Newark HS students protest district turnaround program in front of Bridgegate reporters
NEWARK — While a gaggle of reporters waited on Friday outside the federal court building in Newark for further developments in the George Washington Bridge scandal, hundreds of East Side High School students arrived to the courthouse hoping to call attention to another issue:
Newark Public Schools' plan to steer the school into its turnaround program.
"We have a duty to fight. We have a duty to win," the students chanted in unison in front of the federal court building in Newark. "We have nothing to lose but our chains."
The district has named eight schools to becometurnarounds next school year, which means that teachers will be asked to sign agreements that may require them to work for a longer school day, go through two additional weeks of professional development in the summer and work on multiple Saturdays.
Under the teacher's contract, which expires in June of 2015, the district is permitted to name up to ten schools as turnarounds each year. In exchange, teachers are paid an additional stipend of $3,000 a year for the extra time.
At least 23 schools have been designated as turnaround schools since the program began, according to the district.
"We know that many of the schools designated as a "Turnaround" school have outstanding leadership and terrific teachers that lead Newark's students every day," Newark Public Schools spokeswoman Brittany Chord Parmley said in a statement.
"As negotiated with the Newark Teachers Union in 2012, the extra time and resources provided under this model allow our school leaders and teachers to continue raising the bar even higher for our students."
But Sarrah Violet, 17, said that a longer school day was not necessary and might cause more students to drop out.
"We're fine the way we are," she said in front of the courthouse.
Charlene Anderson, 17, echoed similar sentiments.
"She is trying to turn it around when it has already been turned around," she said.
East Side High School has become lightening rod in the debate over the school district's turnaround program. Last month, dozens of students were reported to leave the school in the middle of the day to protest the program.
Last Saturday, the school held a rally to highlight what they say is the school's progress. Meanwhile, activists have waged a social media campaign with the hashtag#WeAreEastSide to fight the designation.
On Friday, the students marched from the courthouse toward Newark Public Schools' headquarters, located at 2 Cedar Street, and back toward their school. While police officers on motorcycles trailed them, the students at time snarled traffic along Broad Street and Raymond Boulevard.
Critics from NJ Communities United, the Newark Students Union and the Newark Teachers Union say test scores of the school are improving and the school. Additionally, they argue teachers are not being paid enough for the extra time.
"A turnaround school is a failing school that needs to be improved," East Side High School principal Mario Santos said in an interview last Saturday.
"East Side has been on a road to greatness and the results have shown it."
At East Side High School, the share of students considered proficient in language arts increased from 67 percent during the 2010-2011 school year to 79 percent during the 2013-2014 school year. While the number of students considered proficient in math has increased from 63 percent during the 2010-2011 school year to 75 percent during the 2013-2014, according to New Jersey Department of Education state report card.
East Side High School students rally against turnaround program
Students of East Side High School rally outside of Federal Court in Newark, as state appointed superintendent Cami Anderson and Gov. Chis Christie plan on defunding extra-curricular activities on eight Newark Schools NJ 5/1/15 (Amanda Marzullo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
Students of East Side High School rally outside of Federal Court in Newark, as state appointed superintendent Cami Anderson and Gov. Chis Christie plan on defunding extra-curricular activities on eight Newark Schools NJ 5/1/15 (Amanda Marzullo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
But overall, 93.3 percent and 84.8 percent of high school students in New Jersey were considered proficient in language arts and math in 2014 respectively, data shows.
Students also argued on Friday that the longer school day might make it harder to participate in extra curricular activities.
"Let's be real. We live in Newark," said sophomore Vitor Dos Anjos. "It's hard to get home sometimes."
But Chord Parmley said the district is taking steps to improve local schools and extra curricular activities will not be affected by the turnaround program.
"We will continue to engage in collaborative conversations that will help improve our schools and close the achievement gap in Newark," she said.
Still, the controversy surrounding the turnaround program is not likely to go awayanytime soon.
Later on Friday, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is expected to appear at a press conference with Journey for Justice, a coalition of community organizations who have advocated Newark HS students protest district turnaround program in front of Bridgegate reporters | NJ.com: