Local Initiative Support Corporation’s Black Economic Development Fund Partners with The New Jersey “40 Acres and a Mule” Fund to Invest Up to $25M in New Jersey, 10.20.21

Partnership to Provide Greater Access to Capital for the State’s Black and Latinx Businesses October 20, 2021 08:46 ET | Source: New Jersey FAM Fund Newark, NJ, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The New Jersey “40 Acres and a Mule” Fund (NJ “FAM Fund”), a private investment vehicle established to reduce socio-economic disparities resulting from systemic racism, announced…

Newark nearly doubled its youth vaccination rate in 2 months. Here’s how., 09.17.21

By Patrick Wall  Sep 17, 2021, 7:30pm EDT Earlier this summer, Newark’s youth vaccination rate was still alarmingly low. As of mid-July, only 30% of eligible Newark children had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine — a full 14 percentage points below the statewide rate. That month, Mayor Ras Baraka warned Newark residents that, with so few young…

‘Looking for hope’: Newark students anxiously return to classrooms after 18 months away., 09.07.21

By Patrick Wall and Catherine Carrera  Sep 7, 2021, 2:14pm EDT After 18 months of eerie silence, classrooms across Newark echoed once again Tuesday with the sound of students — their jittery excitement only partially muffled by the mandatory masks. “I don’t mind wearing my mask because I know it stops me from catching the virus,” said Angela Villa,…

NJ gets final signoff on $2.7B COVID-19 aid for schools, 08.12.21

JOHN MOONEY, EDUCATION WRITER | AUGUST 12, 2021 | EDUCATION, CORONAVIRUS IN NJ Federal regulators approve plan for school spending ahead of September reopening. New Jersey’s plan for spending more than $2 billion in federal money for extra services addressing the COVID-19 pandemic has won final approval from Washington, the federal Department of Education announced Thursday. New Jersey…

Governor Murphy Announces Indoor Mask Requirement for Beginning of 2021-2022 School Year, 08.06.21

08/6/2021 EAST BRUNSWICK – Joined by educators, medical professionals, parents, and school administrators, Governor Phil Murphy today announced that all students, educators, staff, and visitors will be required to wear face masks indoors for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. The Governor signed Executive Order (EO) 251, which will mandate masking in the indoor premises…