By Jennifer Finkle
The Andes Central School Summer CROP (Creating Rural Opportunities Program) session began on July 9 and will run until August 3. Students are dropped off or ride the bus in each morning. Upon arrival they are given a small snack and milk to enjoy while they listen to a read aloud story or read their own book from 8-8:30. At 8:30 students can choose from 2 free choice projects or draw and color. The Town of Andes Pool provides the 36 students in the program with swimming lessons from 9-10 am each morning. A big thank you to the Town of Andes and the lifeguards for those private lessons.
Each week of the program we have a theme; projects each day revolve around that theme. After swimming lessons we do one of those theme projects. 45 minutes of fitness activities are also incorporated into the program before lunch. A modest lunch of PB&J, fruit and milk is provided each day for those who want it. The funds for lunch ingredients are provided through donations, without which the school would have to pay for these expenses. Students go home at 12 noon.
Students in grades K-3 went bowling on July 26th and those in grades 4-6 went on July 27th. The Margaretville Bowling Alley opened especially for us those mornings. Cooperative Extension will be coming three days during the summer program to teach kids about healthy choices.
The CROP program resumes in the fall with after-school programs. If you have a special skill, would like to help children with their homework, help with projects, or donate a snack, CROP would love to hear from you in the fall. Please call the school at 845-676-3166 and leave a message for Jennifer Finkle.
Special thanks go to the following for their generous donations:
- Andes Senior Citizens-milk
- Don Hogan-milk
- Andes Fire Department Auxiliary-milk
- John Gregg-milk
- Andes United Methodist Church- lunch funds
- Andes United Presbyterian Church- lunch funds
- Barbara Mellon – lunch funds
- Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Fickeria – fresh fruit
- Andes Town Pool- private swimming lessons ~