Kids Blast Jr. is an extension and addition of the Parks and Recreation Kids Blast before and after school program for morning kindergartners. This program will run from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Kids Blast, which is the Park and Recreation’s, after school program will run from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This will allow your child to be cared for from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Children will arrive at the Parks and Recreation Office at 265 Main Street on the bus and be greeted by the staff. (We are working with the bus company for the fall to see if this can accommodate the program due to the numbers of students on the bus.)

The daily schedule after they arrive at the building will be free time to play inside or outside (weather permitting), lunch (which they need to bring daily), circle time where they share day which will be followed by a story time, fun activities which will include music and movement, art project and drawing and then free play. These programs will allow your child to be socially and physically active. We will be providing activities such as sports, arts & crafts, and all types of games, both inside and outside. The program will also include a story time, where one of the teachers will read to the children.

The program will meet at the Parks and Recreation Office at 265 Main Street from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and then Kids Blast will meet from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays.

By being able to merge the kindergarten program with Kids Blast we allow K-8th graders to all be in the same program. This gives parents flexibility if you have an older child who also needed after school care.

This program will be able to meet in both good and bad weather. The program will be open on early dismissals for snow, and for teacher workshop days when the children are not in school. However, this program is different from school vacation programs, and "No School Days", separate registration will be needed for those days. We will have those forms for you at the program, and the children enrolled in the after school program will get first priority for the vacation and no school days.

The fee structure is as follows for Mondays - Fridays:

From 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. the cost is $50 per child / per week $200/month

From 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. the cost is $70 per child / per week $280/month

Fees will be paid monthly and based on 4 weeks per month. Checks are due the 1^st week of each month. Registrations for weekly participation will be taken first. If a parent only needs registration on a daily basis, registrations will be taken after July 1^st.

If you have an older child in Grades 1-8, then you will register them through Kids Blast.

Andrea Schreier and Mary Johnson will be the staff for this new program. Each of them comes to this program with many years of experience in childcare and recreation.

Getting to Know the Staff –

Hi my name is Andrea Schreier. I have lived in Portland my whole life. I love playing many sports especially soccer and softball. I am the Junior Varsity Softball Coach at Portland High School, and I enjoy working with children. I have attended four years of college at Eastern Connecticut State University, and have almost finished my degree in Physical Education. I have also been working for the Portland Park and Recreation for approx. 8 years. I am a supervisor at the summer camp, and currently work at the after school program, "Kids Blast". Some of you may know me from the past year that I worked at Little Acorns. I am excited to hopefully get to know all of you soon.

Mary Johnson is a children's illustrator who creates art programs under the name "Happy Hands". Mary has always had a love for the arts - ever since the age of 5! Mary realized her natural ability to relate to children while assisting her sister, Kathye Flanagan, (Children's Happy Notes) with a number of her music programs, including concerts, shows and parties. Mary also created original art and illustrations for Kathye's programs.

For several years, as a Daycare Director, Mary broadened her knowledge of the needs

of children. As Mary began to realize that young children need more exposure to the arts, she developed her own art programs and implemented them in several Day Care Centers and Parks & Recreation Departments.

KIDS BLAST BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

Kids Blast is in its 2^nd year as a before and after school program through Parks and Recreation Department that will encourage creativity and individuality for all of the students. The activities will include games, arts & crafts, and sports (indoors and outdoors), special events, free play and periodic field trips. There will also be a homework time where the children can get help with their homework. Snacks will be provided in the afternoon.

The program will meet in a program room at the newly renovated Parks and Recreation Office Monday to Fridays from 7:30 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Children in grades K-8 can participate in the program.

The program will meet on regularly scheduled school days. The will also meet on days that school is dismissed early due to inclement weather or delayed openings. The program will meet on ½ days. This program is separate from "No School Days" and School Vacation Programs. Separate registrations will be required for those days. Those registration forms will be available to participants of the program early.

If you are registering more than 1 child you can deduct $10 per week from the total weekly amount. There is no sibling discount for individual days. If you register your child for individual days, there is no switching days if your child misses the scheduled day. Payments are due monthly. Payments can be made in advance. There will be no refunds. Pre-registration is required.

There will be a late pick-up fee of $1.00 per minute (6:00 – 6:15) and .50 cents per minute thereafter, paid directly to the staff on the day of late pick-up.

Kids Blast
Kids Blast Jr.
Fees Schedule (Fees based on Month – 4 weeks)

Kids Blast

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM