The After School Blog

Our spring enrichment club catalog is now available on the after school web page. Registration forms are also available for download, and paper copies of the registration forms will go home in backpacks at the end of this week. Registration begins on Monday March 26th and ends on Wednesday March 28th at 6:00pm.  ( photo: Moccasin Making Class)

Thanks to all of those who came out to march with us on Sunday and to those who cheered us on from the sidelines. We had a nice turnout of students, parents, alumni and even our very own leprechaun. A special thanks to Mrs. Barbara Guzzi who made this cheerful banner and who inspired us to march in the first place. This picture was taken at the beginning of the parade- but most of these kids made it all the way through to the end with no complaints. Spirits were high and the weather was grand – must have  been the luck of the irish!

Big Kids on the bridge

We had perfect weather yesterday for our walking trip to the Prospect Park Zoo.  All the kids were well behaved and seemed excited to be talking with the animals.  I got to spend the whole afternoon with the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade group and it was a pleasure to walk and talk with them just taking in the sunshine.

Black swallow tail butterfly

As some of you know, we are lucky enough to have Brooklyn’s “butterfly lady” on our after school staff. Jennifer Hopkins -who is  known to our kids as “Miss Jenny”, started the Windsor Terrace Greenway project seven years ago. The Greenway is a path of butterfly- friendly plants connecting Prospect Park with Greenwood Cemetary, Brooklyn’s two largest green spaces. These plants support travel for butterflies by providing “rest-stops” between their natural habitats.

Jennifer has agreed to help us create one of these “rest stops” right here in our after-school garden. If you would like to learn more about the Windsor Terrace Greenway and how your deck, window sill, or backyard can be a part of it, check out this site dedicated to the project.

Quinoa with white bean and sage

When going vegetarian, consider quinoa with a side of white beans in garlic and sage for a satisfying meal full of flavor and protein.

Quinoa with Scallions and Sage

1 cup of quinoa (rinsed in cold water then drained of water through a sieve)

3 scallions (chopped)

4 leaves of Sage (washed, dried and minced)

1 TBSp of Olive Oil

1 3/4 cups of water

Dash of salt to taste

In a quart pot pour 1 tbsp of olive oil.  Add the chopped scallions and minced fresh sage.  Saute until the scallions are soft and semi translucent about 6 mins.  Then add the cup of quinoa.  Saute with the chopped scallion and sage for approximately 3 -5 mins.   Add the 1 3/4 cups of water and a dash of salt to taste.  Bring to boil.  Lower heat and simmer.  Cook quinoa for the next 20 mins on low heat until the water has evaporated.  Let the quinoa set for 3-5 minutes to cool before serving.

White Beans with Garlic and Sage

1 can of white beans (navy beans) drained and rinsed

6 leaves of sage rinsed dried and minced

2 cloves of garlic (peeled and finely chopped)

2 tbsp of olive oil

1/2 cup of water

Dash of salt

In a saucepan add 2 tbsp of olive oil, garlic and minced sage and cook on low heat for 2 minutes or until the garlic is soft.  Add beans and water and salt to the oil, garlic and sage infusion. Simmer for another 7minutes on low heat.  Let sit to cool for a few more minutes then serve.

These two dishes go well together with a tossed salad.