Arts High School current principal Mr. Ricardo Pedro ordered the flag in front of the school flown at half-staff as staff and students at the nation's first school of its kind for the Visual and Performing Arts in Newark took a moment of silence to remember former principal, teacher, and student Ms. Eleta J. Caldwell.
According to preliminary reports, Principal Caldwell transitioned last night after becoming ill returning from a short vacation with relatives.
A 1962 graduate of Arts High School, located in the heart of the city's Central Ward, Principal Caldwell spent nearly four decades in the building that opened its doors to students in 1931.
Principal Caldwell led the school during the construction and development of a new addition that currently houses about 25 classrooms, television production and dance studios, an experimental theater, gymnasium, and cafeteria when Newark voters approved a referendum in 1983 that cost nearly $63 million and opened in January 1996 published reports said.
Principal Caldwell began her tenure as principal in 1992 and retired from the school in 2003.
According to published reports, some notable alumni such as Fashion Designer, Steven Burrows; Dancer/Choreographer, Savion Glover, Singer/Actress Melba Moore, Actor Michael B. Jordan, Actress Tisha Cambell, Singer Kat Deluna, and Latin vocalist Frankie Negron all had the opportunity to attend the school while Principal Caldwell was there as a teacher or administrator.
Former Arts High School Principal Dr. Norma Fair-Brown named the school's art gallery to honor Principal Caldwell's love for the arts shortly after her retirement from the school.
The school will announce a memorial event to remember Principal Caldwell pending the family's funeral arrangements.