Earlier this month, Montclair Resident, Verna A. Gray, founder and executive director of The Gray Charter School in Newark, received the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School Recognition Award from U.S. Department of Education’s Arne Duncan. One of 10 New Jersey Schools (and one of two schools in Newark) to receive the honor, The Gray Charter School was granted the award for being a high performing school and for improving student achievement. Duncan said “Schools honored with the Blue Ribbon Schools Award are committed to achievement and to ensuring that students learn and succeed. Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and must receive a quality education.”
In response to news of the award, Gray — a 24-year veteran of the Newark Public Schools — said “I am thrilled that the U. S. Department of Education recognizes what we are trying to do at our school: to educate the next generation of scholars and to create hardworking and productive citizens for our great country.ā€¯
Another resident of Montclair, Dr. E. Belvin Williams, Executive Director Emeritus of the Turrell Fund (which supports organizations that help high-need youths) and a volunteer at the Gray School, cites the fact that students are taught to be independent thinkers and to respect and appreciate others in different social and cultural circumstances as reasons why the school was selected as a winner.
The kindergarten through eighth grade school opened its doors on September 5, 2000, and currently has 276 students (90 percent of the students receive free-or reduced-cost lunches), 17 classroom teachers, 97 percent parent participation and a waiting list of 1,189 children. The school spends $12,500 per pupil (as compared to up to $17,600 spent by the Newark Public Schools).
The Gray Charter School was one of the 304 elementary, middle and secondary public and private schools throughout the country designated as a National Blue Ribbon School. An awards ceremony honoring the schools will take place in Washington, DC on November 15 and 16, 2010. For a complete list of winners, click here.
Bless her! There is so much talent in the inner city youth, but they need the influence that this devoted lady is giving.
I APPLAUD HER AND WISH HER CONTINUED DEDICATION
TO CHANGE LIVES AND TO BRING PROMISE AND A GOOD FUTURE
TO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.
YES SHE CAN!!!!! And so can many others. If only … if only … I believe I believe!!
I think it says volumes about Newark that she chooses not to live there.
The woman obviously has some serious coin. Why then should she live in Newark? She does not need to live there, to care about Newark and work and devote her energies to improving it.
You do not have to have to give yourself heart problems, to donate to the Heart Fund !