April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
SACRED HEART SCHOOL
After-school program creates fun for Troy students
"I had always enjoyed working with students on that level," said Mr. Styles, a native of Troy. "But I didn't want to follow the predictable path."
This all began with a summer program at St. Helen's School in Niskayuna, where Mr. Styles once taught. The three founders, all alumni of The College of Saint Rose in Albany, wanted to create a trustworthy childcare program based on togetherness, sharing and learning.
With the success of that initial summer program, they decided to try an after-school plan, starting at Sacred Heart School in Troy in 2009. This program allowed the school to focus on the academic day and leave the child care afterward to TSL.
No kid-sitting
"After-school is seen as just a babysitting experience where the kids are just sitting, waiting for their parents," explained Mr. Styles. "But when you have an interactive experience, it becomes more like a club. It becomes something the kids look forward to."
For TSL, this means converting Sacred Heart's 2,600-square-foot cafeteria into a recreational facility every day after school.
There, they offer snacks, study time, video games, books, movies, air hockey, foosball, an arts-and-crafts table, outdoor playtime and even bingo.
"My kids just love it. They don't even want me to pick them up," said Charlene Brammer, who has two children enrolled in TSL, five-year-old Tyler and seven-year-old Alyssa. "They love the staff. They actually do things with the kids: help them with homework and play games with them."
Both children came to Sacred Heart School in October. This is the first after-school program they have attended.
"At first, my son had a rough start with school this year, but after a few weeks, he adjusted so well - and the TSL helped him to do that," Mrs. Brammer told The Evangelist.
The program has bolstered Sacred Heart's after-school childcare enrollment by nearly 50 percent by marketing to the Troy public schools, as well.
Growing concern
Each day, TSL's founders now care for anywhere from 45 to 65 children, from preschoolers to middle-schoolers, from Sacred Heart and Schools 16 and 18 in Troy.
Those numbers continue to grow.
"We're just glad the parents have come to trust us. They know we have personal investment in the program itself, and that's what makes the difference," said Mr. Styles.
It helps that the program is open on holidays and snow days as well as a monthly "parents' night out" on a Friday evening. This dedication is not just for profit, Mr. Styles added: "We know what we're doing and we love doing it."
The program founder was quick to point out that, although all of the TSL partners are certified elementary school teachers, the program is very different from a school day.
"You won't see the kids [acting] quiet and studious," he joked. "It's boisterous and lively and involved. We're busy and they're busy. We teach them not to run or yell and to pick up after themselves, but the kids are also happy, busy and safe. It's a great experience for all of us."[[In-content Ad]]
250 X 250 AD
250 X 250 AD
Events
250 X 250 AD
Comments:
You must login to comment.