Beyond Childcare: Green Rockets Rising Helps Kids Soar
In the Morristown Central School District, something special happens before the first bell rings and long after final dismissal. It happens in classrooms, the gym, outside as weather allows, and in activity zones filled with laughter, movement, learning, and the kind of support every child deserves.
It’s called Green Rockets Rising (GRR) Program, and United Way of Northern New York is honored to partner with the Morristown Central School District to help make this program possible through grant funding from the state.
The GRR program means peace of mind for working parents, opportunity for kids, and one more way our community shows up for one another.
A Safe Place to Land (and Launch)
The Green Rockets Rising Before and After School Program serves children ages 4–12, from Pre-K through 6th grade, providing a safe, structured environment where students can complete homework, build friendships, explore new interests, and simply be kids.
The program operates Monday through Friday following the Morristown CSD calendar, with morning programming taking place from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. and afternoon programming from 3:04 to 5:15 p.m.
For families, this means dependable childcare and consistent routines. For students, it means a space where they are supported, encouraged, and cared for every single day.
And for United Way, it represents an important aspect of our work and the mission we strive to accomplish: strengthening families and creating brighter futures.
This school year marks a strong start for GRR, and those closest to the program are already seeing the difference it’s making. According to Sue Bouchey, Program Director, the feedback from both kids and parents has been incredibly positive.
“I think overall the program is going really well. We do the social/emotional surveys and most of the kids are rating wanting to be here at the highest rating; and if kids want to be here, we’ve got to be doing something right.”
And that’s the heart of it: the kids want to be there.
“We’re building the program, seeing the kids and seeing their faces…for me, that’s what it’s all about, giving these kids opportunities they wouldn’t get otherwise.”
Parents are noticing, too. With tools like ParentSquare helping strengthen communication, families are staying connected and informed, and students are being recognized for milestones like 50 and 75 days of attendance, reinforcing the importance of commitment, routine, and belonging.
The program follows monthly themes that guide activities and learning, and in addition, GRR will integrate monthly community service projects that help students learn the importance of giving back.
February Fun
Through the month, coinciding with the Olympic Winter Games, students enrolled in the program have the opportunity to participate in a number of fun winter activities to earn points and win various events.
This week, the Olympic spirit came to life in the best way possible: through movement, laughter, and kids cheering each other on. Hannah Thornhill, a GRR staff member and the school’s physical education teacher, helped kick off the first week by organizing GRR’s very own Winter Olympic Games.
“We’re off to a good start so far,” Ms. Thornhill shared. “It’s good to get the kids out and exercising and not on screens.”
The events of the first week included distance sledding and races, and Ms. Thornhill has plans for sled bowling, curling and more before the month is over.
On Thursday, students competed in a “who can go the farthest” sledding event where Jade took home the solo distance win. Round two brought racing excitement, with winners including Alana, Gracelyn, and Brian.
Even better? Ms. Thornhill didn’t just supervise, she joined right in, racing alongside the kids and showing them that being active can be fun for everyone.
The doubles bob sledding races brought even more laughs, especially when Deb Horton, another teacher helping out, jumped into the competition. The final matchup came down to Deb and Brian versus Gracelyn and Colton, the latter pulling ahead with big cheers all around and securing the win.
Beyond Games
While fun activities like the Winter Olympics bring excitement and movement, GRR is about more than games. It’s about learning experiences that expand kids’ worlds.
Students have already been diving into creative and educational programming, including STEAM-based activities. That’s what makes GRR so special: it’s a place where students can explore subjects like science as well as creativity, teamwork, and leadership without even realizing how much they’re growing as a result.
At United Way of Northern New York, we believe every child deserves the chance to succeed not just in the classroom, but in life. Programs like Green Rockets Rising help make that possible. They provide safe supervision, academic support, physical activity, social-emotional growth, positive adult role models, a sense of belonging, and support for working parents and caregivers.
When parents know their children are safe, supported, and engaged, they can go to work with confidence. And when kids have a consistent environment that encourages them, they build the kind of skills that last far beyond elementary school.
We are proud to stand beside the Morristown Central School District and the dedicated staff who bring this program to life every day.
This is what it looks like when a community invests in its future. United, we can continue to make opportunities available for students and help relieve the burden of reliable childcare for working families.
For additional information about the Green Rockets Rising Program, contact Sue at
(315) 375-8814, ext. 21024 or by email at sbouchey@mcsk12.org.
