NECC welcomes Webutuck students back to After-School Connection

MILLERTON — Like many local organizations that had to adapt their services and programs to a virtual platform as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the North East Community Center (NECC) in Millerton was motivated to move its in-person programming — including its After-School Connection program — to the world wide web. Though its staff has done its utmost to help keep students connected to their peers from a social distance over the last year, the NECC was delighted to return to delivering in-person programming on Monday, Jan. 25.

Given the community’s interest in the After-School Connection program, it was with high hopes that Webutuck Superintendent of Schools Raymond Castellani announced the NECC had its first day back hosting the program during the Webutuck Board of Education meeting on Jan. 25. He informed the board that there were a number of families that reached out to the Webutuck district to ask about the program, and after speaking with NECC administrators, he said he and Webutuck Business Administrator Robert Farrier convinced the NECC to move up its program start time. 

To date, Castellani said there are between 12 and 15 Webutuck students enrolled in the program, ranging from the elementary school to the fourth or fifth grade.

“We are so grateful to be partnering with a school who cares about after-school programming for their students,” said NECC Youth Program Director Kathryn Atkins. “We were very happy to return to delivering in-person programming and we’re also glad to be able to restructure our program in order to clear our waiting list.”

At this time, Atkins said the After-School Connection program is operating two classrooms: one at Webutuck Elementary School for students in kindergarten through third grade and one at Eugene Brooks Intermediate School for students in grades fourth through sixth — both on its Haight Road campus. The program will be operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from dismissal to 5:45 p.m. to align with the school’s schedule. The dismissal time will vary, depending on the grade levels.

As the program still has room in both classrooms, Atkins said NECC would be happy to welcome new students into the program “to support both the Webutuck school district and its families.” 

Concerning NECC’s plans to ensure everyone follows COVID-19 guidelines, she said they’ll be following safety guidelines and protocols from the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Education Department and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services in maintaining the safety of students and staff. 

Such protocols include reducing the program’s classroom numbers to promote social distancing, making sure all students and staff wear masks and follow rigorous cleaning procedures before, during and after the program every day.

Atkins also mentioned that NECC won’t charge any fees for the program this year.

“We waived our fees because we thought everyone could use a break,” she said.

For more information about the After-School Connection program, contact NECC at 518-789-4259 or email youthprograms@neccmillerton.org

Families can also find out more by going to www.neccmillertony.org.

Latest News

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and the home for American illustration

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett

L. Tomaino
"The field of illustration is very close to my heart"
— Stephanie Plunkett

For more than three decades, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett has worked to elevate illustration as a serious art form. As chief curator and Rockwell Center director at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, she has helped bring national and international attention to an art form long dismissed as merely commercial.

Her commitment to illustration is deeply personal. Plunkett grew up watching her father, Joseph Haboush, an illustrator and graphic designer, work late into the night in his home studio creating art and hand-lettered logos for package designs, toys and licensed-character products for the Walt Disney Co. and other clients.

Keep ReadingShow less
Free film screening and talk on end-of-life care
‘Come See Me in the Good Light’ is nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards.
Provided

Craig Davis, co-founder and board chair of East Mountain House, an end-of-life care facility in Lakeville, will sponsor a March 5 screening of the documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light” at The Moviehouse in Millerton, followed by a discussion with attendees.

The film, which is nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards, follows the poet Andrea Gibson and their partner Megan Falley as they are suddenly and unimaginably forced to navigate a terminal illness. The free screening invites audiences to gather not just for a film but for reflection on mortality, healing, connection and the ways communities support one another through difficult life transitions.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.