Author: Amanda DeJesus

Sign up for Chalkbeat Newark’s free newsletter to get the latest news about the city’s public school system delivered to your inbox.Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León started the first day of classes with a tour of elementary schools across the city, beginning at Elliott Street Elementary School. León’s top priority for the day? It’s making sure students are coming to school on time, he told Chalkbeat Tuesday morning. The district’s chronic absenteeism rate, which had remained in the double digits for years, fell to 8.5% during the 2025-26 school year.León stood near the school entrance, shaking hands with students…