Community Schools for Newark, NJ

NBOE Board Meeting, 10/28/21

There are some definite changes that are necessary for NBOE to progress and prosper. 

Peace and blessings.

  1. It is essential Board members are committed to NBOE public schools as they took an oath and are elected to serve the needs of the children who attend NBOE. Board member A’Dorian Murray needs to resign as a Board member and serve on the KIPP Foundation.  Congratulations on your appointment and I think it would be best for you to remain on that Board since you are a product of that District and educational organization.  NBOE is a public board that has ethical requirements and serving on both boards is a violation of those ethics.  Honestly, I doubted your commitment to NBOE from your initial election run for the seat. Being committed to Newark children is a little different than being committed to NBOE.
  2. Josephine Garcia still needs to resign from the Board and be held accountable for her disrespectful remarks towards the community as she is elected to serve. 
  3. The Board is no longer an Advisory Board where the DOE appoints the Superintendent. You all need to govern appropriately or you’re all guilty of Newark losing Governance under QSAC. The community fought hard to acquire full local control and FULL LOCAL CONTROL is necessary to maintain and sustain. Whatever training you need, seek it out. Your responsibility and accountability impact people’s lives. It is a matter of life and death. Hopefully, you all know the consequence of losing Governance and will make the necessary changes for governing NBOE.

Now, I would like to discuss my main point about community schools. This is a model that encompasses the school as the hub of the community.  However, the school is no longer the hub of the community especially under the neoliberalism auspices of β€œchoice”  The current One Newark Enrollment plan needs to be immediately dismantled.  Families being required to choose 8 schools is not a β€œreal choice” since people may only have 3-4 choices. As a community, we must reject the neoliberalism notion of choice because it is destabilizing our communities.  This was done under state control and is continuing under local control. 

Appropriate support and resources are necessary for success. One of these resources was funding for mental health supports, what happened? Inquiring minds want to know.  The support is essential for all, students, staff, and faculty.  The lack of support perpetuates mental health stigma and is an impediment to a safe learning environment.

Collaborate with parents and invested community members for the success and safety of NBOE schools. Facilitate a genuine survey of the community to determine their needs and desires. Survey the entire community instead of a segment of it.  For the record, a Freedom School is much different than a community school. 

Practice social distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands for 20 seconds, get vaccinated.

Peace and blessings.

Time is of the Essence

Time is of the essence is so clichΓ© but it is a matter of fact. As the picture’s words say, “One thing you can’t recycle is wasted time”

Time is so #precious and #priceless. It is important to be #purposeful and #intentional with using your time.

Time can’t be recycled. Let me help you understand “once it is used, it can not be used again or used for something else”

TIME IS MONEY

Time is like money where it needs to be budgeted but this is something most of us do not consider to do, “create a budget for our time” However, we can have good time management strategies such as using a calendar, wearing a watch, and being on time for appointments.

Time is not like money where it can be saved for later. What ever time you have now, has to be used now. Unused time is wasted time.

Make a list and check it twice

Make a list of things you do throughout the day. When you review the list, determine where you may not be using your time wisely. However, using time to take care of your needs is using your time wisely. Start using a calendar to help yourself better manage time.

Keep in mind: Time is of the essence.

Celebrate life

Today in history!! It’s the day I celebrate #life My heart is #thankful to God for #graceΒ  and the work of His hands. He changed my mind about some things. Keeping hope alive. There’s more to come so watch God work.

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Celebrate life

Self-care

Self-care is when others tend to their own needs as a way to avoid illness on multiple levels. There are various ways to do it and it is vital to know beneficial strategies.

Drink a cup of tea

Self-care is knowing when to sit still, make noise, go slow, move forward, and let things go. Most of all, it’s knowing self and what helps one to be their best self. Take care of yourself.

Another facet of self-care is to avoid situations that are contrary to being your best. These encounters can bring noise, danger, violence, agitation, tension, or unpleasant feelings. Honestly, people, places, and things can interfere with self-care.

Ultimately, self-care is an investment. Make sufficient deposits that enable you to withdraw. These deposits can be affirmations, time alone, nurturing your body and soul, and a healing environment.

It is important to identify times for self-care. One may have to make a date with self. There is nothing wrong with that. Mark, your calendar to take of yourself in the same manner as you do for a meeting, a trip, or family gathering. It’s necessary to do something you like, that helps you to reset and re-energize.

Wellness Tools classroom.google.com/c/MTk1MTYyOTI0MDky?cjc=lyazk6r  

Take the time to do it right and keep in mind there is nothing wrong with taking care of yourself.

Seasons

The best season of the year

I was born during the Autumn season in the month of October. My birthday is in a few days. I’m looking forward to celebrating life with my family.

This season represents a cycle to me. The leaves change colors, fall from the trees, with the sun shining bright during the crisp mornings. This season is preparation for the next season, Winter. It’s a time of transition. An interesting fact is one can sit comfortably outside wearing a sweater while drinking a cup of hot tea. Yes, exactly, a cup of hot tea.

Like the Legend of the Phoenix, it all ends with beginnings.

Just like weather seasons, there are seasons of life. Be mindful of the beginnings and endings. Learn to know the levels of change. Despite the expectation of change, it will happen because life is all about changes. Appreciate each season because it provides something helpful. Nothing lasts forever.

It’s harvest time. To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heaven.

Progress

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Progress

Striving for #progress is about working towards #change that is measurable. It’s based on one’s own standard and #competition with previous efforts or success.

There is always room for change and it’s great to have space for growth. One ingredient for change is a challenge. 

In the words of Frederick Douglass, “If there is no struggle there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without plowing up the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightening..Power concedes nothing without a demand.”

Just know there will be #buffers #agitation, much work to be done for the sake of #progress. Keep track of the #objectives met, #goals achieved, and #accomplishments. Keep your eyes on the prize while you #strive to better than your best.

Education is a right

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Education is a right
Doing what i do Fighting for education

World Mental Health Day

Today is #worldmentalhealthdayο’š
It’s essential to ensure you are mentally well.Β  When this is done, it will give a sense of #mental and #emotional well-being. Be #intentional with thinking #positive be in a #supportive #environment, identify good #energy #vibes to help you on your #journey
Start the day with an #affirmation and create a list of #affirmations
Mental #health is as important as #physical health. Be determined to #focus on your health each day.
#wellbeing #wellness #mentalhealth #socialwork

New territory

Congratulations, I did something so unexpected. I created a website to write a blog. I don’t like to write but I share my thoughts on various social media platforms daily. Now, I’m on another one. #peace #blessings βœŒπŸ½πŸ™πŸ½ with positive #energy #vibes

I have some things to share about my profession, social work. I love being a social worker but believe some things must change such as focusing on the foundation and helping poor people for real in a real way. We are change agents and must discontinue perpetuating the negative stereotypes of what others think of the profession. We #advocate #activate #organize collaboratively with the voiceless. Dare to be different for difference sake.

Help me help others be better in their home, neighborhood, work, community, institution, organizations, and overall life. Each person has a right to self-determination and is entitled to choose for themselves whether anyone agrees or not.

I’m celebrating my efforts to crystalize my thoughts about particular topics such as #education #healthcare #spiritual #community #policy and other issues related to #socialwork which is EVERYTHING!!! Just in case you needed a reminder. Expect me to defy limitations and deviate from a sense of normal. Yes, I’m going beyond so enjoy this journey with me.

VIVA LA REVOLUCION!!! long live the revolution

What is School Social Work?

Introduction School social work is a specialised area within the broad profession of social work. The School Social Work Association of America defines school social workers as: β€œtrained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic, and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators as well […]

What is School Social Work?