West Side High School

NJSDA and NJDOE Award Newark Public Schools $6 Million for Emergent and Capital Maintenance Projects

NJSDA and NJDOE Award Newark Public Schools $6 Million for Emergent and Capital Maintenance Projects

Feb 16, 2022

Newark, NJ [February 16, 2022] –Through contributions from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) and the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA), Newark Public Schools will be able to address three of their emergent projects within the school district. Recognizing the challenges that districts face in making repairs to school building structures, Governor Murphy made a direct appropriation of $75 million to districts across New Jersey, and the Newark Board of Education received an allocation of $6,455,930 to assist in their improvements.  The funding is designed to offset district costs associated with taking important measures to ensure that students and staff have a safe and healthy learning environment.

Newark Public Schools has identified three schools within the district that meet the criteria and guidelines for emergent projects and that have been approved by the SDA and NJDOE; specifically, roof replacements and masonry repairs at Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School, Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School, and West Side High School.

“We are pleased that Newark was chosen as a recipient of this grant and we will use the monies to make repairs to the three schools identified, which have suffered water infiltration and damage to walls and ceilings over time,” said Superintendent Roger León. “This generous award will allow us to strengthen those key structures” he added.

“The Newark Board of Education is more than appreciative of these contributions made to our schools by the NJDOE and the SDA. Improvements such as these typically come at the expense of having to cut back on other opportunities,” said Board President, Dawn Haynes. “With the assistance of the NJDOE and SDA, we have been able to reallocate funds to other important initiatives that positively influence the culture and climate of our schools for students”.

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National Girls and Women in Sports Day

National Girls & Women in Sports Day

February 2, 2022, marks the 36th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). This celebration inspires girls and women to play and be active, to realize their full power.

Congratulations to the following student-athletes who were recognized by the NJSIAA:

  • Serenity Loyal

    American History High School

  • Jayliene Agosto

    Arts High School

  • Sarah Wiltshire

    Bard High School Early College

  • Anisha Able

    Barringer High School

  • Destiny Hines

    Central High School

  • Yeimy Rodriguez

    East Side High School

  • Chelsea Mensah

    Malcolm X Shabazz High School

  • Paula Marie Brown

    Science Park High School

  • Kiarra Melendez

    Technology High School

  • Sa'diyyah Robinson

    University High School

  • Michelle Ikedi

    Weequahic High School

  • Onessa Jeune

    West Side High School

West Side High School Expands Nighttime Summer Recreation Program with Goal to Keep Young People Engaged in Positive Activities at Night

Nearly 300 students turn out for The “Lights On” program with Expanded Programs for Girls

[Newark, NJ — July 25, 2017] – Nearly 300 Newark youth turned out for the “Lights On” program, a free nighttime recreational program open to children across Newark, this past Friday. In its second year, the program offers more recreational activities for girls and teens. “Lights On” kicked off its summer schedule on Friday, June 30 at West Side High School (WSHS) in Newark and this past Friday featured a disc jockey and ice cream truck, in addition to the regular “Lights On” programming. The program provides Newark youth with access to a wide-range of engaging activities such as basketball, table tennis, cooking, dancing, and more.

WSHS Vice Principal and program director Akbar Cook, with the support of the West Side Alumni Group and the MCJ Amelior Foundation, started the “Lights On” program in 2016, serving approximately 80 students per night throughout the summer. On the final night of last summer’s program, Mr. Cook lost another female student to gun violence. The student’s death inspired Mr. Cook to give more students access to positive afterschool activities like “Lights On.” Mr. Cook decided to broaden the appeal of the program to young women across the city by offering more recreational activities such as jewelry making and makeup classes.

“Thanks to the continued investment of Vice Principal Cook, the West Side Alumni Group, and the MCJ Amelior Foundation, students and families across our city are able to come together throughout the summer and enjoy a multitude of fun-filled activities at the ‘Lights On’ program,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools (NPS). “Programs like ‘Lights On’ create a strong future for Newark by serving the needs of all students and families, as well as ensuring all children have access to positive opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom.”

“‘Lights On’ is thrilled to open up new and exciting opportunities for more young women across our city this year,” said Mr. Cook. “We want to do more for our young women across Newark to ensure they have a variety of engaging activities and are able to enjoy their summer vacation in a nurturing, fun and safe environment.”

“Lights On” is open at West Side High School throughout the school year every Friday evening for both children and adults. Throughout the summer, the program runs from 6:00pm-11:00pm, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday night. The program also provides participants with free food and beverages every night.

A student of the program said, “The ‘Lights On’ program helps me build confidence and it’s a safe and welcoming place for me to go. I hope more kids will come and a part of something positive.”

Mr. Cook, who manages school operations related to disciplinary procedures, school climate and culture, and security at WSHS, is leading a number of initiatives at WSHS and across the district. He is the head coach of the WSHS varsity boys’ basketball team, which won the 2017 Group 2 NJSIAA championships. Mr. Cook also partnered with the Community Food Bank of NJ to provide food packs every Friday night to students and families in need on weekends. Mr. Cook is also working to build a laundromat and study hall at WSHS to increase student attendance and support student achievement because many students do not attend school regularly because they do not have clean clothes. Earlier this year, Cook was selected as a finalist for Prudential’s “Newark’s Cornerstones” competition, a contest which showcases leaders across Newark for their dedication in making a positive impact on Newark’s future.

For additional information about “Lights On,” watch the program’s commercials from 2016 and 2017.

Two NPS Administrators Selected as Finalists for Prudential’s “Newark’s Cornerstones” Competition

Akbar Cook, of West Side High School, and Charity Haygood, of B.R.I.C.K. Avon Academy, were selected for their positive impact on Newark’s future; Voting closes on Friday March 31

Newark's Cornerstones
Akbar Cook (left) and Charity Haygood (right) have been transformational in their daily work serving Newark children, families, and communities

[Newark, NJ – March 30, 2017] As Newark celebrates its 350th anniversary, two Newark Public Schools (NPS) administrators have been selected as finalists for Prudential’s “Newark’s Cornerstones” competition, a contest which showcases leaders across Newark for their dedication in making a positive impact on Newark’s future. Akbar Cook, Vice Principal of West Side High School (WSHS), and Charity Haygood, Principal of BRICK Avon Academy, are two out of eight finalists who were chosen over the course of the last eight months by Prudential, Prudential Center and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s office. Finalists were selected based on the degree to which they represent at least one of “Newark’s Cornerstones” pillars, which include innovation, commitment, and positive influence.

“Congratulations to Ms. Haygood and Mr. Cook, two transformational NPS school leaders who were selected as finalists in Prudential’s “Newark’s Cornerstones” competition for the positive impact they have made on Newark students, families, and communities,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “It’s exciting to witness two devoted educational leaders being recognized for their daily work to build a stronger future for Newark by serving the needs of all students and families and ensuring all children have access to excellent educational opportunities.”

Akbar Cook is the vice principal at WSHS, where he manages school operations related to disciplinary procedures, school climate and culture, and security. Mr. Cook is also the head coach of the WSHS varsity boys’ basketball team, the 2017 Group 2 NJSIAA champions. In addition to his daily work as vice principal and head coach, Mr. Cook has led a variety of transformative initiatives at WSHS. Last summer, Mr. Cook, with the support of the West Side Alumni Group and the MCJ Amelior Foundation, started the Lights On Program, a nighttime recreation program for kids and young adults. Mr. Cook’s program served approximately 80 students per night throughout the summer. Mr. Cook has also partnered with the Community Food Bank of NJ to provide food packs each Friday night to any students and families in need of food on weekends. Recognizing that many kids are not attending school regularly because they do not have clean clothes, Mr. Cook is also working to build a laundromat and study hall at WSHS to increase student attendance and support student achievement.

Principal Charity Haygood has been an educator for over two decades, serving thousands of students and families throughout Newark’s South Ward. Early on, she taught literacy, social studies and science to sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Bragaw Avenue School for nine years. In 2004 and 2005, during her last two years in the classroom, Ms. Haygood received the the Governor’s Teacher Recognition Program Award for her educational contributions. After leaving the classroom, Ms. Haygood transitioned into an NPS administrator role, serving as vice principal at Chancellor Avenue School for five years. In 2010, Ms. Haygood began serving as the principal of BRICK Avon Academy. As one of BRICK Avon Academy’s founding board members, Ms. Haygood, along with five other Newark educators, worked 18 months to develop the blueprint for BRICK (Building Responsible Intelligent Creative Kids). BRICK Avon Academy is one of five NPS schools that is a part of the South Ward Community Schools Initiative.

Out of the eight finalists who have been chosen, the grand prize winner will be selected by the general public through public online voting at www.prucenter.com/newarkscornerstones. Online voting, which has been open to the public since the beginning of March, will close on March 31. The grand prize recipient will be announced on Saturday, April 8, at the Prudential Center on ‘Fan Appreciation Night’ for the New Jersey Devils’ final home game of the 2016-2017 NHL season. In addition to being recognized for their dedication and impact, the grand prize winner will receive two tickets to Prudential Center events, including Devils games, for one year.