NEWARK, N.J. – Superintendent León, Principal LaShanda Gilliam, Principal Darleen Gearhart, and other district officials welcomed N.J. Governor Mikie Sherrill, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, N.J. Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, N.J. Education Commissioner Dr. Lily Laux, and Newark City Councilwoman Amina Bey to Michelle Obama Elementary School on Monday to launch Women’s History Month.

“Women’s History Month is a powerful opportunity to celebrate the women who lead, teach, nurture, innovate, and transform our communities every single day,” said Superintendent León. “To have Governor Sherrill, Congresswoman McIver, Senate Majority Leader Ruiz, Commissioner Laux, and Councilwoman Bey join us at Michelle Obama Elementary School sends an inspiring message to our students, especially our young ladies, about what is possible. We are deeply grateful for their leadership, and for the example they set.”

“Today’s visit shows our students that they matter, their voices matter, and their dreams matter,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “When leaders at the highest levels of government come to Newark to read with our children and talk with our high school scholars, it reinforces the incredible promise and potential that exists in every one of our classrooms. We are proud to kick off Women’s History Month with such an inspiring start.”

The event also coincided with the first day of Read Across America Week, a district tradition that brings guest readers into classrooms to promote literacy and inspire a love of books among Newark students.

Governor Sherrill read a children’s book, Parker Looks Up, a story about a young girl who is inspired by a portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama while visiting a museum in Washington, D.C, to an audience of girls in grades 2 through 6. The Governor’s message of representation, curiosity, and confidence resonated deeply with students as the district ushered in a month dedicated to honoring women and their stories.

Following the read-aloud, Governor Sherrill led a panel discussion with Congresswoman McIver, Senate Majority Leader Ruiz, Commissioner Laux, and 16 Science Park High School seniors. The students asked questions about immigration, public infrastructure funding, and public education funding. These women leaders and all of the students engaged in a discourse that was reflective of the promise of our district, city, state, and country, and everyone’s role in contributing to making the world better for us now and for generations to come.

Michelle Obama Elementary School, one of the first of the 11 schools opened under Superintendent León’s tenure, continues to grow each year and now serves students in pre-K through grade 6. The student achievement at this school continues to serve as a model for the district and the state.