Newark students head back to class for 1st day of school. Here's what's new this year.
Tuesday was the first day of school for more than 41,000 students in Newark, New Jersey.
The largest district in the state, Newark has 65 schools, including 18 high schools. It is in the sixth year of a 10-year plan to transform itself and hopes to build on last year's achievements, which included a nearly 90% high school graduation rate, an increase in attendance, and a decrease in chronic absenteeism.
"The fact that they're in school at the rate that they are -- our average daily attendance is 95.6%, the chronic absentee rate is 10.4%. That's crazy low," Roger Leon, the superintendent of Newark Public Schools. said Tuesday.
Newark opens new School of Architecture and Interior Design
This year, the district is unveiling a brand new school called the Newark School of Architecture and Interior Design.
"Our school offers two pathways: college and career. And students will be provided with opportunities to do apprenticeships, internships, but also dual enrollment in architecture and design," Principal Soraia Mendes explained.
More than 200 students are part of the school's inaugural freshman class and will learn about architecture and many of the major building trades, including plumbing, electrical work, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC. The state-of-the art facilities include a two-story construction lab where students can construct building sections based on plans they, themselves, develop.
Officials across the country have been stressing a need for trade schools. Not just for students who don't want to pursue a four-year college degree, but because of a shortage of skilled workers in the U.S.
"We look around and we see a lot of buildings being built. We see a lot of houses being renovated. We need architects to build, to design. We need electricians, plumber, HVA to do all the work and then we need realtors to sell and rent," Mendes said.
The school, which opened with a temporary certificate of occupancy, plans on adding a grade each year until it has four.
Students are thrilled to have the opportunity
"The trades -- electrical, plumbing, HVAC -- that's what I am interested in," Noah Vega said.
"This school is interesting to me because I want to do real estate, and this school offers real restate in senior year. That's why I came here," Terelya Arias said.
"I'm excited for all the new opportunities we have here. It's a really pretty building and it has a lot of things you could benefit from," Jazlyn Mercado said.
"I really like decorating spaces and I just think it fits me very well and what I like to do. So I'm looking to get into that when I'm older," Rania Riberio added.
Newark Saves program creates early savings accounts
District leaders say the redesign of the high schools is part of a 10-year strategic plan to offer students more opportunities.
As part of that promise, the district is also launching Newark Saves, a college savings program that will create savings accounts for 3,000 incoming kindergartners beginning this school year, while also integrating financial literacy education for their families.
The district superintendent will kick off the new school year by visiting six locations that have new principals.
As for New York City, public school students head back to class on Thursday.
"Pure excitement" on the first day in Ridgewood
Students in Ridgewood eased into the new year with a half day. Superintendent Mark Schwarz said he visited every school in the district.
"I mean, what's better than the first day of school?" Schwarz said. "I just got to be a part of that excitement. It extends all through the day. I'm blessed in my position. I get to go walk through the classrooms and see the kids and the teachers in action, but smiles all day."
Lauren Carr, the new principal at Travell Elementary, said Tuesday was "pure excitement," adding the school year starts with building community.
"So, a lot of what we do is taking a tour of the building, learning about your classroom, learning about your classmates, learning about your teacher and each other, and really learning how to be back at school, because they've been out of school for a little while," Carr said.
Nerves aside, many youngsters at Travell said it was good to be back.
"In my class, I have all my friends, almost all my friends," a fifth grader named Conrad said.
"Well, I missed all my friends and some teachers, and a little of math," third grader Adrianna said.
With the first day in the books, the rest of the year is sure to pass in a flash.
