It’s a secret
A few Sundays ago I was hosting an
event held in the Secret Room of the Central Library. As I watched people
discover the room and come into the space, I was struck by the sense of awe and
wonder that brightened each face. Each person had a story to tell. Many
recalled exploring the Secret Room as a child, although the location was
different at the time; just as many were seeing it for the first time; and
everyone was eager to point out a favorite doll.
The George W. Cooper Doll collection is
named in honor of the elementary school principal under whose leadership the
dolls were collected. In 1934, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
students and teachers at Theodore Roosevelt School #43 contacted the
then-existing 69 countries of the world via some school or organization. The
students offered to send each country a Shirley Temple doll from the United
States in exchange for a doll dressed in the traditional clothing of that
country. In 1940, the students and teachers of School #43 presented the
collection of approximately 180 dolls to the Rochester Public Library. Since
then, gifts from individual donors have brought the total number to over 200.
While there are many fine doll
collections around, this one is notable for its cultural value and spirit of
outreach. The next time your family visits the Central Library, take a few
minutes to find the room and discover your favorite doll. Share your secret!
— Carolyn Schuler
This
week for families:
Brighton
Memorial Library Stories for pre-K: Mondays 10 a.m.; for toddlers: Mondays
10:30 a.m.; for families: Thursdays 7 p.m. | Through Feb 25: Alice B. Wilson
Literary Awards Contest, for Brighton residents grades 6-12. | 2300 Elmwood
Ave, 784-5300
Carousel
Animals Thurs, Feb 24. Bristol Library, 6750 County Rd #32, Canandaigua. 7
p.m. 229-5862
Draw & Discover Saturdays through Apr 16. Corning Museum of Glass, 11 a.m., 607-974-3306,
www.cmog.org
Fiddlers
Three Thurs, Feb 24. Barnes & Noble, 3349 Monroe Ave, 10 a.m. 586-6020
Great
American Magic Show Mon, Feb 21. Brighton Library, 2300 Elmwood Ave, 11
a.m. Free. Register. 784-5300
Jungle
Jog T-Shirt Design Contest through Feb 28. For kids up to 12 years old,
theme: black bears. Mail to Seneca Park Zoo, 2222 St Paul St, 336-7213.
www.senecaparkzoo.org
Juggling
in the Library Sat, Feb 26. Arnett Branch Library, 310 Arnett Blvd. 2 p.m.
428-8350
PJ
Storytime Fri, Feb 25. Barnes & Noble, 3349 Monroe Ave, 7 p.m. 586-6020
Pie
Eating Contest Thurs, Feb 24. Adams St Community Ctr, 85 Adams St, ages
6-14. Register by Feb 22, 428-7266
Pre-School
Storytime Tuesdays 11-11:30 a.m., Wednesdays 10:15-10:45 a.m. Henrietta
Public Library, 455 Calkins Rd. Ages 3 and 4. 359-7092, www.hpl.org
Reptile
Show with the Reptile Guys Wed, Feb 23. Henrietta Public Library, 455
Calkins Rd, 10:30-11:30 a.m. 359-7092
Seneca
Park Zoo Wednesdays, book and beast, 11 a.m. Hours: daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
$5, $4 seniors, $2 kids, 2222 St Paul St. 467-9453, www.senecazoo.org
Seussical the Musical Storytime Wed,
Feb 23. Barnes & Noble, 330 Greece Ridge Center Dr, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Free. 227-4020
Storytime
and Craft with Ann-Marie The Magic
Rabbit, Wed, Feb 23. Barnes & Noble, 3349 Monroe Ave, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
586-6020
Swimming
Lessons through June 4. Tuesdays and Thursdays 5-8 p.m., Saturdays 10:30
a.m.-1:30 p.m., Freddie Thomas Learning Center, 625 Scio St; Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays 5-8 p.m., James Madison School, 200 Genesee St. 428-7888
Tuesdays
for Tots Tues, Mar 1. Sing along with the Boomerang Club. Strong Museum,
One Manhattan Square. 9:30 a.m. 263-2701 ext 314, www.strongmuseum.org
Tutoring
Program through Sat, Mar 12 (except Feb 21-26). Ages 6-18. Monroe Junior
High School, 164 Alexander St (Saturdays, 9:15-11:15 a.m.); Frederick Douglass
School, 940 Fernwood (Saturdays, 9:15-11:15 a.m.); Adams Street Comm Center, 85
Adams St (Tues and Thurs, 3:30-5 p.m.); North Street Comm Center, 700 North St
(Tues and Thurs, 3:30-5 p.m.) Free. Info: 428-7888
Willow GirlbyCatskill Puppet Theater. Thurs, Feb 24. TYKEs, UpStage3 Theater,
875 East Main Street, 1 p.m. $8. 723-6080
Winter Break Camp through Feb 25. Seneca Park Zoo, 2222 St. Paul
St, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 336-7213, www.senecazoo.org
Winter
Art Camp for Kids through Feb 25. Ages 6-14, Schweinfurth Memorial Art
Center, 205 Genesee St, Auburn, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $12-$15 per class. Register.
315-255-1553, www.cayuganet.org/smac
Young
School of Irish Dance Hoolie Sun, Feb 27. Irish dance, karate, raffles,
pasta dinner. Rochester Moose Lodge, 1000 Thomas Ave. Tix: $5-$10.
Urban Choice Charter School
The Urban Choice Charter School will
open its doors in September. It’s a new city school, certified by the Board of
Regents, and will begin as K-4, expanding to K-8 in five years. At that time,
the school plans to apply to have its charter extended to K-12.
Education Coordinator John Bliss says
the school will be about inspiration. “The best way to get kids to clear the
bar is to motivate them to jump over it,” says Bliss.
The school will use differentiated
instruction to reach all students. This means presenting information in a
variety of ways and providing support to the children.
The teachers will also be supported,
often with several adults in each classroom. The school has arrangements with
SUNY Geneseo and The Center for Child Health Research at the University of
Rochester to bring in student teachers and young pediatricians as well.
The school is not using any
pre-packaged curricula, and is not part of any national reform effort. It is a
local, grassroots group with more than 60 years experience working in city
schools.
The school day will be extended: From 3
to 4:30 p.m. students will choose end-of-day activities. There will also be an
emphasis on health and recreation, with daily recreation time in addition to
gym classes.
Students will be chosen by lottery,
with siblings and city residents given preference.
Information meetings will be held
Monday, February 28, and Wednesday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the Winton Branch
Library, 611 North Winton Road.
The application process ends March 16.
Call 288-5702 or visit www.urbanchoicecharter.org for more information.
— Lynn Malooly
This article appears in Feb 23 – Mar 1, 2005.
