Press Releases

MJ The Musical Brings Broadway to Newark’s Michelle Obama Elementary School

[Newark, NJ] Michelle Obama Elementary School was filled with energy, excitement, and the magic of Broadway when the cast of MJ the Musical visited the school to put on an engaging, educational, and spectacular performance for the students and staff. An email from Michelle Obama Elementary School Principal LaShanda Gilliam to Ms. Lia Vollack, Producer of MJ the Musical, was all it took to make this dream come true for students.

The Michelle Obama auditorium was perfectly staged for the occasion, adorned with Pre-k to third grade student produced Michael Jackson artifacts. Each class was tasked with designing artwork based on their interpretation of one of Michael Jackson’s songs. The event was a visual delight and a testament to the school's commitment to providing intentional engagement.

The Grammy nominated cast engaged some of our youngest learners in a question and answer session, taught them some of MJ’s famous dances, including the moonwalk and his famous kick. They also depicted him throughout various stages of his career along with his brothers, the Jackson 5 and performed inspiring hits such as Keep the Faith, ABC, Billie Jean, and Man in the Mirror.

Principal LaShanda Gilliam said, "We are thrilled to have had the cast of MJ the Musical visit our school and bring Broadway to our students. It was an amazing experience, and we appreciate the opportunity to expose our students to limitless possibilities through musical theater."

Superintendent Roger León added, "The performance by the cast of MJ the Musical was a unique experience that showcased the limitless possibilities of what our students can achieve. It was a memorable and impactful event for everyone involved."

The partnership with MJ the Musical represented an opportunity to bring Broadway to the Michelle Obama Elementary School. "The look in the eyes of children watching other people show their talent and living their dreams teaches children they can do that too," says Principal Gilliam.

"We were so excited to see this effort between Michelle Obama Elementary School and MJ the Musical come to fruition. Our scholars need access to the highest engagement quality and cultural experience." Said Board President Dawn Haynes.

The visit from the cast of MJ the Musical was a huge success, leaving the students and staff of Michelle Obama Elementary School with an unforgettable experience that will inspire them to dream big and achieve their goals.

Black Men Read Day at Camden Elementary School

Black Men Read Day at Camden Elementary School

My Very Own LibraryMy Very Own Library (MVOL) kicked off its Black Men Read Day at Camden Elementary School on October 20, 2022. Principal Samuel Garrison of Camden Street Elementary School was joined by Newark Public School's Superintendent Roger León, Deputy Superintendent Nicole T. Johnson, Board member Hasani Council, Mayor Ras J. Baraka of Newark, Duane Davis, National Director of MVOL, University of Chicago, and other honorable guests to join men from the community to read to elementary school students.

Students at Camden Street School, Michelle Obama Elementary School, Hawkins Street School, Quitman Street School, and Ridge Street School were treated to a day of reading as part of this national program, conducted in conjunction with Scholastic Book Fairs, a division of Scholastic, the world's largest publisher, and distributor of children's books.

My Very Own Library is an initiative Anne Feeley began in Newark to provide free books to children in traditional Newark Public Schools. The program started in six schools and is now in every Newark Board of Education elementary school. Twice during the school year, children receive five free books through a Scholastic book fair. Schools can also access in-person and virtual author visits and receive grants for family literacy events.

"My Very Own Library has long been a staunch supporter of the Newark Public Schools, as evidenced by their commitment to providing ten free books to every student in participating schools over the years," said Superintendent Roger León. "And the opportunity to be read to by Black male leaders will help them expand their vocabulary and develop essential communication and social skills that are key to being successful in life."

The New Michelle Obama Elementary School Opens Its Doors in Newark For the 2021-22 School Year

Community, Leadership, and Wellness

[Newark, NJ, September 28, 2021] Today marks yet another historic day for the Newark Board of Education as Superintendent Roger León officially opens the doors of the Michelle Obama Elementary School, named in honor of the former First Lady.

The school services students in pre-kindergarten to second grade and will grow one grade every year until it reaches the eighth grade. While the school’s theme is “Community, Leadership, and Wellness”, students will also be immersed in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social-Emotional Awareness, and Science. The science curriculum is guided by Project Lead the Way's “PLTW Launch”. Project Lead the Way is the nation’s leading STEM institution, and the inclusion of PLTW Launch interdisciplinary modules bring learning to life for students. The program empowers students to adopt a design-thinking mindset through compelling activities, projects, and problems, that build upon each other and relate to the world around them. As students engage in hands-on activities in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, they become creative and collaborative problem solvers ready to take on any challenge.

By opening this new elementary school, Superintendent León is honoring his commitment to give parents more school choices. Students attending the Michelle Obama Elementary School will automatically be admitted to University High School, one of the district’s magnet schools, which is aligned with the priorities outlined in The Next Decade: 2020-30. “We are ecstatic to introduce our youngest learners to transformative learning, deliberately focused on the knowledge and skills needed to help them grow into transformational leaders” stated Superintendent León.

Principal LaShanda Gilliam, leader of the new school echoes in the excitement, sharing “Being Principal of a school named after First Lady Michelle Obama, sets daily reminders for me on what needs to be at my core to lead and succeed.”

Board President Dawn Haynes said, “As an individual who focuses on creating healthy habits, I am excited that our students are introduced to content like Yoga, which will enhance their ability to manage stress as they grow into adulthood”.

Among the school’s partnerships is AeroFarms, a sustainable indoor agriculture company based in Newark. “We are excited to be partnering with the Michelle Obama Elementary School to bring indoor vertical farming to the next generation of young leaders and learners. Students get to engage in healthy eating because they grow the greens they harvest, further fueling their curiosity and spirit of discovery with hyperlocal food production. First Lady Obama visited one of our school farms as part of her National Garden Tour in 2016 and it is an honor to continue her legacy of childhood nutrition and health and wellness education here in Newark” said David Rosenberg, Co-Founder and CEO of AeroFarms.

In the words of Michelle Obama, “Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving the community and world better than you found it” and the staff at Michelle Obama Elementary School is ready to lead and succeed.

Joining Superintendent León and Principal Gilliam today were Board Vice-President Johnson, Board Member Gonzalez, Mayor Baraka, Senator Ruiz, Councilwoman McIver, Nurse Emenaka, Mr. Ginsberg of AeroFarms, Deputy Johnson, Chief of Staff Nazario, and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Harrington.

For more information about Michelle Obama Elementary, please refer to: https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/obama/.

Superintendent Roger León Appoints Principal to Lead the New Michelle Obama Elementary School

Congrats-principal-Michelle-Obama

[February 26, 2021] Superintendent Roger León appoints Ms. LaShanda Gilliam, Vice Principal of Thirteenth Avenue School to be the Principal of the new Michelle Obama Elementary School, set to open its doors in September 2021. The Superintendent is confident that the Michelle Obama Elementary School will profoundly redefine education in the city of Newark. The Michelle Obama Elementary School will begin at the academic level of Pre-K3 and grow a new grade level each year.

“Ms. Gilliam has done an absolutely incredible job in our school district. She understands the realities of our students and will continue to be an inspiration to students and their families.” said Superintendent León.

Raised in Newark, Ms. Gilliam attended Newark Public Schools and graduated from West Side High School. In 1995, she graduated from Montclair State University, beginning her career as a first grade teacher at Benjamin Franklin School in Newark, New Jersey. Soon thereafter, Ms. Gilliam received a Master’s degree in Reading from Montclair State University. After becoming a licensed Reading Specialist, she worked as a Resource Teacher Coordinator for the Office of Language Arts Literacy. It was during this tenure that Ms. Gilliam began to see the incredible impact she was making across the district in a variety of schools. As a result of this revelation, Ms. Gilliam decided she wanted to become a school-based instructional leader. After receiving a second Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Fordham University, she became the Vice Principal of Vailsburg Middle School in 2005. Ms. Gilliam later transferred to Thirteenth Avenue School where she has flourished for the past ten years. Her tenure at Thirteenth Avenue has been marked by quality leadership and a positive climate and culture. It has also been during this time that she has been able to help lead Thirteenth Avenue School to an increase in teacher retention and student achievement.

Ms. Gilliam said “When students are given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, they undoubtedly thrive.” She added, “The Michelle Obama Elementary School will be the pillar of public service, building excellence in every student as they powerfully impact the city of Newark and the world.”

For more information, please contact:
Newark Board of Education
Nancy Deering, Interim Executive Director
Communications
973-733-6265