A Century in the Making: New School Building Opens in Newark’s East Ward
By: Jessica Mazzola | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com |Email the author | Follow on Twitter
For the first time in 104 years, there is a new school building in the city’s East Ward. School and city officials gathered Tuesday to open the new Oliver Street School, the second new school building the district opened this year. “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,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said…The 137,000 square foot building boasts 40 classrooms, a cafeteria, media center, gym, and 21st Century learning equipment, officials said. About 850 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade will attend. The Schools Development Authority paid for Oliver Street’s $73.6 million construction, officials said. District Superintendent Chris Cerf said the new building will “not only be a positive a place for students to learn, but will also be a benefit to the community.” (NJ.com, 06/15/16)
Oliver Street School Unveils New Facility
Local elected officials cut the ribbon at a new state of the art public school facility in the cityâs East Ward. Oliver Street School received a long awaited $73 million dollar face lift. Mayor Ras Baraka told students that no dollar amount can be put on the price of their education. âThis building is only as beautiful as you are,â Baraka said. âThe building is great, weâre putting it up, we put everything in it so you can have everything that you need. But the building wonât be remembered unless the people in it do something outstanding. If you do something outstanding, then people will remember the building because you came from Oliver Street School.â School Principal Douglas Petty says itâs a state of the art facility. âI have no doubt that in the 148 years of excellence and tradition that has become the Oliver way, will not only continue, but will afford students with more access and more opportunities to grow and flourish like never before.ââŠWalter Chambers, a 1945 alumni says heâs happy for the community. âWhen I was coming up at this age, we didnât even have television and look what we have today…to hear that the students from pre-kindergarten and on up will have the devices and all just blows my mind, itâs amazing.â (WBGO News, 06/14/16)