Northborough elementary schools re-launch after school programs

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Northborough elementary schools re-launch after school programs
A number of after school programs are coming back to Northborough schools, including Lincoln Street Elementary School. (Photo/Jesse Kucewicz)

NORTHBOROUGH – From learning how to sew to exploring the world of cinema, a number of after school programs are heading back to Northborough schools in March.

Peaslee Elementary School Principal Mary Coakley announced these programs during a Northborough School Committee meeting last month. 

“We’re really excited about the variety of these opportunities [that] students will be able to participate in over the course of the next several months,” Coakley said on Jan. 5.

Recreation Director Allie Lane later told the Community Advocate that the town previously ran after school programs about six years ago.

The town had to stop running the programs because a staff member needed to go to each school to meet the students, though.

That meant the recreation office would have to close at about 2:20 p.m. in order to let staff get to Northborough’s four elementary schools, Lane said.

Now reviving these programs, the recreation department has worked with the school district to hire a school staff member to help out.

To Lane, who has two kids, there’s a benefit to offering these programs in the schools themselves. That saves parents the worry of picking their kids up, feeding them a snack and taking them to the program in another location like the recreation department. 

“This way, we’re able to offer a service where the kids can just stay after school and the parents just pick up at the end,” Lane said.

The town will offer four programs in the elementary schools. These include CinemaKidz, Chess Wizards, Sew Studio and STEAM Engine.

CinemaKidz has already emerged as one of the most popular programs, Lane said.

As part of it, students will learn how to use cameras, audio equipment and editing software to work together and create original projects.

The students will be able to make costumes and experiment with green screens. 

The program has already filled up at Lincoln Street School, though there were still openings at Proctor, Zeh and Peaslee. 

“It’s just different,” Lane said. “And I think the kids think it’s neat that they get to do their own filmmaking.” 

Registration is currently open and can be found online at https://northboroughma.myrec.com/info/default.aspx.



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