Afterschool
What to Know
The PS 261 PTA Afterschool is a PTA-led, professionally directed program providing affordable, high-quality childcare, plus robust and varied enrichment classes and activities for our school community, Pre-K through 5th grade.
How it Works
Led by Afterschool Director Ms. Sandra Bodden, the program offers 70+ different arts and athletic classes during Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions, serving more than 250 children each weekday. We also produce a spectacular annual Spring Musical.
The program runs from 2:35 pm (when the school day ends) to 6pm sharp. The Afterschool office is open from 11am to 6pm. Our phone number is (718) 330-9275 x 5016 and our email is ps261afterschool@gmail.com.
2025-2026 Sessions
Fall
Thursday, September 4 through Tuesday, December 23 (with enrichment classes starting on Wednesday, October 1)
Winter
Monday, January 5 through Wednesday, April 1
Spring
Monday, April 13 through *Wednesday, June 24 (with enrichment classes ending June 12)
New to the Afterschool program?
Registering your family for a Jackrabbit Parent Portal account
Reading Frequently Asked Questions.
Centering and Connecting
What it is Like
Afterschool tuition includes care from dismissal until 6pm, a healthy snack, outdoor recess in the Big Yard (construction and weather permitting), and an enrichment class.
Afterschool has an annual registration fee of $100. Afterschool care costs $35 per child/per day, or about $700 a month for full-time care depending on the school’s schedule. Billed monthly. Pay by credit or debit card, or ACH through the Jackrabbit Parent Portal.
PS261 Afterschool is a program of the PS 261 PTA, a non-profit 501(c)3. More than 20% of our operating budget supports our community financial aid program, featuring need-based, sliding-scale tuition from $3.50 per child/per day. Your support for Afterschool child care also funds the Afterschool Spring Musical and the PTA’s lunch and recess counselor program.
Before-School Care
Families can also sign up for the 261 PTA early-dropoff program organized by Afterschool. A $40 monthly tuition fee per family covers Before-School Care every school day or as needed, but you must register first to participate.
Before-School Care starts at 7:30am each school day and is a warm, welcoming space for quiet activities for Pre-K through 5th grade students. No need to schedule care in advance—just drop off at the Pacific Street school entrance. Children are supervised in the auditorium until the school day begins at 8:17am. Then students can pick up a school breakfast to take to their classrooms.
How to register:
If you are new to Afterschool, start by registering your family in the Jackrabbit Parent Portal.
If you are new and need Before School care, complete the Before School Application and Release 2024-5 (one form per family). You can email the Before School application to ps261afterschool@gmail.com or drop it off in the Afterschool office in September.
Monthly tuition is billed through the Parent Portal. If the afterschool annual registration fee of $100 or before school monthly $40 fee is a hardship, email ps261afterschool@gmail.com to request a fee waiver. We’ll take care of it!