Camden Street

NJ Devils Engage Camden Street Elementary Students in Holiday Fun

On Tuesday, December 16th, 150 students from Camden Street Elementary were invited by the NJ Devils to participate in some holiday fun on the ice at the Prudential Center. The holiday gathering included gifts, games, ice skating, food and other fun festivities. The event marked the first of several activities that Devils will be engaging with the students from Camden Elementary.

According to Camden Elementary Principal Samuel Garrison, “The students received the red carpet treatment upon arriving at the Prudential Center.” One of the students remarked that they “felt like stars”. It was an adventure that they had never experienced before. In fact, most of the children had never been inside the Prudential Center before today.

According to NJ Devils President Hugh Weber, “Our goal is to create transformative change in people’s lives through sports and entertainment. We are here to create bonds with the community and with the students. In giving to the kids, we wind up receiving and learning so much from them in return. We’re here to take the mystery out of this building. We are part of the neighborhood and part of the community, and we have the power to make the community better.”

Quite a number of the students at Camden Street Elementary are special needs students. The Devils will be planning activities throughout the year to encourage and engage the students’ social/emotional learning. Members from the Devils organization currently participate in the school’s Adopt-A-Classroom program by reading to students and assisting with the school’s literacy initiatives.

Principal Garrison shared the impact that the interaction with the Devils has on the students, “The hands-on interaction with the players goes a long way in terms of validation. The kids enjoy feeling special. It lets them know that ‘I am somebody.’ It truly helps build their confidence and self-acceptance.” Today’s event was designed specifically for Camden Elementary’s 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students. Future events are planned for the school’s middle and upper grades.

NPS Gets District-wide Arts Grant, Teachers Get Creative

Newark Public Schools has the distinction of being the first district-wide arts education applicant to be funded by the New Jersey Arts in Education grant cycle for 2014-15.  This state-wide competitive process included applications on behalf of 4 NPS school sites, 3 of which were approved for funding, and the 4th remains in the pool of professional development opportunities. The sites are Brick Peshine and Sussex Avenue Schools for full residency support, Camden School for professional development support, and Arts High School for full residency support.  This is exciting news for the District as it moves forward on its Arts Education plan to serve all schools in the visual and performing arts.

Last week, NPS teachers Nelson Alvarez (Visual Arts Teacher, Sussex Avenue), Claudia Cano (Kindergarten Teacher, Sussex Avenue), Davis Hannah (Visual Arts Teacher, Brick Peshine) and Joseph Itkor (Band Director, Arts High) joined dozens of their colleagues from across the state for a workshop at William Patterson University’s Artist/Teacher Institute. The program is one of many summer workshops and seminars offered to encourage teachers to acquire new skills, expand their lesson plans and explore their own talents and creativity. These high caliber experiences elevate the skills, exposure and professionalism of arts and classroom teachers, and directly impact the quality of arts instruction for students at NPS.

Additionally, NPS teachers Nikkia Neal (Dance Teacher, Brick Peshine), Michele Narov  (3rd Grade Teacher, Camden Street), Vanessa Graves Foster (Kindergarten Teacher, Brick Peshine) and Amanda Orzechowski, (6th Grade Math Teacher, Brick Peshine) are scheduled to attend another aTi session at Stockton College from 7/27-8/2.

Star-Ledger: N.J. teachers become students in summer to improve next year’s classes

Photos Credit: Ed Murray of the Star-Ledger

NPS Honors Teacher of the Year and Governor’s Recognition Award Recipients

June 17, 2014 (Newark) – Newark Public Schools (NPS) announced today the selection of Jennifer Cohan, a third grade teacher at Camden Street Elementary School, as the 2013-2014 District Teacher of the Year. At a ceremony this morning, Superintendent Cami Anderson and School Advisory Board Chair Rashon Hasan honored Cohan, the Teacher of the Year finalists and the winners of the Governor’s Recognition Award Program.Serving as a teacher and instructional leader in Newark Public Schools since 2006, Ms. Cohan’s work – particularly in literacy – has resulted in great gains for all of her students, “Born to be a teacher,” Ms. Cohan seeks to improve her craft each and every day so, just like her students, she does not stagnate in her growth. She also dedicates countless hours as a lead teacher in Camden Street’s after school program, teaching culinary arts as an enrichment program.

“The teachers honored today represent some of the best of Newark Public Schools,” Superintendent Cami Anderson said. “Their work, along with their administrators who support what they do every day, not only improves our students’ lives today, but also opens the door for more opportunities for success in college and career tomorrow.”

The Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors the contributions of outstanding classroom teacher leaders who possess a special talent for inspiring a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities. A Selection Committee – comprised of a teacher, a parent, and two district administrators – picked the Teacher of the Year on the following attributes, aligned to the district’s Framework for Effective Teaching:

· Effective Instructional Techniques
· Creating a Culture of Achievement for all Students
· Bringing Students Towards Mastery
· Commitment to Personal & Collective Excellence

“Jennifer’s commitment to our school, her belief that all students can be successful and attend college, and her passion for teaching are all reasons why she embodies the District Teacher of the Year award,” said Camden Street Principal Sam Garrison.Cohan was selected among six finalists who were named Teacher of the Year for their respective schools.

Theresa Collins – Early Childhood South:
“Ms. Collins has dedicated her career as an educator to the young children of Newark and prides herself on being a lifelong learner,” said Vice Principal Jeanne Ramirez. “Her teaching style allows children to progress at independent rates while still feeling part of the whole group. It is evident that Ms. Collins provides the youngest learners with a challenging, engaging, supportive, and highly interactive environment.”

Catherine Dias – Lafayette Street:
“Ms. Dias has something that great teachers possess—the ability to make students feel good about themselves,” remarked Principal Maria Merlo. “I am highly impressed with creativity and enthusiasm that she brings to her classroom and to building a relationship with the students’ parents.”

James Intrabartolo – Oliver Street:
“Mr. Intrabartolo has a team approach and always puts his students and their education first,” Principal Douglas Petty said.

Tracey Roudez – Madison Elementary:
“Ms. Roudez brings great enthusiasm and dedication to her profession, motivating her students to become critical readers and life-long learners,” Principal Armando Cepero said.

Doretta Sockwell – Science Park High School:
“Ms. Sockwell is a life changer and an igniter of many students’ fighting torch,” said Vice Principal Kena Culver. “With her growth-oriented mindset, she pushes all she encounters out of their comfortable and fixed positions.”

Maria Iatesta – Ridge Street School:
“With her goals in mind, Ms. Iatesta’s demeanor reflects an educator who is dedicated to establishing an inquiry-based classroom conducive to teaching all students,” Vice Principal Caren Verde said. “Indeed, Maria’s belief system reflects the fact that it is her responsibility to help students know their potential.”

Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award recipients, like the School Teacher of the Year Award recipients, stand out as top teachers in their schools based on instructional excellence and leadership. As the committee reviewed all applications, these teachers were nominated for and won the Governor’s Recognition Award.

Christa Cordes – East Side High School:
“Ms. Cordes is never satisfied with the status quo, is relentless in improving her craft as an educator, and strives to make learning relevant and provocative for her students,” Principal Mario Santos said.

Krishna Dalal – BRICK Avon Academy:
“Mrs. Dalal’s high-quality instruction for her students has resulted in significant gains in reading and math,” said Vice Principal Christopher Perpich. “Additionally, her work with her colleagues to shift teacher perspective has resulted in more effective instruction for students across our school.”

Lenore Furman – Abington Avenue School:
“With over 30 years serving the Newark Public Schools, Ms. Furman has had many honors, served generations of students, and guided untold numbers of novice and veteran educators toward better practices,” Vice Principal Sandra Heintz said.

Patricia Jeffers – Belmont Runyon:
“Ms. Jeffers demonstrates every day, the belief that ‘if we give the students high quality instruction, they WILL learn,’” Principal Dorothy Handfield said.

Karla Rahner – Miller Street:
“Ms. Rahner is an excellent, dedicated teacher who instructs her students with the utmost professionalism, passion and creativity, and volunteers her time for the Miller Street community,” Vice Principal Shawn Oxendine-Walter said.

NJ.COM: Camden Street’s Jennifer Cohan named Newark Teacher of the Year
By: Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger
June 18, 2014

Camden Street Elementary School third-grade teacher Jennifer Cohan has been named the 2013-2014 Newark Teacher of the Year for her exceptional classroom leadership and for inspiring her students with a love of learning.

Camden Street School and Morris County’s Randolph High School Present “Ramden Dreams,” An Original Musical Collaboration

Earlier this school year, Camden Street Elementary School announced an innovative new partnership with Randolph High School in Morris County, which resulted in “Ramden Dreams,” an original musical theatre production that premiered at NPS’ Central High School on Friday, May 30 and was performed the following night in Randolph. Approximately 30 Camden students (grades 5-8) from the after school drama and modern band enrichment programs worked for many months with an equal number of Randolph seniors to write, direct, produce and perform the play. The play’s storyline – about an unpopular boy who falls in love with a popular girl, the initial rejection that she and the school community show him and their ultimate acceptance of his friendship – sends a positive universal message about anti-bullying and embracing diversity.

Spearheaded by Randolph High School’s Seth Mitchell, the theatrical partnership came out of an internship the high school senior was doing with nonprofit organization HOPE worldwide NY METRO’s “Increasing the Odds” program.” His goal was to build a strong and sustainable relationship between the two schools, encouraging literacy and helping Camden students develop a passion for the arts through writing, acting, singing/songwriting, choreography, media, and set design. NPS students have had the opportunity to explore these areas in-depth, develop their personal talents, and learn the power of teamwork and collaboration. The students met weekly, traveling alternately to each school, and despite being from very different environments, found common ground and mutual respect through their love of the arts. Building connections that will leave a lifelong impact for both groups has been a bonus.

“I saw the RHS students truly fall in love with these kids, and begin to change, becoming more loving and giving,” Seth Mitchell said. “This project has been so incredible, and though we may be from different places, we learned to celebrate our friendship.”

For all of the Randolph High Students, this has been an opportunity to develop leadership skills, however the school’s principal Deborah Iosso noted that Mitchell has been the heart and soul behind this project.

“What he has accomplished has been amazing – one of those tear jerk moments that keeps us all in this business,” she added. “I have seen such wonderful compassion develop in my students and the students from both schools have touched each others hearts. This goes far beyond the walls of a classroom.”

The teachers and staff from the Camden Street School agree, and are thrilled about their students’ participation in this project. They even reported observing an improvement in their students’ behavior and academic performance.

All in all, “Ramden Dreams” gets rave reviews from both districts.