From Christy Everson, at Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, here is some timely and useful information about City-run after-school programs:

Fall registration for the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ Before and After School Programs will take place Sept. 4 through Sept. 7 from school closing to 5:45 p.m. daily.

The Department offers the programs for children enrolled in kindergarten through fifth grade at 19 City elementary schools.

The registration fee is $5 for the entire school year and includes a free “It Starts in Parks” T-shirt for each student.

The programs focus on academics as well as life skills and character development, and the children work on reading, math and homework every day except Fridays. Recreation activities and some field trips are also included.

“Our programs are a great way for working parents to ensure that their children are supervised and in a safe environment after school,” said Department Director J. R. Pope. “Plus, the programs give the children a time to do their homework as well as to have some fun.”

Registration will be held after school in the cafeterias at the 19 elementary school sites: Bellemeade, Bellevue, Blackwell, Broad Rock, Carver, Cary, Chimborazo, Clark Springs, Fairfield, Greene, Mary Scott, Maymont, Miles Jones, Overby-Sheppard, Redd, Reid, Summer Hill, Swansboro and Woodville.

The Department also offers Before School Programs at two elementary schools, Blackwell and Maymont. Registration for these morning programs will take place at the same time as registration for the After School Programs, and there is no additional fee if your child also enrolls in an After School Program.

For more information, call 646-6067.

Note: All of the Department’s Before and After School Programs are licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services.