Farrand comes from family of Newark educators

Superintendent Chris Cerf honors Whitney Farrand with “Newark Teacher of the Year” award

[Newark, NJ – May 05, 2016] – Newark Public Schools (NPS) honored Whitney Farrand as “Newark Teacher of the Year” today at Mount Vernon School, with a surprise visit from NPS Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf and other district leaders who presented her with an award for her exceptional teaching abilities and the impact she has had on her students. Farrand was chosen from a pool of approximately 30 finalists who were each nominated by their school principal.

“I could not be happier to present this award to Ms. Farrand,” said Superintendent Cerf. “She exemplifies the qualities of a great educator. In addition to her skill as a classroom teacher and the great results she achieves with her students, she spends countless hours after school and on weekends to mentor them in her role as their debate coach; truly embodying what Newark educators are all about.”

Ms. Farrand currently teaches eighth grade mathematics. In the classroom, she focuses on creating a positive learning environment that fosters collaboration, conversation and individualized learning. This year, her students significantly outperformed state and district averages. Additionally, she dedicates her own time after school each week to ensure her students are able to participate in extra-curricular activities like the Mount Vernon Debate Team, which is ranked as one of the top teams in all of Newark Public Schools as a result of her leadership.

“We are so grateful to have Ms. Farrand as a leader on our teaching staff at Mount Vernon,” said Bertha Dyer, Principal of Mount Vernon School. “She has done a tremendous job with her students over the years and is a very important member of our school community. Her tireless dedication to the students and families we serve speaks volumes about the high-quality educator that she is.”

Ms. Farrand began teaching at Mount Vernon nine years ago and did so as a part of a family tradition. Her mother, Vernell Farrand, worked as a teacher, staff developer and school administrator at NPS, and her father, Brent Farrand, was also a mathematics resource teacher and coordinator at NPS. In addition, Brent Farrand founded the Jersey Urban Debate League, currently known as the Newark Debate Academy, where Ms. Farrand works as a high school coordinator outside of her work at Mount Vernon School.

District officials interrupt class to surprise celebrated Newark teacher with award
During Teacher Appreciation Week, Fios 1 News interviewed Mount Vernon Elementary School teacher Whitney Farrand after she received a surprise visit from district officials to give her the Newark Teacher of the Year Award.

Farrand, an eighth grade math teacher who comes from a family of educators, was in the middle of teaching a lesson when Superintendent Chris Cerf and district officials stopped by her classroom to hand deliver the award – as well as a bouquet of flowers.

Farrand was chosen from a pool of approximately 30 finalists who were each nominated by their school principal.

Watch Farrand’s genuine reaction and interview here.

[Newark, NJ – May 5, 2016] – This past week, Newark Public Schools (NPS), the City of Newark, Newark One Stop and the Office of Expanded Learning Time hosted a job fair for students interested in summer youth employment at the Marion A. Bolden Center. Over 150 students attended the job fair, which was held on Friday, April 29 and Monday, May 2, with potential employers such as the City of Newark, NPS, the Newark YMCA and Nike, among others.

“The district is working hard to provide summer youth employment opportunities for students so they can gain skills and knowledge that will help them as they continue to pursue their education and a career in the future,” said Superintendent Cerf of NPS. “This week’s job fair was extremely successful, and I am encouraged by the number of students who are looking to get involved in our community and the number of employers who are willing to provide opportunities for them.”

Newark residents ages 14 – 24 were invited to attend. NPS set up 20 stations at the fair with Google Chromebooks for students to complete applications. For the first time this year, students 14 years of age are now eligible to earn income by attending Summer Plus, the NPS Summer School program. The NPS Summer Plus program is offering 33 high school paid internships and 11 college paid internships.

“The students that attend the Bolden Student Center regularly for the afterschool program are always on the lookout for job opportunities,” said Sarah Cruz, Special Assistant of Extended Learning Time at NPS. “It’s exciting that we can offer them a place to get access to a wide variety of summer jobs.”

This is the second year that NPS’ Office of Expanded Learning has held a summer job fair. As a result of last year’s job fair, 30 students were placed at various jobs throughout the city, including internships at Audible and GlassRoots.

“I was extremely excited to see so many students and their parents coming out prepared for employment,” said Marsha Armstrong, Program Coordinator for Newark Youth One Stop. “What I loved most about it was many of them were well dressed in their professional attire. It just lets us know that all the hard work we’re putting in is paying off. We’ve got some awesome students rising up.”

For more information about summer youth employment, students or families can contact Marsha Armstrong at armstrongm@nullci.newark.nj.us or call the Youth One Stop and Career Center at 973-273-6064. For more information about summer programming visit: newark.apppresser.com/summerprograms/program.

Erskine Glover, Principal of Newark Public Schools Quitman Street Community School attended reception at the White House this week

[Newark, NJ – May 3, 2016] – Erskine Glover, Principal of Newark’s Quitman Street Community School, attended a reception at the White House as part of Teacher Appreciation Week. The celebration recognized and thanked the outstanding educators across the country as well as recipients of National Teacher of the Year and State Teacher of the Year.

“Principal Glover has done an outstanding job leading Quitman Street Community School, and I join the district, his students, faculty and staff in thanking him for everything he is doing to provide an excellent education for Newark’s young people,” said Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf of NPS. “It is a privilege to have such talented and respected leaders in education working in our district, and I am proud Principal Glover is being recognized for the great work he has done in our community.”

In a Presidential Proclamation earlier this year, President Obama called upon students, parents and all Americans to recognize the hard work and dedication of the nation’s teachers by observing National Teacher Appreciation Day (May 3) and week (May 1-7).

• What the Promise of Education Did for Me
• Newark school’s educational work recognized with White House invite
• Newark Quitman Street Public School Principal, Staff to Join President Obama in National Teacher Appreciation Day and National Teacher Appreciation Week at the White House
• Newark school’s educational work recognized with White House invite

Training focused on utilizing EasyIEP technology to meet needs of students with disabilities and increase academic success

[Newark, NJ – April 29, 2016] – Newark Public Schools (NPS) hosted an IEP Planning training for Child Study Team (CST) members across the district to help them better utilize EasyIEP on April 26th and April 27th. EasyIEP is a new Individualized Education Program (IEP) database that NPS general and special education teachers as well as school leaders and CST members can access to outline the learning objectives, goals, and progress of students with disabilities over the course of their academic career.

“EasyIEP will allow all educators in our schools to collaborate effectively and efficiently to ensure each individual student who is entitled to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) has access to the services they need to achieve academic success,” said Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf of NPS. “The district is committed to making sure our educators have the support and resources they need to create engaging lesson plans and measure student progress.”

The EasyIEP training, which was held at Harold Wilson School, consisted of three half-day sessions for CST members who are integral in creating IEPs. CST members are currently serving students with special needs from Pre-K through 12th grade.

“EasyIEP is an incredible tool that enables teachers to measure student progress and make adjustments to the special education curriculum,” said Marilyn Mitchell, Executive Director of the Office of Special Education. “This data-driven instruction has already helped us improve our special education program and will ultimately help us on our mission to ensure every child in Newark reaches their full academic and social potential.”

This week’s training is part of a broader, district-wide effort to ensure that all students throughout the district, including those with disabilities, have access to the resources and support they need to increase their academic achievement. The district has been hosting professional development and EasyIEP trainings for general and special education teachers, CST members and school leaders throughout the school year.

Students at McKinley Elementary spent Earth Day with Audible employees learning about recycling and working on projects to help the environment

[Newark, NJ, – April 27, 2016] – In recognition of Earth Day on April 22, Newark Public Schools (NPS) students and Audible employees participated in a community service day at McKinley Elementary School. Over 125 NPS students and 40 Audible employees planted flowers and learned about recycling and the importance of being environmentally friendly.

“I would like to thank all of the Audible employees who came out to volunteer with the students at McKinley Elementary School on Earth Day. It is great for our students to learn about being environmental stewards, as well as to learn what it means to give back to your community, at a very young age,” said Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf of NPS. “Audible is a great partner and friend to the City of Newark. We are honored that Audible considers the Brick City home and we are grateful for their continued support.”

Audible, the world’s largest seller and producer of downloadable audiobooks and other spoken-word entertainment, is headquartered in Newark, and has been recognized as the fastest-growing private employer in the city.

West Side Campus boys’ and University High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams honored for successful seasons

NPS honored West Side Campus boys’ and University High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams for successful seasons.

[Newark, NJ – April 25, 2016] – Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf of Newark Public Schools (NPS) joined Principals Larry Ramkisson and Regina Sharpe in hosting a “Celebration of Champions” banquet on Thursday, April 21 to honor the West Side Campus boys’ and University High School boys’ and girls’ teams on their successful basketball seasons. The three teams represented NPS in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Championships in March of this year. West Side Campus boys’ basketball team went on to win the Group 2 Boys Basketball Champions, and both the University High School boys’ and girls’ teams won the Division I State Championships.

“On behalf of Newark Public Schools, I want to congratulate the West Side Campus boys’ basketball and University High School’s girls’ and boys’ basketball teams on their successful seasons,” said Superintendent Cerf. “Newark Public Schools was honored to have these three teams representing us in the NJSIAA Championships, and we are so proud of everything these student athletes accomplished throughout their winning seasons both on and off the court.”

The banquet was catered by students participating in the Newark Leadership Academy culinary program. The celebration also included a performance by University High School’s marching band. Mayor Baraka, Superintendent Cerf, Principal Ramkisson, Principal Sharpe and a former University High School alumni who now play college basketball were all in attendance and congratulated team members on their achievements.