A large crowd of visitors admired an array of art created by students in grades K through 8 at Sickles and Knollwood Schools at the April 25 Fair Haven School District Art Show.
The event was organized by borough art teachers RoseAnn LaBrocca, Jessica Data and Chris Dudick.
Above, Sickles School first-grader Jude Burkhardt and third-grader Brody Burkhardt with Brody’s mixed-media painting. At right, Sickles School third-grader Celia Cope and her mom Carolyn admire Celia’s “Kitty Kitty Love” papier-mâché creation.
Special-needs education programs developed by the Fair Haven animation studio Small Factory have been recognized with a substantial grant from the National Science Foundation.
Two small businesses on the Greater Red Bank Green — one in Fair Haven, the other in Lincroft — have been named recipients of major grants from the National Science Foundation.
Volunteer Risa Bertodatti assists third grade students with a hands-on activity during Understanding Differences Day at Sickles School.
Press release from Fair Haven School District
Each year, an innovative day-long program at Viola L. Sickles School in Fair Haven helps third-grade students explore and celebrate differences. Presented on May 15, Understanding Differences Day featured hands-on activities and presentations throughout the day, hosted by school staff members and volunteers.
Covered topics covered physical disabilities (including visual and hearing impairments), as well as developmental and learning disabilities. Students engaged in interactive learning activities that included the maneuvering of crutches and wheelchairs (supplied by Little Silver Pharmacy), the making of name tags using Braille, and a demonstration of how a visually impaired person might keep track of money and organize food.
Guest speakers included Lori Timney, who is hearing-impaired and who shared her life experiences with students. Volunteer Sarah Maris helped students to understand the challenges faced by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Down’s syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Sickles School Social Worker Nicole Green and Sickles School Psychologist Ashley Goral hosted an information session about learning disabilities; this session included presentations by students from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School who discussed their personal experiences and ways in which they have learned to cope through the years. At the conclusion of the morning and afternoon sessions, all of the third grade students participated in reflective writing sessions based on what they had learned.
As part of a national initiative to raise awareness of gender stereotypes in media, students at Small Factory Productions were invited to create original characters for an animated cartoon short film. Among the contest winners in grades 1-5 were Quinn DeNunzio of Navesink (front row, far right), Paige Jaenicke of Fair Haven (back row, second from left), Stephen Makin of Rumson (front row, second from left), and Isabella Scott of Sea Bright (back row, far right).
Press release from Small Factory Productions
“Children constantly amaze me…they see the world with a neutral eye,” explains Christopher Dudick. “Superheroes come in wheelchairs. Girls explore the universe in rocket ships. The shy boy stands up to the bully. These are the characters our young artists dream up.”
As the owner and founder of Small Factory Productions explains, it was only natural for the students of the local animation school to to submit their original drawings and stories into the “If You Can See It, You Can Be It!” contest — a project designed to bring awareness to gender stereotypes in children’s media and entertainment. Small Factory developed the contest in partnership with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, sponsored by the Friendship Train Foundation.
Nine winners were selected to participate in a workshop that was held in March at theSmall Factory studio in Fair Haven, where they drew and wrote their original animated cartoon short and song. The finished productions will be posted to the websites and social media platforms for Small Factory and for the Geena Davis Institute, the nonprofit founded by the Academy Award winning actor/ advocate (and Olympic semifinalist archer) best known for her roles in Thelma & Louise, Beetlejuice and A League of Their Own.
Visitors to the Fair Haven School District Art Show admire self-portraits created by eighth graders at Knollwood School.
Press release from Fair Haven School District
“Make Your Mark” was the theme of the Fair Haven School District Art Show, with more than 1,000 pieces of student-created original art displayed at Knollwood School on the evening of April 14.
This year’s edition of the annual show represented the District’s implementation of new standards in the visual arts. The new standards focus on essential questions to help develop both critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with students are encouraged to create, present, respond, and connect their artwork to ideas that have personal meaning.
Kindergarten through third grade students at Viola L. Sickles School, and fourth through eighth grade students at Knollwood School each contributed at least one project for display.
It’s the moment most television producers pine for: a trip to the Big Apple, a walk down the red carpet and a chance to go home with a golden-winged woman holding an atom a coveted Emmy award.
For Fair Haven’s Chris Dudick, this dream has become reality, as he and two local children will suit up for the Emmy Awards for their nomination in the children’s programming category.
Dudick, who runs Small Factory Productions in Fair Haven, and his two local kids Molly Siciliano of Red Bank and Kylin Lamar-McCastle of Fair Haven received the nod last month for their Saturday morning cartoon series, Small Factory Flicks.
“It’s a black-tie event,” Dudick said. “We’re going to show up there and, hopefully, win.”
A large crowd of visitors admired an array of art created by students in grades K through 8 at Sickles and Knollwood Schools at the April 25 Fair Haven School District Art Show. 
