eastside high school scandal

Andrea Galdmez apologized for arriving a few minutes late. What if they came knocking on the door?". Officials said Johnson has been using sick days she accumulated during her career with Paterson Public Schools, which started in 1979. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. As for SLED, as of Thursday afternoon the statewide agency had not received a formal request from any local or federal law enforcement agency or subdivision of the state to assist in any investigation related to Thornblade, per spokesman Tommy Crosby. Similarly, it is unclear whether the USSS investigation into Thornblade is tied to the alleged credit card fraud or some of the more illicit, sexually charged allegations. East Side High School is a four-year public high school in Newark in Essex County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Newark Public Schools. No at least not in our view. ", Christian Ortiz (backwards hat) and Selwyn Rodriguez (far right) chat outside the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Puerto Rico. Ayala also told people he was related to Aquino, and the ESPN articlerefers to Aquino having a cousin in New Jersey. Coaches in other towns dont have to take a test on NJSIAA rules, he said. Eastside had been one of the favorites to win both county and state titles. That trust has cost her a scholarship to Vanderbilt and forced her back to Africa, where she remains a prisoner of immigration rules. The decision was made yesterday to reverse these changes and go back to the previous structure. The college admissions cheating scandal is roiling some of Southern California's most elite prep schools, . Both the Paterson Eastside High boys and girls basketball teams have seen an influx of international players enter their programs, raising concerns over immigration statuses. She earned a 3.7 grade-point average and graduated in the top 20 of her class, according to an article in the Paterson Times. "Papi, if I don't leave this place soon, it'll drive me crazy," he told his father in a phone conversation. *District busted budget on$90k Wallace report. 0:57. "On the patio, in the kitchen and we'd have to pick her up and bring her upstairs. Some kids are saying, Oh, youre only taking two APs. coach blew up, NJSIAA demands 'full accounting' from hoops power with several overseas players, School suspends hoops coach who had 6 overseas players living with him. Ortiz said he regrets not speaking up and challenging Griles or others at the school. In short, the district and the students fully understand the infractions that took place at last night's game.The students involved in the incident from both schools have had a tremendous season and have worked incredibly hard to be successful. According to videos shared on social media, a male student can be seen escorting a female student with hands behind her back. NJSIAA officials say they will take action in wake of NJ Advance Media's reporting. This sounds crazy, but if I have to fly all the way back to (New Jersey), I will.". And Blessing Ejioforlanded in the U.S. on the fast track to college, via Nigeria, but her dreams were crushed by the adults she trusted most. District officials have not yet announced whether he will return to that role. A big shakeup happened at Eastside Catholic after two principals were fired and 13 faculty members quit in protest. A care package loaded with supplies from his mother, sent to the address in Somerset, never appeared, either. Our sources also tell us not all of the sex acts currently under the law enforcement microscope were necessarily consensual which would be criminal under any circumstances. Juan Griles,coach of the powerhouse boys basketball team, was among those fired by the Board of Education. The districts investigation last year had found that some players involved in the scandal had registered at Eastside, rather than through traditional channels. The connection was facilitated by Henry Ugboaja, the director of a prominent camp in Nigeria. Anthony McGilcrist, who last year served as athletics coordinator at Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, started working at Eastside September 1 at a salary of $98,701, according to district . Aquino made it to the U.S. after a Paterson resident named Felix Ayala discovered her playing on ESPN, according to an internal school report obtained by NJ Advance Media. COVINGTON, Ga. - Students at Eastside High School are under fire after a social media post went viral showing discriminatory and racial remarks and actions. We are proud that the school holds such an important place in our community, and we look forward to working with everyone and continuing to serve our mission." Be permanently banned from teaching and/ or coaching? When I think about even if it was just 50 students whose parents cheated for them, those 50 spots could have actually gone to someone who gained those positions.. Classes could be delayed at a high school sports power house after more than a dozen teachers walked off the job. The police investigated the incident as an alleged gang rape. Capers, who said he coaches football at Irvington High School in Essex County, asserted that Paterson is now being held to a higher standard than are other districts. I found out in late June of this year that my wife, Jennifer Mathews, had engaged in multiple extramarital activities, Mathews said in the statement. In response to questions raised by our faculty and community, we held a Town Hall on Wednesday August 16. But there are far more serious allegations being probed by agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)s special investigations unit including the alleged activities of a group of men who apparently refer to themselves as The Disciples.. 3 Ghosts (24-5 . I am sure we can agree that getting our kids back to school and focused on their studies, their friendships and their future's is the important goal, and we look forward to doing just that.". Ejiofor said she was greeted by a man she had never met or heard of -- Ray Lyde Jr., the girls coach at Eastside. VIDEO: Eastside students disciplined after racist video leak, Newton-area residents earn degrees from Georgia State University, Newton, Alcovy, NCCA students earn top awards in District Science & Engineering Fair, Newton state lawmaker honors county school superintendent, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 2-3, 2021, Weekend Edition Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 30-31, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 6-7, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, June 12-13, 2021, Weekend Edition Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, August 7-8, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, August 21-22, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, August 28-29, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, September 11-12, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, September 18-19, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 25-26, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 9-10, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 16-17, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, October 30-31, 2021, Wednesday Edition: Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 6-7, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 13-14, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, December 4-5, 2021, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 22-23, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 29-30, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 12-13, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 19-20, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, March 5-6, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, March 12-13, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, March 26-27, 2022, Weekend Edition: Saturday-Sunday, April 2-3, 2022, Weekend Edition, Saturday-Sunday, September 17-18, 2022, Fairview Elementary named National Beta School of Distinction. It was an unfortunate ending for Ejiofor, who otherwise excelled at Eastside. It didn't take long to realize the living situation wouldn't match the promises. EHS ASB. Coaches from the powerhouse Paterson Eastside's boys basketball team served as legal guardians to six playersand had them living in their homes. "I ended up in Jersey.". According to our sources, Mathews was grilled for more than three hours by investigators. Got a tip for a story? According to our sources, the deputy in question was not disciplined by the sheriffs office however he is likely to be questioned by HSI regarding his alleged knowledge of the various scandals and proximity to some of its protagonists. But how do you know? Instead, he ended up in a cramped, uncomfortable attic, fearful of the woman on the floors below, her drug habit and the visitors she attracted. Once there, the mission began to crystallize. WHEN/WHERE: Monday, 4:30 p.m., at No. Ortiz grew desperate. 140 Highway 142, Covington, GA 30014. To recap: We have been looking into three distinct Thornblade-related scandals: 1) Allegations of embezzlement involving the neighborhood golf club, 2) allegations of a prostitution ring (or sex ring) involving several Thornblade residents, and 3) allegations involving an athletics team at a government-run high school in nearby Taylors, S.C. which is said to be somehow connected to the prostitution/ sex ring accusations. Lyde also told Ugboaja the school could accept international students with I-20s, Ugboaja said. Our number one objective at the district is to raise students that meet the standards that we set for society and that we want our very own children to embody.Nevertheless, last night, at the Cherry Hill High School East gym those standards were severely undermined by an incident between Camden High School and Eastside High School during the championship game of the Camden County Basketball Tournament.Let me be clear, I am saddened and disappointed with the conflict from last night, but I believe we need to make this a learning experience for our student body.Furthermore, we know meaningful action must be taken and it must be done swiftly which is why the District will be withdrawing both teams from NJSIAA tournament play.This initiative is being taken to ensure that our scholar-athletes know that accountability for their actions is paramount not only in basketball but also in the larger game of life. They had to be heard. "Especially because it was our kids who had to suffer the most because of this.. Home. That's room and board, she has to eat and that takes money. "Over there if you're that tall, you're like a monster. He plays wheelchair basketball, he said, hoping for a scholarship. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The USSS and HSI investigations are ongoing. Off the court, Ejiofor said she lived in a home on East 22nd Street owned by Shirley Jordan, whose daughter, Natalie, is a district teacher and an Eastside track coach. Now, through interviews with players, parents, coaches and other sources, NJ Advance Media can trace the remarkable circumstances under which players were recruited, lured and even hijacked to New Jersey. The first one, a senior named Luis, knew the name of the cheating scandals mastermind. And she announced on social media late last month that she verbally has committed to Oregon State, a Top 10 Division 1 program. WHAT TO KNOW: After winning Saturday's sectional semifinal at No. Fired coach wonders: How did I become guardian for 7-foot Nigerian player? All rights reserved (About Us). And that consensual sex acts between individuals of consenting age are, well, consensual.. ", Andrea Aquino (far right) plays in a game with Paterson Eastside this season. According to our sources, most of the initial speculation has centered around Eastside High School in Taylors, S.C. and perhaps one other nearby school in the South Carolina government-run system. Griles, the Rodriguezes said, approached the family after Selwyn led Puerto Rico to the Under-17 championship in a 2011 Central America tournament. Olson, the recruiting analyst, said he watched Aquino play twice in January and marveled over her agility for a player of her size. "No one ever told me, and I wish someone did.". Most found something much closer to a nightmare. This news outlet has leaned consistently libertarian in its coverage, and in addition to supporting all manner of consensual sex we have gone so far in the past as to editorialize on behalf of decriminalizing prostitution. 15 questions we still want answered after taxpayer-funded special report, A Star-Ledger Editorial: Report flawed by 'unexpectedly bizarre conclusion, The key players in Eastside scandal, fallout, Report leaves more questions than answers, Coaches, athletic director fired as fallout spreads, School forged transcripts in Eastside scandal. So far, there has been no official acknowledgement of the seismic, sexually charged side of this investigation by anyone in law enforcement. Authorities have arrested an unidentified 15-year-old in connection with the stabbing of two Paterson students at Eastside High School on Friday afternoon, which left one of the victims dead . Christian Ortiz and his father, William, heard journalists from New Jersey were in Puerto Rico for a story on Eastside and drove 90 minutes from their home for an audience. Andrea says her father paints houses and does construction work, and during the week, her mother works a graveyard janitorial job on the Westside. She said she learned of the problem after enrolling last summer at Vanderbilt, where she had earned a full athletic scholarship. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Her stay with Ayala did not last long, according to coaches and the report, even though he is still listed as her guardian on school documents. Email Audrey Bass at asbass@greenville.k12.sc.us with any questions! 1:07. I slept in the kitchen in front of the stove to stay warm.". "It was like he offered me heaven," Ortiz said. "She's a mature, strong kid and she's hanging in there," Vanderbilt head coach Stephanie Smith said earlier this year. Those tests were part of a 50-step corrective action plan implemented by Paterson Public Schools in the aftermath of the scandal that resulted in Eastsides basketball teams being banned from this years state tournament as well as the dismissals and suspensions of several athletic department staff members. The punishments imposed against Cooper and the others stemmed from an investigation conducted by a. We are disappointed that these students engaged in this inappropriate behavior. But who would look at a student of privilege and wonder the same thing? Here's why. Griles, as has been the case since NJ Advance Media broke the story two months ago, did not return multiple calls for comment. Ejiofor lived there with other Eastside girls and boys basketball players from Nigeria, including Juliet James and ThankGod Okenwa, according to school documents obtained by NJ Advance Media. *Homeland Security joins probe, with eye on international pipeline. 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