Milestone gathering features workshops, parent perspectives, and a new resource for family engagement beyond the conference
NEWARK, N.J. – Newark Public Schools brought families together for its 40th Annual Title I Parent Conference, offering workshops, access to district staff and community resources, and opportunities to strengthen partnerships between homes and schools.
Reflecting the district’s theme, “No Stopping Us Now,” the conference encouraged parents to learn about opportunities available to their children, ask questions, connect with other families, and bring useful information back to their school communities. Workshop topics included artificial intelligence, college preparation, and communication. Families also had an opportunity to engage directly with Board of Education members during a dedicated session.
Superintendent León thanked parents for their commitment to their children’s education and recognized the school parent liaisons whose work helped bring families to the conference. Throughout the room, parents wore shirts representing their children’s schools.
Drawing on his experience growing up in Newark raised by a single mother, Superintendent León emphasized education’s power to create opportunities for families.
“Stay focused on making sure your children receive the best education, and that will just change all of the realities for you, for them, forever,” said Superintendent León.
The Superintendent also highlighted opportunities available to Newark students, including district-supported college coursework during high school and pathways to earn associate degrees before receiving their high school diplomas. He credited parents with helping students attend school consistently and encouraged families to take full advantage of the conference’s workshops and resources.
“There is no stopping us when families and schools work together,” said Michelina Thornton, the district’s Director of Federal Programs and Grants. “There is no stopping us when parents are informed, engaged, and empowered to advocate for their children. And there is certainly no stopping what our students can accomplish when they know that all of us are working together to support their success.”
Board of Education President Hasani K. Council urged parents to use the gathering to build connections with district and school staff members and gather information that could benefit their entire families.
“Please go and engage with others, ask them thoughtful questions, and bring back that information not only for you but for your family and for your children,” said President Council. “I am so proud of the work that we continue to do each and every day.”
The conference also introduced the district’s new family engagement on-demand website, designed to give families access to information, resources, and learning opportunities when they need them. Parents were encouraged to register during the event, extending the conference’s focus on learning and engagement beyond the day’s activities.
For Donald Williams Jr., whose twin children are first graders at Speedway Avenue Elementary School, the conference reinforced the value of gathering resources to advocate for his children and support their education. A former PTO president, Williams said the support he encounters in schools is among the district’s greatest strengths.
“When I walk into the school,” Williams said, “it’s all about support and a sense of family.”
Nicola Myrie, PTSO president at Technology High School and the parent of a senior there, said the conference helps families understand the district’s work while finding information relevant to their needs.
“Today is important because of the sense of community that you get,” said Myrie. “You understand what’s going on in Newark. You understand what’s happening in Newark and get to appreciate it and be a part of it.”
Myrie pointed to the range of workshops as a strength, with different subjects giving parents multiple avenues to learn and participate.
For Shanuie Stevenson, Technology High School’s PTSO treasurer and the mother of freshman student, attending her first Title I Parent Conference was an eye-opening introduction to the district’s resources.
Stevenson said her son had been attending a charter school, and it was his interest in cyber security that led to his transferring to Technology High School. Stevenson said she planned to attend a college-focused workshop to learn more about future opportunities.