CHERRY VALLEY – This summer, students currently in grades four
through seven at Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School will have a
new exciting option for recreation and learning. The initial session of
the Creating Rural Opportunities Partnership (CROP), which is a free
program, will open from July 11 through Aug. 12. Students may ride the
bus to CV-S for the program, which will be held from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Transportation home is also provided, as well as a snack.
The goal of the program is to have fun in a relaxed learning
environment, combining recreation and enrichment activities, which are
planned and led by three activity leaders, and high school student peer
tutors. CROP also includes community partners who will visit the
schools to provide hands-on experiences for the children in the areas
of the arts, nature, health and wellness. In addition, field trips will
be planned.
An information letter and registration form has been mailed to the
homes of students in the targeted grades. Registration is ongoing and
additional forms are available in the main office at CV-S. The site
coordinator for CROP at CV-S is Michele Costello. She can be reached at
(607) 264-3265, ext. 105, for additional information or questions.
The CROP program is funded under the No Child Left Behind Act. It is
a New York State 21st Century Community Learning Centers Project. The
first CROP grant was awarded by the New York State Education Department
to the Otsego Northern Catskills Board of Cooperative Educational
Services (ONC BOCES) in 2000. CV-S joins four other schools that are
developing CROP programs under the third CROP grant awarded in March
2005. Funding for CROP 3 is from January 2004-June 2009. A total of 16
schools now offer after-school and summer CROP programs
Important components of the partnership are the community
organizations, which provide programming and activities that students
might not otherwise be able to access. Community partners who will be
working with the CV-S CROP include the LEAF Council on Alcoholism and
Addictions, the SUNY Oneonta AmeriCorps, the Upper Catskill Community
Council of the Arts (UCCCA), Otsego County Girls on the Run, Cherry
Valley Community Facilities Corporation and the Adult Education
division of ONC BOCES. In addition, CROP seeks to involve volunteers
from the community, as well as parents of students attending the
program. Individuals interested in volunteering should contact the CROP
office.
During the academic year students in grades K-8 will be eligible to
attend CROP. The program will provide time for homework and
academics in addition to activities. Hours for the after school program
will be from dismissal until 5 p.m. Late bus transportation will be
provided, free of charge. Enrollment is limited to 100 students, but
space is currently available.
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