Jamesfest promises a fun-filled evening

Cranbury school’s Jamesfest offers an alternative to school dances.

By: Josh Appelbaum
   Cranbury School sixth-, seventh-and eighth-graders will dance, play basketball and volleyball, watch movies and munch on a schmorgasbord of food at the second annual Parent Teacher Organization-sponsored Jamfest tonight (Friday).
   Judith Ulinsky, the school’s student council advisor, said the event was created as an alternative to traditional school dances.
   Last year, students sought to plan an event that was a safe, fun night out in a healthy, safe environment. The Municipal Drug Alliance is co-sponsoring the event.
   "They wanted some form of alternate socialization aside from boy-girl dancing. This way they have some place to go to play volleyball, basketball, watch some DVDs and take a break to have some food," Ms. Ulinsky said.
   In addition to food like pretzels and potato chips, provided with admission, the PTO will be selling ice cream and other items for $1, said PTO President Jane Holland.
   Ms. Holland said the PTO took a survey of the types of games, food and movies the students would like at Jamfest. Dance Dance Revolution, foosball, Ping-Pong and several movies like "Shrek 2," "Elf," and "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," will entertain students throughout the night.
   The first Jamfest was held in April. Students were charged $5 each with profits going to the PTO. This year, Ms. Ulinsky said, the student council and PTO decided to donate proceeds from the event to Save the Children.
   In addition, the student council has planned a Jan. 21 dance benefiting New Jersey National Guard members serving in Iraq.
   "The student council has been busy. They are part of a global effort to make the world a little better," Ms. Ulinsky said.