Tuesday, October 16, 2012

After-School Program Chilly Facts



What's Going On As The Chill of October hits us?

It's Mid-October 2012 at the West Orange Community House and Boys & Girls Club. It was just yesterday that we were on the beaches or hanging out by the pool. Now the children in the after school programs have replaced their shorts and t-shirts with warm sweaters and jackets. Oh it's that time again! The chill in the air tells us that not only the Fall has arrived but has also prompted the crazy thought of preparing for the Holidays.

The chilly facts are.... that this time of year is incredibly busy at our programs. We have so much to do and so little time (or as Willy Wonka might say "So little to do and so much time"). October just happens to be our busiest month in the after-school program because we don't have any school days off and plus 3 days are half days for parent/teacher conferences.  This means we are open from 1pm to 6pm during 3 of those days instead of 3-6pm. These are incredibly long days for our kids and our staff........ if we didn't have anything planned.

We purposely plan a lot of activities, special visitors, and tons of play time to help these October days move along smoothly. Let me tell you what we have planned at Gregory, Washington, Hazel, and the Pleasantdale after school programs:

We invited A special Magician to come and perform his mystical show. In late October, the West Orange Fire Department will be presenting a fire safety workshop with our kids(and showing off their gear). An Anti-Drugs and Anti-Bullying Expert, Gale Richter, will be facilitating classes with grades k-5 . LaChell Miller, a Shoprite Nutritionist is visiting each site (once a month), discussing to the children the importance of nutrition and doing an fun edible healthy project.

All of these activities will be in addition to each site-supervisors individual site plans. Power Hour (Homework Club), board games, outdoor games, fun enriching activities, art & craft projects, etc. Thanks to our great staff and leaders, we have quite a year planned for you and your kids! If you have any questions about the programs or activities please email us at bgcwestorange@gmail.com or call 973-736-1282 x19. You can also visit us at www.bgcwo.org for more info.