Three district schools also earn Digital Schools Star recognition

Two schools designated as category “champions”

Representatives of New Brunswick Public Schools recently attended the 2024 Sustainable Jersey

 for Schools Awards Ceremony in Atlantic City, where all the district’s schools were recognized 

for achieving the highest attainable level of Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification.

Click for high-resolution image

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (Oct. 28, 2024) – All of New Brunswick Public Schools’ high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools have met the requirements to achieve the highest attainable level of Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification. This recognition marks the district’s schools as examples of sustainability excellence that provide outstanding learning opportunities. Throughout New Jersey, 375 schools have now been certified within Sustainable Jersey for Schools.

Sustainable Jersey for Schools developed the voluntary certification program in 2014 as a roadmap for pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade public schools to implement sustainability best practices. To achieve certification, a school must submit documentation to show it has completed a balanced portfolio of the program’s sustainability actions, earning points for each.  The certification level achieved by all of New Brunswick Public School’s schools requires a minimum of 350 points of sustainability actions. At least 150 points is needed for a lower level of certification. 

In addition, three district schools – New Brunswick Middle School, Blanquita B. Valenti Community School, and McKinley Community School – earned Digital Schools Star recognition, as part of the Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification. A Digital Schools Star demonstrates enhanced digital learning and technology integration in key areas such as policy, equitable access, personalized learning, digital citizenship and data safety.

The awards program also recognizes as “champions” the individual schools with the highest point totals in the elementary school, middle school, and high school categories. For 2024, New Brunswick High School was the program’s “High School Champion,” while the district’s Paul Robeson Community School for the Arts was the “Middle School Champion.” The schools’ submission videos are accessible via this link:

• New Brunswick Public Schools Sustainable Jersey videos

“As a school district, we’re strongly committed to educating our students about the importance of sustainability practices,” explains Dr. Aubrey Johnson, superintendent of schools. “That all our schools have achieved this Sustainable Jersey certification is testament to the motivation and consistent efforts of our educators. From preserving resources, to promoting equity, to enhancing public health, today’s students will soon be the leaders in national and global sustainability efforts – and we’re providing them as much information and awareness as possible.”

Randall Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey, noted: “As school districts across the country struggle to make progress on sustainability goals, New Jersey’s schools are taking action and providing evidence of implementation. With 67% of New Jersey public school districts participating and 375 certified schools, there’s an incredible opportunity and potential for change. Thank you, teachers, administrators, staff, parents and students, for your commitment and vision for the future. Becoming certified with Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a significant achievement.”

About Sustainable Jersey for Schools

Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a certification program for public schools in New Jersey. It was launched by Sustainable Jersey, an organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support and reward municipalities and schools as they pursue sustainability programs. To date, 1,188 schools are participating in the program. Visit the Participating Districts and Schools webpage to see the full list of participating and certified schools and school districts. Sustainable Jersey for Schools has awarded over $3.4 million in grants to schools and school districts.

About New Brunswick Public Schools

The New Brunswick, NJ public school district consists of two high schools (New Brunswick High School and Health Sciences Technology High School), two middle schools (New Brunswick Middle School and Pathways Middle School) and nine elementary schools (A.C. Redshaw Elementary School, Blanquita B. Valenti Community School, Lincoln Elementary School, Livingston Elementary School, Lord Stirling Elementary School, McKinley Community School, Paul Robeson Community School for the Arts, Roosevelt Elementary School, and Woodrow Wilson Elementary School). A comprehensive educational program for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade serves a student population of more than 10,000. New Brunswick Public Schools participates in the P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) public-private partnership, which provides select students an opportunity to simultaneously earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree in Engineering or an Engineering-related field. And, for high school graduates and adult learners, New Brunswick Adult Learning Center is ideal for building academic skills. 

# # #

Dr. Aubrey Johnson recognized for ongoing support of biliteracy education

Dr. Aubrey Johnson, superintendent, New Brunswick Public Schools, with 

group of district students who’ve earned New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy

Click for high-resolution image

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (May 9, 2024) – For the second time in five years, New Brunswick Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Aubrey Johnson has been named the Seal of Biliteracy Superintendent of the Year by the New Jersey Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages/New Jersey Bilingual Educators, Incorporated (NJTESOL/NJBE, Inc.). The honor, which Johnson has now received in 2020 and 2024, recognizes his support for those who are learning English and his acknowledgement of their multiple contributions to schools and the overall community.

In particular, the NJTESOL/NJBE cited the school district’s continued emphasis on the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy, a designation of the New Jersey Department of Education that recognizes high school graduates who’ve become highly proficient in speaking, reading, listening to, and writing in one or more world languages, in addition English.  

“Diversity is a hallmark of our city and school district, and more than 24 different languages are spoken by our students,” says Board of Education President Jennifer Sevilla. “Dr. Johnson has always embraced the vibrancy that is New Brunswick and emphasized that our students who are learning English must have the necessary instruction and support. The fact he’s won this award twice in five years is testament to his commitment to biliteracy.” 

Johnson notes: “Biliteracy, the ability to read and write efficiently in two languages, enhances cognitive abilities, fosters a deeper understanding of different cultures, and increases career opportunities in our globalized world.”

The superintendent of New Brunswick Public Schools since 2015, Johnson earned his doctorate from Seton Hall University in 2017. He also holds a master’s from New Jersey City University and a bachelor’s from Northeastern University.

About New Brunswick Public Schools

The New Brunswick, NJ public school district consists of two high schools (New Brunswick High School and Health Sciences Technology High School), two middle schools (New Brunswick Middle School and Pathways Middle School) and nine elementary schools (A.C. Redshaw Elementary School, Blanquita B. Valenti Community School, Lincoln Elementary School, Livingston Elementary School, Lord Stirling Elementary School, McKinley Community School, Paul Robeson Community School for the Arts, Roosevelt Elementary School, and Woodrow Wilson Elementary School). A comprehensive educational program for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade serves a student population of nearly 10,000. New Brunswick Public Schools participates in the P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) public-private partnership, which provides select students an opportunity to simultaneously earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree in Engineering or an Engineering-related field. And, for high school graduates and adult learners, New Brunswick Adult Learning Center is ideal for building academic skills. 

# # #

New Brunswick H.S. student Gizelle Fernandez Vasquez with her ceramic creation, “Rocktile.”

Click to download high-resolution images

FURTHER DISTINCTION – With her ceramic art piece “Rocktile” already having been selected for inclusion in the prestigious National K12 Ceramic Exhibition, held during March in Richmond, VA, New Brunswick H.S. senior Gizelle Fernandez Vasquez was recently notified her work had been designated to receive the Baily Pottery Equipment Award. 

This additional recognition is sponsored by Kingston, NY-based Baily Ceramic Supply and includes a cash prize, along with Fernandez Vasquez’s work being displayed online and featured on an exhibition poster. Rocktile was among 150 pieces on display at the Virginia event, each of which was selected for inclusion from a total of 1169 entries.

About New Brunswick Public Schools

The New Brunswick, NJ public school district consists of two high schools (New Brunswick High School and Health Sciences Technology High School), two middle schools (New Brunswick Middle School and Pathways Middle School) and nine elementary schools (A.C. Redshaw Elementary School, Blanquita B. Valenti Community School, Lincoln Elementary School, Livingston Elementary School, Lord Stirling Elementary School, McKinley Community School, Paul Robeson Community School for the Arts, Roosevelt Elementary School, and Woodrow Wilson Elementary School). A comprehensive educational program for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade serves a student population of more than 10,000. New Brunswick Public Schools participates in the P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) public-private partnership, which provides select students an opportunity to simultaneously earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree in Engineering or an Engineering-related field. And, for high school graduates and adult learners, New Brunswick Adult Learning Center is ideal for building academic skills. 

# # #