Science Park High School

Newark Debater Selected for USA National Debate Team!

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Senior Science Park High School debater SunHee Simon has been selected as one of twelve students to compete on the USA National debate team. The executive director of the National Speech & Debate Association when commenting on the team said, “The students who were selected to USA Debate represent the most talented student debaters across the country. These students truly are the best of the best and we are thrilled to have the represent our organization on the global stage”. The team will be coached by both Aaron Timmons, director of speech and debate at the Greenhill School in Addison, Texas, and by Dr. Alfred Snider, director of debate at University of Vermont.

View the full story on newarkdebateacademy.org.

Newark Public Schools Senior SunHee Simon Selected to Represent the US on the National High School Debate Team

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October 15 – Newark Public Schools high school senior Sunhee Simon was chosen from among thousands of debaters across the United States to become an official member of the USA National Debate Team. Sunhee is one of 12 students from across the United States selected to compete against other national teams from around the world. Newark Public Schools’ debate programs have consistently been recognized as some of the best in the United States. We are delighted at this incredible milestone in Newark’s 34 year history of competitive academic debate.

The executive director of the National Speech & Debate Association commented, “The students who were selected to the USA Debate Team represent the most talented student debaters across the country. These students truly are the best of the best and we are thrilled to have them represent our organization on the global stage”. The team will be coached by both Aaron Timmons, director of speech and debate at the Greenhill School in Addison, Texas, and by Dr. Alfred Snider, director of debate at the University of Vermont.

Simon made history twice during the month of September. First, she was chosen to be a member of the national team. Then, SunHee went undefeated at the Greenhill School National Debate Tournament in Dallas, Texas to win Science Park’s first National Tournament since 1992.

SunHee responded to the news of her selection, “When I found out I was going to be on the USA debate team, I was extremely excited. The prospect of representing my country in an activity that I love is amazing in and of itself, but I knew that this would impact my community. When applying, I was adamant in showing that I not only want to represent my country, but my city. Newark has empowered me and shaped me into a talented young woman and I want the world-and even those within my community—to feel the same about young people from Newark. Debate is an activity that can change lives and through World’s Debate, I am able to display that on a macro-level. It’s truly an honor.”

The USA debate team will compete against teams across the world, with over 65 different countries participating in the Worlds Debating Championship since its inception in 1988. The USA debate team does a format of debate called “worlds schools debate”. According to the National Speech and Debate Association, “World Schools Debate is a unique and dynamic form of debate, unlike any other practiced in the United States. World Schools Debate features a dynamic format combining the concepts of “prepared” topics with “impromptu” topics, encouraging debaters to focus on specified issues rather than debate theory or procedural arguments. This highly interactive style of debate allows debaters to engage each other, even during speeches. This challenging format requires good teamwork and in-depth quality argumentation.”

SunHee will be traveling to Germany in November for her first official competition. The team will then head to New Orleans, followed by an event in Slovenia. The national team will finish their travels at the World Championships in Singapore in July. In the interim, SunHee will continue traveling across the country representing Science Park High School at local, regional, and national tournaments.

SunHee is a member of Science Park’s International Baccalaureate program where she maintains a 4.6 grade point average. She is applying to Stanford and hopes to debate for them next fall. Our hats are off to Simon as she represents Newark, New Jersey and the nation.

Arts High Jazz Musicians Perform in Washington, D.C. and NJPAC for Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Events

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Hitting the high notes at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington D.C. earlier this year, the Newark Public Schools Arts High School Jazz Combo represented their school and the district in a Jazz Informance hosted by Dr. J.B. Dyas, Director of Education at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Joined by Terell Stafford, one of today’s top jazz trumpeters, the students performed six pieces for an audience comprised of Thelonious Monk Institute staff members, U.S. Department of Education personnel, and faculty and students from local schools. Following the performance, the students shared their personal experiences as musicians and how they developed an appreciation for Jazz. One of the Arts High School students, drummer Derek Fykes, has just been awarded a full scholarship to attend the internationally renowned Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop, at the University of Louisville (KY) on July 6-11.

Derek’s message from Dr. J. B. Dyas read: “On behalf of our chairman Herbie Hancock and everyone at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, it is my pleasure to inform you that out of all the students attending the 11 performing arts high schools around the nation that we support, YOU have been awarded our full scholarship to attend the internationally renowned Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop. Congratulations!”

Additionally, the Arts High School Jazz Sextet will perform a FREE public concert on Friday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. (Chase Room) – along with internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist and recording artist Bobby Watson, as well as students from NPS’ Barringer, Arts, East Side and Science Park High Schools – at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (1 Center St., Newark). The concert is presented by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, in conjunction with Newark Public Schools and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Under the direction of teacher/flutist Lawrence Liggins and saxophonist Anthony Ware, the sextet is comprised of trumpeter Carlos Juncal; trombonist Craig Jacobs; guitarist Rahsaan Pickett; pianist Galo Inga; bassist Joseph Quiles; and drummer Derek Fykes.

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The concert is made possible by The Prudential Foundation, which provides year-round music programs at Arts High and other Newark public schools through the Monk Institute. Watson will serve as artist-in-residence during the three days leading up to the concert. The event marks the culmination of the Institute’s 2013-2014 National Performing Arts High School Jazz Program, which helps prepares students in Newark and eight other cities across the nation to become jazz’s next generation.

Science Park High School Teams Win Calculus and Statistics Contests in 2014 NPS Math Olympics

ScienceParkMathOlympicsApril2014Newark Public Schools high school math students again pitted their skills against each other in this year’s Calculus and Statistics competitions, which are the first events of the district’s annual Math Olympics. Science Park High School students scored highest in both contests, taking home the trophy as well as medals and electronic calculators.In the Calculus event, East Side was second and University third. Bard came in second in the Statistics event. Other participating schools were American History, Arts, Central and Technology.

The aim of the district’s Math Olympics is to inspire students to improve their math knowledge and skills while competing against their peers. The Math Olympics, which is organized by the Newark Association of Math Educators (NAME) in collaboration with other teachers, continues in the next few weeks with students in younger grades competing.

University Hospital EMS Staged Mock Car Accident to Teach Science Park HS Students a Serious Lesson

On Monday, April 28, New Jersey 101.5 radio station blared out a traffic report of a serious accident near Science Park High School in Newark.  Moments later a police car’s siren was heard in the distance, then getting closer and closer. When the car arrived at the scene two policemen got out and ran towards the crashed cars. One officer checked the motionless bodies, one a person lying outside on the hood, the other trapped in a car. The other officer checked a dazed driver and radioed for an ambulance.  More screaming sirens that sounded louder and scarier than the first, then almost immediately a University Hospital ambulance and Emergency Medical Services truck arrived. When the extrication equipment was brought out of the truck, everyone was rooted to the spot where they stood. When an actor dressed as the Grim Reaper showed up, it was obvious that for someone, there was no going back.More than 200 Science Park Juniors and Seniors attended the Every 15 Minutes mock scenario, which began with a staged car crash after a teen party and ended with the funerals of the students who had been “killed” by the teen drunk driver.  The program is named Every 15 Minutes because of the national statistics whereby a person is killed every 15 minutes due to drunk or distracted driving. In New Jersey, nearly a third of automobile accidents are related to alcohol consumption. The University Hospital/Science Park simulation included motor vehicle accident extrication, ambulances, paramedics, EMTs and transport to nearby University Hospital, where 35 percent of patients admitted to the trauma center in 2012 had a positive (any) alcohol level. The program also included mock court proceedings for the driver, who was found guilty and sentenced to jail, and the taking of other students from classrooms by the “Grim Reaper” every 15 minutes, and being returned in stage make up to appear dead.

The timing for presenting the program in Newark was very deliberate, before the school prom, graduation celebrations and summer parties: a warning not to drink and drive, or text and drive, or talk on the phone and drive.

“This was very real and a warning for all of us not to drink, or text, and drive,” said student Darren Lindsey who already has his driver’s license. Other students were almost in tears as the Perry’s Funeral Home hearse drove slowly down the street leading a procession of 25 ‘walking dead’ students.

Parent representative Denise Crawford summed up the goal of the exercise, “This will save lives, thank you,” she said.

Additionally, on the second day of Every 15 Minutes, Maria Esteves of Elizabeth, New Jersey spoke about her late daughter, Rosemary, who was killed by a drunk driver in 1991 at age eight.

NY Yankee Legend & Latin Grammy-Nominated Bernie Williams Onstage with NPS Jazz House Kids Music Club Students


As part of the annual Jazz House Kids Music Club and Vocal Summit Student Showcase, students from eight Newark Public Schools participated in a special workshop and concert with celebrated former Yankee All-Star and Latin GRAMMY nominee jazz guitarist Bernie Williams on Wednesday, April 23 at Science Park High School. Participating schools included: John F. Kennedy, Oliver Street, Science Park High, Abington Avenue, Maple Avenue, Rafael Hernandez and Arts High School.

As audience to an on-stage interview conducted by Melissa Walker, president and founder of Jazz House Kids, students had a chance to hear about Williams’ work and how he balanced his musical passions with his sports career. He credits his passion for music as a key to opening up his personal potential in both pursuits. A native of Puerto Rico, Williams discovered baseball and music at roughly the same time, when at the age of eight he fell in love with the sounds of a flamenco guitar, and also felt exhilaration when he first picked up a baseball bat. The young student-athlete quickly excelled in both pursuits, going on to attend the special performance arts school Escuela Libre de Musica at age 13 and becoming one of the most noted young athletes on the island, both as a track and field standout and one of Puerto Rico’s most sought after young baseball prospects. When Williams signed a contract with the New York Yankees at age 17, he brought his love of music with him – first to Albany for his development in double-A ball and then on to the Bronx and the most famous field in sports when called up to join the Yankees in 1991.

Williams’ story clearly resonated with NPS students, who had the opportunity to ask him questions after Walker finished her chat. After photos and a meet and greet, the ball player/musician joined students and teachers on the stage for a moving and memorable performance.

“We are thrilled that Bernie Williams, a man whose accomplishments bridge the world of sports and music, donated his time to speak with and connect to young music students in our Newark Public Schools music programs” Walker said. “Mr. Williams is an inspiration to young people, and his support of Jazz House Kids’ mission is so encouraging – his personal dedication to obtaining a college education tells two key stories: no award or sum of money can take the place of one’s education and we are never too old to learn. We at Jazz House Kids salute that message and work toward that end each and everyday through the medium of jazz – it is incredibly exciting that Mr. Williams stood on stage with over 100 music students from Newark Public Schools.”

For more than 13 years, Jazz House Kids has provided programming in the Newark Public School District, working with more than 12,000 young people K-12 and hundreds of teachers and administrators to offer music, mentorship and apprenticeship. The 2013-2014 Jazz House Music Club and Vocal Summit Jazz Residency programs currently serve more than 300 students in nine Newark Schools with year-long instrumental and vocal programming. These programs are provided free of charge to all of the participating students and are funded by the Iverson Family Foundation, Don Katz and Leslie Larson, The Prudential Foundation, Rivendell Foundation, The Silver Family Foundation, Turrell Fund, Victoria Foundation and support from our partnering schools.