Winter Rec Programs are Starting

A winter recreation program that doesn’t involve getting cold starts Tuesday, Jan. 17 at Borough School in Morris Plains.

The “Kids Helping Kids Mentoring Program Winter Recreation Classes” is in its fifth year training Third through eighth grade children to be mentors to "little buddies”  in special recreation programs for kids with special needs, their siblings and friends. 

“Kids Helping Kids” offers a wide range of classes such as Lego Fun, Let's Get Messy Sensory Play, Chess Basics, Track Basics, Crafts, Art, Music - Movement & Fun, Recess Games, Kickball, The Magic of Reading and The Creative World of Writing. 

The two programs starting currently are The Magic of Reading and The Creative World of Writing.

The 10 sessions of The Magic of Reading run twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Readers at the K through four level who are struggling or reluctant or who want to build skills may sign up for either 3:15 to 4 or 4:15 to 5 p.m. The classes are taught by certified teachers working in the borough system and supported by mentors in grades four and up.

The curriculum includes guided reading, read alouds, partner scripts, fun activities, reading games and comprehension. Cost is $125.

The Creative World of Writing fruns Fridays in the borough School Library. This is a four-week class that, each week, takes children from a brainstorming session to a completed story on paper.

According to the program flyer, the focus is on the development of creative storytelling. This is for children in grades one through four. It is taught by Monica Percoraro, a third grade teacher in the borough and supported by mentors in grade four and up.

Classes run on Fridays, Jan. 20 and 27 and Feb. 3 and 10 from 3:15 to 4 p.m. Cost is $40 for four classes.

To register, visit www.morrisplainsbor.org for the registration forms and more information on all of the classes.