Schools

2017 All-New Jersey Boys Basketball Coach of the Year

Mike Kinney | News 12 Varsity | Follow on Twitter
Akbar Cook Coach of the Year - West Side
When 6-9 Justin Jones broke a bone in his foot just before the postseason began and 6-4 Javonne Jones followed him to the sidelines several games later with a broken finger, Cook’s Roughriders were suddenly without their size for the stretch run of the Group 2 state tournament.

At least that’s true if measuring with a ruler. Cook’s three teams at West Side and six before that at Newark Vocational have always been defined by their scrap, indefatigable will and sense of unity inspired by the big, bearded man those kids call Coach. Despite those injuries–and the almost countless other obstacles facing an inner city team like West Side–the Roughriders (25-7) repeated as Group 2 state champion, and fell in overtime to Teaneck in the Tournament of Champions quarterfinals.

View the story on News 12 Varsity.

Barringer 2019 QB Zamar Wise Wins MVP honors at NUC’s 3 Kings Camp

Todderick Hunt | The Star-Ledger | Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter
Barringer QB Zamar Wise
Barringer’s (Newark, N.J.) Zamar Wise solidified himself as one of New Jersey’s top quarterbacks in the 2019 class as he earned MVP honors Sunday at the National Underclassmen Combine’s 3 Kings Quarterback Camp and Competition – East Coast. Held at Parsippany high school, the camp featured some of the top quarterback talent throughout the region, putting them through various drills and competitions for upwards of five hours — as the camp spanned from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Following the camp, NJ.com caught up with NUC founder, president and CEO Dave Schuman for a breakdown of Wise, whom he considers the top quarterback at his event.

“He’s got a great arm. He’s unbelievably accurate,” Schuman said. “When that ball comes out it slides out of his hand and it’s on target. The last half of the day is a lot of competition. We do like five different drill sets that they compete in. And I think he was top three in four of the five drills. And he was No. 1 in both accuracy drills. So he was really good. He gets the ball there with great velocity. He’s athletic, he’s got nice size (measured 6-3, 182).”

Schuman also raved of Wise’s coach-ability and knack for making corrections on the go.

“He really takes to coaching well, too,” Schuman said. “As you’re going through it and you’re showing him things that he can work on to get better, he really kind of takes to that and continues to improve. So I thought he was just really really a guy completely under-served in the recruiting space. I don’t know his academic situation or anything like that, but as far as his ability he is no doubt a scholarship quarterback. If he’s not at the highest of highest levels, which he might be, he’s definitely a division 1 level guy.”

Schuman is as impressed with Wise as any sophomore quarterback he’s seen this year. And a lot of that has to do with his poise, despite not attending many camps in the past.

“I just think he’s got a great way about him. He’s calm, he’s cool, he’s collected and he just approaches things really well. But I wasn’t surprised. When he came in there, he looked the part of a Division 1 quarterback,” said Schuman. “And there were some really good quarterbacks there, too. But as he started to feel his way through, it was really cool to see somebody generate that confidence as he’s realizing, hey, I could end up being the top guy. And as he started going through it, he just got better and better because of that.”

Wise is a pro-style quarterback who can also run, coming off of an explosive sophomore campaign where he generated 1,489 passing yards and 15 TDs (to only five INTs) on 62 percent passing, and 540 rushing yards with five additional scores on 61 carries. He also converted six two-point conversion attempts.

Already a two-year starter, Wise had just as explosive a season as a freshman in 2015, throwing for 1,898 passing yards and 18 TDs (to only six INTs) to go along with 119 rushing yards and two additional scores. Wise trains throughout the off-season at the Lucien Pass Academy and plans to continue to prove his worth competing at camps this summer.

Although he has yet to field his first offer, he’s being recruited by Rutgers, Penn State, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Temple and a number of other Power 5 schools throughout the region.

Notre Dame could potentially get in on the action as defensive coordinator Mike Elko is expected to visit Barringer this week to inquire more about Wise, who has also received camp invites from Florida State and Clemson.

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Two NPS Administrators Selected as Finalists for Prudential’s “Newark’s Cornerstones” Competition

Akbar Cook, of West Side High School, and Charity Haygood, of B.R.I.C.K. Avon Academy, were selected for their positive impact on Newark’s future; Voting closes on Friday March 31

Newark's Cornerstones
Akbar Cook (left) and Charity Haygood (right) have been transformational in their daily work serving Newark children, families, and communities

[Newark, NJ – March 30, 2017] As Newark celebrates its 350th anniversary, two Newark Public Schools (NPS) administrators have been selected as finalists for Prudential’s “Newark’s Cornerstones” competition, a contest which showcases leaders across Newark for their dedication in making a positive impact on Newark’s future. Akbar Cook, Vice Principal of West Side High School (WSHS), and Charity Haygood, Principal of BRICK Avon Academy, are two out of eight finalists who were chosen over the course of the last eight months by Prudential, Prudential Center and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s office. Finalists were selected based on the degree to which they represent at least one of “Newark’s Cornerstones” pillars, which include innovation, commitment, and positive influence.

“Congratulations to Ms. Haygood and Mr. Cook, two transformational NPS school leaders who were selected as finalists in Prudential’s “Newark’s Cornerstones” competition for the positive impact they have made on Newark students, families, and communities,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “It’s exciting to witness two devoted educational leaders being recognized for their daily work to build a stronger future for Newark by serving the needs of all students and families and ensuring all children have access to excellent educational opportunities.”

Akbar Cook is the vice principal at WSHS, where he manages school operations related to disciplinary procedures, school climate and culture, and security. Mr. Cook is also the head coach of the WSHS varsity boys’ basketball team, the 2017 Group 2 NJSIAA champions. In addition to his daily work as vice principal and head coach, Mr. Cook has led a variety of transformative initiatives at WSHS. Last summer, Mr. Cook, with the support of the West Side Alumni Group and the MCJ Amelior Foundation, started the Lights On Program, a nighttime recreation program for kids and young adults. Mr. Cook’s program served approximately 80 students per night throughout the summer. Mr. Cook has also partnered with the Community Food Bank of NJ to provide food packs each Friday night to any students and families in need of food on weekends. Recognizing that many kids are not attending school regularly because they do not have clean clothes, Mr. Cook is also working to build a laundromat and study hall at WSHS to increase student attendance and support student achievement.

Principal Charity Haygood has been an educator for over two decades, serving thousands of students and families throughout Newark’s South Ward. Early on, she taught literacy, social studies and science to sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Bragaw Avenue School for nine years. In 2004 and 2005, during her last two years in the classroom, Ms. Haygood received the the Governor’s Teacher Recognition Program Award for her educational contributions. After leaving the classroom, Ms. Haygood transitioned into an NPS administrator role, serving as vice principal at Chancellor Avenue School for five years. In 2010, Ms. Haygood began serving as the principal of BRICK Avon Academy. As one of BRICK Avon Academy’s founding board members, Ms. Haygood, along with five other Newark educators, worked 18 months to develop the blueprint for BRICK (Building Responsible Intelligent Creative Kids). BRICK Avon Academy is one of five NPS schools that is a part of the South Ward Community Schools Initiative.

Out of the eight finalists who have been chosen, the grand prize winner will be selected by the general public through public online voting at www.prucenter.com/newarkscornerstones. Online voting, which has been open to the public since the beginning of March, will close on March 31. The grand prize recipient will be announced on Saturday, April 8, at the Prudential Center on ‘Fan Appreciation Night’ for the New Jersey Devils’ final home game of the 2016-2017 NHL season. In addition to being recognized for their dedication and impact, the grand prize winner will receive two tickets to Prudential Center events, including Devils games, for one year.

Science Park High School Robotics Team Brings Home Another Trophy!


Science Park High School robotics team is proud to bring home the winner trophy for the MAR-Mid-Atlantic robotics Bridgewater championship. This top achievement at this high tech STEM event is a recognition for our teams’ commitment and hard work and for the great job that all Science Park staff members are doing with our students.

Congratulations to you all! Special thanks go to Dr. Okil for his years of active involvement with the club.

Full list of Award Winners.

Newark High School Student Contributes to a Cleaner Community

By: Vince Baglivo | BrickCityLive
Cleaner Community Brick City Live - Bard

On a recent snowy Saturday morning, while many of her high school peers were still asleep in their warm beds, Asada Rashidi was hard at work keeping the streets in her South Ward neighborhood clean and crosswalks clear for pedestrians.

Asada, a junior at Newark’s Bard Early College High School, is the first volunteer member of the Bergen-Lyons-Clinton Partnership (BLCSID) Clean Team Ambassadors. And the organization’s board members and professional staff, along with local residents, business and property owners, couldn’t be more pleased with her effort and commitment.

Known locally as the South Ward Special Improvement District (SID), the BLCSID was established to help the area compete, improve and sustain commercial viability. A public/private partnership between the City of Newark, local business and commercial property owners and residents focused on generating economic activity and community development, the SID moved forward in 2016 with an aggressive streetscape maintenance program that is transforming the streetscape, including vacant lots and properties in need of extra attention.

Chris Bernardo, principal of Commercial District Services (CDS), the company that oversees the hiring, training, scheduling and work of the Clean Team Ambassadors, said he was pleased to partner with Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the BLCSID to establish the program. Like all members of the Clean Team Ambassadors, Asada is a resident of Newark and the South Ward.

“Asada is applying the same hard work and focus that she brings to her academics to her commitment to serving her neighbors,” Bernardo stated. “Special thanks to supervisor Jerry Blankman and team leader Quanika Joseph for their guidance and support as mentors for Asada.”

The Clean Team Ambassadors have been gathering more than 240 bags of garbage and removing 25-50 graffiti tags, stickers and posters on a weekly basis as part of the supplemental streetscape services the South Ward SID funds in support of the City of Newark’s Department of Sanitation.

“The Clean Team Ambassadors we have hired with the help of the job placement programs provided by the City of Newark and Beth Israel Medical Center are making a difference in their own community, contributing to a better quality of life for their families, friends and neighbors while learning valuable job skills and earning a paycheck,” Bernardo added.

“I’m proud of her desire to help keep our community clean,” said Asada’s mother, Atiya Jaha-Rashidi, Director of Special Projects at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center & Children’s Hospital of NJ, and the BLCSID’s Second Vice President. “She proactively sought this opportunity to be the Clean Team Ambassador’s first volunteer, and she is always eager to help out.”

When asked about her volunteerism, Asada said she has enjoyed her experience and looks forward to making more contributions. I love it; it’s cool to help set an example by cleaning up the streets in your own neighborhood.”

“A clean, safe and welcoming community is the standard we are committed to on behalf of the people who live, work, shop, dine, invest and worship in the South Ward, and the people who visit our neighborhood and Newark,” concluded Ronice Bruce, the SID’s Executive Director. “Asada, and all of our Clean Team Ambassadors, are now recognized and welcomed in their community for the work they are doing that we believe will contribute to the South Ward becoming the ward of choice in our city.”

A complete schedule showing where the Clean Team Ambassadors are working in the district on a weekly basis can be found at www.southwardsid.com, along with more information about programs, services and opportunities to support and contribute to the initiatives of the South Ward SID. You can also follow news from the South Ward SID through social media at Facebook.com/SouthWardSID.

View the story on BrickCityLive.com.

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Hero & Daughter Dance at Hawkins Street School

Hawkins Street Hero Dance 2017On Friday, March 10, 2017 Hawkins Street School hosted a Hero and Daughter Dance with over 250 attendees.

The dance was designed to have pre-k to 4th grade girls honor and invite their male hero; dad, uncle, grandfather, brother or other prominent male figure. Everyone in attendance was dressed to impress and the music kept all in a festive mood. Guests were also invited to experience a photo booth and enjoy a light dinner.