FRC's Turn Off The TV Night

About 240 students came out last Friday for the Family Resource Center’s annual Turn Off The TV Night.

“It was a great turnout and everything went smoothly,” said RoseAnn Mercado  of the FRC. “We wanted them to turn off the TV and to know who our enrichment instructors are. We added in a stranger safety program this year.”

Hosted by a police officer and Elementary Assistant Principal Anne Chen, Stranger Safety was a program that all students had to attend. Students then could choose two other activities from a list of 12. Some of the activities were led by enrichment instructors. Enrichment are afterschool classes through the FRC that starts in October.

• Clay – Young at Art
• Hip Hop – Dance Central
• Bingo – Principals Barbara Auriemma and Betsy Smith
• Multi-sports – Mr. Pawlyk
• Tennis – Tennis Time
• Golf – Total Golf Adventure
• Karate – Dragon’s Den MMA
• Legos – Challenger Center
• Art – Ms. Q & Ms. Tidd
• Music – Music Start
• Magic – Hobby Quest
• Aviation – Hobby Quest

“This is one of the most important nights that we have because it really encourages parents and children to spend some quality time doing the simple things in life instead of all electronics, TV and everything else that people get involved in,” said Highview Principal Barbara Auriemma. “I love that it’s in the fall because it sets a good pace for the beginning of the school year.”

“It’s fun. The police thing was informative. It’s good to know about different things in the community. I work so much so it’s also good for me to come and know what’s going on,” said Father David Casey. His second-grade son Dylan picked magic and karate as his two activities. “He likes magic and karate. He got a Chinese wallet and this (the karate activity) is good discipline, which is why I want him to do it. Plus he wants to learn”

All instructors volunteered their time to come out for this event. Karate was led by Allan Bernstein of Dragon’s Den MMA, who has been at the Turn Off The TV events each year since it began.

“This is a great event,” said Bernstein. “It’s great for families to come out and experience new things. This is also a great way for us to come out and meet the community and give back to the schools.

“This is great,” said Nanuet Mother Vicky Hardwick, who has a third grader and kindergartener. “He’s so excited to participate. It’s great to get out of the house on Friday evening. The older kids are mixing and playing well with the younger ones.”

It’s been good and informative,” said Carlo Gwardschaladse, whose daughter Abigail is a second grader and picked Clay and Tennis. “We found (stranger safety) informative and useful. We’re going to use some of the ideas they gave us for our own family.”

“It’s our second time coming to this,” said Colette Taussi. “They (the children) enjoy it very much. It’s very nice.” Her kids picked Bingo and Hip Hop.