Event Connects Early Childhood Families with Hands-On Learning Activities and Community Resources
NEWARK, N.J. – Hundreds of Newark Public Schools pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students and their families gathered at the Newark Museum of Art on Thursday for the district’s 13th Annual Night at the Museum, an event designed to help families continue learning throughout the summer while exploring one of Newark’s premier cultural institutions.
Hosted by the Newark Public Schools Office of Early Childhood, the event featured interactive literacy and mathematics activities led by district leaders, along with health and community resources, family engagement opportunities, and access to the museum's exhibits.
Families received take-home resource bags containing books, sensory materials, and a guide featuring 20 educational activities, 10 literacy and 10 mathematics exercises, that parents can easily replicate at home to reinforce learning during the summer months.
“One of our goals is to ensure that our students continue to grow academically even when school is not in session,” said Superintendent León. “Night at the Museum gives families practical tools they can use at home while reinforcing the important role that parents play as their children’s first teachers. We are grateful to the Newark Museum of Art for its longstanding partnership and commitment to enriching the educational experiences of Newark's children.”
Research has shown that students can lose academic ground during the summer months when they are not engaged in educational activities. Night at the Museum helps address this challenge by providing families with resources, strategies, and hands-on learning experiences that can be continued throughout the summer. The event also encouraged families to consider museum visits and school field trips as extensions of classroom learning.
“Learning happens everywhere, not just in the classroom,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “This event demonstrates how schools, families, and community institutions can work together to create meaningful educational experiences for our children. By connecting families with both learning resources and cultural opportunities, we are helping our students build a foundation for lifelong success.”
According to Denise Cromwell, Supervisor in the Office of Early Childhood, the annual event is designed to equip families with activities and resources that help students maintain academic progress over the summer while strengthening family engagement in learning.
The district’s Office of Early Childhood invites both pre-kindergarten and kindergarten families to participate each year, making the event a longstanding tradition that supports student achievement and family involvement.
Now in its thirteenth year, Night at the Museum continues to serve as a model of collaboration between Newark Public Schools and the Newark Museum of Art, bringing together education, culture, and family engagement in support of student success.