You & Me: A Special Art Exhibit – Plush Mills

Vibrant art work filled the lobby; the creations of students from Chester Charter School for the Arts (CCSA). The Chester Children’s Chorus was founded in 1994 by Dr. John Alston, a music professor at Swarthmore College. Through his work with the Chorus, Dr. Alston developed a vision for a school where academics and arts were fully integrated in an enriching curriculum. Opened in 2012, CCSA is the realization of that dream. The school serves 420 children in grades kindergarten through eight and provides rigorous academics along with dance, drama, music, physical education, spanish and visual arts.

Plush Mills residents, along with members of the Swarthmore Rotary Club participate in a weekly reading buddy program with the kindergarteners at the school. It has quickly become a favorite for both the children and adults involved. “My daughter talks about it all the time,” said Megan Harris, mom of 6 year-old student Nyah Grant, “Each week, she can’t wait.”

“In the fall, the Rotary gave each child in the program their own book,” said Ken Wright, a resident of Plush Mills and a Rotarian, “In the spring, the students surprised us with a gift of note cards featuring their artwork.” Mr. Wright went on to say that that, while he and his fellow volunteers are gratified by the reading progress they see in the students, “We really get more out of it than they do. It’s just a pleasure to spend time with the kids.”