Schools

READ TO LEAD Program, Started by 2 Bernardsville Brothers Brings More Than 300 Books to 13th Avenue School


[NEWARK, NJ – March 22, 2019] The students of 13th Avenue School received a special gift recently from two brothers from Bernardsville, New Jersey. The brothers, Evan and Casey Hoeckele, along with their mother, Shannon Calvert, donated more than 300 books to the students.

The brothers started a program called Read to Lead – Evan & Casey’s Reading Program, to deliver books in good condition to students in New Jersey. The brothers said it was a fun thing to do because they had so many books they had read, that they wanted to share with others. Mother Shannon said, “I’m proud of my boys primarily for their interest in community service and creating a reading program as the anchor of that service. We are honored to present these books to the students at 13th Avenue School.”

The partnership between 13th Avenue and the Read to Lead Program began between Mother Shannon and colleague Natasha Levant, who used to work at 13th Avenue School. When they came up with the idea, they asked Board Member Floisha Hill if the book program was possible.

Mrs. Hill said, “Being a mother and member of the Newark Board of Education encouraged me to take advantage of this opportunity for our students at 13th Avenue School. The excitement of the students in receiving books as a gift was special and heartwarming. Most importantly, we want to make reading and learning fun – the books from Evan and Casey created a great opportunity for our kids to learn and have fun.”

NBOE Schools Participate in National Developmental Disability Awareness Month And National Inclusion Day

[NEWARK, NJ March 22, 2019] Two Newark Public Schools yesterday participated in NPS Schools observance of National Developmental Disability Awareness Month and National Inclusion Day. Speedway Academies and Belmont Runyon created programming for students with disabilities.

Speedway hosted their 7th Annual Inclusion Fun Day with students, families and community partners from Belmont Runyon. This year’s theme was Friendship as found in the book entitled, The Rainbow Fish. Students read, experienced a touch station with real sharks, crabs and other marine life. They also made sand castle gifts and experienced a day of fun and excitement. Students left with real Beta Fish, books, and sand art as parting gifts.

Principal Atiba Buckman said, “Inclusion Day afforded our students with a great deal of fun and learning. The staff read to students, decorated our gym and created colors and corridors of fun for the students. In addition, I want to thank my 8th grade students who served as chaperones, readers and ambassadors for the younger students.” Principal Buckman also thanked St. James Church’s Volunteer Ministry for volunteering their time, energy and smiles.

Students at Newark’s Ivy Hill School Kick Off United Way’s MY VERY OWN LIBRARY Program

United Way of Essex and West Hudson’s Hosts Women in Literature Kickoff at Newark School followed by FREE Book Fairs for 22,000 Students!


[NEWARK, NJ – March 22, 2019] Nearly 500 students at Ivy Hill School participated in the kickoff celebration of United Way of Essex and West Hudson’s My Very Own Library Book (MVOL) Program, which celebrated women authors. In all, more than 22,000 students in 35 Newark Public Schools during National Women’s History Month will receive books through the MVOL program.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Gerald Fitzhugh, who was joined by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shakirah Harrington said, “Reading is key to student learning and development. I want to thank Catherine Wilson, Executive Director of the United Way of Essex and West Hudson, Scholastic, the authors, and the administration, teachers, staff and students of Ivy Hill School for an extraordinary program highlighting reading. Our students are excited to learn and the MVOL Program raises that level of excitement in our schools and at home.”

Ivy Hill Elementary School hosted a Hollywood themed book fair and special event paying homage to Women in Literature starting with a red carpet introduction of each author, followed by remarks, a brief book reading, dance, drama and the morning program closed with African drums and dance.

Ivy Hill Principal Dorrice Rayam Johnson said, “Our students at Ivy Hill are tremendously excited about receiving books and the opportunity to explore the world through the My Very Own Library Program. Thank you to everyone and especially to my students whose love of learning continues to grow – programs and events like the kickoff help us to make learning fun.”

The Ivy Hill program spotlighted 6 award winning female children’s authors. Following the morning’s assembly, the authors travelled to multiple Newark Public Schools throughout the city hosting My Very Own Library events to engage students in a discussion about being a children’s author. Free copies of their books were also distributed to students as well.

Participating authors were: Obludbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Amy Ignatow, Elly Swartz, Alyson Gerber, Ame Dyckman, and Jess Keating.

Newark’s Blue Bears Take Home Gold from Mount Olive’s FIRST Robotics Competition

Blue Bears (Team #6943) consists of: Jan Balladares, Alexi Robalino, Kevin Tonacatl, Henry De Leon-Valerio, Kevin Marquez, Mariela Ortega, Cristian Torres, Vanessa Mantuano, Andres Velazquez, Zariyah Harrell, Edith Sinchi, and Francisco Serrano.

After running into several technical difficulties at last weekend’s Hatboro Horsham robotics event, the Blue Bears were able to find redemption. Newark’s Blue Bears (Team #6943) of Barringer High School were hand selected by The Tigertrons (Team #222)and Pingry Robotics (Team #2577) to form an alliance for the quarterfinals of the competition. The unstoppable trio won every match in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals (a total of six matches).

Of the 37 participating teams, this was the only alliance to leave Mount Olive with gold medals. This is an incredible victory for Barringer High School and could not be done without the determination and dedication of each and every student involved.

East Side High School Hosts Bowling Bash for Staff

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East Side High School staff celebrated each other at their 2019 Bowling Bash! This was the first year since 2015 that they celebrated such a night. Recognized on this night were:

  • Dr. Mario Santos for his “In recognition of his 14 years as our leader of East Side High School - Graduate of, Teacher of, Principal of, and Assistant Superintendent of East Side High School - 2005-2018, & 2019 – Success beyond the years”
  • Mrs. Josephine Steele - “In Recognition of her 45 years of service as a teacher in the Newark East Side community - 39 years of services with the Black History wall - Bowling Coach 1975 - 1982 & 2005 - 2014”

Regardless of department, we are one united school with a great culture. The evening was a great success.

The text and email responses were very heartfelt. Our building feels a lot more closer together. This will be something that we will continue to do for the years to come.

Read Across America: Dr. Seuss Drive-in Theater

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Hosted By: Poliana Seromenho, Literacy Coach & Goldie Jones, Media Specialist

Hawkins Street School will kickoff Read Across America by having our own Dr. Seuss Drive-in Theater. Over 300 boxes were donated by various companies such as Toyota, Seabras, Party City, and local dollar stores. All students in Grades K-3 were given a box to decorate into a boxcar at home with their families. We were also fortunate to have Pajamas Program donate over 100 pajamas. All students in Grades 1 and 2 received a pajama to wear to this event. During this event students will drive-in to the movie theater with their boxcar, discuss the importance of reading, have a Dr. Seuss book read to them, receive 2 books each which were also donated, read independently in their reading nook (boxcar) and finally watch a Dr. Seuss movie in the comfort of their boxcar. Our goal is to promote the love of reading at school and at home. They will take their boxcars home and continue to use it as their reading nook. With a book you can go anywhere and be anything.