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| Left to Right: Barbara Martinez, HoLa Board President; Julie Blunt, New Jersey Department of Education Ravi Bhalla, Mayor of Hoboken; Dr. Christine Johnson, Superintendent of Hoboken Schools Jennifer Sargent, Executive Director HoLa; Emily Jabbour, Hoboken City Councilwoman Mike Defusco, Hoboken City Councilman |
“We’re here to celebrate what HoLa has
accomplished through the years,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla.”When we look at
Hoboken, we always want to be ahead of the curve and be an example, and HoLa is leading the way,” the Mayor said. He also made note of the presence of Hoboken
Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Christine Johnson.
“I think Dr. Johnson’s presence shows that we as
a community have turned the page and we are coming together to work together,”
the Mayor said as HoLa parents burst into applause. “There are great things happening in the district schools, great things happening in the charter
schools and what really matters is that we start having a conversation and
continue that conversation so that we are working together, because at the end
of the day we are one community. We can all learn from each other and I’m so
proud that Hola in its own distinct way is not only a model for Hoboken but for
the entire state of New Jersey.”
Last week the New Jersey Department of Educationnamed HoLa a Dual Language Model Program. HoLa was one of only 5 schools
in the state of New Jersey to receive the designation, and the only charter
school in the state. As a Dual Language Model Program, the NJ DOE said that
HoLa will serve as a “resource for other districts in the state and enable
educators to witness firsthand exemplary practices in dual language instruction
and assessment.” The award followed a rigorous application process that
included a full-day site visit by DOE officials and interviews with students,
parents, teachers and administrators.
At the assembly, Dr. Johnson said “one of the
most powerful things we can do as human beings is recognize the strengths and
accomplishments in others; I think it’s good for the soul and for community
building, and great for education. On this very special day and beyond, I feel
great about celebrating your accomplishments and know that I’m personally very
proud of the things you’ve accomplished and all the work of Ms. Sargent and her
staff.”
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| Jennifer Sargent |
She also led all of the students, families and
elected officials in a long standing ovation for the teachers of the school,
“who are the backbone of the success that HoLa has demonstrated.”
City Councilmembers Mike DeFusco and EmilyJabbour also attended and spoke at the event.
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| HoLa students at Model Program Ceremony 4/27/18 |
“What you’re learning is not just a second
language,” DeFusco said to the students. “You’re learning about how to be
global citizens of this world. And as you look around and see all the
disagreements going around, in Hoboken, in this country and this world, it
comes from a lack of understanding of one another. When you are learning a
second language, you’re learning how to communicate on a global level,” he
said.
For Press Click HERE
Supporting Dual Language Click Here
Hoboken Board of Education Votes Down HoLa 4-3 (January 2009)
HoLa Rejected (Feb 2009)
NJDOE Compliance Decision on HoLa Contract (2009)
