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More than 315 preschoolers from the North Ward Child Development Center in Newark graduated before proud parents, grandparents, siblings and friends this week as part of an annual rite of spring at The North Ward Center.
“All of our 4 year-olds are either reading or ready to read,” said Child Development Center Project Director Michele Sceppaguercio. “We’re sending them in ready to go on a path of success.”
Parents Sally Ann Husein and Naazim Ali said their son Shafiq Ali will be attending First Avenue Elementary School in Newark for kindergarten.
“I’m very happy and very proud, I’m feeling good today,” Ali said. “Shafiq had an excellent teacher; this is an excellent place and the principal has been great. Everyone here is very understanding.”
Husein said she is proud of their son, and although she is a little nervous about him starting kindergarten, she thinks he is ready.
Students of the North Ward Child Development Center at their graduation ceremony.
“He’s learning how to read now, he can spell, he’s counting from one to 100, he’s doing really well,” she said.
The graduates put on a dance recital for their families, performing to “Footloose,” “Old Time Rock N’ Roll,” and “Dynamite.”
The Child Development Center was founded more than 35 years ago by The North Ward Center to better prepare Newark’s children for kindergarten. Today the Center operates preschools in five separate locations throughout the North and West wards of Newark, including the Forest Hill Child Development Center and four “Abbott” preschools.
Abbott preschools, which are free of tuition, were mandated in response to a state Supreme Court ruling seeking to improve the education of children in the state's 31 poorest districts. Starting in 1998 with 210 children in 14 classrooms, the North Ward Center's Abbott program has grown to 600 children in 40 classrooms, making it one of the largest in the state.
Stephen N. Adubato, who founded The North Ward Center in 1970, said children who attend the North Ward Child Development Center are better prepared when they enter kindergarten.
“No matter where they go to school in Newark, they will have a tremendous head start because of the preparation they received here,” said Adubato.
The preschool graduations are held under a tent on The North Ward Center’s main campus on Mt. Prospect Avenue and stretch for the entire week to accommodate all the parents who want to attend.
Adrianne Davis, the executive director of The North Ward Center, said she looks forward to the preschool graduations every year.
“It’s such a thrill to see these young children graduate and it’s gratifying knowing that they have been well prepared for the next step,” Davis said.
