CINCINNATI — More than 150 Cincinnati Public School (CPS) students have a chance to lace up skates and enjoy the Fountain Square ice rink as a part of the School Skates program. For many of the students, this will be their first time ice skating.
First Student, the trusted provider of school transportation for CPS is partnering with the YMCA and Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) to provide students who are enrolled in a YMCA after-school program access to the ice rink at no cost.
First Student is providing free round-trip transportation from each of the four participating schools. Thanks to 3CDC, students can skate free of charge. School Skates runs every Thursday afternoon at Fountain Square from 3:30–5:00 p.m. through February 12. Students from Westwood, Taft and Cheviot Elementary Schools along with the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) are participating.
“The School Skates program helps to create lasting memories for students, and we are pleased to partner with Cincinnati Public Schools, the YMCA and 3CDC,” said Dennis Maple, First Student President. “First Student readily embraces opportunities to be involved in the Cincinnati community. We recognize the positive impact that we can have on students and families extends beyond the school day.”
This is the sixth year for School Skates. The program fulfills a health and wellness component offered as part of the YMCA after-school curriculum.