The Carpenter Street School is the oldest surviving black schoolhouse in New Jersey and quite possibly the first building constructed specifically for educating African-American children in the state. It was built in 1840 by the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal congregation with the aid of early Quaker abolitionists during a time when very few children, and even fewer African American children, had access to any education at all.

  

It was used as a schoolhouse up until 1889. Around the same time, the congregation built their church structure on an adjoining plot. The Bethel A.M.E. Church in Woodbury had its start in 1817 with Reverends Richard Allen (found of the A.M.E. in 1794, the 1 ^st independent black denomination) and W.P. Quinn.

  

William Dickerson, a prominent Woodbury citizen, became the church's 13 ^th Bishop. Henry Dickerson, William's father, owned a large farm along Broad and Carpenter which stretched back to the railroad. In 1862, he leased some of the land to the Union Army for Camp Stockton, a Civil War training camp for the 12 ^th Regiment NJ Infantry Volunteers.

Woodbury City Public Schools is pleased to announce that several Woodbury hair salons and barbershops have agreed to partner with the district for an elementary reading challenge initiative.

When parents/guardians take children in grades K-5 to D&D's (9 Curtis Avenue), Edward's Hairstyling (14 S. Broad Street), The BUZZ Cutz (138 S. Broad Street), Marc's Place (1033 N. Broad Street), or A Cut Above the Rest (443 S. Evergreen Avenue), and the children choose to read out loud to their stylist or barber, they will receive a discount on their haircut. Children may either bring in their own book(s) to read, or choose used, in good condition books donated by the district to each location. Haircut discounts vary and are at the discretion of each establishment. 

This project is a result of the district's strategic plan - a guide created by staff, parents, and community members. The strategic plan is the driving force in the district's decision-making process and is made of sections entitled "Strands." Strand 1 calls for engaging students in meaningful literacy activities and Strand 2 speaks to building stronger relationships with the community. The Woodbury Community Reading Partnership grew out of a desire to address both of these Strands with an outside-the-box idea that students, families, and community members would be excited to participate in.  

 

GLOUCESTER COUNTY JOB FAIR-

Free Admission/ Free Parking

 

DATE: Saturday, February 4, 2016 @ 10 am - 2 pm

 

PLACE: St. Matthew's Community Development Recreation Center

245 Glassboro Rd., Williamstown, NJ 08094

 

Meet employers with job openings in the fields of health care, retail, hospitality, financial services, administration and technology. For a list of employers/ employment opportunities visit: www.gcwdb.org .

 

Be prepared: Dress for success and bring copies of your resume.

 

To register visit: www.gcwdb.org or call 856-384-6963.