Boardman pupils can start early, stay late

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Rapt attention - Sarah Hoffman and Tessa Katcher both second graders listen intently to Margaret Klein as she reads and interacts with students at the after school program - at West Boulevard Elementary

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Chad Fullum gets some advice from an aide of Becky Cantanzriti - at the after school program - at West Boulevard Elementary

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Margaret Klein - from the Boardman Library - reads to the students at the after school program - at West Boulevard Elementary

By Denise Dick

The programs have been available at West Boulevard Elementary for at least 15 years.

BOARDMAN — West Boulevard Elementary School fourth-grader Kaitlin Windt kneels on her scooter board, wheeling back and forth.

She’s one of about 30 West Boulevard children who participate in its after-school program. “I play games,” the 9-year-old said.

From 2:15 to 6:30 p.m. each school day, children may stay after school while their parents are at work.

The program has been available at each of Boardman’s four elementary schools for at least 15 years, said Karen Kannal, after-school coordinator for the district.

The schools also offer an early program, from 7 to 8 a.m., but Kannal said the afternoon program sees more participation. West Boulevard is one of the higher-participation schools, she said.

Kaitlin said she’s there a few days per week while her mother is at work.

“We get to play a lot,” said Blake Windt, 8, a second-grader, as he rolled up on his scooter.

“That’s my brother,” Kaitlin noted.

The cost at all of the elementaries is $5 per hour for the first child for the morning session, $4 per hour for the second child in the family, and $3.50 per hour for each additional child in a family.

For the afternoon session, the cost is $4 per hour for the first child, $3.50 per hour for the second child in a family, $3 per hour for each additional child in a family and $1 per day for a snack.

Diana Repec, after-school program coordinator at West Boulevard, said parents sign up each week to allow the school to know what days their children will be participating. If a parent’s schedule changes, program coordinators can add a child to the list.

Repec and Becky Cantanzariti oversee the afternoon program at West for the first couple of hours. Other aides take over for the last hours of the day.

Parents ring a doorbell when they come to pick up their children. The building is locked.

“We’re very concerned with safety,” Kannal explained.

The children fill the time by listening to speakers from the Green Team, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Mill Creek MetroParks and other organizations. After attendance is taken, the children usually hear a story read either by one of them or by an adult guest.

They enjoy a snack, games or crafts, or sometimes popcorn and a movie.

“Weather permitting, we take them outside,” Repec said.

First priority, though, is homework.

“A lot of the kids really want to get their homework done while they’re here,” she said.

Third-grader Carson Lancashire, 9, and first-grader Will Riddick, 7, jumped at the chance Friday afternoon to wheel around the school gymnasium on scooter boards.

They kept the rules in mind though: no hitting, no crashing into anyone, no running over anyone’s hands or your own hair.

Carson and Will don’t come to the after-school program every day but say it’s fun when they do.

Third-grader Bryan Kordupel, 9; fourth-grader Bobby Morrell, 10; and third-grader Christopher Petrus, 8, took a moment from basketball dribbling to talk about the program.

“I’m here everyday except Thursday,” Bobby said.

“On Thursday, we do after-school bowling at Camelot Lanes,” Bryan explained, pointing to their recent victory among school bowlers.

Second-graders Julia Castellano, Tessa Katcher and Sarah Hoffman, all 8, alternated between scooter boards and hula hoops.

“I usually like to draw or sometimes I like to do homework, so I get it done before I go home and then I can watch TV and do fun stuff,” Julia said.

Sarah says she likes to play basketball or paddle around on a scooter.

First-grader Colleen Yambar, 6, said her favorite thing to do during the after-school sessions is homework.

“Your favorite thing is homework?” Julia asked.

“There’s something wrong with your brain,” Sarah teased.

denise_dick@vindy.com