Schools

Newark Board of Education Creates Pathway to Civic Engagement

Civics in the Classroom, Voter Registration and Education and Student Voting on the Newark Education Referendum

 

Nearly 500 students registered to vote, thousands of students participated in Civics in the Classroom and more than 3,000 students took part in a mock vote on the Newark referendum on education.

Superintendent of Newark Schools Roger León said one of the priorities of Newark Public Schools being returned to local control would be to educate students in civic engagement; through voter registration and education, classroom civics and student voting. Over the last three weeks, Superintendent León accomplished all three of the goals set forth for Newark Public School students to participate in civic engagement.

“The success of our students and our district will be measured in part by how we engage our students in real life experiences,” said Superintendent León. “One of the priorities of my administration is to give students a voice in their future – civic engagement is an integral part of any life experience – it not only gives students a voice, it also educates them about how they as individuals, can make a difference.”

This is the first time the Newark Board of Education has engaged students on this level of civic engagement. A number of Newark leaders participated in Civics in the Classroom, including Ryan Haygood, Executive Director of the NJ Institute for Social Justice. Led by Deputy Superintendent Gerald Fitzhugh, II, students throughout the district participated in a curriculum focused on civics. According to Principal Jasonn Dennard of American History High School (AHHS), the topic chosen for discussion at AHHS was of the role of protests and civic responsibility to bring about change. According to Deputy Superintendent Fitzhugh, the Newark BOE students embarked on a “Civics Day Exploration” within their Social Studies classes. He said, “The purpose of this work was to engage students in what it means to be an engaged citizen in their local community, how to work with others on community issues, and what components help create a good solution.” Many of the schools chronicled their day through pictures and writing. The school district worked alongside The Citizens Campaign to present civics in the classroom.

Voter registration was held at every Newark High School for students not already registered to vote, and for those turning 18 before Election Day. Students were registered with the help of the Rutgers Newark Campus of The New Jersey Public Interest Research Group. Finally, students in Grades 8-12 were offered an opportunity to participate in a mock election for Tuesday’s vote in Newark on the referendum of what kind of school board Newark will have in the future. In just two days, more than 3,000 students have registered their vote.

Superintendent León said, “I am proud of the students who registered to vote, who voted in the mock election and those who participated in Civics in the Classroom Day. It is our hope they will continue to participate in civic engagement throughout their lifetime.”

 

A total of 3,480 students voted. 

Public Question 1: Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act

  • Yes – 2,953 (84.9%)
  • No – 527 (15.1%)

Newark BOE: Public Questions

  • Type 1 – 741 (21.3%)
  • Type 2 – 2,739 (78.7%)

Students who voted:

  • 8th Grade: 1,062
  • 9th Grade: 658
  • 10th Grade: 677
  • 11th Grade: 610
  • 12th Grade: 473

New Soccer Mini-Pitch Unveiled at Luis Muñoz Marin School to Provide Recreation and Life Skills Development for Newark, N.J. Youth

New space part of five-year, 20 mini-pitch project announced in May 2018

[NEWARK, N.J., October 25, 2018] An innovative new soccer mini-pitch system was unveiled at Newark’s Luis Muñoz Marin School today marking the fourth mini-pitch opened this year in Newark. The opening is part of a five-year partnership with the New York Red Bulls, Newark Public Schools, U.S. Soccer Foundation and Wells Fargo to increase access to safe places to play across the city by creating 20 new soccer mini-pitches. As part of this initiative, more than 2,500 Newark youth will be engaged in Soccer for Success, the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s after-school soccer program that delivers positive health and youth development outcomes. The program will operate on many of these new sites.

“I want to thank the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the New York Red Bulls, Wells Fargo and all of our partners for investing in our schools and students and changing the face of schoolyards across the city,” said Newark Superintendent of Schools Roger León. “The new soccer pitches will allow our students to engage in physical fitness, learn the tenets of teamwork, and have fun. Partnerships that benefit our students are an essential part of our success as a district.”

The latest mini-pitch system at Luis Muñoz Marin Middle School features a complete system design that incorporates fencing, lighting, and goals. The system was developed to assist the U.S. Soccer Foundation with its national movement, It’s Everyone’s Game, which endeavors to build 1,000 mini-pitches in cities across the country by 2026 and engage one million young people annually through the Foundation’s Soccer for Success program. Mini-pitches have also been created at three other Newark school locations including Belmont Runyon School, BRICK Avon Academy, and Rafael Hernandez School this year.

“Today is another significant step in our commitment to providing mini-pitches for the children of the Newark Public Schools,” said Marc de Grandpre, General Manager, New York Red Bulls. “Thanks to the generosity of our valued partners, the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Wells Fargo, along with the support from Musco Lighting, the students of Luis Marin Muñoz Middle School will have an innovative mini-pitch that includes full lighting for safety and extensive storage for convenience. This venue will further their passion for our beautiful game.”

Area families, members of Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls, Newark City officials, and representatives from the Luis Muñoz Marin School officially celebrated the new space with a dedication ceremony alongside the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Wells Fargo, and Musco Lighting at the event.

“Wells Fargo is proud to partner with the Newark Soccer Initiative to partner on an important investment in the City of Newark,” said Gino Cammarota, Northeast Treasury Merchant Services Manager at Wells Fargo. “We are excited to be one of the many organizations here today because this program will enrich the lives of so many through the game of soccer. The sport is celebrated by the many here in Newark and we are pleased today’s announcement benefits the community and specifically our future leaders.”

Newark is the third municipality nationwide to make a major commitment to building safe places to play and expand sports-based youth development programs for its youth as part of this larger national movement. Other national partners including adidas, Major League Soccer, Target, and Musco are lending critical support to ensure the movement’s success.
“We’re grateful to have such valuable partners here in Newark who are committed to providing local youth with safe places to play,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “We’re also excited to unveil the first mini-pitch prototype developed by one of our key national partners, Musco Lighting. Their devotion to the It’s Everyone’s Game movement is evident in their innovative approaches to providing children with safe places to play past daylight hours.”

To overcome logistical issues working with a multitude of contractors, suppliers and municipal agencies across different markets—and to avoid construction delays and site relocations—engineers at Musco developed a prototype of a comprehensive mini-pitch system.

“The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s mission of positively impacting the lives of up to a million young people in the next decade is something we believe in very strongly,” said Joe Crookham, President of Musco. “These community pitches will be a place for local youth to learn, grow, develop confidence and teamwork, and have fun. We want to do everything we can to help with this important endeavor.”

The Foundation and its partners have plans for multiple mini-pitch openings in more than a dozen cities across the country over the next several years.

About New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls are one of 22 teams in Major League Soccer (MLS). They are one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since it’s founding in 1996. They currently play home matches at Red Bull Arena (RBA) in Harrison, New Jersey. RBA, a state-of-the-art 25,000-seat stadium, is widely regarded as the top soccer-specific stadium in North America. The club is owned by the Austrian beverage company Red Bull GmbH for which the team is named. The New York Red Bulls offer one of the nation’s premier youth soccer development programs. The club provides grassroots training programs to all ages and skill levels, and also offers elite players a pathway from those programs to the Regional Development School, then on to the academy teams and, ultimately, to the Red Bulls professional team.

About Newark Board of Education
The Newark Board of Education is New Jersey’s largest school district with 62 schools and nearly 37,000 students, serving children in Pre-K through high school. On February 1, 2018 the Newark School District was returned to local control following 22 years of being under state control. On July 1, 2018, Roger León became the first Superintendent of the Newark Board of Education following the return of local control to the school district and the first Hispanic to serve as Superintendent in the district’s history.

About U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs are the national model for sports-based youth development in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has established programs proven to help children embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while nurturing their personal growth beyond sports. Its cost-effective, high-impact initiatives offer safe environments where kids and communities thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization.

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, community-based financial services company. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 8,050 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune’s 2018 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

About Musco Lighting
Since 1976, Musco has focused on the design and manufacture of sports and transportation/infrastructure lighting systems, from hometown Little League® fields to professional sports stadiums and ports around the globe. Offering permanent and temporary lighting systems for new and retrofit projects, we bring first-hand knowledge and experience with the many issues that impact players, spectators, neighbors, television broadcasts, and staff.

Contacts
U.S. Soccer Foundation
Jennifer Arnold
202-872-6662
jarnold@nullussoccerfoundation.org

New York Red Bulls
Christina Giunta Quarino
973-776-8842
christina.giunta@nullnewyorkredbulls.com

Newark Public Schools
Tracy Munford
973-733-7338
t1munford@nullNPS.K12.NJ.US

Wells Fargo
Stephanie Ahenkora
908-370-4061
Stephanie.Ahenkora@nullwellsfargo.com

Musco Lighting
Eduardo Zamarripa
641-676-2652
Eduardo.zamarripa@nullmusco.com

Newark Board of Education Renames School Salomé Ureña School After Trailblazing Educator

First Newark School to Be Named for a Hispanic Woman

[Newark, NJ, October 24, 2018] The Newark Board of Education has officially renamed North 10th Street School, Salomé Ureña School in honor of a Hispanic woman who is considered a trailblazer in Hispanic education. The renaming and ribbon cutting of the Salomé Ureña School took place on Friday, October 19, 2018. More than 100 students welcomed guests to the ribbon cutting in the auditorium. Superintendent Roger León was joined by Newark Board of Education Chair Josephine C. Garcia, Board members Reginald Bledsoe, Asia Norton, Yambeli Gomez and Flohisha Johnson , and Councilman Anibal Ramos.

Superintendent of Newark Schools Roger León said in speaking to the students, “There is nothing more important than your name. Starting today, we begin to say the name of a great woman who changed the course of education for Hispanics in the Dominican Republic. Every day when you walk through the front door of this school, remember Salomé Ureña.”

Principal Sandra Marques said, “We honor her (Salomé Ureña) for her vision, ‘Sparkle & Shine Because It’s Teaching and Learning Time,” referring to the school’s new motto.

As part of the program, 3rd grade student Yamilex Ramos read the poem, “El Ave Y el Nido” to the audience, as part of the tribute and to celebrate the birthday of Salomé Ureña, which was the same day as the renaming.

Board of Education Chair Garcia said, “As a proud mother of three Dominican young men, this tribute is perfect as we see more women taking the helm of organizations and businesses.” Chairwoman Garcia spoke about the changes women of all races, colors and creeds are making across the world and here in the United States. She said it was such an honor for Newark to name its first school after a woman. She said, “It’s a proud moment for all women, for all Hispanics, for Newark.”

Salomé Ureña was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on October 21, 1850. She was the daughter of writer Nicolas Ureña de Mendoza and Gregoria Dias de Leon. She was influenced by literature and began publishing her first works at the age of 17. Around 1881, Salomé, with the help of her husband, opened the first center of higher education for young women in the Dominican Republic, which she did under the name of “Instituto de Senoritas.” Within five years, the first six female teachers were graduated from the Institute, something uncommon at the time.

Councilman Ramos said, “I take great pride in our schools – they are a model of service and engaging our parents in a positive way.” He continued, “Salomé Ureña founded higher education opportunities for girls. This is a historic day for our city to name a school after a great Hispanic.”

The Newark Board of Education introduced a resolution in 2017, introduced by then Board Member Ariagna Perello. Ms. Perello also attended the ribbon cutting.

Kevin Lopez, former East Side Hockey Player Stops by to Discuss Time Management for Student Athletes

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”156618,156617,156616″ img_size=”250×188″ onclick=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kevin Lopez, who played hockey for East Side High School and graduated from Technology High School visited East Side to teach time management for a student-athlete.

After high school, Kevin continued his studies and played hockey at Princeton University, where he graduated in 2016. The hockey team was able to learn Kevin’s approach to balancing academics and hockey during high school and college, while still managing to find time for his family and friends.

Currently, Kevin is at Fordham Law, but took time out of his busy schedule to share his experiences with our students to help them achieve their goals.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

East Side Graduate Stars in the Movie “SHINE”

[NEWARK, NJ, October 18, 2018] East Side High School graduate Grisselle Ponce came home to Newark for the debut of the acclaimed movie, “SHINE.”  Ms. Ponce, a 1994 graduate from East Side, stars in the movie and choreographed the dance sequences in the movie as well.  

The movie SHINE focuses on community and family struggles with gentrification in the old neighborhood with a focus on preserving the arts and culture of the neighborhood. The movie debuted at CityPlex 12 on October 5 with a Red Carpet list of  local and state elected officials, students, friends and supporters. The red carpet included Superintendent Roger León, Board Chairperson Josephine C. Garcia, Mayor Baraka, Senator Ruiz, Councilmen Ramos and Quintana and actor David Zayas.  

Superintendent León said, “We are here to congratulate Ms. Ponce and to serve as a reminder that Newark students can do anything and everything. Whatever your hearts desire, you should know that you can begin that journey right here in Newark Public Schools.” 

Thirteenth Avenue/Dr. M.L.K. School Celebrates Student Attendance at Bump Up Your Attendance Concert

[Newark, NJ – October 5, 2018] Thirteenth Avenue/Dr. M.L.K. School celebrated students who are producing great results in attendance for this school year. More than 70 students, their parents and siblings were treated to a “Bump Up Your Attendance,” concert on October 4.

Principal Simone Rose said, “Administration and staff are excited about the new school year. Our goal is to keep our students excited and engaged around perfect attendance, getting to school on time and achieving academic success. The concert is a way to celebrate their success thus far.”

Students were treated to a concert featuring a number of their favorite area artists, many of whom brought gifts along to distribute to the student attendance winners. New shoes and school uniforms were donated, in addition to free haircuts and other gifts were presented by the musical artists.

According to Vice Principal LaShanda Gilliam, “Students attending the concert were required to be present and on time every day since school opened. Those who met the challenge were given this special treat.”

Both Principal Rose and VP Gilliam said, student attendance has a direct correlation to success, which is why incentives, such as the concert were an important way to illustrate attendance success one month into the new school year.