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Superintendent highlights literacy, STEAM events and honors teacher award; board mourns former president Willa Mae Taylor
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Newell highlighted teacher appreciation week, recent literacy and STEAM events across the district and recognized Miss Sonya Capers for a national McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award; Dr. Newell also announced the death of longtime commissioner and district leader Willa Mae Taylor.
Superintendent Dr. Newell used the board workshop on May 6 to recognize district events and accomplishments, encourage community participation in redistricting outreach and to honor staff.
Dr. Newell pointed to a financial literacy event at John F. Kennedy High School, a poetry slam at School 18 with about 23 student performers, Reading Is Fundamental events at Schools 1 and 26, and a STEAM symposium at William Patterson University where students showcased research and projects. She thanked principals and staff for those programs, noting their role in preparing students for future careers and confidence building.
Dr. Newell also introduced representatives from McGraw Hill, who presented the national McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award to Miss Sonya Capers, a grade‑4 teacher at School 16. Demiana Awad of McGraw Hill said the award ‘‘celebrates innovation, leadership, and impact in education’’ and noted Miss Capers will receive a $5,000 award to enhance student learning and professional development. Miss Capers addressed the board, saying, "I am a Patersonian. I still live in Paterson. I went through Paterson Public School Districts," and thanked her family and colleagues.
The superintendent closed her report by announcing the passing of Commissioner Willa Mae Taylor, describing her as ‘‘a pillar in the Patterson community’’ who served as teacher, principal, board member and president. She asked for a moment of silence in Taylor’s honor.
Why it matters: These highlights underscore district instructional and extracurricular programming, while the award and the commissioner’s death were emotional and community‑focused moments that received public acknowledgement.
What’s next: The superintendent announced a community forum on May 19 as part of the district’s redistricting effort and posted a short recorded message of appreciation for teachers on the district website.
Source: Superintendent presentation and award remarks during the May 6 workshop meeting transcript.
