Initiative encourages girls to pursue careers in STEM fields

Newark, N.J. – On Friday, December 5, 2014, Newark Public Schools (NPS) Assistant Superintendent Dr. Peter Turnamian joined Samsung Executive Vice President, Dr. David Steel, United States Senator Cory A. Booker, parents, students, teachers and administrators at Peshine Avenue Elementary School to celebrate the $50,000 technology grant provided by Samsung to increase access to tools for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning.

The school was selected as the recipient for the donation following the completion of the pilot program, emPOWER Tomorrow. This program is aimed to inspire 4th and 5th grade girls to pursue careers in engineering and computer science by introducing them to the people, technologies and processes behind software and hardware in their everyday lives.

“Our challenge as educators is to encourage and empower students’ natural human curiosity and creativity while helping them develop the skills they’ll need in the workplaces of the future,” said Assistant Superintendent Peter Turnamian. “At Newark Public Schools, we stand committed to ensuring that our students are exposed to the latest technology and equipped with the 21st century skills. This generous grant from Samsung will help our students successfully compete in today’s global economy.”

In the increasingly global society, STEM education and the skills it develops will propel students toward success in college, careers and citizenship. Currently, there is an undeniable under representation of women in STEM fields; women make up 49% of the overall workforce, yet only account for 23% of the STEM workforce. Furthermore, almost all of the 30 fastest-growing occupations in the next decade will require at least some background in STEM.

Instilling the confidence in students that they can tackle the challenges presented by the Math and Science curriculum is half the battle. According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), research indicates that unless girls believe they can do Math and Science by 4th grade, they will never have the opportunity to enter the STEM pipeline.

NPS is proud to partner with Samsung and Discovery Education to ensure that female students from the City of Newark gain an interest in STEM education and understand the future opportunities associated with this field.

For more information about Samsung’s emPower Tomorrow program, please click here.
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September 11, 2014 – Newark Public Schools (NPS) announced today that after years of declining enrollment, the district achieved an unprecedented increase in the number of Newark families enrolling in traditional public schools, while the projected attendance rate for the opening days of the 2014-15 school year remained high and comparable to previous years, and the new shuttle service is performing at high levels.

As a result of new enrollees to the district and the additional prekindergarten seats that opened this year, total enrollment is expected to increase by at least 1,000 students, representing the first significant single year increase in over a decade. Additionally, student attendance for the opening days of school was approximately 90%, consistent with attendance rates in previous years. Final audited enrollment and attendance data will be available in October once all data files are updated and reconciled.

“Enrollment figures indicate a growing confidence in public schools among the families that we serve every day,” said Sussex Avenue School Principal Darleen Gearhart. “You can feel the excitement as we work hard to improve options and opportunities for all kids.”

As NPS implements a bold and comprehensive plan to bring greater excellence, equity, and efficiency throughout the system, the early signs are positive: increased enrollment, strong attendance and the successful opening of a new school year in which even more high quality seats are available to Newark students and families from prekindergarten through high school.

“Time on task is critical to helping Newark students succeed,” said Superintendent Cami Anderson. “We worked hard to partner with families to ensure that every child had a school placement and more transportation options at the start of the school year. Given the tremendous success of our school opening, it is disheartening to see attempts to deny progress in favor of politics; however, I have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm from hundreds of students and families that I met in schools during the first week. At the end of the day, Newarkers want more great schools so their kids can excel, and we are committed to delivering.”

In addition to the enrollment and attendance data released, NPS also announced that 92.5% of the bus routes in the new shuttle service launched this year were on-time (within 15 minutes of scheduled drop off or pick up) on day two and the number increased to 94% by day 5. Ridership also increased from 156 students on day 2 to 245 students on day 5.

Ross Danis, President/CEO for the Newark Trust for Education and co-chair of the Community Review Committee (CRC), a group of parents, education leaders, and elected officials who were convened to advice the district on its transportation initiative, congratulated NPS on its early performance.

“The CRC is very proud of the successful launch of the new school year,” said Danis. “We are thrilled to provide more options to families and glad the district recognized the importance of soliciting community input into the design process. To date, issues have been quickly addressed, demand is growing, and kids are getting to school on time. We look forward to partnering with the district and the community in the weeks and months ahead to continue to improve our customer service.”

Success in Enrollment, Transportation, Safety, and Facilities Readiness

September 3, 2014 — Today, Newark Public Schools shared key highlights in school readiness including over 10 days of successful family engagement at the recently opened Enrollment Center and increased transportation and safety options for students and families in the 2014-15 school year.

Universal Enrollment has highlighted tremendous demand from families:

• 15,300 Newark families submitted applications in Round One or Round Two last spring
  • 8,200 in “transition grades” (e.g., rising 9th graders)
  • 1,600 PK-8 students in schools impacted by One Newark
  • 5,500 students in search of new options
    • 3,500 students were unhappy with current schools and wanted to change
    • 2,000 students wanted to enroll in NPS/participating charters for the first time

In the first year of implementation for Universal Enrollment, NPS was able to meet family demand and preferences – with a strong commitment to uniting siblings and keeping students in neighborhood schools:

• 92% of Newark applicants received a school match
• 74% of applicants were matched to one of their top 5 schools
• The number of K-8 siblings united in a single school has remained the same (approximately 80%) before and after Universal Enrollment
• The number of families attending a school less than 1 mile from their home has remained the same (approximately 70%) before and after Universal Enrollment

Gabrielle Wyatt, Executive Director of Strategy and Innovation, said it is important to acknowledge that some families already had children who were attending different schools and traveling to reach the schools of their choice.  “Some families have siblings whose age difference prevents them from attending the same school while others chose to keep seats in schools that may be further away from their home yet are highly desired due to performance,” said Wyatt.  “Wherever possible, we worked to unite siblings and reduce travel times.  We also worked to meet family demand for excellence.”

For the first time in Newark Public School’s history, the district opened a “one stop” Enrollment Center located at 301 West Kinney Street. Since opening its doors on August 28, 2014, Newark Public Schools has served 2,500 families:

• 1200 were families brand new to Newark Public Schools and received new school placements
  • 750 new immigrants
  • 300 recently moved to Newark
  • 150 previously in private or county schools
• 620 were families who did not apply or were unmatched and now have school placements
  • 300 were PK and K students who did not apply and needed schools for next year
  • 320 were impacted PK-8 students and unmatched students (primarily the result of only preferencing high demand schools)
• 670 were matched during Rounds 1 and 2 and were requesting transfers
  • 490 were granted transfers due to family circumstances changing (e.g., moving or wanting to reunite families)
  • 180 students kept their school matches from Rounds 1 and 2 after conversation with Enrollment Specialists

After Thursday, parents experienced high levels of customer service and limited wait times.  Highly trained district staff guided parents through the new process and aimed to ensure families left satisfied and clear about next steps.

“We weren’t really sure what to expect from the Universal Enrollment Center but the staff there definitely helped simplify the process for us,” said Ms. Williams, a Newark Public Schools parent. “We left the center confident that we’d taken all of the necessary steps to get our son registered and enrolled.”

In addition, Newark Public Schools is providing new, free shuttle services for any families impacted by One Newark.  The shuttle buses will pick up and drop off students at one of eight newly established Central Hubs, which will be staffed by hub captains, security guards and teacher’s aides.  Safe Routes maps that highlight the locations of key resources like crossing guards and police stations have also been developed to help families identify the safest courses of travel for students. NPS will continue to provide NJ Transit bus tickets as an option to students who meet the distance eligibility requirements.

“The shuttle service is a new, free, and optional service for any family impacted by One Newark,” said Valerie Wilson, SBA for Newark Public Schools.  “We have always given bus tickets but this is the first time we have made anything like this available for families.  This shows our commitment to more opportunities for families.  Our priority is safety while we increase options.”

In addition to increasing opportunities for families through enrollment and transportation enhancements, NPS also highlighted major facilities improvements.  Over $50M of capital improvement projects were completed over the summer – including major work at Westside and Weeqhuaic High Schools.

“We are dedicated to increasing opportunities for families.  Newarkers demanded more from us and we listened.  We are offering families more choices for schools and more ways to get there,” said Superintendent Cami Anderson.  “At the end of the day, Newarkers want their students ready for college and we are fiercely focused on getting to a day when all schools in Newark deliver on that promise.  The huge demand at the enrollment center and the number of families participating in Universal Enrollment is a key indicator that families know Newark Public Schools in on the move!”

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Highlighting Unprecedented Gains in Graduation Rates, Releasing Student Achievement Data in Renew Schools, and Celebrating Increased Enrollment in Early Childhood

September 3 – On the first day of school, Newark Public Schools celebrates student success. Over the past 3 years, NPS has increased graduation rates, improved academic performance in its Renew Schools, and added quality seats in early childhood education.  Since 2011, NPS has:

• Grown early childhood enrollment by 1,000 students and won a $7M Head Start grant (only the 2nd district in the U.S.)
• Shown significant student achievement gains in 2013-14 at Renew Schools in Reading and Math, even as state tests have gotten harder
• Increased the HSPA graduation rate by 11% and overall graduation rate from 56% to 68%, while retaining more students in school; the number of graduates has increased by 7% and 500 fewer students have dropped out

“Too often, discussions about education turn to personalities and politics.  Today, we celebrate what really matters: student success,” said Superintendent Cami Anderson.  “You demanded more from your Newark Public Schools, and we listened.  For years, Newark families sought greater choice, better schools, and a focus on student achievement, so we responded with urgency. System change is hard but it’s necessary to get results and to make sure that kids are ready to succeed in college and careers.”

Extensive community engagement and outreach have resulted in higher rates of student enrollment in free, universal early childhood than at any point in Newark’s history.  “Year after year, we have seen that when students come to Kindergarten ready to learn and able to read, they are much more likely to succeed in school and in life,” said Rashon Hasan, chair of the Newark School Advisory Board and father of a new Pre-K student who will benefit from early childhood learning. “The increase in enrollment along with the Head Start grant will provide all Newark students – my son included – the opportunity to enter the race for greatness just as prepared, productive and confident as their peers in other districts.”

Newark Public Schools announced the formation of “Renew Schools” in the Spring of 2012 which included Camden Street, Chancellor Avenue, Cleveland, Peshine, Quitman Street, Sussex Avenue, and Thirteenth Avenue.  The goal of each Renew School is to effect dramatic gains in student outcomes by concentrating on five ingredients for success – (1) a clear mission and vision, (2) a transformational school leader, (3) teachers who were hand-picked according to quality and fit for the school, (4) resources and facilities to support students, and (5) engaged families who feel a part of the school transformation.  With more time for students to learn and teachers to collaborate, the Renew Schools are showing unprecedented growth.

In the 2013-2014 school year, Renew Schools made noteworthy strides toward improving test scores and advancing college readiness.

• The overwhelming majority of Renew Schools increased their scores in both the math and language arts portions of the New Jersey Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (NJ ASK)
• The average NJ ASK math score increased for every grade level tested
• Renew schools constitute ¼ of NPS schools showing improvement in both math and language arts literacy
• Nearly all Renew Schools saw increases in the percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks in math, science and English

“We have worked hard to make sure we have great people in our Renew Schools.” said Peter Turnamian, Assistant Superintendent.  “The release of our student achievement data proves our principals’ and teachers’ hard work and perseverance is putting their schools on track to achieving a successful turnaround in our first cohort of Renew schools.”

“When the Renew Schools were announced several years ago, I was skeptical because this school has been failing for so long,” said Camden parent Raheem Coleman.  “But, this school has completely changed for the better.  Students are happy and focused.  Parents are welcomed.  We are always at the school.  There is a sense of hope and focus.  I never thought Camden Street could feel this way.  We are all proud.”

“I want Peshine to be a school where I would put my own kids,” said Peshine Principal Chaleeta Barnes.  “We want this school to be great and our team is committed to achieve excellence for the kids and families that we serve every day.”

NPS Teacher Joanne Rutherford-Pastras also credited the Renew School effort with creating a sense of focus and urgency.  “The extra time to plan and collaborate is invaluable.  At Renew Schools, we work harder but it is worth it,” said Rutherford-Pastras.  “I am growing as a teacher because I am pushed by my colleagues and administrators.  I am also seeing my students excel.  It is exciting to be part of something this important.”

For several years, NPS has increased diversity at magnet schools, providing students with disabilities and struggling learners with access to excellent schools.  Magnets outperformed all schools in assisting struggling students in achieving academically while also supporting its high-performing learners.

“It is false to think you have to choose between supporting students who struggle and challenging those students who are academically ahead,” said Robert Smith Gregory, Principal of American History High School.  “At American History, we have seen an increase in our graduation rates, in the number of students passing AP exams, and in the number of struggling middle schoolers who are doing well.  I have never seen our district so focused on moving all learners.  We are excited to celebrate our success today.”

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