TORONTO – The city school district will begin a new program to provide before- and after-school child care for pupils in third through fifth grades.
The program at Karaffa Elementary School will include supervision for parents dropping off or picking up their children before or after school from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every school day, according to Rich Lucci, director of special programs.
“It’s before- and after-school child care at Karaffa Elementary School,” said Lucci. “The supervision will be done by teachers’ aides.”
The program will include recreation and recess at the end of the school day at 3 p.m., and “there will be a snack after recess,” said Lucci. “Help with homework also is available, along with peer tutoring. Some of the older (students and pupils) will work with the younger pupils.”
Lucci said the program also would include companionship and computer-assisted instruction in Study Island, accelerated math and reading. A mobile iPad also will be available for pupils, he added.
“The service will cost $5 per day,” said Maureen Taggart, district communications coordinator. “That covers both before- and after-school hours.
“We saw it was a need for parents,” Taggart continued. “”(The need) has been expressed by parents, and we’re hoping to provide a service that’s needed.”
The program is partially funded through a federal grant for economically disadvantaged children, said Taggart, adding the administration “wants to see if there’s a interest in the program.”
Parents also are presented with a handbook on program guidelines, she added.
For information on the program, call (740) 537-2456, extension 208.
Article source: http://www.heraldstaronline.com/page/content.detail/id/575855/District-to-begin-child-care-program.html?nav=5010
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