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First Class Moving Up to High School!
Only nine years after initially welcoming students, University Heights Charter School enthusiastically celebrated its first ever “Moving Up” ceremony on June 15th to the boisterous enthusiasm of over 350 guests, scholars, and staff.
“It is an historic day for University Heights,” commented Rev. Dr. William Howard, Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church. “We could not have imagined this day nine years ago.”
Commencement speaker Rahshene Davis encouraged students to recognize that their dreams “simply haven’t arrived- YET” and that hard work and effort would make them come true.
Forty-seven graduates stepped forward to receive their diplomas from Board Chair Warren Tranquada. Nearly all will be moving on to top independent, magnet, charter, and district schools, earning over $300,000 in scholarships.
“I will never forget the encouragement and support I have receiv-ed from my teachers here at University Heights,” remarked valedictorian Dejah Jennings, who is headed to the prestigious Science Park High School.
8th Grade Visits Baltimore & DC
In June, 36 grade 8 students and 5 staff went on University Height’s first overnight trip to Baltimore and Washington, DC.
On the first stop, scholars were stirred by the historical figures and events depicted at the Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore. In the afternoon, they visited the major monuments of the Wa-shington Mall, most for the first time.
On the second day, scholars toured Howard University. The trip ended with a visit to the home of Frederick Douglass, where scholars learned not only of his struggle for civil rights for African Americans, but also for women.
Above all else, scholars marveled at how much they enjoyed each other and learned about history. As scholar DeJay Heriot explained “We learned what our ancestors suffered, how the Civil Rights Movement progressed, and how Frederick Douglas rose from slavery to be a leader.” Classmate Christopher Johnson added, “And I learned it with my friends and had fun too!”
UHCS Partners with Parents to Narrow the Summer Literacy Gap
June 9, 2015
On June 9, over 50 parents attended a workshop on “Building Literacy in Daily Life” led by Amy Brancato, the lower school literacy coach.
The event provided simple ways for caregivers to engage scho-lars in literacy throughout the summer. Mrs. Brancato modeled an interactive read-aloud to get the scholars involved in the books they read. She spoke of the importance of give-and-take conversations about books, before, during, and after reading.
Natasha Osborne from the Newark Public Library shared information about the library’s summer reading program and collected registrations for the scholars to obtain library cards.
Parents and guardians left the evening with packets containing sample activities to do with their children during the summer months and suggested texts at each grade level. The big take-away of the evening was that it’s all about talking with your kids— about everything—to keep them engaged and learning.
Read Across University Heights!
March 2, 2015 - Twenty-seven grade 8 students and 10 staff members came to the lower school to read books to students in grades PreK-2 as part of the national Read Across America Day.
The event, organized by our literacy coach Amy Brancato, took advantage of the co-location of the lower and upper schools and exemplified the development of character, scholarship, and leadership that is the core of our mission.
Lower school scholars (and teachers!) were delighted to see upper school students in their classroom sharing their favorite stories, and upper school student felt proud giving back to their lower school alma mater.
March to Selma (the Film)
January 16, 2015
The timing was remarkable: thanks to the support of 26 generous, visionary local leaders, some 200 UHCS Scholars were able to attend a mid-day screening of the acclaimed movie Selma.
Their January 16th trip occurred on the last school day prior to Martin Luther King Day, and the message of the Selma march and subsequent events were powerful for our scholars.
“It gave me hope,” one scholar explained. “I could see that, if we strive for more, and seek justice, it can happen.”
The eighth grader has a vision for herself; her love for young children leads her to seek being a pediatric psychiatrist.
“The students were remarkable” explained Ms. Abrahamsen, Grade 7 English Teacher.
“As the movie unfolded, they were truly engaged. We can’t thank these leaders enough for their wonderful gift to these young people throughout New Jersey.”