BASICS holds February vacation mini-programs

By Pam Schiff
Posted 3/1/17

By PAM SCHIFF BASICS (Benefiting All Students in Cranston Schools) has been a programming presence in Cranston for the past seven years. With the reinstatement of elementary instrumental music classes, it felt it was a good time to expand their horizons

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BASICS holds February vacation mini-programs

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BASICS (Benefiting All Students in Cranston Schools) has been a programming presence in Cranston for the past seven years.

With the reinstatement of elementary instrumental music classes, it felt it was a good time to expand their horizons and offer different and unique programming opportunities for Cranston's kids.

They still offer the ever-growing and popular glee program, which performs at the annual Christmas tree lighting at City Hall, at the Oaklawn Grange and the Knightsville gazebo.

Guitar is still being offered as well. All will be highlighted in a concert in May.

President of BASICS Kerri Kelleher was pleased to offer a special programming course over winter break.

"We have this wonderful new facility, we wanted the kids to be able to do something different and try new activities. It was a win-win for everyone," she said.

They offered a three-day mini-program consisting of programs that included a "me" self-health day, which included yoga, stress ball making, henna body art and other activities.

Day two was art, which featured confetti art mosaics, painting and a special winter art mural.

Thursday, which was the last day, the children focused on music. They learned how to play four instruments together as a "band," had karaoke and lip sync contests and dance-offs.

"We had the best time this week. I know the kids all had a blast. But, I couldn't do any of it without my fantastic parents and teachers who helped this week; Laura Cioe and Kristin Patto Blake shared their talents, time and patience to ensure a wonderful time was had by everyone," said Kelleher.

Lily Faust, who attended all three days of programming, had a great time. "I love it here, everything we do is amazing. I am having the greatest time of my life," she said. 

Claudia Cioe, who also was there the whole time, said her favorite day was the music.

BASICS provides programming throughout the school year that covers yoga, glee, guitar, art and the newest part of the group, K4K (kids for kids). This program offers the children an opportunity to do basic community service projects that are centered on and focused on children either in the Cranston community or somewhere in Rhode Island.

"We have changed a lot over the last seven years. We have learned a lot in that same time. But, the one thing that has remained consistent is that children want to learn, they want to be engaged, they crave positive reinforcement from their peers. We have designed our programs not to compete with other after school activities, programs or sports. We are all inclusive, we don't say no to any child," said Kelleher.

The registration for the April vacation mini program is already up on the web site.

To learn more about BASICS and their programming, go to their web site www.BASICS-ri.com.

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