George Washington Carver

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

Newark Public Schools Partners with Newark Yoga Movement to Host Staff Development Focused on Wellness

[Newark, NJ – August 31, 2017] This week, Newark Public Schools (NPS), in partnership with the Newark Yoga Movement (NYM), hosted a staff development (SD) for teachers and administrators at 8 schools in Newark. The SD was focused on wellness of the mind, body and spirit and provided tools for school staff (administrators and teachers) to learn and apply breathing and calming techniques in school and in their daily lives. The SD took place at 8 different Newark district schools; West Side High School, Camden, Cleveland, 14th Avenue, George Washington Carver, Hawkins Street, NJ Regional Day and Rafael Hernandez schools and included administrators and staff. According to the Newark Yoga Movement (NYM), over 400 staff members were trained over the course of the week, including students and staff at George Washington Carver School.

The SD provided staff members with tools to self-soothe and self-regulate themselves to get them ready to better serve their students. Christopher N. Cerf, NPS Superintendent of Schools said, “The benefits of offering yoga to both administration and staff are many, which is why NPS has worked with NYM since 2009 and is now extending the NYM program to more schools in the district and to the administrative arm of teaching and learning.”

Debbie Kaminsky, founder of Newark Yoga Movement said she is honored to be the recipient of these unique micro grants from NPS to provide yoga to students and administrators. She stated, “Teaching students to breathe and relax as they learn is a great step forward in education and in social and emotional learning.”

The Newark Yoga Movement will be teaching yoga and its related properties and benefits to 9 schools this year. More than 500 students at Sussex Avenue Renew School learned yoga as a way to reduce stress, help them concentrate and remain calm in different situations according to school administrators.

Newark Yoga Movement team has been meeting with school leaders and tailoring yoga programs that fills their school needs. According to Ms. Kaminsky, many of the schools are looking to yoga to help give children dealing with behavioral issues a leg up through gaining additional tools. She said one school has added the important parent component and children with special needs will also be receiving yoga in several schools especially for the self-soothing/self-regulating benefits and beginning in September at one school, Newark Yoga Movement will be teaching yoga to both children who are deaf or blind.

NY/NJ Red Bulls 20 for 20 Mini-Pitch Initiative

Mini-Pitch Grand Opening with the New York Red Bulls, MLS WORKS, Adidas, Southern New Hampshire University, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Newark Public Schools and After School All-Stars: To celebrate Major League Soccer’s 20th season, adidas, MLS WORKS, Southern New Hampshire University and the U.S. Soccer Foundation have partnered with the New York Red Bulls, Newark Public Schools and After-School All-Stars to create a new safe place to play at George Washington Carver School.

The new space will officially open on September 24th and members of the Red Bulls front office and team will meet Newark community members and youth to celebrate. Click here for more information about the 20th anniversary initiative to transform communities across the nation. You can help change a child’s life and bring a new safe place to play to an underserved community by visiting: www.ussoccerfoundation.org/donate.

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.

Newark Public Schools Parent Recognition Program

Each day, throughout the district, hundreds, of parents are making a difference in our schools, supporting their children’s academic successes by volunteering. The Newark Public Schools Advisory Board wishes to recognize and express its appreciation to those parents and community members who devote their time, share their talents and resources with children, staff and administrators to improve the quality of our schools and the lives of children.

Each month this board will continue to recognize parents/guardians who support our district wide Parental Involvement Program consisting of activities focusing on:

  • Parenting
  • Communicating
  • Volunteering
  • Learning at Home
  • Decision-making and
  • Community Involvement

Nominated by their child’s school administration, we are proud to announce tonight’s award recipients:
Honorees:

Billie Mills — George Washington Carver School
Mr. Mills is the father of two of George Washington Carver scholars and he supports, encourages and serves as a role model for them. He volunteers his free time and is always willing to go the extra mile, to ensure that they are always striving to achieve excellence. He is a contributing member to the Newark Public Schools and the community, by serving as the lead father of the Concerned Fathers’ Program. He is also a member of our new formed Eagles PTSA here at GWC as well as one of our classroom sponsors.

Elisha Mack — B.R.I.C.K. Peshine Academy
Since 2010, Ms. Mack has been an active parent volunteer at B.R.I.C.K. Peshine Academy. She is always willing to assist in anything that needs to be done when called upon. She is very generous and always donates her time and talent to all school events.
She is the proud parent of 3 scholars. Ms. Mack is an active member of her church, community, and the school parent organization.

Jean Simeon — Ivy Hill School
Mr. Simeon has been active and very helpful at Ivy Hill. He helps with our communication with our French Creole speaking parents by coming in early to translate for us, staying after school to assist with calls to our parents and volunteering during the day with lunch duty. He has also assisted Ivy Hill by being a classroom parent and chaperoning some of our events, The Ivy Hill Community is very grateful for all things that Mr. Simeon does.