West Side High School
May 2, 2003

Each year, the Newark Schools conduct a Principal for a Day program to encourage local business and other leaders to visit the schools and learn about their successes and needs. On May 2, 2003, PHRI President Lewis Weinstein visited West Side High School in Newark where he joined the real Principal, Mr. Fernard Williams, for an exciting view of teaching at its best in a difficult urban environment. Mr. Weinstein was escorted from class to class by two alumna of the 2002 PHRI Summer Student Program, Ms. Aliyah Williams and Ms. Fatimah Abdul-Hakeem, and had the opportunity to view a student-written play which dealt in an exquisitely sensitive manner with the problems of teenage pregnancy. In extensive conversations with Mr. Williams and with Science Chair Anona Huntley, plans were discussed for future interactions between PHRI and West Side High School.

This was the third time Mr. Weinstein has been Principal for a Day, the previous two being at Science High School and Warren Street Elementary School.