MAYOR BARAKA’S LITERACY TOWN HALL COMES TO EAST WARD SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, AT OLIVER STREET SCHOOL, AT 11 A.M.

The City of Newark and the Mayor's Office of Comprehensive Community Education will bring the #NewarkReads Literacy Coalition's Literacy Town Hall Tour to Oliver Street School tomorrow, Saturday, September 20, at 11 a.m. The school is located at 86 Oliver Street in the city's East Ward.

This event is the fourth stop in the five-ward tour that brings a different community together each month to highlight the importance of literacy and learn ways to help children improve their proficiency. Parents and caregivers who attend the town halls have the opportunity to provide input for the #NewarkReads Literacy Coalition (NRLC), learn how to access free high-dosage tutoring for their children, and get resources from city partners. Each event includes informative talks and break out discussion groups, fun child activities, giveaways, raffle prizes and refreshments.

"Literacy is so much more than a stepping stone to academic and career success. It literally unlocks a lifetime of learning that liberates us through an understanding of our world. With reading comes knowledge that directs actions which benefit ourselves and each other," said Mayor Baraka. "Beginning as a response to a post-COVID school score crisis, Newark's literacy movement has snowballed into a powerful coalition of partners dedicated to the complete and ongoing welfare of our children, and our city's steady rise toward a free and fulfilling future."

The NRLC is an initiative launched by Mayor Baraka to promote literacy across the city. The goal of the coalition is to provide comprehensive support in early literacy, sharing best research practices, increasing better outcomes for maternal health and prenatal care, and nurturing a love for avid reading.

Created by the City under the Office of Comprehensive Community Education (OCCE), NRLC forges partnerships with businesses and organizations to promote reading initiatives such as the Mayor's Book Club and year-round literacy tours and fairs. In light of the post-COVID decline of literacy scores, Mayor Baraka created the Brain Trust to Address the Urgent Literacy Crisis and published the Mayor Ras J. Baraka's Newark Citywide Prenatal to Third Grade 10-Point Literacy Plan.

The new iteration of the NRLC uses its diverse, collective efforts and strengths to promote literacy, stories, knowledge, and learning for residents spanning all ages - from the unborn child to the seasoned senior. It provides comprehensive resources and information to foster a love of reading and to build a community of avid readers. As part of its strategic planning, and to engage families in the NRLC, it conducts Literacy Town Halls in every ward to get community input and to recruit ward captains.

"Mayor Baraka's mantra, 'What we do well, we do together,' is the core value of the #NewarkReads Literacy Coalition," said Dr. Sharnee Brown, the chief education officer for the Office of Comprehensive Community Education in the Baraka administration. "The coalition is ripe with advocates who are passionate about literacy and partnering with the community. We know the true measure of advocacy comes from one's willingness to listen to the people. Accordingly, NRLC's tri-fold purposes are to survey the community needs, connect families to resources and prioritize community input in our solutions."

"The #NewarkReads Initiative and the Literacy Town Hall Tour in particular is an incredible strategy that brings together families, teachers, and community partners, in every ward of the City of Newark, to integrate reading into the everyday experiences of our youngest learners," said Newark Public Schools Superintendent Leon. "I applaud Mayor Baraka for assisting all of the schools in Newark with this citywide effort, and I'm grateful to the many organizations standing with us. When parents and children read together from pre-K through third grade, we're building literacy skills and we're building futures."

Newark Public Schools is hosting the East Ward town hall in collaboration with Oliver Street Elementary School Principal Luis Henriques, who opened the school for this Saturday program. It will feature Newark resident, author, and publisher Daniela Palacios. A 2022 alumnus of Science Park High School, Ms. Palacios is the founder and owner of Para KIDS!, a bilingual education company that produces children's books and offers interactive bilingual workshops for elementary schools and community organizations to spur language development and cultural pride. Ms. Palacios is now a senior at Columbia University, studying education and political science. She will distribute signed copies of her book, "Sara's New Country and New Friend."

"Investing in bilingual education significantly enhances literacy skills while fostering self-confidence. I'm proud to be collaborating with the city of Newark to ensure all students are set up for success," Ms. Palacios said.

A host of partners dedicated to NRLC's success will be on hand to facilitate the program's run of show and activities.

Reading Partners Newark's Managing Director of Partnerships and Growth, Dr. Naima Ricks, said, "Reading Partners is honored to be part of the #NewarkReads Literacy Coalition Town Halls. These town halls create meaningful opportunities to bring families, schools, and community members together around one of the most critical issues of our time, literacy. We know for a fact how important family engagement is in supporting children's reading journeys, and we are proud to stand alongside Dr. Brown, Mayor Baraka, and fellow partners to ensure that every child in Newark has the tools and encouragement to become a confident, lifelong reader."

"Unified Vailsburg Services Organization (UVSO) is proud to partner with the Newark Reads Literacy Coalition on the Literacy Town Hall Tours," said Arthur J. Mockabee, Executive Director, UVSO. "Together, we're bringing families, educators, and neighbors to the same table to champion early literacy, share real solutions, and ensure every Newark child has the power that reading provides."

My Schools Newark, which provides an online tool that helps parents navigate their many school choices in Newark, will be at the Town Hall to assist parents who need help enrolling their children in school through the city's two enrollment systems, Newark Enrolls for district schools and Newark Common App for the city's charter schools.

"Choosing the right school can feel overwhelming, especially when families are already working hard to support their children's learning at home," said Barbara Martinez, the CEO of the New Jersey Education Foundation, which operates My Schools Newark. "Our goal is simple-we're here to make school enrollment easier for parents, so every child in Newark can get the strong start they deserve."

North Star Academy, which operates charter schools in the city, will be handing out "I'm Ready for Kindergarten" workbooks to participants.

"Literacy serves as the bedrock of opportunity. By providing children and families with the necessary tools and resources to enhance their reading skills, we unlock pathways to education and future leadership roles," said Alejandra Ceja, Vice President, Office of Social Impact and Inclusion and Executive Director of the Panasonic Foundation. "Strong readers evolve into strong leaders, and through these town halls, we are ensuring that every family within our community is given the chance to flourish."

Other generous partners include the Newark Board of Education, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark, the Newark Public Library, Rutgers University-Newark, the United Way of Essex and East Hudson, My Brother's Keeper, the South Ward Promise Neighborhood, Panasonic and more.

Partnering businesses providing raffle prizes include Seabra Supermarkets, Sol Mar Restaurant, Casanova Grill, Santos Florist, and PJ'S Coffee.

For more information or to get involved, contact Dr. Sharnee Brown from Mayor's Office of Comprehensive Community Education at (973) 373-0484, or visit this website:newarknj.gov/departments/education.

‍