February 19, 2020
Youth Commission Minutes
Call to order: Pam Stocking 9:40am.
Present: Jessica Knapp-Chair, Pam Stocking-Vice Chair, Manuela Michailescu, Sandy Chipman, Deborah Martin, Ashley Sweeney-Recreation Director, Bethany Dennin-Assistant Recreation Director.
Approval of Minutes: Manuela Michailescu made a motion; Sandy Chipman seconded.
Verbal Director’s Report: Ashley Sweeney
• Welcome, Deborah Martin; the newest addition to the Town of Rochester Youth Commission. We are happy to have you!
• Valentine’s Day-The Recreation Department did an Italian dinner for the children in the After-School Program. We turned the community center into a mock Italian restaurant. The children had the best time.
• Community Trip-On February 8, 2020, we took a trip to the Resorts World Casino. It was a great turn out. We had a full bus. I was very happy to see some new faces.
• Tai Chi- Starting Monday, March 23rd …This class will run for 8 weeks every Monday and Thursday from 11:30am-12:30pm.
• New Exercise Instructor-Marybeth Woolsey. Starting April 7, 2020, Marybeth will be teaching an evening exercise class on Tuesday nights from 6:00pm-7:00pm. The cost will be $5.00 pp per class. It will be a combination of strength training and yoga. Walk-ins welcome!
Marybeth will also do a free yoga class for kids in our After-School Program on Tuesday afternoons.
• St. Patrick’s Day-Tuesday, March 17th. 11:30am-1:00pm. All Youth Commission members that plan on helping please arrive by 9:00am. We expect a very large crowd this year.
Deborah will be here at 10:00am to set up music.
Jessica Knapp will make some Irish soda bread.
• Summer Program-Registration will be April 1, 2020. Doors will open at 9:00am.
Manuela asked about limiting the amount of weeks children are able to sign up for in order to accommodate more children.
I have thought about this a lot after last year’s program and I believe it is in the best interest of the child to maintain consistency. Therefore, if a parent wants to sign their child up for the duration of the program they should be able to.
The Summer Program will remain at the Town Park this year. It’s great for the kids to get as much fresh air as possible.
Deborah Martin brought up the idea of tutoring kids with reading difficulties during the summer at the Community Center.
Many wonderful trip ideas were discussed: River-To-Ridge Trail in New Paltz, Grey Towers in Milford, Storm King Center for the Arts, Pedal Cars in Phoenicia, Ice Time Skate Rink in Newburgh, Grahamsville Fair…
• Easter Egg Hunt-April 4, 2020. Youth Commission members will brainstorm ideas for a “golden egg re-vamp.”

• Mother’s Day-May 8, 2020. Lolly Chase will do her Fashion Show again this year.
Manuela suggested doing something in memory of Valerie Weaver at the event because of all of her years of service in the Town of Rochester.
• Quilt Show-Deborah Martin would like us to think about possibly doing a Quilt Show at the Community Center to celebrate local women.
It was discussed as a possible addition to Heritage Day in October.
Meeting adjourned: 10:45am
Next Meeting: March 11, 2020
Submitted by: Ashley Sweeney