Giving Compass' Take:

• Chalkbeat profiles the development of the Newark Students Union, which played a key role in pushing back against unwelcome changes to the school system three years ago with highly publicized walkouts. Now, the NSU is trying to work with local leaders to enact policies that align with its wishes.

• What can the NSU teach us about the importance of constituent feedback when it comes to school reforms and the overreach of certain philanthropic efforts in this area? Let's make sure student voices are always heard.

• Read more about Newark’s incoming superintendent and his vision for the district.

Though technically on summer break, the leaders of the Newark Students Union arrived promptly one Wednesday morning at the Weequahic High School library to speak at the school’s summer “bridge” program, which is designed to ease incoming ninth-graders’ transition to high school. Their objective: Recruit new members.

Three years ago, the student union attracted national attention when its members occupied the district’s headquarters and helped stage a citywide school walkout that drew thousands of students into the streets. They were protesting the policies of a state-appointed superintendent, who resigned shortly thereafter, and joining calls for the state to return control of Newark’s schools to the local school board, which happened this February.

With those victories notched, the Newark Students Union is trying to recast its mission from attacking state policies to proposing solutions in partnership with Newark’s elected board and newly chosen superintendent. Still, they plan to call out local officials who fall short — constructive criticism that NSU co-leader Bradley Gonmiah likened to a friend telling you your breath stinks.

“Your best friend is supposed to be real with you,” said Gonmiah, a senior at Science Park High School, to the incoming Weequahic students. “Now that they’re close to home,” he said, referring to board members and the district leadership, “we should talk to them and actually have an ability to make change.”

Read the full article about Newark student activists by Patrick Wall at Chalkbeat.