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The Voice of the Village serves as Marion P. Thomas Charter School's monthly newsletter, informing parents, staff, students and other stakeholders about the monthly happenings at the Newark, NJ-based school. The school, comprised of prekindergarten through 12th grade, is the largest independent charter school in the state of New Jersey.
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Women’s History edition ● March 2015● Volume 6 ● Issue 7 ● www.mptcs.org
Page 1
The
Voice of the Village Women’s History Month March 2015•Volume 6•Issue 7
“It takes a whole village to raise a child”
March is designated as Women’s History
Month. In honor of this special month, scholars in
Mrs. Taylor’s 3rd
Grade SELECT (single gender)
class wrote about the woman they most admire.
Following are a few excerpts from their essays:
“I have a lot of people I admire but there is
this one person I do admire the most and that
person is my mom. I chose my mom because she
takes care of me, loves me and always helps me.
My mom is always helping me by helping me with
my homework and helping me when I make
mistakes. I admire my mom because she make me
laugh and makes me happy.”
~Nasya Uadah
“I have a woman I admire what about
you? The woman I admire is Ms. Fatimah Lewis. I
admire this woman because she cares for me. She
has taught me. She also plans events for everyone
like parties, bashes and more! She is a great
person. She was my teacher in 2nd
grade. She
taught me math, reading, writing, social studies and
science. She was (and still is) a great teacher!
~Chazmere Clark
“The woman I most admire is my mom.
My mom loves me by saying, ‘I love you.’ She
gives me lots of hugs. She also gives me lots of
kisses. My mom will cheer me up when I am sad.
Also, my mom takes care of me. She provides for
me. She takes me to my doctor appointments. She
taught me how to read. She also taught me how to
write. My mom encourages me. She tells me to do
my best. She tells me to practice for a test and
helps me practice for a test. So, that’s why I most
admire my mom.”
~Sierra Brown
“I will share some magnificent facts about a
woman I most admire. The woman I most
admire is Mrs. Taylor. I admire her
because she teaches us and makes learning
easy for all her students, she makes me feel
happy by being there for me, and also
inspires me to do my best and encourages
me. Mrs. Taylor works hard. She teaches
her students so they can understand. She
also makes learning fun. She inspired me
that I can do more than I’m supposed to.
Now that’s what you call a woman to
admire.”
~Taaliyat Ojifinni
“I have someone that I admire.
Her name is Ozioma. She is my mom. I
admire my mom because she takes care of
me, does her best to cheer me up and has to
go to work. My mom wants me to do my
best in school. She helps me with my
homework. She checks my homework
when I am done. My mom has to go to
work. She is a doctor. She takes her job
seriously. She is the best mom a child
could ever have.”
~Chidera Olsafor
Important Dates
April 2015 4/3-10 – Spring Break 4/13 – Spring Picture Day (Primary School) 4/16 – Traveling Science Show Assembly for K-4th Grade scholars 4/22 – Wells Fargo Reading Program (PS) 4/24 – Traveling Science Show for Prekindergarten scholars 4/27 – MPTCS Board of Education Meeting @ 6 p.m. Crawford St. Campus 4/28 – 5/4 – Spring Book Fair 4/28 – Parent/Teacher Conferences for High school (2-8 PM at the Shipman campus) 4/28-5/4 – Spring Book Fair 4/30 – ½ Day for scholars (PS, ES & MS); Parent/Teacher Conferences (1:15 – 3 PM; 4-7 PM)
May 2015 5/1 – Parent/Teacher Conferences (PS, ES & MS))
5/19 – Junior Achievement Day at PS, ES & MS PS-primary school; ES-Elementary School; MS-Middle School; HS-High School
Mrs. Taylor’s 3rd
Grade Class
Women’s History edition ● March 2015● Volume 6 ● Issue 7 ● www.mptcs.org
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Getting to Know MPTCS’ new Primary teacher Mary Sutor
and Safety Officer Paulette Bigelow
Mary Sutor, a native New Jerseyan who has also resided in Pennsylvania,
joins the MPTCS team with a background in teaching kindergarten and first grade for
several years. Her educational background includes a Master’s Degree and teaching
certificates in Preschool to Third Grade and Special Education from Montclair State
University. In addition, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications and
Media Technologies from King’s College in Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Sutor said she is thrilled to be part of the MPTCS Preschool team. She
believes that learning can be fun and exciting and that the classroom can offer
adventures for young scholars. Mary’s favorite quote, by Anatole France, under-
scores her belief in teaching. The quote reads, “The whole art of teaching is only
the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it
afterwards.”
Mrs. Sutor and her husband are the proud parents of a two year old daughter.
As the Security Officer for the MPTCS Elementary School,
Paulette Bigelow spends the better part of her day watching
out for children’s safety. This is a career that she never imagined for
herself but one that has become an important part of her life. Paulette
spent her high school years as an athlete. She was a 1981 graduate of
East Orange High School and helped her Panthers Girls’ Basketball
Team to its first ever undefeated 27-0 season. Paulette was also a two
time First Team All-County and First Team All-State athlete during
her junior and senior years. She credits her mother and father for her
upbringing and values that she still hold dear today and noted that her
mother was an excellent role model for everyone in the neighborhood.
Her mother guided her and her four sisters and helped them develop a
bound which lasted through adulthood. She was also careful to
instruct them about the positive and negative effects of their behaviors
on others.
After high school an administrator recommended that Paulette
try out security work. She began to investigate the field and
discovered that there were many opportunities to make a difference
with young people and share some of the disciplines she had learned
as an athlete. During her 10 years of service in law enforcement,
Office Bigelow has discovered that she has a vantage point in
communicating with young people. She said, “I have noticed that
discipline is a key element in changing behaviors and that often I can
listen to different points of view and help others to see alternatives.”
“I believe that it takes a village to raise a child and MPTCS is an ideal
place to reinforce that belief. I want to do my part to contribute to the
lives of young people. I love my job.” she said.
Mrs. Sutor
Prekindergarten Teacher
Safety Officer Paulette Bigelow
Paulette Bigelow, one of the stellar
athletes on East Orange High School’s
girls’ championship basketball team in
1981
Women’s History edition ● March 2015● Volume 6 ● Issue 7 ● www.mptcs.org
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High School
Parental Writes By
Lesley Leslie
Women’s “Her”-Story Month
We greatly admire the many talented women who have made
their contributions through a variety of skill sets. They paved the way
for generations of women. One such notable is Debbie Allen, a
dancer, actress and choreographer, as well as a film and television
producer and director. Born in Houston, Texas, she is best known for
her role as the dance teacher from the film and television series,
“Fame.” Debbie began her career with a dream and determination to
work at her craft until she had risen to the level of the talented
professional we revere today.
She started her multi-talented career after graduating from
Howard University. As a child, she studied ballet in Mexico for
several years before receiving a full scholarship to attend the Houston
Foundation for Ballet, where she became the company’s first black
dancer.
She went on to star on Broadway in Purlie, West Side Story
and Raisin, a musical theater adaptation of the play, A Raisin in the
Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. As a television actor, Debbie Allen may
be most remembered for her roles on “In the House”, “All of us” and
“Grey’s Anatomy.” However it is her directing efforts on programs
like, “The Parkers”, “The Fresh Prince of Bel- Air”, “That’s So
Raven” and “A Different World” that may have surprised many
people.
Among the numerous awards that she has received, Ms. Allen
has a dance academy named in her honor and a star on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame.
We salute Debbie Allen a woman who has literally danced
her way to the top!
Lesley Leslie is a parent of an MPTCS student and a member of the
MPTCS Board of Trustees.
The multi-talented Debbie Allen
Dancer Actress Choreographer
Film & TV Producer & Director
Fanny Kemble was born in England on
November 27, 1809. She was an author and an
actress. Fanny fell in love and married Pierce
Butler. They had two daughters. The relationship
between Pierce and Fanny went bad when she
wanted to publish her journal against slavery and
Pierce did not want her to. She constantly disagreed
with slave owners and often worked against her
husband to give liberties to the slave that he
owned. After word got out about her position
against slavery Fanny asked her husband if they
could move to Georgia. Her anti-slavery positions
continued and she became a part of the
Underground Railroad which helped slaves escape
from plantations to areas where they could be
free. She also helped slaves escape from her
husband’s Georgia plantation. Fanny used her
husband’s childhood house as a station for the
Underground Railroad.
them in some instances was whipped along with the
slaves. She divorced Pierce a few years later and
also lost custody of her two children. Fanny was
restricted to visiting her children two days a month
because of her fight against slavery. She died on
January 15, 1893.
Fanny Kemble Giovanni Silltti and Latrice
Mitchell, sixth graders in Ms.
Codrington’s class wanted to
share what they learned about
Fanny Kemble, whose life story
was filled with compassion for
others. Her crusade against
slavery jeopardized her social
standing and personal security
during her time.
When Pierce found out
that Fanny was keeping
slaves in his childhood
house he burnt it down and
the slaves had to
escape. Some of the slaves
were sick and injured and
couldn’t walk. Fanny spoke
up for the slaves and the
ones who were caught
trying to escape she shielded
Women’s History edition ● March 2015● Volume 6 ● Issue 7 ● www.mptcs.org
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A look back at our February and March
Events & Activities
H
I
G
H
S
C
H
O
O L
Applause! Applause! For the MPTCHS Boys’
Varsity Basketball Team and their recent
championship win. The team walked away
with a well-deserved title for the NJ Charter
High School Invitational Tournament with a
score of 69-62 against the Paulo Freire
Charter High School. Go Tigers!
We salute the MPTCHS JV Basketball
Squad for their sportsmanship and
perseverance during the basketball
season and a demonstration of tenacity
against a larger East Orange JV
Basketball team during the last game of
the season.
There were plenty of smiles to go around
when the MPTCHS Girls’ Basketball Team got
together to celebrate the end of their
season. The girls had an impressive season
with a number of wins and have garnered
recognition from their peers at neighboring
schools in their conference.
A recent trip to the Prudential Center served
as an important learning experience for
high school scholars who participated in the
Devil’s Day Career experience. The scholars
met representatives from the NJ Devil’s
Hockey Team who discussed internships,
college major and career opportunities.
Women’s History edition ● March 2015● Volume 6 ● Issue 7 ● www.mptcs.org
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The middle school campus added an exciting event to their roster of
activities and events – The “Showcase of Excellence.” The event provides an
opportunity to highlight and honor scholars who have achieved academic
excellence as well as showcase the talent throughout the building. In February,
the middle school hosted the second showcase of the year. The theme was “The
HBCU Experience”. Historically Black Colleges and Universities have been a
strong part of the African-American culture and hold a powerful position within
our country’s history. As parents entered, the evening opened with a power point
presentation created by Mr. Singh in collaboration with Miss Frazier’s vision for
the evening; which gave a brief overview of the HBCU experience through the
lens of those colleges and universities that are represented at the middle school
campus as well as a tribute to the Black Greek Letter Organizations known as the
Divine Nine. The program also featured homeroom presentations by Spelman
and Morehouse College – the SELECT (single gender) classes. The students
worked with the Homeroom teachers, Mr. Brooks and Mrs. Slaughter in order to
give a brief history and performance representing their colleges. The girls reminded us that they believe they can run the
world while the boys represented the epitome of brotherhood as they reflected on the history of Morehouse College.
Under the direction of Miss Brown, scholars did a Tribute Step to thank and show appreciation to those Greek
Letter Organizations which carry dignity and a place in our history for building and achieving sisterhood/brotherhood and
true community service. Ms. Philips was there to cheer on the presentation for her sorority (Sigma Gamma Rho). The
Chorus presented their “Ode to Spirituals” as they sang: Follow the Drinking Gourd, Wade in the Water and Keep Your
Lamps Trimmed and Burning. Miss Frazier discussed with the audience the value of the “spiritual” and its place in
history. Not only did they serve as uplifting music but they carried secret messages which helped the slaves on their
journey to freedom. After the chorus, selected students from Ms. Smellie’s social studies class - Ari-Yonnah Paige,
Evette Brown-Toney and Georgina Vasquez - presented their “Who Am I” speeches to the audience. Special guests,
Kathy Harrison and Performing Artists United, presented an excerpt from “The Movement” an acapella musical about
black history. The Magnificent Marching Tigers, with Ms. Keisha and Ms. Trina as advisors, opened and closed the show.
On many HBCU campuses, the band serves as the catalyst to keep school spirit and pride at an all-time high. We
appreciate our drumline, dancers and flags for showing off the true spirit of any HBCU.
Special Thanks to the people that made this event possible: Miss Frazier, PAWS Director (Performing Arts With
Style); Miss Imani Johnson-Young (Director’s Assistant and Mistress of Ceremony); Mr. Singh, Technology; Miss
Brown, Step Team Coach; Ms. Keisha, Ms. Trina, Band Advisors; Mr. Brooks, Morehouse Homeroom Teacher; Mrs.
Slaughter, Spelman Homeroom Teacher; Miss Stephanie, Certificates and Programs; Mr. Halstead, Decorations; Mr.
Washington, Sound Engineer and Maintenance and Security; Supportive parents and staff: Mrs. E. Williams, Ms. Linda
Perry, Ms. Christine, Miss Saxton and Miss Stinvil. Mr. Gamble and Mrs. Hamilton who support us and constantly push
us to reach for the stars!!!
~Written by Pamela Frazier, Middle School Music Teacher
Middle School
Middle School Scholars’ Showcase of Excellence
Women’s History edition ● March 2015● Volume 6 ● Issue 7 ● www.mptcs.org
Page 6
Prekindergarten: During the month of
March, our class is focusing on Buildings. As we
study Buildings, we will learn about concepts and
skills in science, social studies, literacy, math, the
arts, and technology. We will also be using thinking
skills to investigate, ask questions, solve problems,
make predictions, and test our ideas. This study gives
children many opportunities to expand their
knowledge and understanding of building materials.
It also helps children explore concepts in social
studies related to shelter, jobs, and the purposes of
different structures. Look at what we have done with
the study Buildings so far! We are having such an
awesome time!
Primary & Elementary Scholars
celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday
A Valentine’s
Day
Celebration
Women’s History edition ● March 2015● Volume 6 ● Issue 7 ● www.mptcs.org
Page 7
Fathers for our Children Awards Ceremony & Scholarship Fundraiser slated for Friday, June 12th
A celebration honoring those who make a difference in the lives of MPTCS
Scholars and the Newark community.
Continuing MPTCS’ commitment to spotlight men who serve as role models to
Newark youth, Marion P. Thomas Charter School scholars will honor men of outstanding
character at the 12th annual “Fathers for Our Children” Awards Ceremony and
Scholarship Fundraiser on Friday, June 12th at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. In
addition to paying homage to distinguished men, this year’s awards ceremony will also
highlight one outstanding corporation for its commitment to the Newark community.
This year’s esteemed honorees are:
The proceeds from “Fathers for our Children” will benefit the Marion P. Thomas
Charter School Foundation scholarship fund. The MPTCS Foundation awards
scholarships to deserving MPTCS students and alumni who are continuing their education
at quality colleges and universities. All MPTCS graduates are eligible to apply for
scholarship funds.
We need the entire MPTCS Village to participate in this worthy cause. Please
contact Michele Griffin at [email protected] or 973.621.0060, ext. 1010 to secure a
ticket, advertisement, sponsorship or to volunteer. Our scholars are relying on your
generosity and support to insure a successful production and a robust scholarship fund.
Rev. John Baker
Executive Pastor
Cross and Crown
Christian Church
The Honorable
Ras J. Baraka
Mayor of Newark, NJ
Preston Pinkett
Chairman & CEO
City National Bank
Outstanding Corporation
Goldman Sachs Social Impact Fund
Margaret Anadu, Managing Director, UIG
A Look Back:
Past Fathers for our
Children
Awards Shows
Women’s History edition ● March 2015● Volume 6 ● Issue 7 ● www.mptcs.org
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Melinda Johnson
Primary School Principal
(PreK-1st Grade)
Remi Christofferson
Elementary School Principal
(2nd – 4th Grade)
John Gamble
Middle School Principal
(5th – 8th Grade)
Genique Flournoy-Hamilton
V.P. Middle School
(5th – 8th Grade)
Joyce Caine
High School Principal
(9th – 12th Grade)
Vernon Maynor
Asst. Principal, High School
(9th – 12th Grade)
Tera Davis
Parent Liaison
Primary & Elementary Schools
Latisha West
Parent Liaison
High School
Ana Munoz
Family Worker
Pre-Kindergarten
Central Office
Dr. Karen Thomas
Superintendent, CEO
Dr. Doreen Land
Chief Academic Officer
Femi Amorin
Business Administrator
Sam de la Cruz
Director of CIA
Damon White
Director of Special Services
Craig Jackson
Director of Special Projects
Michele Griffin
Director of Marketing &
Development
VOV Editor
Michelle Baldwin
Contributing writer
Milton Tannis
Director of Facilities
MPTC High School: From the Ground Up
Progress! The new high school facility is on track to open at the beginning of the
2015-2016 school year.
HOPE for Newark’s Girls: Mayor Baraka stopped by the Center of Hope
for Girls and Women during their official opening on Wednesday, April
1st. A variety of activities for girls, age 12 through college, will be
offered at the center. Programming will be spearheaded by Newark
GALS, a nonprofit organization co-founded by middle school vice
principal, Mrs. Flournoy-Hamilton. (photo from nj.com)
