- Newberry Community School opened as a public charter school in Alachua County serving grades K-4 with plans to add fifth grade.
- Newberry Community School was formed by converting Newberry Elementary after years of planning, collaboration, and legal battles. Principal Lacy Roberts, former NES principal, returned to lead NCS.
- Approximately 355 students are enrolled at NCS, with staff emphasizing teaching American exceptionalism and celebrating America 250.
Community leaders, elected officials, teachers and staff, and other supporters came together on Friday morning to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Newberry Community School (NCS), a new conversion public charter school in Alachua County.
“A school is much more than bricks, walls and classrooms. A school is a place where dreams begin, where curiosity is encouraged, where confidence is built, and where children discover who they are and who they can become,” Derek Danne, chair of the NCS Board, said while giving remarks in the school’s cafeteria on Friday. “Today, we open the door to those possibilities.”
Cutting the ribbon on NCS not only signals a new beginning in Newberry, but it also marks the end of a multi-year process consisting of planning and collaboration, along with legal battles, to convert Newberry Elementary School (NES) into a public charter school that will serve grades K-4, with plans to expand to fifth grade.
“Like any worthwhile endeavor, there are challenges along the way, but each one was met with determination, teamwork [and a] shared belief in what Newberry Community School could become,” said Danne, who was one of several current and past board members present at the ribbon cutting. “Standing here today is a testament to that collective effort.”
Helping lead NCS into its new chapter is Principal Lacy Roberts, who, Danne said, served 12 years in the same role at NES from 2002 to 2014.
“Being chosen to come back here is as exciting for me as it was in 2002 when I was offered my first principal job right here in this building,” she said while giving remarks. “I love the energy and passion this group brings to truly create a school better than the rest, and I have no doubt not only will kids feel loved and safe, but they will be engaged and achievement will rise.”
In addition to focusing on reading, writing, science, math and history, Roberts said they will also teach students “how to be better little people who love America and understand what our flag stands for.”
In fact, Roberts told Mainstreet after the event that the theme for this school year at NCS is patriotism, specifically celebrating America 250 and freedom.
Many of the teachers and staff were decked out in red, white and blue attire for the ribbon cutting. The cafeteria was also decorated with patriotic decor, including lights and wooden signs.
Staff also created patriotic-themed bulletin boards throughout the school’s hallways.
State Rep. Chad Johnson touched on the importance of teaching students about the greatness of the U.S.
“It is still the greatest country in the world,” he said. “It’s the country where haters will not leave, and everyone is lining up trying to get in here. The American dream is still alive.”
U.S. Rep Kat Cammack, who also attended Friday’s event, told Roberts that she got emotional when she heard her say they were going to be teaching “our kids about the exceptionalism of our nation.”
“As Representative Johnson knows, and said, this is the only nation in the world where even the haters refuse to leave,” Cammack said. “And I think that if you are teaching kids about all of the wonderful opportunities that exist for them because they live in this incredible country, we will have stronger communities [and] stronger families as a result.”
The first day of school for NCS is Monday. According to administrators, roughly 355 students are currently enrolled in the school, and all positions have been filled.
Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.
