• Skip to main content
West Side
School Directory
District Home
District Home
School Directory
West Side
[gtranslate]
[gtranslate]

Newark

Board of Education

District Water Quality Reports Inclement Weather Closings District Calendar District Webmail Login Google Drive Newark BOE on Facebook Newark BOE YouTube Channel Newark BOE on Instagram

Quick Links

Commonly requested Pages and Links from within NPS web site.

  • Weather Closings
  • Assessments
  • Curricular Resources
  • Digital Learning Platforms
  • Evaluation Resources
  • PowerSchool Support
  • Professional Learning
  • Staff Development
  • Student Portal
  • Alumni Association
  • Jewish Renaissance Medical Center
  • NBOE Careers
  • Mealpay Plus
  • NPS HIB Grades
  • Vendors

Newark

Board of Education

District Water Quality Reports Inclement Weather Closings District Calendar District Webmail Login Google Drive Newark BOE on Facebook Newark BOE YouTube Channel Newark BOE on Instagram

Quick Links

Commonly requested Pages and Links from within NPS web site.

  • Weather Closings
  • Assessments
  • Curricular Resources
  • Digital Learning Platforms
  • Evaluation Resources
  • PowerSchool Support
  • Professional Learning
  • Staff Development
  • Student Portal
  • Alumni Association
  • Jewish Renaissance Medical Center
  • NBOE Careers
  • Mealpay Plus
  • NPS HIB Grades
  • Vendors
WestSide-Logo

West Side

High School | 9-12

School of Business and Finance

  • Home
  • Our School
    • News
    • Vision and Mission
    • School Staff
      • School Leadership
      • Instructional Staff
        • Career and Technical Education
        • English Language Arts
        • Health and Physical Education
        • History
        • Mathematics
        • Science
        • World Language
      • Guidance
      • Child Study Team
      • Special Education Staff
      • Student Support Team
      • Security
      • Clerks
      • Custodial Team
      • Cafeteria Staff
    • Our School’s History
    • Bell Schedule
  • Student Life
    • Student Handbook
    • Student Activities
    • Academics
      • Career & Technical Education
      • Dual Enrollment
      • English
      • Physical Education and Health
      • Mathematics
      • Fine Arts
      • History Department
      • Science
      • World Language
    • SAT Practice Test
    • Scholarships
    • Technology Issues
      • Chromebook Issues
      • Chromebook FAQ’s
  • Athletics
    • Fall Sports
      • Cheerleading
      • Cross Country
      • Football
      • Girls Volleyball
      • Soccer
    • Winter Sports
      • Bowling
      • Boys Basketball
      • Cheerleading
      • Girls Basketball
      • Indoor Track & Field
    • Spring Sports
      • Baseball
      • Boys Volleyball
      • Golf
      • Softball
      • Track & Field
  • CTE Pathways
    • DECA
    • SkillsUSA
  • Parent Portal
    • Resources
      • Right To Know
  • Urban Farm
  • Calendars
    • School Calendar
    • 2022-2023 District Calendar
    • 2023-2024 District Calendar

Newark’s West Side HS is a Special Champ to Morristown-Beard Coach Who is Fighting Cancer

Barry Carter | The Star-Ledger | Email the author | Follow on Twitter

The Newark basketball team wearing pink socks, sneakers and T-shirts had Coach Eddie Franz on edge, as he nervously watched to see if they could close out the championship game on Sunday.

"All right boys, guard up,'' he said, seated in section 202 at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway.

His playoff season at Morristown-Beard School ended last week, but Franz was channeling his thoughts to West Side High School, his second-favorite team, for good reason.

The team was wearing its pink ensemble in his honor. Franz, 60, has lung cancer.

He appeared to be calm as the Rough Riders were clinging to a two point lead with 1:13 remaining in the Group 2 NJSIAA final against Camden High School.

Internally, though, he was rooting hard because the team has been helping him through a tough period in his life.

Although pink is the color usually used to denote breast cancer, kids don't make a color distinction, they just see cancer and they wanted to do something for Franz, who has been a part of Newark basketball for 13 years.

"It really hurt me,'' said Yasim Hooker, an 18-year-old senior who has known Franz since elementary school. "I was in a lot of pain.''

The socks and sneakers are plain as day, but the T-shirts they wore on the layup line and on the bench crystalized their thoughts.

"Pray for Franz" was written on the back.

"Another Day. Another Chance" was on the front. The logo belongs to Fam Eternal, a Newark apparel company that made the shirts and whose co-owner knows Franz, too.

Since the coach's diagnosis in January, pink has become the teams lucky color for an unlucky disease. West Side has gone 9-0, but it needed one more victory to claim its second consecutive Group 2 title and to win for Franz.

"The thing about the disease, you feel like you want to do something to be a part of the fight,'' Franz said. "I think that's what these kids felt like they needed to do.''

The relationship between Franz and Newark starts with Akbar Cook, the head coach at West Side.

Franz has known Cook since he was a 15-year-old teenager at Life Camp, an outdoor summer program in Pottersville where Franz has been director for 30 years.

"He's been a mentor to me, almost like a father figure that I didn't have growing up,'' Cook said.

Franz hired Cook to work at the camp as a counselor. Years later, after Cook graduated from college and expressed an interest in coaching, Franz hired him to be junior varsity coach at Morristown-Beard.

Cook moved on to Newark Vocational School and the relationship between the two men strengthened. Franz would help Cook train his team, which would play a scrimmage game against Morristown-Beard before the season and a regular season game at the end.

The urban and suburban players became friends. They were around each other a lot, playing in the same summer basketball leagues and working as counselors at Life Camp.

"We called it Vo-Beard," Franz said.

About three years ago, Cook was hired at West Side as head coach and the Vo-Beard connection might as well have been called West Side-Beard. The kids kept scrimmaging with each other on the court and working together at camp.

Since Franz's shocking diagnosis, the relationship has grown even closer. The kids blew him away when he first saw them wearing pink during an Essex County tournament game last month.

Franz was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a cancer that usually afflicts smokers, but one the American Cancer Society said is prevalent in non-smokers.

Franz, who never smoked, thought he had pneumonia after exercising one morning in January. He had shortness of breath and went to the hospital for a chest x-ray.

"The first thing they (doctors) say to me is, 'Are you a smoker?' '' Franz said. "I knew at that point, there was a problem.''

It shook him up.

Cook was rattled, too. He wore pink last year when he coached West Side to its first championship. Pink tie, shirt and socks. Pink anything. He did it to honor his late mother-in-law and two aunts, who died from the disease.

Two weeks ago, West Side's starting center, Quaion Taylor, learned that his grandmother had cancer.

"This is bigger than basketball," Cook said.

When he got the call from Franz, that's all he could think about.

"I was saying here we go again,'' Cook said. "I'm not a crier, but I was on the phone crying with him.''

He told Hooker about Franz's diagnosis and the two put their heads together.

"I thought it would be a good idea to wear pink to represent Franz and win a state championship,'' Hooker said.

Quayon Williams-King, 18, said, pink is his favorite color and Franz is one of his favorite people because of the coach's honesty.

"He always kept it real with me,'' said Williams-King. "He would tell me if I was doing something wrong.''

Franz, however, said he doesn't feel special. He's gracious.

"To see kids supportive of somebody who is not their coach, it kind of shows the comraderie that basketball gives you, and how relationships develop over the course of time.''

Franz may want to change his mind about not feeling special. Cook wore his pink shirt for the first time Sunday.

"I just want him to know that he's not alone,'' Cook said.

Before the game, the message was clear.

"Franz is here, let's do this for him,'' Hooker said.

They defeated Camden 51-49, and did their small part in helping a man who means so much to them cope with cancer.

View the story on nj.com.

https://newark.apppresser.com/wsd/wp-content/uploads/sites/99/2020/03/cropped-ws-business-logo.png

West Side High School

Google Map to West Side High School

Address & Contact Info

  • 403 South Orange Avenue
    Newark, NJ 07103

  • Main Office

    973-733-6977

  • Fax:

    973-733-8941

  • Mobile App

    West Side App

School Hours

Monday
8:10 AM - 2:40 PM
Tuesday
8:10 AM - 2:40 PM
Wednesday
8:10 AM - 2:40 PM
Thursday
8:10 AM - 2:40 PM
Friday
8:10 AM - 2:40 PM

Bell Schedule

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB)

  • Anti-Bullying Specialist

    Jamila Hammond
    Karen Towns-Worsley

  • Attendance Counselor

    Ayesha Cross

More HIB Information

NewarkBOE-Seal-white

Newark

Board of Education

Roger León, Superintendent

Where
Website Manager Login

Site Credits & Copyrights
Powered by WordPress

Important District Links

  • District Protocols and Ingress Procedures

  • NBOE School Calendar

  • Attendance Counselors

  • Curricular Resources

  • District Forms, Policies & Handbooks

  • Digital Learning Platforms

  • Gifted & Talented

  • NBOE Careers

  • District & School Budget Information

  • powerschool-icon

    PowerTeacher

  • Safe Return Plan 2021-2022

  • Strategic Plan: The Next Decade: 2020-30

  • Summer Programs

  • Summer Reading List

  • Title IX

  • Truancy Task Force

Important Parent Links

  • Lunch Applications/MealPay Plus

  • Monthly Menus

  • Newark Enrolls

  • PowerSchool Parent Portal

  • High School Voter Registration

  • Report Card Information

Records Requests

  • Diplomas, Transcripts & Graduation Verification

  • Employee Records & Requests

  • Employment Verification

Mobile Apps

Apple App Store
Google Play Store
child-find.png

Project Child Find

Hello!Alo!السلام علیکمBonjour!Salut!Hola!biтаю!নমস্কার!Oláជំរាបសួរ你好

Newark Public Schools speaks your language!
  • English
  • Español
  • Français
  • Português
  • Kreyòl ayisyen
  • العربية
  • اردو
  • বাংলা
English

Important Parent Information
Parents have the right to receive information or communicate with a staff member at their school or Board of Education (BOE) office in their language. If you or someone you know needs help, tell your school’s principal or parent liaison to call the Newark BOE at (973) 733-7333 or email hello@newark.apppresser.com.

Español

Los padres tienen derecho a recibir información o a comunicarse con un miembro del personal en sus escuelas correspondientes,  o en la oficina de la Junta de Educación (BOE) en su idioma. Si usted, o alguien que conoce necesita ayuda, dígale al director de su escuela o a la persona que sirve de enlance  entre los padres y la escuela  que llame a la Junta de Educación de Newark al (973) 733-7333; o envíe un correo electrónico a hello@newark.apppresser.com

Français

Les parents ont le droit de recevoir des informations ou de contacter un des membres du personnel de l’école de leurs enfants ou un des membres du conseil de l’éducation de Newark (BOE) en leur langue maternelle.  Si vous ou quelqu'un d’autre avez besoin d'aide, veuillez contacter le directeur de l’école ou La liaison école-parents pour appeler le conseil de l’éducation de Newark au (973) 733-7333; ou envoyez un e-mail à hello@newark.apppresser.com.

Português

Os pais têm o direito de receber informações ou se comunicar com um membro da equipe na escola ou no escritório do Board of Education (BOE) em seu idioma. Se você ou alguém que você conhece precisar de ajuda, diga ao diretor da escola ou ao contato dos pais para ligar para o BOE de Newark em (973) 733-7333 ou e-mail hello@newark.apppresser.com.

Kreyòl ayisyen

Paran yo gen dwa pou yo resevwa enfòmasyon oswa pou yo kominike ak yon manm pèsonèl nan lekòl l yo, oswa biwo Konsèy Edikasyon an (BOE) nan lang yo. Si oumenm oswa yon moun ou konnen bezwen èd, di direktè lekòl ou a oswa lyezon paran nan lekòl ou pou rele Komisyon Konsèy Edikasyon Newark nan (973) 733-7333; oswa imèl hello@newark.apppresser.com.

العربية

يحق لأولياء الأمور تلقي المعلومات أو التواصل مع أحد الموظفين في مدرستهم أو مكتب مجلس التعليم (BOE) بلغتهم. إذا كنت أنت أو أي شخص تعرفه بحاجة إلى المساعدة، فأخبر مدير مدرستك أو مسؤول اتصال أولياء الأمور بالاتصال بـ Newark BOE على الرقم  7333-733 

اردو

والدین کو یہ حق حاصل ہے کہ وہ اپنے اسکول یا بورڈ آف ایجوکیشن کے دفتر میں عملے کے کسی رکن سے ان کی زبان میںوالدین کو یہ حق حاصل ہے کہ وہ اپنے اسکول یا بورڈ آف ایجوکیشن کے دفتر میں عملے کے کسی رکن سے ان کی زبان میں معلومات حاصل کریں یا بات چیت کریں۔ اگر آپ کو یا آپ کے کسی جاننے والے کو مدد کی ضرورت ہے تو، اپنے اسکول کے پرنسپل یا یا والدین سے رابطہ کرنے والے کو
973-733-7333
پر کال کرنے یا
hello@newark.apppresser.com
ای میل کرنے کو کہیں۔

বাংলা

অভিভাবকদের তাদের স্কুলে বা শিক্ষা বোর্ডের অফিসের একজন স্টাফ সদস্যের সাথে তাদের ভাষায় তথ্য পাওয়ার বা যোগাযোগ করার অধিকার রয়েছে। আপনি বা আপনার পরিচিত কারো সাহায্যের প্রয়োজন হলে  আপনার স্কুলের প্রিন্সিপাল বা অভিভাবক যোগাযোগকে (973) 733-7333 নম্বরে কল করতে বা hello@newark.apppresser.com ইমেল করতে বলুন।

Newark Board of Education • 765 Broad Street • Newark, NJ 07102

NewarkBOE-Seal-white

Newark

Board of Education

Roger León, Superintendent

Where
Website Manager Login

Site Credits & Copyrights
Powered by WordPress

Important District Links

  • District Protocols and Ingress Procedures

  • NBOE School Calendar

  • Attendance Counselors

  • Curricular Resources

  • District Forms, Policies & Handbooks

  • Digital Learning Platforms

  • Gifted & Talented

  • NBOE Careers

  • District & School Budget Information

  • powerschool-icon

    PowerTeacher

  • Safe Return Plan 2021-2022

  • Strategic Plan: The Next Decade: 2020-30

  • Summer Programs

  • Summer Reading List

  • Title IX

  • Truancy Task Force

Important Parent Links

  • Lunch Applications/MealPay Plus

  • Monthly Menus

  • Newark Enrolls

  • PowerSchool Parent Portal

  • High School Voter Registration

  • Report Card Information

Records Requests

  • Diplomas, Transcripts & Graduation Verification

  • Employee Records & Requests

  • Employment Verification

Mobile Apps

Apple App Store
Google Play Store
child-find.png

Project Child Find

Hello!Alo!السلام علیکمBonjour!Salut!Hola!biтаю!নমস্কার!Oláជំរាបសួរ你好

Newark Public Schools speaks your language!
  • English
  • Español
  • Français
  • Português
  • Kreyòl ayisyen
  • العربية
  • اردو
  • বাংলা
English

Important Parent Information
Parents have the right to receive information or communicate with a staff member at their school or Board of Education (BOE) office in their language. If you or someone you know needs help, tell your school’s principal or parent liaison to call the Newark BOE at (973) 733-7333 or email hello@newark.apppresser.com.

Español

Los padres tienen derecho a recibir información o a comunicarse con un miembro del personal en sus escuelas correspondientes,  o en la oficina de la Junta de Educación (BOE) en su idioma. Si usted, o alguien que conoce necesita ayuda, dígale al director de su escuela o a la persona que sirve de enlance  entre los padres y la escuela  que llame a la Junta de Educación de Newark al (973) 733-7333; o envíe un correo electrónico a hello@newark.apppresser.com

Français

Les parents ont le droit de recevoir des informations ou de contacter un des membres du personnel de l’école de leurs enfants ou un des membres du conseil de l’éducation de Newark (BOE) en leur langue maternelle.  Si vous ou quelqu'un d’autre avez besoin d'aide, veuillez contacter le directeur de l’école ou La liaison école-parents pour appeler le conseil de l’éducation de Newark au (973) 733-7333; ou envoyez un e-mail à hello@newark.apppresser.com.

Português

Os pais têm o direito de receber informações ou se comunicar com um membro da equipe na escola ou no escritório do Board of Education (BOE) em seu idioma. Se você ou alguém que você conhece precisar de ajuda, diga ao diretor da escola ou ao contato dos pais para ligar para o BOE de Newark em (973) 733-7333 ou e-mail hello@newark.apppresser.com.

Kreyòl ayisyen

Paran yo gen dwa pou yo resevwa enfòmasyon oswa pou yo kominike ak yon manm pèsonèl nan lekòl l yo, oswa biwo Konsèy Edikasyon an (BOE) nan lang yo. Si oumenm oswa yon moun ou konnen bezwen èd, di direktè lekòl ou a oswa lyezon paran nan lekòl ou pou rele Komisyon Konsèy Edikasyon Newark nan (973) 733-7333; oswa imèl hello@newark.apppresser.com.

العربية

يحق لأولياء الأمور تلقي المعلومات أو التواصل مع أحد الموظفين في مدرستهم أو مكتب مجلس التعليم (BOE) بلغتهم. إذا كنت أنت أو أي شخص تعرفه بحاجة إلى المساعدة، فأخبر مدير مدرستك أو مسؤول اتصال أولياء الأمور بالاتصال بـ Newark BOE على الرقم  7333-733 

اردو

والدین کو یہ حق حاصل ہے کہ وہ اپنے اسکول یا بورڈ آف ایجوکیشن کے دفتر میں عملے کے کسی رکن سے ان کی زبان میںوالدین کو یہ حق حاصل ہے کہ وہ اپنے اسکول یا بورڈ آف ایجوکیشن کے دفتر میں عملے کے کسی رکن سے ان کی زبان میں معلومات حاصل کریں یا بات چیت کریں۔ اگر آپ کو یا آپ کے کسی جاننے والے کو مدد کی ضرورت ہے تو، اپنے اسکول کے پرنسپل یا یا والدین سے رابطہ کرنے والے کو
973-733-7333
پر کال کرنے یا
hello@newark.apppresser.com
ای میل کرنے کو کہیں۔

বাংলা

অভিভাবকদের তাদের স্কুলে বা শিক্ষা বোর্ডের অফিসের একজন স্টাফ সদস্যের সাথে তাদের ভাষায় তথ্য পাওয়ার বা যোগাযোগ করার অধিকার রয়েছে। আপনি বা আপনার পরিচিত কারো সাহায্যের প্রয়োজন হলে  আপনার স্কুলের প্রিন্সিপাল বা অভিভাবক যোগাযোগকে (973) 733-7333 নম্বরে কল করতে বা hello@newark.apppresser.com ইমেল করতে বলুন।

Newark Board of Education • 765 Broad Street • Newark, NJ 07102