United Way’s Reading Oasis comes to schools
United Way of Greater Mercer County (UWGMC) cut the ribbon on a new literacy initiative room known as Reading Oasis at the Robbins and Gregory elementary schools in December.
A Reading Oasis is a safe, inviting school location where families can enjoy reading together; learn how to make reading a habit; and have year-round access to books. Each includes more than 500 new books, beanbag chairs, colorful carpet, and literacy-themed artwork.
The two new spaces were funded by several private donations and matched by the United Way of Greater Mercer County’s endowment fund. The Center for Child and Family Achievement was a partner for the Gregory School room.
TCHS groundbreaking
In early December Governor Chris Christie joined New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) CEO Charles McKenna, elected officials, Trenton School District leaders, and students to officially break ground for the new Trenton Central High School.
The new 374,000-square-foot facility will be designed to educate 1,900 students in grades 10 through 12. The school will include five small learning communities (SLCs) and provide career technical education programs related to health sciences, culinary arts, construction, physical fitness, and automotive technology. SLCs will consist of 10 classrooms, two science labs, one art/project lab, five specialized instructional areas, a learning resource center, and support areas. The school will include a gym, auxiliary gym, swimming pool, dance studio, fitness center, weight room, cafeteria, media center, auditorium, and two ROTC classrooms.
Terminal Construction Corporation in Wood-Ridge is working with New Brunswick-based Design Ideas Group Architecture + Planning LLC on the design of the school. The Philadelphia-based Heery International Inc. is the construction manager. Plans call for the school to open in September, 2019. Estimated cost is $155.4 million.
Other projects announced by Christie include a $300 million restoration of the executive portion of the State House and plans to demolish and relocate the state’s Health and Agriculture and Taxation state office buildings and consolidate space for new private investment.
New TESU building redefines downtown
Thomas Edison State University recently opened Glen Cairn Hall, which, according to the university, redefines an important gateway to the city at West State and Calhoun streets near Route 29.
The 34,360-square-foot building is home to the University’s W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and includes new, state-of-the-art nursing simulation laboratories, lecture halls, conference rooms, and a student advising center. The building also has a two-level, 44,828-square-foot parking garage that provides secure, onsite parking for more than 90 vehicles.
The site, which was previously home to the Glen Cairn mansion in the late 19th century and the Glen Cairn Arms apartment complex, features views of the Delaware River, the Calhoun Street Bridge, and the Trenton skyline.
The project cost approximately $26.2 million, of which $12.7 million is supported by the Building Our Futures Bond Act approved by voters in 2012.
Glen Cairn Hall was designed to reflect the former mansions located along that portion of West State Street. The first floor features meeting and conference space, a two-story lounge featuring the reconstructed entrance to the former Glen Cairn Arms, and a gallery space to display inventions, artifacts, and memorabilia from Thomasa Edison. The second floor houses the nursing school. The third floor will feature meeting rooms and additional offices.
Glen Cairn Hall was designed by Clarke Caton Hintz, of Trenton, Construction manager for the project was: Joseph Jingoli & Son Inc., of Lawrenceville, and general contractor for the project was Epic of Piscataway.
Groups receive grants for women
The Princeton Area Community Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls awarded a $75,000 grant to the Millhill Child and Family Development Corporation’s PEERS Empowerment and Education Program to provide young women mentoring, leadership development, and peer education. The Henry J. Austin Health Center also received a $2,500 relationship building grant from the fund.
The foundation promotes philanthropy and builds community across Mercer County and central New Jersey. The Fund for Women and Girls is designed to help improve the lives of economically vulnerable women and girls in the region through community investment, education, and collaboration.
United Way of Greater Mercer County (UWGMC) cut the ribbon on a new literacy initiative room known as Reading Oasis at the Robbins and Gregory elementary schools in December.,
