First Avenue School

Newark Public Schools Announces and Surprises the 2018 Teacher of the Year during the Launch of Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Lourdes Reyes Exceeds Expectations for Students and Families

Photographed are Principal Fuentes, Vice Chair of the Board Dawn Haynes, Ms. Cruz (Ms. Reyes’ daughter), Teacher of the Year Lourdes Reyes, Interim Superintendent Robert Gregory and Board Member Asia Norton.

NEWARK, NJ – May 7, 2018 – Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Robert Gregory, along with administrators and the principal of First Avenue Elementary School today surprised the 2018 Newark Public Schools Teacher of the Year Lourdes Reyes.  Ms. Reyes has been teaching for 20 years, 15 of those years at First Avenue School, where she teaches Grades 1 and 2, including teaching children with autism. 

“Ms. Reyes represents the best in teachers in Newark Public Schools,” said Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Robert Gregory.  “Teachers are the backbone of our schools, communities and society – when they do a great job, it is evident in how our students are engaged and excel in the classroom and in life.”  The Interim Superintendent presented Teacher Reyes balloons and a bouquet of flowers before her class, teachers, administrators, family members and parents.  One of Ms. Reyes students commented, “She is the best teacher.” 

Ms. Reyes is known for exceeding expectations and going above and beyond the needs of students, including engaging the family in the learning process right in the classroom, according to First Avenue Principal Jose Fuentes, who submitted Ms. Fuentes name for the annual recognition program, which recognizes a teacher of the year overall and a teacher of the year for each of the district’s schools.  Teachers representing all Newark Public Schools will be recognized at a luncheon on May 30. 

Essex County Freeholder Robert Mercado presents a proclamation on behalf of the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Looking on are Assistant Superintendent, NPS Dr. Yolanda Mendez, Ms. Reyes and her daughter, Ms. Cruz.

Mr. Fuentes said, “Ms. Reyes brings out the best in every student through unique and engaging lessons.  She is patient, kind, thoughtful, compassionate and excited about teaching – and her love of her students engages the entire family in her class.  In addition, she identifies the best methods to aid her students, including incorporating cooking into the classroom.”  According to the Principal, some students who were non-verbal are now verbal and express themselves well and are skilled in sign language. 

At the presentation today, Ms. Reyes was joined by her daughter, a teacher at Newark Public Schools Elliott Street School, who commented, this is my mother’s life – she loves the children, and she loves her job.  Ms. Reyes was also presented a proclamation from the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, presented by Freeholder Robert Mercado.  Ms. Reyes tried to hold back tears when she said, “This work means the world to me….my son is autistic, he graduated from Regional Day School/a Newark Public School – the love and education he received at Regional Day has allowed him to live a full life – I am proud and honored to serve the children of Newark and First Avenue School.”   

 NPS Board members, Vice Chair Dawn Haynes and member Asia Norton also participated in the surprise presentation. 

 

Newark Public Schools Recognize Black History Month with Programming, Lessons, Arts and Culture and Events

[NEWARK, NJ – February 23, 2018] Newark Public Schools students, teachers and principals are recognizing Black History Month with a number of programs, events, and arts and culture initiatives throughout the month to recognize the many contributions of African Americans.   The month long recognition included special guest speakers and lectures at Weequahic High, Hawthorne Elementary School, First Avenue School, Chancellor Avenue, Mt. Vernon, Carver Bruce Street School and East Side High School, to name a few. In addition, a number of schools conducted Celebrity Read Program and tributes to African Americans who have contributed to the American experience in this country and the office of Family and Community Engagement hosted a health fair focusing on wellness in the community.

“Thank you to every principal, vice principal, teacher, aide, student and parent, who this month paused to remember the many contributions of African Americans,” said Robert Gregory, Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “It is our responsibility to remember African American history, not just in February, but to remember it at all times and to and teach African American history year round, in and outside the classroom.”

Below is a partial list of programs and events that recognizing African American history month.

  • First Avenue- Students Protest Parade-Hallways
  • First Avenue- Motown Theme
  • Chancellor-“Celebrity Read” (Black History Theme & a Partnership w/ United Way)
  • Chancellor- MVOL Family FUN Night
  • Chancellor- Black History Showcase Performances: Songs, Dance, Poetry, Monologues, Video Clips, etc…)
  • Newark Evening- Know the past, shape the future
  • Carver/Bruce- Carver Black History Month (A School-wide Celebration of History & Culture)
  • Early Childhood North- Celebrating in the Auditorium history through

Song, dramatization, chants and affirmations

  • North 10th Street- Celebrating Famous African American Woman
  • East Side High- Black History Month Wall (Display)
  • Abington- Brief history of Jamaica, Musical, Dance, Singing

Interim Superintendent Robert Gregory Kicks Off Celebrity Read in Newark Public Schools

[NEWARK, NJ – February 12, 2018] Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Robert Gregory recently kicked off the United Way’s Celebrity Read Program at First Avenue School. He was joined by Assistant Superintendent Erskine Glover, Principal Jose Fuentes, Essex County Freeholder Robert Mercado, members of the Newark Police Department and others. Celebrity Readers are reading in nearly 20 Newark Public Schools this year.

Interim Superintendent Gregory said, “The Celebrity Read Program allows us to share the joy of reading with our students and our community. Thank you to the United Way and to all participating NPS and to the United Way for continuing to bring this important program to our schools during the month of February.”

Celebrity Read was established by the United Way of Essex and West Hudson in 1991 as a community-building initiative to diversify the United Way volunteer base while inspiring elementary school children to read, dream, and set and accomplish goals. Recruited from all walks of life, Celebrity Readers travel to local schools where they read a brief passage about the accomplishments of model people of color who have played an important role in American or world history. The Readers also share their own life experiences to instill in the students a sense of pride and hope for the future, emphasizing the importance of education and reading in particular. Originally conceived as a way to celebrate African American History Month, the program was subsequently expanded to include people of other minority descent.

Lucia Couto Receives Full Scholarship to Harvard University

Lucia Couto says academic excellence was stressed every day in her home growing up in Newark and attending First Avenue School. Lucia is the Valedictorian of her at Arts High School and will attend Harvard University in the fall on a full scholarship where she will study Medical Physics.

Lucia Couto says academic excellence was stressed every day in her home growing up in Newark and attending First Avenue School. Neither Lucia’s mother nor father had an opportunity to attend college and wanted to make sure their children attended college, and had an opportunity to excel, in a way that escaped them. Lucia’s sisters, a teacher at Hawkins Street School and a registered nurse, are putting their support behind her as she begins to plan for her college years at Harvard University, where she has received a full scholarship. Lucia is the Valedictorian of her class at Arts High School. She is a leader and a standout in her focus area of dance. In addition, she is an athlete, a peer leader, and a member of the National Honor Society and Pathways to College. According to her principal, Mr. Pedro, you will find Lucia at the head of almost any activity or organization.

Lucia’s focus at Arts High School is dance. She loves singing and dancing; primarily Modern, West African, Afro Cuban, Ballroom and some Ballet. She said attending Arts has provided an extraordinary opportunity for access to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which she loves!

Lucia said, “I don’t believe in excuses, which is why I take advantage of opportunities afforded to me.” She continued “one of my greatest passions is to reach back and not be afraid to dream and to follow my dreams, regardless of where they come from. Don’t let what people’s opinions about where you come from make you think in a certain way. I love Newark and I am proud to say I live here. I will prove to anyone that I deserve to be at Harvard as much as anyone else. A lot of good things and people come from Newark,” Lucia added.

Lucia has always been fascinated by Albert Einstein and will major in Medical Physics at Harvard.

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.

First Avenue School Turns Into a Wax Museum Gallery of Famous Historical Figures

First Avenue School became a Wax Museum Gallery on Friday, June 6, 2014. The 8th grade showcased “Famous People in History Living Wax Museum.” Each scholar researched a famous person in history, wrote a monologue, designed a costume and created a backdrop to highlight their presentation as each were placed around the entire school for display. A “magical” button was placed on the floor before each “figure.” Students from other grades stepped on the wax figure’s button and watched in amazement as the historical figure “came to life!” Students portrayed such people as Ronald Reagan, Frank Sinatra, Alice Paul, Cleopatra, Harriet Tubman, Cher, Selena, Elvis, Napoleon and the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown, just to name a few! Quite a cast of characters! F.A.S kids ROCKED this exhibit. These imaginative students will graduate June 25, 2014 and will soon make their mark in history.