Community rallies in Canarsie after school program ends after 18 years
Parents, students, and staff marched in the streets of Canarsie with one clear message - to keep the program going.
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An after-school program at P.S. 115 in Canarsie is on the brink of a shutdown after 18 years of service. The school community says the change came with little warning and few answers.
Parents, students, and staff marched in the streets of Canarsie with one clear message - to keep the program going.
“I think ultimately we want to keep Millennium as the vendor of the after-school program,” said Alexandra M. Griffiths, a parent. “Because they’re a trusted partner.”
Parents say they were notified just last week that the Millennium Development Program is being replaced with a new provider this September.
“I was devastated because my daughter loves the program,” said Omiga Colas, another parent. “It gave me peace of mind to know that, while I'm at work, working hard to just survive, she's able to engage in enrichment programs such as dance, and she's on a step team. They have basketball and programs pretty much to build her confidence, not just academically.”
Parents are also demanding that the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), the city department that funds the after-school programs, come to the table and meet with this school community in person — ready to answer questions about how these decisions were made.
“We just want to be part of that process,” said Griffiths. “We don't understand why the program is being changed.”
Another major concern is that the new program would only seat 120 students, compared to the 200 currently part of Millennium Development.
A spokesperson from DYCD tells News 12 they’re still reviewing the specifics of seat availability, and the new provider was selected through a competitive process, which by no means reflects the quality of the current program.
