Newark Trust
Welcome to this week's education news round-up.
Newark Quitman Street Public School Principal, Staff to Join President Obama in National Teacher Appreciation Day and National Teacher Appreciation Week at the White House
As part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, President Obama recognized Principal Erskine Glover and the staff at Quitman Street Community School for their hard work and dedication to the school. Both principal and staff were honored at a White House reception hosted by President Obama. The President has proclaimed May 1-May 7 2016 as National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Congratulations to the team at Quitman Street Community School! Read more here.
Do you have a personal story about a teacher that you would like to share?
Send your story to [email protected] with the subject #ThankATeacher. We would love to feature your story in our next roundup.
Newark 350 Grant Opportunity!
The Trust is currently accepting applications from schools to support the launch of educational activities that will bring together parents, educators and students in celebration of Newark’s cultural, historical and social roots. We have extended our deadline to May 18th. Schools and/or community-based organizations working in partnership with schools may apply here. Learn more by visiting our website.
LOCAL
Newark Arts Education Roundtable Examines Equality in Education
Using the arts as a catalyst for meaningful discussion, the NAER is presenting a staged reading and community discussion of the play entitled Lines in the Dust on Thursday, May 12th and Saturday, May 14th. Set in Essex County, the play will take a critical look at equity in education. For more information and to register click here.
Hear from former Newark mayors Kenneth Gibson and Sharpe James at Newark Public Library
As part of the Newark at 350: Settlement, Growth, Renewal exhibit ,the Newark Public Library will host a conversation between local author and historian Guy Sterling and former mayors of Newark, Kenneth Gibson and Sharpe James. The program, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Thursday, May 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Op-Ed: After Newark and Flint – Mandating Clean Water for All School Kids
Congressman Donald Payne Jr. has introduced new legislation, which would call on states to help schools establish programs to test for lead in drinking water.
REGIONAL
Christie: All N.J. school water fountains to be tested for lead
Governor Chris Christie has announced that beginning later this year, the state will test water in 3,000 schools for lead exposure and will publically release the findings. This program is anticipated to cost the state $10 million. As part of this announcement, Christie also shared that the state will adopt stricter guidelines for the investigation of lead once detected in a child's blood.
In response to the lead contamination, a number of parents from across Newark have filed a federal lawsuit over lead in the water. You can read the story here.
N.J. Wants to Know if School Should Start After 8:30 A.M.
As the state considers the possible benefits of later school start times, the state Department of Education is welcoming input from teachers, parents and students on whether school’s should start after 8:30 a.m. The DOE will hold a series of public hearings this week and accept online comments until May 20.
N.J. Congressman: Teachers Deserve Year Round Appreciation | Opinion
In celebration of Teachers’ Appreciation Week, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. reminds us of the importance of supporting teachers year round.
Teacher Protests Close Most Detroit Schools Again Tuesday
Beginning this Monday, the Detroit Federation of Teachers called for a “teachers’ sickout” in protest of the city’s inability to guarantee their pay after June 30.As part of the protest, more than 90 of the city’s roughly 100 public schools have been closed over the past two days.
Hundreds of Dads Show Up To High-Five Students, Boost Morale Before Exams
Last Monday, fathers, uncles, and other male-figures gathered at schools across the Jackson Public School District in Mississippi, to offer their support to young students as they arrived to take state exams. According, to one principal, the event led to positive changes in student behavior.
Education Reform 'Good Politics, Good Policy,' School Choice Advocate Says
In a recent CNBC editorial, Shavar Jeffries shares his perspective on how school reform can help bridge economic inequities between the wealthy and the poor and narrow the earning disparity between the more affluent and low-income.