Newark Charter School Scores 850 Laptops For Its Students

NEWARK, NJ — Every child deserves access to a great education. And amid a pandemic, that means they need computers, educators at University Heights Charter School in Newark.

Earlier this month, the school announced it will be handing out more than 850 brand new laptop computers for its students. Distribution began Oct. 14.

Head of Schools Christy Oliver-Hawley said that families across the country have faced significant challenges during the coronavirus crisis.

“But let’s be honest, Newarkers have been facing many of these challenges for generations,” Oliver-Hawley added. “Our students matter, and for too long, inequity, racism, and a lack of funding have created a significant gap for our black and brown scholars.”

Nicole Butler, chair of the school’s trustee board, said that last spring – like many schools around the nation – University Heights was forced to suddenly pivot from a classroom to remote model.

“We found that many Newark families did not have the needed tools to attend remote classes – and some had to literally choose between putting food on the table or adapting to the new technological requirements of public school,” Butler said.

“Under the cloud of COVID, this truth was ignored by our federal government, so addressing this issue became our mission,” Butler said.

“As a public charter school, we actually receive less per pupil than a pubic district school, so traditionally we have learned how to do more with less,” Butler continued. “Purchasing brand new laptop computers for our entire student body was a six-figure investment, but by working together, listening to each other, reviewing our budgets, creating savings and making this a priority, we were able to make it happen.”

A parent at the school, Jasmine Pruett, thanked the school for making sure her 3rd grader has a computer at a difficult time.

“Since COVID-19, so many families in Newark and across the country have faced tremendous challenges,” Pruett said. “As a public school, UHCS has been an anchor for my family, but we need to realize that many are not connected to a great school. There are still so many other families that need help, and we all must continue to fight to ensure black and brown children receive the same opportunity and support as those in the suburbs.”

• See related article: Coronavirus Is Exposing Racial Gaps In NJ, Newark Advocates Say
• See related article: Coronavirus Hitting NJ Minority, Immigrant Communities Hard

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