While providing extended day care for its younger students, Mount Laurel is going to try to expand that to include seventh and eighth graders.
The pilot program at Harrington Middle School starts Sept. 26.
According to Director of Communication Services Marie Reynolds, 61 percent of 249 parents surveyed said they would welcome the idea.
“Obviously, with the school starting at 7:30 a.m. we would not offer a morning program, but we heard from many parents who acknowledged that the hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. are the most dangerous for teens and pre-teens in terms of ‘getting into trouble,’” Reynolds said. “In all, 94 of those taking the survey entered comments on the issue, with the vast majority saying this would be a welcome addition to our programs because children at ages 12 and 13 should not be home alone for several hours in the afternoon for numerous reasons, including safety.”
The school district developed an electronic survey which was put out with the help of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) presidents to sixth, seventh and eighth-grade parents.
Supervisor of Community Education and Extended Day Care Suzanne Haftman said in the past there wasn’t much interest in extended day care on the part of parents.
The cost will be $8 per student, $6 for each sibling, and $13 for a drop in fee. The program will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Parents would pick up their children and sign them out.
Haftman said after school extended day is offered at all elementary schools in the district as well as at Hartford which is grade five and six.
She confirmed Reynolds’ observation that kids at that age tend to get into trouble during those hours between school and dinner and need supervision.
A typical after school extended day care afternoon starts when the students sign in at the gym, have a small snack they provide themselves, get help with homework, engage in different activities including Wii sports games, basketball, arts and crafts, and board games.
Haftman said they have at least 15 kids signed up so far and hopes to get more through word of mouth to make it a permanent program.
She also said she hopes kids find the experience fun and safe as opposed to being at home alone and allows them to interact with other students and adults.
Haftman said the biggest challenge is getting enrollment up.
“Our extended day care program, which runs now in all seven of our other schools, is self-sustaining,” Reynolds said. “The fees paid by parents support the employees and other program needs.”
Haftman said she hopes parents approve of the program knowing their children are safe, having fun, and have homework done.
