Let's Move at Michelle Obama Elementary School!

LaShanda Gilliam
Principal

About Our School

Vision

The Michelle Obama Elementary School envisions a school community of self-confident, compassionate learners deeply committed to challenging the status quo and mobilizing the school community to take action and create transformational change within the society at large.

Mission

We make learning irresistible by dignifying the whole child and facilitating authentic learning experiences through interdisciplinary thematic units that cultivate creativity and empower students to take risks within a safe, supportive and nurturing environment.

Excel/After School Info

Our School in the News

Superintendent León Begins Women’s History Month with Governor Sherrill, Congresswoman McIver, Majority Leader Ruiz, NJDOE Commissioner Laux, and Councilwoman Bey

March 6, 2026

Governor reads to elementary students and dialogues with Science Park High School seniors at Michelle Obama Elementary School 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 […]

Students Compete In District’s Fourth Annual Robotics Competition

January 15, 2026

Lafayette Street School earns top-honors; District IT Chief announces 3-D printers to be provided to every robotics team NEWARK, N.J. – Big ideas, innovation, and teamwork took center stage Saturday as Newark Public Schools hosted its fourth annual Districtwide Robotics Competition at Newark Vocational High School. The event, presented by the District’s Office of Educational […]

Newark Public Schools Awarded A $250,000 State Grant to Plant Trees at 10 Schools

August 25, 2025

NEWARK, N.J. – Newark Public Schools has been awarded a $250,000 Trees for Schools Grant to support tree planting and greening efforts at 10 district schools, officials announced today. The grant, provided by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) in partnership with Sustainable Jersey and The College of New Jersey, will fund the […]

Welcome to Michelle Obama Elementary School!

July 21, 2025

LaShanda GilliamPrincipal It is my extreme honor to be named your Principal. As a former Newark student, who ironically sat in the same school building of Michelle Obama Elementary School as a young learner, I feel like my journey as an educator and leader has come full circle. I am thrilled that you have selected […]