Press Releases

Newark Public Schools Recognizes High Performing Teachers

District rewards Highly Effective teachers from 2015-2016 school year

[Newark, NJ - September 2, 2016] - Newark Public Schools (NPS) announced that the district rewarded $1.7 million in bonuses last week, ranging from between $5,000 and $12,500, to 283 of the district’s Highly Effective teachers from the 2015-2016 school year.

“At Newark Public Schools, we are committed to recognizing the hard work and dedication of our teachers,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of NPS. “Our teachers go above and beyond every day to make sure our young people receive an excellent education. I am thrilled to be able to give our educators a small token of our appreciation for all that they do to for the children of Newark.”

NPS recently completed teacher evaluations which revealed that 283 teachers across the district qualified for Highly Effective bonuses. The amount of the bonus is dependent upon which school and subject the educator teaches:

  • 211 teachers were rated Highly Effective and received a $5,000 bonus
  • 36 teachers were rated Highly Effective and received a $10,000 bonus for working in the lowest-performing schools
  • 33 teachers were rated Highly Effective and received $7,500 for working in a “hard-to-staff” subject area such as bilingual, math or science
  • 3 teachers were rated Highly Effective and received $12,500 for working in the lowest-performing school and a hard-to-staff subject area

In addition to the teachers receiving bonuses, 52 teachers received “Performance Improvement” stipends in recognition of their hard work in the last year. Almost $50,000 in stipends went out to these teachers who advanced from a “Partially Effective” rating in the 2014-2015 school year (and therefore who did not earn a raise) to an “Effective” or “Highly Effective” rating in the 2015-2016 school year.

In 2012, NPS became the first school district in the state to provide financial incentives to teachers in recognition of outstanding classroom performance. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the district will be rewarding educators with bonuses. NPS has made developing and retaining great teachers a top priority. As a result, the district’s efforts to attract and retain its highest performers have been successful.

Click here for a list of FAQs regarding Highly Effective bonuses and Performance Improvement Stipends.

Newark Public Schools’ Concludes Successful Summer Learning Programs

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[Newark, NJ – September 01, 2016] – Newark Public Schools (NPS) and the Office of Expanded Learning Time’s (ELT) Summer Plus and summer learning programs ended this month. Over 4,400 students were enrolled in Summer Plus this year, which ran from July 11 to August 5, with thousands more participating in enrichment programs across the city.

“It was inspiring to see so many students excited about continuing their education throughout the summer months,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of NPS. “It is critical that we give our children access to enriching educational experience, and so many of our students will be walking into school this September feeling better prepared for the school year thanks to their summer learning experience.”

Summer Plus was developed by NPS’ curriculum experts to improve critical math and literacy skills and ensure that participants are prepared for the upcoming school year. Summer Plus includes enrichment experiences in arts, STEM, and health and fitness aligned to academics. Lafayette Street, for example, worked with a community-based organization, Ironbound Community Corporation, to offer programs that helped make learning fun for students including: computer coding, gardening, water robotics, music, spoken word, arts programs and various STEM-based extended day activities.

“Summer Plus 2016 was the perfect balance of academic and enrichment experiences our students have had to date,” said Hillary Dow, Summer Plus Principal at Belmont Runyon Elementary School. “All of our students were thoroughly engaged in the curriculum, and the enrichment activities allowed students to have fun while still learning.”

In addition to Summer Plus, NPS created an online catalogue of summer learning opportunities in partnership with the organization Newark Thrives! so that students in grades PreK – 12 could learn more about their options. Opportunities included outdoor experiences, college preparation, arts and academic enrichment programs. Camp Newark Museum, for example, provided a fun, innovative six-week experience where children expanded their knowledge through exploration of the Museum’s world class art and science collections.

A partnership between Stevens Institute of Technology, Newark Public Schools and the PSEG Foundation was another unique example, which provided a $35,600 grant to allow 14 rising juniors and seniors from Newark Public Schools to attend summer programs at Stevens Institute’s Pre-College program. Tuition, housing, meal plans and activities were all covered, and students had the opportunity to immerse themselves academic coursework related to fields such as engineering & science, technology, society & the arts and business.

“So many students had a positive educational experience this summer thanks to the Summer Plus and other enrichment programs,” said Sarah Cruz, Special Assistant of Extended Learning Time. “We are hopeful that the time and effort our students and teachers invested this summer will translate into improved academic performance during the school year.”

Summer Plus is a free district-wide initiative to curb summer learning loss and provide enrichment experiences for students that will help advance their academics. Summer Plus has three main programs – Summer Plus, English Plus and Extended School Year – and operates in 11 schools including: Brick Avon Academy, Lafayette Street, Hawkins Street, Belmont Runyon, Hawthorne Avenue, 13th Avenue, Speedway Academy, Mount Vernon, McKinley, First Avenue and Park Elementary School. Students engaged in math and literacy curricula that are custom-designed by NPS teachers specifically for Summer Plus. Each site partnered with a community-based organization to develop enrichment programming and field trips to give children a more holistic experience.

Newark Community Leaders Unveil Details of Three-Year Strategic Plan

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Strategic plan a result of nine months of collaboration and hard work by parents, students, educators, and community members

[Newark, NJ – August 26, 2016] – Newark Public Schools (NPS), the Newark Board of Education, the City of Newark and community leaders unveiled the details of the final three-year strategic plan tonight at Science Park High School in Newark. The three-year strategic plan is focused on improving district performance across four key priority areas in order to provide better opportunities and outcomes for all students. The plan is being made available to teachers, staff, parents and students for the start of the 2016-2017 school year.

“I am excited to unveil the three-year strategic plan which embodies the best ideas from across this community to enhance and improve Newark Public Schools. This has truly been a collaborative effort, and we are grateful for the countless hours that our community partners and team invested in making this plan a reality,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “No initiative or one person will get us there, but if we continue to work together and remain focused on the important priorities and strategies the community has helped us to establish, we will create better schools and accelerate towards our goal of ensuring that all Newark students have access to a high quality public education.”

The strategic plan focuses on four major priorities and 18 targeted strategies to improve the district’s performance, each with specific action steps, key milestones, and indicators of success. The key priorities include:

  1. Strengthening academics and students supports
  2. Ensuring great talent in every school and department across the district
  3. Engaging the community
  4. Providing efficient operations, sustainable budgets and skilled governance

“This strategic plan is the third giant step this month toward the return of local control. It is a plan designed to create better schools and assure that every Newark student has the opportunity for a world class education and a successful and fulfilled life,” said Mayor Ras Baraka. “Together with the recommendations of the Newark Education Success Board, it represents a milestone in planning conducted with input from parents, students and community leaders.”

This plan is the result of the collaboration, feedback and hard work of hundreds of community members who participated in community meetings and working group sessions over the last year. Earlier this year, NPS hosted a series of strategic planning meetings to gain feedback from parents, educators, community-based organizations and students. Over 500 community members attended the initial planning meetings, and each ward meeting was hosted by a community-based organization and local ward councilmember who helped facilitate small-group discussions. Hundreds of others participated in the process through an online survey, focus groups, working teams and a review committee.

The event was held to thank all those who participated for their contributions and to provide them with the first available copies of the plan. The five community partners that were involved in the development of this plan include the Ironbound Community Corporation, La Casa de Don Pedro, Newark Fairmont Promise Neighborhood & Urban League of Essex County, Strong Healthy Community Initiative and United Way of Essex & West Hudson.

“I want to thank all of the community members who participated in this process to create a roadmap that will help Newark transition to local control,” said M. Teresa Ruiz, State Senator from Legislative District 29. “I look forward to working with district and city officials to implement this plan to improve outcomes for our children in the coming years.”

“The next three years is a living document; it is one that we will be guided by, and it is one that we will re-visit and access at regular intervals,” said Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson, Chairperson of the Newark Board of Education. “It will serve as a reminder of our goals and benchmarks for developing the Newark Public Schools as a comprehensive student and community centered district. We will visit it as a guide, and re-visit it to access its appropriateness and our adherence.”

For more information or to read the strategic plan, click here.

Thursday: Newark Community Leaders Unveil Details of Three-Year Strategic Plan

Strategic plan a result of nine months of collaboration and hard work by parents, students, educators, and community members

[Newark, NJ – August 25, 2016] – Newark Public Schools (NPS), the Newark Board of Education, the City of Newark and community leaders will unveil the details of the final three-year strategic plan this Thursday, August 25 at Science Park High School in Newark. The three-year strategic plan is focused on improving district performance across four key priority areas in order to provide better opportunities and outcomes for all students. The plan is being made available to teachers, staff, parents and students for the start of the 2016-2017 school year.

This plan is the result of the collaboration, feedback and hard work of hundreds of community members who participated in community meetings and working group sessions over the last year. Earlier this year, NPS hosted a series of strategic planning meetings to gain feedback from parents, educators, community-based organizations and students. Over 500 community members attended the initial planning meetings, and each ward meeting was hosted by a community-based organization and local ward councilmember who helped facilitate small-group discussions. Hundreds of others participated in the process in other ways – an online survey, focus groups, working teams and a review committee. This event is being held to thank all those who participated for their contributions, and to provide them with the first available copies of the plan.

Media planning to attend should RSVP to Dreena Whitfield at DWhitfield@nullNPS.K12.NJ.US.

WHO

  • Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent, Newark Public Schools
  • M. Teresa Ruiz, Senator, New Jersey State Legislature
  • Ras J. Baraka, Mayor, City of Newark
  • Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson, Chairperson, Newark Board of Education

WHAT

  • Strategic Plan Community Meeting and Celebration

WHERE

  • Science Park High School
    260 Norfolk Street
    Newark, NJ

WHEN

  • Thursday, August 25, 2016
    6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Newark Students Perform at Democratic National Convention

Six Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark scholars performed at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, PA last month


[Newark, NJ - August 11, 2016] - On Tuesday, July 26, six Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark scholars performed at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, PA. The six Newark students were part of 40 Eagle Academy scholars who received a standing ovation for their recitation of the poem "INVICTUS".

Six Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark scholars performed at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia
Six Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark scholars performed at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia

The mission of Eagle Academy for Young Men schools is to “develop young men committed to the pursuit of academic excellence, strong character, and responsible leadership.” For more information, visit: www.eaglenewark.com.

Superintendent Cerf Addresses Newark Students Preparing for College

Superintendent Cerf speaks to rising college freshmen and seniors who attended Newark College Freshman Institute’s (NCFI) four-day annual event

SuperintendentCerfSpeaksatPrudential
[Newark, NJ - August 10, 2016] Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf of Newark Public Schools (NPS) addressed 150 Newark students at the Prudential Center yesterday who attended Newark College Freshman Institute’s (NCFI) four-day event that helps rising college freshmen and seniors prepare for college and a professional career. NCFI is an annual event that features seminars, guest speakers and activities that help Newark students develop the skills that will help them achieve academic and professional success, including: resume writing, interviewing, financial management, social media etiquette, leadership, stress management and time management.

“In this increasingly global economy, it is so important that we prepare our students for success,” said Superintendent Cerf. “Statistics show that college graduates will earn more money over their lifetime and live longer, healthier lives. The Newark College Freshman Institute is helping Newark students as they pursue academic and professional careers by teaching them skills they will need in order to successfully navigate college or a job interview.”

Newark residents who are entering their freshmen year at a four year college or university are eligible to attend. For the first time this year, NCFI also accepted rising college seniors who graduated from a Newark high school to ensure they have the skills they need as they prepare to finish their degree and enter the workforce.

Rising college freshmen who attended the four-day seminar will receive a stipend for their participation. Students who complete their first year of college are guaranteed to receive a paid internship in Newark that summer.

The NCFI was created to help Newark students cultivate the skills they will need to be successful in their first year of college with the ultimate goal of ensuring that students complete their first year. For more information, please visit: http://newarkcollegeinstitute.org.