T H E N E W A R K P U B L I C L I B R A R Y
5 WASHINGTON STREET, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102
P R E S S R E L E A S E
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Ivette Mendez (The Newark Public Library)
973-518-1537,
Heidi Cramer
973-733-7837,
NEWARK PUBLIC LIBRARY’S FINANCIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM SERIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS TO
HOLD 10 MUSICAL PERFORMANCES IN APRIL-JUNE
NEWARK, MARCH 1, 2012 — The Newark Public Library’s financial education initiative to provide lifelong lessons in saving, spending, and sharing to children throughout the City of Newark will hold 10 programs featuring musical performances and storytelling at the Main Library and six library branches starting April 11 through June 8.
“Our plan is to reach 7,500 children during the course of our financial education program and, to date, 4,000 preschoolers have already taken part,” said Library Director Wilma Grey. “The children love the music and storytelling performances, which help to playfully drive home the important lessons in saving, spending and sharing.”
Each program is 45 minutes long. Beth & Scott and Friends will be featured at three programs: April 13, May 9, and May 15. They will present “Money Matters,” a new musical program that educates young children on the basics of handling money. Believing that it’s never too early or too late to offer advice on this important life skill, the Bierkos sing their way through lessons that children and their parents will find helpful, enjoyable, and inspiring.
Julie Pasqual, Storyteller, will be featured at seven programs: April 11, 18; May 8, 15, 16 and 22; and June 8. Preschool children and their families will learn about money, making choices, and the importance of saving, sharing, and spending during this entertaining hour of stories.
The 18-month bilingual program funded through a PNC Foundation grant was introduced last September at the Main Library’s Centennial Hall and is targeted for children ages 3-5. In addition to the story-telling musical performances at the Main Library and its eight library branches, the financial education program is being presented through visits to preschools, daycare centers, and other schools with librarian-led story times and activities. A finance fair will also be held in each of the city’s five wards. The first one will be held at the Van Buren Branch Library, 140 Van Buren St., on Wednesday, March 28, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
For information about an activity at a library branch, please call the numbers listed below in the performance schedule. For more information about the financial education program including other scheduled events, please call 973-645-5258 (Main Library).
In addition to the NPL activities, parents and caregivers can see how easy it is to introduce financial concepts and skills into their everyday routines and experiences with their children using activities and tips from the “For Me, for You, for Later: First Steps to Spending, Sharing, and Saving™” kit, developed by Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street®, in partnership with PNC. For more tips and resources on this topic and to find free materials featuring Sesame Street characters, visit www.pncgrowupgreat.com. Kits are also available for free at any PNC branch, or can be ordered over the phone at 1-877-PNC-GROW (1-877-762-4769).
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, April 11, 4:00-4:45 pm
North End Branch Library
722 Summer Avenue
973-733-7766
PERFORMER: Julie Pasqual
Friday, April 13, 10:30-11:15 am
Branch Brook Branch Library
235 Clifton Avenue
973-733-7760
PERFORMER: Beth & Scott and Friends
Wednesday, April 18, 10:30-11:15 am
Main Library
5 Washington Street
973-733-7797
PERFORMER: Julie Pasqual
Tuesday, May 8, 3:30-4:15 pm
Clinton Branch Library
739 Bergen Street
973-733-7754
PERFORMER: Julie Pasqual
Wednesday, May 9, 3:30-4:15 pm
Vailsburg Branch Library
75 Alexander Street
973-733-7755
PERFORMER: Beth & Scott and Friends
Tuesday, May 15, 10:30-11:15 am
Springfield Branch Library
50 Hayes Street
973-733-7736
PERFORMER: Beth & Scott and Friends
Tuesday, May 15, 10:30-11:15 am
Branch Brook Branch Library
235 Clifton Avenue
973-733-7760
PERFORMER: Julie Pasqual
Wednesday, May 16, 5:30-6:15 pm
Van Buren Branch Library
140 Van Buren Street
973-733-3897
PERFORMER: Julie Pasqual
Tuesday, May 22, 10:30-11:15 am
North End Branch Library
722 Summer Avenue
973-733-7683
PERFORMER: Julie Pasqual
Friday, June 8, 10:30-11:15 am
Branch Brook Branch Library
235 Clifton Avenue
973-733-7760
PERFORMER: Julie Pasqual
The Newark Public Library’s financial education program is made possible through a $300,000 grant from the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. PNC provided the funding through its signature cause, Grow Up Great, a multi-year, $350 million initiative to enhance early childhood education and school readiness.
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