Welcome to this week's education news round-up and remember to help your school celebrate Newark 350 by applying now! In addition to our weekly educational roundup of news, the newswire will also feature new and  interesting resources and information related to the upcoming Newark Public Schools Advisory Board Election. Follow our campaign!

Campaign Central

The Trust has launched a new campaign to provide Newark voters with objective, up-to-date information about the Newark Public Schools Advisory Board election on April 19. Each week, we will feature information about each of the candidates, commentary from education experts and insights into the most important issues relating to our schools,

This week, we take a look at the history of voter turnout in school board elections as well as review the role of local school boards in supporting student achievement. Check out our new blog post and fact sheets here and here.

LOCAL

 A Very Bad Week for Newark’s Public Schools Manages to Get Worse

 The  Newark Public Schools has shut off water fountains at 30 school buildings due to high levels of lead detected in the water. Donations can be made at the following locations:

• Boylan Recreation Center, 916 South Orange Avenue, 973.733.8947
• Sharpe James/Kenneth A. Gibson (lronbound) Recreation Center, 226 Rome Street, 973.733.3707
• John F. Kennedy Recreation Center, 211 West Kinney St., 973.733.5483
• Rotunda Recreation Center, 75 Clifton Avenue, 973. 733.3677
• St. Peters Recreation Center, 378 Lyons Avenue, 973.733.8006

Learn more about which schools have elevated levels here.

Visiting Newark Charter, Christie Jumps Headlong into City's Debate

During a recent visit to Alexander Street School, Governor Chris Christie praised his administration and defended his decision to expand and open new charter schools in Newark. Responding to criticism from Mayor Ras Baraka, the Governor also expressed his commitment to making regulatory changes in the charter sector. Learn more about the Mayor’s response here and other reactions here and here.

College Success Centers for Newark high school students celebrate one-year anniversary today

The Abbott Leadership Institute-Youth Media Symposium (ALI-YMS) College Success Centers are celebrating the one-year anniversary of their College Readiness initiative.

Job Fair: It Takes a Whole Village to Educate A Child, Do You Have What It Takes?

The Marion P. Thomas Charter High School of Culinary & Performing Arts will be hosting an educational job fair on Saturday, March 12 from 9:00AM – 12:00PM.

Teachers, educational professionals, counselors, and recent graduates are encouraged to attend to learn more  about current job opportunities.

Students in Action: Newark Youth Summit                     

The Newark Youth Council will convene its Annual Newark Youth Summit, at Essex County College on Saturday, April 2^nd, from 8:30AM – 4:00PM.

Highly Competitive Debate Program at Science Park High School Featured in Television Segment (Video)

Featured on NJTV, the 35-year-old competitive debate program at Science Park High School, demonstrates how debate can strengthen students’ emotional and intellectual skills as well as prepare them for standardized tests.

 REGIONAL

Bill Expanding, Bolstering Early Childhood Education Unveiled in State Senate

A legislative package to expand and improve early childhood education and services passed the State   Senate’s education committee, receiving full support from Senate President Stephen Sweeney. However, despite widespread support, questions of how and when the programs will be implemented remain unanswered.    

Paterson School Officials Want to Shift Struggling Boys’ School to New Building

Unhappy with current facility conditions at the Paterson Leadership Academy for Young Men’s school building, members of the Paterson Board of Education supported a request to move the boys program to one of the cities’ two new school buildings.

Early Takers Say New SAT 'Wasn't So Bad' and Not So Tricky

Students who have taken the new SAT share their testing experience with the redesigned standardized college entrance exam. The new exam includes an optional essay and 155 multiple-choice questions, compared to 171 in the old version.

 NATIONAL

 Senate committee votes to confirm John King, Obama’s nominee for education secretary

 The Senate Committee recently voted in favor of promoting John King Jr. to U.S. Education Secretary.  King has been serving as acting secretary since his predecessor Arne Duncan stepped down at the end of 2015.

When the Whole Family Goes to Pre-K

The importance of familial involvement in bolstering preschoolers  chances to excel, has paved the way for Pre-K for San Antonio, a child centered preschool that also provides specialized supports and training for parents.

Head Start Program Expanded in Flint to Help Kids Exposed to Lead

In an effort to support the large number of kids affected by high levels of lead in Flint’s water, Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services provided one-time funding of 3.6. million for the expansion of a Head Start Program by Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Designing a High School for Immigrant Kids        

With a substantial population of public school students from non-English native migrant background, two schools in D.C offer their experiences on how to create a school culture that addresses the educational adversities that immigrant children often face in developing their emotional and academic abilities.

When Social and Emotional Learning Is Key to College Success   

Despite the significance of test scores as a predictor of academic success, educators, school officials, and students point out the importance of social and emotional skills in preparing students to start and finish college.