Adapted from our email newsletter.
The Chester Eastside Out of School Time (OST) Phoenix After-School Program
How ironic (and painful for students) that just as out of school time known as summer is about to end, Out of School Time at Chester Eastside is about to begin!
For more than twenty years, school age students (Kindergarten – 9th grade) have been gathering after school under the wings of the Phoenix at CEI. This year will be no different.
Under the leadership of our new Director of Education, Whitney Wright, the After School Program will begin on Monday, September 18. The doors will open at 2:45pm, and students will have some time to unwind before the meal is served at 3:15pm.
After eating, different groups, divided by grade, will rotate between instruction in reading, homework help, enrichment presentations, and recreational activities. Students will also return to the (greatly enlarged) Community Garden to groom their green thumbs, and eat the fruits of their labors. Pick up time will remain at 6:00pm.
The program schedule will follow the same calendar as the Chester-Upland School District – all 184 days – until the third week in May. Through it all there will also be special events, programs, and field trips.
Calling All Students To A Back to School Celebration
All students returning to school this fall, and their families, are invited to a special back to school kick-off celebration. It will also serve as the first day to register students for the CEI After-School Program.
On Monday, September 11, from 3:00pm – 6:00pm the CEI doors will swing wide with welcome to receive families and children who want to register for the program. There will be snacks and activities – and all students who attend will receive a backpack stuffed with all of the school basics. And, we will be prepared to introduce our newly transformed spaces!
Registration will continue for the three following days (Tuesday (12th), Wednesday, (13th), and Thursday (14th)) all at the same 3-6pm time for those who cannot attend on Monday. The capacity is forty students so we will cease the registration when that number of students is reached.
If you have any questions about the After-School Program, you can call the CEI office (610-872-4812) or email Whitney: [email protected].
Did Someone Say “Backpack?”
Yes, that is just what it looks like…nearly 200 backpacks stuffed with school supplies. Once again this year, the good folks at Grace Lutheran Church in Broomall collected, packed, and delivered back to school backpacks that will be distributed to students in our After-School Program, and, given the number collected, the wider community as well.
Special gratitude to all of the many individuals and organizations who have heard the school bells ringing, and have responded with great generosity.