Honesty featured value at Recreation last week
Newstead Recreation staff and rec participants focused on the core value of Honesty last week, emphasizing the demonstration and upholding of the highest integrity.
REC goers participated in an activity called Two Truths and A Lie. While participating the kids wrote down two truths and one lie about themselves and the other rec goers would guess which one was false. In arts and crafts this week, the kids had fun making different relaxants. Monday the kids made floam, Tuesday they made stress balls, Wednesday was painting with glitter, Thursday was forming model magic.
Playground played a variety of different games including GA GA BALL, yard games, and gym games. In water activities goers participated in many fun games, with the favorite being slip ‘n slide rely racing. The sport of the week was golf. The participants learned the basics and fundamentals of the game and many enjoyed a field trip to Destroyer Park Golf located on Sand Hill Rd in the Town of Newstead.
Next week the field trip is a hike to the Newstead Town Library and fun at Russell Park.
The role of the staff of the Town of Newstead Recreation Program is to teach and guide by the core values; Commitment, Fairness, Honesty, Passion, Respect, Resourceful, and Service. Each week of Summer Rec. one core value of the department is emphasized.
REC Olympics
This week, the NRD will host its Annual REC Olympics on Friday with “Medals” to be awarded to the winners of select events. This day also happens to mark the start of the Tokyo Olympics. Speaking of sports programs, NRD Summer Rec. is still swinging! After swinging at baseballs, softballs & golf balls for the past two weeks, participants are swinging Lacrosse sticks this week!
The Town of Newstead Summer 2021 Recreation Programs started on Monday, June 28 and runs through Friday August 6 at Veterans Park, Buell Street, Akron.
There are now nearly 300 registrations for all program offerings combined, some programs are closed, and some remain open, so Director Dan Roland encourages, “do not delay, sign up today!”
In full swing, NRD Summer Rec. focused on baseball/softball last week and golf is scheduled for this week, including an outing to Destroyer Golf on Friday to close out the week! With the success of the NRD on-line registration system… Participants have the convenience of registering for programs on-line at the www.newsteadrec.com website or they may still stand in line for personal service at the Newstead Town Hall on Clarence Center Road.
The following programs are scheduled for 2021 Summer REC pending sufficient registrations:
Summer Rec. Programs – Days – Times – Fees (Tentative & TBD)
AM Fitness & Fun – Monday-Friday from 8 to 9 a.m.-$20/participant for season
* AM REC Session – Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – $30/participant for season
* PM REC Session – Monday-Friday from 1 – 4 p.m. – $30/participant for season
After Hours Hoopla – Monday-Friday from 4 – 5 p.m. – $20/participant for season
Field Excursions/Trips – TBD – TBD – TBD
* As in the past, youth may register for the AM or PM Session, but not for both. Each session adheres to grade levels and includes 4 – 45 minute programs… arts & crafts, playground games, recreational activities, and sport of the week. The AM and PM Sessions are Monday-Friday and are all-inclusive for the duration of the Summer, excluding AM Fitness & Fun, After Hours Hoopla and any paid field trips, which require separate registration. Note: Summer Recreation will be at Veteran’s Park this Summer due to construction projects at ACS facilities.
In addition to core programs above, other special events/trips planned pending protocols, include: the 4th of July Parade, a Hike to Akron Falls Park, a Day at the Library/Russell Park, an Outing at Destroyer Golf, the NRD Olympics, a “Fun Run” to support a community cause, and “Let’s Can Hunger!”
Please note: To register for these special events/trips, youth must already be registered in the AM or PM REC Program. Most excursions will be free, others may require a fee. Some are walking trips; others require drop off at alternate site.
Registration Process
Participants are encouraged to set-up family accounts and register ASAP due to program caps. Again, participants may register on-line at www.newsteadrec.com or stand in line at the Newstead Town Hall located at 5 Clarence Center Road starting on Monday, June 7 at 8 a.m. For the convenience of on-line registration, a modest processing fee is assessed and invoiced. Please note that there are “caps” – a limited number of openings for the programs and special events/field trips, which will be filled on a first-paid, first-serve basis. Note: A registration is not complete until paid.
Rec. Dept. Leadership and
Summer Rec. Staff
The Summer 2021 Recreation Program will be led by Dan Roland, Director, and four Program Coordinators. This Summer, Dan is entering his 14th year with the program. Dan’s experience includes being a Professor of Business Management at Hilbert College since 1988 and serving as the former Director of the Clarence Youth Center for more than a decade. Program Coordinators joining the Leadership Team: Leah Czechowski, Nick Roland, Abby Stone and Micah Suckow.
The four Program Coordinators are responsible for planning, organizing, implementing, supervising, and evaluating their respective programs. This core leadership team sets the standards for new and returning staff joining the Rec. Dept. as Program Attendants. Past protocol has established that returning staff members in good standing, based on past performance, are given priority. Remaining staff and substitute positions are then filled based on application materials and interviews. Upon selection and approval, staff notifications were made.
The approved Attendants include: Haley Aquino, Lauren Bergman, Steven Doktor, Laicy Karczewski, Sarah Kidder, Mattie Klein, Dakota Langenfeldt, Emerson Polkowski, and Alex Roland. Please note that applications for substitute positions may still be submitted. The Application form is posted on the Town of Newstead website. Once completed, the application along with a cover letter should be sent to Newstead Town Hall c/o Dan Roland, Rec. Director. A Staff meeting was held this week to orient and prepare Rec. Staff for the Summer of 2021.
Lifeguard Certification Courses
In preparation for Summer, the Newstead Rec. Dept. has been busy hosting Lifeguard Training Courses for community members. The 1st course was held on Saturday, May 8for individuals needing re-certification. The 2nd course will be offered on Saturday, June 12 for individuals pursuing new certification. The courses are conducted by Karen Reynolds, an American Red Cross Certified Instructor. The programs are of critical importance to Aquatics Staffing for the Recreation Department, and they also provide job readiness preparation for participants to work at other pools and water parks in the local community. Both programs reached capacity and were sold out.
Rec. Dept. Mission and Board:
The Recreation Department mission is as follows: “The Town of Newstead Recreation Department is committed to providing residents of the Town of Newstead, Tonawanda Territory, Akron Central School District, and Students of the Akron Central School District with a variety of enjoyable and meaningful physical fitness programs and leisure activities that promote individual development and teamwork in a safe and positive environment.”
The role of the Rec. Board is to further the mission of the Recreation Department, by adhering to its core values: Commitment, Fairness, Honesty, Passion, Respect, Resourcefulness, and Service and improving its functional areas: activities/programming, budgeting/ appropriations, facility management, organizational development, and publicity/public relations. The next Rec. Bd. Meeting met on Thursday, June 10 and will meet again on August 5 at the Newstead Town Hall.
The Newstead Recreation Board includes the following members: Joel Gregorio (Chair), Bo Izydorczak (Secretary), Adam Massaro, Tim Morgan, Melissa Polkowski, Jason Pragle, Mike Schilling, and Alicia Tomporowski. In addition, the Town Board Liaisons to the Recreation Department are Councilmen Dr. Ed Burke and Patricia Pope. The School Board Liaison is currently Debbie Forrestel. Thanks to the Rec. Bd. for volunteering their time and to the Town Bd. for their support… It is through their collective efforts that the Rec. Dept. continues to grow!
Suggestions
While the Town of Newstead, the Recreation Board, and Rec. Staff are the official caretakers of the Recreation Department, it takes the collective efforts of the community to be truly successful. Residents with suggestions for the betterment of the Recreation Department are asked to please contact a Rec. Bd. Member or the Recreation Director, Dan Roland via cell phone at #392-7657. Thanks for your support!