Life in 2010: Students Make Time Capsule Choices

What items best capture the essence of living in 2010? That is the question answered by the students of Bernards Township schools with the selection of the items that will be buried in a 100-year time capsule.

The time capsule is one of many 250th anniversary projects in which Bernards students have participated. Students in each grade from K-12 were asked to compile a list of their favorite things to preserve in the capsule, which will be buried on Nov. 13 along with other items collected by the township over the year to commemorate the anniversary of Bernards and give an idea to future generations what life was like in 2010.

The full list of choices made by Bernards students is below. Some representation of each of the winning items will be placed in the time capsule.

Kristin Fox, the social studies curriculum supervisor for Bernards schools and also a member of the township's 250th Anniversary Task Force, gave a presentation with fellow task force member Lisa Winter to the Board of Education on Monday about the district's involvement in the anniversary celebrations.

"Our goal was to look for meaningful connections for the students to participate in this huge celebration that the township is having," Fox said. Students have participated in planting the 250th daffodils, various art projects, an anniversary quilt at Liberty Corner School, a tile projects and in the design of the 250th keepsake, "Bernards Bucks," among other things.

Some classes eagerly took to the time capsule project, producing exciting results. The eighth graders at William Annin for example, who chose the New York Giants as their favorite sports team, were able to contact the Giants organization and get an embossed football with the signatures of every player on the team for the capsule.

Township residents will be able to appreciate some of the work the students have been doing at Charter Day. The winners of the 250th essay contest will be announced publicly at 2:40 p.m. on May 15. Colin Herron, the winner of the high school contest was the first to be recognized, receiving his award at Monday's meeting. Herron wrote an essay on how social media will affect the sense of community in the township over the coming years and won first prize, a $500 savings bond, from Skylands Community Bank.

The other event to watch for will be "Memories of Bernards" on Oct. 15, 7 p.m. at Ridge High School. Students from all of the schools will present their artwork, music and other 250th anniversary projects, including an oral history of Bernards and a reading of all of the winning 250th essays.

Bernards Schools Time Capsule Selections

Grade                       Category                                 Winner

Kindergarten             Favorite Toy                               Nintendo DS

Grade 1                        Favorite Food                             Ice Cream

Grade 2                        Favorite Movie                          Alvin and the Chipmunks:
                                                                                                The Squeakquel

Grade 3                        Favorite Book                            Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Grade 4                        Favorite TV Show                     Wipeout

Grade 5                        Favorite Pop Star                      Taylor Swift

Grade 6                        Favorite Movie                           Avatar

Grade 7                        Favorite Pop Star                      Taylor Swift

Grade 8                        Favorite Sports Team               New York Giants

Grade 9                        Favorite Entertainment           iPod, Six Flags Great Adventure

Grade 10                      Top Songs Played at                Hey Soul Sister, Train
                                          Sweet 16 Parties                    Fireflies, Owl City
                                                                                           I Gotta Feeling, Black Eyed Peas
                                                                                           Empire State of Mind, Jay-Z and
                                                                                                 Alicia Keys
                                                                                           Party in the USA, Miley Cyrus
                                                                                          You Belong With Me, Taylor Swift

Grade 11                        Favorite Car                             Jeep Grand Cherokee

Grade 12                        Favorite Places to                   Copper Kettle
                                             Hang Out                             Chipotle
                                                                                            Starbucks
                                                                                            Cluck-U
                                                                                            Quiznos