Hundreds of Families Get Help Preparing for a New School Year

 

Hundreds of parents and children recently turned out for a Back-to-School Fair hosted by the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Designed to prepare the entire family for a successful academic year, the event featured numerous parenting skills workshops, children’s activities, information from local social service agencies and healthcare organizations, mobile gaming, and more. Children and families received new backpacks filled with school supplies and were invited to enjoy free pizza and snacks while being serenaded by local musicians, including Mia Bonaldi, Rich Pell, and students from the Meaningful Melodies vocal studio in Sparta. Transportation for patrons was provided by the Stocker Bus Company.

 

“We are pleased to be able to help both parents and children to prepare for a successful school year at the annual Back-to-School Fair,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director at Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We commend all of the social service agencies, healthcare organizations, businesses, and volunteers who have taken the time to lend a helping hand to local families in need.”

 

In addition to dinner and activities for children, the Back-to-School Fair featured a seminar about positive parenting techniques and introduced parents to the peer-to-peer support offered by a Parent Cafe.

 

Informational exhibits and interactive activities for parents and children were provided by ABC for Literacy; Atlantic Health System, Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative and Newton Medical Center; Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey; CarePlus New Jersey Kinship Navigator Program; Caring Partners of Morris & Sussex; Center for Family Services; Center for Prevention & Counseling; DASI; New Jersey Department of Human Services, the Office of New Americans; New Jersey Department of Children & Families, Division of Child Protection & Permanency; Family Partners of Morris & Sussex Counties; Family Promise of Sussex County; Ginnie's House Children's Advocacy Center; Mental Health Association; Newton Volunteer First Aid & Rescue Squad; NORWESCAP Child & Family Resource Services; Project SEARCH; Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency; Project Self-Sufficiency Master Gardeners; Skylands Ride; Sussex County Community & Youth Services; Sussex County Division of Health, Public Health Nursing; Sussex County Division of Social Services; Sussex County Library System; Sussex County Special Child Health Services; Sussex County YMCA; Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.; and Zufall Health Center.

 

Patrons also toured the Newton Volunteer First Aid & Rescue Squad ambulance, enjoyed the Triple A Mobile Gaming Truck, and were invited onboard the Sussex County Library System’s bookmobile.

Polo Match to Raise Funds for Project Self-Sufficiency

 

Plans are underway for the inaugural Project Self-Sufficiency Polo Classic to be held at the Grayfields Polo Club in Allamuchy on Saturday, September 13^th. Proceeds will benefit the agency’s services for low-income individuals and families in Northwest New Jersey.

 

“We are excited to be partnering with NJ Polo to raise funds for the programs and services which are essential for struggling families in our area,” said Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “The Project Self-Sufficiency Polo Classic invites people of all ages to come together in a fun and relaxing environment, enjoy a tailgate and time outdoors, and support local families in need.”

 

The event kicks off at noon as VIP Tent ticketholders will be treated to hors d’oeuvres, fine cuisine, and signature drinks catered by Andre’s Lakeside Dining while tailgaters will welcome their guests to their elaborately customized spaces, and general admission ticketholders will set up their viewing areas.

 

Welcoming arrivals will be Sussex Brass Quintet musicians Chris Arnold, Joshua Jenkins, Kevin Shinall, Jason Whitaker, and Harold Woods. Meanwhile, the Pro Tempos, featuring Carol and Gary Kraemer, will entertain inside the VIP Tent.

 

During half-time, spectators will be encouraged to take part in the treasured tradition of divot stomping, smoothing the field for the second half of the polo match. Other activities will include competitions for best hat and best tailgate, a silent auction, and naming of the match MVP and Best Playing Polo.  After the match, all are invited to move onto the field and enjoy a festive after-party featuring the Mike Lawlor Band.

 

Presenting sponsor for the Project Self-Sufficiency Polo Classic is Mercedes-Benz of Newton which will have several models on display.  Other sponsors include First Hope Bank; Lakeside Construction; Sue and Greg Murphy; Blake and Cathy Ellman; Dee and Jim Fernandez; Lorraine and Tim Parker; Franklin Mutual Insurance; Alissa and Joel Isaacson; Provident Bank; Mary Ann and Tony DeSantis; Acrisure; and Nisivoccia.

 

More information about available sponsorships, tailgates spaces, VIP and general admission tickets can be found at www.projectselfsufficiency.org  and www.njpolo.org.  Questions can be directed to Project Self-Sufficiency by calling 973-940-3500 or emailing pss@projectselfsufficiency.org.

 

Limited Number of Slots Available at Award-Winning Newton Preschool

 

Students ages 3 and 4 are invited to attend preschool at the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center. In addition to daycare and preschool, the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center offers care for children before and after school, as well as during the summer, and enrollment is currently underway. Interested parents are invited to schedule a tour of the facility by calling Little Sprouts, 973-940-3540, or by completing a form on the website, www.littlesproutsearlylearningcenter.org. The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center is conveniently located on the campus of Project Self-Sufficiency, across from Sussex County Community College, at 127 Mill Street in Newton. 

 

The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center was recently awarded a four-star rating from Grow NJ Kids, the state-sponsored initiative to raise the quality of child care and early learning throughout New Jersey.  The rating is based on a rigorous process which considers documentation, classroom environment, in-person observations, and other factors.  Participating Grow NJ Kids facilities are monitored every three years.  During the evaluation, specialists review an array of documentation related to the center, including handbooks, professional development records and curriculum as well as equipment and facility logs. In addition, raters assess teaching strategies, interactions between faculty and students, and adherence to guidelines for health and safety, literacy, classroom displays, diversity, and community outreach. Between assessments, specialists are available for in-class support and assistance.

 

The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center features separate classrooms for each age group, from infancy through preschool. The center uses Creative Curriculum, the curriculum approved by the State of New Jersey and endorsed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, in all classrooms to help children learn important skills in math, literacy, science, social studies, the arts, and technology. Fully qualified teachers are available in each school room, and the child-teacher ratio adheres to or exceeds state standards.

 

The availability of an on-site vegetable garden and weekly visits by Master Gardeners provides interactive instruction about nutrition, the origin of food, cooking, and other topics. The curriculum is enhanced by frequent special guests who read to the students and offer simple lessons in the arts.

 

Each classroom has new equipment, as well as learning centers for dramatic play, computers, science, housekeeping, sand, and water play, reading, and music.  The center also contains an all-purpose room for active indoor play and parent presentations, as well as a sick room for those children who may fall ill during the day.  The center is equipped with two separate playgrounds, one for younger tots and one for older children.

 

Little Sprouts Early Learning Center offers space for 83 youngsters, ages 6 weeks to 6 years. All types of subsidized daycare are accepted, including New Jersey Cares for Kids and Work First New Jersey.  For more information visit the center’s website, www.littlesproutsearlylearningcenter.org or call 973-940-3540.