Four new recreation assistants have been hired for the Panther Club, the afterschool program run by the Pleasantville Recreation Department. The club offers homework help, recreation opportunities and outdoor activities.

The program describes itself as providing a safe, healthy, stable environment, and well-organized, age-appropriate activities and games for recreation and skill acquisition.

Mike Newman, Director of the Panther Club and Pleasantville Recreation Supervisor, believes strongly in the program.

“It is a state-licensed child-care program, afterschool program, that runs from when school lets out, so from 2:55 [p.m.] to 6:30 [p.m.],” Newman said. “We model it after the way we do [summer] camp, where the kids are put into groups based on grade level. They have a schedule where they go to different rooms and do different activities from board games to crafts, from sports to free play.”

The club keeps a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. Each staff member is trained by the state. They are trained in CPR and in how to handle conflicts among the K-8 population they serve.

“The program is geared towards the working family that needs the additional care from when school lets out, but we do have some people who sign up for it because it’s like an additional play date,” Newman said.

Registration for each month closes on the third Friday of the month prior.