Summer NASA to return in June

Press Release

NEWKIRK — The Newkirk After School Academy (NASA) has seen enormous success since it launched in fall 2018, offering Newkirk elementary and middle school students a chance to continue learning after the school day has ended. Newkirk Public Schools has recently been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but NASA officials are pleased to announce that the program will continue this summer in June, with in-school activities available for part of the month.

NASA is funded through a federal 21st Century and Community Learning Center grant.

The summer program will begin June 1, with distance learning activities through June 12. The students will receive a book with four to six science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) activities based on the included book. The STEAM kits will have everything needed to complete the activities, and the families will get to keep the kit. NASA will ask families for proof of participation through photos.

The packet pickup will be on Monday, June 1 and Monday, June 8 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., the same time as lunch pickup, and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Anyone unable to make one of the offered times, please call Tonya Mott, program assistant director, at (580) 362-2279 to schedule a pick up time.

NASA will begin in-person programming June 15, Monday – Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to allow extra time for field trips. During the in-person program they will offer breakfast, academic learning time, enrichment activities and lunch. They will continue offering engaging enrichment activities for our students and have plans to offer some new enrichment activities this summer including photography, cosmetology, forensic science, lower elementary STEAM and a nature program.

To participate in NASA the student must attend NPS, and enrolled students will be expected to participate in both the virtual and in-person portions of the program. To enroll students in the summer NASA program, please call Mott at (580) 362-2279 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday-Thursday.