Wednesday September 11th, we pause to remember the tragedy at the World Trade Center. It is also a good time to talk to your kids about how they can make the world a better place. Check out our display on volunteerism in the library lobby and find a way to help your children “MAKE A DIFFERENCE.” (and check out volunteer opportunities listed in our community section below as well.)
@ Bridgewater Library for Children
Storytime (For Ages 2-6) No Registration Required. Tuesdays September 10 - October 15th, 10:30 a.m. Second session at 1:30pm. Story Well. Join us for stories and songs for the whole family! This program is aimed at families and is designed for children 3 and up who may have a younger sibling coming along.
Toddler Time (For Ages 18 months-36 months) No Registration Required. Wednesdays September 11-October 16th, 10:00 a.m., repeats at 11:00 a.m. Also Thursdays September 12-October 17th 10:30 a.m. Story Well. Clapping and singing and listening to books...introduce your toddler to the beginnings of storytime!
Baby Time (For ages birth - 18 months) No Registration Required.
Thursdays September 12th – October 17th, 9:30 a.m. Story Well. An interactive lap-sit program of songs, rhymes and a story designed to introduce your baby to language and promote early literacy.
**Due to the popularity of our early childhood programs, we appreciate your cooperation in attending only one storytime program per week.**
Lego Club (Grades K-6) Thursday September 12, 2013 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Meeting Room. Registration required and begins August 29. Hey LEGO fans, here's a club just for you! Get together with other LEGO-maniacs, share ideas and tips on building, and have a great time! Library LEGOS will be available for building, so you do not need to bring your own.
Storytime Yoga (Ages 2-6) Friday, September 13
from 10:00 - 10:30 am Registration begins August 30. Animal characters come to life as stories are read and acted out with yoga poses. Through the use of songs, puppets, and fun, animated poses, children will learn what it’s like to hop like a frog, slither like a snake and roar like a lion! Please note: If you have not participated in this program before, you must print out and sign a copy of our Program Release form, located here:http://www.sclsnj.org/PDFs/SCLSrlsformchild.pdf.
Play Group (ages Birth to 3 years) Monday September 16, 2013 10:00 AM to 10:30. No registration required. Come and play with toys, dance to music, and make new friends! Repeats Sept. 23rd & 3oth. 
Rocket Readers: ''Dixie Loves School Pet Day' (Grades 1-2) Monday September 16, 2013, 4:30 to 5:30 PM. Registration required and begins August 20. An exciting program for brand new readers! At each program we will discuss a book, play some games, or create a story related craft. This month's book: 'Dixie Loves School Pet Day' by Grace Gilman
When Dixie gets to join Emma at school for Pet Day, she can
hardly stop wagging her tail with excitement! Emma's classmates have all kinds of pets--hamsters, birds, goldfish--even lizards! Dixie tries her best to sit still, but with all the new friends to make, she may not be able to stay calm for long.
Tail Waggin' Tutors: Children Reading to Dogs (For Children of All Ages) Thursday, September 19th, 4-5pm. Phone or In-Person Registration Only. Repeats Thursday, Sept. 26th. Did you know that dogs like listening to stories as much as kids do? Come to the Bridgewater Library for Tail Waggin’ Tutors, our new program where children will have the opportunity to practice their reading skills by reading a story to Xena the Therapy Dog, a friendly, six-year-old chocolate labradoodle. Each child will have 10 minutes to read a favorite story to his or her new, canine friend. Sign-ups will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Kickoff to Hispanic Heritage Month with Jesse Rivera (All Ages) Friday, September 20th, 10am-3pm. No registration required.
Join us for a unique Hispanic Heritage Celebration with live music from award-winning musician Jesse Rivera as he plays captivating songs from different Latin countries on his Spanish Nylon guitar. Audience participation is encouraged!
Family Movie Under the Stars: 'Coraline' (All ages) Friday September 20, 2013, 7:00 (or sunset) to 9:00 PM (For all ages – families welcome!) Registration required and begins September 6. Bring the whole family to the Bridgewater Library for our very first outdoor movie under the stars! The movie will be taking place on the library lawn, so please bring your own blankets, chairs, and snacks! In case of inclement weather, we will show the movie indoors. Coraline Rated: PG for thematic elements, scary images, some language and suggestive humor. Run time: 100 minutes (1 hour, 40 minutes). Coraline is a curious young girl who unlocks a mysterious door in her family's new home and enters into an adventure in a parallel reality. On the surface, this 'Other World' eerily mimics her own life - though it is much more fantastical. While encountering different versions of her own life ultimately, Coraline must rely on her resourcefulness, determination and bravery to get back home.
Circus Place: Let's Join the Circus (Grades 2+) Saturday, September 21 from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Registration required and begins September 6. Join us as The Circus Place brings its unique circus training program to the library. Sit back in amazement as you watch a talented troupe perform some of the most exciting circus skills you've ever seen. Then, pull the curtains back and learn how to juggle, balance on a tight rope, pin plates, and much, much more. You will walk out ready to perform your very own circus for your friends and families!
Snack Attack (Grades 3-4) Monday, September 23 at 4:00 pm. Registration required and begins September 9. Do you have the best taste in books, movies, video games, and music? Then you need to be part of our Club! We’ll make an awesome display of our reviews that will help other kids know what to check out of the library. And of course, there will be snacks to munch on! Come prepared to tell us about at least one of your favorite books.
Advocacy: Transition from Early Intervention to Preschool Special Education Thursday, September 26, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Registration is required. Presented by Shakira Linzey, MPH, Regional Manager of Family Support (Mid-Jersey CARES Regional Early Intervention Collaborative) A program of Central NJ Maternal & Child Health Consortium Understanding the joint responsibilities of Early Intervention, families and school district personnel, and child study teams when transitioning out of NJ’s Early Intervention System will be the focus of this presentation. The program is free and open to the public.
Dream Something Big: The Story of the Watts Towers (Grades K-5)Monday, September 30, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm. Registration required and begins September 16. Can you imagine working on a art project for 34 years? A man named Simon Rodia did just that, using cement, broken tiles, shells, and other found items to build towering spires, some almost a hundred feet tall, decorated with mosaic designs. Come to the library and hear his story then create your own mosaic towers from pipe cleaners, magazine clippings, and found objects. Have small objects you’d like to include in your tower, bring them along!
Storytime Yoga (Ages 2-6) Friday, October 4th from 10:00 - 10:30 am Registration begins September 20th. Animal characters come to life as stories are read and acted out with yoga poses. Through the use of songs, puppets, and fun, animated poses, children will learn what it’s like to hop like a frog, slither like a snake and roar like a lion! Please note: If you have not participated in this program before, you must print out and sign a copy of our Program Release form, located here:http://www.sclsnj.org/PDFs/SCLSrlsformchild.pdf.
There are ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS at other system libraries for children & teens…find their online calendars under the “events/programs” tab on our home page. Planning ahead for October? -- Check out our library calendar.
If you register for a program and realize that you won’t be able to come, please call (908 526-4016x126) or email us(bwljuv@sclibnj.org) as early as possible so we can make someone on the waitlist very happy. Next time that waitlisted participant might be your child!
@ Bridgewater Library for Tweens and Teens:
Open Mic Cafe Night (Ages 13+) Thursday September 12, 2013 6:45 PM to 8:30 PM. Registration required and begins August 29. Think you’ve got what it takes to get up on stage in front of your peers with nothing but your voice and guitar? Want to share your poetry, comedy, or original music? Not an artist, but would like to witness some of the most inspiring artists Somerset County has to offer? Then join us for this one of a kind experience, and help local musicians and writers have their voices heard.
Depending on registration, artists will receive 10-15 minute slots to play music or recite poetry. Sign ups will be on a first-come, first-served basis. **Please help support local artists and musicians – you don’t need to be an artist to enjoy our Open Mic Night!**
Everything You Need to Know NOW About the College Application Process (For students in grades 9 - 12 and parents/guardians) Thursday, September 12, from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Registration required for both students and parents. This informative session presented by Susan Alaimo will cover how to choose your colleges, strategies to best increase your chances for acceptance, PSAT/SAT preparation, scholarships and financial aid, and an open-ended question and answer session.
Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of S.A.T. SMART and a college counselor and S.A.T. teacher at a private high school in Princeton, NJ. She has a masters degree from Columbia University, a bachelors degree from Fordham University, and is a member of the New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling. For more information, please go to satsmartonline.com.
Make It, Take It - Awesome Locker Accessories (Grades 6-12) Monday, September 16, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Registration required. Come make awesome mirrors and magnets to personalize your locker this school year! All supplies will be provided—just show up with your imagination and creativity!
Keys to Unlocking Financial Aid (Grades 9-12) Monday, September 23, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Registration required for both students and parents and begins September 3. College is one of the largest investments a family makes. In the “Keys to Unlocking Financial Aid,” families of high school students will learn the basics of need-based and merit-based financial aid, as well as valuable tips on how to reduce college costs, increase funds, and get a better financial aid package.
This session will be presented by Rana Slosberg, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Polytechnic Institute of NYU, a Master of Arts degree from Queens College, a Certificate in Independent Educational Consulting from the University of California Irvine Extension, and visits colleges regularly. She is a member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), the New Jersey Association of College Admissions Counselors (NJACAC), and the Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP). For more information, please go to slosbergcollegesolutions.com.
TAB Meeting (Grades 6-8) Tuesday September 24, 2013, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. TAB Meeting (Grades 9-12) 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM Story Well. Registration Required. Do you want to make a difference at your library? Do you have suggestions for programs, new books, movies, or video games? Then come to one of our upcoming T.A.B. meetings! Community service hours will be awarded for attendance and snacks will be served! Do you want to make a difference at your library? Do you have suggestions for programs, new books, movies, or video games? Then come to one of our upcoming T.A.B. meetings! Community service hours will be awarded for attendance and snacks will be served!
Practice PSAT (Grades 7-11) Saturday, September 28, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Registration required and begins September 6. Taking the PSAT on October 16th or 19th? Here’s your last chance to practice before the real thing! Even if you’re not taking the real test this year, a free practice test is one of the best ways to get ready for the real thing. By taking this practice test, you will learn exactly what to expect on test day and receive a complete individual analysis of your results (which will be mailed to you 7-10 business days following the test). Don't forget a #2 pencil and calculator. **PLEASE NOTE: No admittance after 9:15 am.
5th & 6th Grade Volunteers Monday Oct 7th , 2013 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM Story Well Registration required. ATTENTION STUDENTS IN GRADES 5 AND 6: Here is your chance to make a difference by volunteering at the library! You can help the library with special projects cluding creating bookmarks for young children, organizing and tidying up the Children’s Room, and much more!
College Planning 101: Using Library Resources to Begin Your College Planning Tuesday October 8, 2013 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM TTC Room (For students in grades 9 - 12 and parents/guardians). Registration begins September 17. Feeling overwhelmed by the whole college planning process? Your public library is the perfect place to start your research! During this presentation, we’ll go over FREE resources available to you, including databases to help you find scholarships and prepare for the SAT, books that will help you narrow down your choice of school, and more!
Want more info about upcoming programs? Check out more October teen calendar here.
Around our Community:
FREE INTRO SESSIONS @ THEATER PROJECT CLASSROOM FOR KIDS: JUGGLING, PUPPETRY, IMPROV, GLEE
THEATER PROJECT CLASSROOM FOR KIDS
FREE intro sessions at their Open House
WHEN: Saturday, Sept 21 at 1 PM – 2:30 PM
WHERE: BURGDORFF CENTER, 10 Durand Road, in Maplewood
The classes—Juggling, Puppetry, Glee and Improv—are designed to allow kids to have fun, build confidence and enjoy discovering new interests.
Juggling is being offered for the first time by THE THEATER PROJECT, and it’s perfect for children who like being active. Students will improve their coordination, concentration, and amaze themselves with how much they can do. NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. InstructorLouis De Lauro (right), an award winning NJ teacher, is the founder of Juggling for Life, a non-profit helping disadvantaged children learn to juggle and learn how to teach juggling.
Puppetry is also new on the schedule. Constructing and working with puppets allows even shyer children to experience the joy of performing though the character of the puppet. Teacher Penny Rapicano(left) is carrying on her family’s long heritage in puppetry. With a degree in Child Development, she founded the Garden State Puppetry Guild, and works with children and senior recreational programs.
Glee (Show Choir), is for children who want to develop singing skills coordinated with movement to express a song’s lyrics and emotions. Gail Lou (left), a professional vocalist, actress and musician, brings her experience from films, stage and television to her teaching. She studied at Berklee College of Music and holds a degree in Vocal Music Performance from Montclair State University.
Improv is returning again this year. This class emphasizes creativity, teamwork, and develops extemporaneous public speaking skills. Lulu French(right) brings her love of theatrical improvisation and 10 years’ experience to her classroom. She studied with the Upright Citizens Brigade in Chicago, and appeared in New York at Gotham City Improv and the Magnet Theater among others.
Classes will be limited to 15 students. Small classes enable every child to receive the time and attention each deserves. All the classes develop kids’ confidence in themselves while they develop skills and attitudes that go beyond the stage. Whether they go on to Broadway or the board room, these skills will last a lifetime!
At the end of the fall semester, each class concludes with a final presentation that shows off all that the children have learned, and adds the final element – the audience.
Parents can get more information about the introductory workshop by e-mail at Education@thetheaterproject.org or by calling Education Director Amy Hadam at 973.763.4029. Please visit their website atwww.TheTheaterProject.org.
Lots to do at the RVCC Planetarium.
Thanks to Ruth Ross, NJARTSMAVEN.COM for some of these listings.
Let Your Fingers Do More Walking….
Thought-provoking article from SLATE:
We Post Nothing About Our Daughter Online
Nothing. It’s the only way to defend her against facial recognition, Facebook profiling, and corporate data mining. Read MORE.
Stimulate learning 7 days a week!…take a look at these great websites for year-round learning:
Want more great websites for kids? Check out the American Library Association’s Great Websites For Kids: http://gws.ala.org/
There are also lots more links in the “great websites for families” section of the blog. If you are receiving this as an email, click on the headline and bring up this newsletter between the virtual bookshelves to see them!
Back-to-School Health Checklist
BY KATHY SENA
Ah, the joy of homework-free evenings. The lighter family calendar. Are you ready to kiss them goodbye?
Yep, summer is almost over, and it’s time to get the kids health-ready for school. Are your child’s immunizations up to date? Does he need new glasses? Here’s some expert health advice on all these things and more so your kids will be ready for the first day back in the classroom. Read MORE.
Special Friendships
When a friendship starts blooming, encourage it as you would any other childhood friendship—with play dates and get-togethers.
At my daughter’s sixth birthday party, I smiled as I watched her introduce her friend Jackson—whom she had known since she was a toddler—to her new friends from school. Within a few minutes, Jackson was happily playing with blocks while the other kids played racecars nearby. When I noticed that the noise level was starting to make Jackson agitated, I helped him move the blocks to a quieter room and encouraged Laurel to play with him. Read MORE.
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