Princeton Regional Schools to close for staff professional development
By: Rachel Silverman
With the Princeton Regional Schools set to close all next week for staff professional development, some parents may be scrambling for child-care options.
So a number of community institutions have stepped up to the plate, offering a week of kid-friendly activities and entertainment.
The Princeton Public Library’s "November School Break Week," for example, will kick off Monday with children’s author Kellie Magnus. Ms. Magnus, a native of Jamaica, will lead a young writers’ workshop, and read from her children’s books. The following day, Nov. 8, kids can learn about masks, improvisation, pantomime and theater games with Samar Hamati, founder and director of The Kinetic Theater. Handmade marionettes will take the stage Nov. 9, when the Folk Tale Puppeteers dazzle the crowd.
On Nov. 10, Youth Stages members Laurie Hardy and Joey Rozzolo will retell an adaptation of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz using furniture, houseplants and other usual objects. Everyone’s favorite nanny, Mary Poppins, will float down on her umbrella on Nov. 11, when the library plays the much-loved 1964 hit film. On Nov. 12, singer and songwriter Joel Frankel will delight audiences with his interactive music and zany props.
Three other institutions The Arts Council of Princeton, the Clay Street Learning Center and the Carl A. Fields Center have also teamed up to host a week of free, kid-friendly activities.
For children grades K through 5, the offerings include one program in African art, and another in traditional West African drumming and singing. Both will be held at the Clay Street Learning Center, 2 Clay St., at the corner of Witherspoon Street.
For kids in grades 6-8, a separate West African drumming and singing course is available at the Carl A. Fields Center, 86 Olden Ave. In addition, the center will offer classes in hip-hop dance and caricature drawing.
Over at the Princeton Family YMCA on Paul Robeson Place, kids can sign up for the Y Zone a science-themed activity week. The program, which costs $285 per week or $57 per day, offers interactive learning in the mornings, and fun activities like swimming in the afternoons. The Y Zone, which is geared to kids in pre-K through grade 5, will take place 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. throughout the week.
The YWCA Princeton, meanwhile, will offer a Tiger Sports Camp for kids in grades 6-8 at Dillon Gymnasium on the Princeton University campus. Basketball, volleyball, tennis, swimming and fitness will be among highlighted activities here. The program, which will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., costs $240 a week or $100 for two days.
For both the YMCA and YWCA programs, scholarship support is available to qualified children whose parents are employed by Princeton University.
On Nov. 8, the Cotsen Children’s Library, the Princeton University Art Museum and the Princeton Historical Society will join together to host a program titled, "A Day in Princeton Art, Artifacts and Archives." This free day will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cotsen Children’s Library, located in Firestone Library on the university campus.

