Trenton, NJ – Classroom Close-up, NJ on NJN Public Television takes viewers inside the classroom for a first-hand look at the inspiring programs found in New Jersey's public schools. This month Classroom Close-up, NJ takes you behind the scenes as producers of the program introduce each segment and review their favorite stories from the school year. This year, Classroom Close-up, NJ producers and crew traveled over 4,000 miles to forty-nine different schools and locations, where passionate educators and students eagerly shared their work. An original weekly program, Classroom Close-up, NJ airs on NJN Public Television Mondays at 6:30 pm and is rebroadcast Saturdays at 9:00 am. Classroom Close-up, NJ is a co-production of NJN Public Television and the New Jersey Education Association with Wanda Swanson NJEA executive producer, Nila Aronow, NJN executive producer, Rich Renner, NJN series producer. Additional funding for the show provided by PSE&G and BNY Mortgage, a Bank of New York Company. Classroom Close-up, NJ is web streamed at njn.net and can be seen on cable stations throughout New Jersey, on NJN’s JerseyVision, and on Time Warner Cable on channel 750 in New York.

Classroom Close-up, NJ, Monday, June 4 at 6:30 pm and Saturday, June 9 at 9:00 am
Classroom Close-up, NJ, Monday, June 11 at 6:30 pm and Saturday, June 16 at 9:00 am
Go behind the scenes with the producers of Classroom Close-up, NJ as they focus on the year in review. Watch how each segment on the show grows from an idea, often developed by a teacher or school staff, to a five-minute segment that captures innovative educational projects in public schools all over New Jersey.

Classroom Close-up, NJ, Monday, June 18 at 6:30 pm and Saturday, June 23 at 9:00 am

• Archaeological Dig – How can an urban school recreate an archaeological dig? Science teacher Shelly Witham designs and builds a dig inside the science lab at High Tech High School in North Bergen. This is a self-created, hands-on investigation modeled after the teacher’s own archaeology field work experiences.
• Good Morning Durand – Fourth graders from Durand Elementary School in Vineland are involved in a daily morning television show called “Good Morning Durand.” The students learn how to produce, edit, host and do the camera work. Hearing impaired students play an integral role on the show as well. They interpret the broadcast and work with computer graphics.
• Elementary Health Fair – Medical experts participate in a PTA-sponsored Health Fair at Heywood Avenue School in Orange. St. Barnabas Hospital is one of many medical facilities offering free screenings, displays and educational speakers. This event educates not only the child, but the entire family.
• Bus Safety – Have you ever seen a car pass a school bus that has its yellow flashing lights on? This is illegal and often has fatal consequences. Bus driver Bonnie Chalfant from Gloucester Township is working with the local police to educate the public about the hazards of not paying attention to yellow lights on school buses.

Classroom Close-up, NJ, Monday, June 25 at 6:30 pm and Saturday, June 30 at 9:00 am

• World Village – Each year upperclassmen studying World Languages at Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton create a World Languages Village. The village has a bank, ethnic restaurants, gift shops and tourist attractions so the underclassmen can practice their French, Spanish and German in a fun yet challenging atmosphere. Students are awarded Euros and grades based on how well they interact using their target language.
• Falcon’s Lounge – While focusing on the educational needs of students, Manchester Regional High School in Passaic County also addresses their social, emotional, physical and mental needs. A lounge located inside the school offers access to primary health care, employment services, learning support services, and counseling services ranging from substance abuse to violence prevention. The school also conducts a yearly health fair which includes a blood drive and a variety of health-related educational exhibits.
• Oh the Places – Teachers at Oxford Central School in Warren County enrich their writing programs by implementing web logging, or blogging, as a writing tool. The students and their families not only benefit from greater access to technology, they also learn about the Six Traits writing method, which is a way for kids to organize and improve their writing. This program is funded through the NJEA Frederick L. Hipp Foundation for Excellence in Education.
• Building Bridges – Benjamin Franklin School in Teaneck is building bridges with a fourth annual Unity Day. The purpose of Unity Day is to explore and celebrate Teaneck’s diversity and multiculturalism, build relationships between students and families, and create a culture of community, understanding and mutual respect.

NJN is available on all New Jersey cable systems and satellite systems,
on Comcast Digital Cable in New Jersey, and on Time Warner Cable channel 750 in NYC.
Classroom Close-Up, NJ is also available via video streaming at njn.net after the original broadcast.
Additionally, the program is repeated on NJN’s JerseyVision on Comcast Digital Cable in New Jersey
(Check http://www.njn.net/digital/schedule.html for detailed listings)
NJN – Uniquely New Jersey
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