Schools

Technology High School Students Visit West Virginia on College Tour

Technology High School College Tour 2018
On Thursday March 8, 2018 students at Technology High school left on a two day college tour. The first stop on the tour was Dickinson College, a private and highly selective liberal arts institution. All thirty five students had a brief breakfast and then took a tour of the campus. Most students were most captivated by the newly built, Kline athletic center and the close proximity between buildings. Before long, students were once again on the road to Morgantown but, not without stopping at noteworthy locations. This road trip featured a stop at Coopers Rock which is considered the Grand Canyon of the East Coast. Once students had arrived to Morgantown they were taken to the Marriott hotel to settle in for the night. The next day, followed with a long list of events to accomplish, as part of the West Virginia University tour. During the tour, the prospective medical students had a chance to tour the medical facilities and sit with the head of the medical department. While on tour students got to see the medical labs for surgery and the manikins that are used in other medical areas. The students whom were interested in forensics also had a chance to sit with the head of the Forensics Department and tour the forensic labs. This experience exposed the technology high school students to blood spatter analysis and how to properly process fingerprints. The prospective business and economics students got a chance to sit with the head of that department and talked about not only having business as your major but also as a double major. The prospective Engineer students got to see the 2018 Chevy Camaro rebuild and look at the robotics department while also seeing the Coal and mineral Departments. Later on, students visited the basketball hall of champions and stepped foot on the 65,000 seat football stadium on campus. They then had an opportunity to ride the PRT, which is a monorail system that goes from campus to campus. All in all the students had a great time visiting both schools. This sentiment is best captured below:

“I was originally very skeptical about the college tours and wasn’t interested in attending either. Part of my disinterest stemmed from the lack of exposure and information about the universities to begin with. My adventure began early on March 8 when I visited Dickinson College. There was a feeling that radiated from the campus itself. It was a small and suburban like atmosphere that felt like a stroll down a historical town. During the tour I learned about the exchange programs that are offered to multiple countries and a bit of the history behind the college. Even after leaving Dickinson, I knew that I had probably left a part of myself there. Dickinson college set the expectations and mood for the West Virginia University. Once I arrived at at Morgantown West Virginia campus, I realized that the impossible had happened. I was breath taken by the sheer size of the WVU campus. Every street and corner was another addition to the university or worked in partnership with it. As a biomed student at Technology high school, I took a tour of the medical school and was shocked at the state of the art equipment used by med students at the university. Everything about West Virginia peaked my interest and invited my curiosity. Although some may argue that the size of West Virginia University might be intimidating, I would say that there is still a hometown feel that exerts from the campus. Whether it was the personal transit system or the interactive touch tables, the campus was full of quirks that never ceased to excite me. In retrospect, I am glad and thankful to Mr. Truhan and all the people involved in planning and executing this trip, because it left a profound mark on me. Thanks to this trip I was introduced to information that may not have been available otherwise and saw both institutions in a more positive light than I did initially.” – Vilma Rodriguez

Ann Street School 7th Grade Student Receives Honorable Mention in the 2018 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Ms. Sandy Ferreira, Lauren Oliveira, and Ms. Danielle Gonzalez
From Left to Right: Ms. Sandy Ferreira, Lauren Oliveira, and Ms. Danielle Gonzalez

Lauren Oliveira, 7th Grade Student from Ann Street School was honored at Rutgers University for achieving an Honorable Mention in the 2018 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

There were 350,000 entries nationwide. Lauren entered the journalism category for “Women’s Rights”.

Teachers Ms. Gonzalez and Ms. Ferreira both attended the event in support of Lauren.

In Memoriam: Dr. E. Alma Flagg, ED.D.

NPS regretfully announces the passing of Dr. E. Alma Flagg on the evening of March 10, 2018, surrounded by family.

Dr. E. Alma Flagg
Dr. E. Alma Flagg, ED.D.

Dr. E. Alma Flagg was born in City Point, VA, to the late Hannibal Greene Williams and Caroline Moody Williams. She and her family, which included a sister and three brothers, later settled in Newark, NJ.

In 1941, Dr. E. Alma Flagg became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Beta Alpha Omega Chapter. She married J. Thomas Flagg, an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity man in 1942 and together they have two children and 3 grandchildren.

Dr. Flagg is a graduate of Newark’s East Side High School where she became a member of the National Honor Society, served as class poet and was voted most likely to succeed. After graduating from East Side High school, she attended Essex County Junior College, continued her education at Newark State College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1943, she received a Masters of Art degree at Montclair State College and the Doctor of Education degree at Teacher’s College, Columbia University in 1955.

Dr. Flagg’s full-time teaching career began in Washington, DC where the schools were still segregated and teachers were selected through competitive written and oral examinations. Upon completion of her examinations, she placed number one on the list. During her second year of teaching in the DC school system, she applied and passed the teacher’s exam in Newark and returned home to teach.

In 1964, Dr. Flagg was appointed principal of the integrated Hawkins Street School. She became the first African-American woman to hold that distinction. Her appointment as assistant superintendent in charge of curriculum services in 1967 was also a milestone.

Dr. Flagg had an extensive career in the Newark school system; she started as a classroom teacher; later as a mathematics teacher, remedial reading teacher, vice principal, principal, assistant superintendent of schools, before retiring in 1983 after 43 years of service.

Dr. Flagg has received numerous honors including the naming of a school in Newark, The E. Alma Flagg Elementary School dedicated in 1985. As cited on the E. Alma Flagg School website, Dr. E. Alma Flagg has been a trailblazer. The City News recognized Dr. Flagg in 1996 for being amongst the “100 Most Influential People in New Jersey” and in 1998, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, she received the “Annual Kwanzaa Recognition of Newark Elders”.

As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first established sorority for African-American college women, Dr. Flagg held the position of president for Beta Alpha Omega Newark Chapter in 1948 and again in 1956. In addition, she has held the position of secretary, vice-president, parliamentarian, and historian. There is also an endowed Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Fund scholarship award established along with her daughter, who is a member of the sorority.

A Street Dedication is tentatively scheduled for May 16, 2018.

If you would like to know more about Dr. E. Alma Flagg, you can listen to these interviews courtesy of The Krueger-Scott Oral History Collection through Rutgers University.

Oliver Street School Hosts Their First STEM Fair: This is Where the Magic Happens

More than 100 students create STEM Projects

[Newark, NJ – March 13, 2018] Oliver Street School students presented their science projects to the school community, parents and relatives at the First Annual STEM Fair at the school. More than 100 students participated in the fair which included students in grades 3 through 8.

Oliver Street School Principal Douglas J. Petty said, “I am proud of our students and their commitment to exploration of the mind. The projects presented at the STEM Fair exemplify a spirit of academic adventure and engagement and that is the core of student success.”

According to STEM Fair organizer Vice Principal Shana Burnett, Oliver Street School students presented their STEM fair projects to parents and the school community for two days. Ms. Burnett said that participating students were tasked with thinking and acting like engineers to imagine a real world problem they wanted solved. Students had to plan, imagine, and create a solution to this problem while applying Science, Technology, Engineering and Math principles.” The fair also included James Intrabartolo and Caitlin Riccardi.

Ivory Williams, Special Assistant overseeing Science for Newark Public Schools said, “Congratulations to the entire Oliver Street School family on a successful STEM Fair. Ms. Williams said the projects were thoughtful and solutions based with great attention to detail in solving issues impacting our community.”

Kathy Duke Jackson Assistant Superintendent overseeing Oliver Street School extended congratulations to the administration, teachers and most importantly to students on a job well done. This is the first year Oliver Street School participated in the STEM fair.

Technology Visits Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.

Technology Visits Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.Ninth grade students at Technology High School traveled to Washington D.C. on February 20, 2018 on a trip funded by the Morris Rubell Holocaust Remembrance Journeys. THS students visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Lincoln Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on a tour led by Michael Rubell, whose father, Morris Rubell, survived the Holocaust. At the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, students were able to see actual artifacts from the Holocaust, watch informational videos, and walk through an actual train car that was used for transports. While visiting the Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorials, the students were able to draw connections and understand the importance of being an “upstander” and not a bystander, as explained to them by Fred, a living survivor of the Holocaust who traveled on the trip and shared his experiences with the students throughout the day. The students who attended this trip will use the experience of this trip to enrich their upcoming reading of Night by Elie Wiesel.

3 NPS Schools Named Finalists in Panasonics Kid Witness News Video Contest!

The first round of judging for the Panasonic National Human Interest Stories has been completed! Technology High School video students have place in the top ten for the second year in a row 2017-2018.

These videos were viewed by a panel of judges from the City University of New York, Bronx Community College, Media and Digital Film Production Program – Bronx, NY. They have chosen the top 10 videos from each grade and video category – Human Interest and Eco PSA – that are now being judged by a select group of VIP judges that work within the industry.

The VIP judges will select the top 3 New Vision Award (Human Interest) winning videos from each grade category and the “Best PSA of the Year” Eco Effect winning video. An independent judge will then choose the Human Interest “Best Video of the Year” for Primary and Secondary School.

Top 10 Human Interest – Primary Schools (in alphabetical order):

  • Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School, Charleston, SC – “Why Our City Flooding”
  • Branch Brook School, Newark, NJ – “SM & I’net Safety for Kids”
  • Edwards T. Bowser Elementary School, East Orange, NJ – “Immigrants Impact School”
  • Marcus Garvey School, Chicago, IL – “Overcome Your Challenge”
  • New Roberto Clemente Middle School, Paterson, NJ – “1 LovePeace for Paterson Project”
  • Prairie View Elementary School, Enid, OK – “A Voice for Meredi”
  • Rancho Minerva Middle School, Vista, CA – “Nurtured by Nature”
  • Sheridan JR High School, Sheridan, WY – “Which Door Will You Choose”
  • Travis Ranch School, Yorba Linda, CA – “Efx of Social Media on Teens”
  • Vista Academy Middle School, Denver, CO – “Girl Boss”

Top 10 Human Interest – Secondary Schools (in alphabetical order):

  • Eastlake High School, Chula Vista, CA – “Family is Always First”
  • Gardiner High School, Gardiner, ME – “Library Compliments”
  • HCST County Prep High School, Jersey City, NJ – “Women’s Rights”
  • Kauai High School, Lihue, HI – “A Piece of Home”
  • Maui High School, Kahului, HI – “Just for Show”
  • Maury High School, Norfolk, VA – “Stress: A Monster You Can Manage”
  • Mooresville High School, Mooresville, NC – “Equal Rights”
  • Piscataway High School, Piscataway, NJ – “Snap Judgement”
  • Technology High School, Newark, NJ – “Women’s March”
  • Val Verde High School, Perris, CA – “Stitched Love”

Top 10 Eco PSA – Secondary Schools (in alphabetical order):

  • East Side High School, Newark, NJ – “Urban Gardening”
  • Eastlake High School, Chula Vista, CA – “Trash to Cash”
  • HCST County Prep High School, Jersey City, NJ – “How to Stay Green in 4 Easy Steps”
  • Kauai High School, Lihue, HI – “Global Warming”
  • Maui High School, Kahului, HI – “Our House”
  • Maury High School, Norfolk, VA – “Save the Living Earth”
  • Piscataway High School, Piscataway, NJ – “Destroy all Bacteria”
  • South Plainfield High School, South Plainfield, NJ – “Litter Say What”
  • Val Verde High School, Perris, CA – “Litter-ly Stalked”
  • Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, Staunton, VA – “The Last Supper”

Congratulations to the Finalists!!!

The 20 videos from each grade and video category will be posted on the KWN website in the coming weeks. The top 3 winning schools will be announced by Friday, March 30, 2018. If your school did not make the top 20 videos, please don’t feel discouraged. Everyone did a great job and we are very proud of all your students!