Dr. William H. Horton

NJSDA and NJDOE Award Newark Public Schools $6 Million for Emergent and Capital Maintenance Projects

Newark, NJ [February 16, 2022] –Through contributions from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) and the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA), Newark Public Schools will be able to address three of their emergent projects within the school district. Recognizing the challenges that districts face in making repairs to school building structures, Governor Murphy made a direct appropriation of $75 million to districts across New Jersey, and the Newark Board of Education received an allocation of $6,455,930 to assist in their improvements. The funding is designed to offset district costs associated with taking important measures to ensure that students and staff have a safe and healthy learning environment.

Newark Public Schools has identified three schools within the district that meet the criteria and guidelines for emergent projects and that have been approved by the SDA and NJDOE; specifically, roof replacements and masonry repairs at Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School, Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School, and West Side High School.

“We are pleased that Newark was chosen as a recipient of this grant and we will use the monies to make repairs to the three schools identified, which have suffered water infiltration and damage to walls and ceilings over time,” said Superintendent Roger León. “This generous award will allow us to strengthen those key structures” he added.

“The Newark Board of Education is more than appreciative of these contributions made to our schools by the NJDOE and the SDA. Improvements such as these typically come at the expense of having to cut back on other opportunities,” said Board President, Dawn Haynes. “With the assistance of the NJDOE and SDA, we have been able to reallocate funds to other important initiatives that positively influence the culture and climate of our schools for students”.

NBOE Has Meet & Greet with New Teachers!

Thank You to the McCarthy/Vogt Family

On Wednesday, September 9, 2020, the McCarthy/Vogt family donated $25,000 to Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School in memory of their fourteen year old daughter, Virginia McCarthy.

As per the family’s request, the donation will be used to purchase $20,000 of technology equipment (chromebooks, smart boards, and a robotics table), and $5,000 will be utilized for robotics supplies, school uniforms, and backpacks.

Virginia’s parents described her as one who deeply cared about others and believed in providing equitable opportunities to those in need. Newark Public Schools would like to sincerely thank the McCarthy/Vogt family for their generous donation to the students of Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School.

Verizon Innovative Learning Provides Three Newark Schools Free Tech Education

Newark Public Schools join the national Verizon Innovative Learning Schools initiative at Hawkins, Hawthorne, and Dr. Horton Elementary Schools

Three Newark Public Schools distributed internet-connected Apple iPads with data plans for students and their teachers to take home as part of the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools (VILS) initiative. Verizon and the Verizon Foundation, through the Verizon Innovative Learning program and in partnership with Digital Promise, provides free technology, free internet access, and hands-on learning experiences to help give underserved students the technology, education, and opportunity they deserve. Powered by a next-gen, technology-infused education that fundamentally changes the way teachers teach and students learn, Verizon Innovative Learning is giving more students and more schools the ability to achieve, learn and create more. And the results are nothing short of amazing. Teachers in Verizon Innovative Learning changed the way they teach and have experienced enhanced student engagement, while more students believe that having technology makes science and math more interesting.* Since 2012, the Verizon Innovative Learning program has committed a total of $400 million to support education, helping students enhance their learning by infusing technology into the school’s curriculum.

The Newark Public Schools was selected as the first district in the State of New Jersey to receive this four-year grant that will provide approximately 840 sixth, seventh, and eight grade students and educators at three schools, Hawkins Street Elementary, Hawthorne Avenue Elementary, and Dr. William H. Horton, including 249 students here, with an iPad and a Verizon Wireless plan including up to 10 gigabits of data per month, cases, bags and curricular resources to use both in school and at home. In partnership with Digital Promise, the Verizon Foundation has also committed to provide professional development to the teachers and a partial stipend to technology coaches for a total donation equivalent of approximately $5.4 million dollars. To celebrate Newark’s participation in the program, a kick-off event will feature local middle school students each receiving their own tablets.

To learn more, please visit www.VerizonInnovativeLearning.com

*76% of teachers said that Verizon Innovative Learning enhanced student engagement
*79% of teachers said VILS helped them change the way they teach
*54% of students believe that having the technology makes science more interesting
*47% of students believe that having the technology makes math more interesting

*Source: Westat (2018).Verizon Innovative Learning Schools

About Verizon Innovative Learning
Verizon Innovative Learning addresses barriers to digital inclusion by providing the benefits of technology, connectivity, and hands-on learning opportunities to middle and high school students in underserved schools and communities, to help them thrive in the digital age. We not only fund the programs, but we also create and administer them in partnership with leading nonprofits. We diligently measure the impact of our work and refine our programs to ensure we’re making a difference – and we’re just getting started.

About Newark Public Schools
The Newark School District, with 66 schools, 5,595 employees and a student population of 35, 329, is the largest and one of the oldest school systems in New Jersey. Its origin dates back to 1676. Barringer High School, in Newark’s North Ward, is the third oldest public high school in the nation. The ethnic diversity of the city provides a rich educational experience for pre-kindergarten to secondary school students. The district continues to revise its services to meet the changing needs of students.

Superintendent León Appoints 15 New Principals to Lead Newark Schools

[Newark, NJ – August 2, 2019] Superintendent León has a simple, yet brilliant plan for transforming school culture, increasing rigor, improving student life and promoting parent engagement – by mostly building and tapping into the district’s internal talent pipeline.

“I am excited to start the year with such a talented group of leaders”, said Superintendent León. “We know they have the passion, the drive and track record for advancing student achievement.”

Of those starting the 2019 – 2020 school year as new Principals, 12 were promoted from within the district’s ranks and 3 were recruited externally from a charter school and other public schools in New Jersey.

Here are the 15 Principals who have joined the team of game changers to provide new opportunities for success to our students, staff and community.

American History – Allison R. DeVaughn
Allison R. DeVaughn began her career with the district as a high school English teacher. She served in various positions, most recently as a Vice Principal at one of the district’s high schools. Ms. DeVaughn studied at Caldwell College and Saint Peter’s College. Allison’s focus on curriculum and instruction drove her passion for developing a robust professional development and coaching plan for teachers and staff.

Barringer High School – Dr. Jose Aviles
Jose Aviles returns to the district after recently serving as Principal of a high school in Franklin Township Public Schools. Dr. Aviles studied at Kean University, St. Peter’s College and Seton Hall University. His focus is on social emotional growth, increasing test scores and providing a strong academic curriculum.

Dr. William H. Horton – Hamlet Marte
Hamlet Marte started his career as a teacher and joined the Newark Board of Education as a Vice Principal at one of the district’s elementary schools. He studied at Long Island University, Rutgers and Montclair State Universities. Mr. Marte was responsible for instructional programming of the upper elementary students and frequently facilitated workshops and conducted outreach to support students and families.

Early Childhood Centers – Jeanne Ramirez
Jeanne Ramirez started her career with the Newark Board of Education as a bilingual elementary school teacher. Ms. Ramirez studied at Pace University, Hunter College and The College of St. Elizabeth. Jeanne has an extensive background in early childhood education. She has served in multiple capacities ranging from classroom teacher to school administrator. She is experienced in serving the diverse learners and families represented in the Early Childhood Schools.

East Ward – Rosa Monteiro-Inacio
Rosa Monteiro-Inacio started her career as an elementary school teacher with the Newark Board of Education. Rosa studied at Felician College and Kean University. Rosa has a proven record of increasing test scores and has extensive knowledge of curriculum. She also has the ability to effectively communicate with families, students and other stakeholders.

Franklin – Amy B. Panitch
Amy B. Panitch started her career with the Newark Board of Education as an elementary school teacher and rose to the level of Vice Principal after serving as an instructional coach. Ms. Panitch studied at the University of Pennsylvania and Montclair State University. She developed the K- 4 instructional programming to improve student achievement in her building.

Harriet Tubman – Angela Davis
Angela Davis started her career with the Newark Board of Education as an elementary school teacher and rose through the ranks, serving most recently as a Vice Principal in one of the district’s elementary schools. Ms. Davis studied at Rutgers and Kean Universities and has a track record for increasing student test scores and effectively engaging all stakeholders.

Lincoln – Hillary Dow
Hillary Dow began her career at the Newark Board of Education as a teacher and literacy coach. She rose to the rank of Vice Principal at one of the district’s elementary schools and recently served as a Special Assistant. She studied at Rutgers and Seton Hall Universities. Hillary assisted in managing the instructional and operational programs of twelve district elementary schools. She collaborates with staff and constituents to ensure effective school operations.

Louise A. Spencer – Karla Venezia
Karla Venezia began her career with the Newark Board of Education as an elementary school teacher and most recently a Vice Principal. She studied at Rutgers and Montclair State Universities. Ms. Venezia effectively communicates with parents and staff. Her students consistently demonstrated academic growth and mastery on state assessments.

Luis Munoz Marin – Kenneth Montalbano
Kenneth Montalbano started his career with the Newark Board of Education as an elementary school teacher. Mr. Montalbano studied at New York University and Teachers College – Columbia University. Most recently he served as a Vice Principal, where he led the schools’ social justice initiative and designed a yearlong social justice focus for each grade level, orchestrating the implementation of quarterly Social Justice Showcases.

McKinley – Carlos Reyes
Carlos Reyes started his Newark Board of Education career as an elementary school teacher. Mr. Reyes studied at Montclair State University. He embraced the opportunities to create and facilitate purposeful sessions, which are focused on improving student growth metrics and teacher performance.

Mount Vernon – Camille Findley-Browne
Camille Findley-Browne began her career as an elementary school teacher with the Newark Board of Education and most recently served as Vice Principal at an elementary school. Ms. Findley-Browne studied at Franklin Pierce and St. Peter’s Universities. She made literacy a focus in her building, by creating Literacy Week for her PreK – 2 students and having older students read to the younger students, focusing on guided reading and ensuring that reading was done every day and in every content area.

Newark Vocational – Kyle Brown
Kyle Brown started his career in the Newark Board of Education as a teacher in one of the district’s elementary schools. Mr. Brown studied at Rowan and Grand Canyon Universities. Kyle is solutions oriented and skilled in mitigating issues that distract from instruction. He understands the importance of engaging all stakeholders to achieve the vision of the school and the district.

Quitman Street – Justin Avery
Justin Avery joins us from the Teaneck Public Schools where he was an Assistant Principal. Mr. Avery studied at Rutgers and Grand Canyon Universities. He focused on student and parent equity and differentiated instruction for middle grades 5 – 8. He understands the importance of engaging all stakeholders and is committed to the vision of the district.

University High School – Genique Flournoy-Hamilton
Genique Flournoy-Hamilton joins us from charter school where she served as Principal for the past several years. Ms. Flournoy-Hamilton studied at Rutgers University and Tuskegee University. Ms. Flournoy-Hamilton has demonstrated success in creating a school culture and climate that is safe, inclusive and engaging for all students, staff and parents.