A few days ago I was invited by Oscar Velez, Principal of PS 22 to participate at their Path Finders day which brings in local Jersey City entrepreneurs to come speak and present to the students about their unique careers. I was so honored to have been included amongst some of Jersey City’s finest people; Bambino Chef, Joel Maffei (who is also a chicpeaJC contributor), Angela McKnight, Brittani Bunney, and many more.

I didn’t know what to expect, my “career” choice is often hard to explain to children. I was assigned to Ms Wilson’s grade 4 class. I introduced myself, and asked them if they knew what “blogging” was! As soon as I started describing my job they were so excited and enthusiastic to hear more. What a lovely group of kids! I had a blast.

As part of the presentation, Ms Wilson and I put together a fun activity for the class. They all teamed up in pairs and got iPad. We then gave them a list of questions to ask each other and also told them to take pictures of the person they are interviewing and of course some selfies! They all did such an amazing job! Welcome to the ChicpeaJC contributor team class 304!

What’s your name? Talia Austin

What do you do? I like to swim because it relaxes the body.

What is your favorite hangout spot? Liberty State Park

What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a teacher because it’s helps other kids be smart.

Written by Janyah Ford

What’s your name? My name is Marielm

What do you do? I like to draw.

What is your hangout spot? The Fun Plex

What do you want to be when you grow up? I would like to be a Doctor.

What’s your name? Pedro Perez

What do you do? I play soccer

What is your favorite JC hangout spot? PS 22 Park

What do you want to be when you grow up? A teacher.

What’s your name? Zionna

What do you do? Go to school and practice dance.

What is your favorite Jersey City Hangout spot? Go to school and dance practice

What do you want to be when you grow up? A teacher

Written by Saniya

What’s your name? My name is Leonardo

What do you do? I play video games, I teach my little brother Math.

What is your favorite Jersey City hangout spot? Liberty Science Center

What do you want to be when you grow up? A basketball player

What’s your name? Dianaya

What do you do? Box

What is your favorite Jersey City hangout spot? Pizza hut

What do you want to be when you grow up? A teacher

What’s your name? Breyel

What do you do? Gymnastics

What do you want to be when you grow up? A dancer

What’s your name? Dwayne

What do you do? Play football

What is your favorite Jersey City hangout spot? PS 22 Park

What do you want to be when you grow up? A rapper

What’s your name? My name is Naph, short for Naphtali!

What is your favorite Jersey City Hangout spot? The park

What do you want to be when you grow up? A conductor

What’s your name? Breeanna

What do you do? Student. I like games, I like videos, making stories and singing.

What do you want to be when you grow up? A vet

What’s your name? Emiyah

What do you do? Play outside, I like to swing.

What do you want to be when you grow up? A teacher.

What’s your name? John Santana

What do you do? I am a programer

What is your favorite hangout spot? My basement because I have a PS4, Xbox One, a PS3 and an Xbox 300

What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a Disney Star.

---

In the News:

New City Kids is launching a third award winning after school center in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood of Jersey City.  This new center is a partnership between New City Kids, Jersey City Public School #22, and Fountain of Salvation Church. The collaborative effort will begin serving 60 third to fifth graders and employ a staff of 20 local high school students who are trained by adult coaches to teach music to and tutor the younger children.

This new center represents a diverse group of leaders crossing barriers to serve of one of the most vulnerable populations in Jersey City: youth in poverty. Principal of JCPS #22, Oscar Velez, says about the center: “We are looking at a partnership that maximizes what our students get. New City Kids will help our students develop socially, academically, and spiritually. Every child has such an incredible need for this, and even more so in urban settings.” In a school where 85% of students receive free or reduced lunch (a strong indicator of risk factors for youth), Principal Velez knows the need for such a program first-hand.

They will be having a special ribbon cutting Monday, November 30th at 4:30pm at PS22.

Congrats!!