Oliver Street School is the first newly constructed building in the East Ward in 104 years
[Newark, NJ – June 14, 2016] – Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf of Newark Public Schools (NPS) joined Principal Douglas J. Petty, Assistant Superintendent Roger León and State Senator M. Teresa Ruiz today in welcoming students, parents and teachers to the grand opening of the new Oliver Street School in Newark. The Schools Development Authority (SDA) invested $73.6 million dollars to build the state-of-the-art school, which is the second newly constructed facility in the school district this year after Elliot Street School was opened in March of 2016.
“The new Oliver Street School building represents a new chapter for the East Ward community’s families, one in which our future workforce will be educated in a modern, state-of-the-art facility,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “There are signs that we are making progress toward a brighter future here in Newark every day. Welcoming Oliver Street families to the first new school in the East Ward in 104 years is just another example of that important progress.”
The new Oliver School building will provide its students with modern, 21st century facilities. Located on the west side of the existing school at 86 Oliver Street, the new school is 137,000 square feet with 40 classrooms and will serve approximately 850 students.
“It is an honor to welcome the parents, students and teachers of Oliver Street School to this beautiful, new facility,” said Superintendent Cerf of NPS. “The students of Oliver Street School will now be able to learn and grow in a state-of-the-art facility that will not only be a positive a place for students to learn, but will also be a benefit to the community— as the first newly constructed school building this neighborhood has welcomed in over a century.”
The new building will also provide access to a separate cafeteria, media center, and gymnasium and will have the added benefit of being the first new school building constructed in the East Ward in 104 years.
“Our students deserve to learn in an inspiring and safe learning environment, and the Oliver Street School community now has a state-of-the-art facility to call their own,” said Senator M. Teresa Ruiz. “By investing in education we are investing in Newark’s future, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this new building will have on the East Ward and City of Newark.”
The school will continue to serve grades prekindergarten through 8 in the 2016-2017 school year. This new building is part of a long-term facilities plan set by the SDA in partnership with the district.
“I would like to thank the Schools Development Authority, Mayor Baraka, Superintendent Cerf and so many other community leaders for investing in the students and families of Oliver Street School,” said Principal Douglas Petty of Oliver Street School. “As the first new school in the East Ward in over 100 years, I have no doubt that our incredible and resilient children will thrive in their modern, 21st century learning environment.”
“The families of the East Ward and Oliver Street School have been patiently waiting for a new, state-of- the-art school building that will help provide an excellent, 21st century education for our children,” added Roger León, NPS Assistant Superintendent. “I am looking forward to seeing how children’s lives will change for the better in the coming years as they step foot into the first newly constructed building in their neighborhood in over 100 years.”
In addition to the Oliver Street School project, the district is also planning a construction project at South Street School, which is planned for completion in fall of 2018, and recently completed arrangements with a design company.