Chestnut Ridge
The Chestnut Ridge after school program for students grades 2-5 is held in the Chestnut Ridge Middle School, with students from Central Elementary buses to the Middle School each afternoon. Program activities are centered in the cafeteria and home arts room as well as classrooms.
Programming runs 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursdays and starts with an after school meal followed by tutoring and homework help and then a variety of fun enrichment activities.
The site coordinator, Joyce Smith, is in her third year in the program. She graduated from Millersville University and is married with two children. While fairly new to the after school program, she has a long history in education – in 1999, she was named the Walmart Teacher of the Year for Somerset County.
Joyce says one of the best things about the Chestnut Ridge program is her great staff, who really care about the kids and who work to provide great activities for enrolled students. “Our kids get to meet friends, get help with homework, a meal and do a lot of great activities – all in all we have fun every day!”
Joyce is joined by tutors Nadine Glass, Staci Black, Kevin Rizzo and Sue Goodin. Her instructional assistants include Cindy Gordon and Helen Shane. In addition, teen assistants help with the program to prepare for a future career in education.
Contact Joyce: 839-4195, x-2551, jmsmith@crlions.or