S/O - does your DCPS or Charter School provide a dedicated space for after-care?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| OP - why are you asking? Do you want your school to have dedicated space or are you just polling? This seems like an odd question and a more relevant question would be the quality (or parent satisfaction) of the aftercare. A school may not have a designated space but provide a wonderful experience for the kids. Opposite could be true. Wondering what you are getting at. |
Anonymous
|
Polling.
Some parents at DC's school are advocating for dedicated space for the after-care provider. They are asking our PTA/O to weigh-in with school leadership arguing that dedicated space is standard at other DC schools. I'm a PTA/O officer and am skeptical that this is the norm. Trying to gather some data before putting it to a vote. |
Anonymous
|
By designated space, do you mean a space that is used only by the aftercare provider? Seems awfully wasteful and inefficient.
I believe our aftercare provider has a storage closet for craft supplies, toys, balls, etc. but otherwise they use the multipurpose room and some classrooms. |
Anonymous
Yes - that's what they are seeking. |
Anonymous
Dedicated as in only for aftercare? I think that is highly unlikely. |
Anonymous
I agree. I would assume that the only way to have dedicated aftercare space is if the school is underattended. |
Anonymous
| Been at 2 schools and at both, they use existing classrooms, outdoor playground space and the cafeteria for aftercare. There is no special room used only for aftercare. |
Anonymous
I'll say it: what a dumb idea. Hope that gets voted down. |
Anonymous
| Why would PTA have a say in this? Wouldn't school decide? |
Anonymous
|
At Barnard DCPS aftercare they used classrooms separated by grade for aftercare and of course the playground.
At Hearst, Innis uses the playground and the gym. There is also a rec center adjacent to Hearst that offers aftercare (if you can get in, it fills up quickly.) The building is a crumbling old cottage that looks cute from the outside but it inadequate to the role - it really needs to be replaced. Right now the rec kids do not get to use the gym during inclement weather, even though all of them are Hearst kids. |
Anonymous
Of course school would decide. But if you are trying to build support for something it's better to be able to say 'the PTO agrees/supports this' than just a few people. |
Anonymous
| I do think that barring athletic practices or games that kids in aftercare need a place indoors to run around in winter. If you do not have a cafeteria or gym space, another couple of large multi-use rooms are needed. |
Anonymous
|
What do you care what is "standard?" Are you sure you understand what the other parents are asking for?
There must be a reason they are saying there is a need for dedicated space - such as that the gym is constantly in use for other after school activities. Does your school force the kids to walk to another location for aftercare? Then yes you do need a shared space onsite. |
Anonymous
| Why does Murch let kids use the indoor spaces for aftercare? That seems weird. |
Anonymous
| I meant NOT use |