Schools

No. 6 Newark East Side defeats No. 1 Seton Hall Prep for first ECT title since 1978

Richard Greco | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com | View the story online
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Box Score
Newark East Side 4
Seton Hall Prep 0
[Montclair, NJ] Thirty-eight years passed since Newark East Side played for an Essex County Tournament championship and the Red Raiders weren’t going to let the opportunity slip away.

Behind goals from seniors Tiago Da Costa, Kevin Avila and Walter Hernandez, and junior Maicol Jumbo Pardo, second-seeded Newark East Side, No. 6 in the NJ.com Top 20, defeated top-seeded Seton Hall Prep, the No. 1 in the state, 4-0, in the Essex County Tournament championship at Montclair State University on Sunday.

The title was East Side’s first since defeating Vailsburg in PKs 5-4 in 1978. The victory was also the first time that the Newark Public school defeated Seton Hall Prep since Jose Pereira took over the program six years ago.

“It’s been a long time coming and a lot of hard work,” Pereira said. “They believed and that’s what it comes down to. Often times kids from Newark get overlooked and they are just the same as everyone else. Their hard work and perseverance paid off in the biggest game of their young lives.”

Da Costa got the scoring started in the the 30th minute when he put a feed from junior Thiago Duarte just inside the near post to give East Side a 1-0 lead.

“It started with Tiago (Da Costa) making that run,” Pereira said. “He is not a right back he’s a midfielder, but as a captain he does what ever it takes to get there.”

East Side built on its momentum two minutes into the second half when Hernandez sent a cross past a diving Jumbo Pardo and onto the waiting head of Avila, who beat beat Seton Hall Prep keeper Liam Bertrand – four saves – to put the Red Raiders ahead 2-0.

“It’s a great thing. It’s a great experience,” Avila said. “I’ve never played in a game like this in my life. This is actually my first game that has been so intense. As being a captain, I wanted to take this title. My three years being on varsity, we made it to the semis, but we never made it this far. The boys worked so hard in practice. The boys worked so hard during the game. I told them before this game started, ‘Hey everyone give 110-percent.’ We did it and we’re champs.”

Hernandez and Jumbo Pardo provided insurance goals in the final 10 minutes. Hernandez put home a rebound following a shot from Jonatas Barbos Pereira in the 71st minute and Jumbo Pardo sent a strike inside the far post on a breakaway to increase East Side’s lead to four goals.

Eric Silva Lopes was East Side’s rock between the pipes and made eight saves to record his fifth shutout of the year.

In preseason we saw right away (how good we were),” Silva Lopes said. “We felt good, the way that we were playing. We played well. That’s all that matters.”

Central High School Band, Dancers & ROTC Attend Delaware State University 125th Homecoming & Annual Parade

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Accompanied by Ms. Graves, Sgt. Branch and Mr. Allen, students left Central High School at 6 a.m. Saturday October 15 and headed down to Dover, the state Capital of Delaware to participate in the annual DSU HBCU Homecoming Parade. With nearly 75 students in attendance, our students were the only High School Band to participate in the annual event and received raving reviews from the crowd.

After participating in the parade, our students went to the Delaware State University campus to participate in HBCU homecoming activities before heading back home with an experience of a lifetime. When you see these youngsters please congratulate them as they represented Central High School and Newark Public Schools with honor, pride, dignity and respect.

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Introducing Zamar Wise, Barringer’s Elite 2019 Quarterback

Written by: Adam Baliatico

Zamar Wise is a name that soon enough, will be a nationally known name. The 6’1 quarterback who plays at Barringer in Newark, exploded onto the scene last year as a freshman, throwing for 1898 yards and 18TDs despite entering Barringer as a wide receiver. We caught up with Wise himself, Barringer Head Coach Ronly London and his quarterback coach Jeff Lucien from Lucien Passing Academy.

As an 8th grader, Zamar was thriving at the pop warner level as an athletic, big-play wide receiver. However, upon arriving at Barringer, the team needed a quarterback only two weeks before the season started when projected starting quarterback Shamir White transferred to DePaul Catholic.

Head Coach Ronly London was preparing to use Zamar’s older brother, Steven, as the teams quarterback, when he saw Zamar throw one deep pass down the field. “We were going to use Steven as our QB,” Coach London told Rutgers 247. “But then I watched Zamar throw one pass, a deep ball, and I said, Wow! That’s my quarterback.”

Initially Zamar was skeptical, according to Coach London. “He said, Coach I am a wide receiver, I am better there.” But Coach London convinced Zamar, and his father, to trust him. “I told Zamar and his dad, just trust me and Zamar will be a star at quarterback.”

Zamar and his father took the leap of faith and Coach London was right, as Zamar threw for over 1900 yards as a freshman, leading Barringer to an 8-2 record.

What should be scary for local defenses, and future college defenses, is that Zamar had that season as a freshman without any formal QB training until two weeks before the season.

As Coach Lucien told Rutgers247, “Last year, Zamar was playing with limited training. The improvements he has shown so far this year are a testament to his tremendous work ethic and all the work he put in the past year in improving as a passer.”

While Zamar is a tremendously hard worker, Coach London spoke about other qualities that make him a tremendous teammate and quarterback. “Zamar is a great listener,” Coach London said. “He is loyal, he is a student of the game, and he doesn’t get caught up in the hype.”

In terms of being a student of the game, Coach London noted how Zamar volunteered to be the freshman team’s offensive coordinator last year. “Zamar came up to me and asked me if he could call the plays for the freshman team,” Coach London told Rutgers247. “He was willing to get up at 7am every Saturday, head to the field, and be with the guys and call the plays. That’s impressive for a high school freshman.”

Talking more about not getting caught up in the hype, we spoke to Zamar and Coach London about Zamar’s decision to attend Barringer rather than a local parochial school as so many great talents in Newark do.

“Basically, I just wanted to be a leader,” Zamar told Rutgers247. “So many kids go to Bosco or Bergen and make it big. I just wanted to show kids in the area that you can stay at the public school and make it big and I didn’t want to be a follower, I wanted to be a leader and set my own path.”

Zamar’s tremendous talent, work ethic, and leadership qualities have him projecting as an elite, power-five level recruit and has already drawn interest from two major college programs in Rutgers and Temple.

In speaking with Zamar about what he is looking for in a college, he mentioned that he wants a program with great coaches, a good environment, and a strong science program, as he loves science, particularly physics.

So far, Zamar has met one college coach in Rutgers Head Coach Chris Ash, who he met this summer at the Rutgers passing camp. “I met Coach Ash this summer,” Zamar told Rutgers247. “He is a great guy and a great coach who is really smart and he is going to try and keep all the local talent home and get them to play at Rutgers.”

While Zamar is very close to his family and said he is impressed with Coach Ash and the Rutgers program, he mentioned Ohio State as his dream school. “Ohio State is kind of my dream school,” he said. “Their tradition of winning, coaching staff, and the fanbase are just unbelievable.”

While Zamar loves Ohio State, he did mention that Rutgers, now that they switched to a power-spread offense, will be a competitor for his services.

“I want to play in a spread or a power-spread offense at the next level,” he told Rutgers247. “So with that, Rutgers now is a possibility especially because of their new coaching staff and strong academics.”

One thing Zamar made clear is that he is going to try and find the right school for himself early on, as he does not like the attention or want to get caught up in the hype. “Once things get going with recruiting, I am going to try and find the right program very early on,” he said.

“I don’t want to deal with the stress of recruiting and want to find my home, commit, and then just get back to focusing on schoolwork and football.”

As a recruit, Zamar projects as a national level recruit, and could end up being one of the top quarterbacks in the country for the Class of 2019. Coach Lucien talked about his strengths as a quarterback, noting that “his arm strength is just incredible. He has the ability to throw the deep ball better than any quarterback I have seen at his age.”

In addition, Coach Lucien noted his “improving footwork, ability to take coaching, and his leadership” as qualities Zamar possesses while also noting that Zamar is still raw, and that there is tremendous room for even further improvement.

“He’s only been playing QB for a little over a year,” Lucien told Rutgers247. “As he gets more comfortable going through progressions and making reads, he is just going to become a better and better quarterback.”

Lucien concluded, saying, “I think Zamar is one of the best QBs in the country for his class. He has all the tools. Strong arm, great ability to take coaching, leadership qualities, incredible athleticism. He just has it all. He’s going to be big time.”

Stay tuned with Rutgers247 as Zamar’s recruitment should explode in the next 6 to 12 months, once his sophomore film hits the college campuses.

View the story here.

WQXR Donates Nearly 100 Instruments to Support Newark Public Schools’ Music Education Programs

Newark public schools like Harriet Tubman Elementary School receive new instruments that were collected and refurbished during WQXR’s instrument drive

[September 21, 2016 – Newark, NJ] Today, WQXR, New York City’s only classical music station, announced they are donating nearly 100 musical instruments ranging from clarinets to French horns and acoustic guitars — to seven Newark public schools to support music programs at Harriet Tubman Elementary School, East Side High School, Elliot Street School, Technology High School, Roberto Clemente, Branch Brook School and Barringer Academy of the Arts & Humanities.

The donation is the result of the station’s 2016 instrument drive which collected gently used musical instruments from area residents to support music programs throughout New York City and Newark public schools, as well as community music programs. This was the station’s second instrument drive, and the first time Newark schools were included as recipients.

“Music education is such an important and often overlooked part of a student’s educational development,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools (NPS). “WQXR’s generous donation will give the gift of music to more of our students and also help a new generation of young people develop an appreciation for the arts.”

“WQXR is thrilled to bring together music lovers with music schools through the WQXR Instrument Drive,” said Laura Walker, President and CEO, New York Public Radio, which includes WQXR. “The drive was so successful because residents near and far believe – as we do — in the value of music education, and wanted to pass along instruments that had meant so much in their own lives to the next generation. We are particularly proud to be able to extend the donations beyond New York City this year to Newark, and to help make music education available to more students.”

WQXR officials visited Harriet Tubman Elementary School and presented students with violins for their music education program. Harriet Tubman submitted an application requesting violins for their students in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade instrumental music program, where all students learn to play the violin. This gift will expand the number of students who have access to the violin and allow students to bring instruments home with them to practice.

“The Harriet Tubman Elementary School community is grateful to WQXR for donating instruments to our music program,” said Malcolm Outlaw, Principal of Harriet Tubman Elementary. “WQXR’s new instruments will give our music program new life, and I have no doubt that our students will put WQXR’s instruments to good use.”

“Music education is such an important part of a student’s curriculum,” said instrumental music Teacher Shariff Elhagin “Music helps students develop in almost every other area of their education including language and reasoning. Thanks to WQXR, more of our students will discover a love for music this year that will have a positive impact on their life.”

To date, the instrument drive has collected more than 5,000 instruments which have been distributed to more than 150 schools and community programs in the New York metro area and impacting more than 20,000 students. WQXR partnered with the New York City Department of Education and Newark Public Schools for the 2016 drive. The WQXR Instrument Drive is generously supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation. Additional support has been provided by Thomas S. and Patricia Y. Bain.

The WQXR Instrument Drive is supported, in part, by the InterContinental New York Barclay.

WQXR 105.9 FM, which streams live at www.wqxr.org, is New York City’s only all-classical music station, immersing listeners in the city’s rich musical life. WQXR presents new and landmark classical recordings as well as live concerts from Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, among other venues. WQXR also broadcasts essential destination programs including New York Philharmonic This Week and The McGraw-Hill Financial Young Artists Showcase. For listeners in search of the new, WQXR operates Q2 Music, an online music stream dedicated to contemporary classical composers, cross-genre adventures, and performances from New York City’s edgier venues. Operavore is WQXR’s opera site featuring news, interviews, and commentaries from the world of opera, as well as a 24/7 all-opera stream. WQXR.org provides essential playlist information and online listening, as well as original content, host blogs, NYC cultural news, and videos. The station’s free mobile app allows listeners to take WQXR with them wherever they go. As a public radio station, WQXR is supported by the generosity of its members and sponsors, making classical music relevant, accessible and inspiring for listeners in New York City and around the globe.

njtvWQXR Drive Brings Instruments to Newark Students| …In a school system like Newark Public Schools, where kids face challenges that others can scarcely imagine, music and music education can sometimes be an afterthought. But when a classical radio station (WQXR) and some generous listeners send a supply of instruments — over 100 in fact — that is music to the ears…“Here’s a little secret; when schools devote time and energy and resources to the arts — music, performance, visual arts — it actually contributes to student achievement in the academic subjects,” said Newark Public Schools Superintendent Chris Cerf. At Harriet Tubman Middle School, Principal Malcolm Outlaw says music is part of regular student curriculum. He said students like first-time violinist Joshua Moreno — Yankee fan and running back on the Pop Warner team — have found a new mode of expression… In all, seven Newark schools will get instruments, tools to — as a philosopher once said — wash away from the soul the dust of everyday life. The sound of kids at play is its own special melody but when you put instruments in their hands, then you’ve created an opportunity for a remarkable symphony. (NJTV News, 9/23)

SDA Officials Break Ground for New South Street Elementary School in Newark

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[NEWARK, NJ] – New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) CEO Charles McKenna joined Newark School District leaders today to break ground for the new South Street Elementary School.

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Superintendent Chris Cerf speaking at the groundbreaking for South Street School

“The construction of the South Street School and the two new schools that SDA opened in Newark earlier this year, mark a new beginning for the thousands of students who will walk the halls of these facilities,” said SDA CEO Charles McKenna. “This milestone we celebrate today exemplifies the State’s partnership and commitment with Superintendent Cerf and local representatives to provide Newark students with 21st century learning environments.”

The new South Street Elementary School will be an approximately 103,000 square foot facility designed to accommodate 657 students in grades Pre-kindergarten through eight. The project includes a separate parking area adjacent to the new facility. Once complete, the school will include 29 general classrooms, two science labs, six small group instruction rooms, a computer/technology lab, a world languages classroom, instrumental and vocal music rooms, an art room, a media center, a multipurpose room with stage, a cafeteria and a gymnasium.

“Today is a great day not only for the students, families and educators that make up the historic South Street School community, but for all of Newark Public Schools” said Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf of Newark Public Schools (NPS). “South Street School was established over 130 years ago, and thanks to the Christie Administration and the Newark leaders who advocated for this project, this school community will soon be able to enjoy a new 103,000 square foot state-of-the-art educational facility. Once open, the new South Street School building will be a place that provides our children with a positive and safe learning environment that will foster their academic and personal growth.”

The school is being constructed on a SDA acquired site. Prior to the start of construction, early site preparation activities were completed to ready the site for the new school.
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The school is being built using the design-build approach. This method differs from the traditional approach in that SDA contracts with one firm for both design and construction of a school facilities project. The design-build method also allows for some design and construction activities to proceed concurrently through phased advancement, an approach that potentially allows for improvement upon the original overall schedule.

Ernest Bock & Sons, Inc. of Philadelphia, PA was awarded a $36.9 million design-build contract for the design and construction of the school. As part of the design-build contract, Ernest Bock & Sons, Inc. is working with SSP Architectural Group of Bridgewater, New Jersey on the design. The project is being managed by STV Construction of New York. The total estimated project cost is $69.9 million.

To date, the SDA has invested more than $679 million in completed projects in Newark alone including seven new schools. Its current portfolio of active projects is valued at approximately $2 billion – including the Capital Project portfolio, emergent projects and Regular Operating District grants.

njcomGroundbreaking day for Newark city schools | The New Jersey Schools Development Authority and Newark Public Schools have broken ground on the new South Street Elementary School in the city’s Ironbound section. The new 103,000-square-foot facility … will feature 29 classrooms, two science labs, six small group instruction rooms, a computer/technology lab, a world languages classroom, instrumental and vocal music rooms, an art room, a media center, a multipurpose room with stage, a cafeteria and a gymnasium. The new school, which will accommodate 657 students in grades Pre-K through 8, will replace the original South Street Elementary School, which was built in 1883. “Today is a great day not only for the students, families and educators that make up the historic South Street School community, but for all of Newark Public Schools,” said Newark superintendent of schools Christopher D. Cerf at the Sept. 9 groundbreaking. (The Star Ledger, 9/18)

The City of Newark and Newark Public Schools Welcome Students and Families Back to School in the South Ward

Community Leaders Kick-Off School Year by Welcoming Families to Belmont Runyon Elementary School, a New South Ward Community School

[Newark, NJ – September 6, 2016] – Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools (NPS) Christopher D. Cerf, Board Chairperson Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson and other Newark school leaders welcomed students and families back to school at Belmont Runyon Elementary this morning for its official opening as a community school, part of the broader South Ward Community Schools Initiative (SWCSI). Community leaders are in the process of launching five community schools in the South Ward and released a report today that details what was heard from each school community about their needs and how SWCSI plans to address those needs.

“I am excited to be here today at Belmont Runyon to welcome students to their new community school,” said Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf of NPS. “The South Ward Community Schools Initiative has the opportunity to transform the lives of students, families and their communities. By implementing this innovative model, the district and the city will be able to work together more effectively to support schools, families and educators in their efforts to provide students with the essential support services they need to achieve educational and career success.”

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NPS Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf, Assistant Superintendent Erskine Glover, Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Belmont Runyon Principal Shawn Oxendine-Walter, State Senator Teresa Ruiz, School Board Chair Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson, and Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin

Newark Public Schools (NPS), in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Comprehensive Community Education and the National Center for Community Schools (NCCS), launched an engagement effort last spring to gather feedback about how SWCSI can best support children, families and school communities. More than 200 parents and teachers participated in school-based focus groups and more than 750 community members provided feedback through individual and group meetings, small group discussions and large community events.

“As both a student and an educator here in Newark, I’ve always enjoyed the first day of school because students are excited, educators are at their best, and everyone is ready to go,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “We must bring that energy not just to the first day, but to every day of school. Particularly as we endeavor to move back to local control, making sure we as community members support schools like this one is extremely important. These are the children who will become the next generation of self-starters and leaders who then go on to give back to the City and their communities, and it is all of our jobs to help them get there.”

The SWCSI will be implemented incrementally throughout the start of the school year, with school and community leaders finalizing partnerships and onboarding staff members to address key priorities in the coming months. The city and district have set a goal for these five schools to transition into full-service community schools by the end of the school year. In addition to Belmont Runyon, the Newark schools participating in the SWCSI include Malcolm X Shabazz High School, BRICK Avon Academy, Louise A Spencer Elementary School and BRICK Peshine Academy.

“Community schools, as a strategy for organizing school and community resources around student success, fits well with the strengths and needs of the Newark Public Schools. Our team is pleased to help launch the five South Ward community schools at the start of this 2016-17 school year,” said Jane Quinn, Vice President, and Director of the National Center for Community Schools, at The Children’s Aid Society in New York City. “We have spent nearly a year working with Newark leaders to develop the South Ward Community Schools Initiative, working hand-in-hand with community members to design schools that deliver high-quality instruction in the classroom, while providing the enrichment, health, social and other support services for children and their families.”

The feedback gathered in recent months helped community and school leaders understand the needs that must be addressed in order to better assist students and families. Each SWCSI will implement a number of common strategies over the course of the 2016-17 school year to ensure students are provided with:

  • A high expectation for learning, with well-supported teachers and an instructional program that integrates services and supports
  • Lead agency partnerships and community school coordination to connect children and families to services, resources and supports
  • Integrated student data to help guide and accelerate student learning
  • School capacity to address the health needs of students, especially mental health services to address students suffering from trauma
  • Expanded learning time and student enrichment activities that reinforce what students are learning in the classroom
  • A strong community of caring, supportive adults who promote long-term student success for every child

“Today is a truly a momentous occasion for the students at Belmont Runyon School,” said Shawn Oxendine-Walter, principal of Belmont Runyon School. “This initiative will help us put in place the resources necessary to fully support the unique needs of our children. While there is much work that lies ahead, we are on an exciting journey of transformation, and I am confident we are on track to build a vibrant community school that will enrich and fulfill the lives of our students and their families.”

At Belmont Runyon School, some examples of these strategies that will be implemented over the next year include:

  • Building a partnership with Seton Hall University and a focus on building team, morale and support for all teachers and staff in school by starting the school year with a staff retreat co-facilitated by professionals from the Children’s Aid Society
  • Establishing a partnership with Rutgers School of Nursing and the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center to provide on-site medical and mental health services to address the health needs of students at Belmont Runyon
  • Creating strong community partnerships with organizations like PULSE and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, who have adopted the school and will assist with family and community programming and activities throughout the school year
  • Fully incorporating Belmont Runyon’s special needs pre-school and full early childhood program into its community school model, so that even the students with the greatest needs can benefit from the resources and supports available
  • Partnering with the Strive Program, lead agency who will provide a full-time community school coordinator to connect children and their families to the services and resources they need
  • Working with Strive and other expanded learning time providers to provide quality after school programs for every Belmont Runyon student beginning in Fall 2016

“Today we celebrate the initial implementation of the Community Schools Strategy in the South Ward Community Schools. This day is a result of relentless community drive, a partnership between the City of Newark and the Newark Public Schools, and the advice and guidance of community schools national experts,” noted Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson, Chairperson of the Newark School Board. “Much preparatory work has been done by the parents and staff at each South Ward community school. These schools serve as a catalyst for other schools in the Newark District that are developing partnerships around a community schools model. The members of the Board of Education support the Community Schools Strategy as the best model for removing the barriers to learning and increasing academic achievement, attendance, and graduation rates for our children. We look forward to supporting our community schools and all Newark Public Schools. We wish all Newark students, families, and education and support staff a productive successful school year.”

First announced in December 2015, the SWCSI is a partnership project of Newark Public Schools and the City of Newark with grant funding provided by the Community Foundation of New Jersey. To learn more about preparations made to welcome all Newark students back to school, please see a release the district shared earlier today.