NJSBF.org - Newark Gets Boost from Foundation Programs

Newark Gets Boost from Foundation Programs

BAR FOUNDATION PROGRAMS BOOST NEWARK

How important is the New Jersey State Bar Foundation to the education and welfare of the citizens of New Jersey’s largest city? In a word, very.

As the statewide resource for law-related education to the public, the Foundation (NJSBF) regularly welcomes Newark residents of all ages and interests who take advantage of a wide array of popular seminars and programs at NJSBF’s home base, the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick. All programs are free of charge, as are the publications and other services that address a wide range of legal and quality-of-life issues impacting Newark residents. Among those programs and services:

Law-Related Education Conference. An annual event, the conference addresses topics and issues of interest to elementary, middle and high school teachers and other school personnel. This year, the attendees at presentations on literacy, tolerance, Internet safety, gangs and other hot-button issues included staff from Newark’s First Avenue School, Camden Middle School, Newark Tech, Academy of Vocational Careers High School, East Side High School and Youth Consultation Services-Adolescent Development.

Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation Training for Teachers and Administrators. The Foundation took the opportunity to promote violence prevention by helping schools establish Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation programs that focus on defusing potential tensions in the classroom, building mutual respect and training students to take an active part. Newark learning institutions were among those represented at last year’s NJSBF training, including lesson plans and handouts: Academy of Vocational Careers High School, Avon Avenue School, Babyland Family Services, Belmont Runyon School, Central High School, Dayton High School, East Side High School, Essex County Vocational School, Lincoln School, Louise A. Spencer School, Marion P. Thomas Charter School, Miller Street Academy, Mt. Vernon Annex, Newark Boys Chorus School, NJ Commission for the Blind, Oliver Street School, Rafael Hernandez School, Renaissance Academy, Samuel Berlinger School, St. Vincent Academy, Statewide Parents Advocacy Network Inc., Vailsburg Middle School and West Side High School.

Teasing and Bullying Training for Teachers and Administrators. In the same vein, with the media filled with stories about bullying and its often tragic consequences, the Foundation also provides free training to combat the growing problem and instill positive character traits in young people. The following Newark institutions attended training sessions at the New Jersey Law Center last year: Abington Avenue School, Ann Street School, Barringer High School, Belmont Runyon School, George Washington Carver School, Harriet Tubman School, Hawkins Street School, Lafayette Street School, Miller Street Academy, Mt. Vernon School, Newark Vocational High School, NJ Division on Civil Rights, Oliver Street School, Rafael Hernandez School, St. Vincent Academy, Technology High School and Wilson Avenue School.

Mock Trial Programs. Promoting students’ understanding of the law and the justice system while building confidence, self-esteem and writing and speaking skills are the worthy goals of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation’s various mock trial programs for children from kindergarten through high school. Newark students number among those who have participated in the Foundation’s mock trial programs: Bragaw Avenue School and Sussex Avenue School 7^th and 8^th graders participated in last year’s Law Adventure Competition; and on the high school level, University High School, Arts High School, East Side High School and Essex County Vocational School all entered the Vincent J. Apruzzese Mock Trial Competition. The county’s eventual champion was Livingston High School.

Legal Eagle and Respect. Newark schoolchildren in grades 5-12 can read about how the law applies to their lives in the Foundation publication The Legal Eagle, while kids in grades 6-12 can learn about diversity and tolerance in NJSBF’s Respect newspaper. The bright, colorful periodicals are published three times a year and distributed free of charge to schools. Subscription requests may be submitted via the Foundation’s website, www.njsbf.org.

Speakers Bureau. Coordinated at the Law Center, the Foundation’s Speakers Bureau links volunteer attorneys willing to share their expertise to schools, community groups and other organizations that request a speaker on a given law-related topic. During the past year, volunteers spoke at the following Newark institutions: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, where a visiting lawyer addressed domestic violence; Essex County Vocational Schools, Sojourn High School and Newark Detention Center (criminal law, juvenile delinquency and hate crimes); Kaplan Medical Institute and New Jersey Medical Institute (medical malpractice); and Maple Avenue Primary School (careers in law).

The Foundation looks ahead to many more successful years of enhancing the lives of Newark residents and all other New Jerseyans through legal and law-related education.

Founded in 1958, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation is the educational and philanthropic arm of the New Jersey State Bar Association. The Foundation’s mission is to promote public understanding of the law through a free, comprehensive public education program. Among its activities, the Foundation conducts seminars and conflict resolution training, publishes materials, operates a videotape loan library and speakers bureau, and coordinates elementary, middle and high school mock trial competitions.

To learn more about the Law-Related Education Conference, please contact Florence Nathan at fnathan@njsbf.org or call 732-937-7518; for mock trial programs, email Sheila Boro at sboro@njsbf.org or call 732-937-7519; for teacher and administrator training in conflict resolution, peer mediation, and teasing and bullying, contact Leisa-Anne Smith at lasmith@njsbf.org or call 732-937-7517.

For more information about the Foundation’s general programming and publications or to order publications, visit the Foundation online at www.njsbf.org or call 1-800-FREE-LAW.

—NSJBF—