Schools
Community Church of Douglaston Debuts After School Program for P.S. 98
Local church and Queensborough Community College collaborate on class in wake of school recently losing its own program.
The officially kicked off its after school program for this week following the school’s .
Jacqueline Montgomery, who operates the program through ’s Kids College, said the program provides a space for local children to continue their school day every Monday through Friday.
“It presents an innovative approach to the enrichment of children in tandem with their elementary education,” Montgomery said. “We want to represent the ‘whole school approach,’ which is also known as the triad of education and consists of school, family and community. We want the kids to have fun while learning in a nice, safe place.”
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The program, which includes students in kindergarten through fifth grade, begins immediately after P.S. 98 lets out for the day.
Currently, the program is drawing an estimated 40 students from the school, but Montgomery said it is open for other students within the community.
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On a typical day, counselors from the program escort the students from P.S. 98 to the church, where they have a snack and receive homework help.
Between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., students take part in a “dedicated academic enrichment class,” Montgomery said.
Monday’s class is known as Project Junk Drawer, which involves recycling and ecology.
On Tuesday, students take part in Tell A Tale, which builds upon their English language arts skills.
Wednesday’s class is known as Energize It, which combines music with physical education.
On Thursday, students will learn about Music: Past and Present by studying a variety of genres.
Friday’s program is Edutainment, which covers a number of topics.
The after school program currently has four staff members, three faculty members and coordinator Cailyn De Bie.
“This is the kind of public-private partnership that yields good results for everyone,” said Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, who cut the ribbon on the after school program earlier this week.
To register for the class, which runs throughout the entire school year, call De Bie at 718-279-0279.
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