Anyone's DCPS school ever cancel aftercare?

[Anonymous]

Enrolled my son at Tubman for prek next year and my wife happens to know one of the prek teachers. Learning after we enrolled that they are seriously concerned that they won't have aftercare next year due to budget cuts. Has anyone else's DCPS school ever just not had aftercare? I don't understand how a school can do this - what do working parents do?? We're working on getting clarity and also looking into other options. Just want to get a sense of if this is in the realm of normal.

[Anonymous]

I think it's a question of federal funding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's a question of federal funding.

for aftercare?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's a question of federal funding.

There are funding issues all around, but this particular issue relates to the roughly $1m cut that Tubman is facing for the next school year bc of the likely temporary decline in enrollment while it is in the swing space as it goes through rennovations.

[Anonymous]

FYI, since this is for prek and you may not be familiar, there are private aftercare options. Our school doesn't guarantee aftercare spots for all students, so those on the waitlist do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's a question of federal funding.

for aftercare?

Yes. DCPS uses federal funding for the cost of aftercare, I believe it's TANF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's a question of federal funding.

for aftercare?

Yes. DCPS uses federal funding for the cost of aftercare, I believe it's TANF.

Many on-site aftercare programs are not free, but use a sliding scale. Do all programs get some sort of federal funding to subsidize their programs, or do some not rely on federal funding at all?

Based on DCPS website it looks like Tubman currently uses a sliding scale/voucher. Would they really eliminate aftercare entirely instead of just charging more?

[Anonymous]

My kids are at Tubman, and they go to Champions aftercare (in the swing space). That is the basic, fee-for-service aftercare there. I have heard nothing about Champions being impacted by the budget cuts, as it's a whole separate company, and I don't believe they're impacted by the school budget cuts (largest in the district! So unfair!).

I suspect the teacher is referring to one of two other things. 1) Aftercare at a Title I school like Tubman is subsidized by the federal government, so there is always the possibility that Trump does something crazy with the Department of Ed that impacts that, but it would impact literally every Title I school in the country if that happened. Or 2) there are other after school programs and aftercare options above and beyond Champions, most of which are aimed at low income students. I'm not at all familiar with those programs or how they are funded, but it's very possible some are funded by the school and might be impacted by the funding cuts.

I'm picking my kids up from Champions later today and will check in with the site leader and see if she knows anything. But I'm very plugged in at the school with other parents, and there has been no talk of Champions being impacted by the cuts.

Welcome to Tubman! It's a great community! We've had a great experience there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are at Tubman, and they go to Champions aftercare (in the swing space). That is the basic, fee-for-service aftercare there. I have heard nothing about Champions being impacted by the budget cuts, as it's a whole separate company, and I don't believe they're impacted by the school budget cuts (largest in the district! So unfair!).

I suspect the teacher is referring to one of two other things. 1) Aftercare at a Title I school like Tubman is subsidized by the federal government, so there is always the possibility that Trump does something crazy with the Department of Ed that impacts that, but it would impact literally every Title I school in the country if that happened. Or 2) there are other after school programs and aftercare options above and beyond Champions, most of which are aimed at low income students. I'm not at all familiar with those programs or how they are funded, but it's very possible some are funded by the school and might be impacted by the funding cuts.

I'm picking my kids up from Champions later today and will check in with the site leader and see if she knows anything. But I'm very plugged in at the school with other parents, and there has been no talk of Champions being impacted by the cuts.

Welcome to Tubman! It's a great community! We've had a great experience there.

OP: Thank you, that makes me feel much better. Was getting very anxious when I tried to contact Champions and haven't gotten a solid answer about enrollment or even been able to talk to someone who knows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's a question of federal funding.

for aftercare?

Yes. DCPS uses federal funding for the cost of aftercare, I believe it's TANF.

It's 21st Century community learning centers' grant from the US DOE. DCPS-run aftercare is also funded by local $ with that grant. This is for Title 1 schools anyway.

[Anonymous]

I’m the Tubman parent from up thread. I asked at Champions and they said they didn’t know anything about any issues, and said I could actually enroll for next year now if I’d like to.

I asked a fellow parent who is active in the PTA, and she confirmed that there is an issue with one of the other aftercare programs (that does cater to low income students) but nothing that would impact Champions. So it seems my guess #2 above was correct. You should have no problem enrolling in Champions for next year.

If you post a burner email, I can even send you the enrollment forms and where to send them.

See you next year!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the Tubman parent from up thread. I asked at Champions and they said they didn’t know anything about any issues, and said I could actually enroll for next year now if I’d like to.

I asked a fellow parent who is active in the PTA, and she confirmed that there is an issue with one of the other aftercare programs (that does cater to low income students) but nothing that would impact Champions. So it seems my guess #2 above was correct. You should have no problem enrolling in Champions for next year.

If you post a burner email, I can even send you the enrollment forms and where to send them.

See you next year!

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the Tubman parent from up thread. I asked at Champions and they said they didn’t know anything about any issues, and said I could actually enroll for next year now if I’d like to.

I asked a fellow parent who is active in the PTA, and she confirmed that there is an issue with one of the other aftercare programs (that does cater to low income students) but nothing that would impact Champions. So it seems my guess #2 above was correct. You should have no problem enrolling in Champions for next year.

If you post a burner email, I can even send you the enrollment forms and where to send them.

See you next year!

I feel like Fishing School was the problem? And maybe that it wasn’t that great of a loss because it was poorly run? The principal will probably give you all the info if you ask her!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the Tubman parent from up thread. I asked at Champions and they said they didn’t know anything about any issues, and said I could actually enroll for next year now if I’d like to.

I asked a fellow parent who is active in the PTA, and she confirmed that there is an issue with one of the other aftercare programs (that does cater to low income students) but nothing that would impact Champions. So it seems my guess #2 above was correct. You should have no problem enrolling in Champions for next year.

If you post a burner email, I can even send you the enrollment forms and where to send them.

See you next year!

I feel like Fishing School was the problem? And maybe that it wasn’t that great of a loss because it was poorly run? The principal will probably give you all the info if you ask her!

Different school, but I was told that Fishing School is not doing aftercare at all next year, but switching to a part time enrichment type organization, so maybe it's a provider issue, not a funding issue?