In the 2014-15 academic year, many schools in Newark faced an unprecedented number of changes as a result of significant restructuring by the district. In response to these changes, the focus of the Funders’ Collaborative for High-Quality School Options (Funders’ Collaborative) Program, managed by the Newark Trust, was broadened to include those schools most affected by the changes to help ease transition and implementation issues.  

The Funders’ Collaborative unites local and regional funders committed to ensuring all Newark students have access to high-quality school options.

Principals’ Roundtable

On September 24th, the Trust hosted a principal-led discussion focused on the common challenges faced by schools and the exploration of collective work that may strengthen social and emotional programming across the district.

The Trust hosted a principal-led discussion focused on the common challenges faced by schools.

Among these challenges, principals say, are inconsistent communications among schools and other agencies, a lack of funding and resources for staff and schools and lack of opportunities for parental engagement as a means of better addressing students’ needs.

Although increased funding has, in some instances, provided critical and important transitional support, greater efforts are needed to address the underlying circumstances that continue to hinder student learning. Despite progress, our schools continue to advocate for more resources and programs that address the social and emotional needs of their students. Such supports help schools better respond to the devastating impact that poverty continues to have on child development and educational outcomes in Newark.

It is for this reason that the 2015-16 Funders’ Collaborative Program will focus exclusively on strengthening social and emotional learning in our current cohort of schools.

This year we are pleased to receive support from the following foundations: Chad School Foundation , Foundation for Newark’s Future; Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Henry S. & Agnes M. Truzack Foundation, Prudential Foundation; Schumann Fund for New Jersey; the and the Victoria Foundation

The Trust looks forward to engaging with multiple partners to promote the importance of social and emotional learning in our schools.