintendent Gregory. “From my early years attending the Harriet Tubman School in the South Ward to my time as a Principal at American History High School, I know first-hand the important role Newark schools play in the lives of the thousands of young people who attend them. On their behalf, we must move forward with a continued sense of urgency. I look forward to working closely with the school board, our educators and the Newark community to ensure that we are doing everything we can to continue to improve outcomes for Newark students.”

On Tuesday, December 19, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) approved the transition plan that allows for the Advisory Board to become the official Newark Board of Education on February 1, 2018. The plan, which was presented to the board at a public meeting in December, provides the board the full authority and responsibilities afforded to local school boards on February 1, and includes a detailed timeline and set of milestones to guide the district’s transition over a period of two years. The search for a new superintendent will be headed by a seven person committee made up of school board members and Newark stakeholders. The plan, an accompanying letter from the commissioner, and a presentation shared at the meeting are available at the NPS website.

“This day has been in the making for some time and is long overdue,” shared Marques Aquil Lewis, Chairman of the Newark Board of Education. “The Board has worked very hard to make sure that the district is returned to local control. Now, all decisions rest with us and we are ready, willing and have the capacity to take Newark Public Schools to the next level.”

In addition to the press conference with students at Science Park High School, Interim Superintendent Gregory used his first day to visit familiar locations. He began the day at Harriet Tubman Elementary School in the city’s South Ward where he attended elementary school, greeting students and families and visiting classrooms with the school principal. After the press conference, Mr. Gregory visited American History High School to surprise two employees who recently announced their retirement. While there, Mr. Gregory also held a roundtable with students in a private setting to learn more about their ideas and feedback on what the district can do to better support their success.

“As I begin in this role, my goal is to listen and learn from our students and educators as much as I can,” noted Gregory. “Educators are the backbone of everything that we do here at the Newark Public Schools and as a former high school principal, I also know that students know as well as anyone what needs to be done to help them improve. I believe these collective voices will help us as we work to continue the momentum in the district – and help us move forward together into this next important phase.”

State-appointed Superintendent Christopher Cerf announced in December that he would resign, effective February 1, 2018. Following this announcement, the School Board voted to appoint Deputy Superintendent Robert Gregory to serve as interim Superintendent while a national search is conducted.

About Newark Public Schools
The Newark Public Schools, serving nearly 36,000 students, is the largest and one of the oldest school systems in New Jersey. The racial and ethnic diversity of the city provides a rich educational experience for pre-kindergarten to secondary school students. To learn more about Newark Public Schools, visit newark.apppresser.com.

The NHL’s First Black Player Visits Newark’s Hockey Program

Willie O’Ree Visits East Side High School Meets with Hockey Team

[NEWARK, NJ - February 1, 2018] Newark Public Schools boys and girls hockey teams were in the company of the legendary Willie O’Ree, the National Hockey League’s (NHL) first African American player and Diversity Ambassador for the Hockey is for Everyone initiative, which is being recognized throughout the month. The New Jersey Devils are hosting Mr. O’Ree and NPS students today at the Prudential Center following his visit to East Side High School Mr. O’Ree played with the Boston Bruins in the beginning of his career from 1958 to 1961. His professional career spanned 21 seasons, mostly in the Western Hockey League with the Los Angeles Blades and the San Diego Gulls.

Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools A. Robert Gregory said, “Mr. O’Ree is an extraordinary person, whose courage and commitment allowed him be an exemplary athlete and more importantly, a dedicated community servant. Thank you for continuing to share your wisdom with our students.”

“Mr. O’Ree is truly one of a kind both on and off the ice, said Keith Veltre, Special Assistant, Office of Athletics and CEO and Co-Founder of Hockey in New Jersey. He continued, “Serving as the National Hockey League's Diversity Ambassador for the Hockey is for Everyone initiative he has directly had an impact on growing the game of hockey in Newark, NJ. He has visited and spoken to our program many times over the years and shares his story of both success and overcoming adversity.”

Veltre said, 15 years ago he and Dennis Ruppe took over the East Side High School Hockey Program with only 5 players to start. Now in Newark alone, they have a high school boys Varsity and JV team and a girls team, as well. In conjunction with the Hockey In NJ (Newark) program, they will have over 500 boys and girls, ages 6-18 playing ice hockey at years end. Veltre said, “Mr. O’Ree has been not only been a role model for all of our children but has been a dear friend to our program for years.”

As a Diversity Ambassador, O’Ree has helped to introduce more than 85,000 boys and girls of diverse backgrounds to unique hockey experiences through the NHL program. O’Ree stresses essential life skills, education and the core values of hockey; commitment, perseverance and teamwork as part of his travels to students across North America.

Mr. O’Ree is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including being the inaugural recipient of the Bill Walsh Champion of Change Award and in 2010 he received the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honor. In 2011, O’Ree received the Sports Museum’s Hockey Legacy Award in recognition of his trailblazing NHL career and his many contributions to the hockey community.

Chairman of the NPS Board of Education Marques Aquil Lewis said, “What can you say about the Jackie Robinson of the NHL? One thing I can say is that we are proud and honored that Mr. O’Ree has agreed to return and inspire young athletes to reach their full potential. He is a legend and it is great that our young people will get an opportunity to learn from him.”

Newark Public Schools Begins Official Transition to Local Control

District and community prepare to move forward, together, to continue progress for Newark students.

[Newark, NJ – January 31, 2018] – Tomorrow, after more than two decades of State intervention, Newark Public Schools (NPS) will be officially returned to local control. Superintendent Christopher Cerf announced in December that he would resign, effective February 1, 2018, as the last state-appointed Superintendent of the Newark Public Schools. Following this announcement, the School Board voted to appoint Deputy Superintendent Robert Gregory to serve as interim Superintendent while a national search is conducted. The Newark Board of Education will assume full authority of the Newark schools on February 1, 2018.

“I believe that the City of Newark is prepared for local control,” noted Superintendent Christopher Cerf. “In the last few years, the conversation in this city has become more and more focused on our central goal – to improve life outcomes for Newark Students,” Cerf continued. “It is that collective focus by thousands of individuals – educators, community members, city leaders and others - that has created momentum in our schools and the undeniable progress being made by Newark students. I have great confidence that as this transition moves forward, school district and elected leaders will continue to work together to build on the foundation that has been put in place to make Newark Schools a model for the country.”

On Tuesday, December 19, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) approved the transition plan that allows for the Advisory Board to become the official Newark Board of Education on February 1, 2018. The plan, which was presented to the board at a public meeting in December, provides the board the full authority and responsibilities afforded to local school boards on February 1, and includes a detailed timeline and set of milestones to guide the district’s transition over a period of two years. The search for a new superintendent will be headed by a seven person committee made up of school board members and Newark stakeholders. The plan, an accompanying letter from the commissioner, and a presentation shared at the meeting are available at the NPS website.

“I want to thank Superintendent Cerf for his service. I look forward to working with the Newark Public Schools and the Newark Community as we move forward into this next phase,” added Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “Newark is on the rise and the return of local control, along with the progress our students are making, is one more example of how this city is on an upward trajectory.”

In returning the district to local control, the State board of education cited substantial progress made in recent years as core to their decision. These points of progress include (Also available in attached document):

  • Since 2011 the district’s graduation rate has improved nearly 20 percentage points, from the high 50s to 78%.
  • Newark now outperforms the vast majority of comparable districts in NJ in reading and Math, moving from the bottom third among comparable districts, to outperforming 80% of them today.
  • When looking just at students who qualify for free or reduced price lunch (a common proxy for poverty), Newark students outperform all other large school districts in the US that take the same exam.
  • Today, African-American students in Newark are three times more likely to attend a school with test scores above the state average than they were in 2009.
In addition to academic progress, the state board of education cited the district’s organizational improvement, as well as the increased collaboration between district and city leaders around school governance. 
 
For example, the district has worked with the school board and city leaders over the last two years to examine legacy line items and contracts to combat consecutive $70 million dollar projected deficits. These actions not only closed the initial deficits, but allowed Newark to invest an additional $6 million directly into schools for the 17-18 school year. Due to these efforts, the district is on solid financial footing for the upcoming school year even if the Murphy Administration fulfills only a modest portion of the campaign promise to fully fund the legally mandated formula (Newark is currently underfunded by $140 million dollars according to SFRA).  A few of the actions that led to this improved financial outlook include:
  • Renegotiating health and prescription benefits, saving the district approximately $10 million annually with comparable services.
  • Identifying better ways to fund district facilities by increasing the number of projects submitted to the School Development Authority and issuing $30M bonds.
  • Moving the district’s central office building into a more modern and efficient space saving the district $2 million annually.
  • Selling twelve unused school buildings to the Newark Housing Authority in an innovative partnership, saving the district more than $1 million annually while bringing over $10 million dollars to the district immediately.
  • Increasing revenue by advocating for proper funding with the State and raising taxes to ensure Newark is paying its local fair share.
  • Renewing the progressive collective bargaining agreement established in 2012 that offers bonuses for performance and raises based on educator effectiveness, creating a predictable cost structure for the district’s largest contract through 18-19.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude and admiration to the school board, the Newark community, its extraordinary educators, and the more than 55,000 students and their families who have worked so hard to build the foundations for a bright future,” Superintendent Cerf said. “Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do for Newark students.” 
Deputy Superintendent Robert Gregory will lead Newark Public Schools as interim superintendent during the Superintendent search process, which is expected to be finished by July of 2018. Robert Gregory is a third-generation Newarker, as well as an experienced educator and school leader who began his career as a history teacher over 20 years ago with the district.
“I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve Newark Public Schools during this historic time,” said incoming Interim Superintendent Gregory. “I look forward to working with the school board, our educators and the Newark community to ensure that we are doing everything we can to continue to improve outcomes for all Newark students.
[mdocs single-file="Newark Progress Data 1 31.pdf"]

West Side High School Track Team Standouts Post Top Times Nationally in High Jump and 200 Meters

James Bell and Isaiah Greene Prepare to Qualify for National Championships in March

Isaiah Greene West Side High School James Bell West Side High School

[Newark, NJ – January 26, 2018] Two West Side High School student athletes recently posted USA top times at the AAU mid-season track and field championships in New York. Both James Bell and Isaiah Greene posted best times at the Hispanic Games in New York earlier this month.

Bell won the AAU mid-season championships in the High Jump for a jump of 6 feet 8 inches, the best mark in New Jersey and the 4th best of any high school student in the country. Green won the 200 meters with a time of 22.10, the 2nd best time in New Jersey and the 10th best in the U.S.

Student athlete James Bell said, “I feel like all my hard work is paying off. I’m supposed to be here! This isn’t me being arrogant, but understanding that if you work hard at your goals you can achieve anything.”

Student athlete Isaiah Greene said, “I am extremely blessed to be in the position I’m in right now. Being ranked 2nd in the state is not something all athletes come across everyday so to be ranked high nationally is a tremendous blessing and one I have worked very hard to accomplish. My journey doesn’t end here and hopefully I can take my talents to my dream school “Clemson University.”

Coach Eddie Greene, who has been coaching track and field for more than 10 years said, “I always tell my athletes that ‘hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.”

Isaiah is Coach Greene’s son. Coach Greene said, “Now that my son is a high school senior, this year is special for me because it marks the end of a journey that began when I began coaching him when he was just seven years old. To see him ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. for the 200 meter dash is a testament to his hard work throughout the years – I often tell my athletes that so it gives me great pride to not only coach have coached my my son to this level but I am also honored to have coached junior James Bell who is also ranked 4th in the US in the High Jump and to be a member of a hurdle team that is ranked 3rd in the U.S. and a member of the 4x 200 relay team that is ranked 7th, as well.

West Side Principal Larry Ramkissoon said, “The administration and student body are very proud of James and Isaiah in both their sports and academic accomplishments. They represent the best of students in both areas.”

Isaiah, an honors student, is exploring Clemson University and Louisiana State University. James is a junior and has interest from three major colleges and universities. In addition to these athletic accomplishments, the West Side Track and Field team is also ranked 3rd in the U.S. for the Shuttle Hurdle Relay and 6th in the U.S. in the 4 x 200 Relay. The team also won the SEC indoor track conference in December over West Essex High School.

Deputy Superintendent of Schools Robert Gregory said, “Thank you to Coach Greene for his commitment to our students. Both James and Isaiah represent how students can excel academically and in sports and how the two disciplines help them plan their roadmap and begin their journey to college and beyond.”

Both James and Isaiah will compete in the NJSIAA state Group 2 Sectional Championships next Friday, February 2, at the John Bennett indoor sports arena in Toms River, New Jersey. The meet begins at 4pm. Coach Greene said, “Come see us make history!”

Newark Public Schools Opens New Central Office in Preparation for Transition to Local Control

District to Save Over $2 Million by Modernizing Central Office & Bringing State of the Art Science Laboratory to Downtown Newark

 

[NEWARK, NJ – January 24, 2018]  Today, the Newark Public Schools officially cut the ribbon on the district’s new headquarters in downtown Newark, marking the completion of another major milestone as the district prepares for the return to local control. By moving the district’s headquarters into a more modern and efficient space, the district will save more than $2 million annually. The new space will also bring a state of the art science laboratory to downtown Newark to the benefit of all Newark Public School students.

“Today’s event marks another milestone for the Newark Public Schools on the way to local control,” said Superintendent Cerf.  “Moving into this new building isn’t just about a new space. It is a testament to the political will of our school board members who voted to move after 25 years in the prior building and the expertise of our facilities and operations staff that made this happen in less than a year. This move will save the district more than $2 million each year, and will provide a more vibrant, open and modern office space that will help district leaders better support our schools and recruit better talent to the central office leadership for years to come.”

The new headquarters building is located at 765 Broad Street.  The 97,000 square foot building will house more than 300 NPS employees and save the district over $2 million annually by both decreasing the rent the district pays and cutting down on maintenance and operational expenses. Over the past six months all four floors have been built out from scratch to meet specifications provided by the Newark Public Schools. The building provides NPS with an opportunity to modernize and upgrade the district’s data center, increasing capacity and creating redundancies that protect the district during emergencies. The space also places an emphasis on employee collaboration, providing a more open, efficient and modern layout while decreasing square footage from the prior space.

In addition to the corporate offices, the building at 765 Broad Street will house the NPS Family Support Center (FSC), which has officially moved from a separate location at 301 W. Kinney Street and is located just inside the main entrance on the first floor of the building. This family focused resource center is an important part of engaging families in the education of their children and helping families to enroll in school.

“We are excited to welcome Newark Public Schools a few blocks farther south down Broad Street into their new home,” said Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “Most importantly, this move will provide the district with more money to put back into schools and classrooms, and will position the district to serve more Newarkers coming to them for support. We think this is a great step forward.”

The opening of the new central office comes as the district prepares to officially transition to local control on February 1st with the school board regaining full authority and Deputy Superintendent Robert Gregory preparing to take on the role of interim Superintendent. As this transition commences, data shows that Newark students are making significant progress. Newark students now outperform their peers in the majority of similar districts in New Jersey in both reading and math and outperform most entire states that take the PARCC exam. When looking just at students who qualify for free or reduced price lunch, Newark students outperform all other large school districts in the US that take the PARCC exam. Newark’s high school graduation rate has also increased by nearly 20 percentage points in the past seven years (from the high 50s in 2010 to 78 percent in 2017).

“The thing that makes this move so important for our district is the decision to make this a central office space for everyone,” added incoming Interim Superintendent Robert Gregory. “By having a space where students can learn, parents and families can come and engage with staff members, and central office staff can improve how they collaborate and grow, we are starting with a foundation that we can build on to continue to do what is most important – supporting student learning in our schools and classrooms.”

The building also will house a state of the art science center that will open later this spring and be run in partnership with the non-profit organization Students 2 Science (S2S). The S2S Newark Technology Center will be an important resource for NPS’s science education programs, enabling students to work side-by-side with STEM professionals and corporate mentors in the heart of Newark.

“This new central office provides us with a great jumping off point as we prepare for our new responsibilities under local control” noted School Board President Marques Aquil Lewis. “The board and district worked together to find a central office space last year that was fiscally responsible and put us in a position to operate more effectively while giving more money to educators, students and classrooms. This is a great example for all of us as we move Newark schools forward: we must commit to doing the right things operationally in order to make sure we are doing what is best for Newark children.”