Tell me about Lafayette's aftercare program

[Anonymous]

We were looking at the Lafayette school zone to buy a house but this is giving me serious qualms. I didn't realize the school was so short on aftercare spots.

Does anyone know what the school is doing to increase the # of spots? And with the two off site aftercares, if you're really on the ball are you likely to get into one of the three? Is the LAP program a lottery or is it first come first served, or is it something where the longer you've been at the school the more likely you are to get a spot? Thanks for any more info!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were looking at the Lafayette school zone to buy a house but this is giving me serious qualms. I didn't realize the school was so short on aftercare spots.

Does anyone know what the school is doing to increase the # of spots? And with the two off site aftercares, if you're really on the ball are you likely to get into one of the three? Is the LAP program a lottery or is it first come first served, or is it something where the longer you've been at the school the more likely you are to get a spot? Thanks for any more info!

Keep in mind that when you say "the school," you mean the parents and local community. DCPS does not provide before or after care in this or many other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bump. Could someone familiar with LAP and Lafayette explain whether the school is trying to address this problem? Is there any hope or does everyone just accept that there are nowhere near enough spaces for the community's needs?

When the school reopened LAP increased the number of spots due to more space. There are still those on a waiting list. LAP is not run by the school although I am sure the school (administration) tries to influence how many spots are available so more families can sign up. The school now has the space to accommodate everyone who would like to enroll their child. Maybe this is what LAP is working toward this year, I don't really know. But there are other schools that make school located aftercare available to anyone who wants to sign up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were looking at the Lafayette school zone to buy a house but this is giving me serious qualms. I didn't realize the school was so short on aftercare spots.

Does anyone know what the school is doing to increase the # of spots? And with the two off site aftercares, if you're really on the ball are you likely to get into one of the three? Is the LAP program a lottery or is it first come first served, or is it something where the longer you've been at the school the more likely you are to get a spot? Thanks for any more info!

Keep in mind that when you say "the school," you mean the parents and local community. DCPS does not provide before or after care in this or many other schools.

I just know from the DCPS school we were in last year there was a problem with the aftercare program (provided by DCPS because it was Title 1) and the principal was extremely involved in bringing in a better program. And they guaranteed aftercare if you applied on time - they would hire up in order to make sure they filled the community's need. It was great to see the principal work with the parents/PTA/council member.

[Anonymous]

I would think that with the renovation, space should not be an issue. We are at Janney, and the aftercare program takes everyone (and I believe is like 300+ kids in the program).

[Anonymous]

Dr. Broquard wants to expand LAP to be able to accommodate every child who wants a spot (and LAP is much larger this year than it was last year), but it will take some more time before they can accommodate everyone.

[Anonymous]

I was shocked to learn that LAP actually does not have a designated spot in the new renovated school. In the old school they had a large room for LAP only, and they had a lot of things there for the kids to use and do when they couldn't be outside. And there was a separate space for the really little kids. Now, LAP is roaming between the playground, cafeteria (which is insanely noisy) and the multipurpose room. The new school is so spacious I really don't understand why LAP didn't get its own space.

Also to echo PPs, LAP is independent of the school and DCPS. It is sanctioned by both, and coordinates with Lafayette and the principal, but not controlled or funded by DCPS or Lafayette.

I think there is interest in expanding LAP, but without dedicated space and more staff, it's unclear how that can happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was shocked to learn that LAP actually does not have a designated spot in the new renovated school. In the old school they had a large room for LAP only, and they had a lot of things there for the kids to use and do when they couldn't be outside. And there was a separate space for the really little kids. Now, LAP is roaming between the playground, cafeteria (which is insanely noisy) and the multipurpose room. The new school is so spacious I really don't understand why LAP didn't get its own space.

Also to echo PPs, LAP is independent of the school and DCPS. It is sanctioned by both, and coordinates with Lafayette and the principal, but not controlled or funded by DCPS or Lafayette.

I think there is interest in expanding LAP, but without dedicated space and more staff, it's unclear how that can happen.

Do any schools have have dedicated on-site after care space?

IMO if there were to be such a thing, there is an obligation to serve all kids who want it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was shocked to learn that LAP actually does not have a designated spot in the new renovated school. In the old school they had a large room for LAP only, and they had a lot of things there for the kids to use and do when they couldn't be outside. And there was a separate space for the really little kids. Now, LAP is roaming between the playground, cafeteria (which is insanely noisy) and the multipurpose room. The new school is so spacious I really don't understand why LAP didn't get its own space.

Also to echo PPs, LAP is independent of the school and DCPS. It is sanctioned by both, and coordinates with Lafayette and the principal, but not controlled or funded by DCPS or Lafayette.

I think there is interest in expanding LAP, but without dedicated space and more staff, it's unclear how that can happen.

Pretty sure independent companies have to rent the space from DCPS to use the building. I don't think you can use tax dollars to build a special room for an independent after care program. DCPS should reform this obviously.

[Anonymous]

Here is the cost to use the facility:

http://dcps.dc.gov/page/use-school-facilities-and-grounds

[Anonymous]

How can interested parents work to fix this capacity issue? Our DC will be starting up next year, will need aftercare, and we want to try to cut this issue off at the pass. TIA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can interested parents work to fix this capacity issue? Our DC will be starting up next year, will need aftercare, and we want to try to cut this issue off at the pass. TIA.

Contact Dr. B's office and ask what they are doing about it. I suspect there's a plan-- just that none of us know what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can interested parents work to fix this capacity issue? Our DC will be starting up next year, will need aftercare, and we want to try to cut this issue off at the pass. TIA.

LAP has a board of directors. Sounds like you need to talk to them. https://lapprogram.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/lap-parent-handbook1.pdf

School also mentions a couple other options on its website. http://www.lafayettehsa.org/after-school-programs/

[Anonymous]

I encourage all interested to get involved with the LAP Board. There is a lot going on now and parent involvement is key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can interested parents work to fix this capacity issue? Our DC will be starting up next year, will need aftercare, and we want to try to cut this issue off at the pass. TIA.

+1

When we had problems with aftercare in our Hill DCPS school, Charles Allen was instrumental in finding a great solution too.