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Anthony Spadavecchia

NJ Regional Day Unifies Newark!

NJ Regional Day Unifies Newark!


For 50 years, Special Olympics has been building a movement to break down barriers – both on and off the field in health and education – all through the power of sport. Through the power of their athletes and sports, Special Olympics is ushering in a new world of unity, tolerance, and respect. Just like the Special Olympics New Jersey Regional Day School, JFK, West Side, American History High School, University High School, and North Star who unfortunately could not be here today are unifying Newark. Today marks the day that we unite people of different backgrounds from different schools to inspire action and ultimately end discrimination for people with Intellectual Disabilities. We are the ambassadors of an uprising-peaceful protest in a rebellion against anyone who has a fear of difference.

Our demands are equality, dignity and the recognition of our shared humanity. People of all ages, races, genders, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities continue to face discrimination, ignorance, and disparagement. It is our responsibility to be the leaders that are needed in our community and educate others to take a stance in creating a world of inclusion. We are fighting for a more inclusive world. The Revolution Is Inclusion. I want to take a moment and thank Susan, Kathy and the Special Olympics. Without them our event would not be as big as it is. Also, to Mrs. Mitchell my principal of New Jersey Regional Day School for giving Mr. Garrett and I the freedom and having the confidence in us to create this event. I also want to give a shout out to everyone from NJPAC especially Tom for building confidence in our students’ self-esteem through dance. Shout out to the Montclair Rugby team for taking the time to come and show us what Rugby is all about!

Thank you, Mr. Ellis for allowing us to have our event at your field! Finally, a big thank you and shout out to all of our community partners for working with us to make this amazing event happen. Inclusion is about our 'abilities' - our gifts and how to share them. It is our expectation that every community partner teams up with a student from New Jersey Regional Day School to collaborate, help, and learn more about each other’s positive qualities and gifts that you all have to share because remember this event is about inclusion!

Now let’s see what your all about on the field! Let’s have some fun!

New Jersey high school opens doors every Friday night to keep students off streets

New Jersey high school opens doors every Friday night to keep students off streets


NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- A school full of kids on a Friday night is all part of one man's mission to keep students at a Newark high school off the streets and out of trouble.

Hundreds of kids packed the halls of West Side High School on Friday night because it's a space free of fear.

It's all part of the Lights On program which is now in its fourth year and is open to everyone.

Many would think it's the last place students would want to be, but they are there to avoid what lurks outside of the school:

"Anything that keeps me off the streets I'll do," one student said. "Selling drugs and stuff, I'm not into that."

"I just realized that if I come here I'll see friendly faces," another student said.

"Security," said another student.

Within the walls of the school, every Friday night until 11 p.m., kids can shoot pool, play video games, hit the hardwood, practice cheers or even lay down tracks in a recording studio.

Within in the walls, they can simply laugh.

Nadia Camacho graduated in 2008.

"If it was around back then, I think that we wouldn't have lost so many of my classmates," Camacho said. "If we had a class reunion right now a lot of my classmates wouldn't be here due to gun violence."

"I haven't lost any more kids to gun violence since the start of the school year," Principal Akbar Cook said.

Cook says the results can't be ignored.

His name may sound familiar because last summer he installed a free laundry room inside the school after his students were bullied because of dirty clothes which resulted in chronic absenteeism.

Cook says there been a 10 percent increase in daily attendance since he opened the laundry room.

"I was finding out just from being a principal that the kids don't eat during the weekends," Cook said.

The school also serves hot meals to the kids on Friday nights.

During the summer, the program is held three nights a week. It's all made possible by donations from the community and alumni.

It all goes to show what a school can become when the community cares about kids who just want a chance.

"It's fun, safe too. It's better than being out on the streets," one student said.

"On the street it's dangerous, people get killed, you could be killed walking home, gunshots everywhere," one student said.

Road Map to College Success

Does Your College Bound Senior Need Financial Aid?

[Newark, NJ – November 28, 2018]  Newark Public School’s Office of Family and Community Engagement will be hosting ROAD MAP TO COLLEGE SUCCESS for parents and students to learn more about college admissions, particularly financial aid. 

The Financial Aid Workshop will be held on Thursday, November 29 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Central High School.  Dinner is served from 5:30 to 6 p.m. and the workshop is from 6 to 8 p.m.  Central High School is located at 246 18th Avenue, Newark, NJ  07108. 

According to program organizers, families will receive critical information on how to navigate the college experience through various presentations on financial aid, college scholarships, and more.  There will be a student panel, admission officers, and high school counselors who can speak on graduation requirements. 

Students and families can register online at: www.nps.k12.nj.us/events/road-map-to-college-success.