DANIELLE MILLER / ‘Harry Potter’ rehearsals There’s a school district in North Jersey that has a theater program so magical it was granted a wish no one else in the U.S. has: to produce a version of a “Harry Potter” stage play. Hoboken Public Schools was chosen from Broadway Licensing Global (BLG) to be the North American World Premiere of “Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.” “We are a pilot production helping BLG see what works or needs to be adjusted within the script,” Danielle Miller, Fine & Performing Arts supervisor for Hoboken, tells New Jersey Family. “Many students and production ..read more

istockphoto.com/ Drazen Zigic One of the many things that makes us New Jersey proud will always be our schools. U.S. News World & Report just released its rankings of the top schools in each state and across the country, and 50 of NJ’s schools placed in the top 1,000. The schools are ranked based on college readiness (30 percent), state assessment proficiency (20 percent), state assessment performance (20 percent), underserved student performance (20 percent), college curriculum breadth (10 percent) and graduation rate (10 percent). New Jersey has more than 444,000 students enrolled i ..read more

ISTOCK.COM / EDUARD FIGUERES It’s report card time – not for your kids, but for the state’s educational system. The New Jersey Department of Education released its New Jersey School Performance Report for 2022-23 this week. The top 30 schools in New Jersey, which include both public and charter schools, all have an A+ ranking and a score of 98 or higher. There are a mix of public and private; elementary, middle and high; charter and vocational; and northern, central and southern schools on the list. The data evaluates – where applicable – enrollment, pre-K and kindergarten trends; student grow ..read more

©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM / QUIQUE OLIVAR GOMEZ It’s hard to imagine sending your baby to daycare or preschool for the first time. Deciding where to go is a big decision. What type of environment will be best for them? How will they deal with the separation—and how will you? Here, experts share advice on how to find your child’s happy place. DAYCARE VS. PRESCHOOL For starters, it’s important to know what type of setting you prefer for your child. Daycare can start for kids as young as 6 weeks old, while a traditional preschool setting is for 3- to 5-year-olds. Daycare is typically a full-day, but many ..read more

STAFF PHOTO From the outside, the Rutgers Geology Museum looks like most of the buildings on the College Avenue campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick. But once you step inside, a world of prehistoric treasures awaits. STAFF PHOTO The museum offers a variety of exhibits, collections, public lectures and tours – and it’s all free. We had a chance to visit during a recent Late Night at the Museum, which is held on the first Thursday of the month to coincide with SparkNights at the Zimmerli Art Museum. There are activity stations and events related to a specific theme, which happened to be ..read more

In the burgeoning era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the skills that distinguish humans from machines are becoming increasingly valuable. Among these, the ability to debate and engage in public speaking stands out as a cornerstone for success in a future dominated by AI. That’s why it’s so important for kids to nurture these skills, which will help prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of an AI-driven world. Communication: Bridging AI and Humanity In an economy increasingly reliant on AI for data crunching and research, the ability to effectively communicate complex information ..read more

THE INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM / Girls in Science & Engineering Day Have a girl who loves all things STEM?  To celebrate women in science, technology, engineering and math, the Intrepid Museum in New York City will host its 10th Annual Girls in Science and Engineering Day and it’s free to attend. THE INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM / Girls in Science & Engineering Day The day will include hands-on experiences, demos and discussions led by experts from the Intrepid Museum, NASA Goddard, Cooper Union, the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees and ..read more

STAFF PHOTO Whether you’ve lived in New Jersey all your life or moved here recently, there’s a place where you can find lots of history that will deepen your Garden State pride. STAFF PHOTO The New Jersey State Museum has four floors of exhibits, artwork, sculptures and real-life objects that show off everything New Jersey has to offer, starting with the prehistoric age and going right up to modern-day life. STAFF PHOTO When you walk into the museum you’ll immediately notice the newest exhibit on the ground floor, “Discovering Grant Castner: The Lost Archive of a New Jersey Photographer.” This ..read more

EAST WINDSOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT From “The Cat in the Hat” to “Horton Hears A Who,” there’s nothing like reading a Dr. Seuss classic to our kids. To celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday, libraries and local organizations are holding read-athons and storytimes for kids. There’s even a special event where you can meet The Cat in the Hat while reading to cats! (see March 2). The New Jersey Education Association has lots of Read Across America inspo, including book recommendations and a 100-book challenge you can take part in all year through Read Across New Jersey. February 29 Read Across America Bo ..read more

©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ EMHOLK Summer is a time to experience the fun of camp, but how do you know if your preschooler is ready? Camp registration can start as early as the fall for the following summer, so it’s important to start your research early. We asked experts from camps around New Jersey for tips on how to find the right summer home for your preschooler. SIGNS YOUR CHILD IS READY Camp can be similar to starting preschool, says Jessie Tredinnick, owner and director of Harbor Haven in Scotch Plains. Your child should have some key skills developed before you consider sending them on their own ..read more