earning to swim at 2 or even younger? Taking up chess or the piano at 4, cooking at 2, learning to trip the light fantastic as a toddler, “Parlez-vous Français?” for tots — and more. It seems the younger, the better, these days! Indeed, the opportunities for the youngest among us to participate in activities of almost every kind abound, and more and more often, kids are taking part in an ever-widening range of popular pastimes. Of course, options increase once the children enter school, but the number of choices available for preschoolers continues to expand. No Exception The Princeton area is no exception, with opportunities in all areas for kids of all ages. For girls and boys who like to dance, The Dance Corner in West Windsor offers a variety of dance, from ballet to tap and hip hop, as well as tumbling.
“ We h av e T i n y To t s (Mommy and Me) programs for children as young as 18 months to 2½ years,” says Director Amy DeCesare. At 3 and 4, they can also participate in Kindersteps and Creative Movement for boys and girls, and from ages 3 to 5, in Tiny Tumblers. I n add it ion to le ar n ing specific new dance or tumbling skills, The Dance Corner programs offer many other benefits, points out DeCesare. “The children learn to share, to take turns, to take instruction from another adult, and dance increases their motor skills and coordination.” Par ticipating in the classes and learning to dance has long-range consequences, she adds. “Our teachers and staff influence our students’ future far beyond just what we will observe in our classrooms and in our public performances. We must strive to assure that while we are building a passion for dance, we are also
building self-esteem and confidence in all of our dancers. That is our primary objective. Whatever the aspiration of the student, we strive to teach in a positive and nurturing environment.” Shared Experiences In addition, she points out the opportunities for making new friends. “The Dance Corner community c ro s s e s m u n i cip a l a n d school district borders, allowing our dancers to build lasting friendships with like-minded peers. Through these shared experiences with others, our students develop confidence, maturity, and independence.” Each June, an annual recital is held with optional student participation. “This is a very low key, positive, fun-fllled experience for the dancers,” says D eCes are. “Ins t r uc tors Miss Roni, Miss Amy, and the teaching staff are on stage to help guide younger students through their routines, if needed.”
In addition, The Dance Corner offers birthday parties for the children and a summer program. Being part of the community is an important part of their concept points out DeCesare. The students often per for m at f u ndraising events and share their talents at senior centers and nursing homes. In its 17 years of operation, The Dance Corner has introduced the pleasures of dance to thousands of students, from the ver y youngest to mature adults. Many of the students have prog res s ed f rom “Tiny Tots” to become accomplished dancers. Both students and their parents are enthusiastic about The Dance Corner. “Knowing nothing about dance, I walked into The Dance Corner seven years ago with twin 3-year-olds and a toddler,” notes an area parent. “Today, we are proud members of The Dance Corner Family — from set moving and backstage fun during the shows to the waiting room full of parents who have become friends. “Moreover, the small shy
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25 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2018
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FREE DANCE CLASSES FREE DANCE CLASSES Fall House FREE DANCE CLASSES FallOpen Open House TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2018 • 26
Sat. August 26 25 Sat. August 26 Sat. August FREE DANCE CLASSES FREE DANCE CLASSES Free Dance Class 10am 12pm FREE DANCE CLASSES FREE DANCE CLASSES ee Dance Class Free Dance 10am –-Class 12pm
Extracurricular Activity Continued from Preceding Page
children that started out in Story Time and Tiny Tot Ballet are becoming aweFREE DANCE CLASSES some, fantastic, super, fabulous ballerina, tapper, jazz dancers. I am so proud FREE DANCE CLASSES to be part of such a wonderful studio.” Confidence Boost Another parent reported on t he conf idence T he Dance Corner had instilled Sat. August 26 in her son. “The Dance 25 Sat. August 26 Sat. August Corner has changed my 10am –- 12pm 10am 12pm son for the better, and I 10am - 12pm say this with all my heart. He started dancing at The Princeton Dance &Theater Theater StudioDance Corner when he Princeton Dance & Studio was 3½ years old. During Princeton Dance & Theater Studio 116 Rockingham Row this time of his life, he was 116 Rockingham Row 116 Rockingham Row very hesitant to be around Forrestal Village, Princeton Forrestal Village, Princeton Sample classes for all ages strangers. He also had to Sample forallall ages Princeton Forrestal Village, Sample classes classes for ages attend a special education Ballet and and Hop inin Ballet andHip Hip Hop in Ballet Hip Hop preschool with a one-toTrial Classes Trial in Modern, Tap and Jazz will be offered classes in Modern, Tap and Jazz one aide because he was Princeton Dance & Theater Studio Trial classes induring Modern, Tap and 9/8 Jazz Princeton Dance &&Theater Studio willDance be offered the first week of – 9/14 Princeton Theater Studio during the first week of classes, not able to function in a 116 Rockingham Row 116be Rockingham Row will offered during 116 Rockingham Row classes, 9/8 -the 9/14first week of regular education class. Forrestal Village, Princeton Forrestal Village, Princeton Forrestal Village,classes, Princeton 9/8 - 9/14 “During this time, howTrial Classes in Modern, Tap and Jazz will be offered Trial classes in Modern, Tap and Jazz ever, he was able to atSample classes for all ages Schedule and Registration Trial classes induring Modern, Tap and Jazz will be offered first week of – 9/14 online at during the first week of the classes, 9/8 tend his dance class. His be offered during classes, 9/8 -the 9/14first week of inwillBallet and Hip Hop at Schedule and Registration online at teacher, Miss Amy, was classes, 9/8 - 9/14 Schedule and Registration online Sample classes for all ages Sample classes for all as sweet as could be, and Schedule Registration online atages PDT proudlywww.PrincetonDance.com includes theandAMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® made classes fun, exciting, Schedule andand Registration online at www.PrincetonDance.com in Ballet Hip Hop Princeton Dance & Theater Studio in Ballet and Hip Hop 609-514-1600 Princeton Dance &&Theater National Training Curriculum, consisting of aStudio comprehensive set of and very positive for him. Princeton Dance Theater Studio www.PrincetonDance.com Sample classes forRow all ages studiomanager@princetondance.com 609-514-1600 609-514-1600 116 Rockingham Row age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest In the years to follow, he 116 Rockingham ceton Dance &Theater Theater Studio 609-514-1600 studiomanager@princetondance.com Princeton Dance &Theater Theater Studio 116 Rockingham Row studiomanager@princetondance.com Princeton Dance & Studio 609-514-1600 Princeton Dance & Studio was able to begin attending in Ballet and Hip Hop Forrestal Village, Princeton Princeton Dance & Theater Studio Princeton Dance & Theater Studio Princeton Dance & Theater Studio quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels. Forrestal Village, Princeton studiomanager@princetondance.com studiomanager@princetondance.com Princeton Dance &&Theater 116 Rockingham RowStudio 116 Rockingham Row regular education classes, Princeton Dance Theater Studio 116 Rockingham Row Forrestal Village, Princeton 116 Rockingham Row 116 Rockingham Row 116 Rockingham Row 116 Rockingham Row Forrestal Village, Princeton and at the age of 7, he 116 Rockingham Row Forrestal Village, Princeton Forrestal Village, Princeton Princeton Dance &Theater Theater Studio Forrestal Village,Forrestal Princeton 116 Rockingham Row Forrestal Village, Princeton Trial Classes in Modern, Tap and Jazz will be offered went on to perform solo Trial classes in Modern, Tap and Jazz Princeton Dance & Studio Village, Princeton Forrestal Village, Princeton Princeton Dance & Theater Studio Forrestal Village, Princeton Trial classes in Modern, Tap and Jazz jazz dance in competition, 116 Rockingham Row will be offered during the first week of Forrestal Village, Princeton during theTrial of and classes, 9/8be – offered 9/14 116week Rockingham Row Trial Classes infirst Modern, Tap Jazz will classes in Modern, Tap and Jazz 116 Rockingham Row where he won first place. be offered during the first week of s Trial in Modern, Tapwilland Jazz will be offered classes, 9/8 9/14 classes in during Modern, Tap and Jazz Trial classes in Modern, Tap and Jazz Forrestal Village, Princeton willForrestal be offered during the first week9/8 of – 9/14 the first week of classes, Village, Princeton Trial Classes in Modern, Tap Jazz willatbe offered He is now 9, a straight A Trial classes in Modern, Tap Jazz Trial classes induring Modern, Tap and Jazz Village, Princeton willForrestal be offered during firstand week of classes, 9/8 -and 9/14 will be offered the first week of Schedule and Registration online classes, 9/8 -the 9/14 the first week ofTrial classes, 9/8 – 9/14 student, and into his secclasses in Registration Modern, Tap and Jazz will be offered first week ofat – 9/14 classes, -classes, 9/14 will be offered during first week of9/8 Schedule and online classes, 9/8 -the 9/14 during the first week of the Schedule andduring Registration online at 9/8 ond year on The Dance Trial Classes in Modern, Tap and Jazz will be offered Trial classes in Modern, Tap and Jazz will- be offered firstatweek of classes, 9/8 -the 9/14 Schedule andduring Registration online Corner Competition Team classes, 9/8 9/14 Trial classes induring Modern, Tap and 9/8 Jazz Schedule and Registration online atof – 9/14 will be offered the first week during the first week of classes, for tap and jazz. The boost classes, 9/8 9/14 Schedule and Registration online at Schedule and Registration at during willwww.PrincetonDance.com beonline offered classes, 9/8 -the 9/14first week of in confidence that he has Schedule and Registration online at 609-514-1600 classes, 9/8 9/14 Schedule and Registration online at received since being a stuSchedule and Registration online at 609-514-1600 609-514-1600 studiomanager@princetondance.com dent at The Dance Corner Schedule and Registration online at studiomanager@princetondance.com Schedule and Registration online at 609-514-1600 studiomanager@princetondance.com 609-514-1600 has brought many rewards
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to him, personally and scholastically.” Adds Amy DeCesare, “I think in this day and age, some parents focus primarily on the education of their children and forget about the benefits of social interaction and movement. Dance is an enjoyable activity for the mind
and body at any age.” Special Olympics Special Olympics is a unique organization that has changed the lives of t h o u s a n d s of c h i l d r e n and adults, who have special challenges that may have previously prevented them from participating in Continued on Next Page
Fall Open Open House Fall House Fall Open House Fall Openclasses House Fall Open House Sample for all ages Fall Open House Fall Open House Sample classes for all ages Sample classes for all ages Fall Open House all Open House Sat. August 26 Fall Open House Fall Open House Sat. August 26 25 Sat. August in Ballet and Hip Hop in Ballet and Hip Hop Fall Open House in Ballet and Hip Hop Sat. August 26 Sat. August 26 25 Sat. August Fall Open House 10am 12pm Sat. August 26 Sat. August 25 Fall Open House 10am – 12pm Fall Open House Sat. August 26 10am 12pm 10am 12pm Fall Open House Open House 10am Sat. August 26 10am – 12pm Fall Open House 10am Fall - 12pm 10am –- 12pm 12pm 25 Sat. August Sat. August 26
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Schedule andfor Registration Sample classes agesonline at Sample classes for allall ages mple classes for all ages www.PrincetonDance.com Sample for all ages in Ballet and Hip Hop in Ballet and Hip Hop Sample classes classes for all ages Sample classes for all ages Sample classes for all ages www.PrincetonDance.com Sample for all ages Sample classes classes for all ages Ballet and and Hop inin Ballet andHip Hip Hop n Ballet Hip Hop www.PrincetonDance.com and Hip Hop Ballet and Hip Hop ininBallet Ballet and609-514-1600 Hip Hop inin Ballet and Hip Hop Sample classes for all ages
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sports and other activities. A global movement, Special Olympics reaches 5.7 million Special Olympics athletes and Unified Sports teams in 172 countries. According to its mission statement, Special Olympics “provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giv ing them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, exper ience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their fam ilies, ot her Special Olympics athletes, and the community.”
Established 50 years ago by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, it serves athletes with intellectual disabilities. According to the Special Olympics definition,“Intellectual disability is a term used to describe a disability characterized by certain limitations in cognitive functioning and skills. These limitations can affect an individual’s communication, social, and self-care skills, and can vary widely from person to person. Intellectual disability is the most common developmental disability.” Physical Challenges To be eligible to participate in Special Olympics sports, athletes must be at least 8-years-old and identified by an agency or professional as having
one of the following conditions: ”intellectual disability; cognitive delay as determined by standard measures such as intellectual quotient ( IQ ) or other accepted measures; or closely related developmental disability.” Jeremy Davis, director of marketing and communications at Special Olympics New Jersey adds that a certain flexibility is available regarding the type of disability. “We see athletes who have physical challenges as well. We create various divisions based on athlete skill level, and we do have divisions for those athletes who need assistance to per for m some physical movements. We make every effort to be as Continued on Next Page
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Extracurricular Activity
TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2018 • 28
Extracurricular Activity Continued from Preceding Page
inclusive as possible.” Special Olympics New Jersey began formal programming in 1969, and currently serves more than 24,000 athletes throughout the state. All programs are free to registered athletes, including insurance, facilities, equipment, uniforms, housing, and meals for events, awards, sports, education, and more. In addition, the organization offers free programs and activities at the Special Olympics New Jersey Sports Complex in Lawrenceville.
All ages have the opportunity to participate in Special Olympics New Jersey, explains Dav is. “Young athletes is a program for 2- to 7-year-olds, and is an inclusive sports play program that prepares them for future par ticipation in sports while improving gross motor, social, and cognitive skills. It’s play with a purpose!” “Athletes must be 8 years old to begin participation at the competition level. Such spor ts as cycling, flag football, soccer, basketball, bowling, softball, g y m nast ics, sw im m ing, tennis, track and field, skiing, and ice skating are
just some of those available.” Young Ages The benefits of participating at young ages are many, points out Davis. “Athletes not only begin learning sports skills, but we also focus on the overall health of our athletes, and incorporate social as well as leadership skills.” Both team and individual sports offer opportunities for such skills, he continues. “While individual sports allow athletes to focus on their own abilities as they relate to the skills necessary to play certain sports, team sports allow athletes to be a part of the Continued on Next Page
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team and learn how to interact with other athletes not only to achieve a goal but to create lasting friendships. “All the individuals who p a r t i c i p a te i n S p e c i a l Olympics take away something different. Whether it be social or learning new skills, we incorporate a sense of pride while always striving to have fun.” Special Olympics New Jersey has many different divisions, he adds, some co-ed, others exclusively male or female. The programs are dedicated to bringing pride into the lives of all involved. “Every day, we make a difference in the lives of
our athletes, families, and the communities in which they live.” As its mission statement reports, “Not only is training and competition provided in 24 spor ts, but S p e cia l Oly mpi c s Ne w Jersey also offers health, wellness, athletic leadership, and unified programs initiatives. Through sports training and competition, people with intellectual disabilities benefit physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually; families ar e s t r e n g t h e n e d, a n d the community-at-large, through participation and observation, is united in understanding individuals with intellectual disabilities in an environment of e q u a l i t y, r e s p e c t , a n d acceptance.”
Don’t Forget The Fun In an increasingly structured environment for children today, whatever their age, experts say it is important that they can still have fun and be able to enjoy their activity or sport in a non-stressful setting. W h ile lear n ing to do their best and developing pride in their accomplishments, they should not be over-programmed. As one mother remarked, “It is important for children to play, to run around, and feel free. We must balance the structure with a sense of freedom that encourages creativity, self-expression, and resourcefulness — all the while having fun!” —Jean Stratton
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Benefits of Later Start Time for High Schools Are Recognized by More School Systems
Late to school again. Poor attention and concentration. Actually falling asleep in class. he above are daily occurrences experienced by many American high school students. The early start in numerous schools across the country — some as early as 7 a.m. — are a problem for many teens, who typically are not alert and ready to function at a high level in the very early morning. “As a consequence of puberty, teenagers are biologically driven to have later sleep and wake-up times than younger children,” reports the Society of Behavioral Medicine. When students do not get enough sleep, it can have a long-term impact on their health, notes The California Academy of Sciences. Citing a poll by the National Sleep Foundation reporting that
T
28 percent of teenagers have fallen asleep in class at least once due to a lack of sleep, it notes, “Negative effects of sleep loss include impairments in mood, attention, memory, behavior, and executive function. In addition, a lack of sleep may lead to an increase in caffeine use to counter the effects of drowsiness. Finally, this study found that sleep-deprived teens are at a higher risk of car accidents.” Scientific Studies Adds the Society of Behavioral Medicine, “Most middle and high schools in the United States start well before 8:30 a.m., which is too early to accommodate this shift in sleep patterns, and contributes to a nation of chronically sleepdeprived students. Inadequate sleep results in compromised physical health, emotional and behavioral problems, and reduced ability to perform and learn.”
Research, including many scientific studies, has shown that a later morning school start is important. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, The American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association have recommended that middle and high schools start classes at 8:30 a.m. According to the Society of Behavioral Medicine, however, only about 15 percent of U.S. public high schools start at 8:30 or later. For decades, starting school after 8:30 has been the standard in many countries, such as Finland, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and England, “all of which outperform the U.S. in international student achievement tests,” according to studies cited by the Society of Behavioral Medicine. In addition, the organization points out that out of 50 countries, American children ranked worst regarding
sleep deprivation. In response to these sleeprelated problems and to the recommendations of the various medical organizations, Princeton area schools have been adjusting the start time for high school students. In September, Princeton High School will begin classes at 8:20 a.m., which is 30 minutes later than in previous years. Classes will now end at 3:21 in the afternoon. Later Start “I am very proud of our district’s commitment to healthy, high-level learning for students, which was the impetus for making the shift to a later start time,” says Princeton Public Schools Superintendent Steve Cochrane. “The science is clear. Aligning the schedule of our building with the biology of our students’ brains improves learning. Adolescent brains are different. Adolescents don’t fall asleep before 10:45 p.m., and their brains don’t come out of sleep mode until after 8 a.m. Shifting to a later start time allows them to be
learning at a time when their brains are more fully awake. The benefits are in the areas of physical and emotional wellness. The research also supports improved learning, improved attendance, and a reduction in car accidents. “Shifting to a later start time also improves physical and emotional wellness,” he continues. “We learned last year in a survey of our high school students that they were getting an average of only six to six and a half hours of sleep a night. The CDC (Centers For Disease Control) and the American Association of Pediatrics recommend eight to 10 hours. This chronic sleep loss negatively affects our students’ minds, bodies, and emotions. When schools shift to a later start time, adolescents still go to bed at the same time, but they get up later, and they get more sleep.” Cochrane expects the students to be pleased with the new time schedule. “I believe almost all adolescents welcome the opportunity to sleep a bit longer, and our students
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are no exception. They will like the later start to the day. I can’t say that all of them will immediately embrace the corresponding later end to the day, particularly those with extensive after-school activities. There will be an adjustment as we condense our athletic practices, for example, and continue to make reductions in the amount of homework. “While there may not be negatives, there are challenges associated with moving to a later start time. One challenge is the cost of transportation. Moving to a later start time meant that we could no longer use the same buses and drivers to transport both our high school and elementary students. We incurred an increased cost to add more bus routes. Fortunately, we were able to recoup those costs by using our own drivers and buses for other routes that were previously outsourced to contractors. “Another challenge is with athletics,” he adds. “While we would welcome other high schools moving to a later start and end time, currently other schools are dismissing earlier. We have worked with the athletic directors for the other high schools we play to ensure games are scheduled later. We have very much appreciated their cooperation.” Sleep Deprivation Solebury School, an independent co-ed boarding and day school (grades eight through 12) has embraced a later start time since 2016. “We launched a new daily schedule to address teen sleep deprivation and to reduce stress,” says Solebury Director of Marketing Holly Victor. “As recommended by the American Association of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the Centers for Disease Control, classes at Solebury begin at 8:30 a.m. four days a week. On Wednesdays, classes start at 9 a.m. A growing body of research has shown that teenagers are chronically sleep-deprived, due to circadian rhythms that biologically keep them up later at night and put them at a disadvantage first thing in the morning.” Schools with a later start time are seeing positive results, with happier, well-rested students, who arrive at school ready to face the day, adds Victor. “In a survey last year of Solebury students, almost 75 percent report being able to sleep later and/or eat breakfast more often than last year. Over half say that they feel less stress.” “We instituted the new schedule because we felt it was the right thing to do for the mental and physical health of our students,” notes Director of Studies Rick Tony. “Now we are seeing the results. Not only do our students benefit from the later start time, but we also reduced the number of classes per day so that homework loads are more manageable, Continued on Next Page
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and class discussions can dive deeper into the subject. “Each class meets for 90 minutes, during which teachers can mix and match activities, conduct experiments, and give students the time they need to digest material. In conjunction with the later start time, this
has significantly eased the stress on our students while maintaining academic rigor.” By all accounts, the change in start time has been a positive experience at Solebury despite some accompanying adjustments. For example, transportation can create difficulties, points out Holly Victor. “Bussing can be a chal-
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lenge, as many Solebury students rely on public school bus transportation, which runs on an early schedule. However, Solebury offers breakfast, starting at 7:30 a.m., so students who need to arrive early can have a hot meal, and get a head start on their day. Many students enjoy this time to catch up with classmates and teachers, or put the finishing touches on a paper.” Overall, reports of schools embarking on the later start indicate that the benefits to good health, general wellbeing, improved attendance, and academic achievement have outweighed later end of the day times and challenges to sports, extra-curricular activities, and transportation. As Cochrane notes, “A 2017 Brookings Institution report summarized it up nicely: ‘There are few “quick wins” in education when it comes to boosting learning at very low cost, but paying attention to and scheduling school start times in line with human biology is one of them.’” “We are focused on many other ways of enhancing the learning and lowering the stress levels of our students, but the shift to a later start time is a proven and important one.” —Jean Stratton
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