In-service playground for children offered in Chartiers
Parents wondering what to do with their children when school is not in session because of in-service day or holiday have a new option for their youngsters.
A school in-service and vacation playground is being offered to elementary-age children at Chartiers Township Community Center.
Bob Brozovich, who was hired in April as manager of the community center, oversaw a similar program with the North Fayette Parks and Recreation Department. He started that community’s parks program in 2007.
The program will provide arts and crafts, music, exercise, field trips and some lunches, although most days parents will need to provide snacks and lunch. There is a refrigerator available at the center.
Brozovich said while the program officially runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the center will be open at 7 a.m. for early drop-offs and remain open to 6 p.m.
While parents showed interest when he visited the open house at Allison Park Elementary School, Brozovich said that as of last Friday, no one signed up for the first program that is scheduled for Friday. Today is the last day to register for Friday’s program, which is to include a trip to the Carnegie Science Center. There also will be a meeting for parents at 6 p.m. today at the center.
The next program is slated for Nov. 11, with plans to take the children bowling at The Meadows Casino. Other scheduled days include Nov. 25 and 30, Dec. 1, Jan. 18, Feb. 12 and 15, March 23, 24, 28, 29 and 30, and May 13.
“But we will keep plugging away,” Brozovich said. “This is a new idea in this area.”
Brozovich already is looking to offer a summer playground program that will run while students are on break for as long as counselors are available. He hopes to employ education-minded college students as counselors for the summer program. All employees of the center must undergo background checks and have the necessary clearances.
“We have a playground and a pavilion available here, as well as the community center, so we can bring the kids inside,” Brozovich said. “At North Fayette, we didn’t have that luxury. We had to bring the kids into the township meeting room.”
There also are plans for field trips in the summer, and there were discussions about taking the children to Canonsburg Town Park pool on a regular basis.
“I will work with the school district and plan to talk to local employers like Caterpillar,” Brozovich said.
The fee is $25 for one child and $40 for two children, with a $10 charge for each additional child in the family.
Brozovich said he is looking for donations of games and even ping pong, pool or foosball tables. Anyone wanting to make a donation or to receive more information about the program should call Brozovich at 724-485-2126.