Problem is that even when we paid, it in no way covered the cost. I agree as the a parent of a rising 6th grader, I would still benefit by paying a certain several hundred a month to a private provider at the school. Maybe those of us who felt there was no clear evidence will feel better about where our money is going.

Your money order is definitely "processed". If DC Treasurer is not written on it, or scratched out-- they sent them back immediately. So there is a system that they are being entered into. Now, whether or not the money order has been cashed and placed in a legit budget is a different story...

Anonymous wrote:To get a copy of your payments, try contacting:

Rachelle Etienne-Robinson
Program Associate/Co-pay Coordinator
Office of Out-of-School Time Programs
1200 First St. NE, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Main: (202) 442-5002
Direct202) 576-8624
rachelle.etienne-robinson@dc.gov

Even if I get a copy that shows I paid, how can I know that the money order was actually cashed? And if so, what was done with the money? That's the kind of thing the council needs to look at.

To get a copy of your payments, try contacting:

Rachelle Etienne-Robinson
Program Associate/Co-pay Coordinator
Office of Out-of-School Time Programs
1200 First St. NE, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Main: (202) 442-5002
Direct202) 576-8624
rachelle.etienne-robinson@dc.gov

We have paid for DCPS aftercare. And every month, I suspect that my stupid money order isn't getting cashed, but just sitting in a big pile o money orders in some file cabinet. I will ask Council to get transparancy of these payments. Why can't we pay with a credit card for aftercare like we can for lunches? On-line, even!! This money order business is crap.

Parents at Deal: I would be willing to pay a private company a higher fee--like $7-800 to provide Middle School targeted after care. Still way cheaper than nanny or baby sitter and frankly these guys need to be doing something supervised besides hanging out during the hours between 3:15 and 6:30. Seriously, do you remember the trouble you got up to at that age?

For those who are still upset about the cuts to DCPS aftercare, this may be a chance to bring it to the DC council's attention. I can't attend but will submit a letter:
------------------------------------------

Council Chairman, Mendelson, has scheduled a Public Roundtable by the Committee of the Whole to discuss what priorities the Council should address during the remains of Council Period 19 on July 13 at 1:00p.m., in Hearing Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building.

Those who wish to testify should register online or contact Ms. Erika Wadlington, Legislative Assistant , at 202-724-8124 or via email at ewadlingon@dccouncil.us, and provide their name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if any) by close of business Thursday, July 12, 2012.

If you are unable to testify at the roundtable, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted either to Ms. Wadlington or Ms. Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council, Room 5 of the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20004.

I am sure they are happy to keep taking your check but since they have never asked for payment did you ever once stop and think that maybe some policy may have changed after you signed the contract and they didn't tell you. This is the DC public school system afterall so I wouldn't count on them to be super organized.

I don't think anyone should just start randomly paying. If they bill at the end of the year for the whole year, well, then they do. so what?

You are one ugly, unapologetic cheater.

Disgusting.

One way to improve aftercare would be for parents to volunteer their time. Instead of picking up DC early, stay and help out with ALL the kids, once a week or once a month or whatever you can do. Or organize to bring in enrichment programs. The kids could get a lot of extras into those afternoons but the money isn't there at the majority of DC schools.

Aftercare is paid by a federal grant that as previous posters have indicated is for Title One schools. Gathering of payment is scanty and the care frankly is not the best, mostly school aids that are already tired of kids from working all day. Most of the non-title schools have outside contract programs that must provide a level of quality and charge twice as much than even DC Aftercare if you were to pay. I have been frustrated by it for years because the free care means you can't get providers that you can pay for quality as most parents would rather or maybe need to use the free substandard care.

FARM = Free and Reduced Price Meals

Anonymous wrote:FARMS rates

Sorry... newbie question... what does this mean?

Again, where is the information on the possible elimination of DCPS aftercare coming from? This is a program that enables many working-class folks to keep their families afloat, and in some schools it's organized as an extension of the school day. I think it's absolutely worth advocating about, but before I call my council member I'd like to say something more than, "Anonymous on DCUM says..."

In my experience the schools that have super high FARMS rates actually end up having free aftercare for all. I think it is just too complicated to figure out who actually needs to pay. Also, we were at a Title 1 school with our 2 sped kids. We were told we didn't have to pay for them because they are sped. Believe me we would have paid but we were grateful for that extra money to pay for their additional therapists outside of school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard that DCPS aftcare may be eliminated or limited next year due to budget cuts. I also heard that some parents don't even pay for the aftercare. I'm not sure how they get away with not paying if they are required to do so. Does anyone have more information on this?

This makes no sense to me. Isn't it a school-by-school issue?? JED, Wonders at Mann, Murch Extended Day, etc. -- isn't it up to the schools??

No. There is a difference between say Murch's aftercare program and the aftercare programs that are run by DCPS. I believe the OP is speaking of those schools that offer DCPS aftercare - not programs that are separate nonprofit orgs like at Janney and Murch. Still it would be surprising if DCPS aftercare is at-risk of being eliminated. It makes no sense.