One Newark Enrolls Extended thru February 28th

“Newark families are embracing the opportunity to select a school that is best for their students,” stated Newark Public Schools Superintendent Cami Anderson. “We believe that students who are  academically prepared and need to be challenged further, as well as students who are struggling, deserve excellent schools.  As we have seen year after year, families are leaving schools that are failing and there is no reason why any family should accept a school that isn’t preparing their child for the future. One Newark Enrolls represents a collaboration between community-based partners, charter partners, funders, families, and educators.”

One Newark Enrolls is a first-of-a-kind universal enrollment system that aims to ensure more Newarkers have access to excellent schools.  Through a preference structure that ensures high need students gain access to high performing schools, while also prioritizing equity, transparency, and access for all students in the city. Under One Newark Enrolls, every student will have the ability to change schools, though those who are content with their current school will remain there.  The system will focus on grades where students enter or change schools: Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grade 5 and Grade 8.

This new enrollment structure provides all families:

• • A single, fair, user-friendly application that eliminates barriers so all families have the opportunity to apply to high quality schools of their choice.
• • The ability to prioritize schools they believe will best serve their own children.
• • Clear and consistent information about all participating schools in Newark through fairs, local publications, websites like www.onewark.org and www.newarkenrolls.org, and open houses.
• • A centralized way to voice concerns and receive support to ensure their children secure enrollment in a school that meets their needs

Launched just 25 days ago, all schools in NPS and participating charter partners have embarked on an extensive outreach plan to personally engage thousands of parents across the district.  Over 1300 parents attended the first One Newark Enrolls school fair on January 11th. The One Newark Enrolls school fair at North Star Academy’s Fairmount campus on January 16th brought in over 200 families to learn more about their school options and the enrollment process.  The One Newark Enrolls High School fair boasted over 200 attendees.  The next One Newark Enrolls fair will take place on Tuesday, February 11th at 6 pm at George Washington Carver Elementary School located at 333 Clinton Place, Newark, NJ.

Families can also obtain more information about One Newark Enrolls at any Newark public school and participating charter public school.  Open houses, meetings for families who have students with disabilities, information sessions, and school tours will be offered throughout the month of February.

[Newark, New Jersey – January 24, 2014] Newark Public Schools has completed its investigation of five Principals who were put on paid suspension for various potential offenses.  Superintendent Cami Anderson instructed Newark Public Schools’ Employee Services to conduct a swift and thorough investigation. The investigation was to determine if Principals were meeting their obligation to:

1. provide accurate, timely information about their school’s performance,
2. actively support and engage families around all school options, including but not limited to, the schools they run, and
3. ensure a safe purposeful environment focused on student learning. Principals were provided specific findings individually on Thursday, followed by a written letter regarding findings and outcomes. Because the investigation is a confidential personnel matter, Newark Public Schools will not comment on specifics but offers the two statements below.

The following is a statement from Newark Public Schools Spokesperson Matthew Frankel:

“Five Principals were put on paid suspension to address serious concerns. The investigation concluded misconduct by some Principals and raised issues that families were being denied access to accurate and complete information. There is a pending criminal investigation involving an incident at one school where the safety of children and staff were potentially in danger. We stand firmly by our obligation to ensure safety, enforce families’ rights, and protect student learning. The Superintendent remains focused on prioritizing the many issues that should unite us and will continue to do what is in the best interest for Newark’s children.”

The following is a statement from Newark Public Schools General Counsel and Chief of Staff Charlotte Hitchcock:

“At every step in this process, Newark Public Schools has taken great care to respect the rights of our administrators. Principals were placed on paid suspension last Friday afternoon pending the results of an investigation, in keeping with Employee Services policy. We met yesterday with each Principal to allow dialogue on facts discovered. The Newark Public Schools investigation concluded today.”

Noted Newark Historian Professor Clem Price Creates Special Cross District Writing Assignment to Highlight the Best of Newark

With thousands of media and tourists arriving in New Jersey and Newark for the Super Bowl, the assignment gives students the opportunity to greet them in their own words with a welcoming letter, while sharing their love for their home city. Moreover, it is designed to provide another opportunity for students to develop their ability to respond in writing to a thoughtful text, a key skill for college and 21st Century careers. These responses will be shared in welcoming packets prepared by the Prudential Center on Super Bowl Media Day.

The assignment was co-developed by the Newark Public Schools Curriculum Office and Dr. Clement Price, distinguished Rutgers Professor and the chair of President Obama’s transition team for the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“The Super Bowl writing assignment we have provided our students showcases the great city  of Newark on a national stage, while strengthening the voice of our students and our city,” stated Superintendent Cami Anderson.  “Having Dr. Price help us prompt students to think deeply about our city is invaluable for us and them. We are also grateful for our partners at the Prudential Center and the New Jersey Devils.”

“We take pride in having the opportunity to work with Newark Public Schools to highlight the city’s focus on education and the success of its students,” said Hugh Weber, President of Devils Arena Entertainment. “This is an exciting time for Newark and the State of New Jersey, as the focus for Super Bowl XLVIII will be on us. The collaboration and planning that took place has led to an exciting day of events that will make the entire Newark community proud.”

“The history of Newark is a treasure for all of us and I am so thrilled to be asked by NPS and the Prudential Center to be a part of this valuable lesson for our students,” stated Dr. Clement Price, Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor at Rutgers. “In a short period of time thousands of people will be descending to Newark as part of our Super Bowl activities, some for the first time, giving us a rare opportunity to showcase our people, our buildings, and our culture.  It is great to see so many parts of the city come together for this great event.”

For the assignment, Price stated to Newark students –

Here is what we know: All roads lead to Newark! That has been the case since the middle of the nineteenth century.  The Super Bowl is only the most recent one and it is among the most important ones.

Tell me, please:  What needs to be said about why all roads lead to Newark? Let’s think about Newark’s geography, its long and complex history, its ever changing demography and its enduring stature as we prepare to welcome the world, and football fans, into our City and to consider why Newark is an important American city.

The fair will feature district and participating charter schools and will include informational sessions for families where they can learn about the application process, as well as receive personalized support for students with particular needs.

• View photos of last Saturday’s event.
• Watch a video of Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson talking about Universal Enrollment

Announced last year as a central tenet of the One Newark agenda, One Newark Enrolls is a historic citywide enrollment system that provides families with increased choice and access to schools across Newark, regardless of whether they are district or public charter.

Families may submit an application online at www.newarkenrolls.org or by filling out a paper application that can be obtained from any district school, participating charter school or the NPS Central Office located at 2 Cedar Street.  The deadline for applications is Friday, February 14, 2014.

WHO:             One Newark Enrolls School Fair for K-8th graders

WHAT:            All participating schools –both district and charter – will be on hand to provide more information about their programs and services. The fair also includes informational sessions for families on One Newark Enrolls where they can learn about the application process, as well as receive personalized support for students with particular needs.

WHEN:           Thursday, January 16, 2014

WHERE:         North Star Academy, 108 South 9th Street, Newark, NJ 07103