Green Rockets Rising Before and After School Program

The Green Rockets Rising Before and After School Program is operated in partnership between the United Way of Northern New York (UWNNY) and Morristown Central School District. The childcare program is governed by Part 414: School-Age Child Care Regulations and Policies.

The purpose of the GRR Program is to provide a safe and educational setting for homework completion and after-school supervision. The GRR Program will serve children ages 4-12 in grades Pre-K through 6. We operate a morning program (6:45 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.) and an afternoon program (3:04 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.). The GRR Program follows the MCS calendar and operates Monday-Friday each week the school district is in session. Our first day of programming will be Monday, September 8, 2025.

Beginning in September, the GRR Program will implement some changes from the previous program. These include:

• A revised Registration Form. Parents/guardians will be asked to complete one Registration Form for the year. It will need to be updated if any changes occur.
• Parents/guardians will receive a Parent/Guardian Handbook that outlines information and expectations for the Program.
• We will implement grade and age-appropriate groups that maintain required ratios. Those age groups will be as follows: Pre-K, K-1, 2-3, 4-6. A teacher and an assistant will staff each group.
• A new daily schedule will be incorporated. Sunrise club will be held from 6:45-7:45 a.m., then from 3:04-5:15 p.m., students can participate in Homework and Hangout Hub, The Connection Zone, and Beyond Books and the Quest for Knowledge.

• September: Back to School and All About Me
• October: Fall and Apples
• November: Gratitude, Giving Thanks, and Harvests
• December: Holidays Around the World
• January: New Beginnings
• February: Love and Kindness
• March: March Madness and Animals of Our World
• April: Earth Day, Recycling, and Our Planet
• May: Celebrating Special People
• June: Happy Endings
• Summer: TBD in collaboration with the Morristown Public Library

If you are interested in enrolling your child in the Program, please review the Parent/Guardian Handbook and complete and return a Registration Form, both of which are linked below. Each child and family contribute to the growth and success of our program, which, in turn, positively impacts the Morristown Community.

If you are interested in working with the GRR Program for the 2025-26 year, please complete a Green Rockets Rising Activity Proposal form and submit it to Sue Bouchey, Program Director. Please complete a form even if you have worked with the Program in the past. Application materials will be reviewed, and final hiring will be completed once student enrollment is complete. There will be open enrollment so staffing needs will be adjusted throughout the year.

The year's new daily schedule will be as follows:

• 6:45-7:45 a.m. - Sunrise Club: Students arrive, attendance is taken, and health care checks are completed. Options for free play and social interactions are provided.
• 3:04-3:30 p.m. - Homework and Hangout Hub: Students arrive, attendance is taken, and health care checks are completed. Options for free play and social interaction are provided. Homework assistance is provided.
• 3:30-3:45 p.m. - Toileting, handwashing, and snacks
• 3:45-4:00 p.m. - The Connection Zone: Team building and social emotional learning activities.
• 4:00-5:10 p.m. - Beyond Books and Quest for Knowledge: Activities may include but are not limited to: sports, games, enrichment, tutoring/mentoring, visual/performing arts, structured physical activities, skill building, conflict resolution, cooking, nutrition education, community service, STEM/STEAM, drug and violence prevention, story reading/listening/ELA, financial/environmental literacy, youth development, career/college preparation and exploration, cultural awareness, others.
• 5:15 p.m. - Dismissal