Luis Muñoz Marin

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.

Marin Is Green: Trees Grow in Newark

Luis Muñoz Marin (LMM) Elementary School for Social Justice and the New Jersey Tree Foundation held a Tree Planting Ceremony and Event on April 16, 2019 to enhance the school and community grounds. The event was well supported with over 75 volunteers consisting of local dignitaries (Councilman Anibal Ramos, Council Member Luis A. Quintana and Dupre Kelly, Founder of 211 Community Impact), community partners (One Tree Planted Organization, Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey City University, Rutgers University Police Department, Lyft, Hertz, and United Way: Project Warmth), central office personnel, staff members, parents and scholars.

This opportunity sponsored by the Renaissance Trees Program, maintains an outstanding partnership between LMM and the New Jersey Tree Foundation. The New Jersey Tree Foundation will water, weed, mulch and secure the 31 trees that were planted on the school grounds. Under the tutelage of Principal Maria Ortiz, School Operations Manager Courtney Johnson, Community Engagement Specialist April Anderson-Brown, Renaissance Trees Program Coordinator Crystal Wessel and Project Director Jasmine West-Romero, the LMM school community will benefit tremendously from the educational experiences and community outreach extended by the additional green spaces. LMM will continue to engage in social justice and local/global consciousness projects to raise environmental projection awareness. Held days just before Earth Day, the Tree Planting Ceremony and Event made a lasting impression on participants and hopefully in the years to come as the trees flourish on Newark grounds.

Luis Muñoz Marin 8th Graders Census 2020 Logo Contest Winners

Luis Muñoz Marin Elementary 8th graders were the designers of the Census 2020 logo contest. On site for the celebration were Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, Mayor Baraka, Lt. Governor Shelia Oliver, Assemblywoman Jasey, Council Members Anibal Ramos and Luis Quintana, Board Member Kim Gaddy, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Gerald Fitzhugh, II, and Principal Maria Ortiz.

Our voices must be heard through the students and we must be counted, stated Kim Gaddy, Newark Board of Education Member. If we don't participate in the Census count we can lose support for our educational and arts programs."

- Kim Gaddy, Board Member

First National Junior Honor Society Induction at Luis Muñoz Marin School

Last week, the Luis Muñoz Marin School inducted 42 students into the National Junior Honor Society at a ceremony that included families and education leaders. This is the first time the school has had a National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) at Marin. The Society recognizes outstanding middle level students who have excelled in the area of the five pillars representing the NJHS. The pillars are Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Character, and Citizenship.

Luis Muñoz Marin Inclusive Schools Week Celebration

Inclusive Schools Week is an annual celebration held each December to promote student diversity and advocate achievement for all learners. This year’s theme, “Kaleidoscope of Friends” is symbolic of collective, beautiful shapes that represent a culture of togetherness and inclusive education. Our school community is comprised of a diverse student body: 17% are recipients of special education services, 17% are bilingual students, 4% participate in the Gifted & Talented program, 5% are in the Honor Society, 55% are male and 45% are female.

On Tuesday, November 13th in preparation of Inclusive Schools Week, CST Social Worker Ms. Howard kicked off the special celebration with teachers, Ms. Abraham and Ms. Arce called Secret Second Graders-Getting to Know the Staff. Each student selected a name of a staff member at Marin and prepared interview questions for them. They also baked cupcakes and delivered them to each staff member. These interviewees were asked to take a picture with their Secret Second Grade Student and participate in an interview that included questions about their job title, responsibilities, office and classroom location.

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Monday, December 3, 2018

Student Darrin Frederick shared an inspiring quote written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

School wide activity: 100 Things That Make Our School Inclusive - Students contributed to a list of 100 Things that Make Luis Muñoz Marin inclusive. A bulletin board displaying their responses is located near the auditorium.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

8th grade student Zechariah Hopkins shared an inspiring quote written by civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, “We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthen this community and this nation.”

School wide activity - Inclusive Clips: A collection of digital videos and pictures on various aspects of inclusion were shared during lunch in each cafeteria.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

3rd grade student Xavier Davis shared an inspiring quote from motivational speaker and author, Catherine Pulsifer “We are all different, which is great because we are all unique. Without diversity life would be very boring.”

School wide activity-Inclusion Campaign: Students school-wide responded to the following writing prompt, “I feel included when…” The writing prompt inspired class discussions about inclusivity.

Thursday, December 6, 2018

7th grade student Mariya Carlo shared an inspiring quote from American businessman and writer Max de Pree, “We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion.”

School wide activity: Better Together Poster Contest - Classes worked together to create posters to celebrate inclusion and diversity along with a rubric for scoring. Mrs. Paz, Mrs. Odiase and Mrs. De La Rosa’s pre-k class won the poster contest themed “Great Things Happen in Inclusive Schools!”

Friday, December 7, 2018

2nd grade student Azjah Irby shared an inspiring quote from an unknown author who said, “Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day.”

School wide activity - All Means All T-Shirt Day: Staff rocked their ‘All Means All, Better Together’ T-shirt. LMM Scholars wore ‘Celebrating You’ stickers to promote inclusion. Students and Ms. Howard decorated cupcakes and delivered them throughout the building. Photo opportunities to highlight our day were made possible by Eighth Grade Student Photographer, Leeroy Randolph.
The Inclusive Schools Week at LMM was a resounding success! The week long activities genuinely promoted inclusion and extended outside of our school community as central office members: Assistant Superintendent Jose Fuentes, Special Assistant Erica Paich and Special Assistant Francesca Finazzo returned to our site on Friday to support closing events. This event would not have been possible without the continued support of Principal Maria Ortiz, Vice Principal Adjoa Denchi-Smith, Academic Interventionist Ashley Jiles, School Operations Manager Courtney Johnson and Social Worker Kimberly Howard. Collectively, the LMM school community will maintain the implementation of effective frameworks that promote inclusive education.