Parent Volunteer Recognition

The Thirteenth Avenue School Parent Academy held its 2010 Parent Volunteer Dinner on May 20, 2010. Ms. Hardy, Parent Liaison thanked parents for taking time out to volunteer at their child’s school. Each parent was presented a certificate, A Door Prize Raffle and Dinner followed. A Brainstorming session was held at the end of the program on how to enhance parental involvement at 13th Avenue School.

NJASK Celebration

The NJASK Prep Academy and the NJ Ask Saturday Academy was a great success. Students in Grades 3rd-8th were tested during the weeks of April 17th-May 14th. The Thirteenth Avenue School Rewards Committee hosted an NJASK Celebration on Friday, May 21st in our school cafeteria. Students and staff enjoyed a fun-filled evening that drew students from other West Region Schools who were eager to celebrate “Meeting the 2010 NJASK Challenge”. Special thanks to our NJ ASK Tutors Chaperones and Organizers.

6 Thousand Mile Visit to Ghana

To our great surprise and enjoyment 7th & 8th grade students crammed into the 4th floor computer lab and through the use of state-of-the-art technologies leaped 6,151 miles to Ghana West Africa. Students on both sides of the Atlantic were enthralled with the presence of each other, thanks to the Akoma Ntoso Cultural Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Students cheered when hearing about similarities they share and made further inquiries into:
• What is a normal school day?
• Wearing uniforms?
• Doing chores
• Favorite sports teams

Thanks to PolyCom video technologies and the internet, this event proved to be very rewarding. We look forward to continuing our distance learning collaboration in Ghana. To learn more visit www.oiadaintl.org

13th Avenue School hosts 2010 Arbor Day Celebration

Thirteenth Avenue School hosted New Jersey's 61st Arbor Day Celebrating Trees, Stewardship and Neighborhood Engagement. Volunteers arrived at the school at 8 a.m. where they registered, and were greeted by our Arbor Day Choral Ensemmble, staff and students. Afterwards they ventured outside of the school and planted 231 trees. Students from the school watered trees after they were planted. There were numerous supporters, partners, and volunteers including Greater Newark Conservancy, Newark Department of Recreation & Parks, Fairmount Super Neighborhood Group, The Tate George Group, Youth Corps, Shade Tree Federation, USDA forest Service, Community Forestry Council, Essex County SLAP, Essex County Roads Department, AARP, Covenant House, Westward Abandoned Property Initiative, USDA Forest Service, Youth Build, PSE&G, Logan Hall of Newark, Mayor's Office, Environmental Commission, DEP Forest Service, Tree Foundation, GNC Clean & Green, Neighborhood and Recreation Services, and Thirteenth Avenue School. Attendees packed the school's auditorium for an 11-a.m. Arbor Day Celebration Program. The Thirteenth Avenue School Color Guard opened the Program with the Pledge of Allegiance, The Thirteenth Dance Club performed after the flag salute. Ms. Iris Matthews, School Leadership Council Chair at the school served as mistress of Ceremonies. There were also performances by the Arts High School Choir and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. State Forrester, Mr. James Berresi delivered greetings and Official Welcome as given by Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Schools Superintendent, Dr. Janey. Both praised the school for serving as host and recognized school Principal, Lynn Irby-Jackson and PTA President, Lyndon Brown for their excellent Leadership. A Guitar signed by Arbor Day Volunteers was presented to the Superintendent who in turn presented the Guitar to 13th Avenue School.
Arbor Day Greetings were given by: West Ward Councilman Ronald Rice, Mr. Tate George from the George Group, Environmental Commission Chair, Ms. Kim Gaddy, Principal, Lynn Irby-Jackson, and Frank Miller, Covanta Director of Field Services.
Student Contest Awards were given to students who won first place in the Arbor Day art Contests. National Arbor Day Foundation Awards were presented to Tree Line USA & Tree City USA. A Ceremonial Tree Planting was held at the conclusion of the Program.
"It was a great day for the school, a great day for the community, and a great day for Newark" remarked, Mr. Lyndon Brown, PTA President.