STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The city has added 49 new after-school program sites for middle-school students -- including three on Staten Island -- to accommodate an overflow in enrollment. Mayor Bill de Blasio and city Youth Commissioner Bill Chong said Wednesday that enrollment has reached 121 percent for more than 75,000 city-funded after-school seats available to middle school students...
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The city has added 49 new after-school program sites for middle-school students -- including three on Staten Island -- to accommodate an overflow in enrollment.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and city Youth Commissioner Bill Chong said Wednesday that enrollment has reached 121 percent for more than 75,000 city-funded after-school seats available to middle school students throughout the city. The 49 new Schools Out New York City (SONYC) sites will add another 2,500 seats.
"Today marks a significant step forward on our path toward after-school expansion for more middle school students across New York City," the mayor said.
"With thousands of new seats added for our city's youth at diverse non-public schools and community centers citywide, more of our parents and families can rest assured their children have positive alternatives during a key period of their lives. Every middle-schooler in New York City deserves access to a safe and engaging environment after the school bell rings."
The three new Staten Island sites include African Refuge Inc., Clifton, which expects to serve students and families from the borough's Liberian community.
Also on the North Shore, a school-based program will be run out of the Miraj Islamic School in Tomkinsville.
City Parks Foundation will also run a program for middle-school students at the Faber Park fieldhouse in Port Richmond.
"These high-quality providers represent some of the many faces and faiths in New York City, and will offer positive programming that is educational, engaging and fun, so that young people can make the transition from early adolescence to becoming responsible young adults," said Chong.
The new programs will begin serving students on March 1.