What does your middle school-er do after school lets out?

[Anonymous]

We may have a relative come live with us this coming school year who would attend our local middle school. My kids are much younger, so I am only familiar with KAH and PTA-sponsored activities at elementary school. Our middle school has a few after school activities/clubs posted on the website, but it doesn't seem like they meet every day or throughout the school year. As working parents, we are unable to be home at 3 pm every day. I am a bit stumped. What does your middle school-er do when class lets out?

[Anonymous]

Comes home, does homework. Or has a friend over or goes to a friend’s. Plus clubs sometimes after school.

[Anonymous]

There will be no consistent after-school care at a MoCo middle school. School-sponsored after-school activities only take place Tue-Thu, and even they that's only for a limited number of weeks (I think 8 or 10?) per semester. So the first few weeks at the beginning and end of a semester are not covered. Same with paid private clubs like soccer or whatever, though of course those can also be Mon and Fri. But then you have to take them there, and locations/times often change or practices are canceled. There are very few activities that run consistently all year round. Bane of my existence.

[Anonymous]

There are also some after-school child care programs that include middle schoolers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are also some after-school child care programs that include middle schoolers.

Kidpower is based at SSIMS, but also has kids from Eastern, Sligo, and TPMS. http://www.kidpowerwebsite.com

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We may have a relative come live with us this coming school year who would attend our local middle school. My kids are much younger, so I am only familiar with KAH and PTA-sponsored activities at elementary school. Our middle school has a few after school activities/clubs posted on the website, but it doesn't seem like they meet every day or throughout the school year. As working parents, we are unable to be home at 3 pm every day. I am a bit stumped. What does your middle school-er do when class lets out?

Middle schoolers do not need mom or dad home. They get home, do homework, ride bikes with friends, watch tv, do chores, prep dinner, text on their phone, go to a friend’s house, read a book, walk the dog, etc....

[Anonymous]

Takes the bus home, eats, lets the dog out, waits for the rest of us to get home. Sometimes stays at school for a club and takes the late bus home.

[Anonymous]

Comes home, eats and does homework.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you named the middle school, there *might* be some more useful, specific suggestions. (Or there might not.)

Do you know what kinds of interests your relative has?

[Anonymous]

Also what grade/age of your relative? My oldest is going into 5th, but I am really hesitant about leaving a 6th grader home alone every day after school, especially because she’s very young for her grade. But 7th/8th I’m not as concerned. Though kids who are really going off the rails as teens tend to start in 8th, so depending on why your relative is coming to stay with you I might also be worried about an older middle schooler having that much unsupervised time.

[Anonymous]

City of Rockville runs programs for middle schoolers at two community centers..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There will be no consistent after-school care at a MoCo middle school. School-sponsored after-school activities only take place Tue-Thu, and even they that's only for a limited number of weeks (I think 8 or 10?) per semester. So the first few weeks at the beginning and end of a semester are not covered. Same with paid private clubs like soccer or whatever, though of course those can also be Mon and Fri. But then you have to take them there, and locations/times often change or practices are canceled. There are very few activities that run consistently all year round. Bane of my existence.

That must be school dependent. I run two clubs and we meet at least 15 weeks in the fall 18 week semester and at least 14 in the spring. If we don’t meet it is usually because school isn’t in session or activity buses aren’t running. There are clubs that only meet for two months but they are usually intramural sports. Step team met 3/4 of the year in preparation for a competition. Something like Model UN or Mathletes will run all year. Robotics met all year and so did the Sewing Club, D&D, Sign Language, and Legos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We may have a relative come live with us this coming school year who would attend our local middle school. My kids are much younger, so I am only familiar with KAH and PTA-sponsored activities at elementary school. Our middle school has a few after school activities/clubs posted on the website, but it doesn't seem like they meet every day or throughout the school year. As working parents, we are unable to be home at 3 pm every day. I am a bit stumped. What does your middle school-er do when class lets out?

Some of the middle schools have before and after care programs. Also, local community centers sometimes have after care programs. There are a few taekwando/karate clubs that also will do daily pick-ups from schools daily. Homework 1 hour then practice for an hour. Call the local middle school up and ask what is available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We may have a relative come live with us this coming school year who would attend our local middle school. My kids are much younger, so I am only familiar with KAH and PTA-sponsored activities at elementary school. Our middle school has a few after school activities/clubs posted on the website, but it doesn't seem like they meet every day or throughout the school year. As working parents, we are unable to be home at 3 pm every day. I am a bit stumped. What does your middle school-er do when class lets out?

Middle schoolers do not need mom or dad home. They get home, do homework, ride bikes with friends, watch tv, do chores, prep dinner, text on their phone, go to a friend’s house, read a book, walk the dog, etc....

Most middle schoolers do not. But not knowing the circumstances of relative coming to live with OP, it's impossible to say about that particular middle schooler.

OP, there is not built in care for MS students. If you suspect that your student should not stay home alone you can try to hire a college student or a neighbor to provide supervision for those after school hours.

[Anonymous]

Some schools have Excel Beyond the Bell. Knowing the middle school and the area you live in will help us give you specific suggestions for your situation.