Thirteenth Aveue School 2010 NJHS Induction

2010 National Junior Honor Society Inductees

OSAZE OGBE

Osaze Ogbe was born on November 7, 1997. He is 12 years old. He is the son of Jacob & Idowu Ogbe. Osaze aspires to become a computer engineer. Osaze’s hobbies include playing video games, baseball, soccer and watching WWE Friday Night Smackdown. Osaze has been accepted for fall admission to University High School. Osaze plans to attend New Jersey Institute of Technology after he graduates from high school. Osaze’s favorite subject is science.
His zodiac sign is Scorpio. At Thirteenth Avenue School,
Osaze is a member of the Debate Team, Student Council
and a 2010 Inductee in our National Junior Honor Society.



Patricia Middlebrooks

Patricia Middlebrooks is an Eighth Grader at 13th Avenue School. Patricia was born on December 24th and is a proud Capricorn baby. Her hobbies include socializing, playing various sports including basketball, flag football, volleyball, soccer, and kickball. She also enjoys shopping, reading drama books, and watching scary movies.
While attending Thirteenth Avenue School, Patricia has been a member of the Dance Club, Art History Club, Student Council, Girls Club, and Yearbook Committee.
Her career goal is to become a pediatrician. Patricia has been accepted for fall admission at American History High School.


Tommy Blanchard

Tommy Blanchard was born on October 4, 1997. His zodiac sign is Libra. “ I always take my education seriously” says Tommy, An Honor Roll Student. His extra-curricular activities include running track and Karate School.
Tommy prefers to be called, “The Intelligent One”. He is considered to be a very kind and helpful person he displays these characteristics as a member of the Thirteenth Avenue School Student Council and a 2010 Inductee of the Mary McCleod Bethune National Junior Honor Society here at 13th Avenue School.

This Panther Pride Scholar’s future goal is to become a Supreme Court Justice.





Orisegbubene Ogbe

Orisegbubene Ogbe is 14 years old. Her career goals are to become a Music Teacher or web designer.
She is a member of the Art History Club and the Student Council. Her favorite color is blue.

Her favorite quote is by Plato, “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something”. Her hobbies include: watching movies, reading books, listening to music, and socializing with friends.
Her best friends are Shauntice Paynes and Mahalia Bazile.
Orisegbubene was born on January 19th and she is also a Capricorn. Her role models are her parents.
In the fall, She will be attending University High School.
Jerry Jackson
Jerry Jackson is 13 years old. He holds many titles. He is a son, brother, student, athlete, and future automotive engineer.
Jerry is a hard working 8th grader at 13th Avenue School and he is heavily involved in different activities at 13th Avenue School including the debate team, robotics club, basketball team, Art History Club, Dance and Cheerleading Squad.
He also serves as Vice-President of the Boys to Men Club which focuses on mentoring and leadership of young men.
He is captain of the Panther Boys Basketball team, a student representative to student council and a merit honor roll student. Outside of school, Jerry has walked in marathons benefiting those affected with Multiple Sclerosis. He has planted trees for Arbor Day and collected donated money, clothes, and time to various charities including those focused on people infected with HIV & AIDS. This experience has helped build his character and made him more compassionate towards people with terminal illnesses.
In the fall, Jerry will be attending St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark.

Kasha Bowe
Kasha Bowe is an Eighth Grader at Thirteenth Avenue School in Newark. While attending 13th Avenue School, Kasha has been a member of the Dance Club, Art History Club, Yearbook Club, Girls Club, and Cheerleading Squad. In the fall, Kasha will be attending University High School. Currently, Most recently, Kasha participated in the Dance Theater of Harlem’s Artist in Residence Program at 13th Avenue School and performed for the 2010 NJ Arbor Day Celebration at Thirteenth Avenue School. Kasha’s favorite hobbies are: dancing, cheerleading and writing.
In the future she hope to have the opportunity to travel and visit many different places. Her career goal is to purse a career as a Fashion Designer or attend a Culinary Arts School and become a Chef.


Shauntice Paynes
Shauntice Paynes is 14 years old. Shauntice is was born on May 3rd under the sign of Taurus. She has been attending Thirteenth Avenue School for eighth years. While attending 13th Avenue School she has been involved in multiple extra-curricular activities including the Dance Club, Art History Club, Sisters United, and Student Council. As a member of the Student Council she has worked to help make the school better. She has been dancing since the fourth grade. She has also danced at Rutgers University as well as various churches and schools. Her hobbies include dancing and debating. This summer she will be touring Italy with the Thirteenth Avenue School Art History Club.
Most recently, Shauntice was accepted into the Dance Program at Arts High School where she looks forward to attending in the fall. After high school, Shauntice plans to attend Kean University and study to become an Emergency Room Doctor.

Bernardo Dela Cruz
Bernardo Dela Cruz is a sixth grader at Thirteenth Avenue School where he is member of the Color Guard. A memorable moment for Bernardo was standing next to Mayor Cory Booker and our Superintendent, Dr. Clifford Janey.
Bernardo’s enjoys playing sports especially football and basketball. Bernardo credits his role model for keeping him focused and engaged in positive things. His role model is his mom, Ms. Olga Dela Cruz. Bernardo’s career goal is to become a teacher or a lawyer.











Thirteenth Aveneu School hosted its 2010 National Junior Society Induction on June 8th. This year's Inductees were:



Mahalia Bazile has been a student at Thirteenth Avenue School since the age of four. She has maintained Honor Roll and Super Honor Roll during her academic career at 13th Avenue School. Mahalia is a NJ SEEDS scholar which stands for (Scholars Educators Excellence Dedication Success).
The NJ SEEDS Program has afforded Mahalia the opportunity to attend to receive a scholarship in excess of $46,000 a year to Cheshire Academy in Connecticut.
At 13th Avenue School Mahalia is a member of the Art History Club, Debate Team, Girls Club, Sisters United, and newly elected President of the 13th Avenue School National Junior Honor Society.

The NJHS' 2010 Community Service Project was a Coin Drive for Haiti Relief effort.
The Guest Speaker was Mr. Miguel Salinas from Pitney-Bowles in Princeton, NJ

2010 PTA Recognition Cookout

The Thirteenth Avenue School PTA hosted its 2010 PTA Recognition Cookout on Thursday, June 17th in the School’s Courtyard. The Panther Dads Father’s Club spent three hours on the grill preparing hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken for students, staff, and parents. While the Panther Moms served beverages, baked beans, fruit salad, ice cream, macaroni salad, tossed salad and potato salad.
Mr. Lyndon Brown, PTA President recognized PTA members who participated in the National PTA’s “Three for Me” volunteer program. PTA members who volunteered three or more hours during the school year received certificates. The 2009-2010 recipients were: Ian Ali, Keith Sadler. Seleta Carter, Laterria Sims. Ruby Hickman, Ruby Perkins, Kyle Rivers, Vanessa Strange, Mark Knight, Manuel Rivera, Gail Holiday, Latisha Barnes, Evelyn Rivera, Yaminah Rodriguez, Ruth Phillips, Barbara Tindell, Khadijah Kareem, Barbara Tindell, Annie Brown, Richard Denby, Latisha Linares, Alicia Sotver, James Davis, Arnold Bell, Maurice Williams, Cassandra Bowles, Valeria Barlow and Keisha Norman.
Door Prize Raffles were conducted by Ms. Juanita Sledge and Ms. Portia Lowery.
Political Advocacy Awards were presented to PTA members who advocated for children at School Board Meetings and City Council Meetings: Mr. Mark Knight, Ms. Jenise Reedus, Mr. Kyle Rivers, Sr. and Ms. Brenda Riley.
Parent Delegate Awards were presented to parents who represented the PTA at local, county and state conferences/conventions: Mr. Charles Curry, Ms. Laquanna Cooper, Ms. Evelyn Rivera, Ms. Yaminah Rodriguez, Mr. Keith Sadler, Mr. Manuel Rivera, Mr. Avery Spotswood, Mr. Anthony Rivera, Mrs. Annie Brown, Ms. Laterria Sims, and Mr. Kyle rivers, Sr.
The PTA’s 2010 Teacher of the Year Award was presented to Ms. Iris Matthews, Crisis Teacher and School Leadership Council Chairperson. Ms. Matthews was recognized for more than 35 years of dedicated service to Thirteenth Avenue School. Ms. Matthews received a plaque and proclamation from the City of Newark.
The PTA’s 2010 Parent of the Year Award was presented to Mr. Kyle Rivers for his outstanding parental involvement. Mr. Rivers was also presented a proclamation from the City of Newark and a plaque from the PTA for his success in creating the Thirteenth Avenue School PTA website and establishing a Special Needs Support Group for special needs parents at the school.

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.

Eno PolyVision WhiteBoard in Room 401

Ms Caputo’s classroom where children are all functioning at different levels, and often find learning a challenge, it is imperative for me to find new ways to engage the class and keep their interest in the lessons I am teaching. I have found the use of the Smart Boards to be very useful in this capacity. The children enjoy using this technology and are eager to participate in the lessons being taught. I have used the Smart Boards in my Math, Literacy and, Science lessons, allowing the children to take turns filling in the correct answers to questions and problems. Changing up the lessons and keeping the children engaged in hands on activity is one of the best ways to reach my students and to keep their attention.