Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the the 2013 Fall issue of JCI Magazine.

Can Jersey City’s public schools convince more families to lay down roots?

“How are the public schools?”

It’s the question every young parent has to ask when deciding where to live. It overrides all the superficial stuff – the night clubs, the sushi spots, the prevalence of farmer’s markets. It’s a profound question that cuts to the essence of a community’s sustainability, the concrete way of asking the ultimate and ultimately unanswerable question, “Can I raise my children here?”

In Jersey City, the answer is complicated. Like much of the progress made in this city’s much-heralded renaissance over the last ten years, the gains have been uneven. The quality of your local school still depends on where you live, which depends on how much money you make, which likely depends on where you went to school yourself, in this town or any other. There are fantastic elementary schools in the gentrified districts, like Cornelia Bradford 16 in Paulus Hook, and Number 5 School in Downtown. At these schools, students achieve above the state proficiency standards and continue on to elite high schools where their potential is tapped even further. But these examples stand as rare exceptions to the otherwise dismal norm.

According to statistics released by the New Jersey Department of Education, Jersey City ranks 415 out of 489 school districts statewide based on standardized test scores, a number that has remained largely unchanged over the last ten years. This, despite positive developments in other areas typically associated with a cities’ rebirth: plummeting crime numbers, rising home values, and an increase in business investment.

Which begs a serious and nagging question: can Jersey City continue to rival Brooklyn and complete its rebirth without a solid and competitive school system? After all, restaurants and novelty stores can entice new residents to rent an apartment, but without a strong local school to send their children to, will they really stay? Or will Jersey City become a post-collegiate way-station for yuppies en route to the suburbs?

A New Era

When Steven Fulop was running for mayor back in the spring, his campaign made it no secret that one of his goals was to make Jersey City ‘a more attractive alternative to Brooklyn and Queens.’ And not just attractive to twenty-somethings who’d leave in a few years, but for families. That meant improving the public schools.

“My closest friends talk about it constantly,” Fulop said in an exclusive interview. “It’s front and center in a lot of conversations.”

One of the reasons for this, Fulop recognizes, is his age. At 36, he was among that wave of young professionals who came to Jersey City in the late 90s and early 00s, at the dawn of the city’s most recent period of revitalization. He recognizes that for many of his peers, his administration brings hope for a new age for the city’s school system, one in which modern solutions like school choice and community engagement are touted over the bureaucratic malaise that allowed a decade to pass without significant reform.

“For the last ten years,” he said, “you had an administration who had zero engagement on education,” the Mayor said flatly. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t ample reason to hope.

“There are few cities in the country, if any,” Fulop said, “that have as much possibility for school improvement as Jersey City. The ingredients are all there. You have very engaged parents group, a new Board of Ed, a new superintendent, a new City Council, and a new mayor. No other city has that. You have all these things converging at once, and people are excited.”

Three of those five ingredients are products of Fulop’s own efforts. As a member of the City Council representing Ward E, the largest in the city, Fulop used his influence to get three successive waves of candidates elected to the Board of Education. In those years – 2010, 2011, and 2012 – Fulop endorsed eight candidates, all of whom went on to victory over more establishment-backed candidates. With only nine members on the board, that makes it a favorable venue for Fulop’s agenda.

The second ingredient, the new City Council, also bears the mark of Fulop’s fingerprints. In this past spring’s election, ‘Team Fulop’ candidates won six out of eight runoffs, putting them in control of two-thirds of the entire Council. This kind of support presents Mayor Fulop with an opportunity to affect meaningful change, but he still has a deep hole to climb out of.

Take, for instance, the high school graduation rate.

According to the most recent survey by the New Jersey State Board of Education, only 67% of Jersey City public high school students graduated on time, with 13% dropping out entirely and the remaining 20% being left back or simply failing to meet curriculum requirements necessary to graduate. What’s worse, that rate represented a decrease from the previous year’s mark of 69%. And while critics of the state’s findings claim that the numbers are a product of new, misleading method of calculation, the statewide graduation rate rose from 84% to 86% in the same period, using the same method. But that may not even be the most distressing number. If you remove students from the city’s top-performing high school, McNair, the percentage of students who are deemed college ready is a stunning 7%.

“Think of what that means,” Mayor Fulop said. “If [these students] go to college, they’ll need to go through remedial classes before they even start taking regular classes. From a student’s point of view, they’re being asked to pay money just to get up to a level to start college. It’s a big ask and many won’t continue. That’s a big problem.”

So what can be done to address it? The Mayor advocates a multi-pronged approach – parent engagement, accountability at all levels, and more choice in schools. But before all that, he says, we need to make our schools safe. Kids – and parents – need to know that a school is a danger-free environment where learning can happen without any fear of violence. This has become a problem particularly in struggling schools like Snyder and Lincoln, which have reported an increase in gang-related incidents in the last few years. To combat this issue, among others, Mayor Fulop has tapped former New York City Deputy Police Chief James Shea to serve as the city’s new Public Safety Director. Shea, best-known for implementing the city’s controversial ‘Stop and Frisk’ program, was head of the NYPD’s youth and gang division.

Mayor Fulop also plans on expanding the role of after school programs, but not for the often-cited reasons of ‘keeping kids off the streets.’ Fulop, a former high school athlete himself, sees these extracurricular activities as a valuable opportunity to keep students engaged in their school life. If a kid is failing in school, the Mayor reasons, and is not connected to that school in any other way, they are more likely to give up and drop out. But if they are engaged through some other avenue, like through a sports team or a club, the bonds tying them to the school are stronger and they are more likely to stick with it.

Keeping parents of low-performing students engaged is another story, however.

This past June, Mister Fulop attended all the graduation ceremonies at Jersey City’s public high schools. There were six in total.

At McNair, there was overwhelming support from parents and friends, cheering their graduates on. But at the underperforming schools like Lincoln, Dickinson, and Snyder, he was struck not by the sea of adulation, but by the number of empty seats in the audience.

“You remember your graduation?” Fulop asked. “That was a big day. You had uncles, aunts trying to get in.”

But for many students at Jersey City’s high schools, no one showed up. In fact, Fulop figured there were more students on the floor then there were parents in the stands.

Sitting next to the Mayor at the time was Superintendent Marcia Lyles. They commented to each other about the empty seats.

“It was alarming,” said Fulop.

The Doctor Is In

Dr. Marcia Lyles is an accomplished educator. In her 35 years with the New York City Department of Education, Dr. Lyles served as an English teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Deputy Superintendent, and finally Deputy Chancellor of Teaching and Learning for the entire school system. She then spent three years as Superintendent of Delaware’s Christina school district before accepting the same position with Jersey City in the summer of 2012.

Now, entering her second year on the job, Dr. Lyles understands the challenges facing the district, but also has a plan for overcoming them. For Dr. Lyles, the key is to offer students support when and where they need it most.

Determining where to channel support is easy. At underperforming schools like Dickinson, Snyder, and Lincoln, funding has been historically inconsistent.

“In the past,” Dr. Lyles said, “schools were getting different resources depending on who had the most vocal parents groups or principals. It’s our job to make sure that those who don’t have either of those still get what they need.”

For Lyles, it’s a question of equity, but the former English teacher is quick to point out that equity doesn’t mean that everyone gets an equal amount. “It means those who need more, get more.”

Deciding when to offer students the most support is a more complicated subject. Dr. Lyles cites two times in particular that are most vital. The first is when a student initially enrolls in school, either in Pre-K or Kindergarten. These students enter at all different points of readiness, especially in vocabulary and language comprehension. In fact, research from several independent groups such as the National Institute for Early Education and the National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education points to a significant achievement gap between those students who participate in strong K and Pre-K and those who do not.

Another year considered vital to a student’s development, Dr. Lyles says, is the ninth grade. And the numbers seem to back her claim. According to a study by the EPE Research Center, which analyzes education trends, 35% of the students who eventually fail to graduate from high school also failed to make the move from ninth to tenth grade. This stood out as the clearest indicator among all variables for which the study considered.

Dr. Lyles’ proposed solution? Separate the freshman.

Starting this year, the four lowest-performing high schools in the district – Dickinson, Ferris, Lincoln, and Snyder – will all have ninth grade academies. These will be distinct and separate wings of the schools that will exclusively house freshman year students, helping to ease the social transition to high school, but also the academic one. “We’re looking to create the academies so we have a cohort of teachers who are responsible for a cohort of students,” Dr. Lyles said. “We want those teachers to know the students, talk about those students and what those students need.”

Dr. Lyles also sees room for improvement later in the high school years. She’s been a vocal advocate for Advanced Placement courses, especially in lagging schools. And starting last year, has instituted a mandatory ‘SAT Day’, to be held on a regular school day in October. This is so that students could take the test without having to get up early on a Saturday morning, an obstacle many students are not willing to overcome. “People say we’re spoon-feeding the students,” Dr. Lyles said. “But you know what? Fifteen year olds don’t necessarily see the same value in these things as we do.”

Behind the AP courses and the mandatory SAT is a deeper message, however, one that speaks to the core of Dr. Lyles’ educational philosophy.

“This is about expectations,” she said. “Everyone rises to expectations. It’s about a whole cultural shift, saying to our students, ‘We expect you to do this.’”

She’s quick to point out, however, that in order for the entire school system to improve, these expectations cannot be limited to just the students. It’s on everyone – students, parents, teachers, and administrators.

“We have to believe that we can indeed change children’s lives,” Dr. Lyles said. “But we also have to believe that our children’s minds are capable of making that change.”

Buying In

The economic crisis of 2008 hit Jersey City hard. Home prices plummeted across the city, but especially in the pricier districts downtown. Many families who had planned on moving to the suburbs were no longer able to, either because their home was in the red or because loan-wary banks forced them to remain renters for a few more years. Against their carefully drawn-out plans, these mothers and fathers did what they thought they never would: they enrolled their children in the Jersey City Public Schools system.

And what happened?

“A lot of them ended up staying,” Mayor Fulop said. “What happened was in a number of schools you had all these engaged parents, which is really a meaningful component in all this, and they stuck around and worked hard to improve the schools. Then the children started making friends, and the family ended up staying for good.”

The result has been an increase in school performance for Downtown schools in particular, something that the Mayor thinks can be repeated in districts throughout the city. The key, however, is encouraging parents to not just to stay, but to trust the system. It’s what will allow Jersey City not just to continue its growth, but to escalate its pace. Because as the schools improve, so will job opportunities, which will drive down crime, increase property values, and tighten community bonds.

Dr. Lyle agrees. “The school and community are tied together,” she said. “If we don’t have good public schools, the community cannot continue to thrive.”

Still, asking a young parent to trust in a work in progress, especially when their child’s education is at stake, can be a tall order.

But to those people sitting on the fence, who want to enjoy the culture of Jersey City but also want their children to receive a strong education, Dr. Lyles has a confident and comforting message.

“Buy,” she said. “Invest in the public schools. We are poised to make the schools what the parents want them to be.”

For more info check the Jersey City Public Schools website jcboe.org 

Bottom photo courtesy of Dena Lagomarsino all other photos by Mickey Mathis

This is our continuing coverage of the Jersey City Board of Education elections, coming up on November 5.

The four available BOE seats will be occupied by the highest vote-getters. Elected board members will work as advocates for children and families of the district, act as advisors to Superintendent Marcia Lyles and the schools’ administrators as well as serve as liaisons between the schools and residents of the district.

Jessica Daye

Jessica Daye, 33, was born and raised in Jersey City. An alum of PS16 and McNair, she currently lives in Greenville with her husband, their 7-month old, and 4-year old who attends public school. A graduate of Rider (B.S.) and Columbia University (M.Ed.) Dayne works as a Bilingual Special Education Advocate at a nonprofit civil rights law firm in New York City.

“As a person who became blind at the age of 5, I have seen first-hand the importance of fighting for and receiving a quality education,” said Daye. “My parents, whose first language is Spanish, advocated for me to attend a regular class at PS16.  Even with their limited English, they knew that I had an equal right to a quality education.”

Daye said that she learned from her parents and advocated for her education throughout high school, college, and graduate school. She added that her professional experiences in the field of special education have taught her how to successfully engage with and professionally challenge school representatives to ensure that students receive a appropriate education.

“My overall experiences have made me who I am today, an advocate at heart,” she said. “And I wish to bring those skills home and serve as an advocate for our Jersey City students.  I believe our students deserve a fair chance to a quality education, the same goal I had for myself years ago.”

As a BOE member, Daye anticipates serving as a liaison between parents, and most importantly, students, and the administration/district.  She also hopes to work closely with the city and its various departments to ensure the safety of students as well as provide more opportunities for after-school programs and activities. She added that our schools are in need of improvement in terms of overall test scores, graduation rates, and overall performance but has hopes that under Superintendent Lyles, things will get better.

“Change will not happen overnight,” she said. “But I am willing to put in the work.”

Amongst the changes she would like to see more teacher support implemented and resources in schools added (such as tutoring, specialists, etc.) that would offer students a chance to receive differentiated instruction and allow teachers the flexibility to address students’ unique needs. She would also like to increase parent engagement and make sure those who need it receive language services especially during BOE meetings. Daye is running on the Candidates for Excellence ticket, with three other mothers who were vetted and hand-picked by a group of active parents and community leaders.

Carol Lynn Gabriel, 67, has lived in Jersey City for over 50 years and currently lives downtown. She is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and also received a certificate in Public Policy from St. Peter’s University.  This past June she retired from the Jersey City Board of Education as a Paraprofessional.

A mom of two adult daughters and grandmother to four, Gabriel is aware that work as a Board member will entail a tremendous amount of reading and research to set policies and attend to the budget, as well as trying to implement the changes she is fighting for on behalf of constituents.

The number one challenge, she said, is getting grades up, followed closely by not ” teaching to test”, and making our schools the best looking with the best materials.  She would like to see the BOE work to bring parents into the schools and work within the urban challenges that city life places on many parents.

In addition to the Recreation Department, which many candidates cited as an important ally, Gabriel also sees the Historical Department as an important ally. “Our city has a wonderfully diverse history and I believe our students should be knowledgeable about this,” she said. “There are so many, many things I like about Jersey City I could go on for quite a while. There is so much more this city has to tell about itself.”

Gabriel said she is running for the Board of Education because she has spent twenty-seven years in the classrooms and knows what needs to be done to get students reading, moving ahead, and becoming the best they possibly can with the attention and materials that are needed. I will express enthusiasm, hard work, be a team worker, express  creativity and honesty with good ethics.

Gabriel is running independently, which she says ensures that she owes no favors to anyone. “This position is not a stepping stone onto bigger and better things,” she said. “I am retired and love the city I live in and want the State of New Jersey to praise our schools as the best in the nation and not be our overseer.  The children in Jersey City deserve this as they are our residents and our future voters and possibly our  leaders.”

Telissa Elizabeth Dowling, 44, was born and raised in Jersey City. She currently lives in Greenville. An alum of PS #15, Ferris High School and graduate of St. Peter’s University, Dowling works as a substitute teacher and cashier at McDonald’s. Her daughter, who she said was one of the first students to attend pre-K class in the Jersey City public school system, is now having her own first child.

Dowling said she is running for BOE to stop privatization of more jobs in the district because she herself is a direct result of that, as she is currently a privatized substitute teacher and is no longer an employee of the public school system.

“Our schools will become overcrowded and understaffed if we allow privatization to take over,” she said. “We must hold the Governor’s administration accountable.”

Dowling said she would view her responsibility as a board member to create strong relationships with the community and encourage the community to support of our local schools, “getting the word out about how great our students and staff are.” She would interact with the Interagency Task Force (a group consisting of community based and non-profit organizations along with representatives from the city and county which meets monthly).

“I would work closely with what is already working in the district,” she said. Adding that she likes being “un-bought and un-bossed.”

“I only have to answer to the students and those that voted for me,” she said. “When I am elected, Jersey City will continue to get me as I am telling the truth and questioning, “Is this fair for all our students?” and demanding change to happen… I will help stop setting our schools up to fail.”

More Nov 5th Pre-Election Coverage:

• Meet the Board of Education Candidates: Carol Lester, Gerald Lyons, Lorenzo Richardson, Angel Valentin
• Meet the Board of Education Candidates (Part Two): Amy Micheline, Ellen Simon, Gina Verdibello
• In Choosing A Governor, NJ Voters Have Some Homework To Do
• What is Ballot Question #2 and How Will it Affect You?

In Statewide News:

Prosecutor: Garden State Plaza Gunman Committed Suicide Inside Mall, Body Found: The body of a 20-year-old Teaneck man who walked into the Westfield Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus on Monday night and fired six shots, setting off a panicked frenzy and a six-hour manhunt, was found in a storage area inside the shopping center early Tuesday morning with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head, authorities said. – The Record

Minimum Wage Hike Question on Today’s Ballot: Along with the governor’s office and all 120 seats in the legislature up for grabs in today’s general election in New Jersey, there are also two ballot questions for voters to consider. Ballot Question No. 1 asks voters if they approve amending the constitution to allow veterans’ organizations to use money collected from existing games of chance to support their organizations. The second question asks voters if they think the State constitution should be amended to increase the minimum wage by $1 per hour this year followed by annual increases tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). – NJ 101.5

Big Money Flows in New Jersey Races to Thwart Christie Agenda: Democrats and unions, fearful that a landslide victory by Gov. Chris Christie will reshape New Jersey’s political landscape, have poured tens of millions of dollars into a record-breaking outside spending campaign that has transformed the state’s election season. – NY Times

Tests Heighten Worries About Toxins in Water in Paulsboro-West Deptford: A chemical company operating in West Deptford said it has begun testing public water supplies for PFCs, a potentially carcinogenic class of chemicals that has been previously detected there, in an effort to find the source of the contamination. – NJ Spotlight 

Gas Prices in NJ Motor Their Way Down to Below $3 a Gallon: A gallon of unleaded gas in New Jersey stood at about $3.10 Monday, and industry experts expect it will keep dropping in the coming weeks, marking the time the average price has dipped below $3 in the Garden State since January 2011. - The Star Ledger

In Local News:

New Jersey Residents Head Out to the Polls Today: As New Jersey residents head out to the polls today they will have an opportunity to cast their vote for Governor as well as answer two questions being posed to the public on the ballot. Locally, there is also the race for the Jersey City Board of Education. Check out some of JCI‘s pre-election coverage here.

Armory Ready for Start of Fugitive Safe Surrender Program Tomorrow: The four-day program, which begins tomorrow at 9 am, will allow US citizens with open warrants for nonviolent crimes in New Jersey to come clean and receive “favorable treatment” in order to remove their fugitive status. – The Jersey Journal

City Receives Grants Totaling $210,000 to Study Coastal Flooding Adaptation Options: Jersey City has received two grants totaling $210,000 to fund a project studying how the city can adapt to coastal flooding of the kind Hurricane Sandy brought to the region last year. - The Jersey Journal

Former Agency Chief Gets $265K to Step Down Early: Bob Antonicello, the former Jersey City Redevelopment Agency chief pushed out by Mayor Steve Fulop, will receive $265,000 to step down early. - The Jersey Journal

Bayonne Kindergartners Aim to Keep Soldiers’ Feet Warm With Sock Drive: While students in Jessica LoRe’s kindergarten class at Mary J. Donohoe School in Bayonne may not fully understand the duties of members the United States military, that doesn’t stop them from lending a hand any way they can. - The Jersey Journal

Today’s Best Bets:

Art Opening “Andrea Who?” featuring the work of Andrea Kroenig, Andrea McKenna and Andrea Morin at LITM, 140 Newark Ave. (7 pm)

Want your event listed? Send an email with all event information (event name, date, time, cost, and location) to info[at]jerseycityindependent.com.

In Statewide News:

Christie Stops Short of Pledge to Finish Second Term: Chris Christie stopped short of promising to finish his second term as New Jersey governor, argued that President Barack Obama lied to Americans about health care insurance and claims fat jokes don’t bother him. – Bloomberg

Texting at a Stoplight? NJ Bill Would Ban it: State Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) is looking to expand the state’s law against talking and text messaging while driving to include drivers who are temporarily stopped in traffic jams, at red lights or stop signs. - The Star-Ledger

Will Federal Healthcare Reform Help Put New Jersey Drugmakers ‘In the Money’?: More insured people buying more medicine: the math is deceptively simple, but drug companies say the numbers don’t necessarily add up. – NJ Spotlight

35 NJ Groups Get Grants From Horizon Blue Cross: The Horizon Foundation — the charitable arm of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey — announced nearly $700,000 in grants to 35 non-profit organizations that promote health or support the arts. – The Star-Ledger

With A Little Help From Jersey, One World Trade Center Declared Tallest In U.S.: At 1,776 feet, New York’s One World Trade Center is indeed the tallest building in the country, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat announced. – NJ Today

In Local News:

Fugitive Surrender Program Sets New Record: Figures released Tuesday morning show a total of 4,587 fugitives turned themselves in to the Fugitive Safe Surrender program in Jersey City last week, making it the most successful program in the state and the third most successful program in the nation, New Jersey Acting Attorney General John Hoffman announced. – The Jersey Journal

Jersey City Asking Council to approve $500K Loan for McGreevey’s Jobs Program: Jersey City is asking the City Council to authorize a $500,000 city loan so the Jersey City Employment & Training Program (JCETP) can build a new home at the Hub. - The Jersey Journal

Ten Mayors Endorse Passage of New Jersey DREAM Act Bill: Mayor Steven Fulop and nine other mayors representing more than 1 million residents have endorsed state legislation that would allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition and state scholarships. - The Jersey Journal

Fight of the Week: Doherty versus Fulop: Both men have statewide aspirations. Elected earlier this year as the mayor of Jersey City, Fulop is positioning himself for a gubernatorial run. Movement conservative Doherty has probed the possibility of running for the U.S. Senate, and has never dismissed a future run for governor. – Politicker NJ

Best Bets:

The movie Parental Guidance plays at The Five Corners Branch Library, 678 Newark Ave. (1 pm)

Live music tonight at the Yellow Frog Soul Sessions, The Lamp Post Bar & Grill, 382 2nd St. (10 pm)

In Statewide News:

Measure Would Help NJ Crime Victims: If you’re a crime victim in New Jersey, when you go to get a copy of the police report of your case, you will have to pay for it. One New Jersey lawmaker doesn’t think that’s right. – NJ 101.5

Student Test Scores Remain Steady, Despite Changes to Cores Curriculum: Yesterday, as the Christie administration announced that there was little change in the 2012-2013 test scores for New Jersey’s 2,500 schools, the message appeared to be more about the state itself as it embarks on some big changes in testing and standards. – NJ Spotlight

741 New Jerseyans Enrolled in Health Exchange Plans in First Month: Fewer than 750 New Jersey residents and about 106,000 people nationwide have enrolled in a health insurance plan through the Affordable Care Act — lackluster numbers that are sure to fuel critics’ attempts to rollback key provisions of the nation’s new health care law. – The Record

Pallative Care Touted as Way to Reduce Hospital Stays, Treatment Costs: Palliative care – treatment in which the focus is on managing patients’ symptoms rather than curing illnesses — holds promise for both achieving patients’ goals and reducing end-of-life medical costs, according to healthcare experts. – NJ Spotlight

Menendez Lashes Out at Boehner’s ‘Obstructionism’ on Immigration Bill: New Jersey’s senior U.S. senator lashed out this afternoon at the House Speaker after he threw up a roadblock to immigration reform. – Politicker NJ

In Local News:

Council Awards 30-Year Tax Break for Journal Square Towers: A proposed $666 million, three tower residential development near the Journal Square PATH station will receive a 30-year tax break, as well as $10 million in bonds floated by a city agency, thanks to three nearly unanimous votes by the City Council. – The Jersey Journal

City to Borrow $9.5M With Help From Flip-Flopping Council Members: Jersey City received permission from the City Council to borrow $9.5 million to pay for costs associated with retiring city workers.- The Jersey Journal

Jersey City: Cheaper, Yes, But Also a Real Sense of Community: “I kept hearing all this buzz about Jersey City, how it was changing, how people were investing a lot here,” says Mark Bunbury.  Even though Bunbury’s mom was “super weirded-out” by his return, he’s thriving here and has no plans to leave. – The Atlantic Cities

Hudson County Freeholders to Vote on Designating Land for Construction of New Court House: An ordinance to designate properties wanted by Hudson County to build a replacement for the criminal courts in the Hudson County Administration Building is expected to be voted on by the Hudson County Freeholders. - The Jersey Journal

Casting Call for Jersey City Fashion Week Pre-Super Bowl Show: Jersey City Fashion Week is seeking male and female models 5’9 and up for a Pre-Super Bowl Fashion Show (January 2014). Casting call to be held Nov. 19 at 7 pm at the Boys and Girls Club Hudson County, 1 Canal St. – JCI

Best Bets:

Meet Jim Caruso, Ceo of Flying Dog Brewery and enjoy numerous varieties of Flying Dog that will be tapped, Iron Monkey, 99 Greene St. (6 pm)

Jersey City is holding a fundraiser to aid the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, Port-O Lounge, 286 First St. (6 pm – 9 pm)

“Defining Autism From The Heart” book signing with Author Kerry Magro at Sanai’s Restaurant and Lounge, 510 Summit Ave. (7 pm – 9:30 pm)

Art House Open Mic featuring Kevon Simpson, Art House Productions, 1 McWilliams Place, 6th Fl. ($5, 8 pm)

Kick off the holiday season with shopping, a makeover, glitz, glam, and rock ‘n roll at Aspasia’s Boutique, 302A Grove St. (5 to 8 pm)

In Statewide News:

Chris Christie Talks Leadership in Washington With CEOs at Wall St. Journal Event: If you want to run New Jersey or the United States or a Fortune 500 company, just take a look at the last four years in Trenton, Gov. Chris Christie told a friendly crowd of powerful business leaders today. – The Star Ledger

Biodiesel Blend Could Mean Cleaner Heating Oil For NJ Winters: Biodiesel fuel may soon play a bigger role in New Jersey’s energy future, potentially enabling homeowners to use a cleaner product to heat their homes each winter. – NJ Spotlight

NJ Lawmaker Wants to Mandate MVC Surcharge Payment Plans: If you’ve built up massive surcharges with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), chances are you’ve lost your driver’s license. However, help could be on the way. - NJ 101.5

Legislators Look to Smart-Card Technology to Help Cut Medicaid Fraud: State legislators are considering a new Medicaid smart card intended to reduce the amount of fraud in the joint state and federal program. – NJ Spotlight

Tuition Equality Bill Passed in Senate: The Senate passed the tuition equality bill – S2479 – which allows an undocumented student to pay the lower, in-state tuition at public colleges. It passed  25-12. – Politicker NJ

In Local News:

Deputy Mayor John Thieroff is Stepping Down: John Thieroff, the former Wall Street executive who helped engineer Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s election win in May, is parting ways with the city, only four months after he became deputy mayor, sources say. – The Jersey Journal

Does DPW chief live in Jersey City? Rules say he must: Michael Razzoli, a Jersey City department director who earns a six-figure salary claims to live in College Towers, an apartment complex on the West Side that caters to low- and middle-income families. – The Jersey Journal

Hudson County Board of Freeholders Honor Writer and Jersey City Native Thomas Fleming: The Hudson County Board of Freeholders last week honored Jersey City native Thomas Fleming, the author of dozens of histories and novels and the son of an Irish immigrant who was a leader in Jersey City politics for more than three decades beginning in the 1920s. – The Jersey Journal

Crew Filming ‘Five-Finger Discount’ Author on Changing Face of Jersey City: Helene Stapinski, former Jersey Journal reporter and author of “Five Finger Discount,” is filming in Jersey City for a trailer of a documentary based on the book. – The Jersey Journal

Best Bets:

“Estos Tropicos Tristes” artist reception, The Harold B. Lemmerman Gallery, at NJCU, 2039 Kennedy Blvd. (4 pm – 7 pm)

Art Social with Live Painting and Open Draw, LITM, 140 Newark Ave. (6:30 pm)

STAGES! Youth Theater Company’s Cabaret Night, Two Boots, 133 Newark Ave ( 7 pm)

Hamilton Park Gourmet Fall Food and Wine Tour, starts at the Hamilton Inn, 234 Pavonia Ave. ($65, 7 pm)

In Statewide News:

NJ Unemployment Rate Declines: New Jersey’s unemployment rate has dropped a bit early this fall as more residents of the state have left the labor force, continuing a trend that has prevailed since summer. – NJ 101.5

With Deadline Looming, New Jersey Still Undecided on Extension for Canceled Health Insurance Policies: New Jersey residents who have received insurance cancellation notices still don’t know if they can renew their old policies, despite the president’s recent call for a “fix” to make good on his promise that “if you like your plan, you can keep it.” – The Record

Steve Sweeney Says NJ Can’t Afford Tax Cuts: The struggle over income tax cuts resurfaces as the governor is pushing for move while many Democrats contend “the state can’t afford it.” – NJ 101.5

State Releases First Results From Pilot Trials of Teacher Evaluation Systems: As New Jersey public schools this year move to new teacher evaluation systems, two dozen districts that tested the systems over the past two years are starting to provide information about lessons learned and challenges ahead. - NJ Spotlight

NJ Senators Support Move To Limit Filibusters: Both of New Jersey’s senators voted to eliminate the use of filibuster against the confirmation votes for most presidential nominees. - NJ Today

Assembly Panel Moves on Energy Portfolio for Combined Heat and Power: Less than two weeks after the state cut funding for a program to build more efficient power plants, lawmakers approved their own initiative to spur construction of new generating units, an issue given a high priority in the Christie administration’s Energy Master Plan. – NJ Spotlight

New iP1 Pistol May Trigger Old Gun Law in New Jersey: In 2002, New Jersey passed a law saying that once technology is available to prevent a gun from being used by an unauthorized person, only that type of handgun may be sold in the state. - The Wall Street Journal

In Local News:

Fulop Backs Currie for Chairman: Mayor Steven Fulop is the latest elected Democratic official to support John Currie for party chairman. – Politicker NJ

Retired Hudson Sheriff’s Officer Gets $180K in Settlement of Harassment Suit: A retired Hudson County Sheriff’s officer detective has been paid $180,000 to settle a lawsuit against the county and sheriff’s department that alleged harassment, unfair treatment, a hostile work place and civil rights violations. – The Jersey Journal

Mayor Fulop Returns to Familiar Turf: Fulop returned to his home turf, speaking at a program sponsored by the Metuchen-Edison Gesher chapter of Hadassah. The grandson of Rumanian Holocaust survivors and a product of local Jewish day schools, he addressed a crowd of community and Hadassah members gathered at Congregation Neve Shalom in Metuchen, where his parents, Carmen and Arthur, are members. – New Jersey Jewish News

The Sharkapellas perform at the 2014 Teacher of the Year Luncheon

On Monday, February 10, this year’s Jersey City Teacher of the Year luncheon was held at the Duncan Family Sky Room at Saint Peter’s University. In spite of the cold weather that has more than overstayed its welcome, the partially snow-covered roads, and slippery, icy sidewalks, guests came out to gather and celebrate the city’s public school educators who have gone the extra mile to facilitate their students’ growth and success.

A great deal of effort was put into the planning and executing of this year’s Teacher of the Year luncheon — for example, the Sharkapellas, a Jersey City capella group, filled the room with song as guests arrived. The singing group was later cited by Superintendent Dr. Marcia V. Lyles as an example of the many ways a teacher can inspire a young person to discover their passions and pursue their dreams.

45 teachers from Jersey City’s public elementary, middle, and high schools were recognized for their outstanding achievements as educators at their respective schools (full list at bottom). The event’s programs included headshots and quotes from every single Teacher of the Year nominee as well as a word cloud made up of different words the teachers’ used to describe their profession. “Passion,” “challenge,” and “grow” were just a few of the words that the teachers used to define what educating means to them.

Before the awards ceremony commenced, a video played on a projector screen above the stage. In it, superintendent Dr. Lyles in full-on talk show host mode, interviewed each of the nominees about their motivations and teaching techniques. The interviewees revealed interesting tidbits about themselves, from Barbara Gannon of Gladys Cannon Nunery School, P.S. 29, who is currently balancing teaching and graduate school, to Esther Masiello of Fred W. Martin Center for the Arts, P.S. 41 who comes from a family of teachers.

Gina Golombos, who teaches at Cornelia F. Bradford School, P.S. 16, states that one of the biggest things she wants her students to know is that “they always have someone to talk to.” Wayne Creed, a teacher at Jotham W. Wakeman School, P.S. 6, has a lot of advice for new teachers including, “Get to know what your students like and dislike.” He also suggests that new teachers ask themselves what they would do better. “The things that don’t work will come out (next year) and the things that work will stay in place,” states Creed.

Every single teacher who was nominated for 2014 Teacher of the Year had much to say about teaching, so much so that all of their advice and insights could have filled up a how-to book on being an educator in the public school system.

As the interview video played on, guests helped themselves to a self-serve buffet. The spread was decidedly Italian. Salad, garlic bread, Italian grilled chicken, creamy penne a la vodka, and grilled vegetables that included cauliflower made up the lunch menu. Varieties of tea, Starbucks coffee, and an assortment of cookies were laid out for dessert. It was just one of many components orchestrated to show the teachers how much their efforts are appreciated.

The awards ceremony itself kicked off with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by an a capella rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” (sung by a few of Sharkapella’s members), which was met with standing applause. Each teacher received a trophy inscribed with their name. In addition to the trophies and the lunch, each Teacher of the Year recipient was presented with a free dinner for two at one of Jersey City’s many restaurants. Paul Silverman and Susan Firth of Silverman Properties arranged for over a dozen restaurants to award these teachers with a complimentary meal. A few of the participating restaurants included The Merchant, Liberty House, Tommy 2 Scoops, and Razza Pizza.

The 2014 Teacher of the Year was carefully selected by a district-wide committee that included Meg Freeman, last year’s Teacher of the Year recipient. Freeman, now a Vice Principal, earned past awards that included County and District Teacher of the Year. At the podium, Freeman commended all the nominees and acknowledged the territory that comes with teaching in an urban environment, stressing that “education is the way out of poverty.” Last year Freeman was celebrated at the Silverman Corporation’s Cinco de Mayo parade, an honor that included donning a special sash. Following tradition, this year’s winner, Joel Naatus of Christa McAuliffe School, P.S. 28, will be recognized at this year’s parade.

Naatus is a special education science teacher who has received attention for Project Reservoir, a multi-disciplinary project where students have been working to transform an abandoned local reservoir into a recreation and education center. Their many experiments have included cultivating a floating tomato garden and working to control mosquito populations in the reservoir, both of which have been met with positive responses from Jersey City residents. As expressed by Dr. Lyles, the teachers are representatives of the community. A few of Project Reservoir’s rewards include the grand prize in the 2012 Disney Planet Challenge, a 2012 Environmental Protection Agency Quality Award, and first place in the 2012-2013 Lexus Eco Challenge. Naatus’ involvement in Project Reservoir is one of many examples of the school district’s teachers working hard to engage their students and prepare them for the adult world.

Dr. Lyles closed the awards ceremony by reading from She Loves Me by Jeff Gray. It is a heartfelt illustrated book that quotes many of the loving things that teachers do for their students from visiting a student in the hospital to having patience and understanding for another student’s disability. When the awards ceremony ended, the Sharkapellas performed “For the Longest Time” by Billy Joel. The shade covering the floor-to-ceiling windows behind the stage were raised, revealing a stunning view of Jersey City as well as the Freedom Tower amidst the Manhattan skyline.

Nominated Teachers Include:
Kristi Zupko PS 3
Max Arias Jr. MS 4
Maryann Stulich PS 5
Wayne Creed PS 6
John Flora MS 7
Maria O’Donnell PS 8
Theresa Worth PS 11
Jasmin Greenwood PS 12
Eileen Llaneza PS 14
Graciela Anderson PS15
Gina Golombos PS 16
Peter Realmuto PS 17
Migdalia Torres-Rosario PS 20
Addys Denis PS 22
Gina Walls PS 23
Paul Germadnig PS 24
Amanda Haber PS 25
Kristine Gervasio PS 27
Joel Naatus PS 28
Barbara Gannon PS 29
Elissa Forenza PS 30
Kathleen Porro PS 31
Susan Colby PS 33
Thomas Gesualdo PS 34
Rebecca Todd PS 37
Marissa McCarthy PS 38
Colleen Culhane PS 39
Aimee Rodriguez MS 40
Esther Masiello PS 41
Eric Marto, Academy I Middle School
Laura Kong, Regional Day School
Jennifer Resnick, Early Childhood Department
Kristen Marino, Bright Street Academy
Stephen Nyarko, William L. Dickinson High School
James M. Chiariello, James J. Ferris High School
Uyen Vu, Infinity Institute
Salvatore Capaldo, Liberty High School
Finis Galante, Abraham Lincoln High School
Maria C. Rodriguez, Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School
Gladys Ocasio, Henry Snyder High School

Photo by Tricia Bangit

Additional JCI Coverage of Jersey City Public Schools:

Love it or Leave it? Jersey City Public Schools Aim for Greater Buy-In

Ten years ago the Garden Preschool Board members sat around a little table in tiny wooden chairs discussing our future. Our co-president had a grim announcement to make. “I just don’t know if we’re going to be open next fall,” she said. “We have almost NO applicants for next school year.” I remember thinking, HOW could that possibly be true? Outside, the relentless sound of pile-drivers reminded us of the growing development crowding in. “This can’t be right,” I finally said. “There are families moving here in droves – all from New York City. Just wait, soon there will be a LINE to get into our little school!”

A decade later and there is never a time when Garden Cooperative Preschool, one of Jersey City’s original private preschools, does not have a wait-list for enrollment. And they are not alone; the public and private schools can barely keep up with the influx of families clamoring for spots. Ten years ago, the rising curve of New Yorkers moving to Jersey City had barely begun. The city’s downtown area boasted a smattering of parents mixed amongst artists and musicians who opted for the “Jersey-side” over more expensive parts of Brooklyn or Queens. These days the landscape has changed considerably. While the artist scene is still vibrant and thriving, a different demographic has taken shape. Take a walk around the city’s farmer’s markets sometime whether it’s Grove Street, Hamilton Park, Riverview Fisk Park or Journal Square it’s hard not to notice the amount of pregnant women, many with little kids in tow.

Looking strictly at birth rate statistics, Jersey City shows fairly slow growth over the previous decade. However, thousands of babies are born across the river in New York City (therefore their stats are not gathered) and those families quickly become sized-out or priced-out of their current homes, seeking shelter across the river in our cozy, eclectic corner. According to the Jersey City Board of Education, there has been record growth in public school enrollment over the past five years. Based on residential development and proposed new housing, they report that the Pre-K programs for 3 and 4 year olds have experienced very heavy demand.

“For the first time in almost two decades we are seeing enrollment in the Jersey City Public Schools grow,” states Board of Education President, Sangeeta Ranade. “This influx in students reflects a growing confidence in our public schools. We are aggressively exploring options to get more space including the construction of two new elementary schools in Lafayette and the Heights, changing how we use existing space, and leasing buildings.” Programs via public schools are free of charge per the Abbott program, which uses state funding for public school education in low-income districts (which Jersey City is considered.)

In the past two State of the Union addresses, President Obama has called upon Congress to help fund preschool programs for every child in the country. The theory, based on research, shows that investing in early education has lasting positive results as that child enters kindergarten more prepared, and continues that trajectory through their many years of education. The price tag for this funding (estimated at $75 billion over 10 years) could be paid for by raising cigarette taxes. Of the handful of states mentioned that were doing a good job by providing quality free preschool programs, New Jersey was included. The funding (about $7,500 per student) enables programs to hire teachers with better credentials, training, and at higher salaries; this creates a more stable and beneficial environment for education through creative play — one of the hallmarks of an effective and appropriate preschool curriculum.

So what does that mean for those who want a spot in a free Pre-K program? Competition and stress. Public school slots often require waiting on line, tangled registration procedures, and over-flow from surrounding public schools, which are filled to capacity. One parent observed, “I think the city is going to have a hard time retaining all its young families with working parents if it doesn’t do more to expand capacity. It also needs to make the registration and application process timely, efficient, and transparent. We moved from New Orleans, another city that has really struggled with its public education system, and were startled to find Jersey City so far behind what we had left.”

One of the more sought-after Pre-K options is PS 5’s dual language program. However, parents complain that classes must be evenly filled with half native Spanish speakers, then preference is given to siblings for the remaining slots. “I’m not sure why the class must have equal native and non-native speakers. I’d love for there to be more than one class so that EVERYONE could have a head start on a dual language curriculum,” says one dad.

The population explosion in Jersey City is not lost on the for-profit preschool sector. We can expect to see continued expansion of franchised schools cropping up yearly, as the demand shows no sign of waning. Will free programs at public schools get crushed in the enrollment surge?

Unfortunately, gathering information about the various Pre-K programs around town has been made more difficult by what parents say is a combination of lack of information and an uninformative Board of Ed website. “I got my best info from moms on the playground who I overheard talking,” says one mother. “We were originally informed by the BOE that our child could go to any school in JC and that it was a ‘first come’ situation unless the number of children was too high and thereafter a lottery. This was not true in our case.”

Parents seeking preschool choices often will put messages out on email groups, such as the Jersey City Family Initiative or Meet-up Mom groups and from those queries often come practical answers: “My daughter is at Concordia Learning Center (which specializes in children with vision impairments) we love it. If this one mom didn’t email me privately in response to my pleas for help, I would never have found that school on my own.”

If free public preschools have parents in a dither — private, and more costly, preschools are becoming more plentiful and provide other options. The families I spoke to all praised Primary Prep, Mustard Seed School, Montessori School of Jersey City, Hamilton Park Montessori School, Garden Cooperative Preschool and newer ones like The Scandinavian School of Jersey City and Bright Horizons (a national chain.) Tuition can vary greatly anywhere from $9,000 to nearly $20,000 per year: despite their cost many of these private preschools are in very high demand with long wait-lists (three years for Montessori Waterfront location.)

Another parent I spoke with agonized over the pressure to find the school that “looked good on paper,” as she described it. “This really didn’t work for my family nor did this ‘right school’ we selected, truly deliver on their purported high level philosophy of teaching.” Different parents and children have different needs. Some parents need a low cost option, some need the reassurance that their child is in a nurturing environment — others want to see the emphasis on academic enrichment and preparation.

“I heard from my neighbor that the Viaquenti Preschool had a full day dual language program with aftercare options,” says Selena, mom of two preschool age children. “I liked that they partnered with Bambino Chef to have hot lunches delivered to the school! That was a bonus.”

It may seem that searching for a preschool requires almost as much effort as finding an appropriate college for your child. For higher-ed opportunities, at least, you can read extensive reports and guides from institutions like The Princeton Review or Barrons. However, for local preschool options there is no “one stop shopping” but more of an organic system comprised of internet searches, word-of-mouth, and membership to any number of parent organizations around town. For many families school placement indicates the ultimate “make or break” moment, particularly for those who wish to put down roots in Jersey City. “If we can’t find a decent school for our daughter,” laments one mom. “It’s time to say goodbye to Jersey City and consider a town with more plentiful options and maybe lower taxes as well.”

JCI file photo

More Education Coverage:
Jersey City Public Schools Pre-K Classroom Shortage Concerns
Love it or Leave it? Jersey City Public Schools Aim for Greater Buy-In

Kids Teach Dad host Kris Van Nest making dino gingerbreads with young cousin Raymond.

It makes perfect sense that Kris Van Nest, creator and host of the web series Kids Teach Dad, earned a Master’s degree in Educational Technology. But his zest for learning started much earlier, in a simpler setting. “I grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania,” Van Nest tells the Jersey City Independent. “You’re building tree houses, and dams in the stream, learning at your own pace and style, and exploring as much as you can.”

That same spirit of adventure drew Van Nest away from the prestigious Teachers College doctoral program at Columbia University, and into a noted international vehicle-based competition. “I saw an ad for ‘Camel Trophy Mongolia‘—mountain biking, off-road driving, bridge building,” he recalls. “I thought, that’s what I want to be doing!”

The transformative experience kickstarted the next decade of Van Nest’s life: as an adventure-racing competitor, professional off-road driving instructor, and precision driver in car commercials. (When it says “Professional driver, closed course, do not attempt” at the bottom of the ad? That’s Kris.) He also hosted two adventure-themed TV series—Freesport TV which aired on local cable, and Trekken for the DISH Network. But after criss-crossing the globe for 10 years, there was only one logical place to go next: Jersey City.

“I realized if I wanted to do more television and precision-driving work, I should be closer to New York,” says Van Nest, who was living deeper in New Jersey at the time. “I looked up Jersey City and saw that it’s kind of artistic here; there’s a cool vibe.”

Soon after, Van Nest encountered an intriguing detour in his life’s journey—his son Blake was born in 2009. “All my responsibilities changed, and my focus. I could no longer be away for three months at a time in Canada or South America,” Van Nest states. “I wanted to be very involved with my son’s life.”

While dedicating himself as a single dad to his son’s growth and development, Van Nest also started looking for ways to combine his background in education with his passion for television production. In 2011, he started a company called thislearning to produce and broadcast education-themed videos while also offering custom-video and consultation services. Van Nest assembled a team of local professionals to assist him with the technical, marketing, financial, and research aspects of the organization.

Meanwhile, he and Blake were spending a lot of time in Hamilton Park, where Kris would chat with other fathers and mothers. “Parents are always talking about, what’s the best preschool, what’s the best daycare, and nobody really knows!” Van Nest says. “But all parents, no matter who you are, want the best for their kids—the best education and learning.”

But where were the best offerings and styles? Van Nest was quite familiar with the literature on educational trends and theories, but raising Blake—and Kris’s park interactions—began to give him a more direct idea. “Let’s ask the kids. What works for your learning—what gets you excited and motivated?” he says. “That’s how Kids Teach Dad got started.”

Searching for topics for his initial episodes, Van Nest relied on word-of-mouth ideas from neighborhood parents. Filming began in 2012 at the opening of the Newport Green park, with then-Mayor Jerramiah Healy as Van Nest’s first interview. Van Nest didn’t want to take any political sides on his show: “The very next episode, I did a full interview with Steve Fulop at Champions Soccer Academy,” he says.

Kris and his crew have also visited the Newark Museum to learn about 3-D printing, and New Jersey City University to discuss studying abroad and cultural immersion. But the episode that has really impacted him was a trip to the Concordia Learning Center at St. Joseph’s School for the Blind. “The kids actually blindfolded me; I got to experience what it was like to paint blindfolded—and why that really works for their learning,” he says. “That was amazing.”

Van Nest is ready to take Kids Teach Dad to the next stage. “It’s a grassroots effort that we started here, with our friends and community,” says Kris, “and we want to bring that to a national level, or even worldwide.” Toward that goal, thislearning recently raised capital for the series via a crowdfunding campaign on the Indiegogo site. The money contributed will allow Van Nest to produce one or more full pilot episodes which he will then shop around to television networks.

But where in the world to film those pilots and future episodes? “We want people—and particularly kids—to submit ideas about where we should go to find awesome learning,” Van Nest encourages. A couple of already suggested locations that have captured Kris’s imagination are a forest kindergarten in Switzerland and the music school in Paraguay where kids play instruments they’ve made out of recycled trash. “No matter where you are—whether it’s Jersey City, Newark, or anywhere—you can have these kinds of crazy-cool learning experiences too,” Kris states. “We want to share the possibilities that are out there.”

And no matter where Kris Van Nest goes to discover incredible experiences in learning, he will always be right in the middle of the action. He says, “You can only get that perspective by talking to the kids and putting yourself in their shoes, in their seats, to find out how that feels.”

For more information and to watch episodes, visit Kids Teach Dad or connect with the show on Facebook. 

Photo courtesy Kris Van Nest

A new kind of science experiment is going on at the Liberty Science Center (LSC) and it could impact local kids’ performance in the classroom.

This school year, the Jersey City Public Schools will be working with LSC in the pilot of an elementary school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiative.

Every Friday or 29 weeks, 50 third graders will go to LSC for a half-day of immersive science instruction that will include hands-on lab workshops.

Also, teachers and educational aides will work each week with LSC’s professional development team to seamlessly integrate the students’ experiences in the workshops with what is presented in the classroom.

LSC president Paul Hoffman sees great potential for the program. “If we can get the informal-formal instructional model right, we have the potential to improve the education of many thousands of students right here in our community,” he says.

Local education officials agree. “This partnership is significant because it provides third graders high levels of STEM instruction through a curriculum that is rigorous and hands-on. Working more closely with Liberty Science Center will allow us to engage younger children in STEM in a sustained and in-depth way,” said superintendent Marcia Lyles in a statement.

Officials are hoping that the participating students will be able to perform better on district assessments and on the state’s science assessment next year when they reach grade 4.

Locals are celebrating Back to School season tomorrow, Sept. 21, with the I Love Jersey City Public Schools Back to School Festival.

The inaugural festival will be held in Liberty State Park on Saturday to celebrate the beginning of the school year and showcase programs at the system’s 39 schools.

At the event, parents and community members can speak with school staff. There will also be performances by several student groups and fun activities like face-painting, an arts and crafts station, table-top science and dance lessons.

“This is an important step in our commitment to engage our families and community in support of our children,” said Superintendent Marcia Lyles in a statement. “This is a day to celebrate all that is good in the Jersey City Public Schools.”

The festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 1 pm to 4 pm at Freedom Field at the corner of Morris Pesin Drive and Freedom Way in Liberty State Park. Shuttle buses to the event will be available from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm with stops at the following locations:

• PS #23 (main building), 143 Romaine Ave.
• PS #28, 167 Hancock Ave.
• JCEA parking lot 1600 JFK Blvd.
• Dickinson HS, 2 Palisade Ave.
• Ferris HS, 35 Colgate Ave.
• Lincoln HS, 60 Crescent Ave.
• McNair Academic HS, 123 Coles St.
• Snyder HS, 239 Bergen Ave.
• Liberty State Park light rail station

For more information, call 201 915 6210 or visit the Board of Education website.

Dr. Sue Henderson, the new head of New Jersey City University (NJCU)–and its first female president–was inaugurated last week with a jazz concert on Thursday and ceremony on Friday.

Henderson, who has been serving as president at NJCU since August 2012, started her career as a mathematics teacher at Lithonia High School in Lithonia, Ga. After obtaining her doctorate and learning more about math at the University of Georgia, she began teaching at the college level, which she says was a whole new animal.

“You had to be much more focused in your teaching because you don’t get to see your students as many days, but there are also more opportunities to understand your discipline,” says Henderson.

Over time, Henderson’s hunger for new experiences and knowledge helped her fill increasingly more prominent positions. Most recently, she was the COO and Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Queens College in Flushing, Queens.

“At Queens College I got to more fully understand what it meant to be more than a faculty member,” says Henderson. “We turned the athletic program around, built up the study abroad program, working on communications and marketing…all these things went together to make the institution stronger. It gave me the opportunity to help the faculty from a different perspective and understand how institutions run.”

Henderson is bringing that know-how to NJCU, which she said captured her interest with its diversity and momentum.

“I thought this was an interesting institution,” says Henderson, who also applied to other colleges in her quest to become a university president. “I liked that it was urban, diverse and took pride in taking students from modest means and helping them become more productive in the work force.

“I also like that it’s in New Jersey, which is a remarkable state. There’s a lot of forward-looking energy here and it’s a fun place to be. And I like that it’s situated in Jersey City, which is really going through this wonderful renaissance and I thought it might be fun to be a part of that.”

One of Henderson’s main goals is better equipping students for the work force.

“People need to be able to think critically, write, speak and work in teams. Today it’s not so much about purveying information to students. It’s about teaching them and making them nimble, thought-provoking workers,” she says. “It’s about who you are and your ability to work and make an organization better.”

Henderson’s other goals include strengthening the faculty and improving campus facilities. For example, possible projects include a science building and a new residency hall. She also wants to make the campus accessible to the community, with locals being able to rent space on campus or the school hosting community events.

While she is focused on NJCU, she is also keeping in mind the community at large. “We want to make sure we are relevant and useful…a driver for the community, schools and businesses,” she says, adding that she will be working Jersey City Public Schools Superintendent Marcia Lyles on ways to get K-12 students better prepared for college.

When JCI noted that both Henderson and Lyles could be role models for girls in Jersey City as successful female educators, she said there is a positive trend nationwide of women playing a larger role in the administration of educational institutions. A true mathematician, she broke it down for us in numbers.

“When you look at the average college, 50 percent of its workforce are women. But when you look at the administration, deans and such, it’s about 40 percent. Then look at provosts or vice presidents, it’s 30. And today, the statistic is about 25 percent of university presidents in the country are women,” she says. “That statistic has actually gone up. It went up from 16 percent to 25 over about ten years, which is not bad.”

Having worked for both male and female presidents, Henderson says she hasn’t seen a distinct difference in leadership styles between the genders. (She says while women are statistically more inclined to collaborate, both genders are showing more interest in using that approach.)

“We want to provide opportunities for all kinds of individuals,” she says. “I think we have a responsibility to help other people grow. It’s what we’re supposed to do in life.”

Top photo courtesy of Ellen Wayman-Gordon, headshot from NJCU website

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) has expanded its online course offerings, school officials announced.

The school recently expanded its online course catalog to include nearly 60 online and hybrid courses and also doubled the number of times students can begin online courses from four times a year to eight, says Jennifer Dudley, Dean of Non-Traditional Programs for the College.

“HCCC online and hybrid courses are taught by the same qualified instructors, meet the same rigorous standards, with credits every bit as transferable as all other HCCC classes. Plus, students enrolled in online courses may also be eligible for financial assistance,” she says.

Students can take a variety of subjects online including accounting, anthropology, art history, biology, nutrition, business law, food service sanitation, culinary arts and hospitality, computers, macro- and microeconomics, composition, intro to film, humanities, literature, marketing, mathematics, philosophy, and psychology. All courses are designed so they can be accessed and taken via computer, smartphone and tablet.

School president Glen Gabert says this expansion is part of the college’s continuing efforts to make it easier for students to learn. “We know that for many individuals, these classes provide the best opportunities to work towards a degree or certification at times that are convenient for them, and without the bother and expense of commuting,” he said.

The school’s Center for Distance Education also offers more than 300 noncredit courses online, online tutoring 24/7 and technical help. Prospective students are urged to register as soon as possible as the next session begins October 23. For more information, visit their website.

Jersey City’s other higher learning institutions–St. Peter’s University, New Jersey City University and the University of Phoenix’s campus in Newport–also offer online courses in addition to their ground classes.

JCI file photo

The Jersey City Board of Education elections are coming up fast on Nov. 5.

Three of the seats up for grabs have three-year terms; these seats are currently held by Carol Lester, Angel Valentin and vice president Sterling Waterman. The other seat available is for a one-year term and is currently held by Gerald Lyons, who was appointed by the BOE after the resignation of Marvin Adames last August.

Other current board members include president Sue Mack, Carol Harrison-Arnold, Vidya Gangadin, Sangeeta Ranade and Marilyn Roman.

According to the Hudson County Clerk’s Office there are 15 confirmed candidates running in November. Carol Lester and Angel Valenti are running for the one-year term. Those running for the three-year terms include Micheline Amy, Denise Davis, Jessica Daye, Telissa Dowling, Carol Gabriel, Susan Harbace, Gerald Lyons, DeJon Morris, Lorenzo Richardson, Ellen Simon, Gina Verdibello, and Kevaan Walton. (Peter Basso, Jay Cordero and Josephine Paige have withdrawn from the race.)

The four available seats will be occupied by the highest vote-getters. Elected board members will work as advocates for children and families of the district, act as advisors to Superintendent Marcia Lyles and the schools’ administrators as well as serve as liaisons between the schools and residents of the district.

Board members will undergo criminal history record checks through the state Department of Education within 30 days of election and will be sworn in at organizational meetings in January. The positions are unpaid.

JCI spoke to some of the candidates about their passion for education and vision for the school system in Jersey City. Here’s what we learned about a few of the candidates. Check back later this week to read more about the other candidates running on Nov. 5.

Carol Lester

A BOE vet, Carol Lester, a Downtown Jersey City resident whose daughter attended the Learning Community Charter School and High Tech High School, is running for a one-year term.

Lester started serving on the board in April of 2010. “We did a lot of heavy lifting,” she said. “We changed the entire leadership structure in the central office…I chaired a number of committees. As the Science, Technology and Green Initiative chair, I spearheaded WiFi in every school and the implementation of more hands-on use of technology in the classroom across the curriculum.”

If re-elected, the award-winning singer-songwriter says she wants to continue pushing for more college courses available to high school students as well as decreasing the district’s dropout rate.

“I want zero dropouts and I want as many as possible of our high school students to be able to take college-level courses. I want to move everybody as high as they’re capable of going.”

She also wants to get more people invested in students’ success and involved in the decision-making process. “I believe that our teachers and our principals are the ones who can share their best practices…Our parents also need to be part of the process. They need more access to see the homework the children have and more support when things come up.”

The biggest challenges, she says, will be shrinking central budgets and “finger-pointing instead of uniting to solve problems.” Lester says she and her running-mates–the Candidates for Excellence slate also includes Jessica Rosero Dave, Micheline Amy and Ellen Simon–will fight against these to get things done.

“There’s something about the energy and imperative of mothers who have children in the district or in school right now. Mothers insist that things get done quickly. Mothers know things need to get done yesterday and if they weren’t, let’s fix them and get them done now. We keep the focus on the children all the time.”

Gerald Lyons

While Gerald Lyons, 54, has only been on the board for a little over a year, he has taught various subjects at County Prep High School, a Hudson County School of Technology, since 1987 and knows firsthand what teachers and students need.

The Heights resident, who has no children, has attended meetings and workshops statewide to learn more about education since he became a board member in Sept. 2012. Along with his personal experience as a teacher and president of the Hudson County chapter of the New Jersey School Board Association, he says if elected to a three-year term, he will be equipped to accomplish his three main goals, especially with help from the rest of the Children First slate with Valentin as well as Gina Verdibello and Lorenzo Richardson.

“I’d like to continue working as a chairperson for the special education committee. It’s a very rewarding process…other districts try to use our services because we have a well-oiled machine here.

“I also want to continue my biggest fight…for more communication. People would like to know more about what’s going on and get more input on the decisions being made in the district. I hope it continues where everyone feels what they say is valued and it can be most productive if people say, ‘This is an area of weakness. How can we make it stronger?'”

He also wants to see more equity in the system. As an example, he pointed out that the board recently approved three online courses to be offered at McNair Academic High School, which is consistently one of the best secondary schools in the state and country.

“I’m thrilled McNair has it, but it should be made available to every other high school in Jersey City. It’s online. What is the structure you need for the course? Access to a computer, which I think most students have,” he says. “Many schools could benefit. Kids who are not as focused or mature, when they start taking college courses, they realize how much they have to step up to the plate.”

The biggest challenges, he says, are new demands from the state which sometimes result in previous education staples like cursive writing or geography getting left behind.

“Teachers are trying to do everything they can…Students pass tests and teachers are evaluated based on how many students pass the tests…There’s more and more teaching to the test and I’m worried what that will do to stifle creativity.”

Lorenzo Richardson

Lorenzo Richardson, 43, who was born and raised in Jersey City and lives in the Greenville neighborhood, is about to have even more at stake in his run for a three-year term–he and his wife are expecting their first child early next year.

The Ferris High School graduate, who was near the top of his class and voted Most Likely to Succeed, says he aims to “restore trust, transparency and true commitment” to the public schools.

“My (Children First) teammate Gerald Lyons and I are very keen on the transparency issue. The Strike Force debacle is a prime example of what happens when the entire board and community are left out of decisions pertaining to our children,” he says, referring to the district’s decision to have armed guards from the Union-based company at various school facilities without first notifying parents, which invited much criticism according to the Jersey Journal.

Richardson, who is an accounting manager at the Urban League of Hudson County, says he and the other board members will be facing some big challenges like the threat of school closures and job loss, high-stakes testing, low parent and community involvement, inadequate facilities, low test scores and inequity in access to quality education and resources.

He has a clear vision, however, of what needs to be done. “(I would like to) bring the district back under local control, get politics out of the school system, ensure that all children are treated equally under the law and provided a quality education and fully renovate and provide central air conditioning in every school that does not have it…bring back full recess, restore vocational programs and add technology and STEM programs to the curriculum,” says Richardson, who also wants to increase parental involvement and have schools open earlier for breakfast and stay open later for recreational activities and after-school help.

He also has specific goals he wants to accomplish with help from his running-mates. “I will work with my teammate Gina Verdibello in her initiative to remove all trailers from schools and have a maximum 15:1 teacher-student classroom ratio,” he says, adding that he wants to work closely with the recreation, police and health and human service divisions of the city government.

“The human services piece is something that I as a social and civil rights activist and Angel Valentin as a social and employment activist will take on fully,” he says. “We know what the community needs and where to find the resources to assist them.”

Angel Valentin

Born and raised in Jersey City, Angel Valentine, 58-year-old Bergen-Lafayette resident has strong ties to Jersey City and its school system. Besides having two children who graduated from local public schools (Angel Jr., 19, from Ferris High School, now heading to culinary school, and Krystal, 23, a McNair Academic and Princeton graduate) and being a Ferris graduate himself, Valentin has been serving on the board since 2002 when he was appointed by the commissioner of education.

Since 2002, Valentin has been re-elected three times. This year, he’s running on the Children First slate looking to be elected for a one-year term so he can continue working toward his vision of a school system that addresses students’ socioeconomic challenges and helps them succeed.

From his experience as a social worker, Valentin has seen court cases and worked with employment training programs where he says he saw local youth problems firsthand.

“A lot of these youngsters, the grandmothers have custody, the parents are incarcerated or deceased…those are the students we need to grab and provide with supportive services.”

Valentin is pushing for vocational and trade programs, after-school extracurricular activities and peer-to-peer tutoring to be established in schools throughout the system. “We need a mentoring program where high-achieving students can help struggling students,” he says. “I think we’ll see more success if we allow that to happen.”

More attention also needs to be given to what’s going on inside the classrooms, he adds.

“In 24 years of state control…every time we make progress the administration changes,” says Valentin, who has seen four governors and seven education commissioners come and go since he’s been on the board. “We need to get local control. The curriculum is a mess. How can you establish and test students? They’re not learning. That’s because we’re not teaching. We have to go back to teaching.”

More Nov 5th Pre-Election Coverage:

• Meet the Board of Education Candidates (Part Two): Amy Micheline, Ellen Simon, Gina Verdibello
• Meet the Board of Education Candidates (Part Three): Jessica Daye, Carol Gabriel, Telissa Dowling
• In Choosing A Governor, NJ Voters Have Some Homework To Do
• What is Ballot Question #2 and How Will it Affect You?

Photos courtesy of the respective candidates

While Gov. Chris Christie has proclaimed his support of charter schools, a segment of New Jersey’s charter school community is waging a persistent battle over whether they are being supported enough.

A group of charter schools in Jersey City has been in a legal battle with the state for the better part of two years, contending in a formal complaint that they have been shortchanged in public funding, leaving some on the brink of extinction.

An administrative law judge last month sided with the state against the plaintiffs, leaving the next step in the hands of state Education Commissioner David Hespe.

But the legal battle is hardly over, and the dispute spilled over this week with a public protest in front of the Statehouse, where dozens of families and advocates from Jersey City charters gathered to rally for their cause.

The case revolves around an anomaly in the state funding for charter schools in Jersey City. The main issue is that the district’s charter schools, some of them among the most established in the state, have been left out of what has been a major source of revenue to the district.

The charter schools have argued that they should be receiving a full 90 percent of the district’s per-pupil costs for the students they serve, as dictated by the state law.

Instead, they have said, some schools receive the equivalent of as little as 40 percent or 50 percent of per-pupil costs, as the state law precludes them from tapping into hundreds of millions of dollars in so-called transition or adjustment aid to the district.

One of the leading voices has been the Ethical Community Charter School, which took part in the protests this week in Trenton.

During a press conference Monday, a compelling voice came from fourth-grader Louis Correro, who said the funding disparity has left his school without sufficient money to have a fully-stocked library or the ability to retain teachers who can earn a better salary elsewhere.

“Sadly, our school has never received full funding,” he said. “What if it was your child, your schools who were being treated differently?

Correro went on to describe how Ethical Community Charter School has received the equivalent of $6,900 per pupil, compared to overall total of over $15,000 spent in the district.

“I ask you, how is our school valued so much less that the district schools?” he said.

Afterward, the chair of the charter school’s board said the administration, for all its purported support of charter schools statewide, has left her school short.

“It’s mind-boggling to me to how they have not rectified this situation.” said Ann Wallace, chair of the school’s board. “And now it’s only getting worse.”

The state Department of Education has been quiet so far, with Hespe’s office this week saying it would not comment on pending litigation.

This article was original published on May 21, 2015 and has been republished on JCI with permission from NJ Spotlight. © 2015 NJ Spotlight

Every year, Jersey City voters have the opportunity to elect three individuals to serve on the Jersey City Board of Education (JCBOE). Terms last for three years. The role of the nine member JCBOE is to set policy and oversee administration of Jersey City’s 40 public schools. According to the Hudson County Clerk’s Office there are four confirmed candidates in this year’s election: Vidya Gangadin, Marilyn Roman, John Reichart, and Gina Verdibello.

Jersey City Public Schools: A District in Transition

While recent news about the district regaining two more areas of local control was heralded as a major positive milestone for the district, significant challenges remain. One area – instruction and program – remains under state control and a quantifiable weakness within the district. The 2015-16 JCPS budget totaled $667 million, of which over 70%, or approximately $490 million, is state-funded. Yet state funding has been flat since 2011, putting increasing pressure on local taxpayers each year. For instance, the local school tax levy rose 2% in 2015-16 and it rose 7.5% in aggregate since 2011. Also, the Jersey City Public School district is an “SDA” district, which means the state oversees the construction, funding, and major maintenance of facilities.

The Candidates: An Overview of the Ballot

Vidya Gangadin, Marilyn Roman, and John Reichart are running on the “Education Matters” ticket with the express endorsement of the JCPS teachers union, the Jersey City Education Association (JCEA). The Education Matters ticket also has the backing of Mayor Fulop and the Hudson County Democratic Organization. Gina Verdibello is an independent candidate. She received the endorsement of sitting JCBOE member Lorenzo Richardson, who himself was backed by the JCEA last year.

JCI spoke with each of the candidates about their backgrounds, what they see as the district’s biggest challenges, and what they hope to accomplish if elected next month.

Vidya Gangadin

Vidya Gangadin is the current JCBOE president and is seeking reelection to a second term. She is a parent with a 4^th and 5^th grader in JCPS and a junior in a public, county high school. Her oldest child is in college.

When asked why she is running again, Gangadin said she believes the “district is turning the corner in a positive way” and that “continuity on the board” is important. She said that she supports Dr. Marcia Lyles, JCPS Superintendent of Schools , citing progress that has been made, but more work remains. Gangadin also supports the current business administrator, Luiggi Campana, whose contract she voted to renew in June 2015. The Jersey City Education Association is openly critical of Campana. She said “I have worked closely with Campana in terms of the budget and he’s done a great job.” In June the Board ratified contracts with four of the five unions in JCPS, the largest of which was the JCEA.

Gangadin said she sees two challenges in the years ahead. First, she said there was a need for greater accountability around the benefit from funds spent in areas like professional development. The second challenge, she said, was the district’s aging school facilities. She said the JCBOE knows about certain trends, notably a growing student population, per the district’s 2013 demographic study. Gangadin said the district is starting to look at potential re-zoning, given the capacity issues that exist throughout the district.

Gangadin also said she wants more parent engagement. She said the community forum held last spring saw over 300 parents attending, and evidence of her focus on improving outreach to parents throughout the district.

John Reichart

John Reichart has three children; his oldest attends college, his middle child is in a public, county middle school located in Jersey City, and his youngest is in a public elementary school in Jersey City.

He currently works as Operations Director for Silverman, a local developer in Jersey City. Prior to working for Silverman, Reichart was employed with the NJ Transit Police and a member of the Local 304 PBA (Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association), then, after being promoted to sergeant, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #37. Reichart volunteered that he was also a registered lobbyist with both organizations. He stated that his experience with the NJ Transit Police gave him experience with labor issues and contract negations. From 2007 to 2014, Reichart served on the board of the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District, a “public-private partnership” around downtown development. He was president of that body from 2008-2014.

When asked about how his professional experience might serve JCBOE. Reichart acknowledged that the Jersey City Public School district’s administration is dealing with aging buildings, but he pointed to “waste” and “bureaucracy” as factors in improving JCPS’ facilities. He cited a new high school in Trenton as one such an example, stating that it would cost the SDA over $100 million to build a new school, yet the new “Charles & Co” building on the corner of Grove and Montgomery cost Silverman (his employer) approximately “$20 million to build”. He said there appears to be a “lot of waste” and “too many layers of bureaucracy.”

The biggest challenge facing JCPS, Reichart said, was managing growth in an meaningful and effective manner. It’s a “good problem to have” but still an issue. Secondly, he said we need a stable and sustaining funding formula given the district’s reliance on state funding.

Marilyn Roman

Marilyn Roman is an incumbent candidate who is serving out her first term as a Jersey City BOE trustee. When asked why she was running again, Roman acknowledged that the district has made progress, but that “there is a lot more work to do.”

Roman was a Jersey City Public School elementary and middle school teacher for 19 years, then became an education supervisor, guiding teachers how to write unit plans, lesson plans, and adjust to new programs. She explained how her experience as a teacher informs her concerns about the current instruction-related challenges within JCPS.

Her biggest concern is with the over-emphasis on testing, which is driven by the district’s transition to the PARCC test. She believes too much testing limits the time and attention that teachers can devote to individual student needs. She said that teachers need to “take kids from where they are,” but the current emphasis on standardized testing prohibits this flexibility. “We need to be able to help teachers become really good teachers but at same time go forward and try and give them the time and materials they need to do a good job.”

Roman said she would like to see the district continue to focus and expand the magnet “small learning communities,” such as the hospitality and tourism program at Ferris High School, the Academy of Sciences program at Dickinson High School, and the Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management program at Lincoln High School. These programs, she explained, are especially beneficial for kids who may not have the encouragement or interest in a traditional 4-year college degree.

Roman spoke of the “science of teaching” and the “art of teaching.” She said it’s critical that teachers be trained in the art of teaching, which includes developing creative and and innovate ways to grab hold of the kids and get them interested.

Gina Verdibello

Gina Verdibello is a parent of three children who attend elementary school in the Jersey City Public School District. Verdibello previously ran for a seat on the Jersey City Board of Ed in 2013 and 2014. In seeking election to the JCBOE, her main goal is to improve communication between parents and the district. Her other goals include involvement in the curriculum and testing, providing more after school programming for kids, and improving the school lunch program. Verdibello has been a vocal critic of the PARCC test.

Verdibello’s professional background includes administration and writing of small grants.

Verdibello feels the biggest issue the district faces is the lack of parent involvement. She said she wants to encourage more parents to get engaged, and she wants to see improvements in how the district engages parents. She feels meetings are “not easy to get to” and “people are scared about retribution over their kids” if they complain openly at a Jersey City BOE meeting. She also wants to advocate more forcefully at the state level than she’s seen from the current JCBOE.

Verdibello has been a staunch critic of the district’s maintenance of facilities. In May 2014 she established a Facebook page for parents, teachers, and staff to crowdsource facilities complaints in an open forum. This preceded the district updating its website to provide a “facilities request form” link on its home page. Verdibello credited her advocacy for getting the district to finally open itself to direct parent requests and complaints.

She explained that she is an active member of the community. She is a board member on the West Side Community Alliance, a Girl Scouts troop leader, and she attends the Jersey City Board of Education meetings regularly.

When and Where to Vote

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. To check your polling location, use the Polling Place Search on the New Jersey State Department website and for more information on voting in Hudson County, visit the Hudson County Clerk’s website.

Additional Coverage:
Board Hears Update on Status of Two State-Run School Districts
2014 Jersey City Board of Education: Eight Candidates Vying For Three Seats
Love it or Leave it? Jersey City Public Schools Aim for Greater Buy-In

Photos courtesy of the candidates

Families in Jersey City have a diverse set of choices when it comes to high schools. In total, there are 19 high schools, comprised of eight local public, three local county, three public charter and five private schools. Some are open to all Jersey City eighth graders. Others require a student to apply and have a selection process based on criteria such as grade point average (GPA), standardized test scores and/or other admission factors. Other schools require a lottery process.

Along with the sheer number of choices, information on those schools is not readily available in one one central place online where you can compare the different high schools in Jersey City. So we did it for you! JCI has researched and listed the following: schools name and addresses, overview of school type and programs offered, links to school websites for more detailed info (where available), NJ Department of Education (NJDOE) performance rankings (for public schools), admission requirements, application deadlines and links to online applications. We hope that this article will be a useful tool in helping local families sort through the data needed when looking at prospective high schools in our area and that it aids you in navigating your choice for your children.

Did we miss something? Is there is something useful you’d like us to add? Let us know in the comments section.

The Local Public High Schools

Jersey City Public Schools offer eight high schools and one alternative program aimed at high school students at risk of not graduating. Students must reside in Jersey City to attend these schools.

Comprehensive High Schools with Small Learning Communities

Jersey City has four “zoned” high schools, meaning students are automatically assigned to one of these schools based on their home address. The four “zoned” high schools in Jersey City include: James J. Ferris High School, Lincoln High School, Snyder High School and William Dickinson High School. Students may, however, apply to attend any high school outside of their home zone. Each of these comprehensive high schools serve students in grades 9 through 12 and they offer a “small learning community or SLC” which is a learning track comprised of electives that the students take in addition to the state-mandated curriculum. Students must apply to the SLC at each of the high schools in advance to be eligible to attend.

• Academy of the Arts at Henry Snyder High School (239 Bergen Ave.) learning tracks include Dance, Fashion Design, and Graphic & Commercial Design. The Jersey City School of the Arts is also housed at Snyder High School. A separate audition process, in addition to the regular application process is required. Syder H.S. outperforms 5% of schools statewide. This school’s NJDOE academic performance rating significantly lags in comparison to schools across the state.

• Academy of International Enterprise at James J. Ferris High School (35 Colgate St.) learning tracks include Finance, Hospitality & Tourism and Marketing. Ferris H.S. outperforms 10% of schools statewide. This school’s NJDOE academic performance rating significantly lags in comparison to schools across the state.

• Academy of Governance and Social Sciences at Lincoln High School (60 Crescent Ave.) learning tracks include Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management, Education & Teaching and the United States Army JROTC. Lincoln H.S. outperforms 9% of schools statewide. This school’s NJDOE academic performance rating significantly lags in comparison to schools across the state.

• Academy of the Sciences at William Dickinson High School (2 Palisade Ave.) learning tracks include Health and Medical Services, Science Research and the United States Air Force ROTC. Dickinson H.S. outperforms 15% of schools statewide. This school’s NJDOE academic performance rating significantly lags in comparison to schools across the state.

Smaller Population High Schools

Liberty High and Innovation High are smaller alternatives to the four “zoned” high schools listed above.

• Innovation High School (239 Bergen Ave.) is a college preparatory, STEAM-focused school and each grade is limited to a maximum of 100 students. “STEAM” stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Innovation High School has a partnership with New Jersey City University that includes opportunities to take courses on the NJCU campus. The school was formed two years ago and currently has a freshman and sophomore class.

• Liberty High School (299 Sip Ave.) serves an average population of 200 students across grades 9 through 12. This smaller environment sets it apart from the other high schools. Liberty H.S. outperforms 71% of schools statewide. This school’s NJDOE academic performance rating is high in comparison to schools across the state.  An interview is required in addition to the regular application process.

Application process for Comprehensive Schools SLC tracks, Liberty H.S. and Innovation H.S.:

Each year, late November to early December, the school district hosts a Higher Initiative Project (“HIP”) Fair which gives students and parents an opportunity get applications and to meet with and learn from faculty and staff from all the schools listed above. Also, eighth grade classes are usually sent home with applications in November/December. For more information and to get an application families can contact their child’s current guidance councilor or can contact the JCBOE at 201.915.6000.

To apply, students fill out an application and list their top two choices from the SLC tracks, Innovation High, or Liberty High School. The applications allows students to rank their school preferences. Students must submit their applications by mid-January.

Efforts are made by the school district to match students with their respective first-ranked school of choice. Where demand for a SLC exceeds allowable spots, students are matched with their second school of choice. If students first and second school of choice is at capacity then they are matched back to their home zoned high school. Innovation High School is subject to a lottery if demand exceeds allowable spots.

Honors/College Prep High Schools

Jersey City Public Schools offers two honors-track, college preparatory high schools. These schools require the PSAT as a criteria for admission.

• Infinity Institute (193 Old Bergen Rd.) serves students in grades 6 through 12. Infinity eighth graders must apply with their peers throughout the district to continue into ninth grade. Infinity Institute outperforms 100% of schools statewide. This school’s NJDOE academic performance rating is very high in comparison to schools across the state. Applicants are ranked based on criteria such as PSAT score, personal essays, recommendations from the eighth grader’s school officials, extracurricular activities, and grammar school grades. In addition, to ensure diversity, the school selects an equal number of top-ranked students who identify on the application as African American, Asian, Hispanic, and “Other,” which includes White, Native American, and Pacific Islander. Applications are due in September.

• McNair Academic High School (123 Coles St.) serves students in grades 9 through 12. McNair H.S. outperforms 100% of schools statewide. This school’s NJDOE academic performance rating is very high in comparison to schools across the state. Like Infinity, McNair uses a ranking system and it also ensures equal acceptances of top-ranked students from the African American, Asian, Hispanic, and “other” communities.

For both schools, applications are due in September, prior to the taking of the PSAT test which occurs in October.

Renaissance Institute – An Opportunity for At-Risk Students

• Renaissance Institute (70 Bright St.) is not a school, but rather a program aimed at students in grades 9 through 12 who are at risk of not graduating on time due to absenteeism, suspension, or other factors. Renaissance serves approximately 60 students across all four grades. The program offers personalized support and individual learning plans for students. Students are enrolled in one of the four comprehensive high schools listed above and eligible to participate in extracurricular activities at their home schools, but they take their coursework at Renaissance. To apply, students or parents should speak with the current guidance counselor or contact Renaissance Institute directly. Admission is based on an interview process and occurs on a rolling basis throughout the year.

County Public High Schools

County public high schools are open to all qualifying students in Hudson County, including Jersey City. The Hudson County Schools of Technology serve students in grades 9 through 12 and include County Prep High School, High Tech High School, and KAS Prep.

• County Prep High School (525 Montgomery St.) offers both traditional college prep classes as well as technical classes such as Audio/Visual Production, Child Care Services, and TV Production/Digital. County Prep H.S. outperforms 36% of schools statewide. This school’s NJDOE academic performance rating significantly lags in comparison to schools across the state.  Admission is based on a student’s transcript from grades 5 through 7, the first marking period of grade 8, standardized tests from grades 5 through 7, and other criteria. Applications are generally available online beginning September and are due in November. An admissions team reviews the application and students are notified in February if they have been accepted.

• High Tech High School (2000 85th St., North Bergen) offers vocational studies in Architecture and Design, Performing Arts, Science Lab Technologies, and Technology and Visual Arts. High Tech H.S. outperforms 97% of schools statewide. This school’s NJDOE academic performance rating is very high in comparison to schools across the state.  Each year only 75 boys and 75 girls are admitted. Because it is a county school, students are admitted partially based on where they reside, to ensure the school reflects the make-up of Hudson County and its 11 municipalities. Population factors aside, students are admitted based on the quality of their applications, standardized test scores, grades, and attendance records. To apply, students must submit an application and ensure their eighth grade guidance counselor submits required documentation to High Tech H.S. by late November. High Tech H.S. releases the roster of incoming students in early February. Additionally, eighth grade performing arts applicants must sign up for a one-day audition and interview with the teacher of their choice (depending on program). Applications for auditions are due in November.

• KAS Prep High School (2000 85th St., North Bergen) offers an alternative high school program. The KAS (Knowledge & Advanced Skills) Prep Program is aimed at Hudson County students 16 and older that are at risk of failing out of school or that have recently dropped out. KAS Prep H.S. outperforms 3% of schools statewide. This school’s NJDOE academic performance rating significantly lags in comparison to schools across the state. In order for a student to be eligible for the KAS Prep Alternative Education Program, the students referring school must obtain and submit the KAS Prep Alternative Education Program application for admission by April 30 for the Fall Semester or by December 15 for the Spring Semester. A copy of the prospective student’s transcript indicating all prior high school course work, test scores, Immunization health records, Child Study Team Records and NJ Smart ID information must accompany the application. Accepted candidates will be invited to come to the school for an interview. A parent/guardian must accompany the prospective student to the interview. A secondary interview may be required.

Public Charter High Schools

Charter schools are public schools administered independently of the Jersey City school district. Once a schools charter is approved and established, the school is governed by a Board of Trustees as a public agent authorized by the State Board of Education. Because charter schools are public, they are both free and open to all applicants. There are no admissions tests. Where the number of applicants exceeds the available enrollment spots, a lottery process is used to determine admission.

• Great Futures Charter High School for the Health Sciences (225 Morris Blvd.) is a health care-focused school run by The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County. The 4-year curriculum provides students with a post-secondary education and workforce readiness in certified health related professions. Applications are due in January.

• METS Charter High School (211 Sherman Ave.) is a STEM-focused, college preparatory school. “STEM” stands for science, technology, and mathematics. The school serves students in grades 6 through 12. METS has a program with Hudson County Community College and offers college-level courses (and accompanying credits) through that school in its students’ junior and senior years. The school lottery is in January, applications are accepted throughout the year and are due before the lottery.

• University Academy Charter High School (275 West Side Ave.) is a “service-learning” themed school, with a substantial journalism program. It is affiliated with New Jersey City University (NJCU). Graduates who hold a 3.2 GPA or higher and are accepted to NJCU are eligible to receive a full 4-year scholarship to NJCU. Admission timeline can be found on the school website. The school lottery is in January, applications are due in early December.

Private Catholic High Schools

Private schools operate independently from Jersey City public schools. They generally require fees to attend, though financial aid options are available. All applicants are required to take the Cooperative Admissions Examination (COOP), a standardized test administered by the Archdiocese each November. The purpose of the test is to provide standard assessments for students seeking admission to Catholic high schools in Jersey City. All the high schools listed below have admission due dates from late-November to mid-December, which are timed to follow the taking of the COOP exam. Contact the schools directly for pricing and financial aid related information.

• Hudson Catholic Regional High School (790 Bergen Ave) is a co-ed, college preparatory, Catholic high school. Admission timeline can be found on the school website. Applicants must submit an online application by early December.

• Marist High School (1241 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne) is a co-ed, college preparatory, Catholic high school. Three academic tracks are offered: Advanced Placement, Honors, and College Preparatory. Admission timeline can be found on the school website. Students must submit an application, which includes portions to be filled out by the students’ grammar school. Applications are due in early December.

• Saint Anthony’s High School (175 8th St.) is a co-ed, college preparatory, Catholic high school. Transcripts and related student records from grades 6 through 8 must be submitted by the student’s grammar school. Admission timeline can be found on the school website. Applications must be submitted by early December.

• Saint Dominic’s Academy (2572 Kennedy Blvd.) is an all-girls, college preparatory, Catholic high school. Once applicants’ admissions records (application, transcripts) are approved for initial selection, mandatory interviews are scheduled. Admission timeline can be found on the school website. Applications must be submitted no later than December 1 for the following academic year.
  

• Saint Peter’s Prep (144 Grand St.) is an all-boys, college preparatory, Jesuit high school. Transcripts and related student records from grades 6 through 8 must be submitted by the student’s grammar school along with a teacher recommendation. Admission timeline can be found on the school website. Applications are due in late November.

For more information on Jersey City Public Schools, visit jcboe.org.

Catherine Hecht and Dan Levin contributed to this article. File photo © Jersey City Independent

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Love it or Leave it? Jersey City Public Schools Aim for Greater Buy-In

Note: This article was updated to include info about community feed back at these meetings on July 8 at 3:45.

The Port Authority sent out the following update to last month’s press release about the upcoming weekend PATH closures on the 33rd Street line. After posting this press release many of our readers asked us if there will be an opportunity for public feed back at these meetings? When @PANYNJ tweeted JCI today via Twitter we asked and they replied: “Attendees can comment and provide feedback at PES meetings. Staff will be on hand to answer questions & address any concerns.”

JCI will continue to follow this issue and post updates as we get them, we will also share updates via our twitter feed. Follow us @jcindependent.

UPDATE: Suspension on the 33rd Street line will start from August 6, 2016 and run through December 19, 2016, excluding major holidays.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 7, 2016

PORT AUTHORITY TO UPDATE PUBLIC ON PLANNED WEEKEND SERVICE SUSPENSIONS, SAFETY AND SERVICE UPGRADES FOR 33rd STREET PATH LINE

Open house events, part of PATH Capital Plan 2016 update, scheduled this month for Jersey City and Hoboken ahead of closures starting in August

The Port Authority has scheduled a series of informational meetings later this month for the public to learn more about PATH’s 2016 Capital Plan, notably the planned suspension of weekend service on the 33rd Street PATH line starting Aug. 6 to accommodate installation of federally mandated safety and service upgrades.

As part of the PATH Education Series, four meetings have been scheduled starting Wednesday, July 13, and running through the end of the month. Those planning to attend need to register in advance, and can do so at www.panynj.gov/path/pes. PATH officials also are looking into adding a fifth meeting, to be held in New York.

The sessions will explain the federally mandated safety and service enhancements that are driving the decision to suspend weekend service on the 33rd Street line, which is expected to run through December with the exception of major holidays. In addition, the agency will present alternate travel options and detail additional services for travelers affected by service suspensions.

The educational meetings are scheduled as follows:

Hoboken:

Wednesday, July 13 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the A.J. Demarest School, 158 4th St.
(registration deadline: July 11)

Thursday, July 21 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the A.J. Demarest School.
(registration deadline: July 19)

Jersey City:

Thursday, July 14 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hudson County Community College, 70 Sip Ave.
(registration deadline: July 12)

Wednesday, July 20 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the University of Phoenix, 100 Town Square Pl.
(registration deadline: July 18)

The PATH 33rd Street line upgrade is part of a multi-phased approach to improve the system and provide riders more frequent rush hour service. Additional weekend closures on the system may be necessary next year, on a schedule to be announced.

At the center of the project is installation of Positive Train Control (PTC), an updated safety-enhanced system that the federal government has mandated be completed by the end of 2018. Allotting this weekend work time is essential to improving current and future service. In addition to safety enhancements, this work will provide PATH riders increased reliability in the future, as well as lay the groundwork for increased passenger capacity.

As part of the Port Authority’s 10-Year Capital Plan, PATH also will upgrade the signal system with Communication Based Train Control (CBTC), which continuously calculates and communicates a train’s exact position, speed, travel direction and safe braking distance. Trains then will be capable of running more frequently and closer together, leading to a projected increase in rush hour service on PATH lines. Additionally, the CBTC system also will allow for further enhancements such as real time information in PATH stations.

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Catherine Hecht contributed to this post

Additional Coverage

•  Councilwoman Osborne on PATH Suspension
• Weekend PATH Service Suspended on 33rd St. Line in August

This is our continuing coverage of the Jersey City Board of Education elections, coming up on November 5.

The four available BOE seats will be occupied by the highest vote-getters. Elected board members will work as advocates for children and families of the district, act as advisors to Superintendent Marcia Lyles and the schools’ administrators as well as serve as liaisons between the schools and residents of the district.

Stay tuned to JCI for more canidate coverage coming up this week.

Micheline Amy

Micheline Amy, 39, is originally from Queens but has been a Jersey City resident for over 10 years. She now resides in the Hilltop/JSQ area. A graduate of Salisbury University and mother of two, this Senior Human Resources Business Partner hopes to bring professionalism and a critical eye to the BOE. Amy is running on the Candidates for Excellence slate, a group of professional women and mothers.

Amy and her family have made their home here in the city because, she said, there is a real sense of community. But she wants to see the overall quality of the city’s schools improved.

“I’ve seen far too many of my friends leave Jersey City for the suburbs because our public schools did not meet their expectations,” she said. “Jersey City is an amazing city and I would like to see the public school system reflect that level of excellence.”

Amy believes that there are many challenges that our schools are facing and that the current dysfunction on the BOE is preventing us from addressing those challenges. The Board of Education, she said, should play a governance role, not a policy role.

“As Board of Ed trustees, we represent the voters of Jersey City and advocate for the children of Jersey City,” she said.

Amy will advocate for longer school days to allow for recess and the arts, reorganization of Central Office so the funds can be redirected towards the students, and allowing teachers to provide differentiated instruction towards success of the students.

“I will be fully engaged and I will conduct myself in a way that sets a positive example for our students and continues to make progress on behalf of the children of Jersey City,” she said.

Ellen Simon

Ellen Simon, 44, has been a Jersey City resident for nearly 20 years. Originally from Ohio, this graduate of local public schools and Northwestern University is a freelance business journalist. Her son currently attends public school.

As a member of the BOE, Simon anticipates working with the recreation department closely, as well as with the deputy mayor – whose portfolio includes education.

Simon is running on the Candidates for Excellence slate with Micheline Amy, Jessica Daye and Carol Lester, which she said was selected by an independent committee of parents, activists and educators from around the city.

“All of us filled out a questionnaire, were interviewed by the committee and underwent a background check,” said Simon. “The committee that vetted us felt, and I wholeheartedly agree, that we would be the best team to work diligently with each other, with the sitting board members and with the administration to achieve excellent schools for every child in the district.”

Among our challenges, Simon said, are school safety, poor perception of district schools, the achievement gap between certain groups, chronic under-performance by some of our schools, and doing a better job engaging parents and guardians in their children’s education. Additionally, many school buildings have been poorly maintained and cleaned, she said.

“One of the complaints I hear most often about district schools is that they are dirty,” said Simon.

Simon sees the position on the Board of Education as a governance role in which board members help shape goals and policies for the district and ensure that actions taken by the district’s administrators are in line with those objectives.

Board members also act as liaisons between the district and the community, she said, acting as a source for accurate information about the schools.

“The role involves a lot of outreach,” said Simon. “Good board members speak regularly to parents, guardians and community members throughout the district and convey frequent concerns to the administration.”

As a public school parent and as co-founder of the public school advocacy group Parents for Progress, Simon said that Jersey City has a once-in-a-generation chance, under the new superintendent, Dr. Marcia Lyles, to lay the groundwork for a dramatic shift in the culture of our district and set it on track for continuous improvement.

“I want to be part of that work,” Simon said.

To do so, Simon said she will actively engage in citywide outreach to hear what people are saying about our public schools and try to answer any questions they may have. She would also advocate for lengthening the school day, adding no instructional time, so children have time for recess.

Gina Verdibello

Gina Verdibello, 37, lives in the West Side neighborhood. A stay-at-home mom and educational activist, Verdibello is a Rutgers graduate. Last year, she lobbied and won the adoption of the district’s new sibling policy to ensure that brothers and sisters are given first preference to attend schools together. Her own three children are currently students in Jersey City public schools.

She is running for the BOE, she said, because she is committed to the children of Jersey City and making them the first priority in all decision making.

“We need to figure out how to meet the educational needs of our unique population of students so they can be successful,” said Verdibello. “We live in one of the most diverse cities in the country. As such, the district should stop thinking of ‘equity’ as ‘onesizefitsall’ and look at ‘individuality.’”

Her teammates on the Children First slate include Gerald Lyons and Angel Valentin, both are current board members. This, she said, has allowed her to become familiar with what would be expected of her as a board member. She is very concerned about the environment children are working in (such as trailers) and wants to work on finding solutions to our facilities needs.

“I would like to work with the mayor and the city planning department to figure out how we can work together to expand and improve our school structures,” she said. “Many of our school buildings are older and in need of renovations and repair. Additionally, space for our growing school early childhood population has been a concern for years, resulting in trailer annexing springing up around the city.”

Verdibello said she would also like to work with the city to evaluate new developments and the impact on our school system as well as create policy whereby new, taxabated developments such as the 1800 unit Journal Square Towers would be required to “giveback” to school facilities in the form of donated building structures or funds allocated to improve our rundown school buildings.

“Our schools are overcrowded and we are compensating for this issue by putting trailers in our schools and taking away space for recess,” said Verdibello. “Children are being educated every day in shameful conditions where damage and rot are evident. The trailers are also unsafe with no security guards. Meanwhile, the city is becoming more and more dense due to new developments that are overtaxing our school system and bringing hundreds of students and families. The city must look closely at the impact of each development on schools as the first priority, especially when it comes to taxabated properties that rob our schools of tax revenue.”

In addition to advocating for improving facilities and adding more schools, Verdibello said she is commited to trust, transparency and true commitment to our children.

“I’m a Girl Scout troop leader and honesty and integrity are at the foundation of what we believe and teach our troops,” she said.

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Photos courtesy of the respective candidates

More Nov 5th Pre-Election Coverage:

• Meet the Board of Education Candidates: Carol Lester, Gerald Lyons, Lorenzo Richardson, Angel Valentin
• Meet the Board of Education Candidates (Part Three): Jessica Daye, Carol Gabriel, Telissa Dowling
• In Choosing A Governor, NJ Voters Have Some Homework To Do
• What is Ballot Question #2 and How Will it Affect You?