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Brunner School Kids Hold Dr. Seuss Celebration
SCOTCH PLAINS — Youngsters in Bernadette Hoyer’s Pre-kindergarten classes at Brunner Elementary School in Scotch Plains recently participated in a week-long celebration of Dr. Seuss and reading.
The week began with families pledging to read to their children on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss, as part of the “Read Across America” program sponsored by the National Education Association.
A birthday celebration was held in Dr. Seuss’ honor on March 2. Each day of the week featured a Dr. Seuss
book and related learning activities. The children wore pajamas and mismatched shoes to school for a reading of the story “I am NOT Going to Get Up Today!” and “The Foot Book.”
Real fish were painted to make red and blue fish prints for “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish,” and green eggs and ham were prepared for a snack after children read the Dr. Seuss book of the same name.
At the end of the week, each child went home as a “Cat in the Hat” lookalike, complete with black nose, whiskers and a tall red and white hat.
DR. SEUSS ON THE LOOSE...Justin Rosado and Erin Dempsey enjoy reading “The Cat in the Hat” during a recent celebration of Dr. Seuss Week in their classroom at Brunner Elementary School in Scotch Plains.
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Wardlaw-Hartridge Pupils Hold Special Reading Event
BOOK CHARACTER…On Tuesday, March 2, in honor of what would have been the 95th birthday of Theodore Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, students at Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison held special reading events. The readings were scheduled as part of Read Across America Day. Pictured, above, with Jean Grisreal, Head of the Lower School who portrayed Horton from “Horton Hatches the Egg,” are: Devon Daly, Micahael Daly and Caitlin Daly, all of Scotch Plains.
In honor of what would have been the 95th birthday of Theodore Geisel — also known as Dr. Seuss — students at Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison held special reading events on Tuesday, March 2.
All readings were scheduled as part of Read Across America Day.
Katherine Spadora, Chair of the Edison Arts Council and wife of the Mayor of Edison, read “I Am Not Going To Get Up Today” to lower
school students. Ilana Bachrach, librarian at the Pantaleoni Lower School, recruited teachers and staff to read Dr. Seuss books to groups of children, encouraging them to read “in character.”
Horton the elephant from the Dr. Seuss book series, greeted the children in the morning and second graders were treated to a birthday party where the school nurse, Florise Newton, read “Happy Birthday to You.”
Pinewood Derby Winners Announced and Awarded DERBY WINNERS…Cub Scout Pack No. 172 held its Pinewood Derby Contest
on Saturday, February 20, at Franklin Elementary School. Pictured, left to right, with pack leader Bill Risberg, are: Martin Fox, David Hennessey, Bob Cariste, Michael Risberg, Will John, Tyler Clark, and Charlie Solan.
WESTFIELD – Cub Scout Pack No. 172’s long-running Pinewood Derby Contest was held on Saturday, February 20, at Franklin Elementary School.
In the Fastest Car Competition, the winners included: first place Martin Fox; runner-up Tyler Clark; and Will John and David Hennessey finishing in third and fourth place, respectively.
Girl Scouts, who participated in the derby, were lead by Melia Parsloe, finishing in first place; Colleen Psomas in second place; Darrell Ann Smith in third place; and Kelly Ruhl in fourth place.
Special Awards were presented to Bob Cariste for Most Creative Car, while Michael Risberg won the Funniest Car entry. Charlie Solan captured the Most Effort By Scout Award. Ellie Eiddle won for the Most Creative Girl Scout Car.
In the Grand Finale between the Cubs and Girl Scouts, Martin Fox
and Melia Parsloe were declared cowinners.
Winners by Den included Tyler Clark of Den No. 4; Erie Rachman of Den No. 7; David Hennessey and Jeffrey Perrella of Den No. 10; Martin Fox of Den No. 12; Matt D’Andrea of Den No. 15; James Diddell of Den No. 16; Zachary Sproull of Den No. 17; Will Schwartz of Den No. 20; Dan Santry of Den No. 21; Alexander Forstenhausler of Den No. 22; and Will John of Den No. 24.
Mothers’ Center Schedules Special ‘Family Fun Day’
SCOTCH PLAINS – The Mothers’ Center of Central New Jersey will sponsor a free “Family Fun Day” on Saturday, March 20, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Scotch Hills Country Club in Scotch Plains. The event will celebrate the organization’s 20th anniversary of serving mothers and children.
Johnny the Magic Clown will perform magic and create balloon creatures for children and adults. Games of chance, face-painting and snacks
and beverages will be available. For more information and directions, please call (908) 561-1751 or visit the Mothers’ Center web site at http://wesffieldnj.com/mccnj.
The Mothers’ Center welcomes new members at any time. The group offers discussion groups, day and evening workshops, guest speakers, social activities, library resources and playgroups. Thirteen new day and evening discussion and activity groups will begin in late April.
Girl Scouts to Conduct Cookie Booth Sales
SCOTCH PLAINS — The Fanwood-Scotch Plains Girl Scouts have announced will be holding cookie sales at booths set up at various locations around the community for the next several weekends.
A variety of cookies, including Thin Mints, Trefoils, Samoas, Do-Si-Dos, Lemon Drops, Striped Chocolate Chip, Apple Cinnamon and Tagalongs, will be available for sale.
Booth sales will be conducted at the following locations and times:
Saturday, March 20: Eckert Drugs on Martine Avenue from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; A Tasteful Touch on Martine Avenue from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Palmer Video on Westfield Avenue beginning at 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 27: Sovereign Bank on Park Avenue from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Irma’s Bag on Martine Avenue from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; A&P on South Avenue from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and CVS on Park Avenue from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, April 3: Scotch PlainsFanwood YMCA on Martine Avenue from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Irma’s Bag from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 10: PNC Bank on Park Avenue in Scotch Plains from 8 a.m. to noon and Quick Check (Fanwood) on North Avenue from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Jefferson Elementary School Ends Winter Reading Program LOVING LITERACY…Students and parents of Jefferson Elementary School
students celebrated their greatest collective reading achievement as its 1999 Winter Reading Program drew to a close. Pictured, left to right, are: Daria Bonavita, Jefferson School Librarian, with third graders Kristen Wendel, Jaclyn Kirna, Gary Kowaleski and Joseph Vall-Llobera.
WESTFIELD – Students and parents of Jefferson Elementary School students celebrated their greatest collective reading achievement as its 1999 Winter Reading Program drew to a close.
The annual program, which was sponsored by the Jefferson School Parent Teacher Organization, strives to motivate its members to read more during the winter.
This year’s reading total of 28,777 hours for the four week program surpassed the school-wide goal, which had been to read more than the 22,934 hours reported last year.
Parents and faculty on the reading program committee designed this year’s program to be a specific celebration of the 1998-99 Jefferson School theme, “Staying Healthy: Exercising our Minds and Bodies.”
Each student was given a motivational “Exercise Your Mind READ!” bookmark to use, beginning on the first day of the program. Each class was given a 30-inch long construc
tion paper “reading foot” to be decorated and displayed to celebrate reading.
Each Jefferson family kept track of the amount of time they spent reading, with “double credit” to be earned for reading challenging material, or for reading about athleticism. Tally sheets summoning the hours read were submitted and totaled weekly.
Each class was given one 10-inch long “walk about” foot for every 40 hours of reading reported by class members during the previous week. These feet were decorated by the students and were placed in a single line leading out of the school library.
This line of “walk about” feet wound throughout every interior hallway at Jefferson and returned to the library when the reading goal was reached.
A bar graph, in which one foot stamp represented 125 hours of reading, was constructed to show the number of hours read each week by each grade at Jefferson School.
The bar graph was also color coded by week so that students could tell, at a glance, how their grade was doing during each week of the program.
Each Friday throughout the reading program, students and faculty alike celebrated reading with a dressup theme day.
Favorites included bringing slippers and stuffed animals to school for “relax with a good book” day; wearing Jefferson School themed t-shirts on “let’s get physical with reading!” day; and wearing red on “love what you read” day.
Organizers of the events included Jefferson’s principal, Dr. Jorden Schiff; teachers Roberta Geyer, Daria Bonavita, Pat Gentesse, Rachel Bradley, June Gleason and Wendy Masters; parent volunteers Barbara Harbaugh, Nadine Kaplan, June Gaglioti, Sue Dilzell and Pam Levine; program co-chairpersons (and parents) Barbara Giordano and Debra Leonard.
Workshop For Arts Student Earns Grant From PNC Bank
WESTFIELD — The PNC Bank Foundation, has recently granted a full student, Leah DiMatteo, a scholarship to New Jersey Workshop for
the Arts (NJWA). Leah studies string bass with Chris Fiore at The Music Studio. She began playing the bass in the fourth grade.
Dr. Theodore K. Schlosberg, Founder and Executive Director of NJWA recommended Leah for the scholarship after observing her capabilities when she studied with him.
The Music Studio, is a division of New Jersey Workshop for the Arts, a non-profit organization established in 1972 by Dr. Schlosberg, and is located at 150-152 East Broad Street in Westfield.
In addition to individual instrument lessons, students are invited to participate in one of the three major ensembles: The Music Studio Jazz Band, The Chamber Orchestra and The Wind Ensemble, when they qualify.
The mission of NJWA “is to enrich lives by providing opportunity to develop creative talents, and encourage a greater appreciation of the arts, through both instruction and performance.”
Blood Center Seeks Donors At Local Drive
WESTFIELD — The Blood Center of New Jersey will hold a blood drive at the Masonic Atlas Pythagoras Lodge, 1011 Central Avenue, Westfield, on Tuesday, March 30, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Judy Daniels, spokesperson for the blood center said, “As the weather warms and you begin outdoor activities, take some time to remember there are people who will be unable to appreciate the season without lifesaving blood transfusions.”
Donors must be 18 years of age. Seventeen year olds may donate with parental permission. There is no upper age limit for donors, provided those over 65 have donated within the last 2 years, or have a doctor’s note.
Donors should know their social security number and bring a signed form of identification.
Individuals with cold or flu symptoms should wait until they are feeling better before donating, and there is a 72-hour deferral for dental work, including routine teeth cleaning. For those who have traveled outside of the United States recently, please call the blood center for eligibility criteria.
For more information or to sign up for a blood drive, call the blood center at 1-800 BLOOD NJ (256-6365).
Oak Knoll Students To Hold Original Opera
Fourth-grade students at Oak Knoll School are writing, producing and performing an original opera, “Shattered Glass Still Glistens,” to be performed on Wednesday, March 24, at 10 a.m. and Thursday, March 25, at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The performance is about fame and fortune and the discovery that they are not always what they seem.
Students are wiring the footlights, writing the script, composing the music, designing and building the scenery, designing costumes and makeup and publicizing the show.
The March 24 performance is recommended for students in kindergarten through 2nd grade. The March 25 is recommended for third through six grade students.
The opera will be held in the Campion Center at Oak Knoll School, 44 Blackburn Road in Summit. Admission is free.
Prevention Education Series Set By NCAAD
WESTFIELD — The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Union County will hold a free “Prevention Education Workshop Series” beginning on March 17, on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The series will offer information about the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse in the community.
Topics will include “Prevention Theory” on March 17, “Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Abuse in Older Adults” on March 31; “Asset Building” on April 7; “Community Resources” on April 21; “Drug Use Among Youth” on April 28; “Facilitation Skills” on May 5, and “Medication Management” on May 12.
For more information, or to register to attend all or one of the workshops, call (908) 233-8810.
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