Core Programs
The Community After-School Program (CASP)
Our organization—the Cedar Hill Community Development Corporation—is in its ninth year of continuous operation. We serve the children of working, low-income parents as a non-profit organization. The CDC's two core programs are: a high quality Community After School Program (CASP), and a six week Summer Camp Program. CASP provides a safe, nuturing and enriching environment for children in kindergarten through sixth grade from the end of their school day to their parent's return home from work.
A significant number of our students are from families at or below the poverty level. At the CASP, children with homework assignments receive support from staff and volunteers as needed, and our older children from the John Hill School use our nine computer lab to complete online assignments. In addition to our very significant cost benefit, we graduate motivated, confident and competent next-generation's high achievers.
Our students closely engage with positive role models from adults to teenage Junior Mentors. Now in our ninth year of operation, many of our Junior Mentors are our former after-school students who have returned to our program as volunteers or paid staff members. We take great pride in the accomplishments of these graduates. In turn, our present students interact especially well with these youngsters who already "know the ropes."
Our after-school program is carefully structured to not simply be an extension of our student's usual school day, but also to expand their skill sets with arts and crafts, music, performing arts, computer training, language enhancment, and perhaps most importantly, develop their strong sense of self-confidence, self-esteem and respect.
A typical day begins with an escorted walk from the School Street School for our K-3rd grade students and an escorted walk from the more distant John Hill School for our 4th-6th grade students. The younger children arrive at about 3:00pm for a show-and-tell session to begin their unwinding from their busy school day. This session takes place in the hall of our rented facilities from St. John's Episcopal church. About 3:10pm the older students arrive for their meeting in the undercroft of the rented hall for their more free-wheeling unwinding session led by Mrs. "B."
Then it's time for a nutritious snack when all of our children gather at tables in the hall where they are served. On good weather days, which happen more often than not, the real unwinding takes place in our playground area under close supervision. For students with homework tutors and staff are available for assistance.
Depending upon the monthly schedule and time of year, lessons and rehearsals begin for: Taekwondo with a volunteer master instructor; singing lessons with a volunteer music teacher; arts and crafts with volunteer scout leaders; performing arts lessons from Mrs. "B" for our annual talent show, fashion show and Christmas concerts; supervised computer lab internet surfing, video games and online homework.
On a seasonal basis there are field trips for: swimming in donor provided home pools, as seen in the photo on the left; picnics in nearby Tourne Park; bowling; movies; and visits to local farms. Other field trips occur from time to time from special donations from our generous supporting donors for activities such as: participation in the Shakespeare Theatre at Drew University, basic golf instruction, a nearby amusement park and science centers.
A small group of our students participate in each of our major annual fundraising events as junior hosts. Several times a year all of our students participate in car washing fundraising events. On the last school day of each month we hold a birthday party for those students with birthdays that month.
We are licensed by the State of New Jersey for a maximum of 40 students in our present facility. Typically thirty-five children are present at any one time. At times we reach our maximum limit and there is a waiting list of families needing after-school care.
Our students are from diverse cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds and most are from low-income families. Without CASP, their families could not afford quality after-school child care. CASP fees are based upon family income and size, and range from $2 per child/day to $8 per child/day every day that the Boonton Schools are in session.
In addition to our program's development of learning skills and promoting positive youth development, we offer shelter from the risks these children would otherwise face on the streets.
Our students typically work in small groups of six with direct supervision. The small groups make it easier to supervise children and provide individual attention.Our programs are founded on the principles of effective after-school care. These principles include:
- a highly-trained staff;
- enriching programs in arts and crafts, the performing arts, and specialized training
- outdoor and indoor daily game and play activities
- appropriate physical space for children including attractive, right-sized and accommodating furnishings.
- social skills development and behavior counselling
Our programs do not take the place of the school programs. Instead, they reinforce school time and provide children a balance between structure and freedom. Principles of our program are highlighted in a study called Critical Hours, funded by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation.
In the study, after-school participation can be linked to greater engagement in learning: "increased school attendance, improved work habits and behavior and positive attitudes toward school, as well as better emotional adjustment, positive relationships with peers and adults, and a greater sense of belonging in the community."
Our former Governor, James McGreevey supported the benefits of after-school programs as well. In his January 2004 address to the New Jersey State Legislature, Governor McGreevey announced a new statewide initiative that would keep some New Jersey elementary schools open for after-school programs run by community organizations during the 2004-05 school year.
The success of Governor McGreevey's plan took 20,000 New Jersey school students off the streets between the afternoon hours of three and six o'clock, and placed them in productive after-school activities.
At present, as part of CASP there are two main components of the Cedar Hill CDC Arts Program: daily activities involving drawing, coloring and painting and the performing arts involving singing, instrumental performances and our annual Christmas concert, talent and fashion shows. In the near future we will begin very basic computer graphics activities for producing computer art.
Recognizing that the need for affordable, quality child care is even greater during summer months, the CDC launched its Community Summer Program in 2002. The summer program, coordinated with the Boonton Parks and Recreational Department and School District, provides low-cost, all-day care for children from low-income families in the Boonton community. The six week summer program provides a secure, enriching experience for children. During its first summer, 38 children took part in the activities.