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Revamped CYSS program means the “SKIES” the limit for Wainwright children – FMWRC – US Army – 100916
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PHOTO CAPTION: FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska – Jayden Davis, 1, daughter of Mandy and Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Davis, 83rd Military Police Detachment, dances during the Parent and Child ABC Music and Me class Sept. 4 at School Age Services offered by Fort Wainwright’s Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills Unlimited program. Registration is open for October SKIES classes for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children. (Courtesy photo cleared for public release, not for commercial use, attribution requested.)
Revamped CYSS program means the "SKIES" the limit for Wainwright children
Sep 16, 2010
By Sheryl Nix, Fort Wainwright PAO
FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska – Fort Wainwright’s Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills Unlimited program is back by popular demand and better than ever, according to Amy Nott, SKIES program manager.
After taking a few months to revamp the program, incorporate more competitive contracts to make classes more affordable and change the class length and times offered to include weekend and evening classes, the new SKIES schedule hit the streets last month and offers parents an innovative way to add to their children’s development.
"SKIES is an enrichment (program) for children offered outside of their school, preschool or the center or wherever they attend," Nott explained. "And it also gives children who stay at home a supplement."
With programming for children ranging in age from six months to 18 years, SKIES has something for everyone. And with highly qualified instructors who have trained on the subject matter, fun activities, lots of smiles and purposeful instruction, parents can ensure their children will benefit from their SKIES experience, said Gerri Withers, Child, Youth and School Services parent and outreach services director.
"The classes are based on developed lesson plans so there are learning objectives and outcomes," she said. "Everyone is concerned about the growth and development of their children and they want the best opportunities possible. What we try to do is provide the military community these options at reasonable prices and times that work best for them."
Focusing on skill development, SKIES classes start out with simple tasks that take students through basic skills and then get more advanced as they progress. The goal is to fine tune skills so parents can find out what their children really want to pursue, Nott said.
"SKIES will help their children grow and develop and figure out which activities they’re interested in, and have a good time," she said.
SKIES is just one part of the overall CYSS goal to provide quality, affordable and reliable programming and care for children at Fort Wainwright, Withers said. "CYSS as a whole really offers opportunities for children from birth all the way to 18, whether it’s recreational, childcare, parenting classes; we cover the whole gamut," she said.
Classes are offered each month and will generally last for eight weeks, with alternate timeframes so parents can choose a class that fits their schedules.
Registration is currently available for October classes which include the following programs: parent and child sign language for ages 6 months and older; parent and child toddler music for ages one and a half to three years; beginning art for ages two to three years; preschool art #1 for ages three to five years; preschool music for ages three to five years; cooking and nutrition for ages six to 12 years; introduction to sewing for ages six to 12 years and fiber arts – knitting and crochet for ages six to 12 years.
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