After School PS 217

Embracing our Diverse Student Body

“We represent a diverse community rich in culture. Diversity is embraced and capitalized on so that we can raise the consciousness of the youth that are part of our program.” Cynithia Smalls 

P.S. 217 has children from cultures from around the world including (but not limited to) Haiti, Russia, Dominican Republic, Nigeria, and of course, the United States. These cultures are incorporated into the many activities offered by 217’s after-school program, including art, science, dance, and literacy. Each child is exposed to and celebrates all the different nationalities that comprise the study body.  Additionally, Lifelong Learning is a part of the PS 217 program. Staff members participate in Professional Development that helps them to create a healthy learning environment for the students. Please read more about 217’s unique offerings below.

Please contact DYCD to apply for our After-School program.

 

Activities

Social-Emotional Learning

Our innovative Social-Emotional teaching approach is used in all of our activities, helping your kids develop their social skills and identities.

STEM

STEM is a modern integrated approach to teaching, which combined with our own projects, aim to expand your kids’ minds and the world they interact with.

Art

Is your child an artist? Then this program is perfect for them! Here your child will learn how to express themselves and their emotions artistically!

Literacy Enrichment

Having access to the materials that your kids use at school allows us to deepen and strengthen those very concepts, to ensure a more cohesive learning experience!

Dance

Dance is perfect for anyone to express themselves creatively, release stress, and learn about other cultures, all while having fun! Explore hip-hop, free dance, and more.

GYM

Physical education embedded in the influence of Social-Emotional Learning results in very interesting and team-oriented activities for your kids.

Social-Emotional Learning

Our innovative Social-Emotional teaching approach is used in all of our activities, helping your kids develop their social skills and identities.

Art

Is your child an artist? Then this program is perfect for them! Here your child will learn how to express themselves and their emotions artistically!

Dance

Dance is perfect for anyone to express themselves creatively, release stress, and learn about other cultures, all while having fun! Explore hip-hop, free dance, and more.

STEM

STEM is a modern integrated approach to teaching, which combined with our own projects, aim to expand your kids’ minds and the world they interact with.

Literacy Enrichment

Having access to the materials that your kids use at school allows us to deepen and strengthen those very concepts, to ensure a more cohesive learning experience!

GYM

Physical education embedded in the influence of Social-Emotional Learning results in very interesting and team-oriented activities for your kids.

More About Our Program

Cynithia Smalls
Director

Ms. Smalls comes to the P.S. 217 program with extensive experience in child development. As a young athlete in Far Rockaway (playing basketball and lacrosse,) she saw the importance of youth having opportunities to break down barriers between cultures. The 217 program emphasizes how our uniqueness connects and how we should embrace our differences to strengthen us all. After 15 years of leadership positions at various after-school programs, Ms. Smalls most recently served as Program Director at Dyker Heights Middle School. Ms. Smalls is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Mentor Program
Get Involved

PS 217 would love to engage you as part of our community to help mentor children.  Let us know if you are interested!

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