The Robbinsville Public School District will hold its Tenth Annual Night Off on Thursday, March 6.
The Night Off event, spearheaded by Pond Road Middle School Assistant Principal Tawrye A. Mason, encourages family time and fosters community spirit.
Students won’t receive any homework during the Night Off, and all regular after-school activities will be cancelled.
Instead, students, their families and the entire community will enjoy events hosted by the schools along with such entities as the Mercer County Public Library, the Robbinsville Fire Department and the Robbinsville Police Department.
Local restaurants will also offer discounts to encourage residents to get out on a winter night and enjoy all the camaraderie.
The tradition began in 2015 when Mason noticed her school’s students and her own children spent exorbitant amounts of time consumed by homework, after school activities, and of course, smartphones.
She envisioned a special night where students and their families could unplug from the fast pace of daily life.
She approached the late Robbinsville Schools Superintendent Dr. Steve Mayer about dedicating an evening during the first week of March, the buffer week between winter and spring sports, to slowing down and enjoying uninterrupted time with family and friends.
Night Off first came to life in a newsletter sent to the Robbinsville Schools community, encouraging everyone to take the night to focus on spending time with loved ones. Over the years, it has grown into an eagerly-anticipated, township-wide celebration.
“Night Off goes well beyond just the schools,” Mason said. “It is a community-wide celebration of the amazing town we have and all the great people who live here. Its growth is a testament to the family and community values Robbinsville is built upon.”
One of the featured events for this year’s Night Off is “kids in the kitchen” at the Mercer County Public Library, Robbinsville Branch at 42 Robbinsville Allentown Rd, where children can make tasty treats and read stories.
Other events include a township-run scavenger hunt and a pickleball tournament at Pickle House, 153 W Manor Way.
The police department will host a K-9 demonstration, drone demonstration and a mock crime scene at the department headquarters at 1117 US-130.
Students and their families are also invited to the fire department at 1149 US-130 for department tours, fire safety walkthroughs, chances to see firetrucks up close and to chat with firefighters.
“I am pleased to see Robbinsville’s enthusiasm towards such a community-oriented event, and appreciate the many volunteers who make it all possible,” said Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Pizzo, who joined the district on Jan. 1.
“I am looking forward to taking an active part in this year’s Night Off and getting to experience this beloved staple,” Pizzo said.
For more details, visit Robbinsville Night Off.
Students work on crafts and other activities at a past Robbinsville Night Off event.,
