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Forest Street Community School

Dr. Yancisca Cooke, Ed.D., Principal l 651 Forest Street, Orange, NJ 07050

UPDATES: Turtle Back Zoo / LIFT Grant Collaboration OPS/City of Orange Township (September 17, 2026)

Posted Date: 08/21/26 (03:28 PM)
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Good day,

Please see the information below regarding Turtle Back Zoo and a LIFT Grant Early Literacy Initiative being held in Central Playground in Orange:

I. Turtle Back Zoo

Essex County Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced the reopening of the Tam-Ring Gibbons Exhibit at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange on Friday, August 21st. The exhibit, which originally opened in 2009, received a comprehensive facelift to its interior and exterior exhibit areas and new netting enclosure. The improvements are part of the County Executive’s ongoing initiative to revitalize Turtle Back Zoo, provide the most up-to-date accommodations for animals, and maintain the facility as an educational and recreational destination. Turtle Back Zoo is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for senior citizens over 62 and children ages 2 to 12, and free for children under 2. For more information, visit www.essexcountynj.org/turtlebackzoo or call 973-731-5800.

II. LIFT Grant Early Literacy Initiative

Parents and caregivers, join us for a fun and interactive Early Literacy Workshop!

Learn simple ways to support your child's brain development, encourage language growth, and build literacy skills through everyday activities at home. Workshops are hands-on, family-friendly, and offered in multiple languages.
Date: September 17, 2026

Time: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Location: Central Playground (371 Central Avenue, Orange, NJ)

The Orange Public School District is excited to bring literacy-based programming directly into the community and to partner with the City of Orange in our shared commitment to supporting children and families. See the attached flyer (translated into English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole), for additional information. We hope to see you there!