SchoolBook SchoolBook
Published by
SchoolBook

Newark Mayor Gives Free School Supplies, Lunch to Kids at Housing Projects

Newark kids get a free lunch as they pick up free backpacks distributed by Mayor Ras Baraka.

Children from three housing projects in Newark picked up book bags filled with school supplies Monday, as part of Mayor Ras Baraka's "Back To School Bus Tour." Bags were filled with notebooks, folders, rulers, pencils, sharpeners, erases, socks and water bottles. 

"It's awesome," said Keshawna Solomon, 14. School started last week in Newark, but she hadn't bought her school supplies yet. Her aunt, Tequila Dobbins, said she needed help purchasing them for all her nieces and nephews. 

"You know book bags is expensive now. The average book bag is maybe $10-12," Dobbins said. "And if you're in high school it's a little bit more because the books are a lot heavier." 

Kemani Jordan, 10, and her younger sister Aaliyah, 6, picked up pink book bags at the Terrell Homes housing projects in Newark, as part of the mayor's "Back To School Bus Tour."
(Sarah Gonzalez/WNYC)

Melvyn Johnston, Kemani and Aaliyah's dad, said he now has "mostly everything" his two girls need for back to school. 

"Except for sneakers for the gym," he said. "But we're working on it." 

Children outside of the Terrell Homes housing complex in Newark sit down on the sidewalk to eat their free hot dogs.
(Sarah Gonzalez/WNYC)

"He did something goods for kids and moms and parents," said 10-year-old Tymir Patton. 

Mayor Baraka handed out about 3,000 book bags to children at housing projects and houses of worship, with enough supplies to last for the first few months of school. 

“We’re going deep into the neighborhoods where people need it the most," Baraka said. "Unfortunately, we don’t have a book bag for every single child in the city." 

The event sponsors include Better Education for Kids, Inc., Black Alliance for Educational Options, the Foundation for Newark’s Future, and the Newark Charter School Fund.

Newark mayor Ras Baraka handing out book bags filled with school supplies.
(Sarah Gonzalez/WNYC)
Baraka also danced along with kids as they broke out in a popular dance: the Whip/NaeNae.
This school year, Baraka said he's focused on getting students back into neighborhood schools, instead of charters, and regaining local control of the district. The new-state appointed superintendent, Chris Cerf, seems to be open to a transition plan, he said.
 
"He says it," Baraka said. "Time is the best judge.”