Education Fair In Jersey City

Education Fair In Jersey City by JCFamilies

Now that we’ve officially entered October, we call breathe a sigh of relief that the school started without a hitch. (At least not one that shut us down.) Routines set, at least for now, we can reflect on that pile of papers, folders, and pamphlets we collected at the JCFamilies Education Fair. (SO GLAD I didn’t have to do all that research on my own.) But first – the magic.

Education Fair In Jersey City

I hadn’t seen a magician since I was a kid, so when I saw the line up, I invited the neighbor’s kid to join me and my two. (He likes witches; I figured this was up his alley. It was.) To say that they (boys, ages 3 & 4) were mesmerized would be inaccurate; mesmerized is quiet. In fact, my crew was so excited that their little bodies looked like popping corn or tiny fireworks. None of the kids could sit still. Their animated sense of delight put me into that rare mental space that boasts “See? This is why people have kids.” Suffice it to say that hiring a magician for an event, or better – sending kids to magic school – is now on my list.

I did know before I arrived that lots of schools (public, private, charter, and early learning centers) would be represented, but I was shocked to see how many educational services and resources were also in attendance. We talked to summer camp directors who showed us photos of happy swimmers and informed us about busing options. We galloped on imaginary horses with the chess school and shook hands with math and science program representatives. We high-fived a penguin and took a selfie with Pete the Cat. My entire crew had a turn with the lacrosse sticks (I’m sure there’s a term for what they were doing) and they got Halloween stickers from Hudson County Community College. I took home folders about savings accounts for kids. I was glad I brought a bag – I picked up lots of information from of different people.

Education Fair In Jersey City

Of course we had to go to the playground before we left (even though one or more of my crew was getting nap-time cranky) because Hamilton Park is awesome, so I sat on the rock wall while the kids ran around. I watched the fair buzz with, I dunno, thousands? of families strolling from table to table, casually collecting options for their kids who are lucky enough to live in what must be the greatest city in the whole of America. It was amazing to watch.

And then I saw the JCFamilies table, where the team was handing out paper copies of their fresh-off-the-press Education Guide. I couldn’t hold back the hug – my kids were happy. I also felt empowered. The Education Fair was a real awakening to the exceptional amount of options that exist for our kids so close to home. Options that never would have occurred to me. Like lacrosse. Magic.

Check the list of Schools, Daycares and Activity Centers that participated:

Education Fair In Jersey City