Superintendent León Holds First Parent Council Meeting of the School Year, Strengthening Families’ Voices in Newark Public Schools

NEWARK, N.J. – Superintendent León held the first of his quarterly meetings with the Superintendent’s Council of Parents this week, bringing together the parent leaders from all 66 schools for direct dialogue about the district and the school communities they represent.

Each member serves as the president of the Parent-Teacher-Student Organization at their child’s school. The meetings provide an opportunity for a two-way dialogue with the Superintendent where these representatives receive district updates, share families’ perspectives, ask questions, and exchange ideas with the Superintendent.

“Our parents are essential partners in everything we do to help students succeed,” said Superintendent León. “These meetings give us an opportunity to hear directly from the parents who know their children best and who are working to strengthen their school communities. When we listen to one another and work together, we build stronger schools and create more opportunities for every child.”

The council provides an ongoing connection between district leadership and families. Through their roles at individual schools, members bring perspectives from their school communities to district discussions and help share information with other parents to move the strategic plan further ahead.

Like the Superintendent’s other councils, the Superintendent’s Council of Parents meetings give the Superintendent an opportunity to take the pulse of the district’s parent community. At this week’s meeting, parents shared an encouraging sense of optimism, resilience, and commitment to their children’s success.

Through exchanges during the meeting, parents described the school year as a year of growth, new beginnings, determination, excitement, collaboration, and positive momentum. Their responses recognized communication, school expectations, tutoring, attendance, and family engagement, while expressing a desire to remain active partners in strengthening supports and opportunities for students and families.

“The strength of our district rests in part on the relationships we build with our families,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “The Superintendent’s Council of Parents gives parent leaders a meaningful opportunity to contribute their perspectives and remain connected to the work of our schools. We appreciate their commitment to our students, their children, and their willingness to serve their communities.”

Creating the Superintendent’s Council of Parents was an explicit action in the district’s NPS Clarity 2020 plan, which called for establishing parent organizations in every school and developing an infrastructure that supports engaged and empowered families to assist in moving all schools and the district forward.

The quarterly meetings continue that commitment by providing regular opportunities for communication and collaboration between Superintendent León and the parents who represent Newark’s school communities.