Newark Public Schools announces key improvements to make the process more family friendly, and formation of a transparency committee to review enrollment policies

[Newark, New Jersey – April 24, 2017] Today, Newark Public Schools (NPS) announced a number of important improvements which will further strengthen the district’s school enrollment process for Newark families. These include: The Parent Enrollment Portal, which launches next month and is a new, user-friendly portal that will enable families to directly select their school online from their home computer or at their closest school; the Neighborhood Preference Policy, which will ensure that 100% of seats at each elementary school are prioritized for families from the neighborhood or with siblings; and the Transparency Committee, which is a community-based committee that will provide guidance on enrollment policies.

“We are taking these steps to ensure that this system is set up to best meet the needs of all Newark families,” said Newark School District Superintendent Christopher Cerf. “Universal enrollment as a concept has often been misunderstood. Put simply, it is a common enrollment system for student applications and school assignments, designed to give families an opportunity to choose a school that best suits their child’s needs. In the last two years we have worked very hard to partner with community members to both clarify the purpose of the system and to make incremental improvements.”

Family Enrollment Portal
NPS will launch the Family Enrollment Portal on May 8th, providing parents with the ability to directly address many of their enrollment needs online without having to travel to the Family Support Center. Building on the district’s successful online application website, this new portal will also allow families who arrive in Newark after the application period has ended to enroll in a school of their choosing online. It will also allow families who need to change schools to do so online. In previous years, all families who needed support after the application window closed had to enroll in person at the Family Support Center.

“When they miss the traditional application window, our families have shared with us that they would still like to be able to enroll in school directly from their home or in locations that are close to their home” said Gabrielle Ramos-Solomon, Executive Director of Enrollment. “The family enrollment portal will allow them to do just that. While the Family Support Center will continue to handle appeals and unique cases, those who simply want to enroll in a school that has space will now be able to do so on a smartphone, their home computer, or at their closest neighborhood school.”

100% Neighborhood Preference
In response to community feedback since Newark Enrolls was implemented, the district announced it is shifting the enrollment policy to ensure that 100% of the seats in each elementary school go to families that live in the neighborhood or have a sibling at the school. This will ensure that families who wish to attend a school in their neighborhood are able to do so. Previously, a small percentage of all elementary school seats were left open to a random lottery.

“The actions we are sharing today represent the most important steps we have taken yet to make the process more transparent and family-friendly,” continued Cerf. “The current system was set up so that families can continue to attend their neighborhood school if they choose to do so, while also considering options in other parts of the city. At certain schools however, there are far more students than seats, and Newark Enrolls seeks to establish fair, non-political rules to assign those seats. This change will assure that more families who want to attend neighborhood pre-K-8 schools will be given priority.”

Transparency Committee
To continue to improve the school enrollment process, the district will create an independent working group to verify data and provide input on the process through the formation of a community-based Transparency Committee. The Committee will be composed of parents, community partners, Newark School Board Members, district administrators, and elected officials to assess and advise and provide feedback on how Newark’s current enrollment processes can be further improved moving forward. The application will be open to all parents or primary care-givers with children in Newark schools that participate in Newark Enrolls. The application process to be one of the parents on the transparency committee opens today and ends on Friday, May 5th, 2017 at 3:00pm. Parents and family members can apply here.

“I found the enrollment process easy to navigate and was happy to be able to visit schools in-person and then apply online,” said Newark parent Alexis Penn. “I’m glad to hear that the school district is listening to parents and families to continue to improve the system and make it better. As a parent who participated in the process for the first time this year, I can say that it has worked great for me so far. As an educator in a nearby school district, I actually think other districts could benefit from similar systems.”

Launched in 2013, Newark’s enrollment process was created to make the school selection process easier for families with an online application and a streamlined, fairer process to determine which students get into which schools when they are in high demand. The process ensures families have equitable access to the best schools for their child’s or family’s needs.

NPS has seen substantial progress since implementing Newark Enrolls. Newark students have made significant gains in reading and math scores, as well as improved graduation rates in part because more students are attending better schools. This positive progress has helped NPS make a case for the return of local control to the city of Newark.

OTHER KEY FACTS ABOUT NEWARK ENROLLS

• Newark Enrolls prioritizes matching every student with his or her first-choice school or the highest-ranked school on their list, especially those students who want to be matched with siblings in a school, attend a school in their neighborhood (see information on geographic preference below), or have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• The Newark Enrolls process does not open or close charter schools, determine which district schools are closed or open, decide how many spaces are available at crowded NPS schools.
• Newark Enrolls also does not set the policy for competitive admission high schools or determine policies for student services or transportation.
• Newark Enrolls works to ensure that parents have access to all types of public schools in Newark – be they a magnet school, a traditional district school or charter school – but is neutral about which schools are listed as preferences by parents and families.
• All students have an absolute right to remain in their existing school if it has the next grade.
• Nearly 13,000 Newark students participated in Newark Enrolls for the 2016-17 school year, which were record enrollment numbers.
• 41% of families applying for Kindergarten list a school in their neighborhood first. Of the other 59%: 15% of Kindergarten families list an NPS school outside their neighborhood first and 44% of Kindergarten families list a charter school first.
• 80% of kindergarten families received their first choice last year. 93% of kindergarten families received one of their top three choices in 2015-16.
• No students were assigned to public charter schools who did not list one on their application in 2015-16.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT 100% GEOGRAPHIC PREFERENCE
When Newark Public Schools launched Newark Enrolls in 2013, 75% of seats at K-8 district elementary schools were assigned based on sibling preference and geography. The other 25% were assigned based on random lottery that considered students from inside the neighborhood and outside the neighborhood on equal footing. For the 2016-17 enrollment cycle, the district increased this to 85% geographic preference in response to feedback that families in neighborhoods where many schools were at capacity did not have enough access to local options, and felt that too many seats in crowded schools were being given to students from outside of their neighborhood.

While this incremental improvement helped, the change to 100% geographic preference for the 2017-2018 school year will ensure that in neighborhoods where schools are at capacity, families who live in the neighborhood or have a sibling at the school will be given first priority 100% of the time. This will help the district ensure that families who want to attend a school close to their home have that option.

Historically, families who prefer for their children to attend a neighborhood school have been admitted the vast majority of the time; however, long before the Newark Enrolls system existed, many schools had more applicants than seats, particularly in certain areas in the East Ward of Newark. These conditions often required parents to stand in line or invoke a political process. The Newark Enrolls process seeks to create fair and equitable access to schools where there are more applications than seats in a way that did not exist previously. With this additional change, parents in crowded areas of Newark can be assured that even if a school cannot accommodate all students, neighborhood children have been considered first.

The only exceptions to this rule will be made in rare cases where special education or bilingual students need a program that is not offered in the student’s home neighborhood.

RESOURCES

• For more information about the transparency committee click here.
• For more information about the family enrollment portal click here.

Board Certifications are part of Newark Board’s effort to move district toward local control

[Newark, NJ – April 7, 2017] On Thursday, April 6, the Essex County School Board Association (SBA) recognized six Newark Board of Education members for achieving Board Certifications. Board Chair Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson and Marques-Aquil Lewis completed the Master Board Member (MBM) Certification, while Donald Jackson, Jr. and Philip Seelinger, Jr. became Certificated Board Members (CBM). Leah Owens and Dashay Carter completed the New Board Member (NBM) Certification. These awards align with goals in the District’s Strategic Plan to develop skilled governance by continuing to build Board expertise in preparation for gaining and maintaining local control.

“I want to congratulate all Newark Board members who completed their certifications,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools (NPS). “Obtaining board certifications requires a significant amount of time and commitment, and helps our board members become better leaders. I want to thank our board members for their service and for all that they do to give Newark’s children access to an excellent education.”

The MBM Certification helps members cultivate leadership skills that will assist them in their role on the Board of Education. In order to receive the MBM certification, the board member must: earn a Certified Board Member (CBM) Certification, accumulate a total of 40 credits, not have violated the School Ethics Act, attend a variety of meetings and workshops, and attend programs in at least three core content areas.

“Newark’s school board members invest in achieving New Jersey School Board Association certifications because we take our responsibilities seriously. We are committed to ongoing professional development as a foundation for using best practices to serve the students and families of Newark,” said Board Chair Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson. “The participation of our school board in ongoing training is exemplary. How extraordinary is it that 6 of our board members, Marques-Aquil Lewis, Donald Jackson, Jr. Philip Seelinger, Jr., Leah Owens, Dashay Carter, and I are honored at the same time for completing recent certifications. I am confident that this tradition of learning will continue and will serve the Board well as we prepare the district and the community for local control.”

The NBM Certification offers professional development opportunities for new board members and the CBM Certification program gives members comprehensive training in the essential governance skills needed to carry out their responsibilities. The requirements for both certifications build up to those required for the Master Board Member certification.

The Newark School Board consists of nine members who are locally elected to the Board for three-year terms. Representing different professional backgrounds and parts of the city, members are charged with reviewing and voting on a wide range of NPS policies and actions that impact NPS students.

Held in partnership with the Newark City of Learning Collaborative, the fair is part of city-wide effort to expose students to more opportunities for college and career success

[Newark, NJ – April 6, 2017] Over 600 students across all 16 Newark Public Schools (NPS) high schools participated in the District-Wide College Fair earlier today at the Golden Dome Athletic Center at Rutgers University-Newark. The event, which was co-hosted by NPS Office of Student Support Services and Rutgers Newark City of Learning Collaborative (NCLC), introduced students to college admissions counselors to help them navigate through the college application process and understand the expectations required to be prepared for college and career success.

“College and career readiness opportunities allow our students, who have a multitude of interests and wide-range of goals, to be proactive and plan a meaningful future for themselves,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “Thanks to the strong partnerships that have developed between NPS, the Newark City of Learning Collaborative and others, students across our city are able to explore the many collegiate and professional opportunities that are available in order to successfully compete in a 21st century global economy.”

Representatives from nearly 60 U.S. colleges and universities participated in the event, including but not limited to Rutgers University, Kean University, The College of New Jersey, NJIT, The Pennsylvania State University, Clark Atlanta University, Harvard University, Princeton University, and The United States Naval Academy. The United States Armed Forces, Wells Fargo, and a variety of New Jersey community colleges and vocational programs also attended the event.

Throughout the day, students from 9th to 12th grade met with representatives from each institution that they were interested in and were able to ask questions and learn about the expectations of each particular program. Students also participated in several gift card raffles, through which students would answer questions about the various institutions that were attending the fair. The event was co-sponsored by Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the Newark Schools Advisory Board, Newark Municipal Council, as well as all five NCLC higher education partners, which include Essex County College, Pillar College, NJIT, Bloomfield College, and Rutgers University-Newark.

“In order for our students to be prepared for college and career success, it’s vital that students are constantly exposed to the important information surrounding college and career opportunities and have the opportunity to network with adults who are invested in their future,” said Dr. Kelly Williams, Special Assistant of College and Career Access at NPS. “It’s exciting to see our students leaving these sessions feeling empowered, knowing they can dream big and pave their own pathway forward to success.”

The District-Wide College Fair adds to the district’s initiative to increase access to college and career readiness opportunities to all students across the city. Last week, on Thursday, March 30, nearly 350 students from 10th to 12th grade attended the 2017 NPS and New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Career & Youth Empowerment Summit at NJIT’s Campus Center. The event exposed students to a variety of careers and professional networks, allowing students to participate in breakout sessions encompassing a wide-range of careers in the fields of the fine arts, STEM, law enforcement, culinary arts, finance, cosmetology, and entertainment, as well as several workshops focused on preparing for the job application process.

The Career & Youth Empowerment Summit was attended by a variety of local community leaders, including Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Newark Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf, and Dr. Jacqueline L. Cusack, Executive Director of NJIT’s Center for Pre-College Programs, each of whom spoke to students throughout the program. Students were also able to speak with representatives from the United States Armed Forces, Newark’s One-Stop Career Center, and NJIT’s Center for Pre-College Programs during the event.

Fair showcased information and funding opportunities for afterschool programs; sponsored by Newark Public Schools, NJSACC: The Statewide Network for New Jersey’s Afterschool Communities, Afterschool Alliance, Newark Thrives! and Newark Arts Education Roundtable

[Newark, NJ – April 06, 2017] On Wednesday, March 29, 150 afterschool stakeholders and advocates came together at the 2017 Afterschool Fair at the Prudential Center in Newark. Vendors and community-based organizations provided information about resources and funding opportunities that are available in the community for afterschool programs.

“Afterschool programs give our children access to enriching activities that keep our students safe and help them develop a life-long passion for learning,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools (NPS). “Newark Public Schools is committed to working with afterschool advocates and providers to enhance the services we provide and educate families about the resources that are available to them. We will also collaborate with community members to identify funding opportunities that enable us to continue offering positive afterschool programs that promote academic and personal growth.”

Over 11 million children in the United States are alone and unsupervised after school. Afterschool programs keep kids safe, help working families and inspire learning. The stakeholders who attended Wednesday’s fair represented over 10,000 participating in afterschool activities across New Jersey.

“Afterschool programs provide our students a positive learning environment that gives them the tools they need to develop into successful adults,” said Sarah Cruz, Special Assistant of Expanded Learning Time of NPS. “Newark Public Schools offers a wide-variety of afterschool learning opportunities, and this fair was a great way to showcase the important work we are doing with Newark families.”

The fair was sponsored by NPS, NJSACC: The Statewide Network for New Jersey’s Afterschool Communities, Afterschool Alliance, Newark Thrives! and Newark Arts Education Roundtable.

Over 7,300 students throughout the district participate in the Office of Expanded Learning Time’s afterschool activities. Parents who are interested in enrolling their children in afterschool activities can newark.apppresser.com/elt or call 973-412-1910 for more information.

Barringer High School’s meeting on Tuesday is the most recent in a series of workshops aimed at supporting immigrant families

[Newark, NJ – April 05, 2017] Newark Public Schools (NPS) hosted an immigrant rights workshop on Tuesday, April 4 at Barringer High School in Newark, the latest in a series of immigration workshops throughout the district that have been attended by hundreds of Newark families. Newark Municipal Councilmember Carlos M. Gonzalez, as well as staff from UndocuJersey, Faith in NJ, and immigration attorney Masiel Valntin, Esq. spoke with Newark families about their immigration rights, the college admissions process, and resources and support services that are available in the community.

“Newark Public Schools is committed to giving all of our students, regardless of their immigration status, access to a quality public education,” said Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf of NPS, who recently issued a letter assuring all undocumented families that their right to education in Newark would not be affected by recent political events. “All of our families play an integral role in making Newark great, and it is important that we work together as a community to provide a sense of safety and reassurance in these uncertain times.”

The district began hosting workshops in December 2016 in response to feedback that families were in search of resources about immigrant rights. They will continue to hold this series of workshops through April 2017. Each workshop is designed to help educate Newark families about their immigration rights, ranging from providing information about how new policies affect Newark families to connecting undocumented students and families with resources and services that will help them navigate their higher education options. A majority of workshops are conducted in Spanish, while English speakers are equipped with interpretation devices. The next workshop is tonight, April 5th, at Technology High School.

“Since December, the district has heard from hundreds of undocumented students and immigrant families with questions and concerns,” said Margarita Muniz, Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement at NPS. “We are holding these workshops to show our support and to impart that Newark schools are a safe place for our students to learn and grow. Our staff has had many productive conversations with immigrant families and we plan to draw on what we have learned to better serve these important members of our community.”

In addition to hosting workshops, providing resources, and other communications, city government and school district officials have taken a number of measures to support undocumented immigrant populations. Mayor Baraka recently announced his commitment for the City of Newark to remain a sanctuary city to protect the rights of all citizens. Superintendent Christopher Cerf recently signed a petition to express his support for the continuation of the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs and the Newark Board of Education also passed a resolution declaring schools as “sanctuaries” for immigrant students. NPS staff are regularly meeting with community-based organizations and community leaders to communicate that NPS schools are safe places for learning and dialogue for all students.

While school districts in New Jersey do not collect data on the status of students or families, Newark is a diverse community where approximately one out of every three Newark residents is born in another country, and a similar ratio of students speak a language other than English as a primary language at home. Last year, the city launched a municipal identification program issuing ID cards that allow undocumented immigrants to access state, city, financial, and cultural services. As of September 2016, the city issued nearly 10,000 ID cards.

Drawings, paintings and digital imagery by 46 students from 12 Newark high schools displayed to the public

[Newark, NJ – April 3, 2017] Newark Public Schools (NPS), in partnership with the Newark Museum, held Newark Teen Arts Annual high school art exhibit on Thursday, March 30 at the Newark Museum, celebrating the artistic talents of 46 students from 12 NPS schools. The art exhibit featured 44 pieces of two-dimensional artwork, including drawings, paintings and digital imagery, which were on display to the Newark community.

“Congratulations to the young artists who were selected to showcase their beautiful and imaginative artwork at this year’s Newark Teen Arts Annual art exhibit,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “The artwork on display exemplifies the artistic talent that exists across our Newark community. Opportunities to explore the arts and self-expression are a pivotal parts of a child’s educational experience, and we are incredibly grateful to the Newark Museum for making this experience possible.”

The art exhibit was preceded by a short program, where the Science Park High School Jazz Band performed several musical selections, and Kayla Muldrow, a student attending Arts High School, led a poetry reading entitled Art is Home. Throughout the exhibit, students were able to share their thought process that inspired their artwork.

The Newark Teen Arts exhibit coincides with Youth Art Month, a national program administered annually by the Council for Art Education (CFAE) during the month of March. Youth Art Month provides a medium to recognize skills students develop through their visual arts experiences, such as problem solving, creativity, observation and communication.