Newark Public Schools, United Way, The Nicholson Foundation and the Newark Museum Partner to Present a Free Night for Family Fun & Education at the Newark Museum
Black Panther and Paw Patrol Theme and Interactive Exhibits are Highlights of the Night.
[Newark, NJ – June 7, 2018] Newark Public Schools (NPS) Office of Early Childhood, in partnership with the United Way of Essex and West Hudson, The Nicholson Foundation and the Newark Museum presents the 6th annual “Night at the Museum” at the Newark Museum on Friday, June 8, 2018. The fun-filled evening begins at 3 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. The evening will feature fun and meaningful educational activities for parents and children to enjoy, along with information about Early Childhood resources and programs that families can access during the summer months and throughout the school year.
‘Night at the Museum’ is a wonderful event that brings together families and children to learn more about the exciting educational opportunities available to them, in a fun-filled setting,” said Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools, A. Robert Gregory. “The Office of Early Childhood has done an exceptional job ensuring our youngest learners have access to a wide-range of educational opportunities that support their growth and learning. Early childhood learning is critical to a student’s lifelong success, and it’s vital that we are investing the time and resources necessary to give our youngest learners the tools they need to succeed.”
Numerous community based organizations participate in the evening event, including Newark Cool Cat, the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN, Department of Children and Families), the Newark Public Library, the Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness, the D.A.D. Network, Habitat for Humanity, Newark Conservancy, Bricks for Kidz, Program for Parents and the Newark Arts Council. Each organization provides information to Newark families about the array of Early Childhood resources and programs that are available to them throughout the year.
“We are thrilled to host our fifth annual ‘Night at the Museum’, in partnership with the Newark Museum,” said F. Nana Ofosu-Amaah, Executive Director of NPS Office of Early Childhood. “This event allows us to engage meaningfully with children and families and showcases the wide breadth of Early Childhood educational opportunities that Newark offers. The involvement of parents, grandparents and guardians is crucial throughout a child’s educational journey, and events like this empower them to take a more active role in supporting their child’s learning experiences.”
The evening’s activities included tours of the Newark Museum and planetarium show screenings. Event participants also received free library cards, raffles, prizes and books, as well as a special meet and greet with Black Panther and Paw Patrol. Zumba, Yoga, Meditation, African Dance, Health and Nutrition Videos, Lead Screening and more are offered to families.
“The Office of Childhood Education is focused on making learning engaging for our youngest learners, and events like ‘Night at the Museum’ provide an opportunity to get children excited about summer learning and attending school in the fall,” Ofosu-Amaah added.
“Night at the Museum” is also an opportunity to introduce children and families to Newark’s cultural institutions. According to a survey conducted by the Office of Childhood Education, nearly sixty percent of respondents said they rarely visit local libraries or museums.
“It’s so much fun to bring families together to learn about the rich opportunities in this city. We are pleased that the Newark Museum is a place of lively engagement,” said Sonnet Takahisa, Deputy Director of Engagement and Innovation at the Newark Museum. “On Early Childhood Night, the Museum’s arts and science collections, combined with the resources of all our partner presenters, encourage early learners and their adults to explore the world, learn about different cultures and discover their own creativity.”