Catherine Carrera
Chalkbeat
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Past articles by Catherine:
Newark schools would get nearly $1.2 billion in state aid under Murphy’s 2024 budget plan
The governor touted progress on moving closer to fully funding the state’s school aid formula, which has left poor districts, including Newark, underfunded for years. → Read More
Two Newark charter schools to merge into one K-12, as two others get approval to expand
North Star Academy and LINK Community Charter School got state approval to increase enrollment, as Achieve Community Charter School plans merger with People’s Prep into one K-12 school. → Read More
Newark school board blocks attempt to stop superintendent’s contract renewal
School board members support Superintendent Roger Leon’s work and contract renewal during January’s board meeting. → Read More
Newark parents, advocates demand answers on superintendent’s contract renewal
The Newark Board of Education reportedly renewed the district leader’s contract for five years at a salary of $290,000 without public notice. Parents and advocates question why. → Read More
Learning loss, mental health needs, staff shortages: Most read Newark education stories of 2022
From learning loss and staff shortages to student protests and unprecedented levels of mental health needs, these are Chalkbeat Newark’s most read stories of the year. → Read More
Newark Public Schools promised $1K bonus for employees but per diem staff say they were left out
Per diem teachers spoke out during the December board meeting after being told they would be excluded from a $1,000 bonus given to full-time employees. → Read More
New Jersey’s test scores for 2022: See the math and literacy results for your district
The New Jersey Department of Education released district-by-district results from the state’s 2022 standardized tests. The scores provide additional information about the pandemic’s effects on students. → Read More
This Newark social worker’s early struggle with anxiety led her to help other students
Sheyla Riaz manages mental health programming for KIPP NJ schools. Her own experience as a teen with anxiety and depression led to her pursuing this career, she says. → Read More
In COVID grievance case, Newark teachers win $1 million in back pay, sick days, union leaders say
The Newark Teachers Union filed a grievance with the Newark Board of Education last year, arguing that COVID-related absences were covered under its contract. An arbitrator agreed. → Read More
New Jersey school counselors say student mental health needs have ‘increased tremendously’
There was an expectation to “return to normal” this year, but school counselors say the pressure to perform well academically and socially has affected student mental well-being. → Read More
Newark’s largest charter schools break ties with universal enrollment system ahead of new cycle
Newark Enrolls has been a universal enrollment platform for district and charter schools in the city, but a new platform, the Newark Common App, will now be used for the city’s largest charter schools. → Read More
Newark board approves $5 million contract to purchase, install touchless water fountains
Some students lug a gallon of water as Newark Public Schools works to purchase and install touchless water fountains after some were found to be inoperable. → Read More
Newark students, teachers: Help us examine access to water in your school
Water fountains were shut off across Newark Public Schools for two years. Officials say they’re back on. Help us examine access to water in your school. → Read More
Sign up for Chalkbeat’s monthly text updates on the Newark Board of Education
Chalkbeat Newark is launching a text messaging service to help keep you informed on key decisions the school board makes every month. → Read More
Newark Public Schools drop mask requirement starting Sept. 12
Face masks will now be optional in Newark schools, New Jersey’s largest district and one of the few nationwide that still had a mandate at the start of the 2022-23 school year. → Read More
How New Jersey and Newark plan to beef up school security this academic year
As schools look for ways to keep students safe, Gov. Phil Murphy lays out a $6 million school mapping initiative and Newark hires more security guards. → Read More
Newark water emergency forces thousands of summer school students to stay home
Newark and neighboring towns had little to no water on a day of extreme heat for the area. An unknown number of students were affected by the cancellation. → Read More
NJ children facing anxiety, depression ‘at unprecedented levels,’ new report finds
Federal pandemic relief money should be used to improve access to mental health services for children, advocates say. → Read More
State shutdown of Newark charter school leaves families in financial lurch
When the New Jersey Department of Education ordered University Heights Charter School to cease operating on June 30, families faced unforeseen costs and uncertainty. → Read More
Newark to get 10 first-time principals in the 2022-23 school year
The departure of vice principals of color runs contrary to Newark officials’ repeated goal of elevating people of color to leadership positions. → Read More