Lights On! At New National Park JUST KIDS Program

National Park, NJ – Parents and guardians of students attending National Park Elementary School have a new option for before- and after-school childcare this school year – Archway Program’s JUST KIDS – which operates right in the school. The opening of the program in National Park will enable the community to celebrate Lights On Afterschool with the rest of the nation on October 23.

Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities. The 15th annual celebration is meant to draw attention to the opportunities and support that children have in afterschool programs like JUST KIDS, and highlight the need of programs for millions more children across the country.

Principal Carla Bittner says she approached JUST KIDS because parents wanted a childcare option that operated on school grounds.

“I chose JUST KIDS because they are the most well-organized and kid-centered. I love that it’s the same staff working with the kids every day; that consistency is so nice. The students are able to develop a real relationship with the staff,” said Bittner. “I also love the fact that they keep the kids engaged. It’s important to keep them engaged and doing productive and interesting things. I’m really happy with it!”

“Our program is an asset to National Park because of its enrichment quality for the students. JUST KIDS enhances what the children already are learning and provides them with an environment to try new things that they might not have the opportunity to try otherwise,” said Lorin Powell, Archway Programs JUST KIDS Director. “We provide them with a good, safe place to add new skill sets and let them become intrigued by such things as science, music, and art.”

The program, which has been running in National Park since September, already has 15 enrolled students from Kindergarten through fifth-grade. Parents have the flexibility to send their child any day from 7 a.m. until the school day starts, and then again when the school day ends, until 6 p.m. Program Supervisor Toni Ross, who has been with JUST KIDS for a decade, says the kids enjoy the activities, which include time outside, painting, cooking, science experiments, and enjoying nature, among a variety of other structured options.

Parents, like Christian Trautner, who enrolled her seven-year-old son Chase, said, “I like that everything is at the school and that it’s very structured. Chase can go to the library, go outside, do his homework… he has a variety of things he can do,” said Trautner. “My son looks forward to going, which makes me feel good that he’s excited to be there. It’s fantastic; I really love it!”