Honey Brook principal touts YMCA before/after care, new garden and hands‑on learning

Nate Bentley, principal of Honey Brook Elementary, told the Twin Valley School District Board on Oct. 20 that the school has launched a partnership with the Chester County Brandywine YMCA to provide before‑ and after‑school care for local families. "We already have six students in the before program" and additional parents are seeking enrollment, Bentley said, adding that the YMCA will offer holiday care at its Coatesville branch when the school is closed.

Bentley described outreach methods for the program — monthly email blasts to families and enrollment packets in the main office — and said teachers and YMCA staff cross‑market the program. He said the program had early start‑up delays while state inspections and insurance arrangements were finalized, but that activity picked up after August enrollment and back‑to‑school outreach.

The principal also highlighted a volunteer project delivered by Lowe's pro teams: volunteers installed four raised garden beds, planted butterfly bushes and created a safe walking path around the garden. "They came Tuesday and Wednesday, and they were done already," Bentley said, describing the work as completed in roughly two half‑days.

Bentley showcased student work and extracurricular activities tied to hands‑on learning. He described an art club (about a dozen students), grade‑level art projects, and daily Mystery Science lessons that he said occupy roughly 30 minutes per grade and are aligned to the district standards. "Mystery Science is fantastic. My teachers love it. The kids love it," Bentley said, stressing the engagement value of tactile activities.

Board members praised the partnerships and encouraged district leaders to keep emphasizing hands‑on learning across grade levels. Bentley also noted swim lessons and other off‑site partnerships are in place at Tel Hai and said those activities are well received by students.

Next steps Bentley identified included continued outreach to increase enrollments in the YMCA before/after programs, expanding garden‑club participation in spring, and maintaining communication channels so families are aware of program options.

The presentation ran as part of the public portion of the Oct. 20 board meeting; no board action was required for the programs themselves.