More than 300 Newark students boarded buses yesterday and headed to Washington, D.C., for a once-in-a-lifetime trip sponsored by Newark Central Ward Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins to visit the National Museum of African America History & Culture.  The trip was planned in conjunction with the Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, which helped arrange volunteer opportunities for the children at the Newark YMCA, the Greater Newark Conservancy and an upcoming cleanup of Lincoln Park. Students were required to participate in or commit to community service as a prerequisite for attending the trip.

The eighth- and ninth-grade students on the trip attend both charter and public, including Quitman Street Community School, Great Oaks Charter School, Quaye School, Louise A Spencer School, North Star Academy, Arts High School, JFK School, as well as the JFK Recreation Center, SheWins, and Soaring Scholars Afterschool Program, which is comprised of students from Arts High, University High, Eagle Academy and American History High Academy.