Newark Students Protest Against State Closure: ‘Save Our School’

NEWARK, NJ — Parents, students and staff at a Newark charter school continue to protest and rally as a possible state shutdown looms.

Earlier this month, University Heights Charter School (UHCS), a pre-K to grade 8 public charter school in Newark, announced that the New Jersey Department of Education has ruled to revoke its charter on June 30 – leaving hundreds of local families stunned and scrambling for alternatives. Read More: Newark School's Charter Revoked; 700 Families 'Frantically Scrambling'

According to UHCS administrators, the department of education cited New Jersey School Performance Report Comparative Performance Data from the 2018-2019 school year, including test scores, as part of the reason for the decision, although this year’s scores remain unannounced.

The state also based its decision on the school’s alleged inability to develop a comprehensive academic plan after it was placed on probation in 2019 prior to the coronavirus pandemic, NJ Spotlight News reported.

The state's ruling comes as UHCS is preparing students and their families for the end of the 2021-2022 school year on June 17, and the beginning of a summer enrichment program, which was scheduled to begin on July 6.

STUDENT PROTEST

On Monday, a group of about 40 sixth grade students held a peaceful protest against the state decision, also speaking in the names of their peers at the other two UHCS facilities: the lower school that stands just across Hartford Street, and the junior high school, located a few blocks away on Fulton Street and Broad Street.

With chants of “Save Our School,” the students kicked off their protest on Hartford Street at 8:15 a.m., marching through nearby neighborhoods and returning at 10 a.m. The march was done with the blessing of school administrators, some of whom joined with teachers to support the students.

“We heard the school was to be shut down so this is our way of fighting to keep this school open,” said Jaylene Rivera, a sixth grader who helped to spearhead the rally.

“We want people to hear us and what UHCS means to us,” Rivera said.

Emily Cerda, another student leader, is determined to remain a student at University Heights Charter School.

“I have been here since kindergarten,” Cerda said. “This school has been very important to me.”

“This school helps the community,” agreed one of her classmates, Zymere Ward. “It gives students the education to go further in life.”

Crystal Covington, the elementary school vice principal, chaperoned the march and praised students for taking part.

“I told them that I am so proud of them all and I will be with them to the last day,” said Covington, who was joined during the protesting parade by Cathy Davis, the elementary school attendance counselor and sixth grade teachers Chris Mitchell, Heather Pawski, Aaliyah Woodson and Rasheemah Ward.

“If we have not taught them anything, we taught them to advocate in what they believe in,” Covington added.

PETITION TO ‘SAVE THE SCHOOL’

Hundreds of people have also signed an online petition to “Save University Heights Charter School.”

The petition reads:

“We, the undersigned Caregivers, Families, Administrative Staff, Teaching Staff and District Office Administrators, ask for your support as we appeal the New Jersey State Department of Education’s decision to revoke University Heights Charter School’s Charter on June 30, 2022. The information contained in Commissioner Allen-McMillian’s report does not reflect the positive growth University Heights Charter School has made over the past two years. Data driven evidence is an essential aspect to the growth of any organization.”

Since the appointment of new leadership and staff in 2020, the school has seen several positive developments, the petition claims:

• "Lead school through Pandemic & Continued Instruction"
• "Zero Harassment, Intimation, and Bully Reports / Safe & Healthy Learning Environments"
• "Licensed Teaching Staff"
• "Free Before & After School Care Programs"
• "Social & Emotional Learning Initiatives for Scholars & Staff"
• "Free Supplemental Educational Programs for Scholars"
• "Appointment of Parent Board of Trustees"
• "Parent Academy Workshops"
• "Grand Opening of New Junior High School Library"
• "Literacy Initiative- Summer Reading Kick off Celebration- Free Books for All Scholars"

The petition concludes:

“We are asking our families to stand strong with us to protect University Heights Charter School's 16-year legacy. It is not in the best interest of our 700 scholars who already have been impacted socially and emotionally to bear the cross of Post Pandemic test scores and inherited previous school administration choices. Our scholars deserved the opportunity to show their growth and talents. UHCS staff work tirelessly ‘To educate our scholars and support our families.’ Please help us save our school.”

ENROLLMENT

Meanwhile, UHCS has partnered with My Schools Newark to help place students in new schools by September.

A representative from My Schools Newark will hold two events at the University Heights Charter School Elementary School campus on Tuesday, June 14 for PK to 4th grades, and Thursday, June 16 for 5th to 8th grades.

Families will have the opportunity to apply for schools that currently have seats available, UHCS administrators said.

“We will continue to assist all families beyond these events until all scholars are placed in a school of the parent’s choice,” UHCS enrollment specialist Latoya Poyser said.

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