Schools

Rhodes Scholar Jordan Thomas Continues To Share His Experiences with Students at Two NPS High Schools

“Newark has Prepared Me Well for My Future”

[NEWARK, NJ – February 12, 2018] Princeton University student Jordan Thomas is sharing his academic and personal experiences with students as a way to inspire Newark Public Schools students to create their own path to success in college and beyond. The 2014 graduate of University High School recently went back to his Alma Mater to talk to students about staying focused in high school, planning their path through college and deciding their future goals, beginning now.

Thomas said, “Your freshman year is as important as your senior year in high school, you have to be serious about your studies from the day you walk into the school until the day you graduate.” Many of the students approached Jordan after the event to get personal recommendations on challenges and opportunities. Principal Edwin Mendez said, “It was an honor to meet with Jordan to discuss his research project for Princeton and to see him engage the students in a way that was informative and interesting to them.”

Thomas also met with more than 50 grammar school age male students at Hawthorne Avenue School. All of the young men are members of the Young Men’s Leadership Academy, established by Principal Henry James. Every week for more than 8 years at Hawthorne, Principal James meets with 6th, 7th and 8th grade male students to discuss challenges in their lives and at school and opportunities for them to soar. Principal James said, “Our neighborhoods need you to come back and help prepare the next generation of leaders which is what Mr. Thomas has done.” Principal James also noted three students who attended Hawthorne are employed at Hawthorne as teaching assistants and mentors to the boys.

Interim Superintendent Gregory said, “I grew up down the street from this school on South 11th. Street. I know what it’s like to be a NPS elementary school student; I am an example of what you can do with the opportunities before you.” He added, “Jordan Thomas is an example of where education and opportunity can take you, as well. As a student, as a person, it is important that you never live just in the moment but plan five years ahead and decide how you can empower yourself through education. My final message is to always believe in yourself and what you have the power to do in your life.”

This was Thomas’ first time speaking to an elementary school. He thanked Assistant Superintendent Roger León for recommending him to speak at Hawthorne Avenue Elementary School. León told the student you can accomplish your goals – whatever they are – but you must first have a plan of action.

In closing, Thomas said, “You must start with a vision of what you want to do and who you want to be in your life. This is the moment – you are powerful, soak up all of the knowledge and wisdom you can as a student. I would not be the person I am today, had I not grown up in Newark. This city has prepared me well for my future.”

Interim Superintendent Robert Gregory Kicks Off Celebrity Read in Newark Public Schools

[NEWARK, NJ – February 12, 2018] Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Robert Gregory recently kicked off the United Way’s Celebrity Read Program at First Avenue School. He was joined by Assistant Superintendent Erskine Glover, Principal Jose Fuentes, Essex County Freeholder Robert Mercado, members of the Newark Police Department and others. Celebrity Readers are reading in nearly 20 Newark Public Schools this year.

Interim Superintendent Gregory said, “The Celebrity Read Program allows us to share the joy of reading with our students and our community. Thank you to the United Way and to all participating NPS and to the United Way for continuing to bring this important program to our schools during the month of February.”

Celebrity Read was established by the United Way of Essex and West Hudson in 1991 as a community-building initiative to diversify the United Way volunteer base while inspiring elementary school children to read, dream, and set and accomplish goals. Recruited from all walks of life, Celebrity Readers travel to local schools where they read a brief passage about the accomplishments of model people of color who have played an important role in American or world history. The Readers also share their own life experiences to instill in the students a sense of pride and hope for the future, emphasizing the importance of education and reading in particular. Originally conceived as a way to celebrate African American History Month, the program was subsequently expanded to include people of other minority descent.

Broadway actress visits Rafael Hernandez School

Broadway actress Daisy Hobbs and Emmy-nominated filmmakers Marylou & Jerome Bongiorno visited Rafael Hernandez School of the Performing Arts during Arts Week. Throughout the week, students presented musical concerts, dance performers, and comedic scenes. The week culminated with a family arts celebration, during which parents, children and members of the community participated in various performing and visual arts activities.

Ms. Hobbs, who recently appeared in Aladdin on Broadway, spoke to students about her journey as a student in a local high school to a successful career as an actress. Newark artists Marylou and Jerome Bongiorno have created numerous fictional, documentary, art, and experimental films and screenplays with wide distribution exhibited in theaters and on PBS. They demonstrated to students the process of creating 3D films.

Falling in Love With Literacy!

Literacy Carnival Brings More than 300 Students and Families Out for a Night of Fun & Learning

[NEWARK, NJ – February 1, 2018] More than 300 families turned out for a night of fun and learning at the Literacy Carnival at 13th Avenue School. For two hours, students and parents played literacy games to encourage a love of literacy and to earn prizes as rewards for their participation and engagement, according to Principal Simone Rose.

Vice Principal LaShanda Gilliam, who created the Literacy Carnival said, “Student writing and literacy projects were the focus of the evening fun night. Games were displayed for families through the entire first floor of the school – all of our games were linked to learning. She added, “Our goal is to get as many families as possible to fall in love with literacy.”

The evening program included the reenactment of a play, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a poetry slam, playing Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and other games that connects reading to fun.

A parent with three daughters commented that the school effort was so rewarding for the children and the parents and it gave parents an opportunity to take, during the week to have fun with their children, in way that stresses learning and fun at the same time.

Assistant Superintendent Erskine Glover, who oversees 13th Avenue School said, “I commend the leadership, teachers and staff for their commitment to their students and the community and their relentless efforts to always highlight learning through educational games and engagement.”

NBA Basketball Standout Hassan Whiteside Returns to East Side High School to Retire His Number After Record Game with Miami Heat


[NEWARK, NJ – January 19, 2018] NBA standout and former East Side High School student athlete, Hassan Whiteside, returned to his high school yesterday to retire his #32 Red Raiders jersey before a packed audience of school administrators, players, cheerleaders, family members and Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra and teammates from the Heat, and representatives of the National Basketball Association. Teammates Goran Dragic, Bam Adebayo, James Johnson were among those on hand.

Hassan played for East Side during his high school years growing up in Newark, where a great deal of his family continues to live. Hassan said, “I am honored to return to East Side and to the Red Raiders to say thank you and to encourage the players and students to do their best, in sports, in their studies and in their life.” He also thanked Coach Anthony Tavares and Coach Bryant Garvin for their commitment to him and the team during his time at East Side and for their continuing commitment to them today.

Whiteside and the Miami Heat are in the NY/NJ Metropolitan area for their game against the Brooklyn Nets. Earlier this week, Whiteside became the first player in nearly eight years to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks and make 80 percent of his field-goal attempts in a game, since Orlando’s Dwight Howard against the Thunder on Feb. 25, 2011. In that game, Whiteside scored 27 points, had 13 rebounds and blocked six shots while also making 10 of his 12 field-goal attempts.

Dr. Mario Santos, Principal of East Side High School thanked Hassan and his family and coach for their visit to the high school to recognize Hassan’s accomplishments and “to inspire students to be their very best.”