CONTACT: Dick Burnon 201-568-2215 richardburnon@aim.

com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ENGLEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY LAUNCHES NEW, FREE, UNIQUE KIDZ CLUB. KIDZ.CAN. PROGRAM, SPOTLIGHTING A BROAD RANGE OF EVENTS FOR ENGLEWOOD AND ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS YOUNGSTERS KINDERGARTEN THROUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AS WELL; THE NEW LIBRARY LITERACY, INCENTIVE-BASED PILOT PROGRAM RUNS FROM APRIL THROUGH AUGUST ENGLEWOOD, March 26, 2013 - - The Englewood Public Library has launched a new, free, unique KIDZ CLUB.KIDZ CAN. Program, spotlighting a broad range of events for Englewood and Englewood Cliffs youngsters Kindergarten through Middle School and High School students as well. All public, private, charter, and homeschooled students are invited and welcomed to attend. The programs goals are to build the club and encourage the community of students to explore the world through literacy, improve and advance literacy skills, -more-

-2connect, teach, and enhance accessibility and create opportunities through literacy initiatives and fun interactive programs with free library resources and services for students. The Library recognizes that the community needs a place for students to be supported and encouraged. The Library looks to welcome youngsters to come use its computers or to bring their own technology. The Library provides free Wi-Fi for student gadgets. Students will have an opportunity to build this program with their input and ideas through an easy survey. Students must register for The KIDZ CLUB.KIDZ.CAN. Registration is limited per class. The Program in the Childrens Department will bring some fun reading challenges to help boost reading and create awareness of the importance of literacy. The program has Art, Music, Creativity, Writing, Character Building, Arts and crafts, which include presenters and business participants from Englewood. The program has been well received with donations from Englewood Staples, Englewood4West Diner, and Englewood Jump Up and Bounce. Although the pilot program is in its early stages, it is hoped that the program will generate enough participation and monetary contributions and/or additional gift card donations for the EPL KIDZ CLUB for fun incentives and to further expand the program to include fun S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) projects, as well as game clubs and more for students next year. High school students and parents -more-

-3are sought to volunteer for events. Here are the upcoming KIDZ CLUB events: Abrakadoodle Sundays, April 14, 28, and May 19, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Ages 5 and Up A national franchise and the top art education program in North America, recently received seven First Place Awards for Best Art Class from Nickelodeons Parent Picks Awards on ParentsConnect.com. Interpretations of famous artists worldwide and students will help design a logo for the Kidz Club program. Hey! Young World Saturdays, April 20, May 18, June 15 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Ages 7 and Up Hey! Young World uses all the traditional elements of both storytelling and hiphop music. It was created to teach children valuable lessons about friendship, family, school pride, and confidence.

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-4Arete Music Academy Mondays, Starting April 8 through June 17 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ages 4 to 6 An independent music school founded and organized by Juilliard alumni who are committed to providing a high caliber of music education, from elementary through advanced levels, to students of all ages. Provides developmentally appropriate music training for children through singing, listening, moving, storytelling with music, and other guided activities. These classes lay the groundwork for further musical study as well as a lifelong involvement in music and the arts. Arts and Crafts by Brenda Saturdays, April 6, 13, May 4, 18, June 8 and 15 12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. Ages 6 and Up Arts and crafts that include mathematical, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, arts, and lots of creativity, such as jewelry making, doll and gingerbread house, gum ball machines, tie dying, studded T-shirts, and mugs.

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-5Baby Ellington Saturdays, April 20, 27, May 11, June 1 and 22 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Ages 8 and Up Based on childrens author Sabrina Carters series of Parent-Child Relationship books. Students learn communication skills that are age appropriate and gain an understanding of proper ways to resolve disputes and social conflicts. In addition, an overview of various writing styles, along with the creative ideas of students. Digital Storytelling Dates and Times To Be Announced 8 and Up Introduction to Digital Storytelling. Video Vocabulary, Story Storming, Developing a Plan, Story Boarding, and Basic Production for youth to use digital storytelling to stand at the intersection of arts, academics, and activism, as a youth voice and learn basic digital media production. r.f.l. Club April Through August All Ages A new program area will be the Readers for Life Program, which will encourage children and parents to read books and reward their efforts through recognition. For -more-

-6example, at the Gold level (100 books or 1,000 cumulative pages), participants will get a certificate and have their names posted on the Library Wall of Recognition and the Library Website. Platinum level readers (300 books or 1,500 cumulative pages) will participate in an award ceremony with a special guest such as the Mayor and City Council. Readers for Life will encourage inter-generational reading, family reading, and greatly encourage parents to participate with their children. Free Community Informational Presentations To Educate, Empower, and Encourage Free Community Informational Presentations to educate, empower, and encourage residents, parents, and taxpayers. Guest speakers will provide information and help the community to better understand how to access important information, how to navigate the school systems, and understand how schools impact property taxes, in addition to utilize Library resources, products, and child-friendly environment for themselves, their children, and the while family. Up-to-date information on education in the local, County, and statewide areas will be provided in the Librarys Mackay Room. Heres a schedule of upcoming Community events: Education for Parents and Taxpayers Wednesday, April 3, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Curtis Caviness will discuss the local education system in words that people can understand as parents and taxpayers.

-more-7Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Jeanne Rohach Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Caf Con Leche-En Espanol Education, Community, and the Latino Voice on issues that impact the Latino community. All You Need To Know About Special Education by Myriam Alizo, Parent Group Specialist, Northeast Wednesday, May 15, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. EPL Community Learning Program High School students in Grades 11 and 12 are needed who want to volunteer to help students with homework or help with the KIDZ CLUB.KIDZ Can. Events and programming. Students make a difference in our community! Bilingual High School students are needed in Spanish and Chinese Mandarin to help tutor students and help with homework. Please register at the Library, ask for Reference Librarians Lynn Kaminski or Monica Sanchez. For further information on the KIDZ CLUB.KIDZ CAN, Community Information Presentations, or to donate or participate, please contact Interim Library Director Charlene Taylor at the Library at 201-568-2215, Ext. 227. The Englewood Public Library is located at 31 Engle Street, Englewood, NJ. # # #