Hispanic American Federation of NJ and Mike Rodriguez honors graduating seniors Faith Christian (Technology), Sky’e Liggins (University). Carlos Diaz (Science) and Angel Suero (Science) each with $1,000 scholarships. In attendance was Superintendent León with Weequahic High School Principal Andre Hollis and the Honorable Councilman-At-Large Luis Quintana, two of the events honorees.
[Newark, NJ, June 19, 2019] Katherine Brodhead, a music teacher of Rafael Hernandez School, has been chosen to receive the Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award. The award was presented at the 2019 Symposium on Music in Schools at the Yale School of Music in New Haven, Conn., in June. Ms. Brodhead is one of just five exemplary music educators and five exemplary teaching artists from across the country chosen to receive the award and give their input during the symposium.
“We are very proud of this tremendous honor bestowed on Ms. Brodhead,” said Superintendent Roger Leon. “Through her teaching, Ms. Brodhead has touched the lives of so many children and used music as a way to educate, inform and inspire.”
Held every two years, the Symposium on Music in Schools is a gathering of policy leaders and practitioners from across the country to discuss topics relating to music education in public schools. The topic of this year’s symposium is the preparation of music educators and teaching artists in higher education with the goal of developing a set of principles by which higher education can prepare music educators and teaching artists who are well-equipped to teach preK-12 students in twenty-first-century music ecosystems.
Ms. Brodhead will join a team of national organization leaders, music education professors, school of music leadership, and experts in teaching artistry and public policy. The symposium will be structured as a “think-tank,” in which participants will work in large and small groups to develop the set of principles for national dissemination.
Honoree and teacher Ms. Brodhead said, “This speaks to the work that so many passionate educators and local organizations are doing in our city – Newark is a dynamic community with numerous arts resources, including NJPAC, the NJ Symphony Orchestra, the Newark Arts Education Roundtable, VH1 Save The Music, Newark Arts, and more. These partnerships, as well as support from district administrators, are creating an environment where both teachers and students can grow and thrive. I am honored to be a part of the conversation and a representative of our schools. I hope to take what I’ve learned at the Symposium, as well as new connections to arts organizations, back to Newark in order to provide more opportunities for our students.”
Ms. Brodhead was nominated for the award by the National Association for Music Education and the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, who identified her as an exemplary music educator who can bring valuable expertise and perspective to the symposium.
Principal Natasha Pared said, “Congratulations to Ms. Brodhead for the work she does on behalf of our students.”
Save The Music Foundation is a New York 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps kids, schools, and communities realize their full potential through the power of making music. Founded in 1997, Save The Music partners with school districts and raises funds to restore music programs in public schools. Since inception, we have donated over $56 million worth of new musical instruments to over 2,100 U.S. schools in 261 school districts around the country– impacting the lives of millions of students. Learn more about us and our efforts at www.savethemusic.org.
Newark Superintendent Surprises NJ’s Largest School District’s Teacher of the Year in Her Class with Flowers, Balloons and the Unique Honor
[NEWARK, NJ, June 3, 2019] The Superintendent of New Jersey’s largest school district, along with principals, students and family surprised Newark’s Teacher of the Year, Tamara Leveridge, of Ivy Hill School, in her classroom Monday morning. Along with the surprise, she received flowers and balloons. Ms. Leveridge will be honored along with one teacher from every Newark Public School, at a breakfast, later this week.
Superintendent Leon said, “What makes Ms. Leveridge a well-rounded educator, is that she most importantly understands and sets as a priority, what I call the most significant heartbeat of a school – and that is the child, the student. Ms. Leveridge is an extraordinary professional, who through her compassion and love for students and teaching, is changing lives every day. We are honored and grateful that she is a member of the extraordinary group of teachers who call the Newark Board of Education and Newark Public Schools, home.”
Ms. Leveridge has been teaching for eleven years. She taught multiple grades and content across the primary grades, 1st and 2nd; the intermediate grades, 4th and 5th and middle school, 6th grade.
According to Principal of Ivy Hill School Dorrice Rayam, “What makes Ms. Leveridge an exceptional teacher is her drive for excellence. Ms. Leveridge does not confine herself to the textbook or traditional methods of teaching, she finds creative ways to make the material accessible to their students, and keeps up-to-date with best practices. She strives to create interactive lessons. She believes in the importance of providing rigorous and differentiated instruction.” Ms. Rayam added that this year, Ms. Leveridge and her six graders, with the support of her colleagues, produced the Living Wax Museum for the entire school body.
Principal Rayam continued, “Ms. Leveridge has the respect and admiration of her students. She has earned this respect and admiration by serving as a role model for her students and always has their best interest in mind. She treats students fairly, setting high expectations and is consistent with discipline. Ms. Leveridge goes beyond interacting with students on an instructional level and works to make sure their emotional needs are met, as well.”
In addition, according to the Principal, Ms. Leveridge has a positive relationship with colleagues and has earned their respect. She regularly collaborates with other staff within the school and district. She also takes on positions of leadership within a school, such as leading professional development sessions and mentoring. She added that Ms. Leveridge was deemed a highly effective teacher for four school years
When surprised this morning, Ms. Leveridge said, “I am surprised. I do this for the students. When I was in the third grade, I decided I wanted to be a teacher. That dream never left me and became my reality. I love my work and the opportunity to help children.”
One of Ms. Leveridge’s students said, “She cares about us, she helps us and she is just nice.”
To view the students wish Ms. Leveridge well, click here. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NgL8ntfZL-uaVLCvWuF1brRIoto1uyz0/view
Our demands are equality, dignity and the recognition of our shared humanity. People of all ages, races, genders, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities continue to face discrimination, ignorance, and disparagement. It is our responsibility to be the leaders that are needed in our community and educate others to take a stance in creating a world of inclusion. We are fighting for a more inclusive world. The Revolution Is Inclusion. I want to take a moment and thank Susan, Kathy and the Special Olympics. Without them our event would not be as big as it is. Also, to Mrs. Mitchell my principal of New Jersey Regional Day School for giving Mr. Garrett and I the freedom and having the confidence in us to create this event. I also want to give a shout out to everyone from NJPAC especially Tom for building confidence in our students’ self-esteem through dance. Shout out to the Montclair Rugby team for taking the time to come and show us what Rugby is all about!
Thank you, Mr. Ellis for allowing us to have our event at your field! Finally, a big thank you and shout out to all of our community partners for working with us to make this amazing event happen. Inclusion is about our ‘abilities’ – our gifts and how to share them. It is our expectation that every community partner teams up with a student from New Jersey Regional Day School to collaborate, help, and learn more about each other’s positive qualities and gifts that you all have to share because remember this event is about inclusion!
Now let’s see what your all about on the field! Let’s have some fun!
[Newark, New Jersey – May 22, 2019] The Newark Board of Education recently partnered with soccer heavyweights to host the second Soccer for Success Jamboree at Newark School Stadium. More than 2,000 people participated in the day-long event, which included 650 student soccer players, 24 schools and 37 teams.
Superintendent of Schools Roger León said, “Soccer is growing in interest throughout our school district. I want to personally thank our students for their interest and engagement, their parents, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the NY Bulls and Just One Soccer for their generous support of our program. I also want to thank our coaches and the office of Family Engagement and Expanded Learning – their leadership in this program is priceless.”
This is the second year of the Soccer for Success Jamboree, according to Margarita Muniz, Executive Director of the Office of Family and Community Engagement. The office of Family and Community Engagement, along with the Expanded Learning Time Office, headed by Sarah Cruz, manage the Soccer for Success program for the Newark Board of Education.
“The Soccer for Success program is a great addition to our Expanded Learning Time programs afterschool in Newark Public Schools,” said Sarah Cruz, Special Assistant for Expanded Learning Time. She continued, “This partnership gives students a constructive activity where they learn about being active, living healthy and they get to play soccer. More girls joined the program this year and we nearly doubled the number of overall participants. The students and the staff really enjoy the experience.”
For the program, the U.S. Soccer Foundation provided for each player; a soccer Jersey, a soccer ball, a par of shin guards and a set of collapsible soccer goals for each school.
[NEWARK, New Jersey – May 23, 2010] Weequahic High School has developed a wall of Fame for visitors and students to see photos and future plans for graduating scholars. The wall, entitled, LIFE AFTER WEEQUAHIC – MEET ME IN COLLEGE, features the photographs and graduating scholars with their plans after graduating from Weequahic High School in June.
The wall was designed by School Operation Assistant, Dequiandra Fradkin. Weequahic Principal Andre Hollis said, “I want to thank Ms. Fradkin for creating this special wall that is truly a centerpiece of promise and hope for our students.” He added, “Our students worked hard, dared to be great and now they are off to college and the United States ! IP! (Indian Pride)”
The 15 students featured in the display are listed below:
The students will be attending a number of colleges and universities including: Rutgers, Montclair State, University of Bridgeport, New Jersey City, Fairleigh Dickinson, Lincoln, William Paterson, Kean, and State University of New York University and Bloomfield, Caldwell, and Felecian, College. Two students will also join the United States Navy and the Army.
