Local students in the Family Y's After School program, held at Long Lots Elementary School, have fun with a crafts project.
The Westport Weston Family Y After School program provides a safe, fun and educational environment for 1st through 5th grade students in Westport and Weston from the time the school day ends until 6:00 pm. Held at Long Lots Elementary School, activities include gym time and outdoor play, art projects, table games and, importantly, time for homework and, when needed, homework help. There’s also a recreational swim once a week at the Family Y.
“This is a cool place for us to be,” says Mitzie Walters, head teacher of the Family Y’s After School program. “The kids like to play in the gym, and when the weather’s nice, on the playground outside. There’s “Lego-mania” going on every day, as well as board games — Life and Battleship are popular. We also play Twister as well as interactive exercise games on the Wii – ‘Just Dance’ is the girls’ favorite.”
“Of course, everything’s after homework, plus 20 minutes of reading,” Walters is quick to add. “We also try to connect our curricula with what’s going on in real life – like hosting special activities for Chinese New Year. And we’re fortunate to have Family Y staffer Steve Forlano come over to lead karate classes for our kids every week.”
When school’s in recess, like the Winter School Break, Feb. 20-24, the After School program uses the Family Y’s downtown location as its base of operations. In addition to taking advantage all the youth programming that the Y has to offer, there are special activities and exciting field trips for the After School kids and other local students joining in for the week or by the day. Among the fun destinations scheduled for the February school vacation include the American Museum of Natural History and Twin Rinks in Stamford for ice skating.
Because every child deserves an exciting and enriching after-school experience, the Family Y also offers a Special Cares After School program. While the activities and special events are the same, extra support and shadowing are provided, as needed, to facilitate a successful and enjoyable afternoon. The Family Y has been supporting children and families with special needs through Special Cares at Camp Mahackeno for decades, and we’re pleased to bring this expertise to our After School program.
“The Family Y provides a safe haven, and parents know their kids are going to come here and make friends, be active, build on their interests,” says Walters. “It’s a fun place to be until Mom or Dad comes.”
For more information about the Family Y’s Early Learning programs, or to sign up for our School Age Vacation Special, please visit www.westporty.org, or contact Tasha Dennison directly at tdennison@westporty.org or 203-226-8981, ext. 113.
Scott Smith joined the Westport Weston Family Y as director of communications in January 2011. He previously held the position of director of communications, editor, for the United States Golf Association and has been a staff writer and editor for an array of magazines, including BusinessWeek, Bon Appetit and Golf Digest. A resident of Westport since 1997, Scott is active in local community affairs, most recently serving as chair of the town-appointed Longshore 50th Anniversary Committee.
ssmith@westporty.org
203-226-8981, ext. 112
Midge Kosner
Midge Kosner has served as Family Y Membership Coordinator since 2007. Born and raised in New York City, Midge worked as a researcher for “60 Minutes” and was a producer at CBS News. She moved to Westport in 1993 and has watched her two children, now 19 and 15, grow up at the Y. Midge is also an active volunteer in the community, having served on the board of the Westport Young Woman’s League, among other civic efforts. mkosner@westporty.org
203-226-8981
