Chancellor Avenue School Officially Opens “The Chancellor’s Closet”

NEWARK, N.J. – Superintendent León and Dr. Kashon Lopes, Principal of the Chancellor Avenue School, welcomed representatives of the North Jersey Chapter of The Links, Inc. today for the official opening of “The Chancellor’s Closet,” a new resource to help students maintain access to clean uniforms and their attendance in school.

At times, a student can experience a mishap at school in which their uniform gets dirty to the point that they cannot continue the school day. The Chancellor’s Closet will serve as a resource to help eliminate this barrier to student attendance in school by providing essential clothing, uniforms, and personal hygiene items to students.

The Chancellor’s Closet also includes an onsite washer and dryer, and supplies to empower students to care for their clothing while boosting their self-esteem. By addressing these fundamental needs, the Chancellor’s Closet ensures that students can focus on their education and personal growth.

“I am proud of our principal, Dr. Kashon Lopes, for his vision of The Chancellor’s Closet. This initiative addresses a fundamental need for our students and helps ensure they have clean uniforms and other essentials they need,” said Superintendent León. “I want to extend my deepest thanks to the North Jersey Chapter of The Links, Inc. for their generous donations and support in making this resource a reality. Together, we are breaking down barriers and empowering our students to remain focused on their education and personal growth.”

“On behalf of all my sisters in The Links, we are proud to partner with Dr. Lopes, The Chancellor Avenue School, and Newark Public Schools to establish this valuable resource to help students maintain their confidence while they are in school,” said Karen Hudson, President of the North Jersey Chapter of The Links, Inc. “Initiatives like the Chancellor Closet exemplify the North Jersey Chapter of The Links, Inc.’s ongoing commitment to meeting critical needs within local schools and are aligned with The Links’ time-honored mission of focusing on civic, educational, and cultural initiatives that foster social and civic responsibility.”

“I want to commend Principal Lopes for his thoughtful initiative in establishing ‘The Chancellor Closet,’ a resource that truly reflects our commitment to supporting every student’s success,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “By providing clean uniforms and essential items, we are removing obstacles that can hinder a child’s ability to focus on learning. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the North Jersey Chapter of The Links for their generous contributions that have helped realize the concept of The Chancellor Closet. Together, we are creating a positive and supportive environment that empowers our students to thrive.”