Bright Choice

WE HAVE EXCITING NEWS TO SHARE! 📣 We are thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of our new Maplewood Library!

Save the date of Saturday, July 5 to come and experience our newly renovated and expanded building, which will once again serve as the heart of the community.

The new design ensures that our Main Library is accessible, inspiring, technologically advanced, and open to all for years to come.

Stay tuned for more details in the upcoming weeks!

If a student is struggling in math, dyscalculia could be the reason. ➗ Here are some ways to recognize signs—and strategies designed for learners with dyscalculia: https://edut.to/3YMgP5C

https://millburnlibrary.libcal.com/event/14339441

To mark our 12th anniversary and to encourage future award-winning writers, MFOB is again sponsoring a Teen Writing Contest!

➡ For all details: https://morristownbooks.org/2025-teen-writing-contest/

This year, the contest includes three writing categories: short fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. New Jersey high school students are invited to submit either a fictional short story, a poem, or a nonfiction personal narrative (maximum word count: 1,000 words).

Contest Theme: In the short fiction and poetry categories, we ask writers to respond to the prompt: Red. In some fashion, pieces should use or relate to “red” as a color, concept, name, or word. Otherwise, short fiction and poetry can be any genre or style. Meanwhile, nonfiction entries do not need to respond to the prompt, but they should be a true personal story of a single, meaningful event that led to revelation or change.

Submission Deadline: Midnight (ET), July 1, 2025.

Prizes: Three finalists will be selected in each category: three in short fiction, three in poetry, and three in nonfiction (for a total of nine finalists). Honorable mentions will be awarded at the discretion of the judges. In each category, the first-place winner will receive $300. The second-place winner will receive $200. And the third-place winner will receive $100. Any honorable mentions will be recognized and included in the Festival, but receive no prize money.

And we are grateful to our sponsors: The Gunzler Family Memorial and retired Justice Stewart Po***ck.

NJ High School Voter Registration Week ends tomorrow, April 12, but if you’re an eligible 17 or 18-year-old, you can still register to vote. And you can vote in the Primary Election on June 10 if you are 18 by then. The deadline to register to vote is May 20th.

Info Session: NJ State-Based Financial Aid
📅 Wednesday, April 9
🕖️ 7PM
📍 Zoom

Are you aware of all the free financial aid available to teens and adults, just by virtue of living in New Jersey? This virtual workshop, presented by a representative of New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), will explain in detail what aid students might be eligible for, how to navigate the application process, aid for undocumented students, and more.

Register here: https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/events-library-events-calendar/2025/4/9/new-jersey-state-based-financial-aid

You have a hunch that your child is an advanced learner but are unsure of what to do next. Testing can be one useful way to collect information—to identify your child’s academic strengths and potential areas of improvement, and to help connect them with experiences that fit their interests, skills, strengths, and weaknesses.

Join us 4/17 as CTY executive director Amy Lynne Shelton, PhD and director of research Kathryn Thompson, PhD lead a discussion about the benefits and drawbacks of standardized testing, and how to use test results to advocate and choose fulfilling experiences for your bright child.

Register for this free event: https://jhu-cty.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e4bQns75QDqlkNkoG8tl_g #/registration

View all upcoming events: https://cty.jhu.edu/who-we-are/news-events/events

Applications are now open for Bard Microcolleges!

Take advantage of these tuition-free Associate in Arts degree programs offered by Bard College in partnership with community organizations. Enjoy full-time, in-person classes, and pay nothing for tuition, books, or supplies!

Learn more and apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdN6-Pv0mkOuJLrL3G5rD6AeojOu8u0biQk2chZiFgsGNixwQ/viewform

New Yorkers 18-24 are invited to sign up for the Animation Training Program info session happening Monday at 11am: https://on.nyc.gov/4bGUADo

Through the Animation Project, trainees engage in training on industry-standard software and career readiness skill development.

Know a graduating high school senior in Essex County involved in community service? Encourage them to apply for the NCJW/Essex Eskow Volunteer Awards which recognize students for their volunteer work focused on community service or advocacy.
Check out the details at www.ncjwessex.org/eskowaward
Winners receive a $1,000 cash award. The deadline to submit applications is Tuesday, April 22, 2025. This is a non-sectarian award and all are encouraged to apply.