Holiday Shout-Out at the Pride

Thirteenth Avenue School held its 2009 Holiday Shout-Out on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 in its School Auditorium. The Shout-Out included performances by the School's Dance Academy and Guitar Club. Student Recognitions were given for students who obtained Honor Roll and Outstanding Citizenship for the first marking period.
A Poster and Essay Contest with the Holiday Theme "Peace" was culminated with Awards and Prizes given to first, second and third place winners. Class representatives who were considered Peace Makers were also recognized with one student selected Outstanding Peace Maker. Student Jahad Tanksler received a Bike compliments of NJ's Sunshine Company. Crisis Teacher, Ms. Iris Matthews served as Mistress of Ceremonies.

Cycle I Recognitions at the Pride

On Thursday, Decmeber 17th, The Thirteenth Avenue PTA hosted a Cycle I Student Recognition Program at its monthly PTA Meeting. Awards were given to students who obtained Honor Roll, Outstanding Citizenship, and Student of the Month. Awards were presented by Ms. Lynn Irby-Jackson, Principal, Dr. Ron Taylor, Regional Superintedent, Yaminah Rodriguez,PTA Secretary and Portia Lowery, Vice-President of the PTA. The Ceremony was held in the school cafeteria with a packed house of Parents and Students. Students received Medals and Certificates for their achievement. The evening concluded with parents serving Cake & punch to the honorees and a plethora of free door prizes which included: MP3 players and holiday baskets.

Annual Computer Fair

On Wednesday December 16, 2009, the Newark Public Schools held its annual Computer Fair at Robeson Student Center, Rutgers, Newark. This years theme and task was an Extreme Makeover. Students took a lesson with limited technological inputs and challenged to enhanced the lesson with as many technical inputs as imaginable.

Our school was represented by four 4th graders and one 5th grader. Their task centered on their knowledge of New Jersey. This Social Studies task infused Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Video into a single cross-curricular project. What was learner will be remembered for a life time.

Holiday Shop opens at Thirteenth Avenue School

The Thirteenth Avenue School PTA held the Grand Opening of its 2009 Holiday Shop on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 in our School's Student Center. Students have the opportunity to purchase holiday gifts for various Family members and friends through December 18th. The Holiday Shop is being managed by Thirteenth Avenue Parents who are participating in the National PTA's Three for Me Campaign which encourages parents to volunteer at least three hours of their time during the school year at their child's school.
Many students are taking great in seeing their parents "Face in the Place"

New Jersey PTA Convention 2009

The Thirteenth Avenue School PTA delegates shared an awesome experience at the 2009 NJPTA Convention in Atlantic City, NJ. Several vanloads of parents departed Thirteenth Avenue School on December 2nd for the two-day convention. The highlight of the Convention was the election of 13th Avenue Father's Club President, Anthony Rivera as Chair of the New Jersey PTA's Fathers Program.

Thirteenth Avenue School Going Green

Thirteenth Avenue School is going green through a collaborative partnership with the Greater Newark Conservancy. Second grade students are receiving outdoor instruction in our School’s Courtyard where they are learning how to plant flowers and vegetables. The Conservancy is working tirelessly to complete our School’s Pride Garden which is located directly across the street from our school.

Parent/Teacher Conference Day at the Pride

Thirteenth Avenue School hosted Parent/Teacher Conference Day on Wednesday, November 18th from 1-7 p.m. Parents had the opportunity to obtain First Cycle Report Cards, 2009 NJ Ask scores and conference with Teachers, Administrators and Support Staff. Parents were also able to participate in the PTA's 2009 membership drive, participate in a parent survey and obtain valuable information including: New Public Schools Grading Policy, Discipline Policy, Curriculum snapshots for various grade levels, Free Admission tickets for liberty Science Center. Of special note was the impressive number of fathers who were in attendance remarked, Ms. Pamela Dixson from NY Life who served as co-host for this event.

"Principal for a Day at the Pride"

“The Pride of Newark Family” hosted Mr. Bill Stephney from Joseph Media as its “2009 Principal for Day”. Several Eighth Grade Students served as Tour Guide and hosts/hostesses. Mr. Stephney participated in an EPIC (Every Person Influences Children) Workshop with our Parent Liaison, Ms. Hardy. Ms. Hardy facilitated a math manipulative workshop. Mr. Stephney also visited various classrooms, performed lunch duty, and hosted an assembly for upper grade students where he shared his school and career experiences. Ms. Awilda Perez from Focus, Inc. served as “ Co-Principal for the Day” and visited several classrooms where she read books to our students and participated in our EPIC workshop as well.

Caring & Sharing at the Pride

The Thirteenth Avenue Boys to Men Club is seeking donations for its 2009 Toiletry Drive. Donations of soap, toothpaste, lotion, and other personal care items are being collected for the residents of Broadway House. The Boys to Men Club will be collecting donations until December 1, 2009. This is the Club's first community service project for the 2009-2010 school year and our young men are working hard to ensure that it is a success.

Halloween Thriller at the Pride

Thirteenth Avenue School celebrated Halloween 2009 with a tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The Thirteenth Avenue Dance Club performed a remake of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The performance included a video screening of Jackson’s Thriller video and the Dance Club under the direction of Ms. Timeka McLeod-Jamison and featured students from various grade levels. The students were adorned with costumes and received a standing ovation for their performance. Primary Grade students also had the opportunity to Trick-or-Treat throughout the building and venture through the school’s haunted hallway.

Little Kids Rock

Gregory Pavliv, the music teacher at Thirteenth Avenue school, completed training as a music educator for "Little Kids Rock" a music foundation which gives FREE instruments to public schools. In two weeks, we will recieve enough guitars and materials to begin teaching all students from 1st through 8th grades how to play guitar! And this is only the beginning as the more performances the students are able to produce, the more instruments they will receive. Contact Mr. Pavliv if you have any questions about the program.

Helping Your Child Succeed in School: PK-2

Today, October 27th, Vivian P. Brown, a resource teacher /coordinator, from the Office of Special Education, presented a workshop entitled, “Helping Your Child Succeed in School: Pre-K through 2nd Grade”. The workshop provided the parents with an arena for discussing the various roles they play in their children’s education and why it is necessary to bridge their children’s learning from school to home. Also, they participated in learning strategies and hands-on activities for supporting their children’s learning. One strategy involved using ‘sound tapping’ to develop phonemic awareness. At the end of the workshop, the parents left with strategies and an array of resources to assess, support, and build on their children’s learning achievement.

Student of the Month Recognition

On Thursday, October 22, 2009, Ms. Lynn Irby-Jackson, Principal awarded Student of the Month Certificates to students who were selected “Student of the Month” recipients for their individual classes for the month of September. Students were recognized at the Thirteenth Avenue School PTA Meeting with Parents, Staff and Administrators in attendance. There were many proud parents in attendance who were grateful that students were recognized in the evening when they were able to attend.

Breast Cancer Awareness Workshop

The Thirteenth Avenue School Parent Academy held a Breast Cancer Awareness Workshop on Thursday, October 15th in observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Facilitator was Mrs. Mary Ann Kokidis from AmeriGroup, Inc. Ms. Kokidis guided parents on how to perform a self-examination for Breast Cancer. Parents were also given vital statistics, resources, and literature on Breast Cancer. Ms. Marion Hardy, Parent Liaison also conducted a door prize raffle for parents who were in attendance.

Student Council

As the Student Council Officers, we will try our very best to fund, and get what this school needs. We will make this school year the best for all students in 13th Avenue School. We hope to help get this school to a shining future of greatness. We will distribute our all to make this school a positive place to come and learn. Boost student’s confidence so they can get even better test scores. Not only educational terms, but fun filled activities too. Such as a Halloween bash, a secret Santa for Christmas and Valentine’s Day dinner for the eighth graders. We will try to make this year the greatest, that no other year can top.


Student Council President and Officers

8th Graders Parents/Students Dinner

The Thirteenth Avenue School PTA hosted an Eighth Grade Parents Dinner on Monday, October 5th in the School's Cafeteria. Parents received an Official Welcome from the New School Principal, Ms. Lynn Irby-Jackson. Ms. Jackson commended students for adhering to the School District's New Uniform Policy. Ms. Kelly Green, School Guidance Counselor gave an overview of the high school admissions process. students and Parents received a high school interest survey and students were encouraged to apply to as many high schools as possible. Ms. Iris Matthews, Crisis Teacher gave an overview of the Newark Public Schools' New Discipline Policy. Ms. Matthews also led the students in a P.R.I.D.E. Pledge. Ms. Barbara Waddell, Class Advisor informed parents and students of the graduation activities and fees for the Class of 2010.  Ms. Marion Hardy, Parent Liaison encouraged parents to return Cell Phone Contracts, Lunch Applications, and SES tutorial forms. Mr. Lyndon Brown, PTA President  introduced fellow PTA Officers: Portia Lowery-Vice-President, Annie Brown, Treasurer, Yaminah Rodriguez, PTA Secretary urged every parent to join the PTA. Parents were given PTA Fundraiser packets, PTA Newsletters, Parent Handbooks, Parent E-Board sites, Pre- College Program Applications and a plethora of other information. Ms. Paula Savino, Art Teacher informed parents of the Art Club's Trip to Italy which is scheduled for Spring 2010. Ms. Jackson, Principal and Mr. Kyle Rivers, Education Committee Chair for the PTA conducted a Door Prize raffle. Student, Javon Ross won an MP3 Player and Eighth Grade student, Radiah Washington won a DVD Player. Several tutoring vendors were on hand to register students for FREE Tutoring. The PTA's Blue Moon Club served dinner to the parents which included: baked ziti, tossed salad, chicken, cake and soda.  

School Uniforms

The school climate at Thirteenth Avenue School has improved tremendously during the first month of school. This improvement is due largely in part to the adherence of the Newark Public Schools Uniform Policy. Currently, the school is experiencing tremendous response to this mandate. 94% of the student population is wearing uniforms and staff members are following suit as well.
Kudos to the Thirteenth Avenue School PTA and Social Committee for lending a hand to purchase uniforms for students in need.

PTA Meeting: September 2009

PTA Meeting-September 2009
The 13th Avenue School PTA held its first PTA Meeting for the 2009-2010 on Thursday, September 24th in the school cafeteria. PTA president, Lyndon Brown introduced new school Principal, Ms. Lynn Irby Jackson who greeted parents and encouraged each of them to continue to stay involve in their child’s education. Ms. Jackson stressed the need for lunch applications to be returned. Ms. Jackson also spoke on the efforts of the staff to improve student achievement and her intention to hold teachers accountable for classroom instruction. 38 Parents and Teachers joined the PTA. Applications were distributed for Free Tutorial services and After-School Programs. Parents were given the opportunity to meet Tutoring providers and register their children for free tutoring and the Talent Search Program at Essex County College. Ms. Antasha Rollins won the PTA’s DVD Door Prize. Mr. Brown encouraged parents to join a PTA Committee or parent sub-group.

Back To School Night

“BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT AT THE PRIDE”

On Thursday, September 17th , Thirteenth Avenue School hosted its Annual Fall Open House. For the first time in the 39-year history of the school, All Staff members took part in this event. The Parent Team greeted parents with several registration tables that provided a plethora of information and a kickoff of the PTA’S 2009-2010 membership drive.
Traditionally, Parents have entered the school for classroom visitations. This year, parents assembled in the auditorium where they received official greetings from New Principal, Mrs. Lynn Irby-Jackson. Ms. Jackson introduced the School’s Support Staff, Club Advisors, and PTA President, Mr. Lyndon Brown.
Ms. Jackson stressed the need for parents to return lunch applications, Cell phone contracts, and SES Applications. Mrs. Jackson also informed parents that Newark Public Schools’ Discipline Policy and School Uniform Policy must be adhered to. After exiting the auditorium, parents met with activity teachers and their respective grade level teachers in the school’s gymnasium, cafeteria, and auditorium.
After classroom visitations, parents and staff gathered in the Thirteenth Avenue School Panther Student Center for a delicious cheesecake social hosted by our School PTA.

9/11 Remembrance at the "Pride"

9/11 REMEMBRANCE

On Friday, September 11th. The Thirteenth Avenue School Family paid tribute to the victims of 9/11.

Our Principal, Ms. Lynn Irby-Jackson led our Tribute with a reflection on the 9/11 attacks.

Students, Gloria Preasy and Alana Rodriguez delivered memorial tributes and

Vice-Principal, La Shanda Gilliam read a poem on the effect the 9/11 attacks had on the City of New York and the entire nation. The tribute concluded with a moment of silence and the Staff and Students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

President Obama's Speech to Students

A talk about your education: President Barak Obama

Due to technical glitches we were not able to fully stream President Obama’s important message today to our school. Every effort is being made to expose our community to his uplifting message. Somewhat after the fact to witness this historical event click on these YouTube two part links http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHQNVNw8RyI part 1, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js-5nAOPDtY part 2.

For those who could not access speech video streams for a variety of reasons, click on the following link for a text version http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/07/politics/main5291888.shtml

Engage, Explore, Empower

Video Clip: Grown Up Digital

As technology coordinator, I am delighted to be your technological literacy facilitator. With so much to share, should I ramble incoherently, signal and or indicate the need to pause, as you will most often find me in a state of passion.

View the attached video and tell me what you think. We will have a lot to talk about!

September PTA Newsletter

On behalf of the 13th Avenue PTA welcome to our school blog.