3 Newark School Updates: Nelson Mandela, Media Center, Mentorship

NEWARK, NJ — A ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held for the newest school in the Newark district: Nelson Mandela Elementary.

On Tuesday, school administrators, elected officials and community members gathered for an unveiling event at Nelson Mandela Elementary School, which is located in the city’s Central Ward.

The school serves pre-kindergarten through third grade, and will grow an additional grade every year until it reaches the eighth grade, district administrators said.

The school is named after iconic civil rights leader Nelson Mandela, administrators said:

“Nelson Mandela Elementary School is committed to honoring the legacy of the visionary leader Nelson Mandela by fostering a learning environment that embraces diversity, equity, and the values essential for creating positive change in communities and the world. Just as President Mandela dedicated his life to breaking down barriers and fostering unity, the Nelson Mandela Elementary School is committed to providing a nurturing environment where every child can thrive, regardless of background or circumstance. The school's vision is to equip every student with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to succeed in a global society, where diversity is celebrated and equality is valued.”

The curriculum is guided by Project Lead The Way and will focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

Nelson Mandela Elementary is the ninth new school that has been opened under the tenure of Superintendent Roger León. Its opening comes alongside “burgeoning student enrollment in the district,” which has now reached more than 39,000 students, administrators said (article continues below).

Here are two other recent updates to take note of in the state’s largest public school district.

MEDIA CENTER

Last month, the district also unveiled a new student media center at Peshine Avenue School. The new center has “diverse library materials and cutting-edge technology,” administrators said.

“I am who I am today because of my school librarian,” said Christian Zabriskie, director of the Newark Public Library.

“I am excited for the students to enjoy this exquisite, well thought-out, cutting-edge facility,” Zabriskie added.

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

The Newark Board of Education also recently announced a new partnership involving a commercial real estate mentorship program.

The new program is being rolled out with the help of real estate firm Newmark Associates. It is set to launch in the summer of 2024.

According to district administrators, the program will provide students with practical experience in commercial real estate through one-on-one mentorship with industry experts. Students will have access to an extensive network of professional in the field, opening doors for potential future career opportunities.

“We at Newmark are very much aware of and acknowledge that mentorships make a difference in reducing economic divide, impacting generational wealth gaps and increasing equal access to opportunity,” said the firm’s president, Susanne Newmark.

“Together with the Newark Board of Education we aim to bridge the gap between classroom education and real-world experience by offering mentorships to aspiring students interested in the field of commercial real estate,” Newmark said.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.