The Robbinsville Public School District celebrated its ninth annual Night Off on March 6.
The event began as an initiative created by the late Superintendent Steven Mayer and Tawrye Mason, assistant Principal of Pond Road Middle School.
The two were brainstorming innovative ways to bring Robbinsville families and the community together on a random weekday night. Thus, Robbinsville Night Off was born.
“Quality time with family is everything,” said Mason, Robbinsville Night Off lead. “We thought of having a night where there’s no homework. Families have enough time to come home, be together and do something fun.”
The event is a partnership between the district, police department, fire department and the township, with activities offered from each,
Besides the strict “No Homework” rule, the district of about 3,000 students also did not schedule after-school activities, including athletics. The township also cleared its schedule for the evening, enabling all to focus on the big event.
Some of the most popular activities included: the “Goose Chase,” a town-wide scavenger hunt; the police department’s mock crime scene; police station tours; K-9 demonstrations; and “Come Paint with Superintendent Betze.”
The majority of activities were free, and dinners at participating restaurants —Massimo’s, PJ’s Pancake House and Mannino’s 3—offered a discount.
Mason said she enjoys the annual activity in which Superintendent Brian Betze to shows off his artistic side. “The students and parents get to see our superintendent in a very different light, and that is always fun to see,” Mason said.
Some activities were of a drop-in variety at set times—such as the scavenger hunt, fire and police departments station tours, fire department vehicle/rescue, and Robbinsville Hydroponic Farm tour. Others required registration, Mason said. These included “Painting with the Superintendent,” “Sand Art Craft,” “Forever Hart Fit,” “Kindness Rocks,” “Fairy Hair Fun,” and “Kids in the Kitchen.”
Two activities also offered donation opportunities. The “Share the Love Essential Items Drive” collected essentials for Mercer County children in need.
“Project Linus” involved a craft project in which families could make fleece-tied blankets to give to children in need. Registration is required; pre-cut materials are $10.
Mason said that this year organizers added a list of suggestions for families who wanted a “night in” and to not spend any money, such as making dinner, playing a board game, watching a movie and having a family dance party.
“Seeing everyone come out, share this night together and do something meaningful and supportive of our community is important,” Mason said. “I love that kids can have a night off, not rushing to every event, every practice. I have my own kids—I know what it is like.”
She said that Robbinsville Night Off isn’t only loved for the no homework component. Students, along with their parents, community members and businesses, also look forward to the annual event to foster family time and community involvement.
“I get emails from parents that say, ‘Thank you for the night that I got to spend with my kids’,” Mason said. “And how important it is for their families. We have kids talking about it. And businesses say that it does bring in business, so, it makes them happy to participate. It does really make me happy to see this event every year and I hope everyone enjoys it again!”
