Freda's Story! A Grandmother and Educator Affected By One Newark

Freda's Story! A Grandmother and Educator Affected 

By One Newark!

Today, I had the privileged to speak to someone I have gotten to know through working in the Public Education fight in Newark. Freda Barrows is an educator, and has raised her family here in Newark. Freda is always on the front line supporting and as people who know her know, documenting our stories in the city with her photos and videos.  How did we as a city fail her and her family? Someone who engages our children, someone who fights for what's right in our city! This is her story as we spoke today and it hit my heart so heavy that someone so cherished in this city has been affected in her family and her teaching career by the distress that we are facing in our Newark Public School District  

Here is our conversation:

Me:

Hey Freda sorry what happened to ya! Any chance I can get you to be a guest on my blog about your grandson. Think it’s a story that needs to be told.I am sorry what they did to u. I always have had mucho respect for u and even more so as an educator  who stands up for our families.

Freda:

Thanks and sure I will.

Pre-K was taken from our neighborhood school (George Washington Carver) when One Newark was forcibly implemented on the community.  The pre-K teacher who was one there, Ms. Kathleen O'Pray was forced to move to Chancellor Avenue Annex, the next closest school to our home on Irving Ave.  My grandson Richard will be 4 years old January and he has been walking through the house with a book bag all year because he is so looking forward to starting the school that he often visits, as we escort his sister daily.  

When my son, Richard Barrow went to the One Newark Enrollment Center at the end of May 2015, the staff, he was told that he was too late to register his son, my grandson to attend and there was no room for him in Chancellor Annex School Pre-K classes.  Out of frustration, my son resorted to enrolling his son in a private school, Precious Angeles Daycare Center on Maple Avenue between Hansbury and Chancellor Avenues.  My son will have to drive him there and pick him up daily.  It will be a challenge for us some days since my son is a Newark Fire Fighter and works a 24 hour shift every 3 days. I will have to take my grandson on those days, if not his mother and I will definitely have to get there to pick him up because his mother has to work at Fed Ex. 

I just received notice that I have been assigned to Hawthorne Avenue School because I was one of many teachers who refused to sign the EWA.  Prior to this, I had been at my neighborhood school, George Washington Carver since 1999.  All three of my children attended school there and all, but one graduated from George Washington Carver and then Weequahic High School except one, who went down the street to attend the gifted and talent program at University High School in the 7th and 8th grades and continued through 12th grade and graduated in the top 10% of her class. not for One Newark, my grandson would most likely be walking with his sister to the neighborhood school across the street, George Washington Carver Elementary School.  Ms. Kathleen O'Pray is the teacher has has spoke on the negative effect One Newark would have on Pre-K at nearly, if not every NPS BOE meeting since 2014.

Me:

Freda what did you use to teach at Carver?

Freda:

I taught grade 3 initial, but I've been teaching Grade 5 for at least 10 years now.

Me:

Madone amia Freda...that hurts my heart

Freda:

It's ok Frankie.  I'm just happy to have been assigned to a school that is close to home and my neighborhood school.  It's just silly that of the large...and I mean large percentage of teacher that refused to sign that EWA Extended Work Agreement, they choose to use us to make an example of to those who did, but I'm in good company!  It's ridiculous to ask that educated folks sign a document that clearly states that it may be subject to change and does not outline what those possible changes could be.  The EWA also read that by signing the document, that you understand that you will be excluded from parts of the collective bargaining agreement between NPS and NTU, but doesn't indicate which parts.  To ask for my grandson to go to GWC/BSS, is to ask for an immediate end to this ONE Newark fiasco immediately.  At present, there is no longer a pre-k there to attend

Me:

Forgive my not knowing is the EWA  have to do with your teachers contract?

Freda:

No the EWA is an extended work agreement the administration was instructed to present to the staff to sign with no guarantee that we would be allowed to stay.  I extended the school year and hours for less than minimum wage compensation and requires staff to report to work in August, etc.

Me:

Gotcha, have a couple of teachers in the family and now that you explained EWA, I am  very familiar with it and the grief it is causing teachers and the pressure to sign it.You don't deserve that.

No teacher does! On top of of One Newark crap and Common Core Curriculum removing what you guys do best. Hawthorne can use ya my friend!

Freda:

Here's the kicker Frankie...I'm being moved from GWC/BSS a turnaround school to Hawthorne Avenue School a turnaround school, and I'm sure that's the case with the close to 90% (from what I heard) of staff that refused to sign at Carver.  Many teachers have moved themselves, but the NTU urged us not to sign.I assure you, I will take everything with me and that is my personal best to Hawthorne Avenue!

Me:

I know you will Freda. I think your story will affect many on a parent level and teacher level, I commend you for all that you do and I cannot express that enough! Do you know what grade you will be teaching yet at Hawthorne? I am sure the parents there are going to be truly excited you are know teaching there young minds!

Freda:

No, not yet Frankie.  The principal there called me about my assignment yesterday and assure me that she would try her best to accommodate me in regards to grade and subject/content area, but there are no guarantees.  I'm fine with that as I have work with children of all ages via after school and summer programs for many years As you know, many great educator have left the district, by now and I too am considering it, but for now, I'm looking up and onward to my new location.  However, GWC/BSS school will see me on a voluntary basis as a grandparent and active PTA participant because my granddaughter is currently attending our neighborhood school.  My grandson should be there, as well if not for this hell in the district.

Me:

The district is in sever distress. The #ParentPower Team is trying to help as many as we can. I know your son doesn't need nor deserve this added stress as one of our city's Firefighters. This is the thanks he gets back for being a life saver for our city!

Freda:

My Grandson will be disappointed this September.  He expects to be attending the school he sees daily and the one his sister attends.  My son has already been through the ringer in the short time he has been a parent of a child in NPS with his daughter and the lack of services she receives, regardless of her IEP. 
 As for me...one day at a time Frankie...one day at a time.

Me:

I appreciate you telling me and others your story Freda!

Freda:

Cool.  Thank you.  It is my hope that more parents and grandparents like myself will begin to share their stories and that eventually, someone does more than just listen, but abolish One Newark.

Me:

I will get it out there. #FredasStory needs to be heard!

Freda:

Thanks Frankie...Parent Power!

It is a total shame that Freda and her family have to go through this. Is this the thanks she gets for all that she does for our city and the city she loves? The city that her son saves lives for? Freda's story is important and we must share it! This could be your family! This could be your story as a parent, grandparent or TEACHER! 

 Let's let #FredasStory be heard! Pleas share this with your friends and family!