Press Releases

Hawkins Street School To Host Honor Roll Celebration Breakfast

Newark NJ, March 7, 2014 – Newark’s Hawkins Street School is combining this week’s culminating Dr. Seuss events with a breakfast in celebration of the school’s Honor Roll students. For the event, staff will decorate the gymnasium and assist in cooking and serving the expected hundreds of students and parents.

Hawkins Street School Principal Sandra Marques enthusiastically stated, “We expect approximately 300 to 400 parents to recognize our honor roll students.  My staff organizes, decorates and even cooks for the event.  It was a huge success last year and we expect an even a better outcome this year.”

With an enrollment of 593 students, Hawkins Street School is located on the eastern end of Newark’s Ironbound Section near the Passaic River. The school community has come together this year to host a variety of events for students and the community, such as a Science Fair, a Halloween Parade Spanish Heritage and African American History programs, and a Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.

WHAT: The school is combining the Dr. Seuss events of the week culminating with a breakfast in celebration of the Honor Roll students. Staff will decorate the gymnasium and assist in cooking and serving the expected 300 or more students and parents.

WHEN: Saturday, March 8, 2014, 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Hawkins Street School, 8 Hawkins Street, Newark, NJ 07105

WHO: Students, more than 300 parents, school administrators and teachers.

Underground Railroad Reenactment Returns to Newark’s Harriet Tubman Blue Ribbon School

For ninth consecutive year, interactive performance takes students on journey to freedom, alongside school’s iconic namesake

Newark, NJ, March 4, 2014 – On Friday, March 7, the Harriet Tubman Blue Ribbon School – part of the Newark Public School system – will host an historic reenactment of the antislavery icon’s life story and the journey along the Underground Railroad that led thousands of escaped slaves to freedom, as a way to convey the legacy of the school’s namesake to its students. There will be two hour-long performances, beginning at 9:30AM and 1:30PM. Last Friday, the school did a first session of the reenactment, drawing parents and community members to participate in the program (photos attached below, high resolution available).
“Each year, through this annual reenactment, we draw our students’ attention not only to a powerful chapter of our nation’s history, but also to the outstanding bravery and compassion of Harriet Tubman and her fellow abolitionists,” said Assistant Superintendent Mitchell Center. “By literally walking alongside these ‘real-life characters’ as they perform heroic acts and put themselves at personal risk for the betterment of humanity, our children learn lessons that go well beyond American history. In the Newark Public Schools, we believe that this type of hands-on character education program empowers our children and instills pride and good citizenship in them, as they journey through their own lives.”
Since its launch in 2006, the annual event has progressively grown and expanded in scope to an elaborate “living exhibit,” engaging the students and their families through an interactive performance. Beginning in the principal’s office and ending in the cafeteria, the production travels across the school building, involving the students and allowing them to be a part of the journey to freedom, together with Harriet Tubman and her fellow slavery abolitionists.
Constructed just after the end of the Civil War in 1875, the award-winning Harriet Tubman School has the mission of teaching their Pre-K through 6th grade students to be caring, productive and responsible citizens in addition to providing academic excellence and inspiring students to become lifelong learners.

WHO: Assistant Superintendent Mitch Center, Principal Frederick Chatman, students, parents, and school administrators

WHAT: Since 2006, as a way to convey the legacy of the school’s namesake to its students, the Harriet Tubman Blue Ribbon School has created an annual historic reenactment of the antislavery icon’s life story and the journey along the Underground Railroad that led thousands of escaped slaves to freedom. Now in its 9th year, the reenactment has progressively grown into an elaborate “living exhibit,” engaging the students through an interactive performance. Beginning in the Principal’s office with a film screening about Harriet Tubman and ending with a play in the cafeteria, featuring a range of historically significant African Americans, the production journeys through the school building, engaging the students along the way.

WHERE: Harriet Tubman Elementary School, 504 South 10th Street, Newark, NJ 07103

WHEN: Friday, March 7, 2014 at 9:30AM and 1:30PM. Each production lasts approximately 1 hour.

Newark’s Oliver Street Elementary School Takes On Cleaning the Passaic River for National “Samsung Solve for Tomorrow” Contest

Votes needed to help win share of $2M in technology equipment

Newark NJ, February 26, 2014 – Oliver Street Elementary School in Newark is one of 15 finalists in the nationwide Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest, which challenges students to apply S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) solutions to problems facing their local communities. The only New Jersey school to make it to finals, the Oliver Street students’ project, Guarding the Water Supply, focuses on the polluted Passaic River, which runs through their city. The school with the most votes submitted online between February 25 and March 14, 2014 will win a share of $2 Million in technology equipment prizes.

“Newark Public Schools is so proud that Oliver Street Elementary School has been named as a finalist in the nationwide Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest,” said Newark Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Mitchell Center. “The competition has uniquely inspired our students to apply 21st century technology to the problems facing the Passaic River, take responsibility as environmental stewards and learn the value of civic action. Thanks to their great work, we have now reached the moment we were hoping for and are asking all of Newark to support our science and math students by voting.”

Project summary:

Each year over 1.2 trillion gallons of untreated storm water and industrial waste are dumped into U.S. waters. Approximately 46 percent of lakes and 40 percent of rivers are too polluted for fishing, aquatic life, or swimming. With this problem in mind, the Oliver Street students applied S.T.E.M. learning to the engineering of a sewer guard using Autodesk inventor, to prevent garbage from entering the local sewer system and waterways. The students researched, developed and created a number of models to test during a storm, which were then assessed and innovated based on how well the design worked.

To vote:
Supporters can watch the Oliver Street School’s project video and submit one vote per day by going to the contest web site:

Spread the word:
Please share the contest over social media using hashtags #TeamOSS and #SamsungSolve and help us gain statewide support for our team.

Lafayette Street School Presents When Life Gives You Lemons… Make Lemonade

Third Graders Raise $6,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

Newark, NJ, February 20, 2014 – The Newark Public Schools’ Lafayette Street School third graders will showcase what they have learned about tolerance and choosing to do good, and most importantly, how they acted upon it by making and selling lemonade to raise funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The total funds raised- $6,000 – will be marked on a giant check made out to St. Jude’s as part of the presentation.

The curriculum-related presentation, titled When Life Gives You Lemons… Make Lemonade, will include what they learned when they measured the ingredients to make lemonade, promoted and advertised their lemonade stands, sold the product and gathered the money. This is the fourth year third graders at the school have raised money for St. Jude’s, the latest amount bringing the total to $21,000.
“We are very proud of our students’ accomplishments, both as young learners and responsible citizens,” said Lafayette Street School Principal Maria Merlo. “The hands-on experience of learning enables students to remember, build upon their knowledge and progress to higher levels.”

WHO: Assistant Superintendent Mitchell Center, Principal Maria Merlo, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students, teachers, parents and community members and representatives.

WHAT: Lafayette Street School third graders will showcase what they learned from their project, When Life Gives You Lemons… Make Lemonade, which ties the school curriculum to everyday tolerance, doing good and acting upon it, the culmination of which will be a donation of $6,000 to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

WHEN: Thursday, February 27, 2014, 9:25 a.m.

WHERE: Lafayette Street School, 205 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ 07105

PRESS COVERAGE

Newark Community Unites to Strengthen One Newark Plan

Newark Public Schools announces final refinements to One Newark Plan
[Newark, NJ – February 7, 2014] – Concluding months of extensive outreach that has included many of the city’s civic leaders, community advocates, educators, local clergy, and families across public charter and district schools, Newark Public Schools (NPS) announced refinements to One Newark initiatives.  Today’s announcements further the community-wide plan to ensure all students are in excellent schools and thriving communities and are on the path to excel in college and 21st century careers.  Last December, under One Newark, NPS announced its ambitious goal to ensure 100 excellent schools in Newark, through the values of Excellence, Equity, and Efficiency.

“Our poorest neighborhoods, disproportionately African American, contain some of the lowest-performing public schools in the country and have for a long time,” said Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson.  “A child in the South or West ward is virtually guaranteed to be in an elementary school where only 30 percent of students can read – or in a high school with a graduation rate below 30 percent that was built for 1500 students with only 500 kids enrolled.  This is simply unacceptable.  Good schools are in high demand — over 5,800 families (and counting) completed an on-line application through One Newark Enrolls in just a few weeks (a new national standard).   If we bring those good schools to the neighborhoods with the greatest need, we could revive schools and communities.”

“After extensive outreach, listening to families, and discussions with partners, elected officials, and other stakeholders we are pleased to announce some important updates and refinements to the One Newark plan,” said Ruben Roberts, Executive Director of Community Affairs and Community Engagement.  “As part of our commitment to students and adults, we worked with partners to make adjustments in the charter launches and plans to revive our comprehensive high schools.”
  • Charter Launches: We will transform 4 schools previously operated as district schools into charter-operated/partner-operated schools.  Many partners have a stronger track record of success compared to NPS – even when you compare across subgroups.  This plan does not add new charter seats – it redirects charter growth plans to neighborhoods demanding innovation.  Currently, approximately 8,000 students are in public charter schools and 10,000 families are on waiting lists. In the South ward alone, 40% of families are applying for charters. As one example, many of families at Bragaw Avenue, which will become a TEAM Charter Launch, are on TEAM’s school enrollment waiting list. Important details about the charter launches are available at www.onewark.org.
  • Comprehensive high schools: We must unite to address declining enrollment.  Current data suggests that NPS will lose 2,000 out of 8,000 high school seats by 2016.  Weequahic, West Side and Shabazz were built to serve 1,500 to 2,000 students each. Today, these schools collectively serve approximately 1,500 students. All trends indicate they will shrink to 400 students each next year.  In the absence of bold solutions, two or three of our comprehensive high schools would have to close. We believe we must introduce innovative and attractive options that serve all students and fill buildings up to preserve these historic institutions. Important details about the comprehensive high schools are available at www.onewark.org.
  • Learners in need of a second chance and NPS central headquarters: Each year, NPS spends over $4M in rent downtown. Simultaneously, the central office has engaged in conversations about being in closer proximity to our students. Specifically, we want to ensure we are supporting our students with the most needs. Therefore in fall 2014, NPS will move to the building that is currently Newark Vocational High School and share a campus with adults and young people in need of the greatest academic support. NPS Central will serve as the enrollment hub and reengagement center for disconnected youth and adult learners, the site for young people in need of short-term behavioral supports, the site for work-force and academic services for adults, and NPS’ central office.  Important details about our commitment to learners in need of a second chance are available at www.onewark.org.

“I want my grandchildren to attend a really good school, and as it relates to Bragaw Avenue School, the One Newark Plan will preserve neighborhood schools as a viable option,” stated Iris Torres, Parent-Teacher Organization President at Bragaw Elementary School.

“I appreciated hearing first hand, the contingencies and having the needs of our students, parents and our community addressed,” stated Eagle Academy parent, Keisha King. “As we continue to push forward in developing and creating a harmonious relationship, we are offering that same spirit of appreciation to NPS and are looking forward to working with the district.”

“BRICK looks forward to strengthening the partnership with NPS to meet the academic and social emotional needs of the children in the South Ward,” said Dominique Lee, Founder and Board Chair of B.R.I.C.K. Academy

“It’s about the district and the charter sector working together to ensure every child in Newark has access to a high-quality school, and the plans announced today represent a big, bold step in the right direction,” stated Mashea Ashton, C.E.O. of Newark Charter School Fund

“This important collaboration between the public charter school sector and the district will advance our shared commitment to providing every student access to a quality public school. Working together we have an opportunity to increase choice for all families in Newark,” said Ken Schultz, Executive Director of Newark Legacy.

“We started TEAM Charter Schools on Custer Avenue in the South Ward almost twelve years ago, and now have three schools in the South.  We are excited to expand our commitment to the South Ward by offering the students of Bragaw Avenue School the opportunity to attend TEAM.  And we are grateful to have been included in a plan that will increase the number of high quality school options for families in the South Ward and throughout all of Newark,” stated Ryan Hill, C.E.O., TEAM Charter Schools

“We look forward to working in partnership with the district to ensure that more students have access to a great public-school education,” said Julie Jackson, managing director of Uncommon Newark/Elementary Schools. “North Star has been committed to Newark families since our first school opened here in 1997 and we look forward to the opportunity to serve even more Newark students.”

“We all know that too many young people have dropped out of school in Newark — becoming permanently disconnected from society. This One Newark strategy begins to open a door for thousands of the City’s dropouts who have been invisible for too long,” stated Reginald Lewis, Executive Director of The Chad School Foundation, Inc.

“As the Principal, I talk with parents, students and the Weequahic alumni association frequently,” stated Weequahic High School Principal, Faheem Ellis. “Something that our Weequahic parents, the Weequahic alumni association, and I agree on is that we need to attract and keep students with programming that will make our kids ready for college and their future careers. The vision for Weequahic will be aligned to the district’s mission and will include the input and feedback from our school community.”

In addition to the One Newark details released today, a significant anchor of the One Newark plan is its universal enrollment system, which empowers all Newark families with the ability to choose their own schools across the district.  Today’s announcement comes on the heels of yesterday’s data showing that nearly 5,800 families have made school selections thus far for school year 2014-15, far exceeding similar initiatives in cities such as Denver and New Orleans.  Because of the overwhelming demand and interest, NPS has extended the due date for One Newark Enrolls to February 28, 2014.  Families may continue to submit an application online at www.newarkenrolls.org or by filling out a paper application that can be obtained from and submitted to any district school, participating charter school or the NPS Central Office located at 2 Cedar Street.

Weequahic High School’s Sidney Gopre` to Sign to Play Football for Rutgers on National Signing Day

Newark, NJ, February 6, 2014 – Newark Public Schools football star, Sidney Gopre` will sign his Intent Letter to attend and play for the prestigious Rutgers University football team on Thursday, February 6, at 1:30 p.m., at his school, Weequahic High School, 279 Chancellor Avenue, Newark, in the presence of his teammates, head coach and school administrators.

Sidney, who was named the Star-Ledger State Football Defensive Player of the Year for 2013, will have the opportunity to play football for state university Rutgers, which will become an elite Big Ten Conference team on July 1 this year. The signing will be part of a journey which started when Sidney played football for the first time in fifth grade and soon after started studying taped NFL games for the best moves, a practice that has endured.

“We are very proud that Sidney is one of the elite athletes committing on National Signing Day, the day when high school athletes across the nation sign official documents to attend and play for institutions of higher education” said Weequahic High School Head Coach Brian Logan.

WHO: Student football player Sidney Gopre, Principal Faheem Ellis, Head Football Coach Brian Logan, Vice Principal Elizabeth Aranjo, Weequahic HS Football Team

WHAT: Weequahic High School Senior and Star-Ledger State Football Defensive Player of the Year Sidney Gopre, will sign his Intent Letter to commit to and play football for Rutgers University.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 6, 2014, 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Weequahic High School, 279 Chancellor Avenue, Newark, NJ 07112

(Goldsmith Avenue entrance, proceed to Community Room where the event is taking place)