After-School Program

Needed More Than Ever

To the Editor:

Sixteen years ago, when my older son was at Head O’ Meadow, the YMCA stopped its after-school service. I was alarmed, since my husband and I worked full-time. Hiring a babysitter was not suitable. We believed that the socialization and variety of activities was more advantageous.

Then Superintendent John Reed suggested Education Connection, part of the statewide Regional Educational Service Center established in the 1960s to respond to identified educational needs. Funding came from state, federal, and private grants. It offered state-licensed before- and after-school programs in the schools. Also, these programs charged affordable fees and required no funding from school districts. Here was the answer.

Head O’ Meadow’s program struggled for a couple of years, since a certain number of children were required to maintain the program. At this time, a dual-income family was not common. Also, a stigma was still attached to working women.

Education Connection then took off, in all elementary schools and the middle school. The Board of Education has been very supportive with space allocation. Services are offered after school, before school, or both. School vacation and summer programs are very popular. My 21-year-old attended, and now my 11-year-old does the same.

This year, enrollment declined. For the first time, students at Middle Gate were transported to Head O’ Meadow because numbers were not high enough. The middle school after-school program was cancelled, because enrollment was lower than usual. Timing did not allow combining with Reed.

I am perplexed and disheartened. It is difficult believing that Newtown’s need for quality after-school services has truly decreased. The national organization After School Alliance states that about 15 million American children have no place to go when the bell rings. Now, dual-income families are commonplace, especially with the present cost of living. Many families hire care providers at home, but this still does not explain the decline.

It is essential that Education Connection continues. It is definitely a necessity for the 21st Century. Next year, my son will attend the middle school. He will be 11 going on 12 — too young to be home alone. The investment in tuition far outweighs the cost of unsupervised young teens. The program is as vital today as when starting. I know Newtown’s schools will continue to team with Education Connection to ensure this service is widely publicized and more parents become aware of its availability.

Sign up for next year’s Education Connection is April 29 at the Middle School from 6 to 7:30 pm. Contact Ronni Whiting at 800-852-4314, ext 167, or whiting@educationconnection.org for additional information.

 Sharon L. Cohen

Eden Hill Road, Newtown                                           April 7, 2004