Newark Board of Education & Newark Public Schools, the Office of Mayor Baraka and the Newark Municipal Council To Hold 1st Citywide Rally & Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Giveaway
The Community Engagement Committee of the Board of Education Connects the Community to Resources for School Readiness
The Rally and Giveaway at Shabazz Stadium is Open to All School-Age Children
[NEWARK, NJ – August 3, 2018] As part of a district and citywide effort to prepare students for the first day of school in September; the Newark Board of Education, Newark Public Schools, the Office of Mayor Ras J. Baraka and the Municipal Council will hold the 1st Citywide Rally & Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Giveaway on Thursday, August 30, 2018 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Malcolm X Shabazz High School stadium. The school is located at 80 Johnson Avenue. The event is open to all school-age children.
Backpacks and school supplies; such as notebooks, pencils, ink pens, markers, and other items needed by students to start the school year off right, will be distributed at the event. This is the first partnership between the Board of Education, the school district, the city and the Municipal Council, according to Josephine Garcia, Chair of the Newark Board of Education. “One of our goals as a Board is to begin to develop community-based programs that benefit NPS students,” Chair Garcia said.
“I want to thank members of the Board, especially the Community Engagement Committee, the Office of the Mayor and Municipal Council for their collective support to help prepare our students for the first day of school,” said Roger León, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “We want our students to be excited about the beginning of a new school year – the rally will raise the level of excitement and engagement and a new book bag and school supplies are important symbols to mark the beginning of the new school year.”
“We are approaching back-to-school season, and for the first time in more than 20 years, our public schools are under the control of the people of Newark. It is emblematic of community control that many partners have joined with our new school leadership to give students tools they need to learn, study, and excel. All of us in Newark are entering a new era in public education, which will create a stronger more vital city,” said Mayor Ras J. Baraka.
In addition to backpacks and school supplies, students will also be treated to a day of sports and entertainment, community partners and programs, health and safety and kiddie fun. “Fat Boy” will perform, and “Just One” Soccer Clinic, and Street Hockey by the NJ Devils will be there. In addition, find out more about community programs and partners; like the Dr. Marion A. Bolden Student Center, Newark Thrives, Newark YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters and more. For health, check out the dental hygiene van, fingerprinting, fire truck, the FQHC Health Van, immunizations, free haircuts and nail etiquette and manicures. Finally kids can have fun at the Bounce House and other fun activities.
The event is free and open to all school-aged children who are residents of the city of Newark. According to Community Engagement Committee Chair Yambeli Gomez, “We want our students to be excited about the first day and throughout the year – this event will help raise their level of engagement and excitement about going back to school.”
“I am extremely excited about the 2018 Newark school year. It has been over 20 years since there has been local control of the Newark Public School system,” said Mildred C. Crump, President of the Newark Municipal County. “I want to thank Mayor Baraka, the Newark School Board and everyone who worked tirelessly over many years to make this moment possible. I want to congratulate Mr. Roger León on his recent selection as our Superintendent. I know that he will have the success of our children at the forefront of his agenda. I wish the faculty, staff, parents, and most importantly, our children a tremendous 2018 school year. Once again, the destiny of our children is in our hands. Let’s make it happen!”
Please register in advance of the event. All children must be accompanied by a parent. The rain date for the 1st City-Wide Back to School Rally is Friday, August 31, 2018. Click here to register.