NEWARK, NJ — Students and staff at Newark Public Schools’ BRICK Avon Academy got a sample of the “Good Times” earlier this week when actor and author John Amos paid a visit to the school.
Avon Avenue School
Actor and Author John Amos Visits BRICK Avon Academy to Read to Students
[NEWARK, New Jersey – November 21, 2017] Well known actor of stage and screen and now author, John Amos visited students at Newark Public Schools BRICK Avon Academy earlier this week. Mr. Amos came to read from his book, “A World Without Color” to students in K – 4th grade and later with students in the 5th – 8th grades.
In addition to reading to the older students, Mr. Amos led a discussion with the students about the importance of seeing diversity as a gift and to respect all people.
Principal Charity Haygood said, “John Amos was so inspiring and uplifting for our students.” She said he stressed how crucial it is to read to succeed and that he answered each question so genuinely and made each scholar, AND teacher and parent feel like a million bucks!”
John Amos has starred on television and on stage. He is best known as the father on the long running show, “Good Times.” Mr. Amos is a native of Essex County, having graduated from East Orange High School.
Education reform advocate and BRICK founder to open innovative new charter school
It’s a Friday morning in late August—just weeks from the beginning of the new school year—but Dominique Lee is cool and calm as he sits across a table at BRICK Academy headquarters and speaks in quiet, measured tones.
Nearly 2,000 NPS 3rd & 4th Grade Students Perform At NJPAC
Recorder Arts Program Highlights Newark Students and A Commitment to the Arts
[NEWARK, NJ – June 27, 2017] Nearly 2,000 Newark Public Schools (NPS) 4th and 5th grade students recently performed at NJPAC as part of the Recorder Arts for Musical Pathways Program; a partnership between NPS and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. This participation more than doubled the 739 students who participated last year.
“Thank you to NJPAC and Margaret El for their dedication to this important program that brings the arts to our students and allows them to play in the best concert hall in this country,” noted Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Christopher D. Cerf. “We must continue to grow programs like this because the arts are a vital part of our students’ education.”
The partnership includes 20 schools and teachers, who participated in a two day professional development program. As part of the program, NJPAC’s Recorder Arts master teacher conducted two site visits at each school during the first and second semester of the school year for in class support. In addition, NPS teachers from each of the 20 schools made nominations for the All-Star Recorder Choir, who performed on stage during the concert. The concert was held on June 15 at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall.
“I absolutely got chills looking out over the orchestra and all the way up to the third tier in Prudential Theater, seeing and hearing over 1900 third and fourth graders from Newark Public Schools performing in unison,” Added Margaret El, Director of Arts Education at NPS. “We are so excited about the work NPS music students and teachers have accomplished, and look forward to many students pursuing an instrument of choice in the future.”
Click here to listen to the concert.
Participating schools included:
- 14th Avenue School
- B.R.I.C.K. Avon Academy
- Camden Street School
- Elliott Street School
- First Avenue School
- Harriet Tubman School
- Ivy Hill School
- Lafayette Street School
- Lincoln School
- Louise A Spencer School
- McKinley School
- Mt. Vernon School
- Oliver Street School
- Park Elementary School
- Quitman Street Community School
- Rafael Hernandez School
- Ridge Street School
- Roberto Clemente School
- South Street School
- Wilson Avenue School
Two NPS Administrators Selected as Finalists for Prudential’s “Newark’s Cornerstones” Competition
Akbar Cook, of West Side High School, and Charity Haygood, of B.R.I.C.K. Avon Academy, were selected for their positive impact on Newark’s future; Voting closes on Friday March 31
[Newark, NJ – March 30, 2017] As Newark celebrates its 350th anniversary, two Newark Public Schools (NPS) administrators have been selected as finalists for Prudential’s “Newark’s Cornerstones” competition, a contest which showcases leaders across Newark for their dedication in making a positive impact on Newark’s future. Akbar Cook, Vice Principal of West Side High School (WSHS), and Charity Haygood, Principal of BRICK Avon Academy, are two out of eight finalists who were chosen over the course of the last eight months by Prudential, Prudential Center and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s office. Finalists were selected based on the degree to which they represent at least one of “Newark’s Cornerstones” pillars, which include innovation, commitment, and positive influence.
“Congratulations to Ms. Haygood and Mr. Cook, two transformational NPS school leaders who were selected as finalists in Prudential’s “Newark’s Cornerstones” competition for the positive impact they have made on Newark students, families, and communities,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “It’s exciting to witness two devoted educational leaders being recognized for their daily work to build a stronger future for Newark by serving the needs of all students and families and ensuring all children have access to excellent educational opportunities.”
Akbar Cook is the vice principal at WSHS, where he manages school operations related to disciplinary procedures, school climate and culture, and security. Mr. Cook is also the head coach of the WSHS varsity boys’ basketball team, the 2017 Group 2 NJSIAA champions. In addition to his daily work as vice principal and head coach, Mr. Cook has led a variety of transformative initiatives at WSHS. Last summer, Mr. Cook, with the support of the West Side Alumni Group and the MCJ Amelior Foundation, started the Lights On Program, a nighttime recreation program for kids and young adults. Mr. Cook’s program served approximately 80 students per night throughout the summer. Mr. Cook has also partnered with the Community Food Bank of NJ to provide food packs each Friday night to any students and families in need of food on weekends. Recognizing that many kids are not attending school regularly because they do not have clean clothes, Mr. Cook is also working to build a laundromat and study hall at WSHS to increase student attendance and support student achievement.
Principal Charity Haygood has been an educator for over two decades, serving thousands of students and families throughout Newark’s South Ward. Early on, she taught literacy, social studies and science to sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Bragaw Avenue School for nine years. In 2004 and 2005, during her last two years in the classroom, Ms. Haygood received the the Governor’s Teacher Recognition Program Award for her educational contributions. After leaving the classroom, Ms. Haygood transitioned into an NPS administrator role, serving as vice principal at Chancellor Avenue School for five years. In 2010, Ms. Haygood began serving as the principal of BRICK Avon Academy. As one of BRICK Avon Academy’s founding board members, Ms. Haygood, along with five other Newark educators, worked 18 months to develop the blueprint for BRICK (Building Responsible Intelligent Creative Kids). BRICK Avon Academy is one of five NPS schools that is a part of the South Ward Community Schools Initiative.
Out of the eight finalists who have been chosen, the grand prize winner will be selected by the general public through public online voting at www.prucenter.com/newarkscornerstones. Online voting, which has been open to the public since the beginning of March, will close on March 31. The grand prize recipient will be announced on Saturday, April 8, at the Prudential Center on ‘Fan Appreciation Night’ for the New Jersey Devils’ final home game of the 2016-2017 NHL season. In addition to being recognized for their dedication and impact, the grand prize winner will receive two tickets to Prudential Center events, including Devils games, for one year.
NPS Teachers Awarded for Excellence
Governor’s Recognition Award
These eight individuals stand out as top staff members in their schools based on their ability to inspire students of all backgrounds; foster a strong student learning environment, demonstrate leadership in educational activities; and are dedicated to the school and community. These are not just teachers but also our education service professionals who work closely with our children.
- Jessica Allen a teacher from Quitman Elementary
- Glenda Capers a teacher from BRICK Avon
- Josephine Cooper – a Social Worker from Quitman
- Lucinda Lopez – a teacher from First Avenue
- Melissa Milara (Ramirez) a teacher from Miller Street
- Alberta Shiavo a teacher from John F. Kennedy school
- Deborah Sims a Behavioral Specialist from John F. Kennedy school
- Hilda Soto-Yao a teacher from New Jersey Regional Day
School Teacher of the Year Award
These teachers were nominated as the top teacher in their school based on their individual accomplishments and contributions in the classroom as well as for their leadership. Not only do these teachers consistently exhibit preparedness and instructional excellence, but they also take on formal and informal mentoring and leadership roles to broadly improve the quality of education at their school.
- Marisa Alves, from Lafayette Street School
- Andrea Arguello from South Street
- Tammy Chavez from Ann Street
- Nicole Coppola from Park Elementary
- Deirdre Corley from Hawthorne Avenue
- Whitney Farrand from Mount Vernon
- Lisa Fischman from Harriet Tubman
- Angelisa Guilford from Lincoln Elementary
- Michelle Gutierrez from Abington Avenue
- Stacy Guzman from McKinley
- Stephanie Hairston from Chancellor
- Nicole Harris from Hawkins Street
- Sadiqua Harvard from George Washington Carver
- Natasha Javed from Camden Street School
- Celia Laricchia from East Side High
- Cristano Liborio from Science Park High
- Matthew Lichten from Ridge Street
- Susan Lopes Oliveira from Wilson Avenue
- Melissa McSweeney from Elliott Street
- Jessica Morais from Oliver Street
- Kariema Muhammad from Belmont Runyon
- Sean Nally from Barringer Arts and Humanities
- Teresa Oliveira from BRICK Avon
- Marcela Palma from Miller Street
- Anany Rodriguez from Luis Munoz Marin
- Kimberly Rubenstein from Rafael Hernandez
Special congratulations to District Teacher of the Year recipient, Edith Battle. She is a teacher who exemplifies the highest level of excellence and is a true example for all other teachers in the district.