After the Bell: Where Learning, Creativity, and Discovery Continue
Making Carver Programs Accessible to Every Family
For questions about our After the Bell (before & after-school) programs in Norwalk’s elementary schools, please contact the Director of Elementary School-Based Programs, Tricia Ciccone, at (203) 838-4305; ext 115; tricia@carvercenterct.org, and/or the Program Assistant, Karla Corona; (203) 838-4305, Ext 132, (475) 419-0126 - Mobile; karla@the-carver.org.
We want every student to have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive with Carver! Scholarships, family discounts, and financial assistance are available. We encourage families to reach out and explore the options that can make Carver programs affordable and accessible for their children.
Thanks to Carver's award of competitive 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grants, recognizing the excellence of our educational programming and support for students and families, all students enrolled in After the Bell at Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School and in Carver's Scholars programs attend free of charge. These grants help ensure that more children and families benefit from Carver's enriching learning opportunities at no cost.
The school day may end, but learning doesn’t.
The After the Bell (ATB) program gives elementary students a safe, supportive, and engaging place to spend the hours before and after school, combining academic support with hands-on enrichment that encourages curiosity, creativity, confidence, and friendship.
Led by certified teachers and paraprofessionals from students’ own schools, ATB complements the school day while giving children room to explore, create, collaborate, and have fun.
Meet Liz Harry
Liz Harry joined Norwalk Public Schools in 2013 and began working with Carver’s After the Bell program in 2018. Liz teaches 1st Grade at Kendall College and Career Academy. Drawing on her classroom and ATB experience, Liz led the effort to create Carver’s 2026 Fall/Winter ATB curriculum for use across all ATB school sites.. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in reading and is completing a second master’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages.
Throughout the year, students take part in project-based experiences spanning STEM, art, literacy, cultural exploration, digital learning, community building, and social-emotional development.
The program’s themed activities move from fall exploration and Indigenous Peoples’ Day to Halloween creativity, Veterans Day and community helpers, Thanksgiving, winter science, and a February celebration and showcase, turning before- and the after-school hours into opportunities to investigate, make, solve, and share.
Explore the flipbook below for a closer look at what our students experience