HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.2 Afterschool Recreation ProgramCITY OF DUBLIN
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
AGENDA STATEMENT
MEETING DATE: JULY 10, 1990
SUBJECT Afterschool Recreation Program
EXHIBITS ATTACHED None
RECOMMENDATION Receive Report and Provide Direction
FINANCIAL STATEMENT None
DESCRIPTION For the past five years, the Recreation Department
has conducted an Afterschool Recreation Program for children at both Murray
and Nielsen Elementary Schools. The program has been held Monday through
Friday from 2:00-5:OOpm with no program on minimum school days or City
holidays. Participants are assessed a $10.00 registration fee upon
enrollment and occasionally minimal fees are charged for special craft or
cooking projects. The purpose of this program is to provide an enjoyable,
structured program of activities for children to participate in after
school as an alternative to staying at home. The program is designed as a
drop -in program, with participants signing themselves in when they arrive
and signing themselves out when they depart. Although the Afterschool
Recreation Program was not designed to be a childcare program, it has
become apparent that the majority of parents who register their children
for the program do so because it represents an inexpensive baby-sitting
service for their children.
At the conclusion of the 1989-90 school year, a survey was distributed to
33 parents in order to obtain their input on the program. Of the 14 that
responded to the survey, the majority stated that childcare or adult
supervision for their children was their primary reason for participating
in the program. In addition, most parents surveyed expressed
dissatisfaction with the hours of operation (2:00-5:OOpm) and the fact that
the program is not held on minimum days or holidays. So while a daily
program meets their childcare or baby-sitting needs, the limited hours do
not.
This past year was a very difficult one for the Afterschool Program due to
excessive staff turnover. Constant training and supervision were needed to
provide an effective program. Because the program is viewed as childcare,
we often get children who are being made to attend the program and,
consequently, are discipline problems. As a result of these discipline
problems, staff becomes "burnt -out" and frustrated more easily which
resulted in the big turnover rate we experienced this year. Additionally
the program hours limit the availability of student workers who are unable
to arrange their school schedules to conform to the hours of the program.
In order to develop a program that would reach a broader segment of the
community, staff proposes to revise the format of the Afterschool Program.
As childcare is now available at each of the school sites, the focus of the
City program should be on recreation, not childcare. The proposed program
envisioned by staff would incorporate both the Afterschool Sports Program
with the Afterschool Recreation Program. In addition the program would be
expanded to include Frederiksen School as well as Murray and Nielsen
Schools. Recreation activities would be offered on Wednesdays and Fridays
with sports programming offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Every other
Monday would be a special event, such as a carnival, guest speaker or a
local excursion; the alternate Monday would be for staff planning and
preparation time. The program hours would be from 3:00-5:OOpm with baby-
sitting available from 2:00-3:OOpm for those children who get out of school
at 2:OOpm. There would be a fee charged for baby-sitting and minimal fees
for participation in the sports and recreation program. Staff proposes to
change the program name to "Kid's Klub" instead of Afterschool Recreation.
In order to make the necessary arrangements for publicity, staffing and
sites, staff needs to begin the planning process for the program.
Therefore it is recommended that the Commission review the proposed program
and provide input and direction to staff as appropriate.
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