City Of West Palm Beach Offers Afterschool Care Options for Families

From the City of West Palm Beach:

September 17, 2020

Following the announcement that Palm Beach County students will resume in-person learning, the City of West Palm Beach’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach have made arrangements for families who will require afterschool care options.

The Parks and Recreation Department has launched their annual FOOSA (Fun Out of School Activities) and Teen FOOSA where participants can enjoy arts and crafts, sports, skills enhancement sessions, tutoring, community services and more. To register, parents must contact the community center nearest to their child’s school. Below is a list of centers to contact based on which school is your child attends:

• Coleman Park, 116 21st Street (561-804-4965): Northboro Elementary, Northmore Elementary, Pleasant City Elementary, U.B. Kinsey/Palmview
• Gaines Park, 1501 N Australian Avenue (561-804-4960): U.B. Kinsey/Palmview, Roosevelt Elementary, Roosevelt Middle, Westward Elementary
• Howard Park, 1302 Parker Avenue (561-804-4950): Belvedere Elementary, Palmetto Elementary
• South Olive Park, 345 Summa Street (561-804-4945): South Olive Elementary
• Vedado Park, 3710 Paseo Andalusia (561-804-4990): Conniston Middle

Click Here To See The Monthly Fees

The program runs from 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM and transportation is provided from schools to their respective FOOSA site.

Additionally, the department has also opened its TGNS (Thank Goodness No School) program as a childcare option on days when schools are closed and the City is open. This program will be available on September 28, November 23-25, and December 4 from 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM The daily cost for City residents is $20 and $32 for non-residents. Each community center location will service different age groups:

• Coleman Park: Grades K - 5
• Gaines Park: Grades K – 8
• Howard Park: Grades K – 5
• South Olive Park: Grades K – 8

As part of its COVID-19 mitigation efforts, the Parks and Recreation Department is allowing building entry to only program participants and staff members. For drop-offs and pick-ups, staff will accompany students to and from the center’s main door, where temperature checks will be mandatory. Additionally, masks/facial coverings are required for employees and program participants while attending FOOSA and TGNS.

The Mandel Public Library remains committed to helping local students excel during the school year. The following virtual events are available:

• Virtual Teen Homework Help (ongoing): Monday – Thursday, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Virtual Elementary Homework Help (ongoing): Monday – Thursday (4:00 PM – 7:00 PM) Saturday (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
• SAT Prep Workshop Series: October 5 & 19, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

For more information about FOOSA or TGNS, please contact the City of West Palm Beach’s Parks and Recreation Department at (561) 804-4900 (TTY: 800-955-8771). To learn more about the Mandel Public Library’s programming, call (561) 868-7703 (TTY: 800-955-8771) or visit www.wpbcitylibrary.org.

This press release was produced by the City of West Palm Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.