Newark, New Jersey — The Chad School Foundation, in partnership with Programs for Parents and Newark Public Schools, awarded 18 recipients, in three different categories: (1) Incentives that Work; (2) Going Above and Beyond for Good Attendance; and (3) Outside of the Box Attendance Strategies, for their work to reduce chronic absenteeism in early childhood education in Newark and in Essex County. Awardees were announced at Programs for Parents 8th Annual Breakfast on Thursday, April 18th celebrating the Week of the Young Child held at Nico’s Kitchen at NJPAC in downtown Newark.
Too many of Newark’s children are missing the learning opportunities that set the foundation for education. NPS data shows that many of our pre-k children, more than 40%, are chronically absent each year. Pre-K is a critical step for our young learners as they make their trajectory from home to Grade 12 and beyond. Programs for Parents, Newark Public Schools, and The Chad School Foundation are commitment to ensure that high Pre-K seats are available, and that parents and families are welcomed as valued partners in the success of their children.
The Newark Public Schools – Office of Early Childhood has invested in the implementation of a full curriculum, and improving its supports for children, families and the community, teachers, family workers and advocates, operational staff and leaders. Nana Ofosu – Amaah, Executive Director of the Office of Early Childhood – Newark Public Schools emphasized that, “NPS is committed to deepen this work and will continue to raise the bar for Newark’s children. There are a myriad of circumstances that prevent consistent attendance in pre-k but these hurdles can be overcome and the recipients of the Attendance Innovation Awards are a testament to the fact that something can be done, and that we must be creative with our solutions.” For more information on Newark Public Schools – Office of Early Childhood Education, please visit http://www.nps.k12.nj.us/departments/early-childhood/
Programs for Parents is committed to the collaborative partnerships with Newark Public Schools and The Chad School Foundation to ensure the academic success, emotional stability and well-being of all children and their families throughout the city of Newark. “Our Week of the Young Child Breakfast today illustrates that when we come together and leverage our resources, great things can happen. It also recognizes that all members of the early care and education field must work cooperatively on behalf of children, including parents, teachers, directors, policy makers, family workers and the community at large.”, said Beverly Lynn, CEO of Programs for Parents. For information on our programs and services, including child care referrals, child care financial assistance, health care information, training and more, visit our website at http://www.programsforparents.org.
Dr. Kia Calhoun – Grundy, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of The Chad School Foundation shared remarks about Chad’s commitment to excellence in education. Eric Stevenson, Chad’s Executive Director, presented with awards along with Rosie Grant, Executive Director of the Paterson Education Fund. Stevenson highlighted that, “Providing grant funding for the 2018 Attendance Innovation Awards signifies Chad’s nearly fifty-year commitment to early childhood education. In the legacy of the founders of The Chad School, The Chad School Foundation is honored to partner with Newark Public Schools and Programs for Parents to encourage community – based innovation as a catalyst to reduce chronic absenteeism in early childhood education. Chad is invested in Newark’s success, and the Foundation applauds the community leaders who were awarded the 2018 Attendance Innovation Awards.” For more information on The Chad School Foundation’s work in the Newark community, please our website at www.thechadschoolfoundation.org
Incentives That Work – Award Recipients:
- Victoria Manning – Page Academy
- April DeOliveira – Oliver Street School
- Carmen Cabrera – Oliver Street School
- Gisella Pescoran – Oliver Street School
- Elisa Quinones – Oliver Street School
- Diana Laracuent – First Avenue School
- Lori Burbage – First Avenue School
- Deydania Pena – First Avenue School
- Monica Vines – IEP Early Childhood Center of the Ironbound
- Taisha Miranda – North 10th Street School
Going Above and Beyond for Good Attendance – Award Recipients:
- Damaris Mercado – Sarah Ward Nursery Lock St.
- Karen Dudley – Sarah Ward Nursery Lock St.
- Thomas Ellis – Unified Vailsburg Services Organization
- Fanny Terrones – McKinley School
- Elaine Carter – The CHEN School
- Yazmin Hernandez – Sussex Avenue Renew School
- Darleen Gearhart – Sussex Avenue Renew School
Outside of the Box Attendance Strategies – Award Recipients:
- UVSO-Smith (Unified Vailsburg Services Organization)
- ECS-Central: Early Childhood School – Central