Newark Board of Education Announces Winners of Pre-K Holiday Reading Challenge – TAPinto.net

NEWARK, NJ– The Newark Board of Education held its 3rd Annual Newark Pre-K Holiday Reading Challenge during the holiday break, with an aim to enhance a passion for reading and family engagement.

From Dec. 24 to Jan. 4, preschoolers across the city of Newark were asked, with help from their families, to read for 20 minutes a day and to keep track of their reading by sharing reading logs and their engagement via pictures and videos on the District’s ‘Office of Early Childhood’ Instagram page. 

Superintendent Roger León is expected to recognize the young students and their families along with the schools and centers who won first place at tonight’s school board meeting.

“We are proud of all of our students, families, schools and child care centers that participated,” León said in a statement. “The current pandemic has shown us now more than ever, the importance of family partnership and engagement in our students learning process.” 

Among the winners is Noah Enechukwu, a preschooler at Camden Street School, who won first place for the most minutes read. Alyssa S. Escobar Nicolas, a preschooler from Innovative Educational Programs, won for posting her challenge on the Instagram page and receiving the most likes. 

The Child Care Center known as Newark Day at Essex County College won the title of having the highest average of minutes read among all of its enrolled students.

Upon announcement of the program award recipients, Samantha Lott-Velez, Executive Director of the Office of Early Childhood complimented the initiative for its efforts. 

“When children engage in reading, they learn about themselves and the world around them,” Lott-Velez said. “The messages shared by the preschoolers on our Instagram page exhibit the social and emotional learning and character development that are so critical during these early years. The children’s expressions exhibited feelings of gratitude and kindness towards others. We are proud of all of our children for their efforts.”

Visit the District’s ‘Office of Early Childhood’ Instagram Page @Newark Pre-K, to view the list of current and past winners 

For additional information visit: https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/news/newark-pre-k-holiday-reading-challenge-proudly-presents-2020-2021-winners/