Belmont Runyon
Belmont Runyon School for the debut of the Parent Academy and Family Room Dedication
NBOE Schools Participate in National Developmental Disability Awareness Month And National Inclusion Day
[NEWARK, NJ March 22, 2019] Two Newark Public Schools yesterday participated in NPS Schools observance of National Developmental Disability Awareness Month and National Inclusion Day. Speedway Academies and Belmont Runyon created programming for students with disabilities.
Speedway hosted their 7th Annual Inclusion Fun Day with students, families and community partners from Belmont Runyon. This year’s theme was Friendship as found in the book entitled, The Rainbow Fish. Students read, experienced a touch station with real sharks, crabs and other marine life. They also made sand castle gifts and experienced a day of fun and excitement. Students left with real Beta Fish, books, and sand art as parting gifts.
Principal Atiba Buckman said, “Inclusion Day afforded our students with a great deal of fun and learning. The staff read to students, decorated our gym and created colors and corridors of fun for the students. In addition, I want to thank my 8th grade students who served as chaperones, readers and ambassadors for the younger students.” Principal Buckman also thanked St. James Church’s Volunteer Ministry for volunteering their time, energy and smiles.
The City of Newark and Newark Public Schools Welcome Students and Families Back to School in the South Ward
Community Leaders Kick-Off School Year by Welcoming Families to Belmont Runyon Elementary School, a New South Ward Community School
[Newark, NJ – September 6, 2016] – Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools (NPS) Christopher D. Cerf, Board Chairperson Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson and other Newark school leaders welcomed students and families back to school at Belmont Runyon Elementary this morning for its official opening as a community school, part of the broader South Ward Community Schools Initiative (SWCSI). Community leaders are in the process of launching five community schools in the South Ward and released a report today that details what was heard from each school community about their needs and how SWCSI plans to address those needs.
“I am excited to be here today at Belmont Runyon to welcome students to their new community school,” said Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf of NPS. “The South Ward Community Schools Initiative has the opportunity to transform the lives of students, families and their communities. By implementing this innovative model, the district and the city will be able to work together more effectively to support schools, families and educators in their efforts to provide students with the essential support services they need to achieve educational and career success.”
Newark Public Schools (NPS), in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Comprehensive Community Education and the National Center for Community Schools (NCCS), launched an engagement effort last spring to gather feedback about how SWCSI can best support children, families and school communities. More than 200 parents and teachers participated in school-based focus groups and more than 750 community members provided feedback through individual and group meetings, small group discussions and large community events.
“As both a student and an educator here in Newark, I’ve always enjoyed the first day of school because students are excited, educators are at their best, and everyone is ready to go,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “We must bring that energy not just to the first day, but to every day of school. Particularly as we endeavor to move back to local control, making sure we as community members support schools like this one is extremely important. These are the children who will become the next generation of self-starters and leaders who then go on to give back to the City and their communities, and it is all of our jobs to help them get there.”
The SWCSI will be implemented incrementally throughout the start of the school year, with school and community leaders finalizing partnerships and onboarding staff members to address key priorities in the coming months. The city and district have set a goal for these five schools to transition into full-service community schools by the end of the school year. In addition to Belmont Runyon, the Newark schools participating in the SWCSI include Malcolm X Shabazz High School, BRICK Avon Academy, Louise A Spencer Elementary School and BRICK Peshine Academy.
“Community schools, as a strategy for organizing school and community resources around student success, fits well with the strengths and needs of the Newark Public Schools. Our team is pleased to help launch the five South Ward community schools at the start of this 2016-17 school year,” said Jane Quinn, Vice President, and Director of the National Center for Community Schools, at The Children’s Aid Society in New York City. “We have spent nearly a year working with Newark leaders to develop the South Ward Community Schools Initiative, working hand-in-hand with community members to design schools that deliver high-quality instruction in the classroom, while providing the enrichment, health, social and other support services for children and their families.”
The feedback gathered in recent months helped community and school leaders understand the needs that must be addressed in order to better assist students and families. Each SWCSI will implement a number of common strategies over the course of the 2016-17 school year to ensure students are provided with:
- A high expectation for learning, with well-supported teachers and an instructional program that integrates services and supports
- Lead agency partnerships and community school coordination to connect children and families to services, resources and supports
- Integrated student data to help guide and accelerate student learning
- School capacity to address the health needs of students, especially mental health services to address students suffering from trauma
- Expanded learning time and student enrichment activities that reinforce what students are learning in the classroom
- A strong community of caring, supportive adults who promote long-term student success for every child
“Today is a truly a momentous occasion for the students at Belmont Runyon School,” said Shawn Oxendine-Walter, principal of Belmont Runyon School. “This initiative will help us put in place the resources necessary to fully support the unique needs of our children. While there is much work that lies ahead, we are on an exciting journey of transformation, and I am confident we are on track to build a vibrant community school that will enrich and fulfill the lives of our students and their families.”
At Belmont Runyon School, some examples of these strategies that will be implemented over the next year include:
- Building a partnership with Seton Hall University and a focus on building team, morale and support for all teachers and staff in school by starting the school year with a staff retreat co-facilitated by professionals from the Children’s Aid Society
- Establishing a partnership with Rutgers School of Nursing and the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center to provide on-site medical and mental health services to address the health needs of students at Belmont Runyon
- Creating strong community partnerships with organizations like PULSE and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, who have adopted the school and will assist with family and community programming and activities throughout the school year
- Fully incorporating Belmont Runyon’s special needs pre-school and full early childhood program into its community school model, so that even the students with the greatest needs can benefit from the resources and supports available
- Partnering with the Strive Program, lead agency who will provide a full-time community school coordinator to connect children and their families to the services and resources they need
- Working with Strive and other expanded learning time providers to provide quality after school programs for every Belmont Runyon student beginning in Fall 2016
“Today we celebrate the initial implementation of the Community Schools Strategy in the South Ward Community Schools. This day is a result of relentless community drive, a partnership between the City of Newark and the Newark Public Schools, and the advice and guidance of community schools national experts,” noted Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson, Chairperson of the Newark School Board. “Much preparatory work has been done by the parents and staff at each South Ward community school. These schools serve as a catalyst for other schools in the Newark District that are developing partnerships around a community schools model. The members of the Board of Education support the Community Schools Strategy as the best model for removing the barriers to learning and increasing academic achievement, attendance, and graduation rates for our children. We look forward to supporting our community schools and all Newark Public Schools. We wish all Newark students, families, and education and support staff a productive successful school year.”
First announced in December 2015, the SWCSI is a partnership project of Newark Public Schools and the City of Newark with grant funding provided by the Community Foundation of New Jersey. To learn more about preparations made to welcome all Newark students back to school, please see a release the district shared earlier today.
South Ward Community Schools Initiative, Newark Public Schools and The City of Newark Host “A Day in the Life of a Community School” on Sat., April 16 at Belmont Runyon School
The free event will provide the community an opportunity to experience community school life and to contribute to the vision of the five South Ward Community Schools
[Newark, NJ, April 15, 2016] – On Saturday, April 16, 2016, 10am-2pm the community is invited to attend “A Day in the Life of a Community School” a free community event hosted by South Ward Community Schools Initiative, the Newark Public Schools and the City of Newark at Belmont Runyon School, One Belmont Runyon Way, Newark, NJ 07108.
The event will have an address by Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, breakfast and lunch, workshops based on the resources community schools provide, and the opportunity for residents, parents and students to contribute to the vision of each South Ward Community School. South Ward Community Schools are beginning community planning in anticipation of the fall 2016 school year. This process is more than just asking for feedback from the community. Continued action is required. Parents, students, residents and community partners that want to participate in planning should text “UNITY” to 862-256-2500 for more information. Malkia King, South Ward Community Schools, community organizer can be reached at 973-306-4308.
WHO:
- Superintendent Christopher Cerf Remarks – 10:00 AM
- Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka Remarks – 1:00 PM
- MC, Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson, Newark Public Schools Advisory Board Member
Moderated Panel – 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Jane Quinn, Children’s Aid Society
- Erskine Glover, Principal Quitman Street School
- Dr. Edward Fergus, New York University
- Carolota Tagoe, Parent
- Teacher from NYC community school or Representative from the AFT
- Kaleena Berryman, Abbott Leadership Institute (Moderator)
Workshops – 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Health, Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness
- Financial literacy, Urban League of Essex County
- Employment and Training, Newark Workforce Development Board
- Parent advocacy/leadership training, Abbott Leadership Institute
- Music and Art, Ucyphe
- Visual and Performing Arts, Yendor Productions
- Yoga, Pawa Wise
- Nutritional eating, Newark Beth Israel
- Child mentoring, Newark Gals Inc.
WHEN:
Saturday, April 16, 2016
WHERE:
Belmont Runyon School, 1 Belmont Runyon Way, Newark, NJ 07108
Free parking is available on the street
WHY:
South Ward Community Schools are beginning community planning in anticipation of the fall 2016 school year. This process is more than asking for feedback from the community. Continued action is required.
Community schools succeed when there is partnership and input from parents, families, students, and residents all along the way. Community schools transform schools when there is intentional participation and
collaboration from school and community leaders, educators, community partners, students, families, and residents to remove barriers to learning and address the needs of the whole child.
About South Ward Community Schools
South Ward Community Schools are Newark Public Schools that unite educators, families, and community partners to be responsible for five schools: Louise A. Spencer; Belmont Runyon; BRICK Avon Academy; BRICK Peshine Academy; and Malcolm X. Shabbazz. Community schools transform schools by focusing on the results that happen when there is intentional participation and collaboration from school and community leaders, educators, community partners, students, families, and residents. Each community school has high academic expectations of kids. South Ward Community Schools will provide the extra supports and programs all along the way to address the basic physical, mental, and health needs of young people. The vision and mission of each community school will be shaped by the voices of families, students, and residents so that each school authentically reflects the specific needs of its local community. Parents, residents, students and school administrators at each school will also determine how to budget and allocate resources to support their stated vision. South Ward Community Schools are beginning community planning in anticipation of the fall 2016 school year. This process is more than asking for feedback from the community. Continued action is required. Community schools succeed when there is partnership and input from parents, families, students, and residents all along the way. For more information, text “UNITY” to 862-256-2500.
Superintendent Cerf Reads “Not Norman – A Goldfish Story” As Part of Jumpstart’s Read for The Record
Newark, NJ – October 23, 2015 – On Thursday, October 22, 2015 Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf participated in Jumpstart’s Read for the Record by reading “Not Norman – A Goldfish Story”, by Kelly Bennett to students at Belmont Runyon Elementary School.
Over 6,500 Pre-K students from schools across the district participated in this year’s Read for the Record, and every school received a copies of the book, “Not Norman – A Goldfish Story” for each classroom.
For more information on Jumpstart’s Read for the Record visit: http://www.jstart.org/campaigns/read-for-the-record.